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.
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.
