Amy: Keta, first of all, My Overstuffed Bookshelf welcomes you and Decadent Deceptions to the site. Tell us a little about yourself. What part of the world do you live in? Tell us about your background?
Diablo: Thank you so much for having me, Amy. I’m happy to be here. I live in a part of the country where the summers are sultry and the winters, cold. I could do without the latter. I’m very fond of animals and spend as much free time at the local animal shelter as possible. I brought home Emma LaPounce last year, hours before they were going to put her down. She loves her new home; that is she rules her new home. I wish I could rescue all the neglected, abused animals, but my family threatens to move out if I bring one more home.
Amy: Who are your favorite authors?
Diablo: Ah, this is a tough one. I’ve always enjoyed the writing of a husband and wife team from the 1980’s. Laura London wrote several romance novels, including my all-time fave, Windflower. It’s a pirate-based theme, where several of the secondary characters are almost as strong as the hero and heroine. Their writing is a little verbose and very descriptive, but I fell in love with scenes and the people in this book. I highly recommend it if you can get your hands on a copy.
I also read a little of Helen Kirkman and not too long ago finished her book, Forbidden. I don’t have a lot of time to read, so when I do I ask for recommendations. I just ordered Enchantress Mine by Beatrice Small, another oldie that came highly recommended. I’ll keep you posted.
Diablo: Keta clears her throat. Well, I’ve always been a rather obsessive personality. That is, no matter what I do, I jump in wholeheartedly. I discovered about six years ago that writing was immensely rewarding and played well into my creative side. I thoroughly enjoy writing, and can’t imagine how cranky I’d be to live with if all of a sudden something prevented me from being able to write. It has become like breathing to me. I also believe it’s good for the soul – allows you to escape to another time and place for a while, and how many of us need to do that these days?
Amy: What is your writing regimen? How often do you work on a novel? Do you set daily time or word goals? What keeps you meeting your deadlines?
Diablo: Most afternoons and evenings you’ll find me at my computer in faded out jeans and a T-shirt pounding away at the keyboard. I say afternoon and evenings because this is when I’m at my best. Often I write into the wee hours of the morning if things are going well.
Right now, I have three full-length novels I’m working on, and a short novella. This is not unusual for me, but I do question my sanity at times. What keeps me meeting my deadlines is integrity. Once you make a promise in the publishing industry (as in life) you must do your best to uphold that promise. Yes, life gets in the way at times, but it’s called “adjusting your sails”.
Amy: Does the way you personally look at life reflect in your writing style?
Diablo: Oh, definitely, and any writer who says her personal beliefs, ideals or moral codes do not shine through is fooling him/herself. I think it would be almost impossible to not let this reflect in your writing. We are a combination of many events and circumstances in our lives and once those events happen, it’s pretty hard to discard them. These circumstances, meetings shape and form what we are from a very early age.
Amy: What are the creative jumping off points for you? Are you inspired by dreams? Music? Nature? The occasional black nightmare? What triggers your imagination?
Diablo: I do keep a notebook by my bed and have been known to turn on the light and jot down some notes from my dreams. I am very much inspired by personal life events, particularly when writing historical. Land of Falling Stars came to be after I’d read a story about cousins who lived across the border from one another yet fought on opposite sides of the Civil War. That led me down a path of “what ifs” and soon a romance about two men who loved the same woman blossomed. One fought for the North; one for the South, and she was caught in the middle.
Amy: Tell us about Decadent Deceptions. What was your inspiration for this novel?
Diablo: Decadent Deceptions is also a historical romance. I conceived the concept after reading a lengthy piece about bordellos in the 1800’s. I brought voyeurism into the story thinking we all have voyeuristic genes somewhere inside. In Decadent Deceptions I bring the reader right into the rooms of the bordello, but of course, the main theme is about the romance between the hero and the heroine. Toss in a serial killer, and suddenly you have a fact-paced romantic suspense too.
Amy: What is your favorite scene from the book and why?
Diablo: You’d have to read the book to understand the complexity of it, but Olivia is in love with Morgan and Morgan is in love with Olivia. Olivia’s father forbids Morgan to even look at his daughter after a scandalous incident ten years ago. When Olivia’s father dies, both Morgan and Olivia plot to gain the other’s attention and love, but in a round-about way. The game goes too far, and soon Olivia’s life is in danger. Morgan must stay one step ahead of the game if he not only wants to win her admission of love, but keep her alive. My favorite part is when Olivia finds out who Morgan really is. Like I said, read the book.
Amy: Have you written other books?
Diablo: Too many lately. I have nine books on the market right now with three more coming soon. I also write gay fiction which I warn you, is dark, intense and gritty. Occasionally, I write under another name, K. Celeste Bryan for The Wild Rose Press and New Concepts Publishing. Under Keta Diablo, I write for Ravenous Romance, Noble Romance, Dark Roast Press and Phaze Publishing. Whew! I’m tired just thinking about it!
Amy: Tell us about your other books?
Diablo: Crossroads, three novellas through Phaze (these are the gay fiction I warned you about above). Available here: http://www.phaze.com
Valentine’s Vindication through Noble Romance, (gay fiction) and a best-seller at Noble Romance and All Romance Ebooks. Available at Noble Romance, http://www.nobleromance.com
Spank Me Twice, through Noble Romance, an anthology of erotica from four authors with four stories. Available here Noble Romance, http://www.nobleromance.com
Dust and Moonlight, a time-travel/fantasy that has received many five-star reviews, available through First Romance E-books here: One Romance E-books, http://1romanceebooks.com
Amy: How do you feel about the current publishing marketplace?
Diablo: The publishing market has changed drastically in the last five years, particularly in the last two. At one time not many people had heard of e-books, but not they’re storming the market. I think it’s a good thing. Although at times, I still love to hold a print book in my hand, I love the convenience of e-books. If I want to read something new right now, an enormous selection is available to me within five minutes. I don’t think paperbacks will ever be eliminated, but believe e-books will surpass them in popularity and sales within another year or two.
Thank you so much for having me here today. I really enjoyed your questions. You can find me on the Net at the following places, so stop by and visit me.
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