Hi all, as you saw just a few days ago, I participated in a blog tour of Beginning with Forever, the first book in the Forever series.  Given I’m clearly a fan, I was given the opportunity to ask a few questions to our author, and she was more than kind enough to give me some of her time.  Before we dive into those questions, here’s a bit more on Lan LLP:

Author Bio:

Over a long year ago, I picked up a pen to jot down the first sentence of my vivid imagination. Those initial words were the seeds that grew into my flowering romance book, “Beginning with Forever.” With all my heart, I wrote, rewrote, edited, re-edited and now, I’m finally ready to share it with all of you. My one and only aspiration for this book is to have readers embrace my story and characters with their heart.If I can make someone laugh till their gut hurts, hate the villain with vengeance, cry till their eyes dry out, fall in love all over again, and drool over the hero or feel any other emotions, than I’ve succeeded my goal.
I’m the sappiest person in the world when it comes to romance. Don’t smirk! I believe in love at first sight, Prince Charming or in my book,Mr. Hot Billionaire, and happy endings. In my heart, every women deserves all three, and they will when they lose themselves in my books. Your fantasy can become a reality with just the flip of a page, so come join me.

Social media links:

Email: forevertrue.carsonlily@gmail.com

Blog: http://forevertruecarsonlillian.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/forevercarsonlillian

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LanLLP

Wattpad: http://wattpad.com/LanLLP

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/LanLLP/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7782226.Lan_LLP

Now onto the Interview :

Me: Before I get into it, thank you so much for taking your time to talk – after reading this first installment of the Forever series, I’m hooked!  So, how did you get started in writing erotica – what inspired you?  And, are there any authors in the genre that you gravitate towards or are inspired by?

Lan: I began writing as a challenge from my friends after we all read 50 Shades of Grey. They wanted me to create my version of CG. I would say E.L James and Sylvia Day are authors who inspired me.

Me:  I can see how you could get taken with that challenge.  I was getting a hint of Christian with Carson, so I can see the start.  How did you come up with the inspiration and the back story for this series and these characters?  A lot of authors give us the leading man as a CEO of a successful business, but for Lillian?

Lan:  I wanted to write a billionaire love story that was different from everyone else’s. With my love for the tropical islands and my familiar medical background, I put those two together and came up with Lillian’s character. I kill cancer for a living and always pray that we’d find a cure for it one day. This is how I came up with Carson’s background.

Me: Impressive!  I really like to see when an author’s life ties into their work from a different POV.  What do you consider to be your biggest challenge and success in writing / publishing?

Lan: The biggest challenge is getting my book out to readers. I’ve read so many amazing books by indie authors like myself that don’t receive the recognition they deserve.

Me:  Not surprising at all – although i think that you started writing at a peak time when it’s very common for authors to go the ePub route and find a self-publishing outlet.  What advice would you give to budding authors?

Lan: Always believe in your work no matter what some people tell you. You’ll never be able to please everyone so chuck it up as your book wasn’t a good fit for the person who didn’t like your book.

Me:  I love that advice – i tend to be very careful when i’m reviewing as well – since i know that authors take great pride in their work.  I can’t love everything, but that doesn’t always put me off a writer.  Fortunately here, I’m a fan from the beginning! What’s next on the list for you to write – what are the next works that you have coming out and where can my readers find them?

Lan: My second book, Finding our Forever, is with the editor right now. It will be released in Sept. I’m currently working on the final book of the Forever series, ‘Ending with Forever,’ My first book, Beginning with Forever is currently only available via Amazon.

Me:  Thank Goodness that september isn’t so far away – i don’t know what i’d do personally if i had to wait too long to see what happens.  the cliffhanger – AMAZING! Lastly, anything more that you’d like to share?

Lan: I want to thank all of you who’ve given my book a chance to win over your heart. Stick with the series and you’ll be completely stuck on Carson and Lillian and all their adventures. It won’t be a dull ride. I promise.

Me:  If the future keeps us on the same tight rope as this first book, I know that you won’t disappoint, and I’m looking forward to what’s next from you in this series and in anything else that you write.  Good luck and thank you again for taking the time to chat!

As a follow up, knowing that some of the inspiration of this series came from a challenge from friends after reading FSOG, I wanted to get our author’s POV on how she feels that the genre has changed or expanded based on the overall general acceptance of FSOG and what it means for writers and readers.

Lan:  Personally, I believe FSOG has helped many writers push their limits instead of staying within a ‘safe’ boundary. They’re not afraid to write their darkest, sexiest secret desires because it’s finally acceptable to admit it out loud.

Amen to that – is what I say to her response.  I feel like there was a lot of taboo before everyone got onto the bandwagon, and from a girl who began reading romance in middle school and got into the ‘good stuff’ of erotica in college, it’s great to see that now it’s ok to be a fan and to be a budding author of the genre.  You can put it on paper and not feel like you have to hide.

Thank you all for continuing to support my blog, and i hope that you continue to support the Forever series and Lan LLP.