SULTRY SUMMERS
AT
FEATURED AT THE ROMANCE STUDIO
FOR MAY
the interview
AT
FEATURED AT THE ROMANCE STUDIO
FOR MAY
the interview
It's always special when I'm
featured at The Romance Studio.
Why? Because its always been
home. For all the years I've
written to publish, this has been a
base, an anchor where the people
who run this wonderful review,
and publicity group have been
friends, mentors and family.
There is no better place to have
your books reviewed and
regardless if I receive a 3 heart or
a five, its given with an ethical
read and an honest opinion.
Sultry.
featured at The Romance Studio.
Why? Because its always been
home. For all the years I've
written to publish, this has been a
base, an anchor where the people
who run this wonderful review,
and publicity group have been
friends, mentors and family.
There is no better place to have
your books reviewed and
regardless if I receive a 3 heart or
a five, its given with an ethical
read and an honest opinion.
Sultry.
An Interview with Sultry Summers
By Holly Hewson for The Romance Studio
HH: Sultry, thank you so much for talking with us. Your featured book is Star Tyger. Where
did the idea for this fascinating story?
SS: Thanks for featuring me again at The Romance Studio Holly. The idea for Star TyGer
started several years ago when I did a short story for an anthology with Midnight
Showcase, now a part of Melange Books. Midnight Showcase was doing a series called
Jaded Beasts and they needed a story themed around the Oriental zodiac sign of the
Tiger/Rabbit -- I really don't remember exactly how I came up with it -- TyGer of course was
the tiger part and Sapphire filled the rabbit -- however Sapphire in the story is certainly not
a rabbit by any measure of the definition. She has much too much spunk for that. Since my
imagination is either in outer space or in a flight of fantasy -- well that's what brewed up.
I've always like Flash Gordon but this story, even as a short went way past that. After the
anthology lapsed, I expanded the story and it really flew right into two stories and the start
of a series Heirs Of The Dragon's Eyes.
HH: What do you like best about Sapphire and why will readers identify with her?
SS: Sapphire has the spirit of a warrior. She didn't have an easy childhood. A girl of
Chinese descent with deep blue eyes, she either got tuff or went the other way but she has
powers her parents made her hide -- even born in 125 years into the future a child with the
powers she discovered at puberty, the government would have taken her from her home
and used those powers for the 'states' own ends. I think readers will relate to her because
as kids we've all been teased at some point for a 'difference' and had to deal with it.
Sapphire is really different, beautiful, intelligent, but when she gets aroused, her eyes glow.
If that wouldn't be difficult enough, having blue eyes in a culture where everyone else has
brown, it would be very difficult. The boys would love it, all the girls would hate you.
HH: What can you tell us about Tyger and why will readers be drawn to him?
SS: TyGer too is a warrior, perhaps he doesn't exactly look like one 'dressed' but beneath
that deep blue tunic there are the muscles of a hunk and the heart of a very compassionate
prince who hates Myng and all he stands for. TyGer leads his military, instead of sitting
behind in the rear; he's in the front on the battle lines taking the risks.
HH: What can you tell us about Myng? What a villain!
SS: That he is! The word 'cruel' isn't really strong enough to completely describe him.
Reading the book is the best way to realize all that he is. Myng loves women but not in the
manner of love, by that term I mean he uses them, making them submissive to his will and
it is very easy for him because of his strong pheromones – that is until he meets Solana
and she turns out to be his female counterpart. Throughout the book he controls great evil
by use of the ring he wears inherited from his father and taught by his mother, Jiuli, who
has crossed into the next dimension. She plays a more dominate part in the next book in
the series. Whereas Myng is really horrible, he pales in comparison to Jiuli.
HH: What else do you have in the works?
SS: First of all, book two in the series Heirs Of The Dragon's Eyes due this month, so of
course book three is in the works. I have two other books I'm getting ready for
submissions, both outer space romance adventures as well as several short stories almost
completed. I usually work on more than one project, that way if I get stuck on one I can
switch and give the story a break – and myself. After almost a year without a lot of
production due to a major move, after selling the house down south, I'm a little back logged.
HH: With the rising popularity of ebook readers and devices like the iPad, what changes do
you see coming in the romance genre?
SS: I hope a bigger jump in sales for all of us. I read for the first time e-book sales have out
sold paperbacks -- I knew the day would come despite the skeptics. It just makes sense, e-
books are less expensive to produce, readers have a much wider selection, there aren't a
lot of paperbacks lying around the house after you've read them but you DO have a
wonderful library all compact and ready to be accessed when you want to go back and re-
read your favorites. And now, the problem of piracy is beginning to have some solutions
and that's a good thing for us as authors and for the publishers.
HH: As a romance reader, what sort of stories do you personally prefer?
SS: My romance reader side, loves sci/fi -- fantasy and paranormal however, I enjoy reading
across selection. I just finished one of Mecho Kaku's non-fictions. Have to keep current on
science to write science fiction and I read my daughter's space flight studies books as well
as her Naval battles text books.
I still enjoy reading book like Clancy and Cussler but not so much recently -- Dirk Pitt can
only save the word so many times. Still I enjoy getting lost with him.
HH: What do you do when you get stuck in a story?
SS: I switch to another project if I get really stuck. When I hit a bad wall or a bad writer's
block I'll go hiking or do some gardening (that is IF it isn't winter) down south of course
that wasn't a problem but I'll take the winters here and never complain to be in the
mountains. This past winter writer's block wasn't a problem. I also knit, and do embroidery
and bake -- so should I get really stuck -- I'll do something else -- and painting is in there as
well. As a Gemini, I'm rarely still and rarely board.
HH: Tell us about the best fan mail (email) you've ever gotten.
SS: Hmm. I've had several but the best was from a reviewer who reviewed one of my books,
gave it their groups top rating then e-mailed me how much she enjoyed the book. There is
also the fan who wants a copy of one of my books really badly, (it's currently out of print)
I'm doing some work to get it into a smoother version from the previous print and hope to
have it back out soon. However this fan has consistently asked over a long period time
“when is the book going to be back out?” Makes you feel you are doing something right.
HH: What are your favorite hobbies/activities these days?
SS: Writing, but that's not a hobby -- it seems I do little else since we moved -- I couldn't
work for so long when we were in the process of selling the house and moving. I did little
promo and little writing. At the end of the day I was exhausted with realtors and prospective
buyers in and out and this was after packing and getting the house to be sold. After you
live in a house for 22 years it really takes a lot of effort to get ready for a move, especially
when your husband is already north. So for now, all I want to do is write and walk in the
mountains. Spring is great and luckily my office is on the second floor with four huge
windows that overlook some great views. Some great stories I think will come out of my
little nook.
Thanks again Holly.
HH: Thank you!
By Holly Hewson for The Romance Studio
HH: Sultry, thank you so much for talking with us. Your featured book is Star Tyger. Where
did the idea for this fascinating story?
SS: Thanks for featuring me again at The Romance Studio Holly. The idea for Star TyGer
started several years ago when I did a short story for an anthology with Midnight
Showcase, now a part of Melange Books. Midnight Showcase was doing a series called
Jaded Beasts and they needed a story themed around the Oriental zodiac sign of the
Tiger/Rabbit -- I really don't remember exactly how I came up with it -- TyGer of course was
the tiger part and Sapphire filled the rabbit -- however Sapphire in the story is certainly not
a rabbit by any measure of the definition. She has much too much spunk for that. Since my
imagination is either in outer space or in a flight of fantasy -- well that's what brewed up.
I've always like Flash Gordon but this story, even as a short went way past that. After the
anthology lapsed, I expanded the story and it really flew right into two stories and the start
of a series Heirs Of The Dragon's Eyes.
HH: What do you like best about Sapphire and why will readers identify with her?
SS: Sapphire has the spirit of a warrior. She didn't have an easy childhood. A girl of
Chinese descent with deep blue eyes, she either got tuff or went the other way but she has
powers her parents made her hide -- even born in 125 years into the future a child with the
powers she discovered at puberty, the government would have taken her from her home
and used those powers for the 'states' own ends. I think readers will relate to her because
as kids we've all been teased at some point for a 'difference' and had to deal with it.
Sapphire is really different, beautiful, intelligent, but when she gets aroused, her eyes glow.
If that wouldn't be difficult enough, having blue eyes in a culture where everyone else has
brown, it would be very difficult. The boys would love it, all the girls would hate you.
HH: What can you tell us about Tyger and why will readers be drawn to him?
SS: TyGer too is a warrior, perhaps he doesn't exactly look like one 'dressed' but beneath
that deep blue tunic there are the muscles of a hunk and the heart of a very compassionate
prince who hates Myng and all he stands for. TyGer leads his military, instead of sitting
behind in the rear; he's in the front on the battle lines taking the risks.
HH: What can you tell us about Myng? What a villain!
SS: That he is! The word 'cruel' isn't really strong enough to completely describe him.
Reading the book is the best way to realize all that he is. Myng loves women but not in the
manner of love, by that term I mean he uses them, making them submissive to his will and
it is very easy for him because of his strong pheromones – that is until he meets Solana
and she turns out to be his female counterpart. Throughout the book he controls great evil
by use of the ring he wears inherited from his father and taught by his mother, Jiuli, who
has crossed into the next dimension. She plays a more dominate part in the next book in
the series. Whereas Myng is really horrible, he pales in comparison to Jiuli.
HH: What else do you have in the works?
SS: First of all, book two in the series Heirs Of The Dragon's Eyes due this month, so of
course book three is in the works. I have two other books I'm getting ready for
submissions, both outer space romance adventures as well as several short stories almost
completed. I usually work on more than one project, that way if I get stuck on one I can
switch and give the story a break – and myself. After almost a year without a lot of
production due to a major move, after selling the house down south, I'm a little back logged.
HH: With the rising popularity of ebook readers and devices like the iPad, what changes do
you see coming in the romance genre?
SS: I hope a bigger jump in sales for all of us. I read for the first time e-book sales have out
sold paperbacks -- I knew the day would come despite the skeptics. It just makes sense, e-
books are less expensive to produce, readers have a much wider selection, there aren't a
lot of paperbacks lying around the house after you've read them but you DO have a
wonderful library all compact and ready to be accessed when you want to go back and re-
read your favorites. And now, the problem of piracy is beginning to have some solutions
and that's a good thing for us as authors and for the publishers.
HH: As a romance reader, what sort of stories do you personally prefer?
SS: My romance reader side, loves sci/fi -- fantasy and paranormal however, I enjoy reading
across selection. I just finished one of Mecho Kaku's non-fictions. Have to keep current on
science to write science fiction and I read my daughter's space flight studies books as well
as her Naval battles text books.
I still enjoy reading book like Clancy and Cussler but not so much recently -- Dirk Pitt can
only save the word so many times. Still I enjoy getting lost with him.
HH: What do you do when you get stuck in a story?
SS: I switch to another project if I get really stuck. When I hit a bad wall or a bad writer's
block I'll go hiking or do some gardening (that is IF it isn't winter) down south of course
that wasn't a problem but I'll take the winters here and never complain to be in the
mountains. This past winter writer's block wasn't a problem. I also knit, and do embroidery
and bake -- so should I get really stuck -- I'll do something else -- and painting is in there as
well. As a Gemini, I'm rarely still and rarely board.
HH: Tell us about the best fan mail (email) you've ever gotten.
SS: Hmm. I've had several but the best was from a reviewer who reviewed one of my books,
gave it their groups top rating then e-mailed me how much she enjoyed the book. There is
also the fan who wants a copy of one of my books really badly, (it's currently out of print)
I'm doing some work to get it into a smoother version from the previous print and hope to
have it back out soon. However this fan has consistently asked over a long period time
“when is the book going to be back out?” Makes you feel you are doing something right.
HH: What are your favorite hobbies/activities these days?
SS: Writing, but that's not a hobby -- it seems I do little else since we moved -- I couldn't
work for so long when we were in the process of selling the house and moving. I did little
promo and little writing. At the end of the day I was exhausted with realtors and prospective
buyers in and out and this was after packing and getting the house to be sold. After you
live in a house for 22 years it really takes a lot of effort to get ready for a move, especially
when your husband is already north. So for now, all I want to do is write and walk in the
mountains. Spring is great and luckily my office is on the second floor with four huge
windows that overlook some great views. Some great stories I think will come out of my
little nook.
Thanks again Holly.
HH: Thank you!