Hi Roni, welcome back to UTC and thanks for participating in our Burning Up July event.

You’ve been releasing an e-serial over the past few weeks. This is still part of your Loving on the Edge series, which I think it’s really cool.  Can you tell us a bit about how and why you decided to write this story and why publish it as an eserial?

Well, the original concept for this story, I pitched as a novella to my editor. I wrote it that way first but realized quickly that I had A LOT to say about Foster and Cela. I had to do a huge time jump in the novella with an epilogue to make it work. So basically I was trying to fit a full novel into a 30k word story—like trying to cram a whole hog into a sardine can. But then Beth Kery’s serial came out and started doing really well. Readers who enjoyed that format were looking for more, so my editor contacted me and asked if I’d be open to writing a serial and if I had any story ideas for it. I was so excited because I knew immediately that I wanted to rewrite Foster’s story and give it the time and space it needed instead of stuffing it into a novella. So it went from 30k to 120k, which is the longest thing I’ve ever written, lol. And I know not everyone loves the concept of the serial format because of the cliffhangers and the patience requirement, but I think this story really lent itself to that kind of format. And frankly, I would’ve never had to chance to write his full story otherwise. The novella would’ve been it.

For those who follow the series, can you tell us where we may have been introduced to the characters in this eserial?

Sure. My character connections are all very incestuous—everyone pops up in everyone else’s book, lol. So Ian Foster was a minor character in STILL INTO YOU. Cela, though she hasn’t appeared in previous books, is the sister of Andre who is one of the heroes in MELT INTO YOU. The serial also has cameo appearances by Jace (who seems to show up in ALL my books, lol), Wyatt (Jace’s brother), and Evan (Melt Into You).

Did you know then that you were going to write a story about him?

No. I never planned to write Ian Foster’s story. He was a very minor character in Still Into You. In fact, I didn’t even give his name a lot of thought because I just pictured him as Ian Somerhalder and then named him…Ian. Lol. It was one of those rushed things you do when you’re writing and just need a side character right now. I would’ve been a bit more creative had I known then. (And side note: I use his last name in the serial and everyone calls him Foster, so I sorta got around it. 😉 ) But anyway, my writer brain wouldn’t stop working and wondering—who is this guy? So when I can’t stop thinking about a character, I know that I need to write their story.

What are some of your favorite things about Foster as a Dom?

I love that he’s so protective of Cela. He knows she’s probably too young and inexperienced for this, so he’s trying to keep her at arm’s length. He’s Mr. Do the Right Thing in a lot of ways. But, of course, she tests his resolve at every turn. I also love that he knows what he wants. He doesn’t want to cycle through women. He’s the one that’s seeking a long-term relationship. Oh, and he’s very good at the angry sex. Love that. ; )

How do you think Pike balances him out as a friend and as his usual threesome partner?

Pike is the light-hearted comic relief that breaks through Foster’s penchant for broodiness and helps Foster to not take himself too seriously. Of course, Pike has his own major wounds in his past (which I hope to explore in a future story) so there’s a lot of darkness behind his seemingly happy-go-lucky attitude. But at the core of it, he loves Foster like a brother and would do anything for him. There’s a real bond there for them both.

What’s your favorite scene in the serial?

I have a texting scene that was really fun to write. I also have a scene with Cela’s dad that makes me smile. But I think my favorite is probably the one where Foster comes home and thinks Cela and Pike are hooking up. The love scene that happens after that is my favorite scene.

What did you struggle with the most writing Cela and Foster’s story?

I think just learning how to write in a new format was the biggest challenge. Each section needed to have a mini-arc that also fit into the overall arc, plus a cliffhanger. I also tried to make sure each section had at least one smexy scene. And I really wanted to make sure each section was a significant chunk of words. I wanted to give readers the most bang for their two bucks, so the sheer word count was almost 30k more than my normal novels. That’s a lot of words, especially when I didn’t have a suspense subplot taking up page time in this one. It was all relationship.

I know a lot of readers are not fans of eserials.  Do you know if there are any plans of publishing this story in print at a later date?

That’s up to the publisher. They told me it would depend on sales of the e-serial. So *fingers crossed * that there will eventually be a paperback version. If there is, my guess is it won’t come out until some time next year.

Your next book in the series is coming out in just a few weeks from now.  Can you give us a little teaser?

Sure, the next book, CAUGHT UP IN YOU, (which is not a serial) is about Wyatt (Jace’s brother) and Kelsey (Brynn’s sister who was kidnapped in Crash Into You.) I know I probably shouldn’t say this about my own books, but I love this story and these two characters. Wyatt is a genius and pretty socially awkward, so he’s a hot geek hero. (A personal favorite of mine.) And Kelsey is coming from a really damaged past. These two turned out to be so fun to write together. And though it’s got all the BDSM and kinkiness readers expect from my books, I think this is my sweetest, most romantic story I’ve ever written. (My editor declared it her favorite for that reason.) The first chapter is here if anyone wants to check it out.

Thank you so much again for sharing with us today!

Thanks for having me!

 

OUT TODAY!

NOT UNTIL YOU SURRENDER
Not Until You, Part VI
Available July 16th

The heat is rising as Foster and Cela’s affair becomes more complicated in the next thrilling installment of Not Until You. After Cela fails to obey him, Foster decides that she must be punished for her transgressions. But has retribution ever felt so good?

Cela willingly accepts Foster’s difficult penalty for what she’s done and finds herself more vulnerable and more attracted to him than ever. Unfortunately, she’s also more confused. She’s drawn to Foster’s dark desires but scared by the intensity of her surrender and her growing need for him. So as outside pressures mount, how is she supposed to make the hardest decision of her life?

Foster is falling further and further for Cela, but right as he’s tempted to tell her how he feels, she approaches him with a heartbreaking proposition. There isn’t much Foster wouldn’t sacrifice for Cela’s happiness, but this time that may mean watching the girl he could truly love walk away…

BUY NOW: AMAZON

 

About the Author

Roni wrote her first romance novel at age fifteen when she discovered writing about boys was way easier than actually talking to them. Since then, her flirting skills haven’t improved, but she likes to think her storytelling ability has. Though she’ll forever be a New Orleans girl at heart, she now lives in Dallas with her husband and son.

If she’s not working on her latest sexy story, you can find her reading, watching reality television, or indulging in her unhealthy addiction to rockstars, er, rock concerts. Yeah, that’s it. She is the National Bestselling Author of The Loving on the Edge series from Berkley Heat. Website: www.roniloren.com

Today, we are giving away the first part of this e-serial.  NOT UNTIL YOU DARE.  International.