Click here to view the current Author Spotlight



Devon Rhodes August 2010

Saturday, July 31, 2010

All about Devon Rhodes


Devon RhodesIt's almost a cliché in this field, but yes, I was the kid who always had my head in the clouds and my nose in a book. I've had thousands of books over the years (and have gotten rid of most of them, so no photos of groaning shelves here!), but I only just began writing last year.

College time, decision time for everyone, and people whose opinions carried a lot of weight with me all told me that a degree in the arts was worthless unless I wanted to be a teacher. Not my idea of the ideal career, so I went the pre-med route, and then backed into business when the upper level science started kicking my...well, transcript.

I was an upper level manager in long-term care eight years ago when I gave up the stress to take on a new challenge...parenting. Which isn't stressful at all. Ahem. And then I had my midlife crisis, which leads me to...



How Devon Rhodes got into Erotic Romance?


E-Bay. Seriously. I had a small E-Bay business (totally unrelated to books) before I began writing. One day I went to my local library sale and picked up a bunch of nice trade-sized paperbacks, and after I read them, I thought I'd auction off the lot. When I looked to see what they were going for, I was shocked to see how well they'd held their value.

I started doing more research, which led me to genre publishers' websites...and their calls for submissions. The old "I could write a better story than that" kicked in, and combined with a looming Big 0 birthday, I finally did what I'd always wanted to do...wrote a book.

That one still hasn't seen the light of day, and perhaps it never will, but the second one I wrote, Wet Your Whistle, a futuristic ménage, will be published by TEB this November. My fourth story was A Pint Light, my first TEB publication and one week shy of being my first contracted book.



The Scoop!


I've done all my published work in the male/male genre, so my current big news is that my first hetero romances will be coming out with TEB beginning this month! A series of four stories titled Seasoned Women, each takes a challenge that forty-something women face (a career that left no time for fun, a biological clock ticking, single parenthood, and the empty nest) and comes up with a sexy solution in the form of a twenty-something man.

The first installment is Sex On Summer Sabbatical, which releases on August 9th. Here is the blurb:

Who knew it would so hard to get a twenty-something man to have sex?

Forced by her employer to take a three month sabbatical, workaholic Tori Warren makes a checklist of things to accomplish which will make the time off worthwhile.

Get into the best shape of her life. Have the most fun of her life. Oh, and have the best sex of her life.

Sexy young Adam comes into her life at just the right time. A physical trainer with a loving-life personality, he should work nicely in helping her meet all three goals. He'd be especially perfect for the best sex. Now if he would only just cooperate...

Look for Falling For The Other Brother in October, Winter's Thaw in December, and Spring Training in March!

I'm also expanding the world in which my Vampires & Mages & Weres, Oh My! series is set, and I'm currently at work on the third and fourth books.



What Devon Rhodes likes to read...


What don't I like to read? In this genre, I cut my teeth on Carol Lynne--in fact, she lead me to TEB. I enjoy sexy thrillers by Laurell K Hamilton and Karen Marie Moning, and anything by Stephen King. I also enjoying the classics and actually have (and have read) the complete works of Shakespeare.




INTERVIEW

The Sensible Questions:

1.How have your life experiences affected your writing?
I write about a lot of things I haven't personally experienced, but I do think growing up doing a lot of travelling and interacting with different people has given me a rich bank of memories and impressions from which to draw.

2.Which of your characters is your favourite, and why?
Is it corny to say, whoever I'm writing at the moment? If you threatened me with bodily harm, I'd have to say Abe from Silver & Gold. He's the perfect combination of sweet and sassy, confident and vulnerable. Totally hot but not conceited. And snarky to boot, just like me.

3.What heat level do you enjoy writing most, and why?
I love the nitty-gritty, crank it up, burning and melting hot stuff. Why water it down?

4.What authors have influenced you most (not necessarily in the romance genre)?
Some of my first loves were Kathleen Woodiwiss, Stephen King, Tom Clancy, and Jean Auel. As far their influence on me, I aspire to reach the world-building talent and ability of all my favourites to write those enthralling, sweeping sagas. Sigh, so good.

5.Which comes to you first when you write, the basic premise of the plot, or the characters?
About an even split of both. For A Pint Light, it was the premise (what if a vampire story didn't have to be dark and angsty?). With Through The Red Door, I envisioned my angel and demon then built a story around them.

6.What is the biggest lesson that you've learned since you began writing?
Don't force it. If the story needs to be manhandled down a path, it's not the right way for it to go. Characters who don't gel aren't being ornery, you just haven't allowed them to go in the right direction.

7.Describe your writing space.
Wherever I can sit comfortably with my laptop - with a place to set my coffee. At home, in my new house I just love!, I have an old hotel chair and ottoman (pictured here in the old house) in a high-ceilinged office with French doors. But of course, I'm not always at home. Right now I'm in Mom's sunroom, curled up in a recliner listening to the thunderstorm driving the rain against the window. A few days ago, I was stretched out on a chaise longue in the shade at a resort, glancing up occasionally to watch the kids making new friends in the pool.

Shasta
Shasta

My space!
My space!

The Pool!
The Pool!





The Naughty Questions:



How many toys do you have in your toy-box? (and we don't mean Barbie dolls!)
Apparently I need to do some shopping since I can count them on one hand!

What or who does your ideal man look like?
I love tall, athletic guys. And a great smile and healthy dose of confidence really puts the frosting on my cake. Jessie Pavelka, yum. I like a guy who could pick me up with no effort at all. The body part I secretly check out (besides the obvious ones)-”forearms. Mmm.

Hot!
Hot!

Jessie Pavelka - hotter!
Jessie Pavelka - hotter!

Hotter!
Hotter!

Hottest!
Hottest!





Are any of the sexy scenes in your books based on real life?
Oh yeah. Although you have to add in the imagination factor, since I am a woman and write a lot of gay sex. A little secret - the scene where the hero wakes up in his neighbours' bed after sleepwalking? I did that...more than once.

What kind of clothing do you like to wear in order to feel sexy?
Comfortable and flattering, but not "mom" clothes. Not that I have much that isn't mom clothes anymore!

What kind of clothing do you think makes men look sexy?
Clothing? Why would I want them in clothing? Oh, well, okay, maybe some low-slung jeans. With a button-fly. Mostly unbuttoned.

What is the most outrageously naughty thing you've ever done?
Snuck into someone's house and into bed while they were sleeping. I just had an impulse to cut through the whole I-like-you-do-you-like-me?-let's-have-date-after-date-until-we-find-out. Oh, the things you do in college. And that wasn't the sleepwalking incident either.


Releases

Devon Rhodes's Releases

Through The Red Door



Through The Red Door
  • Genre: M/M Paranormal
  • Rating: Total-e-Melting
  • e-Book: Novella
  • ISBN: 978-0-85715-169-8
  • Total-E-Bound

Book two in the Vampires & Mages & Weres, Oh My! Series

Just a demon's luck. Seth finally finds the perfect house...and it comes with an angel.

The last thing that demon Seth expects to come across while househunting is an injured angel...especially one who has no idea he's anything but human. Every instinct in him wants to stay far away, but Kyrian is being targeted by another demon, and Seth reluctantly finds himself playing guardian to the irresistible male.

Kyrian has no idea what is 'haunting' his house, but after he breaks his ankle being shoved off the deck, he's had enough. Strong, handsome Seth is a godsend, making him feel safe and secure. But he alludes to secrets that will test everything Kyrian believes...and turns the tables on just who needs protecting.

Reader Advisory: This book is part of a series, but can easily be read as a standalone book.

What the reviewers are saying

"4.5 Nymphs. I loved this story! This is the first book I've read in this series, but I plan to add the upcoming releases to my list of future reads. Action, suspense and erotic scenes designed to make you squirm are awaiting you in Through the Red Door." Literary Nymphs Reviews


Read An Excerpt:[Click here to expand/collapse]

A Pint Light



A Pint Light
  • Genre: Seasonal/ Vampire/ Gay
  • Rating: Total-e-Burning
  • e-Book: Short Story
  • ISBN: 978-1-907280-37-5
  • Total-E-Bound

Book one in the Vampires & Mages & Weres Oh My! Series

Valerian stole Raine's blood, his magic...and his heart.

What's a vampire to do when every day is the same old dull quest for blood? Head to Maui, of course. But before Valerian can hit the beach, he needs to get rid of the sultry mage seducing him in his sleep. She may have fooled his subconscious, but he doesn't need a mate complicating his life. Imagine Val's shock when he finds out she's a he, yet still has the power to arouse him beyond anything he'd ever imagined.

Raine faints at the sight of blood and isn't looking forward to being a vamp's chew toy. Still, family duty calls, and Valerian turns out to be the hottest, and most powerful, male on two legs. Raine is crushed when the sexy vamp of his dreams runs from their rough play in horror. But his pride can't stand in the way when Valerian accidently steals his magic along with his blood.

Now, with time running out, Raine needs to seduce him one last time to even up the score, and maybe this time, they'll exchange more than blood and power. Magic is in the air, and sometimes love only needs a little nudge.

What the reviewers are saying

"5 Delightful Divas-”Reviewer Recommended Read. A fun and light-hearted story, Devon Rhodes' A Pint Light was a real treat to read...I hope that there's a LOT more to come from the mind and wonderful creative imagination of Devon Rhodes... Soon please!" Dark Diva Reviews

"4.5 out of 5! Rhodes adds in just the right amount of hot n' steamy sex to get your mind racing and gets your imagination hopping and reels you into the story. This is a fantastic read." Night Owl Romance Reviews


Read An Excerpt:[Click here to expand/collapse]

A Detour Home



A Detour Home
  • Genre: Contemporary/ Gay
  • Rating: Total-e-Burning
  • e-Book: Short Story
  • ISBN: 978-0-85715-031-8
  • Total-E-Bound

Homecoming Valentines Collection, stories of love lost and love found: "If you love someone, let them go. If they return to you, it was meant to be. If they don't, their love was never yours to begin with..."

The road to love is never smooth, and when Jon pushes Cameron away with his demands, he thinks he's lost his chance forever.

Jon has held his love for Cameron in check, waiting for his late-blooming friend to grow up. Then one college summer working road construction, they are forced to share a bed, bringing them closer than ever before. The dark nights spent in each other's arms reveal their mutual attraction, but Jon pushes too far, too fast.

Cam has looked up to his best friend Jon for years and trusts him completely. He enjoys the gentle loving they share but when Jon wants to go further than he's ready for, Cam balks, and Jon's reaction costs them their friendship.

Years later, Cam needs a friend, and Jon returns home to lend his support. Has there been too much water under the bridge, or will they both finally be ready to embrace the love they once lost?

What the reviewers are saying

"Four Stars. "A Detour Home" is not a long story and therefore I worried that it wouldn't be told with much depth or emotion, but it is...A Detour Home" is short, sweet, and sexy." Rainbow Reviews


Read An Excerpt:[Click here to expand/collapse]



Devon Rhodes's Backlist

Please 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.

Rough Riders - in the Gaymes anthology

Rough
  • Genre M/M Contemporary
    ISBN 9780857150158
    ISBN Print978-1-907280-83-2
  • Publisher Total-E-Bound
  • View Book






One Wild Wish

One
  • Genre M/M Paranormal
    ISBN 9781615814961
  • Publisher Dreamspinner Press
  • View Book






Neighbors By Day, Naughty By Night - in the Necking anthology

Neighbors
  • Genre M/M/M Menage, Contemporary
    ISBN 9781615813711
  • Publisher Dreamspinner Press
  • View Book






Silver & Gold

Silver
  • Genre M/M Contemporary
    ISBN 9781615813384
  • Publisher Dreamspinner Press
  • View Book






Remarkable Restraint - in the Games In The Dark anthology

Remarkable
  • Genre M/M BDSM
    ISBN 9781615810635
  • Publisher Dreamspinner Press
  • View Book







Archive

Click on the links below to view previous Author Spotlights

Shopping Basket

Your basket is empty

By visiting and viewing the content of this site you confirm that you are aged 18 or above or the age applicable for viewing adult material in any territory outside the United Kingdom