Author Spotlight - Interview with Hazel St. James and a contest

Today we welcome Hazel St. James to the blog. Thank you for visiting. She is here today with an interview.

Tell us your latest news? 

February was a big month in Hazel St James’ world!  February 8^th was the premiere installment of “Male Perfection”, a weekly installment on my blog where we spotlight absolutely gorgeous men and get to know what is underneath the gorgeous face, rippling muscles, dark eyes….What was I saying? Oh yeah, I spend a few hours getting to know each week’s candidate and then I share everything that I have learned with my readers. 

February 14^th was a VERY big day as well.  The second book in the “Learning to Let Go” series was released, titled “I Need You.”  This book focuses on Sara Lonneman, who is back home in Wisconsin after a failed attempt at being on her own at college.  Sara finds herself falling for Darrin, the protective, strong, ex-military man that has been her salvation for the last desolate year of her life.  Sara and Darrin have a pseudo relationship at best that leaves her realizing that Darrin might have more demons inside him then she can handle.  Chris Lake, the dominant, head-strong, underground boxer, has come to find her in Wisconsin, after they only spent one night together in college, exploring a Dominant/submissive relationship.  He has changed a lot in the last year or so, making Sara question her sanity for participating in their passionate night in Colorado. Sara finds herself torn between the two men.  Ultimately, she has to choose between what is right for her, and what is right for her heart.

When and why did you begin writing?

I have only been writing since early fall of last year!  I fell into some wonderful partnerships with different people in this industry, that have been nothing but supportive of my career.   Those people have taken me from 0 to 60 in a very short amount of time and I will be forever grateful.  Why did I begin writing?  Well, I have so much creative energy and these characters were basically roaming around in my brain, begging me for their “time in the sun.”  I still have a plethora of people in there that are patiently waiting for their turn.  I can’t disappoint them!

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

For me, it was the day that the cover of my first book was publicized on a book review site under the “Coming Soon” section.  To see all my blood, sweat and tears online like that was the first time I was confident that I had done the right thing.  Then when I got the first email from a fan, I really felt like I was a true author.  That rush is hard to duplicate and I have no intention of stopping!

What inspired you to write your first book?

Honestly, I meet this wonderful woman, through facebook, named Kallypso Masters.  She took the time to answer my questions, and guide me.  She still answers every question I send her way, no matter how busy she is.  I will be forever grateful for her kind words and encouragement.  Without it, I’m not sure I would have taken the leap into writing!

Do you have a specific writing style?

All of my stories start with pictures.  I have a general idea of what my characters look like, but I dig up as many pictures as I can until I see something that strikes me as the person I am going for.  Then, my daydreams are usually comprised of the storyline that just keeps progressing in my head for days on end.  I transfer that plot line to a story board, and then I just type it out.  I have a fabulous team of betas, first-line editor, hard-core editor and a formatter that clean it up to perfection!

How did you come up with the title?

The story focuses a lot on Sara trying to figure out the difference between what she wants, needs and desires.  All three of the main characters say “I need you” at least once throughout the story.  It seemed to fit for me!

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Find the one person that truly completes you….heart, mind and soul.  The rest of your life will fall into place.  

Blurb: 

“I Need You” is the continuation of Sara’s story from my first book, “Just One Night,” and also from “Let Me Fly.” 

Sara Lonneman is home in Wisconsin and finds herself falling for Darrin, the protective, strong, ex-military man that has been her salvation for the last desolate year of her life.  Sara and Darrin have a pseudo relationship at best that leaves her realizing that Darrin might have more demons inside him then she can handle. 

Chris Lake, the dominant, head-strong, underground boxer, has come to find her in Wisconsin, after they only spent one night together in college, exploring a Dominant/submissive relationship.  He has changed a lot in the last year or so, making Sara question her sanity for participating in their passionate night in Colorado.

 Sara finds herself torn between the two men.  Ultimately, she has to choose between what is right for her, and what is right for her heart.

Buy it on Amazon

A little about Hazel St. James

Hazel is from a small town in the Midwest where she lives with her husband and two children.  She is a fairly new author that hasn’t been writing professionally for very long.  Erotic romance is her main writing focus, but she also incorporates some sensual BDSM themes, as well as “vanilla” relationships.  Her diverse background in a plethora of fields, from journalism, literature, graphic design, computer science, accounting, veterinarian medicine and even chemistry have given Hazel a diverse background on many facets of the very things that she writes about.  She recently became a full-time author, giving up her day job to focus on her writing.  And loving every minute of it!  Hazel LOVES, LOVES, LOVES to her from her fans!  She is always willing to talk about whatever is on your mind! 

Contact Hazel: 

http://hazelstjames.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/hazel.stjames

https://twitter.com/HazelStJames

Contest Info: 

Hazel is offering one commenter a $10 Amazon gift card and a copy of 'I need You'. All you have to do is comment with your email addy and you will be entered. Winner will be chosen next week Tuesday and contacted via email so be sure to leave your email. 

Thanks for visiting!