Meet Author Phoenix Johnson and read about her upcoming release "The Wolf In The Neighborhood" - Author Interview Apr 17 - 19

      Phoenix Johnson is an Australian author who has always had the passion for the written word. She had her nose in at least one book ever since she could read and would even scrutinize the back of the cereal box every morning at breakfast. The thrill of writing had left her for a few years until she was recently encouraged to take it back up by a celebrant at her daughters Naming Ceremony, and some family.

      Mostly being interested in the paranormal, erotica is a genre new to the writing repertoire of Phoenix and she reveled in writing outside of her usual comfort zone. The Wolf In The Neighborhood is her first venture in to the genre of romance and erotica, as well as the first book in the Wolf Smitten Series. She hopes to one day publish the entire series in a paperback omnibus. Although respecting the ease and simplicity of electronic publishing, Phoenix loves the feel of a paperback novel in her hands and the joy of seeing her own work on a bookshelf is a much-desired goal.

      She currently lives on the sunny Gold Coast with her partner, their daughter and their cat Flash.

We are so excited Phoenix could join us for the next few days. Phoenix forgot to mention she was nominated for Best Book Reviewer for Xcite Books 2012 Awards.You can read her reviews on The Naughty Pages of the Phoenix.

Brenda & Steve: Phoenix, welcome to our blog! We’re so excited you could join us for a chat. When did you first decide to submit your work to be published? Tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step.

Phoenix: Thank you for having me, Brenda and Steve. I’m very excited myself, my second ever time being on the other side of the questions!

I have a wonderful friend to blame for getting the idea to be published; many know her as Vampirique Dezire. I had slumped from writing for a while until the day of my daughter’s Naming Ceremony, when the celebrant encouraged me to take it up again so I started with journal entries to limber up again. I then had this idea for a story about vampires and got to writing. Vampirique was a main supporter and got me in touch with Gina Kincade who, only months later, started her own publishing company Naughty Nights Press. The encouragement I got from both these ladies soon had me confident that I could do this, and although that original story is still a work in progress, I have since started and completed two novellas and submitted both to NNP, as well as a short story that is in an anthology.

Brenda & Steve: Please tell us a little about your new release The Wolf In The Neighborhood without giving too much of a spoiler away.

Phoenix: Well it’s the first in my paranormal erotic romance series Wolf Smitten. The series follows Krissy and Derek, two new lovers who met the day he moved in to her apartment building and caught her sunbathing nude on the rooftop. Their attraction is instant and they become close very quickly. When Krissy’s ex-boyfriend shows up and causes trouble, Derek reveals a dark secret, one that will only enrage James, the ex, who will later kidnap the couple to beat Derek and punish Krissy for leaving him. 

Brenda & Steve: Nice pic of Derek. Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?

Phoenix: For the most part, I let them tell me about themselves as the story unfolds. I still don’t know much about Krissy, other than she has an older sister who used to force her to watch cheesy romantic chick flicks, and that she is an author like myself. Derek has been much more cooperative, but then the series does focus more on him than Krissy. She does have a secret all her own, however, but that isn’t revealed until the second book so that one stays under wraps until that release!

Brenda & Steve: How much research do you do for your books? Have you found any cool tidbits in your research?

Phoenix: I guess it depends on the book. I didn’t really do much research for The Wolf In The Neighborhood; I’m a paranormal nut so I have a lot of stored information that my parents might consider useless but I now call on regularly. With Once Bitten Twice Shy, the second book, I did a little research with Manhattan maps and local airports, as Derek’s own former lover flies in from England to take him back. That was a bit of necessary but not all that exciting research. 

However, with Leader of The Pack, the final book, I have been researching wolves in the eastern states and discovered that, although wolves have been extirpated (just a fancy word for exterminated, and kind of my ‘word of the day’) plans are being made to reintroduce the Gray Wolf pack in to parks such as the Adirondack State Park in New York. I love that these efforts are being made, because wolves aren’t the big baddies that we are made to believe. As long as they have natural prey in abundance they will rarely attack livestock, and are even less likely to attack humans unless cornered, threatened or rabid. I have rather a soft spot for these beautiful and misunderstood canines.

Brenda & Steve: What is your writing process? Do you outline, write by the seat of your pants (Pantser) or a combination of both?

Phoenix: I am mostly a Pantser. *Sniggers* I love that term. I did outline the second and third books in this series, but that was for approval from NNP, to make sure the series is something they have the means, so to speak, to market it. However, even with planning out, there are still changes that are occurring in the story itself. The Wolf In The Neighborhood was purely by the seat of my pants. It started out as just an erotic romance. When the paranormal plot-line poked its head out, I was floored. I definitely write better when I just let it flow, but planning does help as well. At least then I have some idea of what is happening! 

Brenda & Steve: Do you write full time? What did you do before you became a writer or still do? 

Phoenix: I try to write full time, but to be honest the muse is often on vacation; a fact that isn’t helped by also being a stay at home mother to a boisterous three year old. I also review books from time to time, though that will become less at the end of May as I will be starting University study to get a Bachelor’s Degree for Professional Writing and Publishing. Very excited about that. Add in to the mix trying to get fit as well, and I’m surprisingly busy.

Brenda & Steve: Congrats on furthering your education! Do you have a ritual when it comes to writing? Example….get coffee, blanket, paper, pen, laptop and a comfy place.

Phoenix: I do write better with coffee by my side, and a bowl of peanuts, cashews and M&M’s always helps too, but I have to make do without my picking snacks at the moment. I always have to have music or television in the background; I don’t like to hear myself think, it’s distracting. Other than that, it’s either the laptop and sitting on the couch, or desktop and a cushion under my tush, as wooden chairs are very uncomfortable after about half an hour.

Brenda & Steve: Describe a typical writing day for you.

Phoenix: Well with a three year old, they differ greatly, but the basic routine is the same. I get up, put the kettle on while I get Jayde some breakfast, as well as the feed whining cat. Then I muck around online for about an hour, catching up on emails and Facebook, posting a blog if need be, then open up the story I’m working on and type away. I can write for hours if the muse is willing. I really only tend to take breaks when it’s lunch time, nap time or time to swap movie, though Jayde can change DVD’s herself, now. Cheeky monkey. 

Brenda & Steve: Please give us a sneak peek at your future books. What’s on the horizon?

Phoenix: Well I have just submitted Once Bitten Twice Shy to Naughty Nights Press, which is the second book of Wolf Smitten, so I’m currently working on the third book, which brings up an interesting conundrum for Derek, as well as trouble for Krissy. I’m also working on a ‘vanilla’ romance, Acapello’s Lady, which follows Aubree and her breeding stallion, Acapello, as a stranger comes in to their lives and turns their world upside down.  Bit of trivia with this book: I have permission of the owner of Tennessee Walking stallion Ivory Pal to use photos of Ivory as promotion for the book, and he is more than happy to sign a release form allowing use of Ivory Pal as the cover when the book gets to that stage! Very thrilled about that.

I’m also writing a few other books, paranormal horror The Crypt, paranormal romance/thriller The Coven and plans for my own anthology, The Lover’s Lovers, which will follow a Demi God, known as The Lover, as he encourages people to love again. This was inspired by a short story I wrote for a friend when she was having a particularly rough time. She encouraged me to write more with The Lover, and so it shall be dedicated to her once it’s finished.

Brenda & Steve: Wow girl, the cover is going to be gorgeous with Ivory on it. What is your favorite genre to read and who is your favorite author?

Phoenix: Paranormal, hands down. My absolute favorite genre to read, and it is so much fun to write, too! I have many authors that I love, Cassandre Dayne, fellow Aussie Kim Faulks, J R R Tolkien, and many others, but Anne Bishop holds the top spot. Though Kim is threatening that spot with her Fire and Ice series, I can tell you that! If it’s paranormal, I want to read it!

Brenda & Steve: (Brenda) I read Kim's "Reclaimed" and can't wait to read the second book. Is there anything else you would like to tell the readers we have not touched on?

Phoenix: I have got a short story out at the moment, in an anthology by Naughty Nights Press. Thirteen other authors are involved as well, and it’s free at Smashwords. It’s an awesome little project to get our names out there, as well as up the publicity for NNP. Go check it out, Postcards of Passion. My contribution is Joanna’s Rush, where a young woman has given up on love when her high school sweetheart is killed in a car crash. She is encouraged to not give up by, you guessed it! The Lover himself! Get a first little taste of this Demi God, as well as tidbits by other wonderful NNP authors such as Elizabeth Black, Vampirique Dezire and Sherry Tooker, another newbie like myself.

Brenda & Steve: Where can the readers learn more about you and find your books on the web?

Phoenix: Postcards of Passion is free at Smashwords. 

You can follow my Blog, read some excerpts and about other WIP’s at my Web site, like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter and even become a fan on Goodreads!

Brenda & Steve: Phoenix, thank you again for visiting our blog. Readers, below is an excerpt of The Wolf In The Neighborhood. Be sure to follow Phoenix and bookmark her sites to be kept updated on the release date!

 

Blurb:

       Krissy is an author in Manhattan, recovering from an abusive ex-boyfriend. She is an attractive woman who spends her mornings sunbathing on the rooftop of her apartment building. She keeps her past a shrouded mystery, not wanting to relive painful memories.

      Her new neighbor Derek is a veterinarian with a dark secret. Having lived in England for quite a few years he has an interesting past of his own, which he is happy to divulge.

      They are drawn to each other from the moment their eyes meet on the rooftop of the apartment building. Their attraction is strong and it does not take long for them to give in to their urges. Krissy and Derek find comfort in each other’s company, not just sexually but mentally and emotionally as well as they heal from past hurts.

      When Krissy’s ex-boyfriend arrives, she gets more than she bargained for as he shows just how ugly he is and making she realizes just how lucky she is to have escaped his clutches. His appearance forces Derek to reveal his darker side. Refusing to have his reputation tarnished James soon returns with extra hands to show Derek and Krissy who is boss. With Krissy as his prize, he will do anything to take Derek out of the picture and claim back what belongs to him.

      The lovers find an unlikely savior in Mike, the new door attendant in their apartment building. An ex-military man, Mike has his heart set on the beautiful Krissy and shows envy at how quickly Derek sweeps in to her life. When he witnesses their kidnapping, he follows to save the woman. Watching her concern for Derek’s injuries makes him realize she will never be his. Sustaining his own injury in the rescue, he does everything he can to save Krissy and her new lover.

Excerpt:

The warmth of the early morning sun felt wonderful on her soft skin. Krissy stretched her long limbs, eyes still closed as the heat soaked down to her bones. She came up on to the rooftop of her apartment building every morning around 7 am and sunbathed nude ever since she came back from her Hawaiian vacation with her ex boyfriend six months ago. There was no way that she would willingly give up this beautiful golden tan, and she did not enjoy spray booths so a fake tan was out of the question.

She knew she would not be disturbed as all her neighbors were busy getting ready for work or getting their kids ready for school. No one came up here until later in the day if at all. This was the perfect time for her to do what was necessary to keep this beautiful glow, as she did not have to start work until later this morning. That was the beauty of writing a novel. She worked her own hours.

A shuffled footstep and a deep, yet quiet “ahem” shook her out of her reverie and she immediately sat up, looking for her robe. An unusual wind gust earlier had blown it out of reach and as its fluttering caught her eye, she finally saw the gorgeous body that belonged to the voice responsible for interrupting her tanning session. Her eyes traveled up his long legs hidden behind faded denim, paused at the slight bulge behind the zipper and kept traveling up his torso enjoying the sight of the defined muscles stretching his black tee shirt provocatively.

His large tanned hand held out her robe, the sun making the red satin shine.

“I’m sorry,” the stranger said, his deep voice rumbling across the rooftop. “I didn’t mean to startle you. I’ve just moved in and wanted to check out the view.”

Krissy could not quite pick his accent. It seemed to flow between a Texan drawl and a classy clipped British brogue; a combination she did not expect to hear intermingled. It was very attractive and she found herself wanting to know what kind of life brought these two contrasting accents together. His muscular body only enhanced her growing attraction.

As he stepped towards her, waving the robe to catch her attention, she remembered that she was standing in front of a total stranger wearing nothing but a smile, a tan, and a growing blush. Krissy noticed his eyes glance appreciatively at her ample breasts, flat toned stomach and long lean legs as she stepped towards him and took her robe. They both fought to hide childish grins as they checked the other person over.

Krissy quickly whipped the red satin gown around her body and tied the sash before approaching the handsome stranger, hand out to introduce herself. “Hi I’m Kristina, though I prefer Krissy. I live in 5A.”

He took her hand; she reveled in the warmth and deceptive softness of his palm. “Derek, 5C. I guess I’m your new neighbor.”

  

Visit Phoenix's Photography site just click on the rose.