Giveaway & Interview with Kris Cook author of Perfection

Today I am trilled to have author Kris Cook who's first published book, PERFECTION, which has released this month. I first learned of Kris from Shayla Black's site who was giving away a e-book of Kris's release and I have to say completely intrigued since Kris, well Kris is not a woman. I know that may sound prejudice, which at the time I think it was frankly on my part. I had long ago read a romance by a male author (he shall remain nameless), and it was.....I'll be nice and say horrible. Now to be fare I admit if I read something that I don't like from any author I usually won't pick up another book (that being said, it is usually from a new author, not one I have a history reading knowing I enjoy their other works). That being said, I thought I would check out Kris's site and see what PERFECTION is all about since I am always looking for her authors to follow. So.... I bought the e-book from Siren and a new fan was born. It's it nice when you find a winner, a keeper, a book you want all your friends to read because you are just THAT excited. And Perfection is just one of those books that I knew I had to share with all my friends! And the second best thing is that this is just book one in the series!!! I will be posting my review tomorrow so keep an eye out! Now for my Interview with Kris.......................


I would like to Welcome Kris Cook to Book Junkie today as my Guest Author celebrating his latest release Perfection which is book one in the Eternally Three Series that released from siren Publishing on Sept 8th, 2009.


I am a fly on your wall today, what would I see in the day of Kris?
You mean after I get the fly-swatter? Starts with 2 cups of coffee. I’m not human until then. Reading and responding to emails is the next task. Then, looking over what I wrote the day before. Finally, I start on the pages I need to write for the day. A few breaks along the way. Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, etc… Lunch. And so on…

If someone were writing a story about Kris Cook, what type of word would describe you?
I need at least two words: Distractible & Determined

How do you get started with writing a story (as in, how do you start developing the story, how do you get inspired for it)? Do you start with an outline, synopsis, characters; what is your writing process like?
Ideas for me come from a variety of places: the news media, entertainment, religion, history. Once I get the seed concept, I talk it out with author friends and critique partners. Is this a good idea…? If an idea makes it past them, then I work on the big elements: Who is the story about? Where is it set? What’s the conflict? What’s the goal and motivation? Next, a storyboard. Yep, it’s tough but necessary. Shayla Black taught me the process. Then, the synopsis. I hate writing them, but they are a great way to catch holes in a plot. Finally, I get down to writing. With paranormal stories with world issues, I have another step—writing down the rules of the world. And then there is the step for series. I set up the plot items that will span multiple books in another document. Am I rambling?

Can you tell us a little about your newest release Perfection?
This book took some time. I had a concept about immortals needing human’s lifeforce where the transfer occurred similar to the laws of electricity: positive, negative, conduit. I also wanted to blend myths from Europe and the Middle East, though my angels, demons, jinn and ifrit are very different from those myths there are some elements I kept in place: wings, horns, smoke, fire.

Why Erotic Romance & why a ménage?
It’s built around the concept of the story line. Also, I am a fan of the genre.

If you could cast Micki, Jared and Bradley for a movie who would play them on screen?
Anne Hathaway, Clive Owen (with long hair), Viggo Mortensen

The ladies dominate the Erotic Romance Genre as, why do you think there aren’t a lot of male Erotic Romance authors?
Since the genre’s main readers are female, there is likely an innate ability for the female author to connect with them. As a male, I work hard to ensure my stories have complexity an d clarity, emotional depth and sensual truthfulness that hopefully appeals to women on multiple levels. I do have female beta-readers that are absolutely essential for that process.

Did you draw your characters from the personalities in your life?
Not really. As a character really begins to come to life for me, they take on a unique personality that is all their own. Sounds crazy, but that’s how it works for me.

When can we expect to see Captivation, book two in the Eternally Three Series and can you give up a little heads up about what it will be about/characters?
I am working on it now, but a release date isn’t set. Readers are going to learn more about the Alliance, the Dark, and the Bloodline. The heroes and heroine of book 2 and book 3 were introduced in book 1. You will be seeing more of David along the way. Am I being a tease?

What do you think is the hardest part about maintaining a series?
I want to make sure that each book stands alone. I don’t want any story to be a repeat of a previous book. Keeping continuity in the series is also very important.

What else do you have in the works?
Three To Play, a contemporary erotic ménage romance will be coming out this winter with Siren.
Have you considered writing within any other genre?
Currently, I’m focused on my romance writing, but am intrigued with the fantasy genre with romantic elements… but that is for another day.

What was the first romance book you read and how did it effect you?
It was one of my grandmother’s Harlequin books. The title had something about a witch, so being a nut for magic, I read it. I liked the story very much. I was about ten years old.

If you were not writing, what would you be doing?
I’d have to be somewhere around publishing. I’m in love with storytelling.

For you, what is the hardest part of writing a novel? Concept, Characterization, Plotting, Writing the story, Synopsis/Query letter writing, etc.
All of the above. Every part of the process has its challenges. I’ve been told by very successful writers that the key is not to stop, keep moving forward.

Perfection is your very first published work, how long did it take you to get published?
I finalled in Passionate Ink’s Stroke of Midnight two years ago. Several rejections later, it found a home with Siren.

Do you usually cast your characters (a mental picture) before or after you have started writing? Does it help inspire you and take the story in a different direction?
I get photos from magazines and the Internet to inspire me.

If you could ask readers any one question, what would it be?
What do you like most (and least) about the story?

**GIVEAWAY**

An E-Book of Perfection

*all you have to do is leave a comment with your e-mail

Contest is open to all

Winner will be chosen on 9/27