Interview and Giveaway with Sherri Hayes

Sherri Hayes

UTC has been following Ms. Hayes writing for a while now and we are very excited that we were able to ask her a few questions for the release of her second Finding Anna book.  NEED released just yesterday, you can read our review here.  But now help us welcome Sherri Hayes to UTC!

What can we expect from Need, the second book in your Finding Anna Series?

In Need, Brianna is confronted with the reality that she’s not a slave anymore, that she’s free. She has to figure out, not just what that means for her, but for her and Stephan as well.

What research did you need to do for your Finding Anna Series? What made you think of writing a book based in BDSM?

I had to do quite a bit of research for the series. Staring out, I knew next to nothing about BDSM. I’d read a few online stories, but that was about it. I started with online research, and then as I continued writing, I met some people in the lifestyle, and would run things by them when I needed to. There is one chapter in Need where I spent almost eight hours on Skype with a Master going over every detail to make sure the phrasing and positioning was right.

Reading Slave and Need was very emotional, did you find it the same when you were writing it? 

Yes, especially writing Brianna’s point of view. She makes me tear up often.

Brianna has survived a lot of trauma and has barely made it out intact, and seems very fragile. How did you know when to push her to do more with Stephan, without it looking like he is taking advantage? 

It had a lot to do with Brianna herself. Aside from the initial kissing, Brianna has been the one to push more, in my opinion, than Stephan. He may have initiated things, but he’s also always willing to stop, step back, and give her more time or whatever else she needs. I think his willingness to do just that has also helped in it not appearing that he’s taking advantage.

How many books are you planning in the Finding Anna series and have you got it all planned out? 

There are four books planned. I don’t outline my stories, however, I do have a rough plan in my head on what is going to happen in the next two books.

Will you ever be writing a book showing us Lily and Logan's story? 

Doubtful. I love Lily and Logan, but they’re story hasn’t called to me like Stephan and Brianna’s.

Can you tell us what your plans are for the Daniels Brothers Series?

I just finished writing the second book in that series, Red Zone. It’s with my editor right now, and I’m hoping it will be out the first part of next year. Red Zone is Chris’s youngest brother, Gage’s story. I had a blast writing it. Gage stole my heart completely, and Rebecca is perfect for him.

Give us a sneak peek into the day of an author! Do you have a set schedule to write, or do you write when inspiration strikes? 

My writing schedule varies depending on what else is going on with my life. I do, however, try to write at least one thousand words on most days, unless I’m editing, and then that takes priority.

Who are some of your favorite authors, and what books of theirs do you recommend we give a whirl?

I love Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander Series. Jamie Fraser has to be one of the best romantic hero’s ever written. With what said, Alexander from The Bronze Horseman Trilogy comes a close second in my opinion. I think both of these series are must-reads. I also happen to like Susan Andersen, but I prefer her earlier work. My favorite is Shadow Dance, which I believe was her debut novel.

 

We have a complete set of the published books in the Finding Anna series up for grabs. 

One lucky maiden will win an ebook of both Slave and Need. (International)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC Review: Need by Sherri Hayes

Need

by Sherri Hayes

(Finding Anna # 2)

Describe Need in three words
Suz: Emotional. Sweet. Cliffhanger!!
Angela: Coming of Age story. Sweet and Hope.

How do you feel the relationship between Brianna and Stephen is going? Do you think it is heading in the right direction?
Suz: I am really loving reading how close Brianna and Stephen are getting, it was exactly what I was hoping for! Although I don't like how dependent she is on him, I love that she is able to trust him so deeply after all the horrible things that have happened to her.
Angela: I agree Suz, I love how they have gotten closer and trust definitely began to build up. The point-of-view changes between Brianna and Stephan is great. I felt both their emotions and the progress of their relationship as I read the book.

Lets talk about sex....what did you think about the steam factor in this book?
Suz: What I loved about the first book was that they didn't just jump into bed together straight away, it would have been unrealistic and it would leave e feeling like Stephen had taken advantage of Brianna's vulnerability. But, I definitely thought it was time in this book that they moved to the next level and not only was it super hot, I loved how tender he was towards her whilst also pushing her limits.
Angela: I had a bit of trouble in this department. Although Stephen took his time, I still felt like Brianna’s past would constitute a longer period of celibacy. However, the tension between them definitely increased at the end of the book. Stephan’s gentleness of their coming together was sigh inducing. I know he has more so show Brianna and I can’t wait to see more of their experiences together.

What are you most looking forward to in the next book of the Finding Anna series
Suz: I can't wait for the next book! I can't believe it ended as it did! ARGH! I am mostly looking forward to seeing what happens about 5 seconds after Need ended! I want to see exactly how Brianna got sold as she did. Ms Hayes needs to start writing at warp speed!
Angela: Oh my gosh, the cliffhanger had me flipping the last 2pages making sure that was really the end. My jaw and my heart literally dropped to the floor! I am with you Suz, I’d like to see exactly what happens seconds after the ending of this book.

Do you think this is as good as Slave and would you recommend it to a friend?
Suz: I can't decide if I think this is better then Slave or not. They both had things I liked about them, in Need I liked seeing Brianna healing, but in Slave I really liked their meeting and seeing Stephen coaxing Brianna into trusting him more. But, there is no question, I would definitely recommend this book to a friend.
Angela: I think I enjoyed this book more. I saw Brianna heal and I love seing a hero love an imperfect heroine. But in Slave, I was truly troubled with what happened to Brianna. Her tragic past had me bothered for days after reading that book. It was definitely emotional for me. Both books were amazing to read and will definitely recommend.   

*ARC provided by publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Hidden Threat by Sherri Hayes

Hidden Threat

by Sherri Hayes

After two years working as a doctor in Africa Cali Stanton has come back to look after her father and look after her fathers company. However, what she doesn't realize is that her father has been receiving threats and his business being sabotagued and he only trusts Cali, and his heads of security brother Matthew and Jason Anderson. Cali can't believe the connection she has with Matthew Anderson, just looking in to his blue eyes makes her heart beat a little faster, but Matthew can't allow his attraction to Cali go any further then dreaming about her, both she and her father are in danger and it is his job to protect them.

This was a sweet read, Matthew and Cali were a cute couple and I enjoyed reading about them. What I also liked about this book was the other characters and the fact there was a bit of a secondary romance going on, it gave this book a lot of warmth and I was glad to see that the main characters having more then just relationships with eachother. All too often in romance, the main couple don't seem to focus on anyone else but eachother, I liked that she had a close relationship with her father and that she looked forward to going out with her friends and that Matthew had a Sunday tradition with his brother.

It was a little bit slow to start though, for about 50% of the book I wanted to just tell Matthew to man up and ask her out. I also didn't like the constant change of POV, it could be 3 or 4 different POV shifts per chapter which, for me interrupted the flow of the book a little. I liked that you got different characters perspectives, but I didn't like that it changed so often.

But despite that I still enjoyed reading this book, it was nice easy reading and I will continue to read more books put out by Ms Hayes.

*Review copy provided by publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon

ARC Review: Behind Closed Doors by Sherri Hayes

Behind Closed Doors

by Sherri Hayes

(Daniels Brothers # 1)

Behind Closed Doors is an awesome start to this series and a series I’m sure to follow. Though it’s slow to start, the romance, sexual tension and suspense to this story were enjoyable.

The Daniels Brothers Series consists of four brothers, Paul, Christopher, Trent and Gage. Chris, our first brother, is a divorcee of three years, a proud business owner, and he's enjoying his life alone without the trouble of any women. He has long sworn off women since his ugly divorce until a beautiful woman moved into the apartment below. And to his surprise, this woman will put him in the unavoidable position of becoming her protector.

It’s sweet how a present-time man can still bring out his “defender gene” when its called upon.  Ms. Hayes had not only created a 20th century Knight in shining armor, she has also given us a fine Alpha male. Oh yes, this alpha know when to mark what belongs to him.

Elizabeth Marshall is a beautiful woman indeed, with a hell of a history. She had moved to Springfield to get away from her past, only to have it haunt her present. Unfortunately, moving one hour away is just not far enough to hide or to start a new life.  This girl just had the worse luck to have a stalker who means business.  She’s not my favorite heroine though I commend her for dealing with the issues at hand with composure. A survival of the fittest if you will.

Both hero and heroine quickly absorbed me into their world of “that HOT guy/girl next door” scene. It’s a typical scene but one that never gets old once fully immersed into it. The sexual tension is definitely evident and their coming together was explosive!

I cannot wait to read more of these brothers and especially Trent. I love a good flirt. Unfortunately, I have heard from a “twitter bird” that his story will be last (boo). But alas this twitter bird promised the next brother will be very flirtatious and possibly even more seductive. (twitter bird is Ms. Hayes herself) *giggles*

*ARC provided by publisher

Release Date: February 9, 2012

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Review: Slave by Sherri Hayes

4.5 Feathers

Slave

by Sherri Hayes

(Finding Anna # 1)

Brianna is an unwilling slave. Sold to a sadistic dom who enjoys her humilation and pain he inflicts horrors on her in an effort to break her. He succeeds. Now sold to a new Master she has no idea what to expect, certainly not the kindness and compassion he shows her as he tries to heal her and gain her trust.

Both Suz and Angela read this book, here's what they had to say...

*Starts trying to use gtalk on their phones, but had to stop due to huge technical difficulties aka Suz being unitelligable due to the tinyness of her stupid phone and her massive sausage fingers*

Suz: Anyways *grumbles about tiny phones* Slave, I LOVED IT! I am so glad you sent it to me Ang, it wasn't what I expected but I liked that it surprised me. I know you were a little unsure about it, what made you feel that?

Ang: Well, I usually don't like 1st person POV but I was able to enjoy the H/h POVs. What bugged me the most is her age. And the feeling of helplessness to me, there's a fine line of willing/subjecting to your Dom and being forced to do things. And it bothered me to hear of Anna's past and what damage it brought. I hate that these can actually happen in RL. I was a bit surprise at the plot, I was expecting hot erotica book.

Suz: I think that was what I liked about it, I have read plenty of BDSM erotica, but I think this book shows that amount of power a Dom can have over his sub/slave. I liked that it showed that this lifestyle was about more then just great sex and showed what a huge responsiblity it was to have complete power over someone. It definietly wasn't a fluffy book! I also liked that she showed both POVs, we got a larger depth and understanding of each character, I also liked that she clearly marked whose POV we were reading rather then jumping from place to place.

Ang: Exactly this book is definitely no fluffy book and Dom/Sub relationships gets tricky for me. I'm just getting to know more about it now. It's definitely not just sex and toys that's for sure! I agree on the labeling of which POV we were reading; It sorta felt like i was reading their personal diary. I liked that! But I loved Ms. Hayes writing, IMO it flowed and easy follow. What did you think of the plot?

Suz: For me the writing style for me was just okay, sometimes it seemed like it was just a list, like, I did this and then I did that etc. But I loved the plot, it was great how he was slowly gaining her trust and not pushing he more then she can take. I think it felt right having no sex in this book, it would have felt too much like he was taking advantage, but I think there will be more in the next book as their relationship builds. What do you reckon?

Ang: Brianna's lifestyle of being a sub, even if they aren't have sex, is definitely in place and yeah, I'd like to explore more of her story. And by the next book the sexual tension will be huge and a good place to release is in that play room ;) But I'm glad Stephan will be there for her. If and when I read book 2, I know it'll be rough for me again. But I am curious to see where their relationship will go.

Suz: I am definitely going to read book 2, I really want to see her recover and I am hoping Ian and the person who sod her (don't wanna give spoilers!) will get some kind of comeuppance. And Stephan! I really liked him, I am he must be like the perfect guy right? A modern day Knight in Shining Armour, even before he knew her he saved her. Do you think he is a potential harem add? lol!

Ang: Stephen is definitely a knight and a potential harem add. As for Ian, there is nothing better than a bad guy getting what's coming to him! Another fab reason for reading the next book!

 







Purchase Links: Amazon