Interview with Melissa Schroeder

Posted by Jessica | 2:00 AM | , | 54 comments »

Jen: This week we welcome Melissa Schroeder to Book Talk with J & J. Melissa, will you share a short bio with us?
Melissa: Thanks so much for having me! I’m an AF brat who was born in an Army hospital, so I have been kind of screwy from birth. Of course, I vowed not to marry military. My husband, though, is a Major in the AF, we have two human kids, one dog kid, and we are living in the DC area at the moment. Since my first publication in 2004, I have had close to 30 short stories, novellas, and novels published with 7 different publishers.

Jen: Tell us about A Little Harmless Pleasure and where it's available.
Melissa: The print version of A Little Harmless Pleasure is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Borders and the My Bookstore and More website.

This is the sequel to A Little Harmless Sex. People kept asking me if Cynthia would get her book, and it took me awhile to come up with it. Cynthia has always been the “good girl.” She did what her parents wanted her to, almost marrying a man she didn’t really love just to help her father’s business. When she called off that wedding (to the hero of A Little Harmless Sex), she pretty much gets disowned. This book is really about her journey to become an individual. The first little act of rebellion is going home with the best man, Chris Dupree.

Chris has had some bad relationships in the past but almost immediately feels a kinship to Cynthia. Their romance takes on a whole different realm when Cynthia moves to Hawaii, where Chris lives. It has some soft bondage in it, and a ménage scene. A lot of it is about acceptance and trust—which play big in a lot of my books.

Jen: At what age did you discover writing and when were you first published? Tell us your call story.
Melissa: I started writing in college, but mostly short stories. I tried tons of other genres before settling on romance. My first contract was in Feb 2004 with Whiskey Creek Press. It was funny because the book had been turned down earlier that day by an editor who told me I couldn’t write, Ha!

Jen: Have you noticed your writer's voice has changed as you’ve gained experience? If so, how?
Melissa: Yes it has. I see more depth to my characters, and I think I show much more introspection on their motives and goals. I also see that some of my plots are getting darker.

Jen: How do you approach your writing? Do you plot or go with the flow?
Melissa: PLOT. I used to be a panzer, but Shelley Bradley showed me the way and now I plot all my books out on a board. It does keep me on track better. The ideas come to me at any time, but to write the story, I have to plot now. Shelley has ruined me!

Jen: Do you have any “must haves” with you while you’re writing?
Melissa: I would love to say quiet, but unless I am writing during the day, that never happens. So now it is usually my iPod, a cup of something to drink and my noise canceling headphones.

Jen: What is it about the romance and erotica genres that appeal to you?
Melissa: I like happy endings. All of my books are romances. I never write outside of the genre.

Jen: What’s the most rewarding aspect of writing?
Melissa: I get to wear PJs all day!

Jen: Do you do anything special to celebrate a sale, new contract, or release?
Melissa: PEDICURE, it is the bomb!

Jen: Who has inspired you as an author?
Melissa: It would be hard to list everyone. But in romance, Nora Roberts, Jayne Ann Krentz, Jenny Crusie, Liz Carlyle, Amanda Quick…okay this could go on so I will stop there, lol

Jen: Do you have a favorite character or one that you identify most with?
Melissa: I have two. Grace Michaels, in Grace Under Pressure. She is clutzy, nerdy, and a bit of a goofball history professor. And Mila Simmons in Hunting Mila. Smart mouth…okay, just her smart mouth is like mine, lol

Jen: Who are some of your favorite authors and books? What are you reading now?
Melissa: I love Shayla Black/Shelley Bradley, Kally Jo Surbeck, Karen Marie Moning, Nora, Jayne Ann Krentz, Stephanie Laurens, okay again, another list. But I am reading Running Hot, by Krentz right now.

Jen: What's next for you?
Melissa: I have two proposals making the rounds right now. One for a contemporary series and one for a Medieval. But presently I am working on A Little Harmless Obesession which features May and Evan who appear in A Little Harmless Pleasure.

Jen: Where can you be found on the web?
Melissa: http://www.melissaschroeder.net and I am a Wicked Writer, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wicked_writers

Jen: Do you have anything you’d like to ask our readers?
Melissa: What is one romance genre you would like to see more of?

Jen: Thank you Melissa for joining us this week. Readers, Melissa is generously giving away a signed copy of A Little Harmless Pleasure to a random commenter. Answer Melissa's question or ask her something and you'll be entered in the drawing. Melissa will be here all week to answer your questions, so ask away. The contest will end on Thursday, January 22 around 5pm PDT. And as always, if you leave your email address in the comments, it's the easiest way to be notified if you're picked as our winner. Otherwise, please stop back by the blog and look for the winner annoucnement post on Thursday evening/Friday morning.

54 comments

  1. lastnerve // January 19, 2009 5:10 AM  

    Loved your interview girl and I scrolled down to read the excerpt of A Harmless Little Pleasure and it looks HOT! I am so glad there is another pedicure person out there other than me. They always perk me up!

  2. Melissa Schroeder // January 19, 2009 5:20 AM  

    Pedicures are the bomb! I hadn't had one before last year. I did mani's but no pedi's. I will tell you now that I would give up a mani anyday for a pedicure. It is so relaxing.

  3. CrystalGB // January 19, 2009 5:45 AM  

    Great interview. Loved the excerpt for A Little Harmless Pleasure. The genre I would like to see more of is western romance.

  4. Melissa Schroeder // January 19, 2009 5:46 AM  

    That is something I would love to do more of. I want to do another erotic western tied to The Seduction of Widow McEwan.

  5. Anonymous // January 19, 2009 5:54 AM  

    This book looks so good and the cover is amazing. congrats Melissa.

    Laurie K

  6. Melissa Schroeder // January 19, 2009 6:19 AM  

    Thanks, Laurie!

  7. Brandy W // January 19, 2009 7:02 AM  

    This was a great interview. I'm not sure what romance genre I would want to see more of. I'm all over the board when it comes to which one I like best. I will admit to being a sucker for cowboys.

    When you said that your plots are getting darker, in what way?

    Thanks
    Brandy
    brw08ATyahooDOTcom

  8. Anonymous // January 19, 2009 7:12 AM  

    It is interesting to me that you have been associated with the military your entire life. The experience of multiple military moves benefits the family, especially the kids. You have a good publishing history during the past 5 years. I read the sample from A Little Harmless Pleasure and commented on it. I look forward to reading your work.
    Gary Severance - Book Talk

  9. Melissa Schroeder // January 19, 2009 7:17 AM  

    Brandy
    Plots getting darker, well, I think that part of that is conflict. Adding more conflict, adding more twists and turns. Conflict helps make the character more complex, the stories more interesting.
    And, with The Cursed Clan and especially with the Harmless Series. Evan is a complex character with a lot of personal demons. My medieval has a very flawed hero, who doesn't always have problems with breaking a few moral codes.

  10. Melissa Schroeder // January 19, 2009 7:20 AM  

    Thanks, Gary.
    I wasn't planning on spending my whole life with the military. In fact, I did not date anyone in the military but one guy(blind date). But, my husband wanted to, and he enjoys it, even with working in DC right now(which is just spazzy with the big turn over).
    There are benefits and drawbacks to being a military brat, but if you work it right, you can make the benefits more prominant than the drawbacks.

  11. BookTalkAdmin // January 19, 2009 7:28 AM  

    LOL. Both Jessica (my blog partner) and I are Army brats. In fact, we met in junior high when both our fathers were stationed at Fort Bragg.

    Thanks so much for joining us this week Melissa. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of A Little Harmless Sex... since everyone who's read any of my reviews KNOWS I have to read series/connected books in order. :)

    Jen
    admin.bookblogATgmail.com

  12. Denise // January 19, 2009 7:28 AM  

    Melissa,

    Fabulous interview! I always enjoy learning about people's backgrounds.

    I love the cover for A Little Harmless Pleasure. The title itself would make me want to pick it up and discover more.

    You're right, pedicures are the best. I haven't had one since I moved two months ago and I've got to find a new place!

    I enjoy dark romances, with lots of evocative conflict and tortured heroes. I'd love to see more of that. It's out there, granted, but that's what I enjoy the most.

  13. Melissa Schroeder // January 19, 2009 7:42 AM  

    Denise,
    I will never be able to go completely dark, because I do have a smart mouth and there is always a little humor in my books. But I am enjoying my tortured hero of the moment, Evan.

  14. Melissa Schroeder // January 19, 2009 7:43 AM  

    Jen! I was born at Ft Bragg:) Dad was at Pope

  15. Natasha A. // January 19, 2009 7:51 AM  

    First let me say, please don't enter me in this contest - I already have my copy
    Second - if you don't win a copy here you need to go buy it!! I really enjoyed both!
    Thanks for the great interview Melissa!
    Natasha A.

  16. Melissa Schroeder // January 19, 2009 8:08 AM  

    Ahhh, thanks Natasha:)

  17. Karen H in NC // January 19, 2009 8:40 AM  

    Hi Melissa,

    Great interview. While I am a huge fan of historical romances and especially the Regency era, I don't rule out a good contemp on occasion and your 'Harmless' series sounds good.

    I have read the first 2 books in your 'Once Upon an Accident' series and enjoyed them both. I see at your website that a third book in the series is coming soon. Do you have a release date for 'The Spy Who Loved Her' yet?

  18. Lisa // January 19, 2009 8:45 AM  

    Hi Melissa,

    Great interview loved the excerpt.
    I love contempories and love ones that have humor in them.
    the genre I would like to see more of is dark suspenseful books.

  19. Melissa Schroeder // January 19, 2009 8:50 AM  

    Karen-
    I have no release date as of yet. There has been some editoral shuffling and I will hopefully have more news in the next month.
    I am so glad you enjoyed the historicals. It is my favorite genre to read and never thought I would have the ability to write them.

  20. Melissa Schroeder // January 19, 2009 8:51 AM  

    Lisa,
    Thanks. Humor is a big part of my writing, even in my more serious books. I think of it as part of my voice, I think my husband said it was because I had a smart mouth lol

  21. Gail // January 19, 2009 9:10 AM  

    Great interview and even better excerpt of "a Little Harmless Pleasure" I'm going over to Amazon to see if they'll take my money. LOL Have a great week.
    ~Gail~

  22. Gail // January 19, 2009 9:32 AM  

    Hello again Melissa, I went to Amazon, but they don't have the Kindle edition out yet;-( but I did pick up a "Little Harmless Sex" while I wait for ALHP. Can't wait to start reading.

  23. Melissa Schroeder // January 19, 2009 9:34 AM  

    Gail,
    Thank you! And as for the Kindle, they are starting to get that caught up. If you buy Mobipocket.com, they work on the kindle also. And ALHP is there for sale.

  24. Anonymous // January 19, 2009 11:09 AM  

    Hey Melissa,

    I love your books but what I wanted to asked is you have worked for a few different publishers, what do you look for when going to a different publisher?

    Renee'
    sexysecyATyahooDOTcom

  25. Melissa Schroeder // January 19, 2009 11:19 AM  

    A lot of times it has more to do with the book than anything else. Certain publishers have good followings in genres, and since I write in so many, it makes it easier to have a few publishers. It also allows me to have more releases out. Publishers all have only so many slots open for books, and many authors are limited to the number they can have in one year. It helps havingmore than one publisher that way.

  26. donnas // January 19, 2009 12:31 PM  

    Great interview and I loved the excerpt. My favorite genre that I always like to see more of is paranormal.

  27. BethRe // January 19, 2009 12:38 PM  

    Great interview I would like to read some just plain contempories

  28. Lisa F. // January 19, 2009 1:32 PM  

    Great interview. I just wanted to say, Melissa that I just got done reading Grace Under Pressure just 5 minutes ago and I loved it! Grace Michaels is a wonderful character, I can see how she is a favorite of yours. I look forward to reading more of your books. Now I need to put on my pouty face and pout to my husband that I have nothing to read.

  29. Jody F. // January 19, 2009 3:23 PM  

    Great interview! It's always interesting to see how people end up in their chosen careers.

    And even though it's currently very popular, the paranormal genre is by far my favorite. I can't get enough of it!

  30. Lainey // January 19, 2009 4:45 PM  

    Hi Melissa, waht a great interview and I hope everyone gets to read GRACE UNDER PRESSURE since that is how we sort of first met when I reviewed your book way back when *grins* and yes it was a very good review so go buy it everyone or at least go check it out and be tempted to go buy it.

    I have not had a chance to read your latest Melissa but from the sounds of it it looks great and I love series books also.

    Keep up the good writing and my favorite genre well is paranormal but give me historical and western in there too. Love them cowboys.

    Just wanted to say hi and post a quick comment on GRACE UNDER PRESSURE since I just knew the book title and all that.

    Elaine aka Lainey

  31. flchen1 // January 19, 2009 6:26 PM  

    Hi, Mel! I agree, I'd rather have a pedi than a mani any day! (I also feel like I chip manis almost immediately, but I can look at the pretty toes for a while before they get dinged :))

    I've read A Little Harmless Pleasure--YUM! (Would love it in print, of course!) How does it get decided which of your titles go to print? I assume the publisher decides somehow?

    Thanks again for spending time hanging out with us readers!

  32. Amy S. // January 19, 2009 7:24 PM  

    Great interview! I would like to see more time travel.

  33. Diana Cosby // January 19, 2009 7:37 PM  

    Melissa,
    A Little Harmless Pleasure sounds fun. So, did you visit Hawaii for research? :) I enjoyed your interview, and I was an AF brat as well.
    As for what type of book I'd like to see more of, fantasy. Catherine Asaro is one of my all time favorite fantasy writers - the tops, Catch The lightning."
    I wish you every success. Sincerely,

    Diana Cosby
    www.dianacosby.com
    His Captive/Alexander MacGruder
    His Woman/Duncan MacGruder - 4 star Romantic Times review
    Title TBA/Seathan MacGruder - Date TBA
    Title TBA/Patrik [Cleary] MacGruder

  34. robynl // January 19, 2009 9:56 PM  

    I would love to see more Contemporary romances in the field of Western, Medical, Comedy.

    Give me A Little Harmless Sex; oh goodness, I mean the book, lol.

  35. Melissa Schroeder // January 20, 2009 4:48 AM  

    DonnaS,
    I love paranormal too. It was one of the reasons I came up with The Cursed Clan. But I do have a paranormal, Turning Paige, coming out this spring. It is a rerelease and the restart of my Sweet Shoppe series. Eat your favorite treat and your fantasies come true. In the first one being released, it involves a second century Celtic Warrior and a librarian, Paige Turner:)

  36. Melissa Schroeder // January 20, 2009 4:51 AM  

    BethRE,
    Thanks! I am a big lover of contemporaries.

  37. Melissa Schroeder // January 20, 2009 4:56 AM  

    FLCHN,
    Thanks for the compliments! Whether a book goes into print depends on the publisher. Samhain, your book, if it is over 50,000 words, will go into print approx, 9-10 months after it is released in ebook form. With WCP Torrid, it is if the book is over 35K and with EC, it has a lot to do with scheduling. They are trying to get their whole backlist into print. So, it is slow going although because I will be at RT, I will have my first two books, Seducing the Saint and Hunting Mila, in print in one volumne.

  38. Melissa Schroeder // January 20, 2009 5:01 AM  

    Lisa-
    Thank you so much. Grace was the first book I ever had published, so it does have a special place in my heart.
    The pouty face rarely works with my husband it when comes to buying books.I am just lucky that I can write some of them off taxes, and he is an accountant at heart lol.

  39. Melissa Schroeder // January 20, 2009 5:03 AM  

    Jody!
    Yeah, my husband isn't too sure that it was my love of being lazy and wearing pjs all day that drew me to writing, lol. But, I don't know if I could ever do another career that wasn't based in writing. Where else can I work and do what the voices in my head tell me to do--and not end up in the hospital.

  40. Melissa Schroeder // January 20, 2009 5:06 AM  

    Lainey!
    Thank you again for your wonderful comments. Grace Under Pressure continues to grab readers, I have no idea why, lol. I mean, I love the story, love Grace and Ren, but it still amazes me 4 1/2 years that people are still finding the book.

  41. Melissa Schroeder // January 20, 2009 5:20 AM  

    Amy! Thanks for stopping by. I love time travel too and Turning Paige has a bit of that in a way, with the 2nd century Celtic Warrior transported to modern day Savannah:)

  42. Melissa Schroeder // January 20, 2009 5:24 AM  

    Diana,
    I lived in Hawaii for three years. My husband was stationed at Hickam, where our second daughter was born. The next book, A Little Harmless Obsession, has a Hawaiian heroine who appeared in the A Little Harmless Pleasure, Maylea Aiona.
    Have you ever read Kally Jo Surbeck's books? She has some great fantasies, The Yadderwal Balance Series at Samhain and No Neutral Ground from NCP that was just fantastic.

  43. Diana Cosby // January 20, 2009 5:28 AM  

    Melissa Schroeder said: Diana,
    I lived in Hawaii for three years. My husband was stationed at Hickam, where our second daughter was born.

    ~Neat. I was stationed at Pearl Harbor for three years and lived in Aiea.

    The next book, A Little Harmless Obsession, has a Hawaiian heroine who appeared in the A Little Harmless Pleasure, Maylea Aiona.
    Have you ever read Kally Jo Surbeck's books? She has some great fantasies, The Yadderwal Balance Series at Samhain and No Neutral Ground from NCP that was just fantastic.

    ~No, I've never read her. Thanks for the tip. Enjoy your day!

    Diana Cosby
    www.dianacosby.com
    His Captive/Alexander MacGruder
    His Woman/Duncan MacGruder - 4 star Romantic Times review
    Title TBA/Seathan MacGruder - Date TBA
    Title TBA/Patrik [Cleary] MacGruder

  44. Becky // January 20, 2009 8:13 AM  

    Great interview! I loved the excerpt from A Harmless Little Pleasure. I am looking forward to reading this one. Sounds like Cynthia is going to have some fun. Favorite romance genre - I like them all, but maybe some more of any of the genre dealing with Native American heritages.

    Becky
    beqw21@yahoo.com

  45. Melissa Schroeder // January 20, 2009 8:35 AM  

    Becky-
    THANKS!
    It is funny that you mention that because I am reading Linda Howard's MacKenzie's Mountain:) I just love that series.

  46. Cathy M // January 20, 2009 11:59 AM  

    Hi Mel, great interview. I can't wait to read Cynthia's story.

    Like my romances on the dark side with a bit of sarcastic humor.

  47. tigger9 // January 20, 2009 5:01 PM  

    I would like to see more of paranormal romances with shapechangers or pschic powers. I never get enough of them. That and contemporary books.
    lexeetoste@sbcglobal.net

  48. Michelle Miles // January 22, 2009 7:55 AM  

    Hi Mel! Great interview, as always. :)

  49. ddurance // January 22, 2009 10:15 AM  

    Melissa,
    How does having a husband in the military affect your writing?

    Deidre
    deidre_durance at hotmail dot com

  50. Melissa Schroeder // January 22, 2009 10:17 AM  

    Tigger, I actually have a release from WCP Torrid next month that is a futuristic trilogy with psychic powers. It is titled, Telepathic Cravings, a rerelease of some older books of mine!

  51. Melissa Schroeder // January 22, 2009 10:18 AM  

    Thanks, Michelle!

  52. Melissa Schroeder // January 22, 2009 10:20 AM  

    Deidre,
    It can be hard. I have had to adjust to his newest job, which keeps him away from home 12 hours out of the day. That is not normal for us, or wasn't until he got assigned to his present job. Also, moving constantly has to be planned into the writing schedule. That has to be taken into consideration every time I discuss deadlines and release dates with publishers, editors and my agent.

    But, there is a plus side. I have a job no matter where we live, lol

  53. BookTalkAdmin // January 22, 2009 9:08 PM  

    Sorry this is a couple hours late... I got lost in a book and then suddenly remembered the drawing was today. :)

    I put everyone's name in a bowl and picked the winner...

    Jody F.

    Jody, I need you to contact me at admin.bookblog@gmail.com by next Thursday, Jan. 29 to claim your book or a new winner will be chosen. Please include in your email your mailing address.

    Thanks to everyone who stopped by this week. And Melissa, the book sounds good and since payday is tomorrow, I see some shopping in my future. :)

    Jen

  54. Melissa Schroeder // January 23, 2009 4:30 AM  

    Thank you, Jen, and thank you to everyone who popped in this week!

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