Interview and Giveaway with author Lila DiPasqua!

Madame, Monsieur (I’m sure there must be one somewhere lol) today I’m happy   to welcome author Lila DiPasqua on One Book Away From Heaven!!! Lila is the author of the Fiery Tales, her first sexy book Awakened by a Kiss (see my review of here) was released on August 3rd. Let’s give a warm welcome to Lila!  Welcome to my humble abode  =)

 

Pattepoilue: Lila can you please tell us a bit about yourself?

Lila: I’m a mother of three, married to a patient, understanding husband who has totally mastered laundry and cooking out of necessity. I’m a history geek, a hockey fan and an author of historical romance for Berkley. The scandalous kind.

Pattepoilue: Describe a typical day of writing? Are you a planner or pantser?

Lila: I think I’m a little of both -- I write a general outline before I start a book. I’ll know the characters and I’ll have some scenes drafted out. Then I dive into the book and let the muse take me where it wants. It’s a little scary and exciting at the same time.

A typical writing day will start after I drop off my youngest at school and grab my coffee from Starbucks. I write mostly during the day. Depending on the deadline, I may write in the evening, too. I try to write a certain number of pages per day, but some days the muse leaves the building. I visit Facebook or Twitter until it returns. :)

Pattepoilue: What do you think is the difference between a reader and a real Book Lover?

Lila: The size of their wallet. LOL  A real book lover buys books. Surrounds themselves with books. Buys more books even though their TBR pile huge. Gets excited with every book purchase. Gets enthralled by characters and chats about them with their friends, even the ones who don’t read.

Pattepoilue: What can you tell us about Awakened By A Kiss?

Lila: AWAKENED BY A KISS is a collection of stories. Three classic fairytales—“Sleeping Beauty,” “Puss in Boots,” and “Little Red Riding Hood”— retold with my own steamy spin.

Sleeping Beau: Five years ago, notorious rake Adrien d'Aspe, Marquis de Beaulain, was awakened by a sensuous kiss-and experienced a night of raw ecstasy that was branded into his memory. Years later, he spots his mysterious seductress-and this time, he has no intention of letting her go...
Little Red Writing: Nicolas de Savignac, Comte de Lambelle, has been assigned by the King to uncover the secret identity of the author writing scandalous stories about powerful courtiers. He never expected his investigation would lead to his grandmother's house, or to a ravishing woman who would stir his deepest hunger...
Bewitching in Boots: Elisabeth de Roussel, daughter of the King, is accustomed to getting what she wants-and she wants Tristan de Tiersonnier, Comte de Saint-Marcel, an ex-commander of the King's private Guard. A recent injury has forced Tristan to leave his distinguished position, but Elisabeth is determined to make him see he's every bit the man he once was-and more than man enough for her...

This collection is based on the famous fairy tales by Charles Perrault. He did something no one had ever done before. He wrote down folklore that had been passed on verbally for generations – and added morals to his stories. He was the creator of the Tales of Mother Goose, and wrote Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Little Red Riding Hood, to name a few.

Pattepoilue: Why did you decide to write about fairy tales? Which fairy tale is your favorite?

Lila: I love fairy tales. Like most, I grew up reading them. Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty were the first romances I ever read. My favorite fairy tale has got to be Cinderella. It’s so romantic and with a great hero. All he had to go on was a glass slipper. Yet he was undeterred. You’ve just got to love a man who is that determined to find the woman he loves.

Pattepoilue: In modern times Fairy Tales are mostly for the Kids, thanks to Disney (we all know the originals were very dark). Why did you choose to make these into a sensual story for adults?

Lila: The originals were never meant for children. They were actually for adults. The setting of these stories made it easy to give them a sensual spin. The realm was ruled by a lusty King, and his court, like their monarch, were connoisseurs of the carnal arts. The pursuit of sinful pleasures was a pastime. Sex, an art form!

Pattepoilue: Can we still find the obligatory moral in your Fiery Tales? If so what would it be?

Lila: I pretty much have the same morals Charles Perrault did in the original tales.

In his Sleeping Beauty he states in his moral that none of the passion in love is lost simply because you have to wait. Adrien and Catherine had to wait five long years for their love. They proved this statement is quite true!

Little Red Riding Hood is a tale of seduction. Perrault, warns young women not to be taken in by a smooth talking man, whom he compares to a wolf. My hero, Nicolas has earned the nickname, le loup “the wolf” because of his cunning. He’s definitely a smooth-talker. Smart and charming. He knows one of the sisters staying at his grandmother’s house is the mysterious Leduc the king wants arrested and Nicolas is willing to seduce Anne in order to learn the identity of the writer. Nicolas is definitely a big bad wolf, bent on taking down Leduc…that is until he’s torn between love and duty.

In Puss in Boots, Perrault’s moral suggests one study and emulate any man capable of winning over a princess. Tristan is a great hero, strong, brave, a decorated officer who was head of the most prestigious corps in the realm, the King’s private Guard – and certainly someone others should strive to be like. 

Pattepoilue: On your website I saw the photos you took from all around the world. Do you enjoy traveling? A favorite place? What is your next destination?

Lila: I love, love, love to travel! I’ve been to four continents so far! My favorite cities are Paris, France and Venice, Italy. I’ve been to Paris twice and Venice once and that’s just not enough! I plan to go back first chance I get. As to my next destination, I’m going to London, England in a few weeks. It’s my first visit and I can’t wait!

Pattepoilue: Why did you choose France as a setting for your book? I'm completely biased but I love your choice! *grin*

Seventeenth century France was when and where Charles Perrault lived. I wanted to bring the reader into his lifetime – to the very place and time when the genre of fairy tale was born. Anyone who loves Regency England will adore this setting. It has all of the same elements we love in Regencies! Handsome lords and lovely ladies, ballrooms, masquerade balls and well, plenty of scandalous behavior – especially when the King of France was a lusty man with a court that was as salacious as their monarch.

Pattepoilue: Did you listen to music while writing? If so what was on your playlist?

Lila: I listen to classical music. I write historical romance and it definitely puts me in the “historical” frame of mind. Plus, it’s simply beautiful to listen to. To change things up, I sometimes listen to new age music when I write. Either helps to keep me focused.

Pattepoilue: Your next book, The Princess in his bed is coming out in November, what can you tell us about it? Which fairy tales did you choose for this second novel?

Lila: THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED, is the second in my Fiery Tales series. It features  more scorching fairy tale retellings -- “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” “The Ugly Duckling, and “The Princess and the Pea,” wickedly retold and renamed, “The Marquis’ New Clothes”, “The Lovely Duckling” and “The Princess and the Diamonds”.

This book is based on fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen. THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED required even more research than AWAKENED BY A KISS. I had to read up on a very old 17^th century card game for The Princess and the Diamonds. In The Lovely Duckling, my heroine is a burn victim. She suffered injuries to her body in a fire as an infant. Her character was inspired by three real young women (sisters) who were burned in a fire as children. She’s a great heroine!

Pattepoilue: What is next on your schedule? Do you have other projects?

Lila: I’m writing the third book in this series. It will be out in 2011. It’s a full-length novel based on a single fairy tale – Cinderella – as it’s never been retold before. This Cinderella tale has a sinfully delicious hero and a strong quick-witted heroine, not to mention some seriously steamy love scenes! And yes, there is a ball, a loveable, yet highly opinionated fairy godmother and a cast of eccentric secondary characters to keep the hero and heroine on their toes.

Pattepoilue: Now a couple of mean questions *wink*:

Who's your favorite character?

Lila: I don’t have a favorite character, really. It’s like picking your favorite child. I love them all the same and for different reasons.

Pattepoilue: Can you give us 3 reasons why people should read your books?

Lila:

• In this series, I offer up something different to readers from the usual historical romance, because of the unique and delicious setting.
• They are romantic with a touch of humor.
• They have scorching hot love scenes, sure to make your heart race. ;)

Pattepoilue:  Thank you Lila for answering all my questions! *grin* It’s always a pleasure!

To read a juicy excerpt from AWAKENED BY A KISS click  HERE

Here is the new Trailer for Awakened by a Kiss:

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~*~*Giveaway*~*~

Lila is offering a signed copy of Awakened by a Kiss to 1 lucky commenter!

All you have to do is  ask Lila a question or leave a meaningful comment about the Interview

This contest is open Internationally.

Please leave me a way to contact you (twitter name or Email addy in blogger profile is enough)

Giveaway ends on Wednesday  August 18, I will announce the winners on Thursday.

Bonne Chance everyone!