Welcome to the next edition of Tell All Tuesday where we get to meet and learn more about another fabulous erotic romance author! This Tuesday, I’d like to introduce you all to my friend and fellow Dreamspinner Press author LORI TOLAND.
Lori is an incredible author who . . . well, let me just let Lori tell you about herself and her writing!
Tell us a little about yourself, Lori.
I’m in my 30’s and I’m a CEO for my company. I’m married to a cute British guy and I have two cats, Chester and Milly.
Wow, a CEO! I can’t believe you have time to write! That is amazing.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing since I was thirteen when I read the Vampire Diaries by L. J. Smith (yes, like the TV series. Book series is better because Damon isn’t such a pussy in it). I wrote a horrible fanfic for that on a typewriter. I’ve written stuff since then but not on regular basis until now.
Do you write exclusively erotic romance?
I only write erotic romance right now, mainly M/M although I have a couple menages I’m working on. I love the idea of YA though.
What inspires your stories?
I write M/M romance and I just love two men falling in love with each other. The vulnerability as they open to each other just makes my heart skip a beat.
How do you choose a publisher? Who are your current publishers?
I really love Dreamspinner Press for many different reasons. First off, their books are beautifully designed and their stories are top notch. Mara McKennen is just an incredible Art Director so to work with her is awesome. Elizabeth, Lynn, Anne and Julianne are wonderful editors and I feel I have learned so much from everyone. To be in their stable of writers there is a great honor. Secondly, they have such a strong business model there and as a CEO, I really admire that. DSP for me was a no brainer for me. They are my only current publisher right now although I do have a story into another publisher in an answer to a special submission call through them.
How I choose a publisher, obviously DSP was an easy choice for me. They are well established, professional and awesome to work with, but I submit where I read at. If I like the books from a particular publisher, it makes sense I might fit in there.
I agree. Dreamspinner is a wonderful publisher!
What is your latest release?
My latest release is with Dreamspinner Press and it is “The Furry Matchmaker” and I hope you like it.
Dave Wallace is on his way to work when the sight of a tiny kitten stranded on an interstate overpass nearly breaks his heart. After he stops to save her, he goes to the nearest vet and meets Dr. Christian Prince, a gorgeous man David assumes is straight and completely uninterested in him. When Dave leaves he knows he'll never see the vet again... until Christian calls him about the kitten, and maybe more.
What is your writing process like? How long does it take you to finish a story from beginning to end?
I am definitely a pantser meaning I write by the seat of my pants. Unfortunately, that can mean I need to re-write parts of my book to fit the end. But I write where the characters take me. Recently I wrote a story where one of the characters was a top at the beginning but turned into a total bottom at the end. I was shocked.
A novel length book (60,000 words) takes me a couple of months but depending on what is happening that month in my business, it could take longer. Short stories are awesome because I can finish those in a few days.
Is writing your full-time job? If not, how and when do you find time to write?
My writing time is unfortunately fit in while working the 16-18 hours a day being a CEO calls for so my writing process is all over the place. Sitting down and writing for more than a few minutes is something I dream of and on my days off, which are very rare, I can often be found on the couch with a coffee and my laptop, pounding away.
I do try to make the time to write. Like when my husband and friend went to the Hard Rock Casino in Tampa, I took my laptop along because that’s my idea of fun. If I have writer’s block, there is something else going on in my life that has nothing to do with writing or the story itself. I do experience burn out sometimes (like today I’m burnt out. I wrote 10,000 words in three days) but writer’s block will have me examining my life to figure out what else is wrong.
Do you have other published works? Please tell us about them!
My full length novel is “The Replacement Guitarist” and here is more information about it:
Blaze Shinozuka, a hot talent who auditions as a replacement guitarist for world famous pop star Cassie, is thrilled when he draws the attention of celebrity manager Jason Stockton-and not only because it could make his career. His instant attraction to Jason sends his world careening off its axis and drives him to make a move. But Jason reacts by trying to put distance between them, and Blaze finds himself thrust into the gritty world of rock 'n' roll while falling for a man he shouldn’t touch, let alone love.
Straight-laced Jason Stockton is always professional and never dips his pen in the company ink. But there's something about Blaze that leaves him wanting what he shouldn't, and the guitarist-s exotic beauty and compelling innocence turn out to be the temptation Jason can-t resist. But just one lie in the national media sets off a chain of events that pushes Jason and Blaze apart. Can they find a way to be together in the cutthroat, jealous world of rock 'n' roll even after the music stops?
The Replacement Guitarist
There is a sequel to “The Replacement Guitarist” currently in the works, hopefully coming out at Christmas.
And then there is “Necking” and this is an anthology my story “Perform for Me” is in. The anthology is based around threesomes. Here is more info about it:
Corey is a successful thirty-five-year old doctor who lives with his partner of seven years, Justin. And Corey likes to watch. He enjoys it so much that he decided to join a sex club, not to participate, but to sit in the shadows and observe. When his favorite couple decides to invite him to join, can he take the risk of becoming part of show?
How do you market your work?
Working with an established publisher like Dreamspinner Press gives me an audience but I do promote myself through Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter and other forums. One of the best reviewers out there is Elisa Rolle and she is
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/. She loves this genre and while she is kind with her praise, she is honest about the book.
What do you love most about writing?
Besides watching sexy, shiny boys having great sex and falling in love? I do love that it’s an outlet for my stress. I can fix any problems in my writing, the characters always save the day at the end. Romance always has a happily ever after.
Who are some of your favorite authors and books?
I love Mary Calmes. Seriously. Her books are awesome, especially “Change of Heart” but I may be biased cuz I love cats! Her books are the reason I decided to try out writing first person. Now I’ve been corrupted. J Surf on over and let her know I sent you. Btw, Mary is a resident of the awesome state of Hawaii, like our host Rebecca.
Some of my other favorites are J. L. Langley, Heidi Cullinan, M. Jules Aedin and Marie Sexton and of course last but definitely not the least, Rebecca Leigh J. I also have a couple of favorite authors that have stories coming out soon.
One is RJ Scott and her website is
RJ's Blog and she has “Oracle” coming out from Silver Publishing in August.
Another is Kele Moon and she has a menage story coming out soon from Ellora’s Cave and her website is
Kele's website
I love the cover for The Replacement Guitarist. Can we see more of your covers?
WOW -- Those are super hot!
Rebecca, I love your work and thank you for asking me to guest blog! I hope to be blogging from Oahu soon! Mahalo!
Aww, you are too kind. Mahalo (Thank you) Lori for stopping by. You are an inspiration to us all!
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