Bloodrose by Lisa Casian

1. How did you start writing erotic romance? I always loved reading romance. Something about strong, handsome men with women issues drew me in.  Who knew?  I wanted to write something I would love to read, something dark with romance, action, and mythological elements. Bloodrose has everything I love in a great story.

2. Plotter or pantster?

            I'm a bit of both. I usually start with the inciting incident. I plot around character, setting, and time period to get an overall snapshot of what I'm getting into. And then I jump. Each new development takes me to the next and on and on. I usually don't plot until after the first draft is written.

3. What are three things you have on your writing desk?

            Computer, notebook, and pen. I need them to survive.

4. Favorite food?

Does chocolate count?

5. Tell us a little about your new release. What character in the book really spoke to you?

Bloodrose is a dark fantasy novel set in 19^th Century France. The story is about Bowen, who's a Shade Hunter and immortal. While hunting for his father, he finds friendship and love. But when his love is snatched from him he travels to Tartarus, breaking from the human world to get her back.   

I love writing characters that are on the precipice of good and evil, characters that the reader isn't sure whether to cheer for or guard themselves against. In Bloodrose I found that character in the Shade. As the story progresses we learn more about him, his past, his flaws, and how he ties to the story. He was a great character to write because I never knew whose side he was on. I still don’t.

6. I write because it keeps me sane____...
7. What is your favorite type of character to write about? As I mentioned above, I love writing characters that are on the precipice of good and evil. They can go either way depending on the circumstances. My Jack Sparrow. I love exploring their humanity and morality by throwing them into impossible situations and figuring out what they would risk/sacrifice to get out. Save themselves or risk themselves for others? These type of characters keep me on my toes.

8. What is the sexiest scene you ever wrote?

Holy smokes…Bloodrose is my first adult romance novel. The first love scene would have to be the sexiest scene up to date. I plan on writing many, many more.

9. What advice would you give new authors in the erotica/romance field?

Remember your readers. There's an element to writing romance. If you write romance, you should read romance. If you read romance, you'll totally understand what I mean.

10. What is next on your writerly horizon?

Although I didn't originally see Bloodrose as a series, I think another story is brewing. Actually, I have two more books brewing in the series.

Author bio: Lisa spends her spare time reading and writing great romance with tough heroines and bad-boy heroes.

Bloodrose is her first published adult romance novel. 

Lisa resides in Chicago with her family, a household of kids, and the bliss of chaos. You can follow her on her blog www.lisacasian.wordpress.com; on twitter @LisaCasian; and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LisaCasianAuthor

Lisa Casian is a communications director for a non-profit organization in Chicago, Illinois. Raised in Chicago's Logan Square community, Lisa was brought up to savor both the mainstream American culture and her Puerto Rican roots. She spent most of her younger years as an avid reader with a wild imagination which led her to write her first manuscript at the age of fourteen.

Lisa completed a Bachelors degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice at Northeastern Illinois University and works in the community strengthening families.

In 2008 she found herself back into her storytelling roots and began writing again. Since then she's published a short story in SQ Magazine and two young adult novels under a different name. 

Lisa spends her spare time reading and writing great romance with tough heroines and bad-boy heroes. Bloodrose is her first published adult romance novel. 

Lisa resides in Chicago with her family, a household of kids, and the bliss of chaos. You can follow her on her blog www.lisacasian.wordpress.com; on twitter @LisaCasian; and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LisaCasianAuthor

Isabeau's life is haunted by nightmares her brother insists are a lie. Bowen's looking to revenge himself against his father while helping his friend. When they meet, all hell breaks loose against Isabeau. Can Bowen protect her? Is love ever the safe choice?

Newly convinced by a mentor to value human life, Bowen, a Shade Hunter, has withdrawn from aristocratic society in pursuit of the creature that made him into the evil that consumes him—his father. Bowen’s plans are thwarted when he assists a wealthy earl in finding his missing fiancé. He’s drawn to the man’s beautiful sister, Isabeau. Bowen soon realizes that their fates are intertwined and she’s aroused a passion in him he’d never thought possible.

Isabeau Harington has always lived in fear. Surviving an attack that killed her parents, she always believed the monsters would return for her. When she meets Bowen, a mysterious, charismatic stranger who drives away those fears, she learns that the very man she’s falling in love with may be in league with the monsters hunting her. As a pawn in an Immortal’s scheme, Isabeau must make the ultimate decision—love or safety?

Book excerpt:

Bowen saw the beasts and knew instantly who had sent them. He clung to the leading beast and bit into its flesh, feeling the erotic sensation of its warm lifeblood. He instantly felt stronger, faster, and more alive. Flinging the beast towards the tree, he charged at the others when he saw Isabeau fall between them. His heart jolted and he allowed his rage to consume him, giving him speed and strength.

He broke through them, slamming one against a nearby tree and the other scurrying in fear. The rain ended and the sky sparked the first rays of the sun's light. Bowen looked down at her as she whispered his name and then she fell silent. He could still hear the beating of her heart, slow and rhythmic, alive.

Aware that he would not be able to protect her, he lifted her in his arms as gently as he could, and ran deeper into the thicket of trees towards the base of the mountain. The first hint of light cascaded through the canopy of trees. Isabeau tightened her grip around his neck, holding onto him as he sped deeper into the shadows, the light at his back. He was out of time. He would die in the sun and she would watch. Shadows marked his path until he reached the mountain and the cavernous terrain. He scrambled up the rocky incline and leapt into the solace of a darkened cave.

He squeezed her tighter, the words of the note in his mind. She'd known what he was, had seen the monster in him when he saved her from the white beast. And she still loved him. But she'd preferred Colin.

Settling her feet on the ground, he leaned against her, their foreheads touching, his breathing raspy. She wrapped her arms around his neck.

"You came back for me."

"It's what I live for. To save you." Sliding her hair behind her ear, he cupped her face in his hand and she leaned into him. Her face bruised, bleeding.

Isabeau deserves a normal life. Peace.

Adam's hollowed words echoed inside the chamber of his mind. "You are safe now," he said, his voice calm.

"What are you?" she asked.

He stiffened and pulled away from her, glancing at the puncture wounds on her neck. He shuddered. "You don't want to know," he said coldly.