Secret Trilogy by L. Marie Adeline (Interview and Giveaway!)

Synopsis of S.E.C.R.E.T

Cassie Robichaud’s life is filled with regret and loneliness after the sudden death of her husband. She waits tables at the rundown Café Rose in New Orleans, and every night she heads home to her solitary one-bedroom apartment. But when she discovers a notebook left behind by a mysterious woman at the café, Cassie’s world is forever changed.

The notebook’s stunningly explicit confessions shock and fascinate Cassie, and eventually lead her to S∙E∙C∙R∙E∙T, an underground society dedicated to helping women realize their wildest, most intimate sexual fantasies. Cassie soon immerses herself in an electrifying journey through a series of ten rapturous fantasies with gorgeous men who awaken and satisfy her like never before. As she is set free from her inhibitions, she discovers a new confidence that transforms her, giving her the courage to live passionately. Equal parts enticing, liberating and emotionally powerful, S∙E∙C∙R∙E∙T is a world where fantasy becomes reality.

Synopsis of S.E.C.R.E.T Shared

The hotly anticipated sequel to the erotic sensation S.E.C.R.E.T., where women’s sexual fantasies become reality.

Still wounded from a recent heartbreak, Cassie Robichaud throws herself into service with S.E.C.R.E.T., the mysterious organization that changed her life last year by bringing her deepest sexual fantasies to life, one step at a time.

Now, it’s Cassie’s turn to guide the group’s newest candidate, Dauphine Mason, recruiting men to execute a new set of fantasies. While it gets Cassie’s mind off Will, the man she truly loves, it also gives her the chance to help watch S.E.C.R.E.T. work its magic on someone new.

At thirty-one, Dauphine is the proprietor of a New Orleans vintage clothing store—the kind of buttoned-up career woman who has no idea how attractive she really is. In order to reignite her sexual flame and reawaken her dormant heart, she must leave behind her bitter past.

As both Cassie and Dauphine navigate the rocky path between their hearts and their passions, they discover what they truly want in life and in love. SECRET Shared is a liberating, passionate and sexually charged sequel to one of the hottest new series in erotica.

Author Interview

I would like to welcome author L. Marie Adeline to Socrates’ Book Review Blog.  She is the author of the erotic romance trilogy - S.E.C.R.E.T. We are very happy to have her visit with us today.

1)         What gave you the idea to write an erotic trilogy?

In a lot of ways, my characters gave me the idea. S.E.C.R.E.T. didn’t start out as a trilogy. But the world of S.E.C.R.E.T. (an underground organization that grants sexual fantasies to women) was so lush and layered, there was just more to tell. Not to mention my main character Cassie ended up having a longer journey than I expected. Her road to sexual fulfillment and love (with Will, her boss and friend), became increasingly fraught with every obstacle. For her to surrender to her one true love seems to require bigger and bigger leaps of faith, and since change isn’t an overnight thing, one book turned into three.

2)         Do you write any other genres?

I have written two other novels under my real name, Lisa Gabriele. Though not as racy as S.E.C.R.E.T. or S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared, both Tempting Faith DiNapoli and The Almost Archer Sisters, delve into the same themes of women, relationships, intimacy---and how to make love stay.

3)         Who is your greatest influence in your writing career?

I would say though some of my favorite writers include Lorrie Moore, Alice Munro, and Edna O’Brien, have deeply influenced me. But my sister, Sue, is my first and most crucial reader. If it doesn’t pass muster with her, I have to tweak and change things. She’s my ideal reader, so I tend to listen to her her. But when it comes to S.E.C.R.E.T. my editor Nita Pronovost at Random House is the one I trust the most. Her influence and steady hand is on every page.

4)         What is the first thing you ever wrote?

I wrote a short story about a girl with a yellow sweater in the third grade, because, well, I wanted a yellow sweater. I didn’t get a yellow sweater. But I do remember going so far as to illustrate it. I also wrote a memorable kids’ book in in the seventh grade---which I saved, called “Will You Please Get the Dragon Out From Underneath My Bed?” It started as a scary story but the kid and the dragon end up disco dancing at the end. 

5)         How did it feel when you first found out you were going to be published?

It was a surreal experience—and I’m not talking about my first novel and its publication back in 2002. That was crazy, and I still can’t believe it when I see my name on the cover of a novel. But the first time I had a short story published in the Windsor Star newspaper in high school, it determined the course of my life. I entered a Christmas writing contest, and I came third. But what a thrill to see MY story laid out in script over several columns. That newspaper was part of our household all my life, so to see MY name next to MY work, it was surreal, as I said, and it’s a day I’ll never forget. 

6)         Do you have one all time favorite book and/or author?

Yeah, Anagrams by Lorrie Moore; it was the first time I read a writer who could bend language the way she did. She’s a magician. She broke all the rules, without ever sacrificing plot, characters, dialogue, all the things good, readable books are made of. I have also always loved Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier. It’s a book I reread every once in a while. It’s so dark and moody, and a bloody good yarn.

7)         How long does it take you to write a book?

Depends. My first novel took about 18 months, the second, several years of fits and starts. That was hell. The dreaded sophomore slump happened to me. The S.E.C.R.E.T. novels have taken about six months, probably because they know what they want to be. Sometimes I feel like I’m just furiously following behind those characters, madly typing away.

8)         Where do you do most of your writing?

Always, always, always, at my well-calibrated desk, with the keyboard tray measured at the proper height, and a stand-up desk next to me. I go back and forth between them because I’m prone to back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. So sadly (very sadly!!) I can’t really write anywhere else but at home. I envy writers who can go to cafes, or far flung places and write wherever they are. I just can’t.

9)         Do you have any tips for aspiring authors?

Besides understanding the basics of style and grammar, which anyone can learn---and should---the most crucial bit of advice is to learn how to sit still. Start practicing with meditation or yoga or however else you can. Because if you can’t sit still for long periods of time, you won’t get work done. It’s really that simple.  

10)       Can you give us a sneak peek at your next release?

I like sharing this excerpt from S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared because it peels back the curtain on the whole recruitment process; on how men are selected and recruited, the ones who will participate in the sexual fantasies. This happens at the 1/3 mark in book two of the trilogy. Cassie is meeting her guide Matilda at Audubon Park. Matilda’s got her eye on a cute soccer player, who (here’s another sneak peek) will make his debut in book three!

EXCERPT

 “Yes, he’s really quite beautiful, isn’t he?” Matilda said. “But they don’t all have to be models to be recruits. They do have to know they’re sexy. They have to be able to hold a conversation, seem interesting, even if they aren’t. Attractiveness is subjective but we like to stick to the ‘classic’—sexy, confident, masculine. And of course, they need to be in top health. This one is all that. And no wedding ring.”

She glanced at her watch.

“Cassie, I need you to close this deal for me. I have to meet my contractor.”

“Close what deal?”

            “Get Dominic’s number,” she said, winking.

            My panic started at my feet, traveling all the way to the back of my skull like an instant ice cream headache.

“But he wants to meet you. He barely looked at me. What if he won’t give me his number?”

Matilda stood and peered across the pitch, like a lioness lazily eyeing a gazelle.

“Cassie, trust me when I say all you’ll need to do is ask.”

BOOK GIVEAWAY!!!!

How would you like to win a paperback copy of S.E.C.R.E.T and an ARC paperback copy of S.E.C.R.E.T Shared. Thanks to Caroline at Sullivan and Partners, I have these two books to giveaway to one lucky winner. 

Just a few simple rules...

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The giveaway begins on October 15th (midnight est) and ends on October 22nd (midnight est).

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