Interview with Cynthia Arsuaga

How did you start your writing career?
Sheer boredom and after reading a few of my daughter’s books from her library, I thought I could do the same. At the time I started, I also was reading my husband’s first draft of his novels. I offered my opinion, did some editing, and after a few months asked his thoughts on an idea I had. I jotted a few lines down, and well, the rest is history.

Where do you dream of traveling to and why? I have a couple places I’m dreaming about—Egypt with a cruise down the Nile, Australia, and Tahiti. One day, one day. *Sigh*

Does travel play in the writing of your books?
Absolutely! I love to travel and have been many places, so in one of the series I’m writing; the characters and scenes are traveling to different places around the world. The one coming up in February 2012 will take place in Paris. Next stop will be London for Book 3.

Tell us about your current release.
I’d like to tell about my release I contracted recently, A Vampire in Paris. This is Book 2 of the Forces of Beauty Series. Texas Heat is due out in a couple weeks, but I want to get a jump on Paris because I loved it. A little different, but I’m about to start the next in the series and I’m pumped. Here’s an unofficial blurb:
For over two hundred years, London-based security and private investigator, Ramsey Weiss has existed as the quintessential confirmed bachelor. New Years’ Day he is dispatched to Paris, France, to rescue an abducted cosmetics company heiress. In the melee, he butts heads with an unexpected woman.
Camille du Bassin is the head chemist at Institut de Beauté Biologique and her niece has been kidnapped. She teams up with a private security investigator with special skills hired by her brother. The two unlikely pair work together playing a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse not only with each other, but battle an evil ancient vampire determined to take Camille as his consort. Somewhere along the journey, Camille and Ramsey are surprised by the physical attraction that develops between them, denying the attraction.
Just when the two lovers' think their love can be forever...Fate steps in to challenge the power of their love.

When was your first sale? January 11, 2011.

What is the hardest part of writing your books? The middle.

Does your significant other read your stuff? Reads, edits, suggests, and collaborates. He writes too!

Who are your books published with? Secret Cravings Publishing

Do you use a pen name? If so, how did you come up with it? No pen name. What you see is my real name. Figured at my age, no day job (I’m retired), and no qualms about writing erotic stories, then why not use my real name. That’s how people know me, why change.

What book are you reading now? Just picked up Kerrelyn Sparks latest, Sexiest Vampire Alive. Can’t wait to get some free time to read.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? An astronaut. The closest I got was living on the “Space Coast” in Florida and getting to watch the first and last launch of the Space Shuttle.

Morning Or Night Person? Definitely Night Person. I’m grouchy in the mornings. Hubby can vouch for this one.


Blurb:
ONE VAMPIRE, ONE WOMAN, ONE CONTRACT, ONE WEEK TO PLAY.
Candi Hartz, is a romance author in a loveless marriage. One fateful night, she follows the cheating husband to the local vampire sex club and meets the vamp owner. Her life takes a drastic turn when with one kiss she enters the world she only read about.
Gregori Van Zant is a dangerous vampire. As the head of the Mid-Atlantic Blood Family of vampires, he can have any vamp or human woman at his disposal. One night, a captivating woman walks into his club and he devises a plan.
The two lovers come together and sign a contract—an exchange of sex for research. Candi is born to play and Gregori is anxious to show her. An old enemy of Gregori’s arrives unexpectedly and disrupts their plans. With a final battle looming on the horizon, will the two fated lovers find love eternal or will death play a part?

EXCERPT
Gregori pushed open the door to his bedroom and carried Candi across the darkened room to the bed. He eased her down at the foot of the four-poster bed and took a step back. “Undress,” he commanded. His voice low and velvety. He smiled, seeing rebellion cross her expression. Standing back, he crossed his arms. When he flashed a wicked smile, she dropped her head in compliance.
Through narrowed eyes, he cast his eyes on her with strong intent as she untied the twists and wraps of the dress. The fluid pink-colored fabric cascaded down her shoulders, over her hips, and pooled at her feet, leaving her in stilettos, bra, and lace thong. Trembling before him, either from fear or anticipation, he wasn’t sure. The thumping heartbeat picked up pace and he suspected the latter. She may be nervous, but he sensed the arousal.
Slivers of moonlight filtered through the slats of the plantation shutters on the Palladian windows, painting her creamy flesh with silvery light, an incandescent glow glistened in an aura around her. The beast within him became aroused, demanding release. The vision of her beauty both startled as well as summoned. She looked like an angel standing in the dark, wearing bra, panties, and sinfully sexy high heels. Fuck, I’m so screwed!
With a slight cough, he cleared his throat; he spoke with control and domination in his tone. “I stated this downstairs, but I’ll tell you again. In the bedroom, I am your ‘Master’ and you will address me as such. You can call me ‘Sir’ as well, but nothing else is permitted and if you disobey, you will be punished. Do you understand?”
“Y-yes, sir,” her voice squeaked out.
“Good girl. So, Katje, do you like the dark or light?”
“I don’t understand what you’re asking, sir.”
“Do you like to fuck in the dark or have the lights on?”
“I, uh, don’t care, sir. Whatever you want.”
“Katje, I didn’t ask what you think I want. What do you want? Answer me with the truth.”
“I-I prefer the dark. It’s better not to see.”
He wondered why she preferred the dark. Was she self-conscious of her skills or body? Both? Didn’t she know she was a beautiful woman, lush curves, and soft flesh to mold his hands around, and kiss forever? Again, the beast within begged for release, but he pushed the demon down. Tonight he wanted to test, not frighten her. “Katje, we’ll stay in the moonlight for now and we shall discern how you like being restrained…as I touch you.” He took a step toward her, lithe and predatory. His fingers wrapped around her wrists, pinning her hands with one hand, he held them behind her back as he cupped her cheek with his other hand.
He captured her mouth, hard and passionately, like he’d kissed and savored the taste of her lips for the first time. Their tongues fluttered and surged one against the other. She struggled to free her hands, only she couldn’t, he tightened his grip preventing any movement. With the heat of her arousal tugging at his own, he tapped into her mind. The thoughts of shock from his restraint overwhelmed her, confused by the desire to continue. His mouth moved down the side of her neck, teeth scraping gently on the skin at the pulse point, giving her goose bumps. Oh, the call of her hot blood burns in my veins. Such a delicate morsel, this one is.
Again, she tried to move. And again, his fingers held her in place. The scent of her arousal enticed his nostrils. Sliding his free hand down her abdomen to her thigh, her body twitched. When he reached the mound between her legs, she gasped in his ear. The flood of her juices confirmed all the evidence of the depth of her arousal as her scent enveloped his senses. As he guided her back onto the bed, he lifted her onto the soft mattress. Her breathing quickened as she came to rest at the edge. Raising her hips, he slipped the tiny thong down her legs and tossed it aside. Standing straight, he pulled the black turtleneck sweater over his head, and revealed a broad, muscled chest, tapering down to the corrugated leanness of his flat abdomen. Realizing her thoughts were still confused despite her body’s arousal, he slowed the pace. “Katje, first of all, this time between us is for pleasure. I may be your master tonight, but trust me to know how to give you the pleasure you deserve. Can you do that?” His eyes were intent, knowing they glowed red in the semi-blackness of the room.
She nodded. “You won’t spank me…or take my blood…or anything that hurts, right?”
“No, Katje.” He stroked a finger down her cheek. “Any physical punishment I hand out will be for another time, but only if you disobey. I take no pleasure in hurting you. I will tell you this, the pain enhances the pleasure.”
Her muscles relaxed beneath his hold. “Okay, you’re saying I’d ask you to punish me for my pleasure?”
“Yes, pain and pleasure are two sides of the same coin.”
“I-I can’t believe they’re the same.”
“You’ll come to learn, mijn schat. Pain sometimes is necessary to free you from the chains you put on yourself. Tonight is purely for pleasure, forget everything else. Your body will yield to me and your surge in desire will come around to wanting more. But if you become too frightened or are somehow in unbearable pain, you say the safe word…Pink.” He shook his head, and continued, “If you use your word, everything between us will stop, so don’t use it unless you need to quit our play. I will be exploring your limits. You have to trust, I will keep you safe.”
Her body relaxed as his eyes met hers. His Kitten realized she had a way out and the understanding of the situation, the acknowledgement he wanted. Pleased with the non-verbal response, he proceeded.

You can find Cynthia here:
http://cynthiaarsuaga.weebly.com
http://romanticwordsbycynthia.blogspot.com
www.secretcravingspublishing.com