Please give a warm welcome to Harper Jewel, author of Trent and Trey (Inked Heat Series).
Tell us a bit about yourself and what you’re currently working on or promoting.
I’m fairly new on the scene and write short stories (10,000 – 20,000 words) only at the moment. My latest release, Trent & Trey, was the second installment in my Inked Heat Series. All the books in the series are based around a tattoo parlor and the two drop-dead sexy men that co-own it. Derek & Maks (Inked Heat #1) are cousins, and Trent & Trey Buchanan are brothers. Both books revolve around the woman the men romance and are ménages.
What genre is your book? Do you write in other genres as well?
I am currently working on two separate Series: Inked Heat and A Seekers Story. The Inked Heat Series are contemporary erotica and the Seekers stories are paranormal erotica. The Seekers stories revolve around a race of bird-of-prey shifters. The first book, Virgin Prey, tells the story about Aviana Byrde as she turns 18 and discovers in the tradition of their race who her life mate is. After her husband shows her all the carnal pleasures to be had in the marriage bed, fate plays a hand in tearing the pair apart until Aviana makes a startling discovery that rocks her world on its axis.
Do you have an agent and/or publisher or are you self-published? If self-published, do you use a professional editor? If traditionally published, who is your publisher?
I consider myself very lucky to have heard about Horny Devil Publishing from a friend. After writing my first short, Derek & Maks, I considered self-publishing, but decided to submit my story to HDP before attempting to do it myself. HDP has been wonderful to work with. I do not have to find or pay for editors, nor do I have to find or pay cover artists. Dee Allen, one of the cover artists for HDP has created all three of my covers to date. They are in a word: stunning! There is no way I would have been able to afford a cover artist that could create anything close to these masterpieces.
Do you outline your stories or just go with the flow?
I always begin with an outline, yes. However, and that is a big however, there are times when my characters veer off the outline into their own direction. The original ending outlined for Trent & Trey was not how the final ending played out. In fact, after I thought I was done with the story and doing a read-through, both Trent & Trey halted me in my tracks, and I suddenly found myself rewriting the ending to please both the Buchanan brothers.
What does your writing space look like?
I feel lucky and unlucky with my writing space. I’m lucky in that my work space is located in the extra bedroom in my home. When I’m burning the midnight oil because I’m “in the zone,” and my current work is moving at a good pace, I don’t disturb either my husband or my daughter. When I’m done for the night or early morning as it is at times, I simply crawl into the bed in my workroom and call it a night. I have a great husband who doesn’t complain when he wakes to find my side of our bed empty. He understands that when things are going smoothly, I have a hard time stopping. The unlucky part of my work space is that I do not have a laptop. I still use a tower pc with a monitor. So, when we lose power, I’m shut down with no battery backup, and I can’t just take my writing with me when we travel.
Who is your favorite author and why?
My favorite author is Kate Douglas. I have read everything she has ever written all the way back to her very first e-published works. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her in person and spent a very lovely evening with her two summers ago. She was definitely the author who drew me into reading erotica. To me, she is so descriptive with her characters and her scenes that I have no difficulty picturing them in my mind as I read. Those, as well as a great plot are the things that kept me coming back for more of her books.
What project are you currently working on?
Currently, I’m working on the second installment of A Seekers Story, tentatively titled Naked Prey. Once I have finished with that, I have two other things that are on the back burner. One is a new Series that the idea for came to me while sitting in traffic one day. It is a paranormal/sci-fi idea about an alien race from the planet Venus and their race to save their people from extinction. I’ve come up with the Series name of Warriors of Venus. I have also been talking with fellow HDP author, Dan Cocker, about the possibility of collaborating on something. That is still in the very early stages, though, and nothing is definite on that front.
What book are you currently reading?
I’m currently reading, Entwined With You by Sylvia Day. I had the opportunity to meet her recently at a book signing she did at a local Barnes & Noble. There were under 100 people there, and she spent almost 3 hours talking and signing books. It was great!
Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?
I really enjoyed writing the part of Trey in Trent & Trey. The younger of the two Buchanan brothers, he spoke the loudest to me. His southern drawl and the interplay he had with Trent was a blast to write.
Do you read your reviews and if so, how do you cope with a bad one?
As a new writer, I feel it is important to read every review, good or bad. I think constructive criticism is an important part of growing as a writer. I do understand, however, that my writing will not appeal to everyone.
I have found the writer’s community to be very supportive and welcoming. Please share three writers that you recommend for us to check out.
Cleo Taurus, a fellow HDP author I feel is very talented and writes from the heart. I also recommend checking out Oliver Lixx another HDP author as well as Bebe Balocca. I’ve read some of their things and have thoroughly enjoyed them.
You can find Harper on her website, blog, Facebook, Facebook page, Amazon, Manic Readers, Goodreads, and The Romance Reviews.
Click the cover to buy Harper’s book:
Running from a dark past, Cassie St. Cloud wonders if it’s even possible to escape her worst nightmares. Regardless, the fiery redhead refuses to be a victim and does just that. While secrecy is key to her survival, Cassie inadvertently finds herself squashed inside a triangle of lust, threatening to expose her darkest desires.
Sexy brothers, Trent and Trey Buchanan, own the hottest Tattoo Parlor and Ranch in town. Kings of their own castles, both are pleasantly shocked when a tiny female brings them to their knees.
A silent enemy looms in the background, waiting for the right moment to strike. When things take an unexpected turn for the worse, dark secrets and an unforgiving past send Trent, Trey, and Cassie running for their lives…
We are on the precipice of self-publishing our first title called The Demarcation of Jack, coming out November 7th. We are so excited to have the bulk of the formatting work done. Wow, what a learning curve on all of that. I found it crazy, frustrating, and daunting that each vendor had its own formatting requirements. On the bright side, I have learned so much that the next time should be a breeze.
