Amy Valenti February 2012
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
All about Amy Valenti
 Hi! I'm Amy Valenti. I live in Manchester, in the UK, and I'm a huge fan of smutty sexual tension and the games couples (or threesomes!) play with each other. I don't watch TV, so when I have time to kill I write, or play videogames, or go out and get my kink on at the local fetish club. That's pretty inspiring! How Amy Valenti got into Erotic Romance?
I started with fan fiction when I was about seventeen - since a lot of the characters that I wanted to hook up with were never the ones who actually ended up together in books/TV shows/movies, I decided to write my own stories where they would. I learned a lot about writing in the years that followed, both from fan critique of my fics and from my creative writing degree.Then I decided to actually apply myself to writing original stories, and erotica was the only genre I seemed to be able to finish - so I figured I might as well send out a few enquiries while I worked on my non-erotica. I was so shocked and pleased when I got my first contract offer, but since then, I haven't looked back. The Scoop!
I've just completed a futuristic, dystopian erotica story named Hidden Heat, which will be coming to TEB at the end of March, and I'm working on the sequel at the moment. I've collaborated with TEB author Fleur T. Reid for an erotic horror story named Smoke and Mirrors, due to be released as part of the Scared Stiff anthology.I'm also in the middle of writing a four-book series based around a fetish club named Rack and Ruin - book one, Little Tease, is available on Amazon and All Romance eBooks now. What Amy Valenti likes to read...
I'm a huge fan of Jacqueline Carey's Kusheline Cycle, which is a fantasy series spliced with BDSM. I also love crime novels - my favourite authors being Karin Slaughter and Tess Gerritsen - and all of the amazing speculative fiction novels by Marianne de Pierres, which are very overlooked by most readers. Recently, I've also fallen in love with Ilona Andrews' 'Kate Daniels' series.
INTERVIEWThe Sensible Questions:- 1.How have your life experiences affected your writing?
- Well... let's just say that when I write about BDSM from a submissive's point of view, it's not exactly a stab in the dark! I've been practising kink for about four years now, and I've learned a lot in that time.
- 2.Which of your characters is your favourite, and why?
- It's hard for me to pick just one! I think I'd have to go for Faye Tate, the protagonist of my first novel, Dominance and Deception. She's got a mischievous streak a mile wide, which was very fun to write, and I found it easy to describe her reactions to her sexy Dom, Zach Pierce - who is up there amongst my favourites, too. ;)
- 3.What heat level do you enjoy writing most, and why?
- Everything I've written for TEB has been rated 'burning', so I suppose I'll go for that! I have no problem with describing the various ins and outs of sex (so to speak!) and I love writing dirty talk and foreplay.
- 4.What authors have influenced you most (not necessarily in the romance genre)?
- Marianne de Pierres has been a total mentor to me over the years - I first 'met' her online when I was fangirling her debut novel, and she's given me so much advice and encouragement during the time since then. I've found so much creative inspiration in the things she writes, too.Kelley Armstrong and Ilona Andrews both have gorgeous written styles and smoulderingly sexy subplots - I love them!I've also been very impressed by On Writing, Stephen King's book about how he writes and the obstacles he's overcome. It's a really encouraging read for any aspiring writer.
- 5.Which comes to you first when you write, the basic premise of the plot, or the characters?
- I'd say probably the plot. The characters tend to develop on their own as I get into it - and then they take over and start guiding it in random directions that I hadn't thought about before!
- 6.What is the biggest lesson that you've learned since you began writing?
- Show, not tell! It's such a valuable piece of advice, and I'd recommend it to anyone. Describing how someone reacts to something rather than just saying 'she was sad' is so much more effective.
- 7.Describe your writing space.
- Usually either on my bed or on the couch, surrounded by cats and hamsters! I like to be comfy when I'm writing fiction - if I'm distracted by needing to shuffle around, it tends to break my rhythm. Cat likes to work with me...
 My Desk...
Where the magic happens....
 A visitor on my keyboard...

The Naughty Questions:
- How many toys do you have in your toy-box? (and we don't mean Barbie dolls!)
- Ha! Quite a few. Some of them are for kink purposes, and some are for just plain pleasure. ;)
- What or who does your ideal man look like?
- I'm mainly into women, to be honest, but my ideal guy would have to be Mark Harmon as Gibbs in NCIS. There's just something about the blue eyes and the growly, abrupt manner and the softer side you get to see if you look closer... *melts into a puddle on the floor* Yes, he's old enough to be my father. So what? :DFor those who prefer their men a little younger, I'm recommending Nathan Fillion. He's more cute and quirky than stunning, but if you've ever watched Castle or Firefly, you'll know what I'm talking about.If you want to know about my taste in women, I'm a big fan of Pauley Perrette (another NCIS cast member, as well as an all-around amazing human being who supports all sorts of fantastic causes) and Dina Meyer. ;) I can't even describe how much Dina Meyer makes my brain explode with happy squee...




Are any of the sexy scenes in your books based on real life?I've taken a few kinky moments I've had during BDSM scenes at fetish clubs, and adapted them to fit the personalities of my kinky characters. As for full-on sex, sadly, the answer is no. My imagination far outstrips the actual smutty encounters I've had...What kind of clothing do you like to wear in order to feel sexy?I'm very skinny in a need-to-put-weight-on sense, which means I often go for tight shirts and teeny skirts to avoid looking like I'm drowning in fabric! I tend towards the Goth subculture when I can be bothered to dress up, so all black, purple and red for me...What kind of clothing do you think makes men look sexy?Jeans. Definitely jeans. I don't know what it is, but for some reason all my protagonists end up wearing jeans - until they're not wearing anything at all, that is.What is the most outrageously naughty thing you've ever done?I've been tied up in a dungeon in my underwear, while my Mistress flogged and caned my ass until I was so bruised I could barely sit down for a week! It doesn't sound fun to a lot of people, I know, but I really enjoyed it, and I was so proud of my bruises the next day...
ReleasesAmy Valenti's ReleasesDominance and Deception - Genre: BDSM/Crime/Thriller
- Rating: Total-e-Burning
- e-Book: Super Novel
- ISBN: 978-0-85715-722-5
- Total-E-Bound
To catch a killer, you have to think a little kinky...Submission is a dangerous game... Faye Tate is a police forensic scientist, a switch, and secretly in love with a police detective.Detective Zach Pierce has made many enemies, but his attraction to Faye is too strong to be denied. Can Pierce protect his submissive from those who seek to use her against him, or will her devotion to her Dom cost Faye her life? What the reviewers are saying"This D/s relationship, which also included a very hot ménage with Faye subbing for two men, made me want to jump my spouse. What I'm most impressed with is that Ms. Valenti uses little to no fancy BDSM props and toys. Her techniques are pure D/s with some great mind fucking... While it's easy to categorize this book as a BDSM book, it's more than just a sex book. The twists and turns in the story kept me constantly guessing and wanting to know what was next. I loved how her story surprised me at each turn... I recommend this book to people who want to see a different side to BDSM and enjoy a bit of mystery and suspense. My inner Domme says, "Buy the book and devour it"." - The Romance Reviews Read An Excerpt:[Click here to expand/collapse]EXCERPT:"Try to get free."Obediently, Faye writhed on the bed, tugging at the handcuffs that restrained her wrists and the silk scarves I'd used to tie her ankles to the bedposts."Can't, Sir," she said, half smiling, half apprehensive, as if she was unsure whether the response would lead to reward or punishment. Hell, with Faye, the punishment usually was the reward.I didn't keep her in suspense. "Good."When I brought the riding crop up into her line of sight, her eyes widened and she bit her lip, a shiver of anticipation thrilling through her body. I paused for a second, giving her time to back out if she needed to, making no attempt to hide the way my eyes swept over every part of her."Are you ready?"She swallowed hard, her eyes on the crop. Shaking a tendril of damp hair from her cheek before answering, she nodded, her words just barely whispered."Yes, Sir."The way she submitted, unquestioning, to my authority made me want to throw aside the crop right then. I needed to be inside her, needed to hear her beg for release, needed to lose control completely. But not yet. The scene had yet to be played out.Faye looked from the crop to my face, and from the slight upward quirk of her eyebrow I could tell she'd caught on to my train of thought."Or we could just..." she said softly, shifting seductively against the mattress.Snapped back into my role, I stared her out until she stilled and broke eye contact.A flicker of amusement remained in her voice as she conceded, "I'm sorry, Sir. I was outta line.""You're damn right," I said, and without warning cracked the crop down onto her breast, just below the nipple.She yelled with combined pleasure and pain, attempting to suppress the grin on her face.I paused to let the blow register, knowing she was hardly even trying to be properly submissive. Most of the time, she let it wash over her, sinking so far into the state that it took time for her to come back from it. Tonight she was in a playful mood of a completely different kind-”cheerfully insolent and willing to take all the punishment I could meter out. I already knew she'd let me whip her until she was sore all over, then defy me for just a little longer, setting her tolerance for pain against my willingness to give it.I've never been one to back down from a challenge.Faye looked down at the red mark rising on her flesh, then up at me. "That the best you can do, Sir?"I raised the crop, never letting my pissed-off façade slip. "I haven't even started-"Faye's phone rang, the unexpected sound disorientating us both. She groaned, scowling at the offending object as if it was sentient."Damn it! Not now!" She tugged expectantly at her handcuffs. "Okay, let me out of these."I stood there, impassive, and she rolled her eyes."Zach, seriously. Someone's probably dead and we'll have to go to work."I knew she was right, but that didn't mean I had to like it. Dropping the crop and stepping over the tangle of our clothing, I crossed to the dresser and checked the caller ID. Sure enough, it was Santoro. For a brief moment, I entertained the irrational thought of firing him, but it passed.Without releasing Faye from her bonds, I hit the speakerphone button to answer the call.Taking a deep breath to steady her breathing, she spoke. "Santoro, this better be good. I'm a little tied up right now."As I stifled a chuckle, Santoro replied, "I know, it's really late and I'm sorry. But we have a problem. There's been a triple homicide, and Pierce isn't answering his cell. His home phone's off the hook." Battle of Thrills - Genre: Contemporary
- Rating: Total-e-Burning
- e-Book: Short Story
- ISBN: 978-0-85715-713-3
- Total-E-Bound
Tease, tempt, tremble...but don't touch.Old friends and colleagues Jared and Elle embark upon a sexual game with only one rule: no touching. Whoever breaks the rule first loses the game, and no matter how much they want each other, they're both too stubborn to give in.At the end of a long working week filled with close encounters and teasing phone calls, who will win their maddening battle of thrills? What the reviewers are saying"Wow, I really wish I could give this book something higher than a 5. I love the thrill of the chase between two people and in this book, the characters make it into a game. The teasing and tempting was completely erotic and so much fun to read." - Heather from Florida"Ooh, Battle of Thrills is a smokin' hot read! It's a hugely erotic romance and the sexual tension couldn't possibly get any more extreme! Ms. Valenti writes with a sexual intensity that will make you feel very much in the moment. I enjoyed Battle of Thrills so much my only wish is that it could have been longer. Of course, I just may not have survived reading about any more of that incredible sex, it was that hot! I kind of feel cheated.do they really make men like that? Battle of Thrills is a very yummy read and you'll be mad at yourself if you miss this one!" - Mandy from Night Owl Reviews Read An Excerpt:[Click here to expand/collapse]EXCERPT:Their private game began almost by accident.At seven p.m., Elle Matthews headed for the bathroom to transform herself for her night out. After wriggling into a tiny mini-skirt and a clinging shirt that showed just the right amount of cleavage, she returned from the bathroom to find Jared at her workstation, studying the background research she'd been about to drop by his desk on the way out.Jared Lancaster, one of the Beechbank Courier's star journalists and a close friend. Intelligent, often impatient, but always there for her.Except in a friends-with-benefits way. She didn't even dare hint at her attraction to him-workplace romances could be so messy, and screwing up her friendship with Jared wasn't on her agenda.He noticed her change of clothing and raised an eyebrow, smiling a little. "Going out?""Friend's birthday," she explained, plucking the file from his hands and hoping she wasn't blushing. "And I wasn't finished with that."Ignoring his glare, she picked up a pen from her desk. It slipped through her fingers and skittered across the floor towards Jared, and they both bent to pick it up at the same time, ending up crouching scarcely a foot from each other.He grabbed the pen first and handed it to her. She took it with murmured thanks, then glanced up at him as she began to rise.The expression on his face stole the breath from her lungs, and she could have sworn he was looking down her shirt a moment ago...Her mind in turmoil, Elle straightened and turned to the research document. Trying to reorder her thoughts, she dropped into her desk chair, filled out the paperwork on the last page and slotted it into the file.Holding it out to Jared, she crossed her legs, forgetting she really shouldn't do that in this skirt. His eyes strayed to her exposed thighs, and she was pretty sure he got a glimpse of her thong, too..."See something you like?" she asked softly, pushing back her nerves and focussing on the desire his gaze provoked.He took the file from her, not bothering to look through it. Keeping his gaze locked on hers, he said, "I'm not playing your games, Elle.""Okay," she agreed easily, shrugging. "Let's play yours." Shocked - Genre: Paranormal/Vampire
- Rating: Total-e-Burning
- e-Book: Novella
- ISBN: 978-0-85715-838-3
- Total-E-Bound
One wants to drain her. The other just wants her...Nick is a psivore-he feeds from the life forces of humans, and he's not the only one of his kind. He's been tracking a vicious killer for months, and he's pretty sure where his enemy will strike next.Lissa has the strongest life force in the area, but she doesn't even know it. When Nick tracks her to a club, hoping the killer will show up to drain her energy, it's lust at first sight. Can he protect her from the violent intentions of the psivore he seeks, and will Lissa accept him for who-and what-he is? What the reviewers are saying"This was a cute sweet story. Vampires are not exactly how you thought. Some sweet kinky sex." - Preliminary Goodreads review from The Romance Reviews"Addictive, intriguing and so very, very good." - Jo at Goodreads Read An Excerpt:[Click here to expand/collapse]EXCERPT:She didn't even know what had happened out there-”one second she'd been stepping aside to let someone get by, and the next her hand had brushed this guy's arm and she'd seen sparks. Felt sparks. And that made no sense, because it wasn't until she'd turned and looked at him that she'd even realised he was attractive."Get out of here," he ordered in a low growl, reminding her almost of a cornered animal-”trapped and ready to defend himself if necessary."I'm Lissa," she introduced herself, not bothering to hold out her hand for him to shake-”he wouldn't take it if she did.He hesitated, then nodded acknowledgment. "Nick. And you need to leave. Now.""Not until you tell me how you just gave me the electric shock of my life." She stepped closer and his jaw tightened.Another step, and she halted with a gasp-”the air between them seemed to crackle with an energy she couldn't explain.Her skin prickled with phantom pins and needles and she swayed forward as if there was a magnetic force connecting them. She'd wanted him the moment she saw him-now she'd never wanted anything more in her life. All her common sense had flown from her brain, and she was acting on an instinct she was sure had nothing to do with self-preservation."Stay back." His voice was sharp and commanding.Lissa obeyed without thinking. "What's happening?""I can't hold it back for much longer, and the closer you are, the sooner I'll break." The force field between them was invisible, but it coated her skin, and his voice was a soft vibration through the molecules that separated them.With a light shiver, she whispered, "What happens if you break?""Are you really willing to find out?"She stayed where she was, not testing him by moving forward but not retreating, either. "Is it dangerous?"He stepped back another pace and turned away from her, picking up one of the many disorganised files strewn on the desk as if to distract himself. "Not if I can help it."The whole situation was so insane, and it wasn't an entirely reassuring answer. Okay, so she'd always believed in the paranormal to a certain degree, but she had no idea exactly what kind of paranormal she was dealing with.Do you really wanna tangle with this guy?The thing that confused and thrilled her most was that the answer was still 'yes'. Half of her longing was curiosity, because what he'd done to her out there shouldn't be possible. The other half was based purely on her racing pulse, the slight catch to her breath, the warm flush of her skin...Tangle with him? That was the PG-13 version of what she wanted to do.
Amy Valenti's BacklistPlease Note - Some of the following links will take you to other publishers websites. Total-e-bound is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.Always the Quiet Ones - Genre Ménage a trois FFM
ISBN 978-0-85715-801-7 - Publisher Total-E-Bound Publishing
- View Book
Title Little Tease (Rack and Ruin, Book 1) - Genre BDSM/Suspense
ISBN 9781465831330 - Publisher Self-Published
- View Book
Of Sawdust and Seduction - Genre Paranormal/Contemporary
ISBN 978-1-77101-021-4 - Publisher Breathless Press
- View Book
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