Another fabulous author, Sara R Stewart joined me for an interview to celebrate the release of her newest book, Bound by Pride.
Get in touch with Sara:
What inspired you to start writing?
I’ve always created stories in my head. When I was little I hated being bored and this was long before the internet or email so I would make up stories in my head to entertain myself when left without a book to read.
The summer of my 12th year I watched a vampire movie (this was before Interview with a Vampire) and when it was over I was inspired and started creating a story in my head. I borrowed my auntie’s word processor (before I had a personal computer) and typed all night making up the story. I planned to make it into my first ever novel but as is typical of a young person I became distracted and moved on before ever finishing the story. I still remember how it started and have vivid pictures in my head of the story to this day, who knows maybe someday I will write it. I went on to college to study English Literature with an emphasis in creative writing.
My plan was to take a year off and then go back and get my MFA. Twenty-one years later I still haven’t gone back to college but I did remain with the first company that hired me working my way up the ladder and through various positions over the years. All with the desire to one day retire early and write full time. That is still my goal. When self-publishing came around I realized that I was ready to start writing. Traditional published romance novels have way too many restrictions on the female main character for my liking. Authors like Meghan March, Penny Reid and Mariana Zapata have been my idols in self publishing and creation of a more complex female character.
How has writing changed your life?
I fell in love with life again. Once I finished my first book and realized that I could do it for real I very quickly went on to write book 2 and 3 within six months. There is almost nothing I love more than creating words, people and love stories. My children and husband took first by a narrow lead.
Tell me about your upcoming book:
Bound by Pride, the 3rd book in my Portland Lovers Series is by far the sexiest book I’ve written to date. The characters are bold and self-confident and have to traverse a difficult path as first the female lead, Delia is the male lead, John’s boss and then the roles reverse. For a professional woman who has struggled in a male-dominated industry the idea of dating a boss is repellent as it potentially puts all of Delia’s work into the lens of sleeping her way to the top which she would never do. The next difficult path they must face is that John is a BDSM Dominant and Delia doesn’t have a submissive bone in her body, or so she thinks anyhow. With all of my novels, each one is a bit hotter and characters from prior books reappear to visit and sometimes play with later characters. Each book can be read as a stand-alone romance.
What inspired you to write this book?
I’m a "pantser" so normally I sit down and start sketching out the new character and they tell me. As I had introduced John in the previous books I knew I wanted to tell his story, I just need to find the right woman and challenge myself to fit his personality. One element of the story that was influenced by the world around me was my desire to highlight privilege and how one might not be aware of the privileges they have in their lives. This was based on the tale of Sandra Bland and George Floyd being murdered by US police with no consequences and the rage our family felt over it. I have a multi-racial family and so their deaths hit home as well as how different it is for my husband and I to move through the world because of the colors of our skin.
Of the books that you have written, which is your favourite and why?
Currently the book I am writing, book 4 in my series, is my favorite. The main characters remind me of the relationship between my husband and myself. My husband and I tend to be brutally honest and direct and often that makes one or both of us a bit socially awkward. It was actually the first thing we bonded over when we met. Writing these characters has me laughing out loud throughout most of the writing of the story and my adult daughter thinks it is hilarious which is a good sign as she is also painfully honest about what she reads. Bound by Pride is also the first ménage story I have written so it is very very sexy. Last thing I will say about this book is that there are two huge furry beasts of dogs that take up a huge part of the story line who I have also fallen in love with.
In 10 words or less, how would your best friend describe you?
Smart, articulate, creative, compassionate, determined, funny, protective, analytical, loving, and fiercely loyal. I know that is more than ten words but when I asked her that was what I got.
What non-writing accomplishment are you most proud of?
Putting myself through college.
Vampires or Werewolves?
Vampires from as far back as I can remember, however my favorite paranormal character is Mercedes Thompson written by Patricia Briggs who lives in the worlds of Vampires, Fae and Werewolves and is a Coyote.
Cat person or dog person?
I love cats but I’m a dog person and if you ask my six year old she’ll tell you she is half dog.
Books or movies?
No contest, books! But I do love it when my favorite books become movies. It hasn’t happened often.
Ebooks, hardcovers, audio books or paperbacks?
I love them all. I love hardbacks or paperbacks. I have a library in my house. I do most of my reading on my Kindle or phone though and I love to listen to audiobooks while I fold laundry, walk or do dishes. Never been a big music person unless I’m dancing.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
That depended on the week. I’m a Gemini and changed my mind a lot. I wanted to be Madonna, Vickie the scientist from V the Final Battle, I wanted to write romance novels, and be a Flight Attendant. The one thing I have been really good at as an adult is fitting into most groups or situations. I have always known whatever I put my mind to accomplishing I will, which has been true for every goal in life I have set for myself even if it took me twenty years to make it happen. I may be a Gemini but I have always been great about committing to things.
Describe your dream home in 20 words or less.
It often changes but right now it is a small modern home with huge windows in Norway near a lake with a view of the fjords, and yes I do have a plan to make that happen.
How do you write? (computer, dictate, long hand…?)
Laptop. I occasionally will write in a notebook but my hand cramps and I hate typing from a document. I type about 60 wpm so normally I do all my writing and editing right on my computer.
Where / when do you do your best writing?
Because I work full time and have a six year old I do most of my writing in bed between 8 and 10pm. I dream of the days when I can spend my mornings writing and my afternoons gardening or reading.
Do you prefer your romance novels sweet or steamy?
I write BDSM Erotic Romance and typically prefer my books hot, however my favorite author is Mariana Zapata who writes slow burn romance novels.
What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
That my happiness was my responsibility and no one else’s.
Favorite book and why?
There are way too many to list. I often read books over and over because I love the stories and characters so much I like to go back and visit them. Some of my favorite books are Luna and the Lie by Mariana Zapata, Neanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid, Dirty Girl by Meghan March, In Flight by R.K. Lilley, Harry Potter by She/Her who must not be named, Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs, The Passion by Jeannete Winterson, The Color Purple by Alice Walker and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
Thank you Sara for letting us get to know you a little better! Congratulations on the release of your new book, Bound by Pride.
With Love
Regina Grimm is the author of erotic fairytales, written for the uninhibited readers 18+. Check out her books - Snow White and the Wicked Curse: Chapter 1, Snow White and the Vicious Curse: Chapter 2 and Snow White and the Seven Thieves: Chapter 3.
Stay tuned! The final chapter, Snow White and the Poisoned Apple coming October, 2021!