Book Lovers Inc.
Romance Novel Reviews, Author Interviews, Commentary
Interview: Author, Maya Banks & a Giveaway!
We are happy to have Maya Banks, author of the Sweet series, here today. Sweet Temptation, book 4 in this series, was released last week and Maya is here today to answer all our questions about these books. Please give her a warm welcome.
The Geeky Lover: First of all, thanks for being here today.
Maya Banks: Thanks for having me 🙂
The Geeky Lover: Can you please tell us a bit about yourself?
Maya Banks: I live in Texas with my husband and three children. When I’m not writing or reading, love to hunt, fish, and travel. I’m a huge homebody, though, so my favorite place is home with the family.
The Geeky Lover: You live in Texas and most of your books are set in the South too. What makes this region so special to you?
Maya Banks: I love the south. Loved growing up here. I’m sure anyone has the same sentimental attachment to the place they call “home” but I’ve traveled widely, and the old adage is true. There’s just no place like home. I had a brief stint above the Mason Dixon *g* And Was so relieved to move back “home” I love the people and the sense of community, the laid back, slower lifestyle. The attitude is just different here, I think.
The Geeky Lover: Your new release Sweet Temptation is book 4 in the Sweet Series.Can you tell us a bit about what happened so far? What’s this series about?
Maya Banks: The series began with Sweet Surrender, and at the time, I really didn’t have plans for a long running series. There isn’t an over reaching plot arc that connects the books. It’s heavily character driven and the focus is on a group of friends and coworkers who live and work in the Houston area. I wrote that first book, and it just kind of went from there. I loved the characters so much and it was hard to let go. So I didn’t 😉
The Geeky Lover: Would you say that Sweet Temptation can also be read as a standalone?
Maya Banks: Absolutely. All of the Sweet books can be read in any order. I’d say the experience is probably enriched by reading in order, but you aren’t going to be lost if you pick up in the middle or even at the end. You see the characters from previous books in each of the subsequent books, because as I noted, these are close friends who work and spend time together constantly. And that’s what I love most about the series. That really close bond they all have.
The Geeky Lover: Can you give us a short summary of Sweet Temptation?
Maya Banks: Basically Micah gets a blast from the past when the sister of his oldest and dearest friend bursts into his life. He fights and fights hard. But Angelina is…well, she’s perfect for him, and she’s patient. She loves him unconditionally even when he tries very hard to push her away.
The Geeky Lover: For all the ladies out there who have hungered for this since book one: please tell us more about Micah.
Maya Banks: Micah is an intense character. On the surface he’s very fun loving, very easy going and laid back. He loves women. He’s very protective of women. Which makes it baffling (to Angelina) that he seems to go the opposite way when it comes to her. He’s probably the most emotional of the heroes in this series. When he loves, it loves with all his heart. He’s loyal to his friends. But he also likes his well ordered existence away from his past life where he can forget. He was deeply hurt by the deaths of the two people he loved most, and his way of dealing with that, is simply to walk away.
He’s not very nice to Angelina in the beginning. He’s completely and utterly wasted by her reappearance, and he pushes her because he wants her to walk away. But she can give him the one thing he’s been missing. Someone to take care of him.
The Geeky Lover: Your heroines in this series have all been very different from each other so far. What makes Angelina special?
Maya Banks: Angelina was very interesting for me to write. She’s young, but she’s determined. She’s also very grounded in who she is, what she wants, and what she needs. She’s not afraid to reveal herself and make herself vulnerable in front of Micah because she trusts him. She’s comfortable in her skin.
The Geeky Lover: The relationship between Micah and Angelina is rather difficult from the start. Why did you choose this setting for Micah’s book?
Maya Banks: I don’t think it could have worked any other way. Micah is a complex guy. Once you scratch the surface, you get into something all together different. It wouldn’t have been much of a story if he treated Angelina like any other woman in his life, and the fact that he didn’t spoke to just how unsettled he was by her appearance. He’s fighting her but mostly he’s fighting himself and his past. I don’t think he would accept any threat to his defenses in his usual easy going manner. Angelina was different from the start and he recognized that.
The Geeky Lover: Will there be another book in this series?
Maya Banks: Connor’ story is next and it’s pretty different from the other stories. But then Connor is a different guy and what works for the other books just wouldn’t work for his 😉
The Geeky Lover: I know it is mean to ask but: Which of the Sweet books is your favorite?
Maya Banks: Sweet Seduction
The Geeky Lover: Do you have any other projects we should keep our eyes open for?
Maya Banks: I have a new series coming out this fall with Berkley. The Kelly Group series. I’m really excited about The Darkest Hour, the first book, which releases in September. I’ve waited several years to be able to write Ethan and Rachel’s story! No Place to Run is the second book in the series and it releases this December.
The Geeky Lover: Thanks so much for taking the time to answer our questions.
Maya Banks: You’re quite welcome!
You can buy Sweet Temptation: Amazon, Bookdepository, Borders
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Great interview. I would like to ask Maya a question. I haven't read any books from this series and would like to know if each book is a stand alone or should each book be read in order. Everyone seems to be talking about this series and I want to read it. Thanks. 🙂
Hi Susi and Maya:
Excellent interview, thank you for sharing. I've enjoyed your "Sweet" series very much Maya and wanted to ask about "The Kelly Group" series. Is it erotic romantic suspense? Is there information on your website with respect to it yet?
Thanks again. 🙂
Testing new pop up comment!
Bells, they can definitely be read in any order. There isn't an over arcing thread that you'd be lost by reading book 3 then book 1 etc. You see the characters from previous books in each subsequent book because they're a close knit group of friends and coworkers, but you can read in any order and not be lost 🙂
If you need the series orders, it's Sweet Surrender, Sweet Persuasion, Sweet Seduction and Sweet Temptation.
Lea, I'm super excited about the KGI series :))) I've been waiting a long long time to tell Ethan and Rachel's story. It's not erotic suspense. It's more action and adventure with heavy romance than a true gritty suspense novel.
I'm in the middle of a complete website redesign so right now all I have is the cover for the first book, The Darkest Hour, and the blurb. It releases this September and I'm actually doing copy edits on it as we speak, so after all that's done, I'll post an excerpt 🙂
I can't wait to read Micah's story.I love this series.
Maya since you mentioned which book was your favorite,can you tell us which cover in the sweet series is your favorite?
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net
I can not wait to have this book in my hand. Great interview ladies! Very good job.
Is there such a thing as too much erotic in a book?
alliwantandmorebooks@ gmail.com
Elaine, that's actually a harder question than what my favorite book is. There are things I like and dislike about all of them 🙂
Cecile, the answer to your question is "it depends" and what it depends on is the reader and what their preferences are, their comfort zone, what their hot buttons are etc.
If you ask a reader that question and hold up a book and say "is this book too erotic" you'll get a wide variety of answers no matter how "sweet" or how "sexy" the book is. Sensuality is such a diverse topic and everyone comes to the table with their own belief system and set of values so it's impossible to say yes or no to a question like that.
In every one of my books, no matter how light or heavy the eroticism, I've gotten complaints from both camps. Too much sex or not enough sex. Sex too early. Too long until the sex.
At the end of the day I write the book as I see it needs to be written. And how it feels right for the particular characters I'm writing. Then it's up to the reader to take away what they do from the book after reading it 🙂
Happy Monday!
Ms. Banks, I adore your Sweet series, though there was a moment in Sweet Persusion that made me a little uncomfortable. But despite that, I really admired it and applauded you for being able to go there, because it was so in what the charecters would do and what their personalities are.
I am so looking forward to Micah's story and can't wait to get my hands on a copy!
My question is (and I don't mean it in a snarky way). How do you do your reseach. Especially about the culture and such. Where do you know where to look to get useable, factual information that you use for your charecters?
Love the Sweet series. Am excited that Conner gets his own book. Loved Micah, but Nathan was my favorite. Thanks for all the great books.
Even though I haven't read any of the Sweet series as of yet, I've had this book on my to-buy list a while before it's release. After reading the synopsis and all the hype I figure I need in on this world. 😉 I have a love for intense characters and complexity too.
Thanks for the interview!
Loved the interview and I LOVE all of Maya's books! I can't wait for Connor's story and wish it would come faster!
Lynette,
I purposely do not incorporate what is the "accepted culture" into my books, and by this I mean the idea that there is a BDSM handbook on the "lifestyle" out there and that anyone who doesn't have the clinical terminology down pat and adheres to the "rules" doesn't understand or respect the lifestyle.
People are unique and they are individuals. No two people approach any sort of lifestyle in the same way, so to suppose that there is a rule book that everyone must follow is ludicrous (to me) but this is obviously my opinion and the way i write my books 🙂
I look at my characters and their personalities and how they would react in certain situations. I take their wants and needs as individuals and focus on that. Not the world at large around them or the expectation of how people want or THINK they should act. That isn't life to me.
So the long answer is, my approach and research is different for each book and my research has more to do with the characters themselves and delving into their wants, needs and desires than in any "how to" manual that may or may not exist out there.
Wonderful interview with great questions.
Maya, you chose Sweet Seduction is your favorite. I'm curious to know why??
And congrats on a beautiful cover, definitely an attention grabber!
Great interview. I love Maya's books. Can't wait to read Micah's book.
I don't know the books yet, but this one sounds so good!
So I will hope to win it!
lucybeugelingramos@gmail.com
It is a wonderful interview – I enjoy the erotic scenes in your books very much, and I believe the reason for that is that your characters have depths and dimensions that give a definite shape the erotic aspect of their stories.
Kudos! and thanks!
Wow Ms. Maya, thank you for commenting me on my question and on Lynette's. I love hearing what authors have to say on that issue. I am a very dedicated reader and my comfort zone has been pushed and pulled more times that I can count and I have loved every minute of it. I know some are very uncomfortable with those books, words, or areas of life… but that is what makes life so rich.. there is so much out there that is yet to be discovered. And it might not be for everyone's liking but it sure does make for great… well… yea that!
Thanks a lot for coming back to answer!
Nice interview Geeky and Maya.
I still have not read any books by you so I can't say what I am missing (a lot of I look around 😉
I already like the sound of Micah, I feel a hug coming on here
blodeuedd1 at gmail dot com
Oh I like hugs 🙂
great interview maya. i just love all your books. your such a great author. cant wait for your next book to come out.
Awesome interview! I have not read the Sweet boks yet but I am looking forward to them, I have Colters Woman and Be With me… looks like I will be needing this too!
Sounds fab, I love how the books are character driven.
contact throught twitter juju221
Terrific interview–thank you! Maya, I've read a couple things by you and have more on the TBR. I've been hearing universally good things about your Sweet series–must get those!
Maya, I don't remember reading the answer to this–how did you get started writing, and were there any particular books/authors/incidents that inspired you or spurred you on?
Congrats on your many successes–looking forward to reading many more!
Glad to know the series doesn't have to be read in order. This book sounds super good and the reviews have been really glowing, but I haven't picked up the others yet. Darn my book budget. I'm really hoping to win so I can read it immediately. What I love about your writing is how emotional your stories get. The characters go through so much and their being together is smoldering because of how much they've gone through.
I look forward to more of your writings. You rock!
joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com
I love your Sweet series. I can really get into all the charaters, and when I was done with one book, I had to get the next until I read them all. I really enjoy your books. Keep on writing, and I can't wait to read the next book in the Sweet series.
I've been enjoying the Sweet series! Is Connor's story the last of the series? I seriously hope not. And I have to say I'm looking forward to Colter's Lady, since Colter's Woman was the first book of yours that I read and made a fan of me for life.
alternate email from blogger
magenta 2 red [at] gmail [dot] com
Maya, I love your books. Will you be writing Cole's story? I would to read it.
Lisa
I haven't picked up your Sweet series yet, so hurry for them being standalones! I love a heroine who knows what she wants. 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win!
I have read some great reviews about this book and would love to give it a go! Great cover!
robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
I love complex guys! Micah sounds very sexy. I would love to read Sweet Temptation. Thanks for the great interview and giveaway!
Kelsey
krae991 AT yahoo DOT com
HI Maya !
i haven't read any of your books, but really intrigued with each one of them 🙂
– did you find difficult to write hot, steamy, sex scene(s) on your books ? 😀
uniquas at ymail dot com
Maya,
If you were a book what would your blurb say?
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/
Fichen1,
I never got serious about writing until a friend of mine and I threw down the gauntlet and said let's do it. Let's make a career out of this. She (Amy Knupp) and I both went on to become published so it worked out well! 🙂
Sue A,
I hope Connor's book isn't the last in the series!
Mariska,
Some scenes are more difficult than others to write. There really isn't an explanation other than some seem to write themselves while others I'll agonize over for days trying to get them "just so" Of course I wish they all just wrote themselves 😉
Maya –
I was wondering what kind of music you listen to while you are writing. Do you get inspiration from certain types of music? Or do you like to write in silence?
~julstew
Lisa R,
lololol My blurb would probably be a lot of bleeping 😉
Thanks to all of you for stopping by and for all your wonderful comments. I really appreciate you and all of them!
*smooch*
I'm so excited to read your new book, Maya. Haven't missed one yet!! Thanks for stopping by.
Oh! That's awesome, Maya–I've read some of Amy's books, too! How wonderful that the two of you are living the dream now 😉 Congrats, and wishing you many more books and sales and readers!
Thanks for visiting!
ACK! How could i have missed this interview for days!!! It's the one ive been waiting for from Susi lol!
LOVED LOVED Sweet Temptation, Micah got top marks in both my review and goodreads, He is definitely my favourite "sweet" guy, i just loved him and Angelina together…and dang talk about scorching scenes between them!!! LOVED!!
My question for Maya is, will Cole get his story told too? We see him throughout the series in Damon's house, and then more prominent in Sweet Temptation, He intrigues me – ha, just like Micah did!
Sooo…if there's a vote for future characters, im tossing my name onto his petition ^_^
Great interview and AWESOME Book!! =)
I have to admit, I am from the "slow" camp… I haven't read anything by Maya yet… so I'm speculating that there is a nice surprise waiting for me when I start reading this series 🙂
Cherry Mischievous
mischivus101-warrior [at] yahoo [dot] com
Re-posted your contest at: http://contests-freebies.blogspot.com/2010/04/win-sweet-temptation-at-book-lovers-inc.html
Twitted: http://twitter.com/cherrymischivus/status/12233760531
Hi Maya,
Your Sweet series is one of my favorites, love your characters, and the perfect blend of eroticism and romance. Definitely can't wait to read Micah's story.
Really like the sound of your upcoming series, too, and look forward to reading more about it.
caity_mack(at)yahoo(d0t)com
I think what I love most about this series is how different all of the books are. They reflect the personalities and temperaments of the characters featured in each story.
Micah has always intrigued me and can't wait to read his story. I've heard that Connor is featured quite a bit in Temptation and can't wait to learn more about him!!! Glad to hear that the series is going to continue and REALLY excited to learn more about your Kelly series you mentioned. Congrats!
booklover1335ATgmailDOTcom
Great interview. You are a new author to me. Your books sound really good. Love the cover of this book. Thanks for being here.
Sue B
katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com
Cool interview! Learned something new again today! :))
bugs.bittle23@gmail.com
That was a great interview. It makes me want to rush out and buy the books. I would like to enter this contest. I am a follower.
Cherylbaryl@hotmail.com
I've been hearing about this one for awhile now and now I'm super excited to know that it can be read as a stand alone!
notreallysouthernvampchick(at)gmail(dot)com
Enjoyed your interview. Sweet Temptation sounds so good!
You said Sweet Seduction was your favorite of the Sweet books. What made it your favorite?
TOPSAIL246(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks for your interview and for running this contest Susi. I've been looking forward to Micah's book for awhile now.
Hi Maya. I noticed in Sweet Seduction that Cole seems to be replacing Micah as the almost-hero on the sidelines. Do you plan to write a book for him?
Awesome Interview The Book Sounds Awesome. Hey Maya What Are One Or Two Things We Wouldn’t Normally Know About You? And What Inspired You To Write Sweet Temptation Or Did You See Something That Inspired You To Write It?
skyla11377(At)AOL(Dot)Com
I also haven't read this series yet, though I have heard great things about it. Maya, I would like to ask you 1) who are you favourite authors and what genres do you like to read most?, and 2) if you could have dinner/or interview any 3 people dead/alive/imaginary, who would you choose? Thank you!
Stella
stella.exlibris (at) gmail DOT com
annalisa,
Sweet Seduction was my favorite because Julie and Nathan were just so fun. And I love Nathan. He's just so cute!
Decadence, not really sure yet. I didn't go in with the intention of writing a story for him but his character has kind of evolved and he's interesting 🙂 I've probably looked the most forward to Connor's story and I just hope it plays out on paper like it does in my head! If it goes the way I see it, it'll be my favorite of the series 🙂
Skyla, I always give boring answers to "how did you get the idea" because it's really just something that happens. It forms in my head and I get a scene and then another and I just write it out it feels right for the characters. More than once I've envisioned something going one way only to get into the story and characters and realize that it won't work the way I'd thought because it wasn't true to the characters.
Stella,
I love Sharon Sala, Elizabeth Lowell, Christine Feehan, Julie Garwood. I mostly read contemporaries!
Giveaway is closed now!!
Thanks for all the comment love!