Interview Rosanna Leo

Lets welcome Rosanna Leo to Julie's Book Review. Rosanna is giving away a copy of her new paranormal romance Sunburn, so don't forget to check out the rafflecopter to the right of the pg.


Welcome to Julies Book Review. Can you tell me a little about yourself?
I'm a married mom of two boys who's been writing about 10 years or so. The last year of my life has been extremely exciting as my publisher Liquid Silver Books picked up 5 of my books: For the Love of a God, Up In Flames, Sweet Hell, The Selkie and my newest Sunburn. I'm from Toronto, Canada and still live nearby. Nutella is my obsession, and I've been known to wax poetic about the stuff for hours.


What kind of books do you write? Newest release?
I write primarily about paranormal creatures finding love with normal, often geeky, women, and enjoy the fireworks that occur in those situations. Sunburn, my newest, is my take on the Greek god of the sun, music and healing, Apollo. I just knew I had to write a tale with Apollo as my hero. With that brawn, that heat and that fabulous head of blond hair, how could I resist?


What should we expect in your book? How HOT? Action? Adventure?
Well, my editor believes it's a romantic comedy, and I do insert many comedic elements into my books. However, it's a paranormal, so there are dark sides and life-threatening situations. I'm told it's pretty hot! LOL. If you read one of my books, you will find explicit descriptions of sex. I tend to call it like I see it! And hey, after 20 odd years of happy marriage to the same man, it's fun to write sex scenes! 


How do you get ideas for your books?
Many of my books have been based of stories from various mythologies. For the Love of a God, Sweet Hell and Sunburn are based on Greek myth, and all my heroes in those cases are Greek gods. And why not? Is there any man so perfect as a Greek god?? I think not. The Selkie, however, is based on Scottish selkie lore, which is just as sexy. However, sometimes my ideas come from real life. My firefighter romance Up In Flames was sparked by conversations with a friend who adored firemen. It made me wonder if I could write a story about a woman who did NOT want firefighters in her life, because of past betrayals. You never know where plot bunnies will attack you!


Anything in your stories based on real experiences?
Well, Sunburn, although the story of Greek god Apollo, is actually set on a fictional Mexican resort. I've made Apollo the resort owner there. And the resort in the book is based on a lovely Mexican resort I once visited. It was so gorgeous, I had to include it in a book. Other than that, little kernels from my life sometimes pop into the books, but they're not blatantly based on anyone I know. My heroines, of course, all have a little bit of geeky me in them! LOL


Toughest criticism? Best compliment?
The toughest criticism I ever had was from another author who didn't like how I ended one novel, but in my mind, it could only end that way. Sometimes you have to agree to disagree, and remember to write the story you want, rather than what you think others want. The best compliment I ever got was from a co-worker who read For the Love of a God, and who said it not only turned her on, but her husband too!


Any advice for aspiring authors?
Stay true to yourself, but open to new ideas. Even after 5 books, I learn new things every day, and suspect there's even more to learn.
 

How about some fun stuff?
Dogs or cats?
Love 'em both, but I have a cat. So, cats!


1 Fav book? why?
Diana Gabaldon's Outlander, because of its sweeping, epic story and time-traveling romance. Plus, Jamie Fraser is so hot.


Favorite place to travel?
London, England. I'm a total nerdy Anglophile.


1 fav author? Why?
So hard to choose. I picked Diana Gabaldon's book, so I'll choose another author. Syrie James blew me away with her Nocturne.


Is this your full time job? if yes, anything else you want to do? if no what else do you do?
Nope. Until writing supports me fully, I have to work as well. I have a lovely job at my local library, where I get to frown at people who have late fees! LOL


Where can we find you and your books?
All my books are available at my publisher Liquid Silver's site: www.lsbooks.com
I am also on Amazon, ARE, and Barnes and Noble.
My blog is www.rosannaleo.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rleoauthor1
Twitter: www.twitter.com/LeoRosanna
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5826852.Rosanna_Leo
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/rosannaleo/

Thanks for coming to Julies Book Review. Don't forget to do the rafflecopter giveaway to the right of this post!  I hope yeah have even more success in the future!!

Julie Ramsey
Adminstrator of Julie Book Review