Tess MacKall, author of the exciting, hot new release Latin Rhythms, from Pink Petal Books, has stopped in to answer a few questions for Valentine’s Day!

Tell us about your most recent book. What’s it about? When does/did it release?

My newest release was on the 4^th of February, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Latin Rhythm is published by Pink Petal books and it’s an older woman/younger man story. Here’s the blurb:

Beware of margarita-induced chitchat, or you may find yourself in search of a hot Latin hunk—which is exactly what happened to Laura Kincaid. Divorced, with grown children, she can’t quite picture herself dancing the salsa in Miami’s trendiest nightclub. But the moment she spots club owner, Marco Valazquez, the heat is on!

Literally swept off her feet by his sexy Latin accent and stunning good looks, Laura loses herself in the arms of the younger man.

Marco understands the pain of betrayal and wants nothing more than to teach Laura to trust again. And to love. She’s everything he’s ever dreamed of in a woman. There’s just one problem: Laura isn’t comfortable with their age difference, and that, along with a misunderstanding, tears them apart.  

 

What publishers have you published with?

Presently, I’m published with Pink Petal Books and Whiskey Creek Press Torrid. I also have four books coming soon from Alpheratz Press and have had books with Freya’s Bower, Twilight Fantasies and Dark Eden Press—the last two are now closed.

 

How long have you been writing in general? How long have you been writing romance?

I’ve been writing all my life. I minored in journalism in college. Worked in the newspaper business for a while and also in political campaigns in marketing and speech writing. I’ve only been writing romance for about three years now.

 

Do you write anything other than romance? Under this name or a different one? (Note: You don’t have to answer this question if you’d rather not.)

I write erotic romance and erotica only at this point. But I do have a mainstream novel that I have started on which is a collaboration with another author. So far I’m only using the one pen name, although I’m exploring the idea of using a second pen name for something I might write. It’s a secret for now. Lol

 

Out of the books you’ve written, which is your favorite and why?

My favorite has never been published. I’m afraid it was my first effort and nowhere near publishing ready. It has a killer plot line, and one day I hope to get back to it. As for my other books? Well, I love them all. Each of them holds a special place inside me.

 

Tell us something about you that you’d like your readers to know.

 I’m honest. I never lie. I figured out a long time ago that there is never a need for a lie. Lies always come back to haunt you. So regardless of how hard it is, I always tell the truth. I figure I am a grown woman and can handle the fall out that can sometimes come from telling the truth. And if that fall out comes as a consequence of some action of mine or simply because I’ve told the truth? Well, that’s the way it should be, shouldn’t it? 

 

When you look back now on the first story you ever wrote, what do you think of it?

That it was a valiant try. Lol But it showed me I had the right stuff too. I surprised myself with the plot line. It’s the book I mentioned with regard to my all time favorite. And God was I green. My writing skills were so lacking. But I’ve worked very hard to turn that around and I’m really proud of my writing in general now.

 

What goals do you have for your writing career?

 I’m not sure I have goals like a lot of writers do. Some authors aspire to print and the NYTBSL. I’d just like to have a devoted following where I can make a decent dollar from my efforts. I don’t expect to get rich in this endeavor at all. But I do want good solid publishing homes. Publishers I can count on with regard to support in advertising, promotions, and editing.

 

Would you like to share any words of wisdom with aspiring/new authors?

 Work on your writing skills. Know the basics before you submit a work. Find a good critique group or partner and let them read your work. Set easily attainable goals for yourself initially. And be honest.

 

Where can your readers learn more about you? (Website, blog, etc.) Where can your books be purchased?

You can find my books at:

Pink Petal Books. http://pinkpetalbooks.com

Whiskey Creek Press Torrid. http://whiskeycreekpress.com/torrid

And coming soon from Alpheratz Press. http://alpheratzpress.com

 

Most days I can be found at any of these places:

Visit Tess’s Website http://www.tessmackall.com

(Sorry! Website is being updated. Back online soon.)

Visit Tess’s MySpace http://www.myspace.com/tessmackall

Find me on Twitter  http://twitter.com/tessmackall

Join Tess’s Newsletter http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TessMackall

Tess on the Nice ‘n’ Naughty Blog http://nicennaughtyauthors.blogspot.com

Tess on the Sensual ‘n’ Secret Blog http://sensualnsecret.blogspot.com

Tess on the Authors Studio Blog http://authorsstudio.blogspot.com

Join Midnight Seductions http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MidnightSeductions

Thanks for stopping by, Tess!