Welcome Sammy Jo Hunt Today

What is a typical day like for you?  A typical day includes a bit of writing, research and homework for grad school.  Work at present is writing romance stories. I'm sort of married to my computer and live online for both school and work. Writing has become a secondary career for me for the past couple of years now while I've been in graduate school. I love it, and it’s a great creative outlet for me, an escape of sorts from school textbooks. I love that I can feel so passionate and inspired about writing hot romantic stories in addition to helping people in other ways.

How long have you been writing?  I began writing stories in my teens when I wrote my first romance novel at the age of 15.  I also write for my grad school college classes. But for personal enjoyment, I’ve been writing steadily for the past 2 years in the m/m romance genre, and also reading and writing fan fiction. I love both. I didn’t start writing seriously until two years ago when I became inspired by some people I met in the gay community.  I confess, I’m an avid Adam Lambert fan. I also happen to adore a good story with a happily-ever-after ending. It totally does my heart good to believe in love and happy endings.

Who or what influenced your writing over the years?  I grew up reading and adoring great romance authors such as Jude Deveraux, Janet Daily, Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, and Sidney Sheldon. They were my favorites of the romance genre who captured my imagination and took me on romantic journeys to far-away places. I always wanted to write the way they did. They really inspired me, in style, concept, and originality.

To date, what has been the best advice or words of encouragement you've received?  They were from published author Sue Brown. Sue told me almost a year ago that she knew I could do this (become published), and to not listen to the negativity that might come my way. She told me she believed in me, that my stories were good, and to go for it. She promised me she’d be right there for me, cheering me on all the way. I listened, and haven’t looked back since. And she was right. For her encouragement and belief in me, I will always be grateful. I might not be living the dream of being published if it weren’t for her.

What are three things about you that would surprise your fans?  I’d have to say I’m a bit of a perfectionist, and honest to a fault. I’ve never been married and don’t have any kids at the age of 43. And besides that, I’d have to say that even though I’ve always loved to write, and was encouraged by professors in college to pursue writing as a career, I never once seriously thought about pursuing writing professionally until I met Sue Brown a year ago. I was writing fan fiction for fun and that’s when Sue stumbled across my stories. She started leading the brigade to encourage me to pursue becoming published because she thought my writing was good enough.

What do you love and hate most about writing?  I love the free license to be creative, and to bring to life with words the visions and stories which unfold in my head. I love communicating that world to my readers, where those who read my stories can escape somewhere else for a little while.  As far as what I hate about it, I don't really hate anything about the writing process. It’s all very interesting and fascinating to me, and comes easily to me, which is a gift in itself.

Perhaps the one thing I dislike the most is an equal weight shared between those times when I get writers block and can't move forward in a story until I solve some issue or dilemma; and then too, I dislike the editing process. I don't think there's a writer alive that enjoys editing his or her work. But one learns from the editing process how to be a better, more focused and capable writer. So even with the downside of editing, there’s some definite good that comes from doing it.

What do you consider the most challenging about writing a novel, or about writing in general?  I think developing a strong plot with great, passionate energy and chemistry that flows effortlessly between the two main characters is essential. Sometimes it’s a challenge. But when those elements come together and work right, the result is magic and it’s what I always strive to create.

Tell me about your ideal man for the main character in your books.  For most of my stories, there is a common theme which tends to reoccur. My main male character is always tall, lean, beautifully sculpted in the physical sense, but not muscle-bound, and has piercing blue eyes. There are several famous men in the public eye which have these traits in common. 

In addition to physical looks and a strong, alpha-male presence, my main character is always someone who has a great capacity to love, is noble and honest at heart, and a truly good man. I’ve recently met someone who possesses many of those characteristics. He’s great inspiration for my heroes, personified in my stories. My hero is usually someone that's not perfect, has a tendency to react in anger, but is willing to apologize for his mistakes and make amends. That element always adds a little danger to his character, as well as spice and depth.

An ideal man is most often a man who behaves realistically and with real emotion. And of course, he's always very passionate, sure of what he wants, and is a capable, tender, yet intense lover. I think many of us are searching for just that man or that partner in our own lives. So, until I, and all my readers find him or her, I'll write stories about someone that resembles what I believe our collective hearts are searching for.

How do you name your characters?

That’s a great question. Sometimes I have to play with several names until the name “feels right” to me. Once I know the name matches the character in the story, it’s a done deal and he or she becomes quite real to me in my imagination. Recently, while asking out loud to myself what the names were for our primary characters in this novel I’m co-writing with Derek Johnson, I was laughably in the shower and washing my hair. I was thinking to myself, “what are their names?” I’d been wrestling for several weeks on the name thing for all the main characters in our collaboration book entitled Murder, Most Likely. It’s under contract to Rebel Ink Press and due out on Dec. 3^rd this year.

As I stood rinsing the lather from my hair, my hero, heroine, and anti-hero’s names all came to me… one after the other. It was the most fascinating thing I’ve ever had happen. I asked…and the names came to me effortlessly…after struggling for weeks to figure out who they were. And Derek actually named our anti-hero after the Roman god Janus, but his name wasn’t complete. The rest of his name came to me that night. He’s Michael Janus, and I’ll tell you a bit about the book later in the interview. It’s an exciting project with a tremendous amount of potential. We’re both really excited.

What is it about the M/M genre of romance that makes you enjoy writing it?  I love romance. At the heart of everything, I love a great romantic tale full of twists and turns that centers around two main characters who must navigate the waters of love to find their way together. Beyond that, I think beautiful gay boys are extremely hot and appealing. They’re interesting together, not the same as normal hetero couples such as we’re accustomed to reading about in romance books.  I love telling stories about them and that’s what keeps bringing me back to the genre; that, and the desire to tell engaging stories that draw the reader in and keeps them coming back for more.

Tell us about your current news and latest projects?  I released my first book, A Wicked Encounter, through Silver Publishing on April 2^nd. As of June 10^th, it’s also available in Paperback.  It’s  a m/m erotic Regency-historical romance.

In addition, my next novel coming out via Rebel Ink Press, due out in Sept. next month, is entitled Haunted by Obsession. It’s a contemporary, m/m paranormal erotic ghost story and murder mystery. I’ve always loved nostalgic old ghost stories, and just had to write one with a hot, m/m twist on it. I’ve included an excerpt from this upcoming novel a little later in the interview so you can get a taste of what’s to come.

Another project I’m pleased to be a part of is the anthology entitled Chasing The Dream. This will be released via Silver Publishing next month on Sept. 17^th. It’s a joint project with several other amazing writers including Sue Brown and GA Hauser. Our blurb is included later, along with individual blurbs for each story contribution. It’s a m/m compilation of erotic stories and will be released in both eBook and paperback.

Since I was here visiting last, I’ve had several other stories accepted by a couple of different publishers. Through Rebel Ink Press, I’ve had a short story accepted as part of their Claw Marks anthology entitled Checkmate!  Derek Johnson also has a short story coming out in this same anthology, which is going to be our first venture into co-authoring a book together. Additionally, I have a story entitled A Test of Honor coming out in Rebel’s Erotic Fairy Tales collection of stories. Those will be released in October and November this year, respectively. There is also a short story being released through Secret Cravings Publishing in November, entitled Broken Hearts & Candy Kisses. So, several smaller projects are on the horizon.

And finally, there’s my book collaboration with Derek Johnson. Murder, Most Likely is a 65k word novel based entirely on a short murder mystery Derek wrote about a decade ago. I read a few of his stories awhile back, and the idea hit me like a ton of bricks. The more I thought about it, the more the ideas flowed. I approached him and asked if he’d like to make something of those ideas, and write a book together to enhance his original idea. The answer was yes and the rest is history.

The resulting story is going to be hot, erotic, a bit kinky, and contains m/f erotica, in combination with some m/m/f ménage sequences. It’s going to be very dark, gritty, and of course suspenseful, and promises to have a vibe along the lines of the old classic, Fatal Attraction. I’ve included the blurb below to give you a taste of what it’s all about. The final product is going to be amazing! I hope you’ll all check it out upon release.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?  Absolutely! Here’s a taste of what’s already released, and the three books coming out in Sept. & Dec.:

Official cover blurb for A Wicked Encounter:   It’s a Regency-style historical that is a m/m erotic romance and is set near Devonshire, England, in the year 1792:

Christopher Allwyne, Duke of Bellwood, stood to inherit a vast fortune. Still reeling from the loss of his parents and most recently, his Aunt Polly, the Duchess of Bellwood, the young noble found himself traveling in the dark of night to oversee Her Grace’s funeral proceedings and to attend the reading of his aunt’s will. Along the way, his carriage suffers a devastating accident, and a dark stranger comes to his aid and rescue. The Marquis Evan de Lombard, rich French nobleman, takes an instant interest in the handsome Christopher. Sharing a wicked encounter shortly after meeting, things look promising as love blooms between them. That is, until the Marquis reveals his true identity and purpose.

Once Christopher knows the truth, will he ever be able to forgive Evan and love him, despite the man’s indiscretions? Torn apart by dishonesty, can love win out over betrayal and rise to the occasion, reuniting them for a lifetime of happiness? The cost for true love could be a price neither one is willing to pay.

Official cover blurb for Haunted by Obsession, to be released by Rebel Ink Press in Sept. next month.  This story is a contemporary, m/m paranormal erotic ghost story and murder mystery, very different from my first book:

Aaron Michaels and Kurt Freeman-Michaels are musical celebrities.  An openly gay couple living their dreams, the boys just celebrated their first year of wedded bliss.  Feeling the need to escape and spend some time alone for a change, Aaron and Kurt take an impromptu trip up the coast of California. While they’re away, the pair happens upon an elegant Victorian mansion that draws them both in. After falling in love with the property, an unexpected turn of events occurs which makes it possible for the boys to buy the house.

Gordon Inn has stood magnificent beside the ocean for the past 127 years, yet the house hides a dark secret within its walls. Rumors of an illicit affair and a century-old murder color the Inn’s unique and troubled past.

Aaron and Kurt quickly learn there’s more to the history of Gordon Inn than meets the eye. But many questions remain. Will the couple’s lives be torn apart before they find the answers they seek? Who will come to their aid when they’re left alone inside the solitude of their ancient home? And, will the boys be able to solve the mystery before more lives are lost?

Official cover/individual blurb(s) for Chasing the Dream Anthology:

Chasing the dream…something every one of us aspires to. But every dream is different for each individual. Some crave love, fame, or immortality. And for still others, they desire power and riches, and all that comes with it.
 In this anthology, share in the vivid imaginations of five bestselling authors who are masters of the genre, each writing steamy, hot passionate stories of men loving men, men sharing their bodies, who hope to attain their own secret desires.
 Come along for the sensual journey that awaits you, and get lost in this collection of must-have gay erotica. Let these stories steal you away to another world where hot men share their deepest hopes and fantasies with you, while they’re Chasing the Dream. 

Nasty Boys by Ga Hauser
Firefighter by day, sex god by night, ‘Clyde’ chased his dream in Hollywood to be the top gay male porn star in West Hollywood. What Clyde didn’t expect was a little help from a pretty-boy superstar. ‘Blaze’ lights this fireman’s world on fire!

Chasing Deuce by Patricia Logan
Has Colt’s fantasy of bringing Slade into the bedroom with Deuce driven Deuce away for good or can Colt lure the handsome cowboy home to be loved by two instead of one? Slade has been in lust for Colt for years. Will he get the opportunity to taste the man he’s always wanted and the added bonus of his cowboy lover?
Dreaming of You by Lisa Worrall
Noah Kinkade is an up and coming designer, one of the best newcomers in the field. When he is hired to restore the old Seevers mansion to its former glory, he thinks all his dreams have come true. He doesn’t know how right he is.
Racing raindrops by Sue Brown
Caught by an unexpected rain shower, Tony DiMarco seeks shelter in a bar. The last thing Tony expects is to be propositioned by the hot bartender and his equally hot cousin. Mac and Chase make it clear it’s his decision, but Tony is torn between his desires and his responsibilities. On a sudden whim he decides to let the raindrops sheeting down the window make the decision. If they go right he’ll say yes to a night of sex that might blow his world apart, if the rain goes left he’ll leave and never look back.

 The Soul Awakening by SammyJo Hunt

While on promotional tour across Europe, Michael Nolan’s rental car encounters engine trouble and leaves him stranded in the dead of night. The offer of help from a tall dark stranger sets him upon a life-altering course of events. It could lead to love…but more likely, his own private hell.

* * * *

Official cover blurb for Murder, Most Likely – to be released Dec. 3^rd via Rebel Ink Press, a contemporary m/f – m/m/f ménage, suspense murder mystery, and co-written by myself and Derek Austin Johnson:

A series of high-profile criminal heists leads handsome insurance investigator Philip Templeton to Los Angeles…and straight into the life of Henriette Bergstrom, daughter and only heir of diamond broker Max Bergstrom. Rich, beautiful, yet spoiled, and chief legal representative of Bergstrom’s Jewelers, Henriette must partner with Philip to investigate the crimes before a settlement can be paid.  Despite the love that blooms unbidden, and the passion which flares between them, the enticing brunette may have a secret or two of her own to hide.

Thrown into an underground world of BDSM, sexual fetishism, and an erotic web of lies and deceit so great that even the legendary Holmes, himself, might have lost his footing, Philip must navigate the waters of love and treachery with his new colleague. But in the process, will Henriette steal more than Philip’s heart? And will it culminate in two lovers finding their own happily-ever-after ending? Or will it wind up being Murder, Most Likely…

It’s been great to be here! Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Dawn. I’ve enjoyed being here and sharing more about my work and passion for writing with you and your readers. I hope you’ll check out my current and future upcoming releases. There’s much hotness just around the corner and many great stories to look forward to. Hugs & best wishes to all! ~SammyJo

* * * *

If you’d like to purchase A Wicked Encounter, Chasing the Dream, or other upcoming publications by SammyJo Hunt, click here:

http://silverpublishing.info/

http://www.rebelinkpress.com/

http://www.secretcravingspublishing.com/

http://www.amazon.com/A-Wicked-Encounter-ebook/dp/B004UW00UE/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-awickedencounter-543149-144.html

Note:  some items may not yet be available. Be sure to check back for updates.

You can find SammyJo Hunt at the following websites:

Personal Website and Blog:   http://sammyjohunt.livejournal.com

Twitter:   http://twitter.com/#!/SammyJo_Hunt

Facebook:   http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002250721821

Email:   sjhuntwrites@gmail.com

Additional Links – co-writer Derek A. Johnson, who also writes as Marcos London:

Personal Website:  http://daj42.livejournal.com

Blogspot:  http://twitter.com/#!/mlondonwriter

Twitter #1:  http://twitter.com/daj42

Twitter #2:  http://marcos-london.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/daj42