Author Interview: Nichelle Gregory

I'm pleased to welcome Nichelle Gregory to the blog with her new book Lovin' Leela. You can find Nichelle at her blog, Simply Sexy Stories, and on Facebook and Twitter.

Welcome to Nights of Passion, Nichelle. What started you writing romance?

I've always been an avid reader of the genre. My parents used to harass me for spending my free time engrossed in a romance novel. They would have preferred I was into mysteries.

How did you develop your craft?

I believe my love for reading has helped hone my craft. I've been reading romance and erotic romance novels since high school. Seriously, you'll never find me without a book in my hand. I learned from the books I've read and enjoyed what works. The pace, the flow, the chemistry between the heroine and hero are what determine a great story. I strive to give erotic romance readers what they want.

What makes a great heroine?

She needs to be a little bit sassy, totally loveable, vulnerable and relatable to the reader. I believe readers seek out at least one trait in the heroine that they recognize in themselves or that they want to see in themselves.

What's sexy?

A real laugh, kissable lips, confidence, and a hard…body.

What makes you laugh?

I love to laugh! Just hearing someone really, really laughing will make me laugh too.

Do you ever incorporate real people or events into your stories?

I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you. Just kidding. Ummm…what was the question?

Heh, heh, heh! We'll let you slip out of that one. How do you balance writing with the rest of your life?

Precariously, it's tough balancing it all, but my love for the craft makes me find a way.

What's the most common mistake people make about you?

I'm a good girl.

What ambitions do you have ahead of you?

More published books! Ultimately, I want to grow as a writer, keep honing my writing and spreading my wings in the publishing

world.

Always a great goal. What's the best advice you ever received?

Forget about what anyone thinks and be you. (Thank you, for the advice…you know who YOU are.)

If money were no object, what would be your ideal vacation?

Kauai Absolutely beautiful.

What's next for you?

A nice glass of Riesling.

Hee! Best way to end an interview.

Thanks for having me on, Ms. Kempe!

Excerpt:

Sam. No one else could be at her door without being buzzed up.

"Leela, it's Sam," he called from the other side.

She put her dinner down and smoothed her sundress as she got up and went to the door. With a deep breath, she opened it. "Hey, Sam." She sounded casual, but her heart was pounding wildly as her eyes locked with Sam's.

He was wearing a pair of loose jeans and a white t-shirt. The cotton hugged his muscled biceps and visible pecs. He looked relaxed and devastatingly sexy.

"Hey, Leela, how are you?"

The strap to her sundress slipped from her shoulder, and she pulled it up aware that his eyes never left her face. "I'm good…you?"

"It's Friday, so I'm good." He moved one of his hands from behind his back, producing a small white box. "This is for you. I'm afraid I ate all the spaghetti and meatballs."

Leela raised an arched eyebrow. "I didn't think you were really serious about that."

"I never joke about spaghetti and meatballs."

She smiled, loving the dimples on his face as he returned a grin.

"I brought you something." He held out the small gift.

"What's this?" Leela took the box from him.

"Banana bread."

She looked up at him. "You didn't!"

"I did. And for the record, when I say something, I'm always serious unless I say otherwise."

She watched him shove his hands into his pockets, tightening the pull of fabric across the zipper of his pants. Zings of awareness skitter along her spine. "Well, thank you. This was so thoughtful. Would you like to come in and have a slice with

me?"

Sam grinned, making the dimples dip deep on his handsome face. "I'm not into banana bread, but I would like to come in, yes." Her stomach somersaulted as they stared at one another for a few seconds. The strap on her dress slipped again, and this time Sam's eyes slid to her bare shoulder. Leela swallowed, surprised again by the wave of desire rushing over her. He was being flirtatious and her response now would set the tone between them.

"Leela?" Sam asked. "Second guessing your initial desire?"

Could he sense the sudden wild craving she had for him?

She squeezed the box of banana bread and released a slow breath. "Look, Sam, I really do appreciate the banana bread but I…" Her voice faltered as his fingers brushed her skin to pull the loose strap back into place.

"You're afraid," he finished, placing one hand on the side of her door. He was gorgeous and arrogant!

She snorted. "Afraid? What are you talking about? I don't even know you.

That's the point." Leela folded her arms across her chest, looking around him to see another neighbour coming towards them.

Sam nodded slowly, then shook his head. "But we're not strangers, Leela. You've been in my home, we've shared my amazing pasta and a bottle of wine. So, that's not what you're afraid of."

"So, what am I afraid of?" she asked staring into the warm coffee depths of his eyes.

A split second before he reached for her, Leela knew he would show her what she feared.

Lovin' Leela is available now with Total E-Bound!

Filed under: Author Interviews, C. Margery Kempe, contemporary romance, erotic romance, Writer's Life, Writing Topics