Interview with Kristine Cayne

Lets welcome Kristine Cayne to Julie's Book Review. Kristine is giving away an ecopy of Deadly Obsession or Deadly Addiction (winner’s choice), 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?
Julie, thank you so much for having me on your blog today. I’m always excited to meet new readers. What can I say about myself? Well, I live in the Pacific Northwest, but I’m originally from Montreal, Canada. Until last summer, I had a day job as a software engineer in a big telecom company. Now I write full time. And I’m loving it! 

 What kind of books do you write? Newest release?
I write spicy romantic suspense and erotic romance. There are currently two books available in my Deadly Vices romantic suspense series, Deadly Obsession and Deadly Addiction. My Six-Alarm Sexy series begins with “Aftershocks,” a novella in the Romance in the Rain anthology. My latest release, Under His Command, an erotic romance, is the first book in the Six-Alarm Sexy series. 

What should we expect in your book? action,adventure, drama etc.
I really enjoy writing complicated characters who are torn by the choices they’ve made or need to make. Their love interest always makes things even more complicated, as do the villains. There is love, adventure, action, and deep character development. My erotic romance series features a team of rescue firefighters, so while those stories highlight some aspect of the characters’ sexual evolution, action does find its way in.


How do you get ideas for your books?
I usually start with the nugget of an idea: how do movie stars cope with stalkers? How would the friends and family of a native man react to him falling in love with a white police officer? What if he as actually half-white himself? What if there was an earthquake in Seattle? Who would be the first responders? Questions like that get me thinking, then I build up the characters and the plot from there. 

Anything in your stories based on real experiences?
Based on my own personal experience? Nothing directly. However, I do rely on articles and interviews with specialists whenever I can. I really enjoy the research involved in writing. Constantly learning new things keeps me on my toes and makes life exciting!

 Toughest criticism? Best compliment?
Criticism is a funny thing because no two people read a book and get the same thing from it. We all bring our own personal baggage to any story, and likewise, to any review. Probably the most helpful criticism I received was from another author in my early days, who pointed out that I needed to start my stories so they sounded more like the genre I was writing, ie. If you’re writing suspense, the first scene should be suspenseful, not read like a contemporary romance.
The best compliment I’ve received is that my characters are well-developed and people feel like they “know” them by the end of the book. Also, one reviewer recently commented that my erotic romance was “what 50 Shades of Grey SHOULD have been.” Since that’s a story I really enjoyed, this compliment meant the world to me. 

 Any advice for aspiring authors?
You hear it all the time, but it’s true: write, write, write. And when you aren’t writing: read, read, read. And whenever you can: learn, learn, learn. Take classes, workshops, attend conferences, join a writers’ group. You will be exposed to new techniques that you can then apply to your own writing to deepen it, to bring your characters and settings to life, and to create exciting action scenes and tantalizing love scenes. Be all that you can be. J

 How about some fun stuff? Favorite past time?
Like most authors, I love to read. I enjoy watching movies as well. Action and romantic comedy are my favorites.

 Dogs or cats or some other pet?
I’m allergic to both, but if my husband didn’t dislike having animals in the house, I’d probably have a small “anti-allergy” dog. 

 1 Fav book? why?( or one you can recommend)
My all-time favorite book is Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I actually love the entire series. I think I love it so much because Ms. Gabaldon broke every “rule” when she wrote it. And because of that, you never know what to expect next.

 Favorite place to travel?
I’ve been to Italy several times and I love it. I’d really like to see more of that fabulous country, and enjoy more of its incredible food! 

1 fav author? Why?( or one you can recommend)
I highly recommend Dana Delamar’s Blood and Honor series if you like gritty, vibrant romantic suspense where the heroes are truly very bad boys. I love her writing and her stories.


Is this your full time job? if yes, anything else you want to do? if no what else do you do?
Until last fall, I worked full-time as a software engineer in a large telecom company. Since then, however, I have been writing full-time. The dream came true a little early. LOL. 

  Where can we find you and your books?(links)
My romantic suspense books as well as the Romance in the Rain anthology are available at all major online retailers.
Under His Command is only available on Amazon, for now. Deadly Obsession: Amazon: http://amzn.to/RETLOq; UK: http://amzn.to/On7LZN; Nook: http://bit.ly/Qf1u5s; 
Kobo: http://bit.ly/XpYs0R); Apple iTunes:http://bit.ly/KUXUrB;
 Diesel ebooks: http://bit.ly/L48YD1; ARe: http://bit.ly/TdgzmJ; 
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/JwCb8f; Sony:http://bit.ly/K0ngms
 Deadly Addiction: Amazon: http://amzn.to/SLFf87; 
UK: http://amzn.to/RwiNwU; 
B&N: http://bit.ly/JAaX4O; 
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/JwCb8f; 
Kobo: http://bit.ly/QSmmyD; 
ARe: http://bit.ly/JZS5ra; 
Apple/itunes: http://bit.ly/MXYCuO;
 Diesel: http://bit.ly/JU71sS; Sony: http://bit.ly/Oh0L1k 
“Aftershocks” in Romance in the Rain (Six-Alarm Sexy, Prequel): Amazon: http://bit.ly/Pw2Zyb; 
UK: http://amzn.to/QZCLT9; B&N: http://bit.ly/Xa956Y; 
Kobo: http://bit.ly/R62PdE; ARe: http://bit.ly/RJ7kdN;
 Smashwords: http://bit.ly/P31xmT; Diesel: http://bit.ly/QiWDme; Sony: http://bit.ly/XhUD0q Under His Command: US: http://amzn.to/T3TBRT; UK: http://amzn.to/Uu7Kpo;
 CA: http://amzn.to/WsgEoS; DE: http://amzn.to/U1Dl3N; FR: http://amzn.to/XsFC6A)
By the time this interview posts, I will also have two additional novelettes available. Look for them at all major online etailers. J
Un-Valentine’s Day (holiday-themed contemporary romance)
Guns ‘N’ Tulips (romantic suspense)

Thank you for coming on Julie's Book Review. I wish you lots of success and hope you and your families all have a Happy New year. 

Julie Ramsey 
juliesbookreview.blogspot.com 

Thank you so much for having me, Julie! I’ve really enjoyed chatting with you and your readers. I’ll be around to answer any questions anyone might have. ~Kristine