Q&A with Mimi Strong, Author of We are Made of Stardust

Interview

Q. Is sexy, smooth Dalton Deangelo based on a certain real actor who plays a vampire on TV?

A. Yes and no. It's based on the mile-high girlie crush one of my friends has on the actor Ian Somerhalder, and the hypnotic hold he seems to have on this grown, married woman, much to my amusement! She blushes when she talks about him.

Q. Where did the idea for We are Made of Stardust come from?

A. My favorite romantic movie is Notting Hill, and I think any of us who've worked a retail job have fantasized about our favorite actor walking through the door! I think this story has been in my head for years. Most people would get so nervous, they wouldn't even speak to the actor, so I needed a girl who could hold her own and then some. Along came Peaches. She doesn't see herself as a fun girl, but oh boy is she fun.

Q. How long does it take you to write a novel?

A. I wish I was one of those speedy authors who can write a full-length novel in one week, but it takes me about 5 weeks to complete a first draft of something as long and involved as We are Made of Stardust. Then I still have to do research and editing. I think the second novel in the series will go faster, as I know the characters better. I'm always working hard so my readers don't have to wait long.

Q. What kind of music do you listen to when you write?

A. The band that lives below me. But! Not anymore, because I've just moved. Me, Mr. Strong, and our two handsome kitties are now in a quieter neighborhood. Actually, We are Made of Stardust is the reason we moved. All that writing about quaint, quiet small town life in Beaverdale gave me a ferocious craving to move. So, in the middle of writing the book, we gave notice and started looking for a new place! I uploaded the book to Amazon about 8 hours before the movers showed up.

Q. Is the Peaches Monroe series going to be long? Is it a love triangle? Will every book end on a brutal cliffhanger?

A. I've never written a long, multi-book series. I hope that you readers will guide me. Please post reviews and talk about the book. Tell me what you'd like to see happen. I have some big, big plans, but nothing is locked in until it's published.

Q. Why do you self-publish?

A. I started self-publishing in 2011 when I couldn't find a publisher for my first novel, Charlie. (Written under my YA pen name, Dalya Moon.) That's when I first discovered the amazing indie community, with book bloggers and other fun authors such as the folks who hang out in the Kboards' Writers' Cafe. From then, there was no stopping me! Stardust is book #15 for me, and I'm having a lot of fun. Oh, it's stressful at times, and there are low moments, but those times are when you find out what you're made of. I think what keeps me grounded are the great friends I've made, and giving back to the indie community.

Q. Thong or granny panties?

A. I like a little coverage, but not so much that it sticks out above the waistband of my jeans.

Q. When people find out you write erotic romance, do they treat you like a freak?

A. Yes, but the cool people treat you like the right kind of freak. People already think I'm weird that I self-publish. Actually, most random acquaintances find the topic quite dull until I mention I write “dirty billionaire stuff,” which is why I usually keep it under my hat. It's hard for me to really cut loose if I'm thinking about people reading the books.

The Book

Title: We are Made of Stardust

Series: Peaches Monroe #1

Author: Mimi Strong
Pages: 288

Age Group:  New Adult/Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publication Date: June 22nd 2013
Available Formats: E-Book

Add the book: Goodreads  

Buy the book:  Amazon   | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:


Peaches Monroe, age 22, is the sassy, plus-sized manager of a bookstore in the small town of Beaverdale, Washington.

One Saturday afternoon, she's balancing precariously on a chair, in a bridesmaid dress, when a handsome dark-haired man comes running into the bookstore. He knocks Peaches over, she lands in his muscular arms. They lock gazes, and ...

She recognizes him.

As the sexy vampire heartthrob she watches on TV every week.

Peaches and Dalton Deangelo are completely wrong for each other. He's only in town temporarily, working on an indie movie. She should stay away. He should stay away, too.

But they're drawn to each other. Dalton claims it's because they're made from the same stardust.

Excerpt

The bookstore was my whole life, set up just how I liked it. Sometimes in the evening, after we were closed and the lights were dimmed, I found it difficult to leave the space. I'd stay behind and watch the traffic on the rainy street outside, as people walked back and forth, going to Java Jones or DeNirro’s, unaware of me, sitting in the dark.

Dalton pulled open the front door, and the sounds of the world came in. He'd probably get a phone call and make some excuse before we were half-way there, and I'd be going to the wedding alone. I'd had other men make big promises before, and it always started like this: the grand, spontaneous gesture. The excuses kicked in later.

My eyes were wide open.

Dalton turned to me, his beautiful green eyes bright with promise. “Let's have some fun.”

It was exactly what I needed to hear. “Fun,” I agreed, and I walked ahead of him out the door.

“What is it about bridesmaids?” he asked as soon as we were outside.

I laughed. “Maybe it's our association with the bride, all dressed in white and virtuous.”

He held out his arm for me to hold his elbow, like a gentleman. “You, Peaches Monroe, are looking quite virtuous yourself. That pretty dress with all the ruffles. You're so clean and nice, you give me bad thoughts.”

I laughed, harder this time. “Wow. You don't waste any time. You just say whatever you want, don't you?”

He grinned. “I suspect I've met my match in you.”

“Are you always like this? I feel like I've known you for years, but I've been watching you on TV. You don't know me, though, but you seem pretty comfortable.”

“My car's this way,” he said, pulling me to the right. “And who's to say I don't already know you? Maybe we share a common past.”

“I think I'd remember that.”

He stopped walking and turned to look at me. Really look at me. With those gorgeous green eyes, set in that achingly handsome face.

I started to worry he was going to kiss me. Or not kiss me. Either way, I was in big trouble.

He looked down my body, along my fluffy bridesmaid gown, like he was formulating a plan to get it off of me.

Forget the wedding, I thought. Unzip me, bend me over, and make me call you weird names until the sun comes up.

He smiled, as if he was his vampire character, and could read my mind.

The Author

Mimi Strong writes chick-lit, erotic romance, sex comedy, and new adult contemporary romance. Most of her characters have a strong sense of humor.

Here's what she has to say:

I've always had a lot of sides. Sometimes I'm vulnerable, and sometimes I go after what I want without a single doubt.

My favorite person is my husband. If I can crack him up and see his eyes crinkle at the corners, my day is made. In fact, I love making everyone around me laugh.

I've always enjoyed empowering stories about kick-butt women who don't hold back and the awesome men who are smart enough to love them. Now that I'm writing these stories, I couldn't be happier. I hope you enjoy them too!

Connect with the Author: Website / Goodreads / Facebook