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Today I am interviewing author Emilia Mancini. Thanks for dropping by Emilia.

Where do you write?

I am constantly coming up with stories in my head; making little mental notes for later. I actually just started a new one while taking a shower this morning. But when I finally get to sit down and write, I’m usually in my pajamas with my laptop on the sofa while my husband watches reruns of old cop shows.

What is the most you have written in one day?

The Rebound was written in about a week. My husband and I were playing in the pool and he flipped me over and I got a concussion. I couldn’t drive, cook, walk around—I basically couldn’t do anything for a week. So I pulled up some of my old story ideas, pulled out some scenes, threw them together and just went to town on editing it and tying it all together. So for a week, all I did was write and nap for 12 to 14 hours a day.

What is your best guilty pleasure? (By best I mean worst.)

Ben and Jerry’s.  Anything Ben and Jerry’s.  Those bastards are the reason I had to clean out my closet and get rid of half my wardrobe this summer.

Do you have a specific writing style?

After reading The Rebound, a friend told me it was like listening to me talk. I asked how she expected it to sound. When I sit down and write, I just write, I don’t think about trying to make it sound different. So, I guess my style is just to be natural, just to write how I talk and let the reader do the rest.

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

In The Rebound, Casi and Conner are both feeling rejected and their pride has been severely damaged by their cheating spouses.  By leaning on each other, they not only find comfort, but a relationship that goes much deeper than what they had with their relative spouses.  I think the message in that is to never stay in a relationship that you don’t feel valued and cherished because there is someone out there that will treat you the way you deserve to be treated…and that is probably way better in bed.

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

I recently read The Erotic Dark by Nina Lane. It was very good. I don’t have much time for reading for fun because I edit books for work, so most of my reading is unpublished, but when I get a chance I’ll be reading the next installment in the series, The Erotic Light.

What are your current projects?

I have an upcoming release, Unforgettable You under pen Marci Boudreaux, and another that I am wrapping up editing before sending it to my editor.  I also just started back to school to get my MS in Publishing so my writing has been put on the back burner in favor of work, studying and promotions.  I have been working with some other authors on their book trailers and promos as well, I really enjoy doing that.

Do you see writing as a career?

I definitely see a future in writing. I have worked at it a very long time and only in the last year or so have I managed to get my foot in the door. Now that I have made it that far, I plan on barging the rest of the way in!

 If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

I wish I’d made The Rebound a bit longer. Because this was my first venture into erotica, I think I was afraid to put too much focus on the emotions. Now that I have read it as a published work, I wish I’d focused more on their lives as separate people instead of just as a couple.

 Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Right now I am doing some tweaking a completed manuscript, The Messenger. It is a romantic suspense set in a newspaper. Green reporter Evelyn Thomas overhears her brother-in-law talking about suspected insurance fraud at the local hospital and sees this as her big break to prove herself to her co-workers and father, the publisher.  Unfortunately for Eve, star reporter Wes Reilly is already sniffing around the story.

When her brother-in-law is beaten and ends up in a coma, Eve vows to uncover whoever is behind the fraud.  To do so, she turns to Wes and while they use her information and his reporting skills to get the story, a little thing called romance starts to happen.

I think it’s a really fun story. Right now I’m working with a friend, who happens to be an RN and Pediatric Respiratory Therapist, on the ins and outs of hospital security/medical records to make sure I keep the story believable.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

I learned so much! This was my first publication so I knew nothing of the process. My editors were super kind to me because frankly this manuscript was a mess. I am so thankful they saw something in it and gave me a chance.  Not only did they teach me what I needed to know for future books, they gave me the know how to become an editor myself, which I am for several companies.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Don’t give up! It’s so easy to get frustrated and put something on the backburner or not submit. Just keep going. It took me a very long time to build up the confidence to submit and then to keep submitting. I still have a long way to go but I’m not going to stop now.  Authors starting out just have to keep trying.

Bonus Round:

Coffee/Tea? Tea, I drink way too much.

Cake/Cookies? I adore both, but cake (without any frosting) has a slight edge on cookies.

Coke/Pepsi? Neither…I don’t drink soda, which is why I have too much tea.

Heels/Flats?  Heels are a must.

BDB/The Order?  Umm, what?

Vampires/Werewolves?  Vampires…I’m pretty sure werewolves shed.

Cats/Dogs? Again, I have both and I love both (but the cat is my favorite…shh don’t tell the pups!)

Fly/Drive? Drive. I love packing my passenger seat full of snacks, cranking up the radio and hitting the road.

Blurb:

Still reeling from catching her husband in bed with his mistress, the
last thing Casi Hanson is looking for is romance. When she meets
brokenhearted Conner Bennett, she thinks she has found exactly what
she needs.

Their mutual desire for a no strings attached sexual relationship
offers the opportunity to explore fantasies and fetishes their spouses
denied them and the freedom to walk away when they are done.

The only fantasy too taboo is falling in love.

Excerpt:

“You about ready for that dance?” Conner asked.

Casi pulled a plump lip between her teeth as her eyes went to the
dance floor. She knew she didn’t have to worry about Mark being there,
but even so, the reality of coming face to face with him was
terrifying.

“You look like you’re going to throw up.”

“It’s kind of like knowing the big bad wolf is out there somewhere.”

“I’ll be right there, fending him off,” he said as the band began
covering a Temptations song. Conner helped her off the stool and
pulled her into the crowd, where they disappeared into the sea of
bodies.

Casi easily slipped into his arms, moving against him as if she’d done
it a hundred times. It felt so comforting to be pressed against him,
she didn’t care this wasn’t real. She put her cheek to his and pulled
him closer, closing the already small gap between them.

With his body against hers, and the sound of his breath mixed with the
old song, and the scent of his cologne, Casi felt drawn to him. She
slid her hand over his shoulder, gently stroked the back of his neck
with her fingertips, and he pulled her closer in response. She
intentionally pressed into him, much more than was necessary, and the
air around them changed into something sensual. She knew he felt it
too when his fingertips began to gently dig into her back.
His breath quickened, sending spurts of hot moisture down her neck,
and she felt it all the way down to the flimsy black lace she wore
under her dress. Her nipples tightened in response, and a stirring
began deep between her legs.

While she was certain she could stay in this moment forever, or at
least for the next few hours, the song ended and transitioned into
something more upbeat, breaking the spell. She lifted her head, slowly
opened her eyes and met his gaze, finding it as heated as hers.

When neither made a move to break their tight embrace, she realized he
was debating with himself about kissing her, and she was shocked to
realize she wouldn’t stop him if he did. Several moments passed before
Casi gave in to the temptation, leaned forward and pressed her mouth
to his.

Conner kissed her in return, and Casi knew, without doubt, she was
going to do something she would most likely regret in the morning.

Link for trailer:
http://youtu.be/hx0lQdUGTVU

Buy link:
http://www.lsbooks.com/the-rebound-p594.php