Interview with Desiree Holt

/ katyaarmock

I’m honored to have interviewed the wonderful Desiree Holt as part of her blog tour for her soon-to-be-released book Finding Julia.

Katya: What books/authors have influenced your writing?

Desiree: First was Linda Howard, who made me realize that romantic suspense was so much more enjoyable to write (for me) than straight mystery. I still have my copy of Cry No More. Next was Joey Hill, who writes the MOST beautiful prose in the world and the MOST beautiful erotic scenes and taught me that BDSM can be incredible to write about. I like the quirky humor in books by Marie Force and Robyn Carr. I reread all these authors all the time.

Katya: What do you hope readers come away from this book with?

Desiree: I want them to understand that my heroine was trapped in a situation that turned out to be not what she expected and that she came into the marriage without the resources to fight it. While she may appear weak at times, she finally gathers her strength and in the end she is the real survivor. And I also want them to fall in love with the love story, knowing people can overcome great obstacles to be together.

Katya: What have you learned through writing your latest book? 

Desiree: I’ve learned that people have so many different facets to their character and, if I want my readers to fall in love with my h/h, I have to be sure they see every side of them. And I had the best time writing the love scenes.

Katya: How do you find inspiration for your stories?

Desiree: I find it everywhere. My stories are all character-driven, so I look at people or situations and play the What If game. What if he did this or she did that. One of my books came from a Letter to the Editor in our local paper. Others have come from my love of the military and covert ops. My brain is always busy with a lot of plots running around like gerbils on a treadmill. I have a sweatshirt that says “Be Careful. I Might Put You In My Next Book.”

Katya: What is your biggest challenge as a writer and how do you overcome it?

Desiree: Writing the first chapter. I want to grab the reader at once, give them enough but not too much information, and pull them into the story, all in one chapter. Once I get past this I’m good to go.

Katya: How would you characterize your writing style?

Desiree: Hmmm. Well, my stories are all character-driven and I think my voice is that of a story teller. I try to write crisp but not abrupt and to draw pictures with my words.

Katya: What is your favorite animal?

Desiree: Toss up between cats and horses, but since I can’t keep a horse in the house, I have three cats.

Katya: What is your favorite genre to read?

Desiree: I don’t think I have one favorite genre. I love romantic suspense, straight out romance and political thrillers the most.

Katya: Do you listen to music while your write? If yes, what’s currently on your playlist?

Desiree: Oh, lord no. I tried that before and kept stopping to sing along with the music. But if I could, it would be anything by Blake Shelton, Danielle Bradbery and a lot of the bands from the eighties and nineties.

Tour by N K Author Services

Can a moment of passion outlast years of secrets and misery?  For Julia Patterson, meeting Luke Buchanan awakens within her a passion she’s never dared dream possible. He claims her body and and helps her remember what it means to be a woman. But Fate has a twisted sense of humor. Just when Julia is ready to step over the threshold into a wonderful new life, her almost-ex-husband is diagnosed with a heart condition that puts her divorce on hold. Turning her back on Luke is the most difficult thing she’s ever done. But Julia has a secret, one that Charles discovers and uses against her. Years later, when Luke walks back into Julia’s life, the passion between them is just as explosive. But Charles is still controlling her from the grave, and the secret Julia has hidden for fourteen years could destroy their dreams forever.

Pre-Order Links:

About the Author

Desiree Holt has lived a life of excitement that brings the color to her writing. She spent several years in the music business representing every kind of artist from country singers to heavy metal rock bands. For several years she also ran her own public relations agency handling any client that interested her. She is twice a finalist for an EPIC E-Book Award, a nominee for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, winner of the first 5 Heart Sweetheart of the Year Award at The Romance Studio, and is published by four different houses. Romance Junkies said of her work: “Desiree Holt is the most amazing erotica author of our time and each story is more fulfilling then the last.” When she’s not writing she’s traveling Texas and, in season, obsessively watching football.

You can find her at www.desireeholt.com and www.desireeholttellsall.com