After taking an early retirement, Brigit then looked to her hobby of writing romantic suspense as a means of indulging her need for pulse-pounding action. From there, her preference very quickly turned to erotica. Her literary specialties in the genre are paranormal (vampires, mermen, werewolves) and contemporary love stories including more than a few breathtaking threesomes.
Today, Brigit lives in a seaside villa in Majorca, spending the steamy days penning even steamier stories and the cool, ocean breeze-kissed evenings researching love scenes with her heart's destiny and husband of nine years."
Obtained from Brigit Zahara's website.
"Galeria is ready to hit the streets of L.A. for a quick snack and maybe a little shopping. She is a very happy, satisfied woman—having just left her two hot vampire lovers sleeping soundly in her bed. But their lives weren’t always so wonderful, such a long time ago in Rome...
Back then, Galeria was the emperor's daughter. She wasn’t supposed to have a scorching secret affair with the beautiful and bountiful Cassian, the Roman Empire’s greatest gladiator. Nor should she have taken comfort in the massive marble-like arms of Atticus—Cassian’s best friend, her night chamber guard and a closet vampire—when informed of Cassian’s supposed demise.
Too late, they discover that Cassian lives, and overcome with jealousy, he challenges Atticus to a battle to the death in the arena. Galeria is caught in the middle, tormented by her feelings for these two powerful men. But strange and mysterious things are about to happen—rituals that will change all their lives forever."
Tori: Is there anything else you can tell newcomers about yourself that we can't find through your site?
Brigit: While I suppose many of my readers may have already deduced this, but for the rest, I want to profess myself to be a bona fide romantic. I very much believe in the end of the rainbow, finding your soul mate, happily ever afters, guidance, insight and creativity always coming from beyond and without exception, all things turn out as they should.
Tori: For those of us who may be unfamiliar with your works, could you supply us with some insight in regards to your writing? Do you favor one particular genre above all the rest?
Brigit: I originally started with the hazy aim of writing category romance but very quickly discovered my style was far too edgy and erotic for the folks at Harlequin J So, heeding the words of Shakespeare “To thine own self be true” I chose NOT to try and square-peg-into-a-round-hole my storytelling but rather let it be what it was, believing I would find a market for my particular voice. And I have. Erotica.
Tori: Do you have one particular book that you adore above all the rest? If so, which is it and why?
Brigit: Wow, that’s really hard. I know it’s a terrible cliché but each book really does feel like an individual child with its own personality that started with a spark of inspiration. After nurturing it through much joy and pain you finally give birth and hope it has a good life! LOL
That all having being said, I will admit that I really liked the historical back stories in CREAMY DELIGHTS and THE TURNING, the setting and romanticism of CATCH OF THE DAY (which readers want a sequel to!) as well as CHOCOLATE CRAVING, and the whole fantasy escape feel of ENCHANTED PALETTE (coming May 14). I also enjoy writing gay erotica. STUD, my first foray into that bedroom, comes out this summer.
Tori: Interesting, I guess I'll have to look into your May 14th release! So what is your favorite scene, character, or line from The Turning?
Brigit: I have to say that while Atticus began as a secondary character, the strength of his integrity regarding his particular plights really won my heart: A former gladiator champion and current closet vampire in love with the reigning Roman champ’s (AND his best friend’s) woman – the latter of whom he has been handpicked to serve as her private guard each night. Talk about a clusterf***!
Atticus also gave me my favorite line in the book:
“Above all else, even love, honor must prevail.”
Tori: Wow, you could say that again! Glad I'm not in his position. Could you describe the hero and heroine in this particular tale?
Brigit: In addition to Atticus (described above), there is the ailing emperor’s daughter Galeria and her secret lover Cassian – the current gladiator champion of Rome. The trouble begins when Cassian is reported slain in Greece during the country’s annual Tour of Champions. Devastated, Galeria seeks comfort in the one person who knows of her love for Cassian – Atticus. But when Cassian returns to Rome, very much alive, a battle for Galeria’s love, and life, ensues.
Tori: Sounds like there's lots of good old tension and drama to keep readers interested. If you could give a quick synopsis about The Turning what would it be?
Brigit: Terminal girl falls in “forbidden” love with boy, boy dies on the job, girl turns to boy’s friend who has always secretly loved her and is, sssssh don’t tell, a vampire. But boy returns not dead at all but madder than a wet hen about his friend and lover’s involvement. Both boys fight to the death…or rather UNdeath, after which they jointly save girl from her own demise.
Tori: Was the story-line for The Turning difficult to write? What inspired you to write about this tale in the first place?
Brigit: Not at all. It just came to me. Like so many of my stories, I just start writing and some little detail will alter the course of the storyline.
In THE TURNING, the opening scene takes place present day with Galeria sandwiched between Cassian and Atticus inside their coffin built for three. As she is touching Cassian’s broad, muscular chest, she feels “numerous raised scars.” I don’t know where that detail came from but as soon as I wrote it, I knew there had to be a reason for the scars. As I envisioned the appearance of his chest, the image of a gladiator appeared in my mind’s eye. Right then and there, I knew the story would go back to ancient Rome.
Tori: Sounds like Galeria's one lucky girl. Are any of the female characters from your books somewhat based off yourself in some way?
Brigit: From time to time, I will write a line of dialogue that has my own personal voice, or a character will have an emotional response to a scenario that I can relate to but that’s about as far as the similarity goes.
Tori: Do you listen to any music when you write?
Brigit: Yes. I like to choose instrumental music that embodies the mood of the story I’m working on. Lyrics distract me so I seldom use anything with vocals. Ambient stations can be a good choice however for THE TURNING, I exclusively listened to the soundtracks of (big surprise) GLADIATOR and THE LAST SAMURAI. I like Han Zimmer’s sense of passion and his moving melodies.
Tori: How long does it take you to write a book - from the day you start writing to it being published?
Brigit: When I’m really in the zone, I can start and finish a “quickie” in a week. But more times than not, it takes between 2-3 weeks. From there, depending on the editor and publishing backlog, it can take an additional 6-8 weeks before it hits the shelves.
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4. Giveaway ends 4/23
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