Imogene Nix
Hesparias Tears was actually written using the old trope of Mars needs Women. I tweaked to make it reflect the 21st Century and based it in Australia, because... well, why not?
In this story, you have a planet reeling from the effects of genetic manipulation. There are few woman and no children... A planet dying.
Enter the woman of Earth. They are needed to help repopulate Hesparia. But the Hesparian's aren't coming to rape and pillage. The women are empowered from the beginning. (Unlike the old books)
It's a different take on Futuristic/SciFi because the focus is the couple set in the trying position of him trying to navigate the shoals of earthling politics.
You are a mother, so how do you juggle writing with this responsibility?
Sometimes it's like having a million balls in the air. So long as everyone gets where they need to be, and I remember that writing/editing etc. can't be done during school holidays I get there! Lol!
I work around school runs, husband's work and frequent absences and teenager’s exams. It certainly makes for interesting times, but I really enjoy what I'm doing, so it works. The secret is in having an office where I can shut the door. That tells my daughters it's time to stay out. But they are teenagers, so it's easier than someone with younger children.
Why is it important to you to have feisty headstrong female leads?
I'm not into females who can't make decisions or need a man to organise their life.
I think it's important that the women be able to go along on their own, to allow them to get it wrong, because those are the times they learn and grow - along with other experiences. In the past, I've felt like reading books with malleable females but it just feels... not spineless, but not overly engaging.
Readers keep telling us they want characters they can connect with, and that's what I want to give them. Characters with flaws but who essentially are three dimensional.
The book has been compared to Stephanie Meyer and Sherrilyn Kenyon so how does this make you feel?
Really? Oh my! I love Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunters, so that's such an honour! Wow! I'm kind of lost for words there.
Please can you tell us a bit about your previous publications with Total-E-Bound?
I love to write in a range of genres, and Total-E-Bound have given me the opportunity to write different titles. The first was called Blame The Wine and features a Celtic cupid figure. It actually has a sequel coming toward the end of the year called A Stranger's Embrace - it is a contemporary in the Sexy Snax stable. Then The Blood Bride - the first in the paranormal series called Blood Secrets. It features vampires both at their best and their worst.
What are you reading right now?
I'm rereading faves at the moment, including the Kalayna Price Alex Croft books. (Just starting Grave Witch) then I'm planning on downloading Chrissy Szarek's Collision Force.
What is your opinion of the movie and TV interpretations of the genres in which you write?
I don't watch a lot of television, so it's hard to comment on them; however the movie adaptations tend to be softer than the books. I think it's a shame, because I don't think they translate quite so well, when the characters and the storylines are watered down. I find it disappointing to watch a movie of a book I’ve enjoyed, when the storyline deviates, because the reason it worked so well in the books is as a result of the twists and turns. Take them out... and the story isn't as robust as it could have been.
In your opinion how well does erotica gel with bold genres such as sci-fi and the paranormal?
I'd say well. The thing is, that these are high stress, high action genres and the erotic and erotica genres are high on the steam register. When I wrote my first paranormal I found that the sensuality level rose. When I discussed this with my writing friends, we came to the conclusion that the paranormal and science fiction genres are more accepting of the seamless integration of hotter sexual interactions because the "normal" rules of engagement don't apply.
What is next for you?
I'm currently editing book 2 in the Blood Secrets series, called The Illuminated Witch, with an expectation of having it close to submission in the next few weeks. I'm also tidying up another paranormal... Dark Souls. It's brooding, dark and more than a little nightmare inducing. I've also just started an Historical Duology featuring the exotic locations of India and China in the 1870's.
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