The guest author for today on Interviews by Dante is Michele Wesley. She is a writer of Paranormal Romance. Her latest work Anger and Arrogance is book three in the Smoke and Fire Series. It is set to release on January 30th.
Please tell us a little about yourself.
Engaged, no children, and I actually enjoy writing so much that I never seem to have enough time to write. Eldest of seven and love it because my sibling actually listen to me most of the time.
My Bio:
Michele Wesley was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and grew up on Elm Hall Sugarcane Plantation just out-side the small Cajun town of Napoleonville, Louisiana. She is a graduate of Northwestern State University, LA and currently reside in Franklin, VA. Michele proudly served on active duty in the military with deployments to Iraq and Kuwait. After completing her military service, she worked as a Department of Defense Contractor for two Fortune 500 companies in Baghdad, Iraq, Kuwait, and Bagram, Afghanistan. She has had the opportunity to travel the world, visiting and touring over twenty different countries.
Tell us about your latest book.
My latest book, Anger & Arrogance, is set to release in January 30, 2016. It is the third book of my Smoke & Fire Series, Adult Paranormal Romance. The book, Anger & Arrogance, contains danger, violence, and intrigue, but it also contains drama and lots of arguing between the two main characters that is sure to keep readers laughing and interested. The Paranormal sparks of Anger and Arrogance will keep readers guessing and amazed.
Also out December 21, 2015 is my Prequel Novelette, Sparks. Sparks is a Novelette that precedes my first book Smoke & Fire.
What do you have coming out in the future?
Aside from the first two released books of the Smoke & Fire Series, I have also completed five additional books in the Series. I have completed Book #1 of my Young Adult Dystopian Trilogy called Shackles of Unrest, three Erotica Novellas, and have nearly completed a Horror novel.
Is your book a stand-alone or a series?
My Paranormal books are of a series, but I write them so that they can also be stand alone and read in any order.
Why romance and what makes your particular brand of romance special?
Paranormal romance can be sweet, spicy, erotic, and sexy. You can take it in any direction with any and every mix of character you can think of. I try to give my readers romance and sex. Not bad sex either, good nail-breaking, talk dirty, grab the sheets, and a hand full of hair kind of sex. Some of my romances will also be multicultural and interracial. A lot of traditional publishers and agents are unwilling to represent multicultural or interracial romance of any kind, but what they don’t seem to realize is that there is a big market for it. There are readers that are interested in reading about relationships that maybe similar to theirs or some readers may simply want to read about something different. I am inspired to introduce readers to the something different they may be hoping for and probably wasn’t expecting.
Is romance the only genre that you write in or do you write in other genres? If so what other genres do you write in?
I love writing romance, but I also write Young Adult, and Horror.
Engaged, no children, and I actually enjoy writing so much that I never seem to have enough time to write. Eldest of seven and love it because my sibling actually listen to me most of the time.
My Bio:
Michele Wesley was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and grew up on Elm Hall Sugarcane Plantation just out-side the small Cajun town of Napoleonville, Louisiana. She is a graduate of Northwestern State University, LA and currently reside in Franklin, VA. Michele proudly served on active duty in the military with deployments to Iraq and Kuwait. After completing her military service, she worked as a Department of Defense Contractor for two Fortune 500 companies in Baghdad, Iraq, Kuwait, and Bagram, Afghanistan. She has had the opportunity to travel the world, visiting and touring over twenty different countries.
Tell us about your latest book.
My latest book, Anger & Arrogance, is set to release in January 30, 2016. It is the third book of my Smoke & Fire Series, Adult Paranormal Romance. The book, Anger & Arrogance, contains danger, violence, and intrigue, but it also contains drama and lots of arguing between the two main characters that is sure to keep readers laughing and interested. The Paranormal sparks of Anger and Arrogance will keep readers guessing and amazed.
Also out December 21, 2015 is my Prequel Novelette, Sparks. Sparks is a Novelette that precedes my first book Smoke & Fire.
What do you have coming out in the future?
Aside from the first two released books of the Smoke & Fire Series, I have also completed five additional books in the Series. I have completed Book #1 of my Young Adult Dystopian Trilogy called Shackles of Unrest, three Erotica Novellas, and have nearly completed a Horror novel.
Is your book a stand-alone or a series?
My Paranormal books are of a series, but I write them so that they can also be stand alone and read in any order.
Why romance and what makes your particular brand of romance special?
Paranormal romance can be sweet, spicy, erotic, and sexy. You can take it in any direction with any and every mix of character you can think of. I try to give my readers romance and sex. Not bad sex either, good nail-breaking, talk dirty, grab the sheets, and a hand full of hair kind of sex. Some of my romances will also be multicultural and interracial. A lot of traditional publishers and agents are unwilling to represent multicultural or interracial romance of any kind, but what they don’t seem to realize is that there is a big market for it. There are readers that are interested in reading about relationships that maybe similar to theirs or some readers may simply want to read about something different. I am inspired to introduce readers to the something different they may be hoping for and probably wasn’t expecting.
Is romance the only genre that you write in or do you write in other genres? If so what other genres do you write in?
I love writing romance, but I also write Young Adult, and Horror.
After a three-year nightmare relationship; Alana is convinced she will never find love and lets her father talk her into marrying a man she’s never met. She agreed to it, but it doesn’t mean she has to like it; Alana’s immediate distaste for her new husband has her determined to make his life a living hell. She maintains her combative stance while trying to ward off his arrogant appeal.
Devin admits he’s met his match as his new wife proves to be a hand-full. Their arguments become legendary battles as he struggle to open his mind to her. Time and a whole lot of healing are the remedies that will allow him to peel away scabs from Alana's past to reveal the beauty she keeps hidden.
Will the arguing couple call a truce and check their rearview before a lurking monster catches them off guard?
Devin admits he’s met his match as his new wife proves to be a hand-full. Their arguments become legendary battles as he struggle to open his mind to her. Time and a whole lot of healing are the remedies that will allow him to peel away scabs from Alana's past to reveal the beauty she keeps hidden.
Will the arguing couple call a truce and check their rearview before a lurking monster catches them off guard?
 | New Release for January 2016 |
From where do you draw your inspiration?
Reading a lot of Paranormal Romance, I started to see the same characters and scenarios over and over. I wanted to change up the game and push readers to allow themselves to think outside the box that has been built around our Paranormal Romance novels. The main character and heroine in Smoke & Fire is a black female, not a typical character in Paranormal Romance novels. I have also introduced new types of paranormal power and abilities and twist and scenes that will keep the readers turning the pages.
Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
I don’t base my character on a specific person, but I do built characters from bits of people in my life including myself.
What authors inspire your writing?
My paranormal romance is inspired by L. A. Banks and Laurell K. Hamilton.
My young adult series were inspired by today’s real world events. This book gives us a serious reality check, touching on subjects sparked from our nation’s current state of unrest. It serves to remind us of how far we have fallen and how much further we can fall down the rabbit hole of despair and destruction of ourselves and our nation. It gives us a glimpse of what can happen to us and our nation years from now if we don't reign in the hate and embrace our compassion and goodness.
How have your real life experiences influenced your writing?
I have had the privilege of leading quite an exciting life so far. From the military to deployments in Iraq and Kuwait to working as a contractor for the Dept. of Defense with deployment in Afghanistan. I have travel all across the globe and seen and experienced life among many different cultures. I have enjoy trips and traveled to places from my bucket list: like visiting the pyramids of Egypt and walking inside the Great Pyramid to relaxing on a beach in the Maldives or Jamaica to being on Safari in Kenya.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I work a full-time day job as a government employee. Since I can’t yet afford to hire someone to do the marketing for my books or run my website and social media accounts: I do it all on my own (for now.)
What was your road to publishing like?
Tell us about it. Horrible. I didn’t know much about publishing at the time and went with a publisher that was only interested and taking as much money from me as possible versus actually trying to get a good quality book from me. I signed a two-book deal with that publishing company and unfortunately, I will follow through with what I started. I am using amazon to self-publish the rest of my paranormal books. I have learned how to format my own books and am excited to keep learning as much as I can about the industry and about improving my writing skills.
How did you come up with the title of your book?
I based the title of the characters who were mostly all fire and anger.
Reading a lot of Paranormal Romance, I started to see the same characters and scenarios over and over. I wanted to change up the game and push readers to allow themselves to think outside the box that has been built around our Paranormal Romance novels. The main character and heroine in Smoke & Fire is a black female, not a typical character in Paranormal Romance novels. I have also introduced new types of paranormal power and abilities and twist and scenes that will keep the readers turning the pages.
Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
I don’t base my character on a specific person, but I do built characters from bits of people in my life including myself.
What authors inspire your writing?
My paranormal romance is inspired by L. A. Banks and Laurell K. Hamilton.
My young adult series were inspired by today’s real world events. This book gives us a serious reality check, touching on subjects sparked from our nation’s current state of unrest. It serves to remind us of how far we have fallen and how much further we can fall down the rabbit hole of despair and destruction of ourselves and our nation. It gives us a glimpse of what can happen to us and our nation years from now if we don't reign in the hate and embrace our compassion and goodness.
How have your real life experiences influenced your writing?
I have had the privilege of leading quite an exciting life so far. From the military to deployments in Iraq and Kuwait to working as a contractor for the Dept. of Defense with deployment in Afghanistan. I have travel all across the globe and seen and experienced life among many different cultures. I have enjoy trips and traveled to places from my bucket list: like visiting the pyramids of Egypt and walking inside the Great Pyramid to relaxing on a beach in the Maldives or Jamaica to being on Safari in Kenya.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I work a full-time day job as a government employee. Since I can’t yet afford to hire someone to do the marketing for my books or run my website and social media accounts: I do it all on my own (for now.)
What was your road to publishing like?
Tell us about it. Horrible. I didn’t know much about publishing at the time and went with a publisher that was only interested and taking as much money from me as possible versus actually trying to get a good quality book from me. I signed a two-book deal with that publishing company and unfortunately, I will follow through with what I started. I am using amazon to self-publish the rest of my paranormal books. I have learned how to format my own books and am excited to keep learning as much as I can about the industry and about improving my writing skills.
How did you come up with the title of your book?
I based the title of the characters who were mostly all fire and anger.
Face of an Angel...mind of a Death Warrior
Agent Sori Knight, codename 'Smoke,' curses like a sailor and leave bodies at every turn, but somehow manages to steal hearts and save the good guys. The headstrong agent is forced to unleash her inner-monster when an assignment leads to the most elusive and deadly criminal she has ever had to hunt.
Breathtakingly Sexy...mind kissed by Rage
Agent Mycale Phillips' attraction to Sori is instantaneous. He thinks he may be in over his head when partnered with her but soon learns that a touch of evil is necessary if you want to survive in a world of Smoke & Fire!
Will secret abilities they are determined to hide be enough to pull them from death's grip?
Agent Sori Knight, codename 'Smoke,' curses like a sailor and leave bodies at every turn, but somehow manages to steal hearts and save the good guys. The headstrong agent is forced to unleash her inner-monster when an assignment leads to the most elusive and deadly criminal she has ever had to hunt.
Breathtakingly Sexy...mind kissed by Rage
Agent Mycale Phillips' attraction to Sori is instantaneous. He thinks he may be in over his head when partnered with her but soon learns that a touch of evil is necessary if you want to survive in a world of Smoke & Fire!
Will secret abilities they are determined to hide be enough to pull them from death's grip?
 Click image for explanation. | Available Now Amazon Barnes & Noble Books A Million Kobo |
Do you read romance or do you prefer other genres?
I read all types of romance: Western, Sweet, traditional, erotica…I also love to read paranormal, dystopian, drama, and science fiction.
What is your absolute favorite book or books and why is it special to you?
My all-time favorites is A Farewell to Arms by Earnest Hemingway. This book was sad, serious, interesting, but also had sprinkles of funny. This book and the books below are all books I can pick up anytime and read them over and over and over.
Some of my other Favorites:
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
The Edge of Dawn by Beverly Jenkins
God Don’t Like Ugly by Mary Monroe
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen
The Testament by John Grisham
Have you won any awards for your writing?
No, but just seeing and knowing that people are buying my books is all the award I will ever need.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Editing and Marketing.
What is the easiest part of the writing process for you?
Writing and creating the first draft.
Which of your characters is your favorite and why?
Smoke, from my first Paranormal Romance novel Smoke & Fire; I believe she is most like me.
Who or what are your inspirations/influences?
I have always been inspired by books. My favorite books inspire me to keep writing to hopefully gain readers that will love one of my books as much as I love my favorite books.
I read all types of romance: Western, Sweet, traditional, erotica…I also love to read paranormal, dystopian, drama, and science fiction.
What is your absolute favorite book or books and why is it special to you?
My all-time favorites is A Farewell to Arms by Earnest Hemingway. This book was sad, serious, interesting, but also had sprinkles of funny. This book and the books below are all books I can pick up anytime and read them over and over and over.
Some of my other Favorites:
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
The Edge of Dawn by Beverly Jenkins
God Don’t Like Ugly by Mary Monroe
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen
The Testament by John Grisham
Have you won any awards for your writing?
No, but just seeing and knowing that people are buying my books is all the award I will ever need.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Editing and Marketing.
What is the easiest part of the writing process for you?
Writing and creating the first draft.
Which of your characters is your favorite and why?
Smoke, from my first Paranormal Romance novel Smoke & Fire; I believe she is most like me.
Who or what are your inspirations/influences?
I have always been inspired by books. My favorite books inspire me to keep writing to hopefully gain readers that will love one of my books as much as I love my favorite books.
Mesmerizing beauty…mind kissed by death
Agent Kris “Yala” Lawrence finds herself in the middle of a sadistic magic show. Standing in the Medical Examiner’s office, the last thing she expects to see is a human torso in a glass encased box that the ME claims is still alive. Come Again?! She learns the box is one of three-pieces and agrees to follow instructions left by the mad magician if it means receiving and reconnecting the rest of the victim. Usually a shooter and not an investigator, Yala uses her chameleon-like disguise abilities to track the suspect.
Smothering good looks…melt your senses deadly
Agent Kevin “Kay” Nazari request to be partnered with Yala after a chance meet leaves him yearning to see her again. Trying to keep a human alive when they are arriving in parts is as impossible as it sounds and Kevin learns the true meaning of Body Box as he help track a killer hell bent on sending them victims in parts.
Agent Kris “Yala” Lawrence finds herself in the middle of a sadistic magic show. Standing in the Medical Examiner’s office, the last thing she expects to see is a human torso in a glass encased box that the ME claims is still alive. Come Again?! She learns the box is one of three-pieces and agrees to follow instructions left by the mad magician if it means receiving and reconnecting the rest of the victim. Usually a shooter and not an investigator, Yala uses her chameleon-like disguise abilities to track the suspect.
Smothering good looks…melt your senses deadly
Agent Kevin “Kay” Nazari request to be partnered with Yala after a chance meet leaves him yearning to see her again. Trying to keep a human alive when they are arriving in parts is as impossible as it sounds and Kevin learns the true meaning of Body Box as he help track a killer hell bent on sending them victims in parts.
 Click image for explanation. | Available Now Amazon Barnes & Noble Books A Million Kobo |
What is your preferred writing environment?
First: Plush couch, glass of wine, cheese, & fireplace. Second: Patio on a nice sunny day with a light breeze, under an umbrella. Third: Any nice blue breezy beach under an umbrella.
How would you describe your writing style?
Free writing. I free write for hours at a time without corrections. I often start at any point within the book, beginning, middle, or end.
Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
I just go with the flow.
With many publishing routes available today, which felt the most reliable to you when it came to the many choices?
Self-publishing seemed the best route to take to test the waters and cut my teeth. However, I’d like to try traditional publishing for my young adult books.
When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
When I found myself for the first time in 23 years unemployed. I had always wanted to write, but never had the time. So, when I finally had the time I took advantage of it, writing more than six complete, unedited novels, and starting several promising others.
Do you have any advice for other writers and what is it?
Don’t be afraid to give writing a shot, especially if writing is what’s in your heart. If you find yourself thinking of and writing more than you do anything else, don’t stop writing. Try to write something every day, even if it’s just a page. Make time to do what you love. Educate yourself about every aspect of the writing world. Give your writing time to grab the market, don’t force it and don’t rush it.
Wild Card Question.
As an author, what is the one question that you wish people would ask you, but no one ever has and what would your answer be to that question?
I wish people would ask me for free copies or downloads of my books more often or ask me if I mind if they shared my work. One, If I have free copies are downloads, I will be happy to give them away and if someone would like to share my work, I will take that as a compliment and encourage them to do so. My only hope is that they would be willing to provide an honest review of my books.
First: Plush couch, glass of wine, cheese, & fireplace. Second: Patio on a nice sunny day with a light breeze, under an umbrella. Third: Any nice blue breezy beach under an umbrella.
How would you describe your writing style?
Free writing. I free write for hours at a time without corrections. I often start at any point within the book, beginning, middle, or end.
Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
I just go with the flow.
With many publishing routes available today, which felt the most reliable to you when it came to the many choices?
Self-publishing seemed the best route to take to test the waters and cut my teeth. However, I’d like to try traditional publishing for my young adult books.
When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
When I found myself for the first time in 23 years unemployed. I had always wanted to write, but never had the time. So, when I finally had the time I took advantage of it, writing more than six complete, unedited novels, and starting several promising others.
Do you have any advice for other writers and what is it?
Don’t be afraid to give writing a shot, especially if writing is what’s in your heart. If you find yourself thinking of and writing more than you do anything else, don’t stop writing. Try to write something every day, even if it’s just a page. Make time to do what you love. Educate yourself about every aspect of the writing world. Give your writing time to grab the market, don’t force it and don’t rush it.
Wild Card Question.
As an author, what is the one question that you wish people would ask you, but no one ever has and what would your answer be to that question?
I wish people would ask me for free copies or downloads of my books more often or ask me if I mind if they shared my work. One, If I have free copies are downloads, I will be happy to give them away and if someone would like to share my work, I will take that as a compliment and encourage them to do so. My only hope is that they would be willing to provide an honest review of my books.
Much too often we find ourselves wondering how a character was born. What made them into the hero they have become? What made them such an excellent lover or such an expert at taking care of others? What made them such a nice guy or girl? How did they become such a villainous monster or mass murderer?
This novelette gives off a few sparks of the flame that ignited two explosive characters from Smoke & Fire, Book #1 of the Smoke & Fire Series. Rage and untapped emotions are what seep the fumes that make these characters jump off the pages. The Smoke & Fire series is uniquely written, allowing readers to jump into the series at any of the first six books.
Sori “Smoke” Knight and Mycale Thomas Phillips are deadly, sometimes lovable, and totally emotionally dysfunctional. Despite facing obstacles where emotions are concerned, they somehow manage to keep fighting for the good guys. They are the pokers that stroke the flames that burn through this action packed, sexually charged, emotionally unstable series infused with murder and mayhem. This novelette sneaks a peek into Sori and Mycale’s younger years.
This novelette gives off a few sparks of the flame that ignited two explosive characters from Smoke & Fire, Book #1 of the Smoke & Fire Series. Rage and untapped emotions are what seep the fumes that make these characters jump off the pages. The Smoke & Fire series is uniquely written, allowing readers to jump into the series at any of the first six books.
Sori “Smoke” Knight and Mycale Thomas Phillips are deadly, sometimes lovable, and totally emotionally dysfunctional. Despite facing obstacles where emotions are concerned, they somehow manage to keep fighting for the good guys. They are the pokers that stroke the flames that burn through this action packed, sexually charged, emotionally unstable series infused with murder and mayhem. This novelette sneaks a peek into Sori and Mycale’s younger years.
 Click image for explanation. | Released December 21, 2015 |
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