M. Malone Interview Today Oct. 10/18/13

                 1 Rad-Reader Reviews

      Is proud to have M. Malone

Rad-Reader:  Where did you grow up and did it influence you’re writing at all?

I’m originally from the Tidewater area in Virginia. Due to that I love the beach and decided to create my own seaside town to use in my stories. That’s where my fictional town of New Haven, Virginia came from.

Rad-Reader:  What are the first 3 words you think of when you think of your newest book?

Intense, sexy, redemption

Rad-Reader:  How did you dream up the Alexander family?  What would your newest lead characters like about themselves? 

The Alexanders series is about a multi-racial family that lives in southern Virginia. It was important to me to write about a diverse cast of characters since Virginia is so diverse. I really wanted to write a romance series that reflects the reality I know.

My newest hero, Matt Simmons, appreciates strength of character. He’s having a rough time adjusting to civilian life after his time in the Army but he has the determination to get through it. He also has the support of the Alexander family who consider him one of their own.

Rad-Reader:  What books influenced your writing style do you think?  Why?

When I first started reading romance, there weren’t many ethnic authors in the genre. However, Brenda Jackson, Francis Ray and Felicia Mason wrote family sagas with ethnic characters that I adored. I am a lifelong fan of these authors. It seems natural to me that I’d gravitate toward writing interconnected family sagas myself. Of course, my unique twist is that my books are usually more erotic. I’m able to blend erotic romance and family saga now that readers are more accepting of a high heat level.

Rad-Reader:  Is there an author you would like to meet and why?

I’d love to have a dinner date with Stephen King. He’s so talented that it’s actually frightening. I read half of his book Needful Things when I was a teen and it scared me so badly that I didn’t pick it up again to finish until ten years later.

Any author that can stay so vividly in your mind that you remember to finish reading a book a decade later, is a mastermind.

Rad-Reader:  Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, or hardback books?

I love e-books for the convenience factor. I love the fact that I can have the equivalent of a library in my purse.

Rad-Reader:  There are a lot of books turned into movies any you can think of you like the movie better than the book?

I loved the Harry Potter books but there was something truly special about experiencing Hogwarts on the big screen. I read the books as an adult and watched the movies like a kid!

Rad-Reader:  What are you currently reading and in what format (e-book, paperback, or hardcover?)

E-book. I read almost everything on my Kindle. I’m reading Relentless Pursuit by Kathleen Brooks. Her books are funny, southern romantic suspense.

Rad-Reader:  Any authors that you have seen lately that they have just grabbed your attention?

Chloe Cox writes really sexy erotic romances set in a BDSM club. I’ve read her whole series and loved it.  I also just finished the latest in Tina Folsom’s erotic romance vampire series. I’ve been a fan of hers for a while now.

I don’t know either of these authors personally, these are just random people I’ve discovered browsing on Amazon and loved their books.

Rad-Reader:  Who does your covers and do you have any say over them?

I do my own covers and have been so shocked at how much I’ve come to love graphic design. It takes a lot of time and energy to find stock art and I really wish there were more resources for multicultural stock art.

Rad-Reader:  Do you do trailers or have you thought about doing them?  Why?

I did one book trailer years ago and haven’t done one since. I think they can work well for some authors but I could never figure out how to market it!

Rad-Reader:  Do you write under a pen name?  Why?

Minx Malone is definitely not my real name. My parents weren’t that cool. LOL. I like to protect my privacy but also, the name is a marketing strategy as well. I could have chosen something plain like Jane Smith as my pen name but I wanted something memorable and cheeky. When readers pick up one of my books, they know what they’re getting. A quirky, fun, lighthearted read.

Rad-Reader:  Your funniest childhood memory.

My little sister and I were playing with our new Barbie Jacuzzi one day and having a grand time. It had a little pump on the side where you put soap and then you could hit it over and over to create bubbles.

Apparently our poor mother had no idea what a big mess the toy would create before she gave it to us because before long we were sitting in the midst of this massive puddle of suds and shrieking with excitement. Suddenly, our mom just snatched up the Barbie Jacuzzi and walked away. My sister and I were so stunned that we didn’t even protest.

We never saw it again.

Our mother was extremely patient but that day, I think it was just too much for her. She made that Jacuzzi disappear into thin air. We still laugh about it to this day.

Of course, now that I’m a mom I understand completely. I’ve made plenty of toys “disappear” over the years.

Rad-Reader:  Any Pets or pet peeves? LOL

My biggest pet peeve is seeing words misspelled. It drives me crazy! Or when people use the wrong word entirely like “I just new he was the one for me.” My inner editor is going “it’s KNEW” and curled up on the floor whimpering.

Rad-Reader:  Your Favorite: Drink, dessert, & food?

I’m a weirdo and usually don’t like the same things as everyone else. I’m honestly not the biggest chocolate fan. I do, however, love PASTA. If you give me a big bowl of spaghetti or a plate of ravioli, I’m a happy girl.

Rad-Reader:  If you could be one of your characters for one day, which one would you be & why?

I would love to be Julia Alexander for a day. She’s so loved by her whole family and everyone in her community. Also, she’s a confidante to a lot of people and the keeper of many secrets. I think it’d be interesting to be the center of all that for a day. Only for a day though. After that, I think her life would be too hectic and exhausting for me!

Rad-Reader: I want to be each of your leading ladies.  The men are strong but their hearts are all in the right place family. But, Matt and Jackson so far have just melted my heart. Will we see anything from Bennett?  We know little about him.

Bennett has emerged as a reader favorite (right after the strong and silent Elliott). Bennett is definitely getting his own book and you’ll see how he develops into a strong leading man in his own right over the next few books. I love writing about unlikely heroes. Bennett is highly intelligent but shy, tongue-tied and socially awkward. Most people wouldn’t think he was romance hero material.

I do.

Rad-Reader:  What are you working on now?

I’m finishing Christmas with the Alexanders, which is a novella set to release in November. This will be a nice teaser for Elliott and Kaylee’s book (releasing in January 2014) but also a look back at the previous characters. You’ll get to see Ridley as a stepmom, how Raina’s faring as a new mother and how Matt and Penny are adjusting to living together.

I’m enjoying catching up with all the characters and sharing their Christmas traditions. Reading this book is going to feel like a big, warm hug.

Rad-Reader:  What are the things you never leave home without (apart from: keys, money, & phone)

Kindle, lip gloss and a ponytail holder.

Rad-Reader:  Do you like to sleep late or get up early on the weekends?

Sleep late. Where do you think all these naughty book ideas come from? My dreams! LOL

Rad-Reader:  Laptop, desktop or longhand when writing your wonderful stories like anything “Alexanders”?

Laptop. Sometimes I scribble longhand when I’m not near a computer. I’ve also been known to write whole scenes on my phone.

Rad-Reader:  Your favorite gadget you can’t live without? Anything.

iPhone. Not because I’m talkative but because it has all my story notes in it! I like to jot things down when I’m on the go.

Rad-Reader:  When’s your best time to write?

Evening. I wish I could be a morning person but I don’t think it’ll ever happen.

Rad-Reader:  Do you read reviews and do they affect your day either way good or bad?

I used to read reviews. I’ve stopped because I don’t think it serves any purpose other than to stroke your ego or tear you down. Bad reviews can really mess with my writing process and make me second-guess what I’m doing. I don’t need that negative energy.

I already know that I have an awesome group of fans. Those are the people I’m writing for now. If I gain new fans, that’s great. If not, then I’m still grateful for the amazing fans I already have.

Rad-Reader:  On your last book “He’s the Man” & you next book, what actor, if it was made into a TV series or movie would you like to see playing your characters?  Feel free to send pics.  I can see Kellen Lutz or Eric Winter for Matt and for Penny: Katherin Heigl

In my Facebook readers group (facebook.com/groups/alexanderfans) we regularly post pics of our favorite “inspirations”. I like an actor named Justice Joslin as Matt even though he has blue eyes. Just put brown contacts on him and he’s perfect.

 

For my next book, I chose the actor Lance Gross as the inspiration for Elliott.

My favorite character inspiration ever though is actor Tom Hardy as Raina’s bodyguard Sam.

This has gotten the most shares on my Pinterest board of all! (http://www.pinterest.com/minxmalone/the-alexanders)

Anyone who looks at the pictures on our board can see that this is truly a multicultural series!

Rad-Reader:  Can you recommend any good books you’ve read lately?

I already mentioned Kathleen Brooks and Tina Folsom as two authors I love. You also can’t go wrong with Shayla Black for erotic romance or Francis Ray if you enjoy family sagas.

Rad-Reader:  Where can we reach you? Facebook, Goodreads, Tweeter, etc…

The easiest route to reach me is my website because I have links to all my social media right at the top.

http://www.mmalonebooks.com

I’m also on my readers group on Facebook constantly here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/alexanderfans

I love connecting with readers and usually share tidbits about my writing process, behind-the-scenes info about the characters and updates on the latest books. Hope to see you there!