How long have you been writing?

For as long as I can remember.

Did you always want to be an author?

No. Actually I always wanted to be a dancer but an injury when I was seventeen put an end to that!

When you began writing, how long did it take you to submit your first manuscript?

From start to finish? About four months.

Do you work with a critique/editing partner before submitting a book to your publisher?

No.

What other creative outlets do you have besides writing?

I play piano and dance - my favourite forms of the latter being belly dancing and flamenco.

You’ve written in many genres; do you have a favorite? And if so, why?

No, not really. When I begin a story I don't really think about what genre it will fit into. It just seems to end up falling into one more than the other. That said, almost all of my stories entail an element of mystery or suspense.

What is the one word or phrase that will get you hot and bothered when you’re reading a book?

Gosh, only one? That's hard - no pun intended. I don't know. Maybe 'moan.' Or 'mouth'. There's something far more erotic about 'mouth' than 'lips.'

On one side, a strong sexual relationship between characters is very important, but on the other, it is just as important that the stories can stand on their own without this element. How important do you feel the sexual relationship is in making a story interesting?

In each of my stories, the romance/sexual tension is definitely there but it is always a secondary element - a subplot if you will. It's necessary in that it sweetens the story, sort of like the icing on the cake. But it's not the cake. :)

The heroes in your books are sexy, alpha males, and if you could have kept one, who would have you chosen and why?

Gosh, that's a tough one. Who could resist the lure of Devante Matiero in Blood Bytes? Mind you Valian de Mortenoire in The Cure is no slouch either and then again, there's something very appealing about a horse-handling, nature-loving guy like Kyle Cassidy in Crimson Hours (Midnight). I can't decide. You choose!


How do you come up with the names for your leading characters?

Sometimes I hunt for unusual names and choose them by their meaning; other ones just come to me and I like the sound on my lips, like Devante Matiero. It just rolls off...

Do your characters ever take control in the direction of their stories?

Do they ever? When don't they?

Have you ever had trouble getting the hero and heroine in bed?

Not yet. Actually it's harder keeping them out of it. LOL.

Have you ever had one of those profound “AH-HA!” moments while you were writing? Would you be willing to share it?

Because I don't plot ahead of time I always have an Aha! moment when I'm writing - sometimes more. In Blood Bytes there were several but one integral plot point came when I was trying to figure out how Tess could 'investigate' Devante on his professional playing field without him knowing i.e. she couldn't hire him as herself, or at least, as someone Devante recognized. Hence, the whole morphing concept was born.

Is there ever a point in writing a book where you have to step back because you feel it is getting too intense?

I don't know about intense, but as I have a fairly demanding full-time job sometimes it gets a little too stressful - especially when up against competing deadlines. As a general rule, I take a multi-week breather between projects just to give my brain a rest.

Do you find there is a lot of stereotyping of characters when writing certain types of stories?

Yes, I think that romance in particular sees some writers relying on what has sold in the past and just plug into that same concept with a different name or setting.

How do you feel about the current attitude towards erotic romance fiction in the mainstream media?

That depends. What's the 'current attitude?' :) Basically speaking, I've always believed that when it comes to art of any kind, anything should and can go. If others don't like it, then they don't have to listen to it, watch it or look at it, or, in the case of books, read it.

Can you tell us about some of your upcoming projects?

I am in the middle of one of those multi-week breaks right now - and one that will more than likely last until the New Year. However, I have been 'haunted' by the recent idea of a story about a closeted-vampire cop and the witness he is hired to protect so I may have to start work on that sooner than later. I also have my first non-vampire murder mystery in the works as well. That one is about a Boston P.I. who returns to her New York home to investigate a series of murders taking place in a cloistered seminary.

Where can readers find out more about you?

On my website www.susanphelan.com

Now for a little TwoLips Pillow Talk

…go ahead have a little fun!!!

What is your favorite word for penis? For real? Cock. For fun? Schlong.

What is your least favorite word for penis? It's a tie: Tool or Member.

What animal would best describe you? Unicorn.

Is there a sex scene you have always wanted to use in a book and never have? Why haven’t you? No. I find the sex scenes evolve as natural progressions of the relationship as it unfolds. I never envision a sex scene ahead of time.

Does size really matter? How small we talking? :) If it's thimble-esque - yes. But average or just below - no. And I think only the women in erotic novels enjoy the battering ram variety.

And if so, which is better girth or length? The Kinsey report says girth so who I am to argue?

Please click on the book covers to read Ms. Phelan's books that has been reviewed at TwoLips Reviews: 

Blood Bytes has received both a Recommended Read and Reviewer's Choice Awards!