Today we are interviewing Silvia Violet. She is the author of the wildly popular Wild R Farm series and her Fitting In series is looking to be just as amazing.

Cindy S.: Having read and reviewed Fitting In and her newest story Sorting Out, I was fascinated by the concept of the threesome relationship between Jack, Gray and Mason. I’d like to know your inspiration for this series. I would love to meet these men and get to know them.

Silvia Violet: A friend who loves to read gay menages challenged me to write one. I’d already been thinking about writing a story involving cops who were struggling with the desire to make their relationship known. As I imagined the cops going about their day, they walked into a bar, started talking to Mason, the bartender, and the story ran from there.

CS: I love the BDSM play in these novels and I’m wondering if this is a world you have personal knowledge of or something you’ve just researched well?

SV: Thank you. BDSM is something I’ve researched, not a lifestyle I participate in myself. I enjoy writing D/s scenes as much for the psychological aspects as the physical ones. I find the need for trust and communication and the ability of a dominant and a submissive to bring each other a special brand of pleasure intriguing and it is a great way to show character development too.

CS: In the first novel, Fitting In, we watch as the three men struggle to find their way to having a relationship together. In Sorting Out they face a whole new set of issues plus some leftover problems from the first novel. Why did you re-visit this triad of wonderful characters? Were they still whispering in your ear? And will there be more from this world you’ve created?

SV: I hadn’t originally planned to do a sequel, but there were several questions left unanswered in Fitting In, particularly the issue of Gray and Jack coming out at work. I also had several readers ask for more of these men so that gave me extra motivation. There will be more. Mason is the POV character in the first book, and Sorting Out is all from Jack’s POV. I would like to eventually write something from Gray’s POV as well, but most likely, the next book in this series will focus on Bryce, a new character who gets introduced in Fitting In. There are also a few other secondary characters who need a story.

CS: Your other series, the Wild R Farm stories have a very interesting concept. How did you get introduced to the world of animal shifters?

SV: Thank you. I’ve been reading paranormal romance for fifteen years or more and I’ve always been drawn to shapeshifters in paranormals. Since I started writing, I’ve written shifters stories, like an m/m/f with genetically-altered shapeshifter soldiers that will soon be in print again. I’ve always found trying out different kinds of shifters fun. I enjoy trying to show some of the characteristics of a shifter’s animal form in his or her human side, in the way they move, their personality, their protectiveness.

Wild R Farm is quite the place. I’m wondering (and hoping) if more interesting shifters and their lovers will be coming to live there? And have you always had a thing for cowboys? (not that we could blame you)

SV: Ever since I started reading a lot of m/m, cowboy stories have ranked among my favorites. There will be at least two more Wild R Farm stories, one of which I’m working on now. And there’s a secondary character in this story which focuses on Will and Ryan who might need his own story too. After that, I’ll just have to see who shows up.

CS: You also had two Christmas stories come out recently; One Kiss and Needing A Little Christmas. That is a lot of work in a short amount of time. Why release them all so close together?

SV: Both of these stories are re-releases. I got the rights back and wanted to get them both back out there for readers before the holidays.

CS: I also had the privilege of reading another shifter story you wrote, Denying Yourself. I found that it was an excellent story that not only highlighted romance and angst, it was also an interesting way to talk about people accepting themselves and being happy with who they are. Was this intentional?

SV: When I first started that story, I thought it would be a fun little summer love story but Matt and Shane took over and had so very much to show me that the story became something very different. By the time i was editing the story, I did want that message to come through, that when we deny who we really are, we can’t be happy with ourselves or anyone else.

CS: I’m sure we’d all like to know how you got into the m/m genre. I know you also write stories with heterosexual relationships and curious as to which genre got you started.

SV: I started out writing het stories but one of my first published stories was a m/m/f and I very much enjoyed writing the dynamics between the two men. I wrote a few other m/m/f stories and considered trying m/m, but what pushed me into it was Jason, one of the main characters from Sex on the Hoof. When I started planning his story after writing Savage Wolf, an m/f story about his sister, he announced that he was gay, and I was going to have to work with that. So I did and I loved it so much that I’ve written almost exclusively m/m since then.

CS: I always like to ask authors who they love to read. Do you have a favorite author? Someone who’s coming soon announcement makes you swoon or fist pump? How about a favorite story or series?

SV: I’m a huge fan of Abi Roux’s Cut and Run series. As soon as I finish a book, I can’t wait for the next. I ordered the next book in the series months in advance. Another favorite series of mine is Josh Lanyon’s Adrien English. I’ve re-read them many times.

CS: What was the last book you read?

SV: Collide by Riley Hart and I highly recommend it.

CS: What kind of music do you like? Is there something on your usual playlist that helps you write? Or do you prefer a quieter atmosphere for creating?

SV: Usually, I prefer quiet when I’m writing but occasionally a song inspires a story and then I like to listen to it on repeat as I’m getting started. My music tastes are very eclectic – country, pop, and Celtic are probably the most common things in my music mixes.

CS: Is there a TV show you refuse to miss? How about a favorite movie?

SV: I’m obsessed with Karl Urban’s new show, Almost Human. I can’t wait for the next episode. My favorite movie is Serenity. Captain Mal is the epitome of a romance hero to me.

CS: If you’re having a really, really bad day, how do you make yourself feel better?

SV: I eat some chocolate and watch something  entertaining that I don’t have to think too much about, preferably while curled up with my husband.

CS: Beer, wine, vodka or tea?

SV: All of the above, but wine is usually what I reach for when I want a relaxing evening drink.

CS: Are you a cat person or a dog person?

SV: A dog person. I have a very spoiled chihuahua/dachshund mix.

CS: One last thing…what’s next for Silvia Violet?

SV: I’m currently finishing up Willing Hands, the next Wild R Farm story and next I’ll be starting a contemporary starring a ranch owner and an undercover cop.

CS: Thank you so much for answering my questions today. We appreciate your time so very much. I look forward to seeing what comes next from you. Good luck on the release of Sorting Out.

SV: Thank you for having me here!

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Reviewed by Cindy

TITLE: Sorting Out

SERIES: Fitting In Series Book 2

AUTHOR: Silvia Violet

LENGTH: 199 Pages

BLURB: Jack, Gray, and Mason have accepted that loves comes in many flavors and settle into a three-way relationship. Things haven’t been easy, and now that Mason has gone back to school and Gray is interested in a detective position, Jack is feeling lonely. His lovers aren’t around very often, and he misses lying around in bed, enjoying the benefits of living with two hot men. But Jack has secrets. He’s uncomfortable every time he puts his uniform on. He’s never recovered from seeing Mason held hostage, and he’s no longer sure he was meant to be a cop.

While stressing over his own future and facing pressure from Gray and Mason to bring their relationship out of the closet, Jack is severely wounded in the line of duty. His recovery, both physical and emotional might be more than their unconventional relationship can bear. Jack is going to need all the courage and support his lovers can give him if he’s going to bring himself back from the dead and create the life he wants to live.

REVIEW:

I was very excited to read this continuation of Mason, Jack and Gray’s story. While the first book focused on things from Mason’s point of view, this one looks at things more from Jack’s point of view.

The three men are living together and are happy…mostly. Jack is over the moon at having two people he loves to take care of and if everything isn’t completely perfect, well…they’re getting there right?

Then things start to change. The biggest one is that Gray wants to advance in his career and become a detective. It’s something that Jack knows is best for Gray but he can’t help feeling a little abandoned. Mason is busy with school and suddenly Jack is left feeling lonely and unsure about his position in life.

I love how the author gives us the insight into Jack’s behavior. He’s scared of things changing and he’s worried that if he’s not always strong that he won’t be the man his lovers want him to be.

But Gray and Mason love Jack with all their hearts and all they want is to be able to show Jack and each other that love without having to hide it in public.

An injury on the job for Jack shakes them to the core and it’s a long road to recovery for all of them.

Silvia Violet does an amazing job as she shows us Jack’s struggle to come to terms with himself and the changes in his life. But through it all, the love between the three men is clear and unwavering, even if they can’t always see it themselves.

The introduction of a few new characters, like Henry the kid in need of a friend and Andy, the big hearted director of the homeless youth shelter Jack volunteers at, add depth to the story and give us a few more people to adore. And the new bartender that works with Mason seems like someone I’d like to get to know a little better.

As with the first one, I wish the author would have used more conversation between the lovers to fix some of their problems without reverting to sex so often, but let me tell you, I have no complaints about those scenes. She manages to make them as loving as they are hot and for me, that is always something I love to see.

I have to say, Gray’s big, growly protector persona appeals to me so much. The most important thing for him is loving his men and everything and everyone else can go to hell. He will leave you wishing that someone loved you that much.

An excellent sequel and I’m kind of hoping for another story that shows us life with Jack and Mason from Gray’s point of view.

RATING:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Silvia Violet writes erotic romance and erotica in a variety of genres including sci fi, paranormal, and historical.

Silvia Violet can often be found haunting coffee shops looking for the darkest, strongest cup of coffee she can find. Once equipped with the needed fuel, she can happily sit for hours pounding away at her laptop. Silvia typically leaves home disguised as a suburban stay-at-home-mom, and other coffee shop patrons tend to ask her hilarious questions like “Do you write children’s books?” She loves watching the looks on their faces when they learn what she’s actually up to. When not writing, Silvia enjoys baking sinful chocolate treats, exploring new styles of cooking, and reading children’s books to her wickedly smart offspring.

Here is a link to Silvia Violet’s blog: http://silviaviolet.com/main/

And you can find her here at Dreamspinner Press: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3809&cPath=55_847

And here at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Silvia-Violet/e/B004KJ5E12/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1387847981&sr=8-2-ent

GIVEAWAY

Silvia is giving away a winner’s choice book from her backlist to one lucky commenter! To enter in this contest, just leave a comment to the post, not forgetting to mention your email ID.

Contest ends 31st December, 2013 @23:59 Pacific Time!!