Hi Cherrie! Welcome to Book Lovin' Mamas. We are so excited to have you here today!

Thank you! I’m glad to be here. :)

1. Can you tell us one interesting or random thing about yourself that we can't find on the internet?

Oh my gosh, this question made me realize just how much *is* out there on the internet. Kind of scary! I don’t know how interesting it is, but I don’t think my cereal addiction has been addressed. Seriously, I have a problem. There cannot be any cereal in my house—or else my family had better hide it from me—or I will eat the entire box. It really doesn’t matter what kind; if it’s not sweet I’ll just dump sugar in it. Healthy, right?

2. What or who inspired you to be a writer?

So many things! I’ve been writing since before I can remember. My dad tells me even when I was a kid just learning how to write, every night I would write down everything I did that day. I vaguely recall the dragon/unicorn fantasies I was crafting by third grade—my teachers would sometimes have me read them to the class. Oh, the names I gave those creatures! I could barely pronounce them myself. By middle school, I was keeping my friends entertained with never-ending soap-operaish YA. (Plot? What plot? LOL.) I was always urged to seek publication, even then, but the thought terrified me. By high school I was sneaking into my mom’s collection and devouring her Jackie Collins books, and anything else racy she might have. And she had a lot, I tell you.

So as far as any one thing/person that inspired me, there really wasn’t one. I’ve just always loved to write. Although I will say that discovering Maggie Shayne’s paranormal romances spurred me more than anything else toward finally wanting to pursue publication. I remember writing her a fan email telling her this, to which she replied that I needed to join Romance Writers of America stat. And so I did. Years went by while I tinkered with this story and that, but it was a call for red-hot summer stories at Samhain that put the seeds of Unleashed in my head, and the rest, as they say, is history.

3. When starting a new book, where do you do your research?

Google is my friend. And I mostly do it as I go. I don’t have a ritualistic approach to writing at all. I’m a “pantser” mostly—I fly by the seat of my pants. If I need to look up something, I do it on the spot and keep going.

4. Do you have any special traditions when finishing a book?

My hubby will usually take me out for a celebratory dinner or something, but other than that, not really. I just bask in the sense of accomplishment, unable to believe I actually pulled it off again.

5. I've seen that music is a big part of your life and also your writing sometimes. Can you name a few of your favorite bands for us, maybe share one of your favorite songs too?

Korn! They are and always will be my absolute favorite band. I also love me some Killswitch Engage, NIN, In This Moment…if it rocks, I’ll probably like it. As for favorite songs…yikes. I think it would have to be Korn’s “My Gift to You.” Newer songs of theirs will sometimes bump it from the top spot, but I always keep coming back to it.

6. What's the best concert you've ever been to? (I know it's a hard question but I had to ask ;)

Actually, it’s pretty easy. Jonathan Davis’s (Korn’s front man) solo show in San Antonio. It was a really small, intimate venue, and he was just…RIGHT THERE. Singing. On a freaking throne. It was like he was our dark monarch and we his faithful, feverish minions. And I MET HIM afterward. He LOOKED right at me. I was floating so high I drove six hours straight home through the night without even needing any sleep. Awesome night, one of the best.

7. What is your all time favorite book or books?

Oh, no, the dreaded question. ;) Several years back I read Susan Carroll’s Bride Finder series, and was just amazed… The Night Drifter in particular. The only word that rings through my mind when I think about that book is “flawless.” Absolutely flawless. I don’t know how it would fare on a re-read now, but at the time, it blew my mind.

Currently, though, I’m addicted to Stacia Kane’s Downside Ghosts series, and of course to Olivia Cunning’s rock stars. All of them. Yes, please.

8. What kinds of things do you do for fun when you aren't writing?

I’m a pretty boring person, really. I go to concerts when someone I want to see is coming within 3-6 hours of me, I go to movies, I mindlessly Web surf, I hang out with hubby and the kids. I put ear buds in and blast music and daydream. And because I’m a writer, I get to say I’m working when I do that. Bonus. :-)

9. In my interview I did with Brian I got a few inside details on Ghost and Macy. Now that it's almost release time (which btw, in case I haven't mentioned it yet, I'm SUPER excited for!), can you give us just a little taste of what it was like writing their story?

Torturous. LOL! You probably noticed how long it took me to write it, right? That’s because I wanted to give them both a beat-down. They would go in one direction and stall, so okay, I’d send them in another direction and they’d stall there too. I lost count of how many times I started their book over. I changed her profession. I changed his circumstances. I cried and cussed and thought of telling all of you it wasn’t happening. But that wasn’t an option. So I pressed on. I just knew my editor would hate it. I just knew all of you would hate it (and I guess the latter still remains to be seen). I did not breathe that final sigh of relief about this book being done until my editor wrote me back and said she wanted no big changes. It was like the weight of the world coming off my shoulders. By that point, I had no fingernails left, and raging anxiety issues. But it’s all good now.

That answer is probably quite surprising, but really, while I love their story now that it’s done, Ghost and Macy nearly put me in the hospital. And I’m only half joking.

10. Are any of the characters in this series based on real people? If not, have you ever considered writing a book with a real life person as the inspiration?

They’re really not inspired by anyone. It’s fun to find people who resemble what I imagine the characters to look like and all, but no, I’ve never really based any of my characters on real people and I probably never would. Some elements of their personalities might be inspired… for instance, my husband is the most hilarious person I know and a few funny things he’s said have ended up in the books. And a few sweet things too. :) But generally, that’s not something I do.

11. If you could be any one of your characters, which one would you choose and why?

Probably Macy. Man, of all my characters, she is the least like me. And I really do love that about her.  I don’t want to give too much away about her actions toward the end of Leave Me Breathless, but let’s just say I probably could never do what she does. But there have been plenty of times in my life when I wished I had that kind of nerve!

12. Some authors have their own soundtrack for their different books. Did you have one when writing Leave Me Breathless? Can you tell us a few of the songs on it if you do have one?

Oh totally, I have soundtracks for all my books. You can find them all at my site on the books’ pages. 

Here’s Ghost and Macy’s soundtrack:

“The Promise” by In This Moment f/Adrian Patrick from Otherwise
“No Ordinary Love” by The Deftones
“Hold On” by All That Remains
“Scream” by Avenged Sevenfold
“Drop the Match” by Winds of Plague
“All For Me” by In Flames
“Prophecy” by Soulfly
“Kiss” by Korn
“The Jester Race” by In Flames
“Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
“Perseverance” by Hatebreed
“Storm to Pass” by Atreyu
“Black” by Trivium
“The Air That I Breathe” by All That Remains

13. I know you've probably been asked this many times and you may even be sick of it but I gotta ask. Will Brian and Evan's sister Gabriella ever get her own book at any point in the future?

She will! I’m kicking around ideas for her; she’s still strictly in the developmental stages. Hopefully it won’t take so long this time.

14. Now for one final question. Do you have anything new in the works for the future? We are all dying to know. ;)

I should be contributing something to a Christmas anthology around the middle of December with some other fabulous authors. I don’t have a title or anything for you at this point, so stay tuned. :) It probably won’t be a part of the Ross siblings, but something stand-alone.

Thank you SO much for letting us pick your brain a little and thank you again for writing some of the best books I’ve ever read! J

The pleasure is all mine!

(Taken from authors website)

If Cherrie Lynn’s parents are to be believed, she’s been writing since before she can remember. Through her formative years, her scribblings evolved from epic graphic novels about dragons and unicorns to middle school angst-inspired teen soap operas to scorching hot love stories once she discovered her mom’s romance novels.

It's Valentine's Day, but Macy Rodgers isn't feeling the love. Aside from a torrid, one-night fling in a backseat a few months back, her love life has been sorely lacking, but fortunately she has devious friends who feel like playing Cupid. Wouldn't they be shocked to learn that the match they've made for her is the same one that steamed up the back of that '69 GTO...

Seth "Ghost" Warren has just returned to town after an extended absence. Between his grandmother's failing health, his job as a tattoo artist, his band's gigs, and a crazy ex that won't leave him alone, he's stretched thin. Cautious cowgirl Macy is the last thing he needs thrown into the mix.

She's all country, he's all heavy metal—and Macy knows that if anyone can propel her out of her rut, it's Seth. But when their worlds collide, it's anyone guess if they'll survive with their hearts intact.

Warning: Contains explicit sex, graphic language, road trips, troublemaking exes, emotional baggage, and an unconventional but exceptionally hot hero tatted and pierced for your pleasure...

Welcome to Book Lovin' Mamas Brian! I am a huge fan of yours!!! Thank you so much for agreeing to an interview.

Thanks for letting me hang out.

Q) It's been a while now since we last heard from you. How have you been and what have you been up to? How is Candace?

Man, things have been stellar, and Candace is great. She’s mainly WHY things have been stellar. There’s been some shaking up in personnel at Dermamania, and that’s been stressful. I’m also looking at expanding because we’re drawing in so much business from neighboring towns, and that’s awesome but it also just adds on to the heap. But she’s always right by my side. She’s graduating soon, you know. I’m so damn proud of her.

Q) Would you happen to have any big news you would like to share? Maybe some big future plans? *wink wink*

Business expansion. That’s pretty big. But I’m sure you’re talking about something else. Candace and I, we’re taking our time. Hell, I’d marry the girl tomorrow if I could. But if there’s one thing she’s taught me, it’s using my head. And patience. That’s been the toughest one to learn.

Ask me again after she’s done with school and things settle down a bit. *grins*

Q) Could you tell us a little bit about how you decided to become a tattoo artist?

I always loved to draw, ever since I was a kid. It was one of the few things I felt like I was really good at. Hey, I practiced on (my brother) Evan’s face a lot when he was sleeping. *laughs* No really, it was something that was almost cathartic for me; I was always doing it. I got sent to detention so many times just because I’d spend an entire class period drawing.  Usually some weird, fucked-up shit that scared my teachers.

Anyway, when I turned eighteen, Ghost and I lit out of town to celebrate with some friends in Dallas. Ghost already had a couple tattoos and he dragged me to a parlor there to get my first one. This guy named Marco owned the place with his wife Kara, and he hooked me up. It was just...incredible. I only thought my art was cathartic, but I felt like a whole new person after he was done. His work is just insane. I watched the process and thought, “This is what I want to do.” So in my typical fashion, I bugged the shit out of him, asked a million questions, went back a few days later and showed him some of my artwork. I told him I’d be willing to move there if he’d teach me everything he knew. I figured he’d say “Get the hell out of here, kid,” but he didn’t. He and Kara are some of the coolest people I know. There was a time I practically lived with them while I did my apprenticeship. If I’m even half as good as that guy, then I’d consider myself awesome at what I do.

Q) I'm sure I already know the answer to this question but what is your favorite piercing? *blush*

Ha! It might not have been my favorite one to get (Jesus H, it fucking hurt), but yeah. I’m sure you guessed it. The apadravya most definitely does not suck. I think Candace would agree.

Q) I know you enjoy your music. Have you been to any good concerts lately? Looking forward to any that are coming up?

We caught Korn again recently—those guys are always touring. Which is good because well, you know, they kinda hold a special place with me and Candace now. If you know the story, I’m sure the whys are pretty obvious...

 I’m looking forward to the Mayhem Festival. Slipknot and Slayer, man. Can’t beat it.

Q) My next question is a bit personal but I have to ask. When it left off at the end things were still touchy with Candace's parents. Has it gotten any better or worse since then?

It’s...stable. That’s probably the best way to describe it. We’re civil, even if that only means I stay out of their way and they stay out of mine for the most part. And there really aren’t that many occasions when I have to be around them, which is damn fine with me. But even when we’re together, it’s all right. I doubt they’ll sing hallelujah when I propose, and I’m sure they’re rooting silently for me to fuck up majorly or go to jail or some shit like that. But it’s not happening.

Now for some fun questions...

Q) If you could only go to one more live show, who would you go see?  

Nine Inch Nails. I only got to see them one time and damn, it was like a religious experience.

Q) If you had unlimited time and unlimited funds, where would you take Candace (on vacation) and what would you do there?

I’ve never been much of a traveler, but I really loved Hawaii when I went there with my ex for my brother’s wedding. It would be nice to make some new memories with the woman I love. Despite all Candace’s traveling with her family, she’s never been. But that would just be our first stop. I’d love to take her to meet my family in Florence, show them all I finally managed to get something right in my life. My mom has already been teaching Candace some Italian. I have too, but I’m not quite fluent.

And then of course there’s Vegas, just because we’re crazy like that. She’s never been there, either, which isn’t surprising, knowing her family. I love showing her how the other half lives. *grins*

Q) You're stranded on a desert island (with Candace of course), what is one thing you absolutely have to have, can't live without it?

I’ll assume we’ve been able to meet basic necessities and say art supplies. If I didn’t have any on the island, I’d be drawing in the sand. And that would suck. Or... crushing berries to draw on Candace. That would not suck. Uh, maybe I should rethink this. I guess the obvious answer is that as long as I have her, I’m good.

Q) Now, I've read some things here and there about a certain friend of yours and a certain friend of Candace. Can you tell me anything? Anything at all? Please? You're friends with Ghost, surely you know some good inside details...right? ;)

*Laughs* Poor guy. Most people looking in from the outside would say they’d never in a million years see Ghost and Macy together. But I know he loses his idiot head over girls like her, and then he gets his heart splattered all over hell, and then I’m the one trying to force his drunk ass to rejoin the world of the living. Been there, have the fucking T-shirt.

This time, though, I’m not all that worried. I wasn’t too sure about her for a while, I thought she was stuck up. But she really has come through for him when he needed her, and even I’ve seen another side to her lately. I think they’re going to be all right. Other than that, though, you’ll just have to wait and see...

Alright alright, I'll be patient and wait for the next book. *sigh* Thank you so much Brian, for letting me pick your brain a little bit. And another thank you for being the most amazing character to read about.

Hey, no problem. Glad to be here. And stop by the parlor... your ink’s on the house. *wink*

Link to the book: Amazon Barnes&Noble Samhain
Author's Website: www.cherrielynn.com

And make sure you're on the look out for the next book which will be Ghost and Macy's story. I can't wait for that one.


Giveaway
I'm offering up 1 copy(paperback or e-book, winner's choice) of Rock Me to a lucky winner. Just fill out the rafflecopter....YOU HAVE TO FILL OUT THE RAFFLECOPTER...be a follower and leave a comment letting us know if you've read the book and if so, did you fall in love with Brian too???

Rock Me
(Ross Siblings #2)

Author:  Cherrie Lynn

Publisher:  Samhain Publishing Ltd.

Release Date: 5/4/10

Genre:  Erotica

Source: Amazon (Bought)

Buy: Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Description

Candace has spent her entire life pleasing others and she’s tired of it. She’s decided that since it’s her birthday she’s going to do something for herself, she’s going to get a tattoo. But she doesn’t want just anyone to do it, she wants Brian, the sinfully sexy tattooed hottie that her cousin Michelle used to dat. He’s still the same guy she remembers and that same attraction she’s always felt towards him is still there but now it’s even stronger.

Brian wasn’t expecting sweet innocent Candace to walk into his tattoo shop asking for him to tattoo her. He knows after dating her cousin that her family despises him, they think he’s a no good loser b ut that doesn’t seem to matter to him. He doesn’t a the hassle this will bring him but he can’t deny wanting her, needing her. No one is going to take her away from him this time. He’ll do whatever it takes to keep her by his side.

Candace is facing the hardest choice of her life. Will she finally make her own decision or will she let her family make it for her.

Review

I love this book! Plain and simple! The very first time I read it, I devoured it within only one night. It’s really a great book! This is maybe my 5^th time reading it and I still feel the same way I did when I read it the very first time.

Brian is not only gorgeous, but he’s sweet, funny, sinfully sexy and undeniably addictive! From the music he listens to, to his chosen career, to the attitude he wears as his mask, the man is totally fascinating and very much my type of guy!!! Candace is a great character too. She’s a little shy, a little reserved, but she’s also a little firecracker when she wants to be. Not only is she beautiful and smart but she’s so charming, in a girl next door kind of way. You can’t help but think of her as a best friend! And somehow, even with their big differences, they complement each other so very well and they fit so perfectly! The sex scenes between them are smokin’ HOT! Their chemistry is so potent you can practically feel it on every page!!!

Now I have to talk about the music, since it’s such a big part of this book. I love music! I grew up listening to heavy metal and rock & roll and I’ve been to so many concerts I can’t even remember them all! All of the music mentioned in this book, I’ve listened to and loved, or listened to live and loved and I’ve seen Korn 3 times! So I know what a concert is like, I know how it feels, how it looks and sounds. Cherry was spot on in her description, so much so I get goose bumps every single time I read that part! And it makes me fall in love with music all over again!

Secondary characters in this book are almost as important as the main characters and at times I found myself wanting to know more about them than the main ones. It was so nice to get an update on Brian’s older brother Evan. He was the main male lead in Cherrie’s first book, Unleashed. In that book we met Evan and his now wife Kelsey. I won’t give anything away, just that an update was nice! If you haven’t read Unleashed yet, you should!

Then there is Ghost and Macy, ah yes, the story I am still waiting patiently for! You don’t get much of the two together in this book but what you do get it very entertaining. Lots of inquiries about one another, lots of innuendos, and a very noticeable attraction between the two. I know they’ll be getting their own book (Cherrie has talked about it on her blog), my fingers are crossed it will be done soon, and if it’s anywhere near as good as this one, it’s sure to be a fantastic book and I can NOT WAIT to finally get to read it!

I give this book 5 Moons and I highly recommend it to any fans of romance, erotic romance and erotica. It’s got everything you could ever want, an oh-so-sexy tattooed guy, a sweet girl next door, hot sex, good music and an incredible story!!!