1. Tell us a little about yourself. 

I am a hardworking stay-at-home mother of two and full time author. While I spend most of my day writing, promoting my books, and taking care of home, I also love to read and am a huge movie lover. I also spend a lot of time in the kitchen, cooking up new recipes and even learning from the famous chefs on TV.

2. What does a typical writing day look for you? 

My life can be pretty hectic, which means I hardly ever have the same kind of day twice. I wish I could just write all day uninterrupted, but with one child to young for school at home with me, that's not going to happen. My day is balanced between my housewife/mom duties and my author duties. Some days, if I'm tired enough, I leave both those things for another day and pick up a book!

3. What inspired you to write "The Secret Life of Avery O'Dea"? 

None of us really want to admit it, but we are all intrigued by celebrities and their lives. We watch them in movies and on television and we form our own ideas about who they really are. We put them on pedestals and we demand greatness and when they don't deliver, we crucify them. We examine them in the tabloids and copy their fashion sense, some of us even wonder what it's like to be them, yet, on the barest of levels they are just like us. They are people who just happen to be famous (some for being talented, others not so much). My idea for this book was to get inside of that kind of life and write from the point of view of the characters who live it.

4. Tell us a little bit about "The Secret Life of Avery O'Dea and why readers should buy it? 

This story is about a starlet named Avery. She's the 'it' girl in Hollywood right now, having risen to fame after a starring role opposite the man who is now her beau, Ryan Sanders. The two are living what appears to be a charmed and perfect life. They are America's Sweethearts, the couple everyone roots for because they want to believe that relationships can last in Hollywood. Meanwhile, Avery and Ryan both have secrets that could ruin their public images forever, and have vowed to work together to keep each others little secrets under wraps. Enter Dominic Ramsey, a sexy photographer who is trying to make it big in the industry of art and fashion photography. Times are hard and he's broke, so he moonlights as a paparazzo to make easy money. He was successful for awhile but has now hit a rough patch. Good shots of celebrities doing scandalous things are hard to find and Dominic's at the end of his rope. When he stumbles across Avery in a grocery store with something shes' not supposed to have, he sees the moment as fate and snaps a picture. What happens next is a roller coaster ride that I think is both fun and sexy. Avery and Dom both find what they're looking for in each other, but Avery's image and the lies she's told stand in their way. I think that any readers who love a good Contemporary romance with a dash of spice and wit will enjoy this story. The characters are real and flawed, but likeable at the same time. Of all the books I've written, it was definitely one of the lightest and most fun. I think anyone who has read my other works and wishes to see a lighter side to what I do would enjoy it as well.

5. What was the hardest scene to write in "The Secret Life of Avery O'Dea"? 

I'll be honest and say there wasn't really a 'hard' scene. There were some instances of me having to go back and flush out more details in order to improve on the story, but this was one of the easier projects I've had this year. I really just sat down to write something fun and lighthearted and let myself really enjoy it.

6. How did you come up with the characters names? 

I have always liked the name Avery for a girl, even though I see it more typically on males. The O'Dea part comes from Avery's Scottish grandfather and I just thought it made an interesting stage name. Dominic is a name I also love and to me embodies everything this guy is. I just can't explain it, but if you've read the book you know ... the name just fits!

7. Did you learn anything from writing "The Secret Life of Avery O'Dea" and what was it? 

I think I learned that I was better at writing Contemporary romance than I thought I'd be. For a long time I avoided wring Contemporary without something else to jazz it up like a Paranormal or Suspense bend. With this story, the formula is so simple, yet I think this is what makes the story what it is. The simplicity of the story allows you to get to know the characters and feel for them. The most valuable thing I took away from writing this book, is that sometimes less is more.

8. What is up next for Elise Marion? 

As I'm winding down, approaching the end of 2012, I intend to take a break over the Holidays to sort of regroup. After that, I'm coming out ready to do some big things in 2013. Anyone who wants a complete list of my current and near-future projects can find it on the 'In Progress' page of my website.

9. Who are some of your favorite Authors? Out of all of your favorite Authors, if you could meet one, who would it be and why? 

I am a big fan of all the Historical Romance greats: Johanna Lindsey, Sabrina Jeffries, Julia Quinn, Virginia Henley, Loretta Chase...but I also love a lot of classic authors like Alice Walker (The Color Purple) and Ralph Waldo Ellison (The Invisible Man). If I could meet any of them it'd have to be Alice Walker, because The Color Purple is my favorite book of all time.

10. Do you have anything specific you want to tell your readers? 

I just want to thank them for being so good to me. I started my journey as an author a little over one year ago, unsure of how I'd be received. The following grows steadily and I interact with people everyday who appreciate what I do. They are my motivation, my reminder to keep going when I'm having a particularly bad day. I write for them.