Friday’s Feature: Interview with Liz Andrews and Contest for Best of Both Worlds

Stopping by to visit with us today is author Liz Andrews. She has graciously agreed to answer a few questions about her career as an author and discuss her latest Samhain release, Best of Both Worlds, which hits virtual bookshelves January 31st.

Kathy: You have an impressive backlist of novels in various genres. Could you tell us how you began your writing career and how you branched out into the different genres? Do you prefer writing one genre over another?

Ms. Andrews: I started writing when my friend Lena Matthews and I were chatting online and she said “Hey, we should turn this into a story.” I thought she was joking, but Lena is a force of nature and I always wanted to try my hand at writing. So together we wrote a few stories and then with a push from Lena (again!) I branched out on my own and started writing. I’ve tried a few different genres, but my favorites are contemporary m/f, ménage (both m/f/m and m/m/f) and BDSM. I like writing stories with a curvy heroine and I’ve found that I enjoy writing I/R stories as well.

Kathy: Are there other genres you plan on writing? One you will never write?

Ms. Andrews: I will probably not write Sci-fi and I don’t think I’ll revisit paranormal anytime soon. There are too many other authors out there who are much better at world building than I am, so I like to stick with plain ole’ contemporary with a twist.

Kathy: You have co-written several novels with Lena Matthews. Could you tell us how your partnership began and describe the collaboration process?

Ms. Andrews: Lena and I work well together because we complement each other as writers. I think I tend to be more of a grammatical and syntax person and Lena is the idea queen. When writing together we do a lot of work online and passing documents back and forth. We prefer to writing both points of view so we both have a hand in all parts of the story.

Kathy: What is a typical day like as author Liz Andrews? Do you work on multiple projects at one time? How long does it usually take you to complete a book?

Ms. Andrews: There is no typical day. Unfortunately I haven’t had as much time to write lately as I wanted. I work a day job and in the last year or so it has really taken a toll on my ability to write. I can barely work on one project, let alone multiple, lol. That’s too much for my poor little brain to handle. Some books have taken me literally years to complete and some I’ve completed in just a couple of months. So it just depends on how much time I can devote, how easily the story is flowing and how long the story is.

Kathy: You have several series. Do you plan the series in advance or do they evolve over the course of the novel(s)? Do you have definite endings in mind or do you take the series where the characters take it?

Ms. Andrews: I think all the series have evolved as the stories have been written. I am definitely a pantser not a plotster so no story has ever turned out exactly like I initially envisioned it.

Kathy: As a reader, there are some characters that I become so invested in that I hate to see their stories end. As an author, do you have characters and novels that are hard to let go?

Ms. Andrews: I hate to say it, even though there are characters I love, by the time I’m done with a story, most of the time I’m DONE. So it’ll be a while before I’m ready to revisit those characters. LOL.

Kathy: Where do you find the inspiration for your novels and characters? Real life, strictly imagination or both?

Ms. Andrews: Definitely a little of both.

Kathy: I am really looking forward to Best of Both Worlds. Can you tell us a little about Alex and Chase’s story?

Ms. Andrews: This story is a prequel to Coming Full Circle and is the story of two best friends who realize they are also in love. Chase has always known he was bi-sexual and by the time he’s in college he’s ready to explore more of his sexuality. When Alex discovers the truth about his friend he realizes there is more to their relationship than he ever realized.

Kathy: What projects are you currently working on? What does your publishing schedule for 2012 look like at this point?

Ms. Andrews: Lena and I have a book releasing in March/April from Samhain titled Rock You Like a Hurricane. It’s a ménage that takes place during one stormy night when the heroine’s two boyfriends both show up to help her out.

Kathy: I have enjoyed chatting with you today. Is there anything else you would like to share with us before you go?

Ms. Andrews: I love to hear from readers and they can always email me at liz_andrews@sbcglobal.net. Anyone is welcome to friend me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/liz.andrews1. Finally, Lena and I also have a kick ass Yahoo group that has lots of chatter and if people are interested in giveaways and good times they can join at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheLenaandLizShow/.

Kathy: Ms. Andrews, congratulations on your upcoming release and thank you so much for visiting with us today. Feel free to drop by anytime you happen to be in the neighborhood.


To celebrate the release of Best of Both Worlds and Ms. Andrews’ visit here today, I am giving away a digital copy of Best of Both Worlds to one lucky commenter.

Title: Best of Both Worlds by Liz Andrews
Friends and Lovers, Book 1
Publisher: Samhain, Ltd
Genre: M/M, Contemporary, Romance, Red Hots!
Length: Category

Summary:

Sometimes you just have to come right out and ask the question.

Friends and Lovers, Book 1

After months of exploring his bisexuality on his own, college student Chase Randolph is ready for a night out on the town—all the way “out”. He never expected Alex Landry to witness his first experimental sexual encounter, though. Chase has been attracted to his best friend and roommate forever, but one thing is sure: Alex is straight. So straight, he’s never caught on to Chase’s mixed tastes.

Alex assures Chase they will always be friends, but privately, his own reaction shocks him. An ex-jock isn’t supposed to fantasize about his roommate. Not supposed to need another man’s kiss so badly it makes him sweat. He was prepared to change direction after his football career ended before it began, but change this drastically?

As Chase and Alex struggle to come to terms with the changes in their relationship, jealousy pushes friendship to the brink—of disaster…or love.

Product Warnings: No heaving bosoms here, just two gorgeous guys, lots of muscles and some closet doors banging wide open.


To enter the Friday’s Feature Best of Both Worlds contest:

You must do two of the following:

1. Sign up for e-mail updates (one email daily with the day’s posts).

OR:

2. Be or become a fan of Book Reviews & More by Kathy Facebook page.

OR:

3. Follow me on Twitter (@BookReviewsMore)

OR:

4. Friend Book Reviews & More by Kathy on Goodreads

Make sure you have filled out the contest entry form:

5. To be eligible to enter contests on Book Reviews and More by Kathy you MUST fill out the contest entry form (found HERE). This form only needs to be filled out ONCE. Your privacy is important to me, and I will not share your information.

And don’t forget to:

6. Leave a comment this post by 5 PM Mountain Time Sunday January 29th.

It’s that easy! The winner will be announced Monday January 30th. I will e-mail the winner their copy of Best of Both Worlds on release day Tuesday January 31st .

13 Comments

Filed under Best of Both Worlds, Friday Feature, Liz Andrews

13 Responses to Friday’s Feature: Interview with Liz Andrews and Contest for Best of Both Worlds

  1. Midia

    Best of Both Worlds seems great.

  2. Eileen

    thanks for the good interview Kathy. The book sounds like a good read.

  3. Cathy M

    Hi Liz,
    I really enjoyed the interview. And the blurb and excerpt (as well as that very sexy cover), definitely captured my interest, so thanks for the chance to read Best of Both Worlds.

    subscribe via email
    cathy m
    caity_mack at yahoo dot com

  4. elaing8

    Great interview.Best of Both Worlds sounds really good.
    facebook and twitter follower
    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

  5. Shane C

    Great interview Kathy! 😀 I’ve always enjoyed reading how author’s got their start Into writing and why they love It so much. The cover for this book Is very sexy and I can only Imagine how sizzling the book must be! Definitely plan on checking this one out soon!

  6. Timitra

    I’ve always wondered how writing collaborations work…thanks for the insight Liz!!!!

  7. Janet Hagen

    I’m loving the M/M erotica, I think I’m hooked now. This is an author I haven’t read yet, so would love to sample her books.

  8. Cec

    Great Interview Kathy! Another new author for me.
    Best Of Both Worlds sounds like a pretty good read!

  9. Yolanda

    Great interview. I loved Coming Full Circle. Can’t wait to read Best of Both Worlds.

  10. Tracey D

    I enjoyed the interview; it was a great read. I checked out Liz Andrews’ site and she has written an impressive number of books. And each one sounds great! I look forward in reading them.

    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 at gmail dot com

  11. Awesome interview Liz! Enjoyed reading the blurb, and hot cover.

  12. Hey all, thanks for the great comments. Sorry it’s taken me so long to get back here to respond. I actually have been in the midst of traveling to Lena’s house. We do get together every once in a while and it just so happened to coincide with this release so it’s been a tad hectic. Anywhoo, glad to hear everyone liked the interview and I hope everyone likes the story as well.

  13. Yolanda

    I purchased The Best of Both Worlds and it was a great read!