Once again it’s time to fire up the spotlights and shine them on the couch on center stage. In just a few moments, my guest author Elodie Parkes will join us. Her newest novel was just released and she’s graciously agreed to spend a little time with us today talking about that and herself. So gather around, get comfortable and join me in welcoming Elodie to Behind Closed Doors.
Thank you for agreeing to be with us today, Elodie. How about we get started with the questions about you as a writer. What inspires you to write?
People and emotions inspires me. The complexity of life spurs me to write.
Are you a plotter or panster or a little of both?
I start to write with the ideas and characters already in my head. It generally just flows because I know the story I want to tell.
Do your stories tend to be character driven or plot driven?
Both I think, although with a greater emphasis on the characters.
Do you listen to music while writing? What kinds of music work best for you? Do different types of music help you for different types of scenes?
I listen to nothing when I am writing (laughs) even if something is on, you know TV or CD I can’t hear it. I go into my writing and that’s it, I’m completely unavailable to the world and its noise.
Tell us about the different types of characters you like to write about? Why are these types so appealing to you?
I write about composites of people I have met, seen, or noticed in real life. I think there is a lot of loneliness out there in the real world and I like to give those characters I create love, friends and for them to grow too.
What are your favorite fiction genres to read from?
Well I read heaps of books and genre hop. I have no favorite author, as I love so many author’s work. I read a whole lot of paranormal romance. I read Science Fiction, mystery, contemporary romance. I read reference books too, usually, art, art history, and some business books. I’ve read all William Gibson’s books. I’ve read hundreds of books, as it’s one of my favorite pastimes. I’m reading ‘Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter’ right now.
Who are some of your favorite authors and why do you think they appeal so much to you?
Well as I said I don’t have a real favorite author but I can say, I like Philip K Dick because his Sci-fi is so creative and intelligent, Robert Goddard because he is forever re-inventing, Sue Grafton because how do you write am alphabet of detective crime that is entertaining consistently like her ?
Christine Feehan because she just goes for it (smiles).
What kinds of stories are your comfort reads when you are sick or feeling low?
Sexy, erotic romance HEA’s
What inspires you and why? (Art, poetry, music, movie, book, etc. Please share something specific if you like.)
People inspire me, just in general life. Art is a favorite of mine but it has not so far inspired a book. I think it’s life and the way we all live. I write romance, erotic romance because I think we need more love in the world. Real love I mean, acceptance, caring and camaraderie.
Besides reading and writing, what activities do you enjoy in your leisure time?
What’s your day job? Do you like it? Why or why not? How has your job affected your personal development? How has it affected your writing life?
I run about with my dogs Celt and Chaucer. I trawl through antiques fairs and markets as I do love this.
I work in a shop, an antiques shop and I meet a huge variety of people who often give me ideas. For instance for my book ‘Millie Reinvented’ I did have inspiration from a customer. I was talking to a young woman who was in the antiques shop where I work and she was buying a little sculpture of two lovers kissing. She said she had to have it because it was so nice to look at, as her husband didn’t even kiss her anymore. I couldn’t say anything I just wrapped the item, and stored the thought until the story burst out onto my laptop.
Congratulations on your new release, The Horoscope Writer. In one or two sentences, give us the core premise of the story.
Life is stranger than you think. Everyone needs and wants real love and a lifelong love.
When and where does your book take place?
The Horoscope Writer take place in rural/urban United Kingdom in 2012.
Who is the heroine?
Cassandra Thomson
What drives her?
Her childhood experience of being a disappointment to her parents. Her artistic talent. Her need to be loved.
What draws her to the hero in this story?
She is drawn to Dominic the hero because he is unusual, creative as she is, (he’s a writer). He is unknowingly broadcasting desire for her and she needs that.
Who is the hero?
Dominic Reed
What drives him?
His loneliness, his past experience, and his strange inheritance from his great uncle.
What draws him to the heroine in this story?
Her looks initially and then her trust and love for him. (Smiles)
Rumor has it, you’re working on your next novel. What’s it called?
The Last Time
Now let’s get a look at your new release The Horoscope Writer. You are all in for a real treat. Elodie has brought an excerpt for us today as well as a short blurb.
Blurb
When Dominic Reed looks out of his study window and sees Cassie, he’s not sure what to make of her at first. That’s before he sees her lovely gray eyes and pretty skin. He’s a writer and works alone, which to his sadness has become his way of life.
When he asks Cassie to have coffee with him, it’s the start of an intoxicating romance for the both of them. If only Dominic didn’t have to hide some of his writing, if only he hadn’t inherited a strange gift from his great uncle Aubrey. Cassie ignites a passion in Dominic that he has never felt before, and he seeks for a way to bind her to him.
Cassie is an artist and when she falls in love with Dominic she paints him a picture of his wonderful back garden where they have made love, little knowing that it will have a special effect on Dominic.
Excerpt
Dominic stood back and pulled off his sweater, and then almost tore the buttons of Cassie’s shirt open to reach her breasts. He pushed her bra down to her waist exposing her breasts and cupping them in his hands. Cassie’s breath was coming in gasps as Dominic sucked on her nipples, and then turned her around to clasp her to him, and kiss down her neck from behind. With his other hand, he unzipped her jeans and slid his hand down her stomach.
Cassie was desperate to feel his fingers inside her, and she arched towards his hand, pushing her jeans down for him to reach her. Dominic moved his fingers down to reach her wet and throbbing for him.
He held her gently around her neck to reach her jaw and bring her head back to kiss her lips. With his fingers inside her, his tongue in her mouth, and his own hard desire pressing against her bottom Cassie moaned as she came. She was weak from the sensation, and Dominic was groaning low and whispering something to her. She turned her head more bringing her arms up around his head to keep his kiss on her lips.
“I need you so much”, Dominic was whispering, and he gently pressed her to bend across his kitchen table. Cassie knew what was going to happen and she craved it. Dominic pushed down his own jeans to free his erection before the hardness killed him. He was tender as he pushed into Cassie from behind, holding her around her breasts so that she was not pushed hard against the polished wood. He slid into her and thrust deep wanting her to come again as she sighed with the pleasure of his hands on her breasts, her hips, and the way he filled her.
Dominic was in love with her but she ignited a sexual need in him that drove him to thrust hard, and he let go of her breasts to bring his fingers to her bud at the same time as he thrust into her. Cassie couldn’t breathe as she came again, and gasped his name. “Dominic”.
Elodie Parkes, it’s been a pleasure having you with us today. I hope you will come back again soon when your next book is available for us to read. Until then we’ll catch up with you and your latest novel updates online.
Where to find Elodie
You can also find Elodie’s books on Amazon by clicking on the covers above and on Amazon UK here:
Behind Closed Doors 
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