Willful Parties
Liz Ellyn
Published by: The Wild Rose Press
Publication date: January 1st 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
Seth is the vibrant bisexual marathoner who sparked the relationship with Kat and Dylan. He remains undeterred in pursuit of their perfect love, even when confronted with a devastating blow. Kat, their sharp-witted pixie, treasures good moments as gifts due to past experiences. She hesitates to wholeheartedly commit based on a deep-rooted fear of heartache and pressing her luck. Dylan exudes irresistible confidence and brilliance and is marked for an impressive political future. However, his internal struggle with identity and career decisions poses a significant hurdle in committing to their love affair.
They share a sizzling three-way passion but are destined to part ways after graduating from their Chicago law school. Legal battles, heart-wrenching losses, and mounting obligations challenge the prospect of reclaiming their love.
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Author Interview with Liz Ellyn
Tell us about your latest book, who
are the main character’s and what can we expect when we pick it up?
Willful Parties is an erotic romance story about Seth, Kat,
and Dylan, who are all involved in a throuple, but about to be torn apart after
their law school graduation. Dylan is set to move from Chicago to California,
creating a critical turning point for their dynamic. Each character is
intelligent, driven, and on a path of personal growth, facing challenges that
shift their emotional connections.
Kat, in her
mid-twenties, becomes the emotional pivot. Her insecurities and past traumas
influence her decisions, especially as Dylan prepares to leave. She worries
Seth, as a bisexual man, will eventually prioritize another male partner over
her, leaving her feeling inadequate. To protect herself, she insists they
should cherish the past but move forward as merely friends. Despite this
resolve, her attraction to Seth and Dylan remains strong, pulling her back into
the relationship’s complexities. She struggles to trust that Dylan’s affection
for her is genuine and not an effort to please Seth. After a traumatic event,
Dylan’s unwavering support helps Kat through her darkest moments. Their
deepening friendship evolves into a profound emotional and sexual connection,
reshaping the dynamic of their trio.
Seth, a
confident bisexual with a free-spirited attitude, initiated their threesome.
Slightly older than Kat and Dylan, he brings life experience and emotional
maturity to the group. His commitment to their connection is unshakable, though
he learns through a pivotal legal battle (no spoilers here) to value Kat and
Dylan as individuals, not just as parts of their threesome. For Seth, Kat is a
beautiful, dynamic, and resilient woman whose acceptance of his bisexuality
makes her his “unicorn.” Dylan, on the other hand, is Seth’s equal in passion
and ambition. There is a striking symmetry in the opposing challenges Seth and
Dylan face, but yet they help one another heal and grow.
Dylan, who
once strictly identified as gay, has his perceptions challenged after a drunken
night when Seth initiates their first threesome. Dylan is hesitant, but
ultimately finds himself fully engaged in the experience. His love for Kat
forces him to reevaluate his identity, creating confusion as he struggles to
acknowledge this shift. Seth’s easy charm and ability to impress Dylan’s
politically minded family offer Dylan comfort and stability. It doesn’t hurt
that he looks like a blue-eyed California dream.
Their complex dynamic is a testament to love, resilience, acceptance, mutual support, and the power of connection in all its forms. Through legal battles, personal setbacks, and moments of self-discovery, they explore the complexities of love, trust, and identity.
Tell us about what you are reading
at the moment or anticipate reading in the future? Any favorite authors you
enjoy reading in your spare time?
I’m a romance enthusiast through and through. I’m always
reading or listening to a book. It’s my favorite way to unwind and stay
inspired. Audiobooks are my go-to because they fit so seamlessly into my busy
lifestyle. Whether I’m walking my dogs, driving, or tackling household chores,
I always immerse myself in a great book
This morning, I was listening to the audiobook Lights Out
by Navessa Allen. But by the end of the day, I might be diving into my next
audiobook, like A Ryan Recollection by Sadie Kincaid. My digital library is
constantly evolving!
Some of my favorite authors include: Tiffany Reisz (The
Original Sinners Series), Lauren Dane (Brown Family Series), and Shayla Black. I
admire how they boldly push boundaries, explore polyamory, and create
incredibly spicy, thought-provoking romances.
I make it a point to read at least one new-to-me author
every month because I love discovering fresh voices and perspectives. As for
tropes, I enjoy a wide variety, except for the miscommunication trope. I
gravitate toward stories about adults who handle challenges with maturity and
open communication. That said, I appreciate varying levels of heat in romance
books. If there’s plenty of emotional tension and connection, I’ll even enjoy a
closed-door romance.
Reading is not just a passion for me. It fuels my own writing and keeps my creative spark alive.
Tell us about your writing day. Do
you write every day or only when inspired?
I’m definitely a morning writer. My day starts at 4:00 a.m. listening to audiobooks
while I exercise. It’s a great way to fuel my mind and get inspired. Afterward,
my creativity often strikes during a hot shower, which feels like my personal
brainstorming oasis. One rule I live by? I never write after 9:00 p.m. That’s
sacred downtime for me!
I strive to write every day, but life doesn’t always cooperate. Being an
author isn’t just about writing. It’s a balance of writing, editing, marketing,
and more. On days when the words aren’t flowing, I shift my gears and focus on
those other vital aspects of the author’s journey. It keeps me productive and
connected to all parts of the craft.
Which book would
you recommend for readers to choose first if they’re new-to-you?
All of my books are standalone stories, so you can jump in and start with any title that catches your eye. If you’re drawn to taboo romance with complex, thought-provoking themes, I recommend starting with Overruling Judgment. For those who prefer a story centered on straight-up polyamory dynamics, Willful Parties is the perfect choice.
What do you do when
you have free time?
I love to bake. I encourage indulging in life’s guilty pleasures,
both spicy romance novels and sweet treats. I have posted many of my desserts
on my website at https://lizellyn.com/treats/
How do you approach
character development in your stories? Do you have any specific techniques or
methods that you find particularly effective?
I have a three-step process for developing my characters,
ensuring they feel authentic, relatable, and well-rounded.
Step 1 Notecards. I
start by jotting down notes about my characters on notecards as inspiration
strikes—often while I’m working on other books. This helps me capture ideas
about their traits, quirks, and flaws in the moment, so I don’t lose them when
brainstorming my story. And, I can keep track of how to challenge them.
Step 2 Outline. Once
I have a solid foundation, I organize my cards into a detailed spreadsheet,
breaking them down by character and chapter. Since I write in multiple POVs, I
pay close attention to ensuring each character has an equal presence in the
story (my chapters are all of similar length). I also use this step to tackle
essential details like physical descriptions, living spaces, favorite foods, or
signature phrases. This helps keep characters consistent and vivid throughout
the book.
Step 3 – Editing.
After the first draft is complete, my initial round of editing zeroes in on the
emotional development. I focus on refining the characters’ arcs, making sure
their growth is compelling and their journeys feel full and satisfying.
By the end of this process, I want readers to connect
deeply with my characters, whether they’re swooning over a romance, empathizing
with their struggles, or cheering them on as they find their happy ending.
What do you believe
sets your writing apart from others in your genre, and why should readers
choose to read your books?
I love to explore the boundaries of conventional love,
pushing into dynamics that often remain untapped outside the subgenres like
BDSM romance. However, my stories prove that intimacy and heat don’t require
punishment or strict power dynamics to be compelling. Instead, I craft romance
scenes that ignite with desire and connection, creating a space for readers to
experience the thrill of unconventional love in a fresh, approachable way.
Another hallmark of my writing is the fast-paced
storytelling. I believe in captivating readers with drama and emotional
connection without bogging them down with excess purple prose or over-elaborate
setting descriptions. I focus on what drives the story forward while keeping
the emotional stakes high.
Utilizing multiple points of view is another element that
distinguishes my work. Readers gain a varied perspective, as Literary Titan
aptly noted, “Readers are granted a multifaceted perspective.” This layered
storytelling enriches the narrative, allowing the reader to connect deeply with
every character’s journey.
Unlike much of hardcore erotic romance, I infuse my work
with humor to provide moments of levity that contrast the heart-wrenching
drama. As Readers’ Favorite highlighted, “the humor-infused dialogue
made the reading experience all the more enjoyable.”
Finally, I take pride in creating scenes that are both
light and emotionally charged. As Literary Titan reviewed: “Ellyn’s
strength lies in her ability to create charged, intimate scenes that vividly
portray the deep desire and emotional connection between the characters. The
writing is light and fun, yet it doesn’t shy away from moments of drama and
unpredictability, making the story feel dynamic and authentic.”
In short, my books offer a unique blend of humor,
passion, and emotional depth that ensures readers are always engaged,
entertained, and deeply invested in the characters.
Can you discuss any
upcoming projects or books that you're currently working on? What can readers
expect from your future works?
I currently have five books in the works. The book to follow Willful Parties, is sitting on my editor’s desk. This will involve a new group of three involved in a polyamorous relationship with a completely different romantic dynamic. I hope to get it published in 2025. I am currently writing a novella to follow Overruling Judgment and also hope to publish i
Author Bio:
INDULGE IN LIFE'S GUILTY PLEASURES!
Liz Ellyn nourishes people’s cravings for the irresistible. Like the decadent desserts she delivers, she creates alluring characters deserving of happy endings.
With degrees in both engineering and law, she argues that the positive energy gained by indulging in one’s guilty pleasure appropriately counterbalances the serious forces of daily life.
When she isn’t writing or devouring steamy romance books, she spoils her family, including her two dogs, Boomer and Tanner.
Bon Appetite and Happy Reading!
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Thanks for hosting today, Dawn!
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