The Accidental E-Rom Author - Maree Anderson

Hi there! *Waves from New Zealand* I’m Maree Anderson. And I have a confession to make: I never intended to be an erotic romance author. Heck, when I first began writing even writing a sweet love scene made me blush.

It all started when one day, I decided to challenge myself a bit. I scrapped the first three chapters of the fantasy I was writing, and rewrote it in 1st person. At that stage I was a dedicated pantser — didn’t know how to do it any other way — so imagine my shock when my heroine morphed from a nice girl, to a mouthy, opinionated, kick-butt kind of girl. And as the story progressed, I realized that her between the sheets action was rather, er, hot. Yikes. Where did that come from?

Anyway, once I’d recovered from the shock, I entered that manuscript in a contest. It won. And I was told I’d found my voice.

Huh? My ‘voice’ resembles a really sarcastic twenty-something who burns up the sheets? In rather graphic detail? Sheesh. Are you sure???

I kept on writing whatever I felt like writing at the time, experimenting and challenging myself and trying new things. Sometimes my stories were sweet. Sometimes they were spicy. But they weren’t what I’d call erotic. Then came a new challenge when Red Sage Publishing announced details of their Alpha Male Novella contest.

I’d never written a novella before, so I figured, what the heck. But hang on…. Erotic romance. What exactly was an erotic romance, anyway? Only one way to find out: I bought a few and read them. And I was like, “Whoa. Where’s my fan?” And, “Wonder if I could write like that?”


Then I girded my loins — so to speak! — wrote Even Demons Get The Blues and sent it off.

To my delight, it finalled and I was offered a publishing contract. I joyfully accepted the offer, signed the contract, and didn’t even think twice about the author name on the contract being my real name. My DH and I figured that because I already had a website in my real name, it made perfect sense to be published under that name.

So there I was. Published. Invited to join the Red Sage authors loop. And whaddya know? Everyone had pen-names. Because it wouldn’t do for your kids’ primary school teachers to find out you write really racy stuff, would it?
Oh noes! Didn’t think of that. *Slaps herself upside the head* Ooops.

Luckily for me, when my kids’ primary school teachers discovered my secret, they weren’t fazed in the least. They just asked for signed bookmarks, LOL. Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said for the young customs guy at the airport. He looked over my customs declaration, spotted ‘author’ in the employment section and ‘business conference’ as the reason for visit, and asked me what kind of books I wrote. “Paranormal erotic romance,” I blithely said. The expression on his face was priceless.

(BTW, I don’t think my kids let the cat out of the bag to their teachers. I think I accidentally included my website link in an email and one of the teachers clicked on the link. Whoops!)
So that’s me: Maree Anderson writing as Maree Anderson. Accidental E-Rom author.
Am I going to keep writing erotic romance?

Well, my third Red Sage release, FROM THE ASHES, is most unashamedly romance of the erotic persuasion. Not only that, but I’m thrilled to bits because it’s my first ever novel-length publication. But you can bet your little cotton sox I’ll still be blushing and wanting to hide under the duvet cover at the thought of people actually reading ‘those’ scenes, LOL.

Here’s the blurb:

FROM THE ASHES

Calista’s a freelance space courier recovering from a disastrous marriage during which her ex sold her as a slave. Sure, she’s emotionally damaged, but you should see the state of her ex! She’s also an expert pilot who can illegally reprogram and augment all manner of tech. She’s been ripping off the system and flying under the radar her entire life. Until now.

Asher’s her “cargo”, the mouthwateringly gorgeous Phoenixae alien who accidentally hatched from the egg she was transporting, and bonded with her. He’s been bred as a sex slave and he can read her mind. Which wouldn’t be so bad if 1) she didn’t abhor slavery and everything it represents, 2) she wasn’t horny as hell, and 3) he wasn’t doubly tempting because of his extra er, male parts! Oh, and then there’s the small issue that if Asher is killed and his body burnt, he can be resurrected. He’s one hot commodity that illegals will kill to possess.

Take one sex-deprived space courier who’ll risk everything to save a Phoenixae alien from a life of slavery. Add one mouthwateringly hot alien sex-slave who knows her deepest desires, feels her pain, and lives to please her in every way. Mix with a ruthless ex-husband intent on vengeance. And stir in a sadistic Libertine noble who will do anything at all to get his hands on a Phoenixae.

From the ashes, an unexpected hero will emerge…and he’s full of surprises!
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I’d like to thank the lovely and gracious Lee for hosting me on Tote Bags ‘N’ Blogs, and letting me ramble on.

I’d also love to give away an electronic ARC of FROM THE ASHES to one commenter.

So here’s your chance to try an erotic romance and see if it’s your cup of tea. Just tell me what your own fabulously exotic pen-name would be. (I promise I won’t pinch it for myself, either, *VBG*).
Or, if like me, your brain is mush at the moment and you can’t think of a pen-name to save yourself, just ask me a question. I love questions!
Cheers,
Maree
http://www.mareeanderson.com/books
http://www.eredsage.com/store/MAREE_ANDERSON.html