Jersey Girl Sizzling Book Reviews welcomes Eden Baylee, author of Spring into Summer!
Author Interview
Welcome to Jersey Girl Sizzling Book Reviews, Eden!
Before we get to the interview, can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself.
Yes, it'd be my pleasure, and thanks Jersey Girl for having me on your blog. I'm honored to be here.
I'm a Canadian former banker who now writes full-time. My stories are literary, erotic, and romantic, and they incorporate my favorite things such as travel, culture, and a deep curiosity for what turns people on.
How long have you been a writer?
Since I was fifteen, I've written daily in some form or another. I quit my job to write professionally in January 2010.
Do you have a day job, or is being an author your career?
I'm happy to say being an author is what I now do full-time.
What inspired you to become a writer? Describe your journey as a writer.
I've always loved to read, so it was a natural progression to try my hand at writing. When I discovered my words connected to people, it gave me a rush and made me want to write for a career. The problem was I had a very practical upbringing, and I didn't think writing would be financially viable, thus the reason for becoming a banker.
After twenty years in that job, it was time to move on to my passion.
Please give a brief description / storyline about Spring into Summer.
Spring into Summer is my second collection of erotic novellas and the companion piece to my first anthology, Fall into Winter.
There are four unique stories in the book. Here's a summary:
Life for Claire Pelletier is changed forever when she meets a professor who teaches her a most important lesson in A Season for Everything.
Evelyn Sutton goes in search of a man in Unlocking the Mystery and discovers the key to her own heart.
With an open mind, Ava Connors attends a party but wonders if reality can ever live up to her hottest fantasies in Summer Solstice.
In The Lottery, Sierra Zhao sacrifices herself to numerous men to help a friend, fully aware of the consequences.
With locations in London, Dublin, Cape Cod, and Bangkok, these four women will seek pleasure to alter their lives and push their sexual boundaries.
What was the inspiration for this story?
I was heavily influenced by poetry in writing this book. American poet, Steven Marty Grant taught me so much about how to write in a sensual way.
English poet, John Anstie taught me about the unique rhythm of words.
Both of these men aroused me with their poetry, and reading their work and those of other poets helped me become a better writer.
How did it feel to have your first book published?
Both my books are self-published, so I was pretty exhausted after doing them, but nonetheless thrilled. It's work that is enjoyable, and I cannot think of a better time to be a writer professionally.
Do you write books for a specific genre?
My genre is considered literary erotica or erotic romance, but I will be stepping out of these genres for my next books. Though I will always have erotic elements as part of my writing, they will not necessarily be books of erotic fiction.
What genres are your favorites? What are some of your favorite books that you have read and why?
I read everything - biographies, thrillers, literary fiction, and more. It's important to expand my scope of reading because I get bored easily. I also learn a lot about how to improve my own writing from reading different genres.
Some of my favorite books are:
House of Incest by Anais Nin
Story of O by Pauline Reage
The Magus by John Fowles
IQ84 by Haruki Murakami
All of Charles Bukowski's books
Favorites come and go, and I don't attach myself to them. More than anything, they reflect where I was in my life at the time I read them.
Do you have a special spot/area where you like to do your writing?
I write at my dining room table right now, but it changes from day to day. I think it's important for me to change my setting because it simulates thought. Sometimes I write standing in heels at the kitchen counter just because I know I sit too much. It's also a good way to strengthen my legs.
How do you come up with the ideas that become the storyline for your books?
There's a spark from real life that sets it off usually. For instance, my first story, A Season For Everything involves an older man / younger woman. He's a professor. I can tell you I've fallen for many a professor in my day.
In my story, The Lottery, the influence was Thailand, a country I've traveled to and fell in love with because the people were so incredible. The title of the story is also the same as one of my favorite short stories by Shirley Jackson. That story made a huge impression on me as a child. Readers who know Jackson's version may recognize the theme of "sacrifice" which is the common thread of our stories, but that's basically where the similarities end.
When you write, do you adhere to a strict work schedule, or do you work whenever the inspiration strikes?
I write everyday from about eight to midnight or later. I don't sleep much. If I were to wait for inspiration to hit, I would be waiting a very long time.
What aspects of storytelling do you like the best, and what aspects do you struggle with the most?
I love dialogue and tend to write a lot of it into my stories. It's no secret that conversation with friends is one of my favorite things to do.
Surprisingly, writing sex scenes is difficult. I tend to obsess about making them seem "real." It's not a struggle as much as it's what I find the least interesting to write. The story and foreplay leading up to the sex is much more fun for me.
What are your favorite things to do when you are not writing?
Eating and spending time with friends. On a grander scale, that would also include taking a trip with friends and eating in some exotic country.
What is/was the best piece of writing advice that you have received?
I received this advice very early on in my career from Kate Austin, a multi-published erotica writer. She was my mentor, and I was lamenting about the initial rejections I received before deciding to become an indie writer. Her response was "Sometimes persistence is even more important than talent and you've got both." I'll never forget those words, and I feel very fortunate she helped me establish a strong work ethic early on.
What is the most gratifying thing you feel or get as a writer?
The lifeblood for any writer is readership. When I decided to become a writer and put my work out there for the world to see, it was a huge risk.
Would people enjoy my writing? Would they hate it?
Nothing gives me more satisfaction than connecting with a reader who shares his/her thoughts with me about my work - good, bad, or otherwise. Of course, it's always better when they like it, but I consider it all a learning experience, so I don't take it personally. It's impossible to please everyone all the time.
How do you usually communicate with your readers/fans?
I'm very active and visible on social media. My blog is where I share my writing with my readers. Anyone can leave comments for me there or email me directly.
It's always wonderful to hear from readers, even if it's just a simple hello.
Is there anything in your book based on real life experiences or are they purely all from your imagination?
Much of what I write starts from a germ of experience, but my job as a writer of fiction is to weave experience with imagination to create an engaging story. If I do job properly, readers will never know what's real and what's made up. And that's the way I like it. ;)
What authors have been your inspiration or influenced you to become a writer?
I mentioned some of them earlier, but I will always have a special place in my heart for Pauline Reage whose book, Story of O influenced me deeply when I was eleven.
What is your definition of success as a writer?
That's easy - the ability to earn a living with my books. For me to continue writing full time, I need to make money from it, otherwise it is simply a hobby.
If I have to get a job to support my writing, I will of course ... but that would not be my preference.
Are you currently writing a new book? If yes, would you care to share a bit of it with us?
In 2013, I plan to release my first full-length novel, which will be a mix of John Fowles/Charles Bukowski/Haruki Murakami and a dash of Pauline Reage thrown in for good measure.
Many thanks again, Jersey Girl for allowing me to share my book with your readers.
-eden
Thank you Eden for visiting Jersey Girl Sizzling Book Reviews and sharing some things about yourself and your writing career with us!
About The Author
Eden Baylee writes literary erotica and erotic romance. Her stories are both sensual and sexual, incorporating some of her favorite things such as travel, culture, and a deep curiosity for what turns people on. Spring into Summer is her second collection of erotic novellas.
Book Review
Spring into Summer by Eden Baylee
Publisher: lowercase publishing
Publication Date: July 9, 2012
Format: Paperback - 176 pages / Kindle - 318 KB
ISBN: 1478257679
ASIN: B008IJ4BNM
Genre: Erotica / Erotic Romance
BUY THE BOOK: Spring into Summer
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review, and for hosting a virtual book event on my book review blog site.
Book Description:
In Spring into Summer, a collection of emotionally-charged erotic novellas, four women explore their sexual limits, marked by love, lust, and loss.
Life for Claire Pelletier is changed forever when she meets a professor who teaches her a most important lesson in A Season for Everything.
Evelyn Sutton goes in search of a man in Unlocking the Mystery and discovers the key to her own heart.
With an open mind, Ava Connors attends a party but wonders if reality can ever live up to her hottest fantasies in Summer Solstice.
In The Lottery, Sierra Zhao sacrifices herself to numerous men to help a friend, fully aware of the consequences.
With locations in London, Dublin, Cape Cod, and Bangkok, these four women will seek pleasure to alter their lives and push their sexual boundaries.
Book Excerpt:
Book Excerpt from The Lottery
Theo walked into the room, barefoot, wearing only a light bathrobe. "Is everything to your satisfaction?"
I tried not to be seduced by thoughts of his naked body under the thin garment. "It's a beautiful room. You don't strike me as someone who would have a meditation room."
"Why? Because I own a nightclub and massage parlor? Sorry ... a spa?"
I chuckled while recalling I had told Theo the word spa sounded classier than parlor.
"Just calling it The Lotus is fine too, especially now that everyone knows about it." My lips curved upward, and I picked up a matchbook from the nearby table. "I never would have guessed it, that's all."
"I'm full of surprises," Theo said, his voice a flirtatious lilt.
I caught a mischievous twinkle in his eyes and my hands trembled as I struck a match. "Please disrobe and lie on the table face down."
"Whatever you say."
I purposely turned my back at that moment to light the candles. When the rustling of Theo's body on the table stopped, I walked over to the two bamboo floor lamps and turned them off. With the warm room aglow in tiny flames, I removed my sarong and undergarments. "Do you like jazz?" I asked.
"Yes."
I took out the cassette from the case and dropped it in the tape deck. The speakers weren't great, but the volume would not be loud enough for it to matter.
I turned around to see Theo's naked body. He lay on a low-level massage table he'd created with a firm foam mattress. I swallowed hard and blew out an inaudible breath. He was magnificent - every inch of every curve of him. I twirled my hair into a bun atop my head and twisted an elastic band to hold it in place. I closed my eyes and summoned up my inner strength. "I'll be using a combination of oils on your body, Theo. They have qualities meant to purify, energize, and create balance."
"I like that combination."
"Good."
"I also like the music, 'Kind of Blue' by Miles."
I smiled, pleased we shared a similar love of jazz. "You have good taste."
"I do, and not just in music, I might add."
Theo's provocative statement made me blush, but I had a job to do. I flipped open the cap on the massage oil and poured a generous amount into my palm. A floral, sweet, almost narcotic aroma filled the room.
"You always travel with Miles?" he asked.
"No, I found him at a market in Bangkok. They were selling all kinds of copies."
"Hmm."
I spread the oil between my hands. "To start, I'm going to climb on top of you at your feet."
"I like the thought of you on top of me."
My Book Review:
Spring into Summer is a passionate collection of four novellas that reflect the change of seasons with two of the stories set in the Spring, and the other two in the Summer. Each story focuses on one of four women, who just like the seasons, are in a state of transition in their lives.
While this collection of novellas is labeled under the erotica genre, I think they are so much more than your typical erotic story. Each of the stories are beautifully written and has a mixture of romance and passion that draws the reader into each of the women's journey. Author Eden Baylee weaves four wonderful short stories that are moving and poignant, she engages the reader with her fine writing style that expresses the beauty of romance with sexy erotic scenes that enhances the stories.
In A Season for Everything, Claire finds the meaning of true love with Stephen. The poignancy of the love that they shared was so passionate, it touched my heart and brought out the romantic in me.
In Unlocking the Mystery, the beauty of Catherine and Shane's fifty year romance simply stole my breath away. Their romance bonded through letters over a span of a lifetime showed a commitment to each other that only one could ever hope to have.
In Summer Solstice, Ava is left at the altar and unsure how to get back into the social swing of things until she attends a party with pagan rituals that awakens her most hidden sizzling fantasies and regains her confidence.
In The Lottery, Sierra and Theo's relationship progresses from a business partnership to romance. I really enjoyed the mixture of romance and sizzling erotic scenes in this story.
Rich in detail and vivid descriptions that entices the reader's imagination and senses; with settings in exotic locations that transports the reader around the globe; and characters that you can't help but embrace; Spring into Summer is a collection of evocative novellas that will engage your senses and satisfy your appetite for love, lust, passion and desire.
RATING: 5 STARS *****
