Welcome, Christina Phillips

Welcome to From the Pages, Christina! I'm so glad you could stop by today and chat with us! I've got lots of questions I'd like to ask you, so if you don't mind I'm just going to begin asking.

First, where do you write?

Up until recently I wrote in a corner of the family room, but a few months ago my eldest moved out and so I now have her bedroom as my office. It's all pink and girly, covered in photos of my babies, full of all the wonderful romance novels I love to read, and I just... love it so much!!!

Tell us a little bit about your book, please.

FORETASTE OF FOREVER is a dark erotic romance with paranormal elements, published by the Scarlet line of the Wild Rose Press. It is available here.

It's about a strong heroine who is prepared to do anything to be with the man she loves, and an alpha hero who is so blinded by his sense of honor that he can't see his destiny when she is standing right in front of him.

Where did you get the idea for this story?

This story was actually inspired by a recurring dream I had. And not just any old dream - this one was in full technicolor and surround sound. Midnight, on a deserted beach with only the moon for illumination. But despite haunting me for four years, this couple never got any further. And they slowly began to drive me insane!

Eventually it occurred to me that I should write their story down, just to get it out of my head. I was pretty shocked to discover the dreams immediately stopped. But even though I no longer dreamed about these two people, I still couldn't quite get them out of my head.

It wasn't until a few years later when, encouraged by my fabulous CPs I went back to it and added the spice and submitted to The Wild Rose Press.

Where do you see yourself in the future? Will you still be writing, or do you have a new adventure on the horizon?

I can't imagine a time in the future when I won't be writing. It's a part of who I am, and when I don't write I get bad tampered and twitchy and a nightmare to live with!! Besides, I love being the goddess-of-my-own-universe far too much to ever give it up!!!

If you had the choice of being stranded on a desert island or lost in a huge city, which would you prefer and why?

Much as I like shopping in the city, I have no sense of direction and can get lost walking round the corner. So the thought of being lost in a huge city is kind of a nightmare for me! So...

If we're talking about being stranded on a fabulous desert island with white beaches, palm trees and warm turquoise water, then I guess I would just have to make the best of it, and ensure my co-strandee (I'm not alone on this island, right?!), the delectable Clive Owen, didn't succumb to sunstroke. I'm thoughtful like that.

The question most readers want to know but never get the chance to ask, do you ever write in your pajamas?

Hee hee!! Chance would be a fine thing. I have three kids and only after I've dropped the youngest at school, done the shopping and various chores do I collapse in front of the computer.

Any advice for an author just starting out on the writer’s journey?

I'd quote the line from Galaxy Quest - Never Give Up! Never Surrender! It took me nine years before I sold Foretaste of Forever and I came close to giving up several times, especially after particularly painful rejections. Another thing I discovered was Never Say Never - when I first started writing I aimed at category romance and was sure I would never write a first person chic lit. So then I wrote a couple of first person chic lits, while telling my CPs I could never, much as I'd love to, write paranormal.

I then wrote a couple of light paranormal romances, and despite my CPs telling me I should try my hand at erotic romance knew I'd never be able to.

Within six months I had not only written my first erotic romance, but it had been contracted by The Wild Rose Press.

Now, whenever I say never to my CPs they can barely contain their mirth!

That's great advice. And yours is definitely a success story! Congratulations!

In the house—shoes or bare feet?

Flip-flops or, as they are known Down Under, thongs. I can never call them thongs though, since as I originate from the UK thongs are skimpy knickers!!

What is your favorite kind of cake?

Something rich, chocolately and decadent and most importantly calorie free. If you know where I can get one, please let me know!

What frightens you?

The thought of being alone.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us today?

I was born in England, emigrated to Australia ten years ago, my star sign is Leo and I am twenty-nine years old. Well okay, three out of four isn't so bad!

Christina, it's been great getting to know you. I look forward to reading your work, and I wish you every success. I do hope you'll consider coming back and chatting with us again.

Readers, Christina has graciously offered a copy of her Foretaste of Forever to one lucky commenter, so comment away! One name will be randomly drawn to receive this intriguing story. Check back to see if your name has been drawn!


Blurb:

Elyesha, last surviving descendant of a line of powerful witches,
finally finds the only man she's ever loved, the man who deserted
her countless years before. But Ben is torn between desire and
despair when Elyesha, his only love, eventually penetrates his
protective retreat. He knows what she wants, but the price of their
love is too high. At midnight, on the beach, a battle of wills and
erotic seduction ensues as each confronts the other's darkest fears.

Excerpt ~ Edited

Elyesha hooked her ankles around Ben's waist as he strode through the castle's crumbling entrance. For a fleeting moment, she wished it had retained its former glory, but her ancestors had allowed the magnificent stronghold to fall into ruins centuries ago.

Besides, it didn't matter where she had Ben. So long as she had him. And soon – she would have him forever.

In the Great Hall, with its soaring arches and remnants of ancient grandeur in the carved four poster bed, he paused and she slowly slithered from his grasp. "What shall we do now?" she said, tilting her head to one side and allowing her long hair to tumble provocatively over her shoulder.

"No suggestions?" She raised one eyebrow and trailed her finger over his groin and toward his chest. She didn't know why he fought against her some nights. What did he hope to achieve? Sooner or later, she'd get her way and then he would see how foolish all his protestations had been. "Perhaps I'll strip you naked," she suggested, loosening the ties on his scarlet linen shirt.

He didn't reply, except to give the merest grunt of a laugh. She tugged his open shirt from his britches and admired his
perfectly sculpted chest, before sliding the shirt over his shoulders and along his finely muscled arms.

"Enjoying yourself?" There was a rasp to his voice, as if he tried to deny the rising desire between them.

She shot him an exasperated glance. "I intend to enjoy myself far more before this night's over." She tugged at the fastenings at his crotch, deliberately prolonging the procedure. Occasionally she found Ben's inhuman self-control infuriating, but even that didn't matter. Because, in the end, he always succumbed.


Christina's Website http://www.christinaphillips.com
Christina's Blog http://christinaphillips.blogspot.com