Aug 15, 20214 min read

Melissa Adams Author Interview

“If you could build your own harem using the characters from any of your books who would you choose?”

Ok, this a hard one because I love all my male characters. But if you’re really making me choose and there’s no limit on the number of men … Then I guess it would go like this:

Oren and Leith from The Lieutenant

The entire harem from The Preacher’s Daughter: Bode, Kelley, Shep and Ashton

Bryce, Oliver and Chase from Perfect For them

And finally, Chaz from The Reputation and Joel and Preston from Lake Emerald Chronicles (and I’m trying to really be selective, because I’m just realizing that I wrote a LOT of books lol)

“Do you base men in your books off of your exes? If so, what are some things about your ex that you’ve used for a character?”

All the time. There’s one guy I dated when I was 16 that inspired a few of my characters, or several elements from him. He was a junior windsurfing champion. The abs on the guy were insane! He inspired me for Alex in The Initiation and also Kelley in The Preacher’s Daughter. However my guys are way nicer than he was. He knew he was hot and popular and let’s just say that it didn’t end well. Lol.

“Where do you get your spicy scene inspiration from?”

I guess I’m a dirty girl? They say men think constantly about sex but I can tell you women do just as much. At least I do.

“What has been your favorite fan interaction? In person or online!”

A few of my fans have actually become friends. But my PA started as a fan of my work, she loved Lake Emerald, my debut series. And one of my future co-authors (we haven’t announced it yet, but be ready for some delicious, steamy darkness) was a big fan. I had no idea she’d read almost all my books when we started talking at the end of last year.

“Do you have any release day traditions? How do you celebrate?”

Normally a glass of wine or a martini in the evening while I wait for the reviews to start pouring in.

“If forced to trade places with one of your FMCs, which would you choose and why?”

Omg, you really like making me choose, huh? I think Kaya from Perfect For Them.

“What is the most difficult part of co-writes and shared worlds? Is there something you loved about doing a co-write and being part of a shared world?”

With a co-write the hard part is coordinating things when you’re in different time zones; or find a convenient time to talk. There’s always someone who has to stay up late or wake up early. In shared universes is the coordination part, like keeping things consistent and arranging cameos. Think about it this way, I’m a series that spans over 4 or 5 months with releases, often the people who are writing the first couple of books are writing their stories when the authors of the last few books have just a vague idea of what their story will be about. So there’s a lot of adjustments and a lot of talking. It’s time consuming. But if you look at universes like Silver Springs, it’s so rewarding. And I gained some lifelong friends for sure!

“Where do you picture the characters from Perfect For Them ten years after the series ended?”

I see that you’ve read the series? Lol

I think they’ll live between the US and the UK. Oliver will be his usual, snarky, self-entitled self. But we all know he’s a real sweetheart with the right woman. Bryce and Parker would be still Kaya’s playful besties. But I see them juggling their relationship and their careers with family life. There would probably be some kids. And I think there’d have to be holidays on a yacht. Other than that, I know Kaya’s men would keep doting on her and sharing her in and out of the bedroom, while being snarky and still ribbing each other constantly.

“Have you ever jumped your partner after writing a particular scene?”

I ALWAYS do lol

“What do you do when you have writer's block?”

I stew.

That’s what I call it. I spend a day or two cooking, or watching TV and not letting myself open my project. But the entire time I’m not writing, I leave my characters and the storyline, simmering in the back of my mind. That’s why I call it stewing. Normally by doing that, they’ll show me how to proceed. Maybe a scene I hadn’t planned yet, or an unexpected twist.

“What is your favorite book by another author that you’ve reread more than once?”

I have a few that have had an impact on my life. Not all of them are romance.

Shock Wave by Clive Cussler

Teresa Batista by Jorge Amado

The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simmons

And an entire series of books my mom used to buy me. It was like a harlequin romance for teens. They would have 4 books a month and they were mostly YA. But I used to devour them and dream of writing my own one day.

“If you were a character in a book how would you want to be killed off?”

Hahaha. Too many orgasms of course. It’s the only way to die I’d accept.