Playing games has never been sexier

Than what you'll find in Roll Play by Rowan West. In her debut novel from Ellora's Cave, Rowan has crafted a tale where fantasies come to life and passion sparks hot enough to melt your computer screen.

Here's a little tempter about the book to get your motors running:

Amara has loved Griffin since she was a teenager but hasn't seen him since. He has figured prominently in her fantasies and as the hero of her books. Now she is flying to California to help turn her book into a screenplay. As dazzling as the prospect is, it pales in comparison to discovering that Griffin heads the studio.

Griffin met Amara while participating in role-playing games with her brother. Although he had feelings for her, he couldn't make a move on his best friend's little sister. Until now. Now he has the means to bring her to him — and the magic to create a place for them to experience all the passion they feel for each other.

Each night, a roll of the enchanted die brings Amara and Griffin into a dream realm where their every desire becomes reality. By day she gets to know the man, by night the lover. But is it only a game for Griffin? Because Amara knows her heart — and she is playing for keeps.

Honey, there's heat in spades in this book and Rowan is definitely a new author to keep your eye on. This Hussies is definitely looking forward to the next exciting offering from a very hot new voice in erotic romance.

Being the dear she is, Rowan consented to letting me ask a few questions:

Q: Rowan, could you tell us a bit about your latest release?

A: ROLL PLAY is the first book I have ever had published and I am thrilled to be part of the Ellora's Cave family. EC was my first choice from the moment I started reading erotic romance e-book.

The book is a contemporary with a strong paranormal element in the form of an enchanted 10-sided die (like the kind used to play dungeons and dragons). Amara and Griffin met each other as teens playing role-playing games, but nothing came of their feelings then. Now Griffin has found a way to bring Amara back into his life. By day she is working on a screen play for his company. By night, she rolls the die and awakens in a magical realm where Griffin makes all of her erotic fantasies come true. Getting to know the man and the lover makes Amara certain she wants Griffin to be a permanent part of her life, but first she has to be certain that their time together isnt just a game forhim

Q: And honey, you did a fantastic job of creating characters who set the pages on fire. Can you tell us a little about your current WIP's?

A: I am currently working on a short erotic contemporary romance about a woman who's greatest fear in her relationships is being too deeply known, too deeply seen. She likes to keep people at a distance. Of course, the man she loves and who has come back into her life is a painter, someone who sees all of her.

I am also working on a contemporary that I hope to submit to EC's Exotica line called RIGHTS OF THE MASTER about a woman who must once again spend time with the man who was not just her sexual equal, but the man whose dominance matched her submissive soul.

Q: Oh Yumm. I can't wait! How do you come up with your ideas?

A: Just about anything can end up becoming a story idea from an article in a magazine (I keep a file of favorites) to hearing about an interesting job to a passion of mine. I am determined to write a book where chocolate figures prominantly. That will make for some great giveaways for readers, dont you think? One of my current ideas is for two stories about twins born on different days (one born just before midnight, one just after) and their names are Eve and Dawn. What enables me to follow through with an idea is the characters. If I have discovered compelling characters, I stay with the story to see how it turns out for them

Q: How do you balance family and writing?

A: This is an important part of my life. I know it is a challenge for a lot of writers - heck, for women in general - and it is something I have worked hard at. For almost six years I have been an at-home-mom (I was never good at the 9-5 world), and I have two sons who will be 8 and 5 in December. My younger son just started half-day preschool so for the first time in nearly five years I have time without kids during the week. It's only two hours, but right now that seems like a lot. I try to get as much done as I can in this time.

Most of my day, however, still involves them. By the time they are in bed, I am too tired to write so I have learned to blend writing and parenting. If I write in the dining room, they take out their "work" and create along side me. More recently I have found that I can ask for short blocks of time (an hour to an hour and a half) to work in my office (it's the garage, but it's all mine!) where they watch a movie and I write.

Since the publication of ROLL PLAY they understand better that Mommy's writing is a real thing and that she needs time for that just like Daddy needs his time at his office. One thing that works is when I ask for time to write, I write. And when I go back to my family, I am fully with them. Oh the occasional bribe works, too. I was on a deadline for a book for The Lotus Circle and I told them that if they gave me the time I requested then when the deadline was up they would each get a new Webkinz. It work. I made the deadline and there are happy kids with new stuffed animals in our house.

LOL, sounds like you've managed to successfully balance things out so that everyone is happy. Good for you! Rowan, thanks for being our Featured, Must Read Author. It's been a pleasure and a delight and all of the Hussies will be eagerly awaiting your next book.

Thanks for being here and learning more about this exciting new writer. Visit Rowan's sites at the links below to learn more about her and keep up with what delights she has in store for us next.

LINKS: Personal website: http:www.rowanwesterotica.com
Reader group: http://www.passionsmuses.com.
Myspace http://www.myspace.com/rowanwest

Until next time, this is Ciana for the Hussies with a littler reminder: We're not wanton and wicked. We just write that way. Can you dig it?