Hey guys! Welcome to another Tuesday here at My Bookish Life =)
Today I have the pleasure to welcome the author of Beauty Tempts The Beast, Leslie Dicken. I Loved that book, and it was such a surprise for me, since its a Historical and that’s usually not my kind of thing.
Ypu can check out my review of Beauty Tempts The Beast HERE!
Giveaway deets at the end of the post! Enjoy the interview =)
- When did you first start writing?
Wow, well, I suppose in high school. I wrote poetry and then when I was sixteen I started writing a book by hand. Wrote on it every day before dinner. Finished it too.
- Have you always been interested in Romance?
Yes, I suppose it's because that's what my mother had around the house. Or maybe I am just drawn to reading about people falling in love.
- Why writing a Historical Romance?
They are an escape to a world in the past, where society and morals were real yet so unlike today. It's about glittering balls and long gowns and wealthy lords. Yum!
- Were there any Books, Movies or Writers that have inspired you?
My biggest inspiration was Wuthering Heights. Something about that desolate area, sweeping moors, and forlorn love just captured my attention. Except I didn't like how it ended. I wanted Heathcliffe to have his love!- The sex scenes in your books are amazingly hot. Where do you get your inspiration?
Ha! Honestly from reading other romance books. Not that I plagiarize, but they give me ideas and set the mood for me. I love creating the sexual tension mostly.
- Do you find it hard to write them?
Actually yes. Mainly because there are only so many words for certain body parts (lips, mouth, tongue, etc) and I don't want to keep repeating myself.
Favorites:
- Favorite Movie? 
The Phantom of the Opera (movie with Gerard Butler as the Phantom)
- Favorite TV Show?
House or Bones
- Favorite Book?
Wow, hard to choose! Outside of romance: The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jane Auel
- Favorite Author?
Can't pick just one, but I love reading newer debut authors with fresh voices
- Favorite Romance Author?
See above
- Favorite one of your Books? My own book? That would be BEAUTY. I just love the gothic aspects of it.
- Who is your favorite of your own characters?
That's like picking my favorite child. No fair! But I think it would be the heroine of the book I'm currently writing. She's stubborn but has a huge heart.
- Which was the hardest to write?
Probably Ashworth of BEAUTY because he was so scarred (literally and figuratively). And yet I wanted to still make him Alpha enough for the reader to fall in love.
- What would you be if not a writer?
Something else artistic! I create jewelry in my "spare" time. I do have a full time job but it's just to pay the bills!
Quickies!
- Coffee or Tea?
Neither, but coffee if I had to choose.
- Up or Down?
Up, who wants to go back down?
- Virtual or Real?
Virtual. An alternate reality rocks (in fact, I started a book using this theme).
- Right or Left? 
Left, although I am right-handed
- Day or Night?
Both. I love the daylight and the sun, but I'm a night person and tend to stay up late rather than wake early.
- Reading or Writing?
Writing. I started out as a reader, but I spend most of my time writing now.
- What is your favorite part of the writing process?
When a scene just flows, fingers flying and word count accumulating... I wish all of the book would go that way!
- What is your least favorite part?
Plotting it out. I so wish I knew the story before I started, but it never works out that way. I start, then brainstorm and regroup. Then write some more and then stop, brainstorm, and regroup. It's frustrating, but it seems to be my process.
- "Beauty Tempts the Beast" in your own words?
A woman who is on the run from true evil is the only one who can heal a man who believes himself a beast.
- What is coming up next for you? My first historical, A TARNISHED HEART, is being re-released by Samhain in July as an ebook. I just got the cover for it and it's beautiful.
- What are you working on right now?
I'm writing a Victorian steampunk where a killer stalks the city and my main characters each have a unique stake in capturing him.
- Do you have any advice or tip to those like me that want to become a published Author someday?
Be persistent, don't ever give up, learn all you can, take some advice but not all, be willing to take chances, look at the long-term goal, don't put all of your energy into one book, only you know your story the best. Is that enough advice? LOL!
- Anything you would like to say to your fans out there?
It would mean the WORLD to me if you sent me emails, posted on my FB, or found me on Twitter. As an author, my ego is still fragile *g* and hearing how much you enjoyed my stories can really make my day!!
- Thanks so much for being here!
Thank you for having me! :-)
Now, the part I KNOW you guys are dying for…
The Giveaway is over! Thanks so much
for participating!
Result coming soon!
The Giveaway!
You can win an eBook Copy of Beauty Tempts The Beast!
To Enter:
- Leave a comment about anything on this post.
- Leave an EMAIL for contact! (if you don’t feel comfortable leaving it here, email me at larissa@larissaslife.com)
- Leave an EMAIL for contact! (if you don’t feel comfortable leaving it here, email me at larissa@larissaslife.com)
Extra Entries:
+5 Google Friend Connect Follower
+5 Networked Blogs Follower
+3 Follow me on Twitter (@larissa_sarah)
+3 Follow Leslie Dicken on Twitter (@LeslieDicken)
+2 “Like” Larissa's Life on Facebook
+2 Be my friend on Goodreads
+1 Add all your entries! (including this one!)
+5 Networked Blogs Follower
+3 Follow me on Twitter (@larissa_sarah)
+3 Follow Leslie Dicken on Twitter (@LeslieDicken)
+2 “Like” Larissa's Life on Facebook
+2 Be my friend on Goodreads
+1 Add all your entries! (including this one!)
International!
Ends July 12th!
Good Luck!
Don’t Forget to vote on my Poll on the Top-Right Sidebar!
and
Don’t Forget to enter my Creative Writing Contest:
Doing It Write!
Re-Write the end of your favorite Book or Series for a chance to win somegreat prizes!
Top 5 will be picked by Authors:
Larissa Ione
Dakota Cassidy
Angie Frazier
&
Stella Price
Click HERE or on the image bellow for more info!
Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll see you soon!
xoxo,
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TESTING!!
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Phantom of the Opera is one of my favorite movies also. In high school choir we sang a few of the songs which I loved. Then I bought the CD. I had the entire CD memorized before I even saw the play. Jean Auel is also another favorite of mine. Like others, I've been waiting for years for her last novel. Great interview!
+5 Google Friend Connect Follower
+3 Follow me on Twitter (@larissa_sarah)
+3 Follow Leslie Dicken on Twitter (@LeslieDicken)
+2 “Like” Larissa's Life on Facebook
+2 Be my friend on Goodreads
+1 Add all your entries! (including this one!)
=16
Thanks for the contest, Larissa.
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I love the Movie Phantom of the Opera two such a cool movie.Your new books sound great can't wait to read it.
+5 Google Friend Connect Follower
+2 Like Larissa's Life on facebook
+1 For Entries
+8 all to getter
sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com
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Oh! The quickies questions were fun! Thanks for introducing me to a new author. I'm interest in reading Beauty since she said it was her favorite, and I'm interested in seeing what she means about Ashworth being scarred.
And thanks for the giveaway! I follow on Twitter and goodreads!
*hugs*
Missie, TX
missie at theunreadreader dot com
P.S. I still love you so much and I'm so happy to see your design corner up! :D
I always love getting to know new authors and the review definitely has me wanting to read more. Plus who can pass up a beauty and the beast storyline?
+5 google follower
+ 1 comment
total + 6
caity_mack at yahoo dot com
I love Phantom of the Opera also. I am very interested in reading this books. It sounds like a terrific read. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
I have a similar problem with love scenes. Since on the side I write erotica stories/novellas, things become monotonous. There are only so many words to use for the body (that don't sound clinical or corny) and so many actions the characters can do. It's not easy when doing several scenes in a row to not get bored writing them due to that.
The book sounds interesting. Not my normal type but you have my attention. :-D
DawnEmbers(at)ymail(.)com
+5 - google follower
+1 - addition
= 6
your WIP sounds really intersting, steampunk is a word not used nearly enough
sports[dot]erikalynn[at]gmail[dot]com
+5 Google Friend Connect Follower
+3 Follow me on Twitter (@erika_lynn_c)
+3 Follow Leslie Dicken on Twitter
+2 “Like” Larissa's Life on Facebook
+2 Be my friend on Goodreads
+1 Add all your entries! (including this one!)
=17!
Sounds like such a awesome contest
+5 google follower
+3 Follower you on twitter (littleneko)
+3 follow Leslie on twitter (littleneko)
+2 friend on goodreads (monsterofbooks)
+1 total entries = 14 entries
Thanks so much for hosting the contest
~Maura~
monsterofbooks@gmail.com
I'd like to know if Leslie ever published that first book.
meredithfl at gmail dot com
+5 Google Friend Connect Follower
+3 Follow me on Twitter
+2 “Like” Larissa's Life on Facebook
+2 Be my friend on Goodreads
+1 Add all your entries!
12
I like to make jewelry too - expensive habit :)
+5 Google Friend Connect Follower
+5 Networked Blogs Follower
+3 Follow me on Twitter (@larissa_sarah)
+3 Follow Leslie Dicken on Twitter (@LeslieDicken)
+2 “Like” Larissa's Life on Facebook
+2 Be my friend on Goodreads
+1 Add all your entries! (including this one!)
Total 22, malleybean at gmail
I'm a total sucker for Beauty and the Beast stories so I'm very interested in reading this. Thanks for the interview and the giveaway.
+1 Comment
+5 Follower
+1 Add em up
7 total
jen(at)delux(dot)com
I absolutely adore the title. It's so sweet! Brings me back to the wonderful classics and I'm totally in love with them! Now I'm sure I'll love Beauty Tempts the Beast :)
+5 Google Friend Connect Follower
+3 Follow you on Twitter (@VamPoet)
+3 Follow Leslie Dicken on Twitter (@VamPoet)
+2 “Like” Larissa's Life on Facebook
+2 Friend on Goodreads
+1 Add all your entries! (including this one!)
.... 16!
Jade
legally_write@hotmail.com
P.S. I tweeted about the contest. Praying it gets seen : http://twitter.com/VamPoet/status/18033021886
I have heard really great things about this book. It looks soooo good!
+5 Google friend
+3 follow on Twitter (@MinnChica)
+2 friend on Goodreads
+11 total entries
Great interview!
This book is actually close to the top of my TBR mountain, but I may just need to go get it now! I'm back on a huge HR kick right now, so I'm looking for all the hot new releases!
This book appealed to me primarily because of the flawed hero. It is different in the sense that the alpha is scarred both literally and figuratively. I'm looking forward to seeing how he can still remain the alpha.
Extra Entries:
+5 Google Friend Connect Follower
+3 Follow you on Twitter (@AmongTheMuses)
+3 Follow Leslie Dicken on Twitter
+2 Be my friend on Goodreads
+1 Add all your entries! (including this one!)
TOTAL= 14
Thanks for the great giveaway!
~Tanya
amongthemuses@gmail.com
I love the title of thsi book and the cover looks fantastic too! It has been on my wishlist for some time, would love to win and finalyl read it! Thank you for the nice interview :-)
+5 Google Friend Connect Follower
+5 Networked Blogs Follower
+3 Follow you on Twitter (@Stella_ExLibris)
+2 “Like” Larissa's Life on Facebook
+2 I'm your friend on Goodreads
+1 Add all your entries! (including this one!): In total 19 entries!
stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com
i so want to read this now - i love gothic reads! :)
+5 Google Friend Connect Follower
+1 leave comment
+5 Networked Blogs Follower
+2 “Like” Larissa's Life on Facebook
+2 Be my friend on Goodreads
+1 Add all your entries
= 16
k_sunshine1977 at yahoo dot com
I haven't read a gothic romance, would love to be entered in the giveaway.
+5 Google Friend Connect Follower
+5 Networked Blogs Follower
+3 Follow me on Twitter (@beckerjo)
+2 “Like” Larissa's Life on Facebook
+2 Be my friend on Goodreads
+1 Add all your entries!
Total= 18
beckerjo@verizon.net
Looks like a great book. I would love to read it.
Total entries is 18
Extra Entries:
+5 Google Friend Connect Follower
+5 Networked Blogs Follower
+3 Follow me on Twitter (@larissa_sarah)
+2 “Like” Larissa's Life on Facebook
+2 Be my friend on Goodreads
+1 Add all your entries! (including this one!)
enter me :o)
beckaboo3283(at)gmail(dot)com
+5 google connect
+2 goodreads
+1 to add it up
8 total :o)
That was some great advice for new writers, and your new book (the Victorian steampunk) sounds AWESOME. I've heard about Beauty Tempts the Beast from other sources, but haven't yet had the opportunity to read it.
noellepierceromance@gmail.com
+5 Google Connect
+5 Networked Blogs wasn't working for me on here, but I got it through Facebook
+3 following you on twitter
+3 following Leslie
+2 Liked FB page
+1 Friend on Good reads
+1 Adding the entries
=20!
The interview was very interesting and I love beauty and the beast storyline.
+5 Google Friend Connect follower
+1 add all your entries
=6
musmekipi at gmail dot com
Thanxs for this giveaway, it looks great. please enter me ^^
Lestat.12.03@gmail.com
+5 Google Friend Connect Follower
+3 Follow me on Twitter (@Lestat1203)
+3 Follow Leslie Dicken on Twitter
+2 “Like” Larissa's Life on Facebook
(Lestat Shinigami)
+1 Adding the entries
= 14
Oh!
I forgot: my twitter @maridalchico
Thanks for this giveaway, please Enter me!
maryflorido(at)hotmail(dot)com
+5 Google Friend Connect Follower
+3 Follow me on Twitter (@larissa_sarah)
+3 Follow Leslie Dicken on Twitter (@LeslieDicken)
+2 “Like” Larissa's Life on Facebook
+2 Be my friend on Goodreads
+1 Add all your entries! (including this one!)
= 16 entries ;)
Very interesting interview. The comment about Phantom of the Opera being her favorite reminded me of the anniversary present of tickets to the Phantom the kids gave us...we were caught on the highway in a turmoultous thunder storm and our windshield wipers decided to quit. We had to tie strings to the wipers and mannual pull them back and forth while driving so that we would not miss the sold out performance! So, it is memorable for us too.
Would love to be chosen your lucky winner of Beauty Tempts the Beast.
+5 GFC friends
+5 Networked Blogs Follower
+2 Liked Larissa's Life On FB (as Terry McPherson)
+2 Friends on Goodreads
+1 Added all entries for a
15 Total of 15 entries
Thank you for hosting this giveaway
terrymac1a at hotmail dot com
Oooooohhh!! I want to read A Tarnished Heart now too! Thank you for this interview and introducing me to Leslie Dicken.
ellisrr@hotmail.com
+5 GFC Follower
+3 Follow on Twitter
+3 Follow Leslie Dicken on Twitter
+2 Like on Facebook
+2 Friend on Goodreads
+1 Add all = 16 total
I love Gothic romances-- I'm a big fan of Mary Stuart and Ira Levin. You can't go wrong with the Brontes either. I would love to have a copy of "Beauty Tempts the Beast." It looks awesome!
+3 Follow me on Twitter
+3 Follow Leslie Dicken on Twitter
+2 “Like” Larissa's Life on Facebook
+1 Add all your entries!
=
9 total
I'm @suburbanbeatnik, and my email is neroville at yahoo dot com.
+5 Google Friend Connect Follower
+3 Follow me on Twitter (@angelgirl122193)
+3 Follow Leslie Dicken on Twitter (@angelgirl122193)
+2 Be my friend on Goodreads
+1 Add all your entries! (including this one!)
= +14
I really want to read this book! Thanks for the contest!!!
angelgirl122193 (at) aol (dot) com
I can't wait to read A Tarnished Heart
majik.of.mystee (at) gmail.com
+5 Google Friend Connect Follower
+5 Networked Blogs Follower -- couldn't do this one..tells me blog not found
+3 Follow me on Twitter (@larissa_sarah)
+3 Follow Leslie Dicken on Twitter (@LeslieDicken)
+2 “Like” Larissa's Life on Facebook
+2 Be my friend on Goodreads
+1 Add all your entries! (including this one!)
+17 total :)
Amazing this interview!!! Historical romance + sex secenes are my favorite kind of books. Good to know a little more about her. I begin to write with almost sixteen too. And I and her both like The Phantom of The Opera =)
+5 Google Friend Connect Follower
+5 Networked Blogs Follower
+3 Follow me on Twitter (@larissa_sarah)
+3 Follow Leslie Dicken on Twitter (@LeslieDicken)
+2 “Like” Larissa's Life on Facebook
+2 Be my friend on Goodreads
+1 Add all your entries! (including this one!)
Total = 21