I’m Michele
Zurlo, author of over 20 romance novels. I write contemporary and paranormal,
BDSM and mainstream—whatever it takes to give my characters the happy endings
they deserve. I’m not half as interesting as my characters. My childhood dreams
tended to stretch no further than the next book in my to-be-read pile, and I
aspired to be a librarian so I could read all day. I ended up teaching middle
school, so that fulfilled part of my dream. Some words of wisdom from an
inspiring lady had me tapping out stories on my first laptop, so in the
evenings, romantic tales flow from my fingertips. I’m pretty impulsive when it
comes to big decisions, especially when it’s something I’ve never done before.
Writing is just one in a long line of impulsive decisions that turned out to showcase
my great instincts. Find out more at www.michelezurloauthor.com or
@MZurloAuthor.
1. At any given time do you work on only one story at a time and
maybe plot out the next one or are there many ideas racing around your head?
Michele: Stories are always racing around in my head. Sometimes
it’s hard to finish one project because the other one is tapping me on the
shoulder saying, “Wouldn’t it be cool if?” and “I don’t know what my name is
yet, but my tenant is really hot.” If it gets too bad, I have to take a break
and jot down ideas or a general outline. Sometimes I don’t put down enough details,
and then when I go back to look at my notes, I have no idea what I’ve written.
Some stories pop up again and again, so I tend to choose those projects next.
2. Is there a genre you haven't written in but would like to? Or wish you could write in?
Michele: I’ve never limited myself in anything. It cuts out too
many possibilities and makes you miss out on stuff. I love contemporary, BDSM,
new adult, and paranormal, and so I’ve written in every one of those genres. I
haven’t tried science fiction, but I’m not sure I want to. Whenever I’ve tried
to brainstorm stories in that genre, they haven’t ended up keeping my
attention. I’ll leave it to other writers, as I do love reading science
fiction.
3. Do you add an element of romantic suspense in your stories?
3. Do you add an element of romantic suspense in your stories?
Michele: My Doms of the FBI series is romantic suspense. Re/Bound
and Re/Paired feature dominant FBI agents embroiled in cases where life and
love is on the line. Kiss Me By Moonlight isn’t suspenseful—unless you’re going
to wonder how Lacey’s next lie is going to derail her life.
4. Say you have unlimited funds: What kind of writing office/cottage would you create for yourself?
4. Say you have unlimited funds: What kind of writing office/cottage would you create for yourself?
Michele: It would need to be somewhere peaceful, green, and warm.
I’d want water and a private beach nearby. The actual cottage wouldn’t have to
be large because the weather would always be wonderful and the insects would
observe an invisible boundary between them and me. I’d need a kitchen that
makes meals on demand. It would be voice-controlled and self-cleaning. The bathroom
would need to be one of those high-budget deals where it has everything you
never knew you needed in a bathroom, like a lounge and white, billowing
curtains. It should open up to an infinity pool that overlooks the beach. It
would be beautifully landscaped with awesome patio furniture so I could write
outside. And brownies would clean everything. I would never mention them to
anybody, because then they’d stop.
5. If you could turn your novel into a TV show, which novel or series would you do? Where would it be set? Network TV (ABC, NBC, CBS), Cable (AMC, BBC, Lifetime) or Premium Cable (HBO, Showtime, Starz)?
5. If you could turn your novel into a TV show, which novel or series would you do? Where would it be set? Network TV (ABC, NBC, CBS), Cable (AMC, BBC, Lifetime) or Premium Cable (HBO, Showtime, Starz)?
Michele: The Kiss Me Series would make an awesome series. It has
love, friendship, and great musical numbers. I wouldn’t care which station picked
it up, though if they were on BBC, then the actors would all have cool accents.
But then the setting would no longer be in Michigan. I’d be willing to
entertain certain changes, especially if we could have guest appearances by
anyone who has ever been in Doctor Who. (Are you reading this, Alex Kingston?
You’d be perfect for Lacey’s mom.)
6. Finally, tell us about your latest release!
6. Finally, tell us about your latest release!
Hey
there. It’s Lacey again. Falling in love and landing Dylan hasn’t been the
panacea I thought it would be. For starters, he moved into my apartment without
asking, and he continues to have no respect for my need to have things in sets
of six. Pile that on top of my emotional upheaval after losing my stepfather,
and you have a recipe for disaster no amount of German chocolate cake can cure.
Yes,
Lacey Hallem’s life remains fraught with challenge, but you know she’s a
fighter. Forming a talent management agency with her best friends has been the
best career move she’s ever made—even if it’s the only thing currently working
according to plan. Lacey’s OCD is getting the better of her, and this time her
hands aren’t the only casualty. When her lies ruin her relationships with both
Kiss Me Goodnight and Dylan, she’s forced to confront her demons in ways she’s
never had to before. As she once again faces her past, can she learn once and
for all to let love and friendship through the barriers she’s built?
Both
harrowing and hilarious, this conclusion to the tale of Lacey and Dylan will
leave you laughing, crying, and fanning yourself—sometimes all at once. Michele
Zurlo triumphs again in this moving story about life’s quirks and what we all
have to do to get by.
Where to Buy: Amazon
Excerpt:
On the way home, Dylan fumed silently. I drove this time, as
he tended to speed and cut people off when he was in a sour mood. When we were
almost to my apartment, he said, “Aren’t you going to apologize?”
I glanced at him, surprised he’d ask for me to lie. “I’m
sorry?”
“That’s not going to cut it.”
“I’m not sorry I said it. I’m sorry I hurt your feelings,
but you know how I feel about that song.” I turned into the parking lot and
found the space designated for my apartment.
“You called me a manwhore, Lacey.” His entire life, he’d
slept with two women, one of whom had been his late wife. “That’s not the image
we’re trying to project. We want fans to focus on our music, not our imagined
bedroom antics.”
I got out of the car. This was another “discussion” Dylan
wanted to have. You know what I’m spoiling for? An all-out fight. A lot of
pent-up frustration and anger mixed with residual hurt and grief inside me, and
that much emotion is going to demand an outlet if I don’t provide one.
On the plus side, the fact that I want to argue, scream, and yell boded well for the conditions of my hands. Perhaps that’s why Dylan listed those options earlier. He knew what I’d wanted before I did. I kind of resent him for that. People you were mad at aren’t supposed to be right or accommodating. Dylan managed to be both. Manwhore.
On the plus side, the fact that I want to argue, scream, and yell boded well for the conditions of my hands. Perhaps that’s why Dylan listed those options earlier. He knew what I’d wanted before I did. I kind of resent him for that. People you were mad at aren’t supposed to be right or accommodating. Dylan managed to be both. Manwhore.
Michele will be awarding a choice of signed paperback copy of Wanting Wilder, Mina’s Heart, Kiss Me Goodnight, or Kiss Me By Moonlight, and a $25 Amazon gift card to one randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. (US ONLY)
