menage romance

Please join me in welcoming brand new erotic author Caitlyn O’Leary to Wednesday Words.  Her first book, Trusting Chance, released yesterday on Siren-Bookstrand and from what I’ve seen it’s hot, hot, hot.  I was lucky enough to drag Caitlyn away from her busy release week schedule for an interview so we can all get to know her better.  Ohhh and now you all are really lucky, because Caitlyn is giving away a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card for one person who gets the following question correct.  The winner will be posted on Thursday after we give everyone a chance to answer.  Now for the question:  What is the name of Josie’s Bakery?

The Interview:

Lynne St. James:  Can you tell us a little about your background and how you started writing?

Caitlyn O’Leary:  I’m the oldest of five children, so it was a lively household, reading was a way to block out the noise.  As I grew up, I would often write stories, just to entertain myself and my younger siblings.  I often wrote their book reports for them!  My brothers were only one year apart in age.  I wrote a report for the oldest his senior year, he turned it in and got a B+, the next year John turned it in to the same teacher and got an A-, the year after that the youngest turned it in to the same teacher and got an A.  The teacher liked it better each time he read it!

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Lynne:  How did you get started writing ménage stories?

Caitlyn:  I started reading Sophie Oak a couple of years ago and became a huge fan of her Bliss and Siren in the City series.  I found that I liked that I could tell even more characters’ perspectives in ménage stories.  I also liked that you would have to deal with the fact that there were more hurdles because this was not a traditional lifestyle choice.  As a result, I felt these characters had to be really special and brave.

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Lynne:  Your first book, Trusting Chance, released yesterday.  You must be so excited!  Can you tell us a bit about your main characters and their motivation?

Caitlyn:  I couldn’t believe that I wrote a book and somebody wanted to publish it!  It was a dream come true.  But to tell you the truth, it wasn’t really my book, it just came out of my fingers.  It is the characters’ book.  They just told their story.  All of my books take place in a town similar to the one I grew up in.  It’s in the Pacific Northwest, called Fate Harbor.  My hero is Chance Reynolds and he is the rascal manipulator.  He remembered Josie Decker from when he and she were young children in foster care together, and when he was reacquainted with her, he fell in love.  His best friend, Sam Booth, is suffering from PSTD from his time serving in Afghanistan.  He is slowly getting his life together, but Chance knows he needs a kick in the ass, and he knows that Josie is a woman who could really help to heal Sam.  What’s more, Chance knows that Josie’s life was not easy after they parted as children, and that he and Sam can bring love and laughter to her life, as well.

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Lynne:  How many books will you have your series?  Can you tell us a bit about the next book coming out?

Caitlyn:  I think I’m going to write at least eight books this year.  That’s how many triads are clamoring in my head.  I’ve already written three, and am a quarter of the way through my fourth.  The second book is called Protecting Olivia which is due out in May.  Olivia was in foster care with Sam and Chance.  She is the head of a large charity, and she’s in trouble.  She was badly beaten in Boston and has come to Fate Harbor to recuperate at the home of her foster brothers.  There she meets two hunky Fate Harbor firemen, who will risk their lives to keep her safe from the trouble that continues to follow her.

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Lynne:  If you could meet one author, who would it be and why?

Caitlyn:  Pat Conroy.  He wrote Prince of Tides, The Great Santini and The River is Wide.  He has such a beautiful way with prose, and each book makes me laugh and cry.  His characters just tear you to pieces.  You want to go into the books and beat them or save them or love them.  I want to crawl into Pat’s head and learn how to write like he does.

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Lynne:  Do you write your books in order or hop around?

Caitlyn:  I write my books in order.  Each book layers on top of the next, and the characters tell me when it is time for their story to be told.

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Lynne:  What do you find hardest about writing?  Easiest?

Caitlyn:  The hardest thing about writing is to find the time to do it.  I have a full time job, and a husband who actually wants attention (go figure).  The easiest thing about writing are the scenes between the main characters, they always move me.  Again, they write themselves, but I end up typing really fast, because I’m so fascinated by where they are headed, and it’s usually going to be hot and steamy.

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Lynne:  Do you have a specific writing “ritual?”

Caitlyn:  Headphones.  I pick out a song that is going to play for each book, I repeat it over and over again.  For Trusting Chance it was Luke Bryan’s “Drink a Beer”.  You’ll see a scene in the book that reflects that.

Lynne:  I’ll be looking for it!

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Lynne:  What one word would you use to describe yourself to a complete stranger?  Why that word?

Caitlyn:    I’m a synergist.  I approach my work looking for synergies in interests, work styles, goals, and needs.  It’s a rewarding way to work.  I keep meeting other writers and readers who are surprisingly supportive and helpful in sharing their resources to help me launch my books. I make every effort to return that kind of support to them, as well, because I’m all about the “girl power” that makes our beloved Happily Ever Afters such a popular success!

Lynne:  I agree, most of the romance authors are incredibly supportive of each other and our fans are out of this world.  Just wait until you get your first reader fan mail.  There is nothing like it.

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Lynne:  If you were shipwrecked on a desert island and only could bring one book, which one would it be?

Caitlyn:  The book that I’m currently re-reading, is Siren in Waiting by Sophie Oak, I love Trev, Bethany and Bo.

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Lynne:  What is your favorite movie?

Caitlyn:  It has to be “Harold and Maude,” the story of an unconventional romance between a provocative 80 year old woman and a troubled young man in his twenties, made in 1971.  I love many of Maude’s lines from this film, especially this one, which she addressed to Harold:

“Harold, everyone has the right to make an ass out of themselves. You just can’t let the world judge you too much.”

Spoken like a true ménage fan, wouldn’t you agree?

Lynne:  That’s for sure.

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Lynne:  What is your favorite curse word?

Caitlyn:  Fuck, and here’s why because of it’s various uses:

•      Noun: “Like fuck you will!”
  •     Also, since this is contended: Hard as fuck or Yes, thank you, I’d love a fuck.
•       Pronoun: “I hit fuck-face over there with a baseball bat.” (both cheating and plagiarizing @Joe but you said nothing about hyphenated forms)
•      Adjective: “He’s fucked!”
•      Verb: “Fucked if I’ll give you an example of the most common form!”
•     Adverb: “It was fuck hard”, yes, apparently it is used by some.
•    Conjunction: “I went swimming, fuck the cold.” (as in, I went swimming despite the cold.)
•    Preposition: don’t think it’s possible.
•    Interjection: “Fuck! I was sure I could find a preposition!”

Lynne:  I love it!  I don’t think anyone has been quite that specific, but I totally agree.

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Lynne:  What is one of your pet peeves?

Caitlyn:  People who feel entitled for no reason whatsoever.

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Lynne:  Is there anything else you’d like to share with us today?

Caitlyn:  How blessed I feel for getting a chance to do what I love, and for being able to talk to someone as fun as you, Lynne!

Lynne:  I’m so happy you visited with us today.  You’re so much fun and I can’t wait to read Trusting Chance.   Of course I’ll have to turn the A/C on high I’m sure!

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The Blurb:

Josie Decker and Chance Reynolds knew each other years ago when they were in the same foster home, before Josie’s birth mother reclaimed her. Now, Chance and his best friend, Sam Booth an Afghan war veteran are living in Fate Harbor, Washington, when Josie reestablishes ties with her foster parents and opens a bakery in the quaint town.

Chance realizes that growing up with her birth mother has left Josie with physical and emotional scars and a deep belief that she is unworthy of love. Fate Harbor is very accepting of triad alliances, and Chance believes that the relationship that will ultimately heal Josie is one that includes both he and Sam. Sam’s recent trauma, fighting for his country, has left him beyond hurt.

Chance has despaired of saving the brother of his heart, but finding Josie again has given him hope, and a plan. Can the three of them make the perfect future together?

Purchase Trusting Chance from Siren-Bookstrand.  It is available in all ebook formats.

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Contact Caitlyn:

When Caitlyn isn’t busy researching her next book idea with her “tall Texan husband” you can find her here:

Caitlyn’s Website

E-Mail Caitlyn O’Leary

Visit Caitlyn’s Blog

Caitlyn’s Facebook

Follow Caitlyn on Twitter

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Once again I’d like to thank Caitlyn O’Leary for joining this week’s Wednesday Words.  Her book Trusting Chance is now available at Siren-Bookstrand and I can’t wait to read it.  I hope you’ll show her support and pick up a copy too.  Caitlyn promised to be around today to answer any other questions you may have, and don’t forget to answer the question for a chance to win the $25 Amazon gift card.

 ♥ ♥ ♥