Where do you hail from and what do you love most about your hometown? Los Angeles, CA. I love the patchwork. Every few blocks Los Angeles changes. In four miles you can go from the most expensive shops in the world to the slums. It is always changing and dynamic.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? A rock star!
Tell us about your latest book.
Agent Gwen Fredricks is a living target. Captured after a failed mission, the code to crack a safe has literally been permanently hidden on her. To free herself, she must retrieve a final key.
All Agent Colin Alexander has to do to avoid a desk job is get a code said to be on an enemy agent. He never dreamed it would actually be on the agent, especially Gwen.
The simple shoot-and-swoop mission takes a turn for these two sometime-lovers and full-time rivals when they call a truce to give into their desire. Now with the promise to keep both hands on each other at all times, they share a night together. Loyalties are tested when Gwen manages to swipe the key away, and Colin discovers the code carefully embedded into Gwen’s tramp stamp tattoo in a glow of UV light. When morning comes they must decide if what they feel for each other is worth betraying their agencies.
Do you have anything new in the works and can you tell us a bit about it? I just finished a 26,000-word story called Closure which explores the dynamic when someone in your past comes into your life and they don’t know you.
I am also currently editing my novel, Trifecta, which is a fun story about a trio of friends who take their relationship to the next level.
My story, The Promise, with a sexy demon, will be in the Darkest Desires Anthology coming from Hot Ink Press this Halloween.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging about writing? My biggest challenge is not being so hard on myself. I doubt myself a lot, but I find if I let it go I write a much better story. I am learning to not compromise until the story is accepted (then you have to work with the editors J)
What advice would you give to writers just starting out? Write for yourself first. Learn everything you can and do not let naysayers discourage you. If you let people stomp on you, pretty soon you will be flattened.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it? Yes, I usually skip to another part of the story, or try to find some music that goes with the story to get me out of the funk.
Who is your favorite author and why? Johanna Lindsey – because her stories are pure fun and you can tell she had a ball writing them. She was my first true romance author, and I think you always love your first.
What books have most influenced your life? Flowers in the Attic – VC Andrews. Phantom – Susan Kay . These stories have characters who have stayed with me long after I finished the book.
How did you deal with rejection letters? 1. Cry. 2. Toss it if it is a form letter or save it if it has true advice. 3. Go on to the next submission. I only allow myself one hour to wallow in a rejection.
What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers? A pad, a pen and the willingness to put your heart on the pages.
Where do you as an author draw the line on gory descriptions and/or erotic content? I don’t really write gore, but as far as erotic, I shy away from too much description of “fluids.” I am also not into pain. I have found that if I push myself the story comes out better.
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever done in the name of research? I made my husband put on a suit jacket and sit in a chair and then experimented with ways I could tie him up using only the suit jacket.
Don’t forget to give us links to your website etc.
Amazon Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/Hands-On-Tramp-Stamp-ebook/dp/B0098LICZ2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348415367&sr=8-1&keywords=kim+carmichael+hands+on+me
