Christa Tomlinson Joins Us Today To Talk About “The Sergeant”, And There’s A Giveaway

Hello, and thank you for having me on the The Novel Approach today. My name is Christa Tomlinson and I’ve just released my second erotic romance, The Sergeant. In many ways it can be considered my first. There was a lot I didn’t know my first time around. In addition, I published The Sergeant myself, rather than going through a publisher, so it was an entirely different process. I had to find my own editors and cover artists, rather than relying on that being done for me.

I’ve wanted to write romance ever since my older sister let me read some of her historical romance novels. I don’t remember the first one I read, but I do know I was immediately hooked. When I finished each book I’d read the back cover to learn a little about the author. In no time I had Johanna Lindsey’s image and bio memorized. I’d often wonder what it was like to write in Hawaii. I never found out, because I didn’t really know how to contact her and ask. When I was a little older I realized that I could send her and other authors fan mail. Many of their biographies ended with something along the lines of …loves to hear from her readers. But I wasn’t much of a letter writer so I never did.

Fast forward twenty or so years and now I’m the one saying I’d love to hear from readers. And it’s true. Getting a tweet, email or Facebook comment from someone saying that they enjoyed my writing is amazing. But what I love even more is when those comments evolve into an online friendship. Writing in this age of social media, I’m able to easily share things about my life and writing habits with the world. Most know that I tend to write a chapter with a theme song on repeat at full blast. And that I have two dogs, Mindy and Chunky, that pop in to see what I’m doing throughout the day. And as a reader I can go to my favorite authors’ blog or Twitter pages to see what they’re up to. It’s awesome. It’s fun to do and of course it also gives me the benefit of helping to boost sales.

Sending out a tweet with the hashtag #Erotic Romance or joining an erotic readers and writers Facebook group lets me easily get the word out to readers that I know will be interested in my genre of writing. The social media machine makes me admire my favorites like Johanna Lindsey, Judith McNaught, and Beverly Jenkins all the more. They were able to gain huge readerships without the ease of hashtags and groups. They reached readers with mailings, ads in physical magazines and well… just plain good writing. Word of mouth worked for them just like it does for us, starting off with one reader enjoying a book and telling a friend about it. But the process was much slower than today’s ability to share an opinion, good or bad, with hundreds of people by one tap of the Send button. I’m getting a grasp on the word of cyber-mouth thing and I’m determined to offer excellent writing.

I plan to listen to feedback from readers and editors so that I can grow into that type of writer who has fans eager to share their works with their reading buddies. I’m excited about where my career as a writer will go. So help me get started! I’m giving away three e-copies of my new release The Sergeant, which is on sale for .99 until Sunday, April 27th. The Sergeant is a gay erotic romance with a BDSM element. It tells the story of two men who learn to love each other while accepting what it means to them to be in a Dominant/submissive relationship. It’s a story that I’m very proud of and I hope that you will enjoy it. Thank you for reading and I hope to connect with some of you out there in cyber space.

Christa

BLURB: “You’re the only one I want to control. The only one whose submission I want, need, and crave with every part of me, every second of every day.” – Sergeant Logan Pierce

Sergeant Logan Pierce: Head of Houston’s elite SWAT team. He leads his squad with cool efficiency, taking down rough criminals while keeping his team safe. But behind closed doors he sets a darker part of himself free. He’s a Dominant in the world of Bondage and Domination. As a Dom, he’s controlled many submissives, but never had one for his own. That’s because there’s only one man he wants: Corporal Clay Foster.

Corporal Clay Foster: Highly trained SWAT officer. He’s always the first one to face the dangerous situations of their job. Over the years he’d noticed his Sergeant’s secretly admiring glances and suspected his attraction. One night, with one kiss, he’s proven correct. Clay dives headlong into the rough passion of BDSM that Logan introduces him to. He submits to Logan’s control, accepting the sweet shackles that bind him to his Sergeant. But secrets, both his and Logan’s, force him to leave the newfound safety of his Dom’s arms.

Logan refuses to let go of what he’s wanted for so long, Clay as his own, proudly wearing his collar. Clay wants to be his. He knows it and Clay knows it too. Can Logan safely guide Clay through the obstacles that separate them until he can claim his submissive once more?

Available at AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE

AUTHOR BIO: I’m a Mid-Western girl transplanted to Houston, which even though it’s in Texas isn’t really country and Westernish. But it is Southern. There’s lots of y’all, sweethearts, and Azaleas in spring here.

I like living in Houston although I do miss St. Louis, my hometown. It’s where White Castles, the Cardinals, and the Metro Link live! But I get to visit all of those landmarks with trips home to my family.

I play roller derby on a league full of amazing women. My team is the best of course. Three times a week I go get sweaty, dirty and exhausted skating and knocking down my friends. I love it.

I watch professional wrestling without shame or irony. I’d say the draw for me is split 50/50 between the in-ring abilities and the men and women with their toned and well-oiled bodies glistening under the lights. The percentage shifts based on who is in the ring.

I have a shoe closet that is wonderful and beautiful and yes I’ll admit slightly overboard. But I don’t care. I love shoes and look at them as art, not just something that goes on feet.

Let’s see. What else? Oh yeah! I write lady porn! I’ve published one book, Martini Seduction and have another coming out soon. I love to write stories that are emotional and lovely with sex that is integral to the characters romantic arc. Purple is my favorite color, but I don’t use purple prose. I call a cock a cock and I’m not afraid to have them thrusting and throbbing. My stories involve straight couples, curvy couples, gay couples, interracial couples … I write them all. I feel the same as many others; love is love and everyone should have their story told.

Okay that’s it! If you’d like to reach me to talk, ask me questions, whisper – or I guess write- sweet nothings about one of my books feel free! See below for all the ways you can reach me.

Email | Blog | Twitter: @christa_writes | Facebook | tumblr: MsChris314 |
Goodreads

The Giveaway: THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED