Friday Fun: Meet Author Emma Lai!

It's my pleasure to welcome the fabulous EMMA LAI! She's brought her hot new release, RIDING RODEO. *Yummy cover, Emma* 

You can find out all about Emma and her work at http://emmalaiwrites.wordpress.com/ including Buy Links to all her delicious stories :)

 Emma is giving away a copy of her book to one lucky commentator, so get typing, ladies! LOL  You know you want to read about these hot cowboys.

Hi, Emma! Thanks for being here today.

Was your road to publication a delightful stroll in the park or a tiring jog over hot coals?

Anyone who’s heard my story probably hates me. I wrote a short in two days, submitted it, heard back in three weeks requesting increased length, sent revisions in, got a contract.

 However, I’ve had my ups and downs. I’ve been asked to cut a scene I was highly attached to. I’ve had my first full-length rejected (really, a rewrite and resubmit--but it’s a painful rewrite, though thankfully not like the scene that ended up on the editing floor.) I’ve received reviews that made me cringe. I’ve met rude writers, though thankfully not editors. I’ve ranted and raved and pulled out my hair, but in the end I return to my keyboard.

 As long as I have readers, I will write.

What music are you listening to lately?

I listen to a wide array of music. As I type this, I’m listening to old country: “When You Say Nothing At All” by Keith Whitley; “Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On” by Mel McDaniel; “Convoy” by C.W. McCall; “Crazy” by Patsy Cline; “Daddy’s Hands” by Holly Dunn...among many others. Feel good songs that remind me of carefree childhood days and crazy teen years on a cool Houston day.

The country song I best associate with Riding Rodeo would of course be “Ride a Horse (Save a Cowboy)” by Big & Rich. Though if anyone is a fan of The Sing Off on NBC, Darmouth Aires did an awesome a cappella rendition that was loads of fun. 

Tell us about your real life romance.

I have been married to my amazing husband going on seven years, with no itch in sight. We started off as coworkers twelve years ago and became fast friends because we have similar senses of humor. When we went through our respective nasty divorces to our college sweethearts, we helped each other deal with the anger and depression and all the other negative emotions associated with the process. (Yes, it is true, friends get divided by divorcing couples.)

 The general advice you receive when going through a divorce is not to date for at least two years, but when you find that person who can see you at your worst, support you through it--even make you laugh through it--you don’t let them go.

 We’ve moved halfway across the country, had jobs we hated, lived in places we despised, but none of it mattered because we were together making each other laugh. We’ve had other challenges--financial difficulties and the birth of a child--that tested the strength of any relationship. (Yes, a child is a blessing, but it also puts stress on relationships in never before tested ways.) Now, here we are on the upswing--companies are doing better and the boy-child is a precocious two--and we’re stronger than ever.

 Everything we’ve gone through together only makes us appreciate each other more. He’s my best friend.

What was the best advice you were given leading you to getting published?

If you don’t submit, you don’t get published. So, submit, submit, submit!

If you could switch places with one of your characters would you?

Every time I write, get into the head of one of my characters, I am essentially switching places with them. But while I enjoy the mini-vacation from my life, I would never trade fantasy for my reality.

Tell us a little about your WIP.

Riding Rodeo is my latest release. It’s part of the Cowboy Kink series from The Wild Rose Press. This, of course, means it’s HOT, HOT, HOT!

Blurb:

The last person Amanda Goodson expected to walk into her bakery was Sean Cassidy, the bareback bronc rider who rode her hard one night and left without a good-bye the next day. Since then, she'd sworn off one-night stands and cowboys, but one look at the man she called Rodeo leaves her hankering for another ride. 

A nasty injury ended Sean's career and left him with nothing but time to contemplate past sins, especially the most damning one...walking out on Amanda, the one woman he couldn't forget. Eager to right the biggest mistake of his life, he finds Amanda--and learns he has competition. Never one to back down from a challenge, he offers to fulfill her darkest fantasy--taking two cowboys for a ride. 

When the dust settles, will Sean's plan to win Amanda's trust backfire or will she risk her heart for one more shot at Riding Rodeo?

What is your favorite time of year?

I have two favorite times of year. Both are when the weather in Houston is in the 60s or low 70s and the sky is clear and beautiful--though a few gray days are fine as well. It’s perfect weather to be outside without being too hot or too cold.

Tropical or European vacation?

Both? I love to travel. I’ve been to Costa Rica in November and Austria in May. The tropics are lovely when the weather at home is cold and Europe is beautiful when spring is in the air. Hubby and I both dream of traveling the world in a couple of years, once the boy-child gets old enough to yell, “Stranger! Danger!” (Though, he’s actually not one to wander beyond our sight, or even outside of 10 feet from us.)