I sat down with Ashlynne Laynne to talk writing, passion, and her book, Adoration!
When did you realize or decide you wanted to be a writer?
The writing bug bit me when I was eight years old. I won third place in an Optimist Oratorical contest and never looked back. In my teens and twenties I wrote poetry and songs. A dream about my first hero, Ascher Rousseau, spurred my passion for novel writing. After that, it was pretty much destiny in the making.
What has been your best experience as an author so far?
For me, the thrill comes when I receive letters and emails from readers. The one that comes to the forefront of my mind was a reader who wrote that she hardly ever reads erotic literature, but that she liked my writing because of the emotion involved. That struck me because I endeavor in my writing to always temper the heat with lots of love. One of my mottos is: Hard sex. Harder love.
What sort of challenges have you faced as a writer? How did you overcome them?
There were issues with my first book. It went out in a less than desirable condition and I was flamed for it by reviewers. Even if you correct the issues, those reviews are there forever. I have since gone out on my own to publish my work and insist on having my hands in every single part of my books’ process. For me, it was a huge lesson learned that made me a tad bit neurotic about the details. I thought of quitting but a dear friend, who became my editor, told me to “Saddle up and get my ass back on the horse.” She also told me something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. She said, “The story always comes first, little Ashlynne. Always protect your story.”
How do you research and plan your books? Do you find outlining helps or hinders your process?
I tend to do a loose outline for every book that usually shifts and moves as the project progresses. I always thought of my poetry as a way of expressing my feelings, a journal so to speak. Writing things down makes them real for me. When I start a project, I know how it should end, so it is only a matter of making the puzzle pieces fit together. My characters are usually resistant at every turn. I often dream of story lines and scenes that end up in my books. Sometimes it really freaks me out.
Have you learned anything really cool or interesting while researching your books? What’s been the weirdest research you’ve ever had to do?
I learned way too much information about the gestational period of rats while researching my first book. It both amazed and creeped me out. It’s also nice to learn about the customs and languages of places I’ve never visited. I’m in love with anything Celtic and took five years of French in school, so I naturally made my first two heroes French and Scottish. I hope to visit both of these places someday.
What advice would you give to new writers in the field?
Reviews are forever, so please make sure to hire a good editor. Going over it yourself is good, but that should only be the beginning of the editing process. As an author, you are too close to the story and this might cause you to miss things that a fresh set of eyes can catch. Also, make time to write everyday if you can. I know it’s hard if writing isn’t your only job, but you must treat it as a job that you work at each day.
Tell us a little about your writing nook! Favorite tea/coffee/writing snack?
In the beginning, I didn’t have a dedicated office space, so I would take my laptop and write wherever the mood struck me. Now, I am more disciplined and tend to only write in my office. Chapstick is my obsession and I must have a tube in every room of my home. To me, shiny lips are happy lips and I coat those babies frequently. As far as snacks, I love crunching on granola and pumpkin seeds while I write. It keeps my energy up and helps my brain function.
Of all of your own characters, who would you most want to date?
Oh gosh. This is a tough one because both Ascher and Austin are babes created in the image of my ideal—dark haired and blue-eyed. If I just had to choose I would take Austin simply because I am writing him right now and he is Scottish. I don’t hide the fact that I am an admitted vampire groupie and lover of hot guys in kilts. Now, ask me in six months when I’m back to writing Ascher and my answer might be different.
What project are you currently working on?
I am currently writing the third book in the Alterity Series (Altered) and the first in a brand new series. Book seven of The Progeny Series (Belonging) is also underway and will, hopefully, release sometime next year.
What’s next for you?
The second in the Alterity Series (Adoration) is set to release September sixth and is available for pre-order at the major online retailers.
About Ashlynne
Ashlynne Laynne is the author of contemporary romance and the award-winning erotic paranormal romance succession, The Progeny Series, as well as an accomplished songwriter and poet. She’s an avid horror movie fan, admitted vamp groupie, and lover of all things Celtic. A hopeless romantic, she’s always had a thing for the fanged ones and hot guys in kilts.
Ashlynne writes on the edge and combines erotica and romance in sensual tales that always feature heroes with heart. A flexitarian, Ashlynne enjoys cooking vegetarian recipes that support a healthier lifestyle. In her spare time, she likes to read, watch crime shows, and spend time with her family. Ashlynne juggles the hats of wife, mother, full time employee and part-time writer, hoping to write exclusively in the future.
Ms. Laynne is an advocate of autism research and is always looking for projects to benefit the cause. She lives in the southern United States with her husband and son.
The Ashlynne Laynne Library
The Progeny Series The Alterity Series
The Progeny Alterity
Blood Bonds Adoration
Blood Promise Altered (Next in Series)
Blood Reborn
Yearning
Blood Bewitched
Belonging (Next in Series)
Find her on:
Website Twitter Instagram Newsletter Guest Blog Facebook
Progeny Series FB Alterity Series FB
Book Interview
Tell us a little about Adoration!
Adoration is the second book in The Alterity Series and it follows Austin MacKenzie and Liz Carlisle on their quest for stardom and love.
Desire. Surrender. Discovery.
A man committed to shaping his future…
Austin MacKenzie shares a passionate relationship with Liz Carlisle, a union rooted in mutual respect and honesty. A feat complicated by the vow of purity handed down by his Scottish forefathers and the ire of his scorned ex-girlfriend. When a series of tragedies rock their worlds, the couple must fight for their relationship and lives.
A woman about to discover the mystery of her past…
Liz Carlisle has led a challenged life. The survivor of a childhood stained by drug addiction and poverty, Austin MacKenzie’s love is helping to mend her heart from the inside out. But echoes from the past threaten to destroy her newfound happiness.
With music as a common bond…
Fate brought them together, but music remains the centrifugal force tying Liz and Austin to one another. With the popularity of their Indie rock group growing, Cupid’s Crush prepares to join alternative rock sensations, Justice Denied, on the European leg of a worldwide tour that promises to catapult them to mega stardom.
Did you do any cool or interesting research for this story? What did you learn?
I’ve enjoyed learning about Scotland, the Gaelic language, and Catholicism. Religious undertones weave in and out of this series, so it was important to me that I know as much about Austin’s chosen religion as I possibly could.
What was your favorite part of working on this story? What was the most challenging?
The most challenging part about writing this series is somehow making a rocker/virgin appear sexy. Something as small as the MacKenzie Code won’t stop me from injecting a heavy dose of heat into these books. An early review of Adoration called Austin both “sensitive and sexy”. Here is some of my favorite Austin dialogue from Adoration:
“Don’t you want to come for me? I mean…isn’t that why your pulse is racing and your thighs are shaking?”
Pretty nice for a man with limited sexual experience, huh?
“The Sex Tutor” Exclusive Excerpt from the upcoming Adoration:
“I still don’t see why I have to be blindfolded. And who ever heard of a tutoring session where the client and tutor are naked?” Liz involuntarily blinked, her eyesight adjusting to the darkness. Her body prone and resting flush against the bed, she squirmed, resisting the slight pressure of Austin’s restricting touch.
“Do you want my help studying or not?” Austin’s voice sounded smooth, the wicked intent more noticeable with her sense of sight removed. “My lesson. My rules. You trust me, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
The deepened tone and authoritative rasp of that Scottish accent reverberated through her body and Liz shivered as a result. Austin was no dominant, but he had a way of getting exactly what he wanted. The anticipation was too much to bear and Liz struggled to calm her nerves. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of eliciting a physical response to this sexual torture.
“We’ll start with the skeletal system first.” Austin ran a hand through her hair, his fingers taking a moment to comb the unruly locks before ending at her hairline. His hands came to both sides of her head, his fingertips massaging the temples. Then feather-soft, those same digits floated across her forehead, stopping in the middle.
Liz sighed with bliss. “Cranium.”
Austin’s kiss replaced his touch. “Good girl.” His thumb moved along her lips, rubbing over and over the plump flesh. His breath caught and Liz imagined that he was battling to retain a teacher persona. After a second, his thumb moved to the skin just under her lips, caressing the whole of her jawline. “And this?”
“Mandible.”
Creating a breach in tutor/client etiquette, his mouth journeyed over her lips and jawline planting kisses each place they landed. From her jawline, the fleshy curves sought out the bend in her throat. He was so close and smelled phenomenal, the perfume of his natural scent a delicious, mouthwatering indulgence.
Falling under his spell, Liz groaned, her neck arching of its own volition. Gripping the sheets in both her fists, she fought against the urge to mount him and violate the code they were both bound to keep. Her simmering blood ramped to a low boil when Austin’s lips slid down the center of her chest, his tongue peeking out for a taste.
Her back bowed off the bed, and Liz whimpered. “Sternum. Listen, Texas. I—”
“My lesson. My rules. No talking except for the answers.” Austin furthered his scolding with a kiss and slap to the butt that shut her right up. “I’ll have to give you a more difficult one.”
Liz swallowed hard, the sting of the love tap spreading to every nerve throughout her body. The close proximity of his mouth and the heat of his breath forced a separate ripple through her system and she trembled beneath his touch. Without her permission, Liz’s nipples stiffened against the feel of his lips on the swells of her breasts.
Austin palmed her tender flesh, squeezing the globes. “Your body is so amazing.” He kissed her areola, purposely avoiding the two protruding points that were hard with desire.
Grasping a handful of his hair, Liz attempted to direct his lips over the place desperate for his kiss.
He denied her. “What was rule number three, sweetheart?”
“Keep my hands to the side. No touching.”
Austin chuckled under his breath. “You broke a rule and now you’ll have to suffer the consequences for your actions.”
“What?” A flicker of flame fluttered down Liz’s spine, the wave settling in the depths of her core. “What are you going to do to me?”
“Shhhh.” His lips came to her throat, that sensuous mouth sliding along the overheated skin.
The sound of something clinking against glass came next. A shock of awareness and need sparked in Liz.
“Stay still.”
The burn in her body cooled to an arctic shiver, the sensation washing down her throat and over the swells of her breasts. Ice chilled each of her nipples, then his lips pulled on the elongated tips to warm the frost, creating the most exquisite torture.
“Ahhhh.” Fire stoked in her core, a deep burn radiating all over her body. “Screw the lesson.” Liz divested herself of the blindfold and met his startled gaze.
The game was on. He’d pushed her far enough.
Austin restrained her hands above her head, his fingers still frigid from the cubes. “Bad girl.”
“What are you going to do?” Squirming beneath the weight of his body, she taunted him, narrowing her eyes in mock defiance. “Punish me?”
Austin paused for a moment, his expression a naughty smirk. “Yes. I plan to punish you with pleasure.” Releasing her hands, he demanded that she, “Stay still.”
Her brain on sexual autopilot, Liz could think of nothing but the ache arrowing from her nipples to the cleft between her legs. She needed him to do something other than torment her. “Don’t tease me, Texas. Please.”
“Please what?” His lips took on the sensual pucker they possessed when he was thinking of tasting her.
How she wished he’d just do it…now!
His fingers toyed with the lips of her sex, opening them and circling the sensitive slit. “Double or nothing.” He blew a stream of air against her navel, his tongue blazing a path toward her clit. He kissed the hypersensitive pearl and the little button jumped in response. “If you get this next one right, I’ll give you what you want.”
“Oh, please.” Her hips undulated, attempting to meet some part of his body in the hopes of forcing it inside. No such luck.
“Nope. Try again.” His mouth journeyed lower, the tip of his tongue rimming her sex. Austin groaned when the point dipped inside. “I love the taste of you.” His mouth made another revolution of her snatch, stopping when she moaned his name. “Answer me.” His voice took on a harshness she knew came from aggravation and anger at their forced abstinence.
Liz mined her brain for the answer, her thoughts going over and over the diagram of the human body she’d used to study not an hour before. She saw every point except the one she needed. Mentally zeroing in on the region of the chart that included the clit now throbbing with need, Liz became frustrated. The hot burn of tears welled in her eyes as she struggled to remember.
“Don’t you want to come for me?” Austin placed tiny kisses along a straight line spanning from hipbone to hipbone and back again. “I mean…isn’t that why your pulse is racing and your thighs are shaking?” He looped a circuit of her snatch, his mouth hitting every hot spot in the vicinity. “Come on, babe. You know this. You’ve studied it for weeks.”
The feel of his breath on her clit was more than Liz could handle. She swayed dangerously close to the edge and he knew it. One more swipe of his tongue or touch of his mouth was all it would take to set her off.
Resting his chin on her lower belly, he gazed up at her expectantly. He licked his lips, his tongue sweeping over the bottom curve.
A deep-rooted ire replaced the frustration as she contemplated their situation. Any other guy would be able to have sex with her. Ordinary men weren’t bound by codes preventing them from making love to their girlfriends. The more she thought about it, the madder Liz became. Immediately, she remembered the answer and blurted out, “Pubis.”
“Thank the heavens.” Austin returned to his position between her legs, inhaling her.
She stopped him cold. “Don’t.” Liz wriggled away from him and closed her legs, denying his lips contact with her snatch. This wasn’t working for her and she was too upset to continue.
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