Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written 4 books under my own name, thus far. But, I also write under another pen name and I have written 4 other books under that name as well. So all in all it is currently at 8 books with another 2 currently in edit.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest book release was Discovered, which is the continuation of the Black Creek Pack series that began with Desired. I was inspired to write this series because it is the kind of story that I would love to read. I love a love story that takes place in the middle of a conflict. When things explode or an assassin could be lurking around any corner you don’t have time for angst. If you love the person next to you, you hold hands and run like hell to safety. Those kinds of stories really appeal to me and I didn’t see very many out there, so I wrote one.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, and it involves a fat cat and a kettlebell. One of my cats is my writing buddy. Whenever I sit down to write she takes up a perch on the seat next to me and monitors my progress. When it’s time to take a break she casually lays across my keyboard. Then I grab my kettlebell and do a few minutes of exercise. The exercise keeps me from having writer’s block. Somehow, swinging that heavy thing gets my mind running and keeps it clear so that I can write for longer periods without “hitting a wall”.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
JR Ward, Kresley Cole, LA Banks, Christine Feehan, Gena SHowalker, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Zane, Sista Soulja, Roald Dahl, JK Rowling and Dr. Seuss.
If you look carefully you will find little bits of all of them in my writing. But JR Ward really showed me that love stories don’t have to be soft and smooshy. The hero can be just as flawed as the villain, and the love interest doesn’t have to be the most lovable person either. The love itself is the thing that makes the story great.
What are you working on now?
The Last Kiss:
It’s more of a coming of age love story about a Korean-American kid, Ricky, who get shipped off to a prestigious boarding school. He meets and falls in love with Donovan Kimble, who comes from money and a whole world that Ricky had never seen. The school itself, Trundle, is essentially where the rich and elite dump their troublesome kids off to keep them out of the limelight, so every character has a “story”. Eventually Ricky and Donovan are discovered and that is where the fun starts. It’s mostly a story about trying to preserve what is good about love even when it doesn’t seem like you will be able to stay together, and how being loved sincerely changes you.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use facebook and twitter a lot. I also encourage all my readers to sign up for my mailing list so that when I have a new release they will be notified right away. I like to talk to my readers so I am all over social media; but, I have heard good things about AG so I am going to add them to my list of resources.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Hang in there and write in series at first. Try to complete your first 2 books before you publish and be generous. Give your readers SOMETHING from you every month, even if it’s just a short story.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t feel like you have to write an epic drama to qualify as a writer. Novellas are becoming more popular now with the e-book crowd. We want a good story, and if you can tell it in 40K words instead of 80K then have at it. Appreciate your readers and they will appreciate you.
What are you reading now?
Endgame by James Frey
What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to turn The Last Kiss into a series, and I have an AMBW (Asian man, Black woman) series due out during the latter part of the year. I don’t want to be a strictly m/m romance writer. I want to tell the stories that don’t get told and I want to do them well. If you like drama, action, and steamy couples…regardless of race or gender, then I am your girl.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Surrender the Dark and Conquer the Dark by LA Banks
Anything in the Nightwalker series by Jacquelyn Frank
Author Websites and Profiles
Sakura Skye Website
Sakura Skye Amazon Profile
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