Bitten by Books
Please join me in welcoming author Clare James for her exclusive Bitten by Books vlog interview. She will be here throughout the day to chat with readers in the comments section below about her new book release Caught book one in the Elite PR series.
Direct link to the video one so you can watch the interview on your cell phone or tablet from work:
Buy a Kindle copy of Caught from Amazon by clicking here. – ONLY $2.99!
About Clare James
Author Bio:
A fan of spunky women, gorgeous guys, and super-hot romance, Clare James spends most of her time lost in books. When she’s not reading, you can find her locked away writing her own steamy stories.
Clare is also a former dancer and still loves to get her groove on – mostly to work off her beloved cupcakes and red wine. She lives in Minneapolis with her two leading men – her husband and young son – and is always on social media chatting with readers.
11 Quick Things About Clare
Favorite Food? Cupcakes
Favorite Color? Blue
Favorite Movie or TV Show of all Time? Harry Potter- all of the movies!
Favorite Drink? Wine
Favorite Current Book? The Luckiest Girl Alive
Favorite Season? Autumn
Favorite Online Hangout? Twitter
Favorite Animal? Dog
Favorite Band or Musician? The Head and the Heart
Mode of Travel? (Trains, Planes or Automobiles) Automobiles
Favorite Vacation Destination? Europe
Connect with Clare
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Who are some of your favourite authors?
Hi Minaa! So excited to be out here chatting with you guys today!
I have to say, I hate this question!
I always feel like I’m leaving somebody out and can never come up with all the names that I want to talk about!!
But if you’re going to make me, here are some of my contemporary romance faves:
*Nora Roberts - cuz you just have to!
*Elin Hilderbrand
*Kristin Hannah
*Christina Lauren
What kind of romance do you like: soft and sweet or spunky and steamy?
Both. Depends on my mood.
What are your favourite type of heroes- everyday guys or the rich and famous?
Well, I like everyday guys and guys who are not quite everyday guys (like spies, agents, shapeshifters etc.), but I’m more than a bit fed up with the rich and famous heroes (except for Roarke from In Death series by J.D. Robb).
Even with my love of Nora, I’ve yet to read a J.D. Robb story
They seem pretty great!
Hi Clare - You’re new to me but I love PR so we should be good :).
You say Autumn is your favorite season - why? I love it because it’s cool and the sky is always amazing to look at. Do season figure into your books? I’ve read several books lately that are all set in summer
- go figure.
1. I like both sweet and steamy depending on my mood ;).
2. Everyday guy most of the time.
3. I don’t have a favorite setting. I just like it to really match to book.
Thank you.
There’s something about the start of a new school year that signals new beginnings to me. I love the colors and the clothes in the fall!!
I definitely work season into my books. And I also try to have books release in the same season as the story! CAUGHT has an awesome 4th of July scene!
Hi Clare!
I would like to extend a huge warm welcome to you today for being with us on Bitten by Books. WELCOME!
My question for you is; What do you like to do to relax and pamper yourself (besides reading or writing)?
Thanks for having me, Rachel. Really excited to be here. Also, loved doing the vlog. Though my husband and son were like, “why do you have make-up on today? What’s going on?” I usually rock the top knot and yoga pants most days
Let’s see. To pamper myself - I need to do this more often. Usually, I keep going and going until I drop, then I let myself have a binge watching session on TV-with wine! That’s my favorite!
LOL I rock the Yoga pants too. Now it is WAY too hot. I loved your vlog. Totally relate to the dog being in your face while recording. We have FIVE dogs! hahah so, it’s almost impossible to record anything. hehehe
Oh man, if I get started on TV (which we don’t have) I never want to quit. LOL depending on what is.
What’s your favorite show or shows?
It’s chilly in MN today. Finally warmed up to a whopping 70-degrees. I’m not sure what’s going on around here!
5 dogs? OMG- that’s crazy! My one is enough. She’s such a baby.
Here’s the thing about TV today- there is some awesome writing going on today!! I would like to write for a killer show sometime in my career.
I love Game of Thrones and even more, OUTLANDER! It’s the best show on TV as far as I’m concerned.
I also love The Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce - sooo clever! And Younger is really cute! I could go on quite a bit. I don’t watch a lot of TV, but will go on a binge and watch a season in a weekend!
What kind of dog do you have?
OMG it would be awesome to have your books turned into a show. I LOVE love love Outlander! Has season two been released yet? I need to binge on that. The thing with that series is that I actually didn’t read it, I listened to it on audio. Which I really HIGHLY recommend. I would have gotten super lost and probably put it down with all the Gaelic. Listening to it really gave it a totally different dimension. I picked up a few of the Lord John Gray novella’s from the library in ebook format and found it was hard to read them versus the audio. LOL
Keeping my fingers crossed that your books get pulled over to TV!!
I have a Tibetan Terrier. She acts more like a cat than a dog- very bitchy and bossy. But then, at the same time, she’s sweet and needy. She always has to be by one of us. They have a cool history, they were bred to be companion dogs for monks
What about you?
Outlander - yes, they’ve had two, what I guess they’re calling, seasons, but there was only a few months of a break in between.
To answer your fantastic questions that are on the Giveaway Tools Widget….
1. What kind of romance do you like: soft and sweet or spunky and steamy?
I like spunky and humorous romances. I don’t read a TON of romance but when I do, I like humor.
What kind of romance do you like to read (outside of what you write) Clare?
Well, I kind of write across all lines of romance. I love suspense and humor, steamy and sweet. I don’t write a lot of paranormal, but I do love to read it from time to time.
Steamy is good too. I have read a few steamers in my day. LOL and a few oddball ones lately.
What’s your take on really short reads like 35-80 pages versus longer books? Do you ever do any novellas?
Would love to know more about your paranormal stuff too.
Steamy can be fantastic when it’s done right … and a lot of people are doing it right today. I think we’re moving away from our puritan history and want to see what goes on behind closed doors. Outlander is doing an incredible job with this. It’s sooooo steamy, but never cheesy and doesn’t exploit the characters.
Did I tell you how much I love Outlander?! lol
So short reads — I have lots of feelings on this. Part of me likes them, I like a hot and quick read while I’m waiting for my son at baseball or golf. I like reading one at the end of the day — one that has some conclusion and makes me feel satisfied.
Then I love long books too. I think there’s room for both.
I have a few novellas and short-book series. They were well-received, but readers usually ask me for more!
Yea, I read those short stories on my phone while I am waiting for somebody or just have a little time to kill. (which isn’t often)
I prefer a longer read and series overall. Uh I am pretty sure you could read almost a whole novel while waiting for somebody to play golf! LOL I spent the first 5 years of my life on a golf course. (little known fact about me hehehe)
Interesting! Are one of your parents professional golfers?
If you could only give ONE piece of advice to newbie authors and writers, what advice do you think is the most important one to give?
Yay! A writing question!!
For a newbie, I’d say read, read, read and write, write, write. It’s the best way to learn!
Hi Clare and Congratulations! Great vlog! I really enjoyed the story about your newstory with the guys in the back making lewd gestures, unbeknownst to you!
How long have you been writing?
Thanks Betty!!
I’ve been writing for … always.
When I was young, I had a journal.
I wrote for my school newspaper in high school and college. Then I wrote for TV and corporations. I always wanted to write a novel, but didn’t think I was creative enough. I played with it for years and took creative writing classes. Then about eight years ago, I had my “aha moment” and decided to get serious. I’m not sure why, I just knew I had to try.
I’m glad you decided to write novels! This one sounds great! I guess the thought had simmered on the back burner long enough and then, one day, this is the day!
I hope you’re soon over the bronchitis~that stuff is rough!
Thanks!
I’m feeling better, but still keeping the family up with the cough
Summer illnesses are brutal.
And yes to simmering. That’s really what happens!
2. What are your favorite type of heroes- everyday guys or the rich and famous?
This is a great question. It’s been something that has really been bothering me about a trend I see in romances these days.
I like an average every day kind of guy/girl. I can definitely appreciate a Millionaire tossed in once in awhile. But I am SO tired of seeing “Her Billionaire this or Billionaire that” book titles. I realize it may have been sparked in part to the whole 50 Shades fandom. But I would settle for the 150K a year guy or 75K a year. WHY does your romantic partner have to be filthy rich. There aren’t that many Billionaires in the world so it rings so false to me and the eye roll factor is larger in my house these days because of this trend.
My enjoyment comes from the reality and honesty of characters. Tossing money into it doesn’t impress me and makes me a little bit sad to be honest. I don’t think any less of authors who use this theme in their books. It’s my own opinion. The older I get the less materialistic I am becoming.
What about you Clare, do you like the rich and famous or the average 100K a year guy? LOL
Isn’t it funny? Millionaires are not enough anymore, it has to be billionaires
The fantasy of that can be a good getaway and can be fun — if it’s done well. I will really read anything … if it’s done well. If you’re riding a trend as a writer, I think it shows. Stepbrother anyone? Still, I will tell you that I’ve read a great YA story about a stepbrother (Notes from the Blender) and a New Adult stepbrother story by Lisa Desrochers that were both fabulous. These did hit before the trend, so they felt authentic.
In my book, Caught, the hero might have money, but he struggles in so many other ways. I guess that’s what I love is the struggle — money or not.
I know! Hey buddy if you aren’t a B’Maire I am not looking at you pal. LOL
HOLY CRAP! The “Taken by my Billionaire step-brother were bear with tentacles” books are just out of control. SMH. I like original thinking. And with ALL the books that are out there, it is hard. I get it. My husband is an author but he’s been lucky to have found an niche in a non-fiction market that will hopefully be great for him. Mmmm Maybe I should have him add step-brother and tentacle to one of his titles. LOL *dying laughing*
I would love to talk with one of the authors of one of these crazy combos!! They have to have a great sense of humor, right?
3. What is your favorite setting for a book?
Hmmm well, I am not sure what you are asking exactly here. Is it like location? That’s what I *think* you are asking. I like books set in all kinds of locations.
I am not a big western fan, but hey the wild west can be fun. I like romances/books set in larger cities too. Honestly as long as the book is well written, it could happen anywhere and I would like it.
What about you Clare? What is your preference for location?
Ya know, I’m a little seasonal about it. I love a summer romance in the South or Nantucket or some island. A winter love story in the mountains is awesome. I adore when Nora Roberts takes me to Ireland or Italy, or some ranch out West or a village in Alaska.
But then I enjoy a regular ol’ small town or big city too. I love details of the location — make me feel like I’m there and I’m sold! Setting is really like another character to me.
Oh, I never really thought about seasonal reading settings. To be fair, I really love books written in Seattle or Washington state. Because I know the places they are talking about. It makes the book more *special* or something for me personally. I love stuff set in Europe. The other is Times! I love a good ancient historical romance too. Greece, Egypt, Rome, Vikings, Celtic you name it!
My answers to Clare’s questions:
1. What kind of romance do you like? I like soft and sweet with a spunky female.
2. What are your favorite type of heroes- everyday guys or the rich and famous? I’d choose everyday guys.
3. What is your favorite setting for a book? I don’t really have a favorite setting as long as the setting matches the characters and storyline.
Hooray for spunky females!!
Agreed! I don’t like women who are always running into or creating problems and then have to have a man rescue them. I like strong, self-sufficient women who have a few quirks and are willing to have a relationship but it isn’t essential.
What kind of romance do you like: soft and sweet or spunky and steamy?
—- Really depends on my mood and mind-set. Sometimes I crave something soft and sweet, and other times spunky. I really wish for more soft and sweet, something like the romance in the Korean drama Gu Family Book. That was so emotional, and the romance aspect sweet…
What are your favorite type of heroes- everyday guys or the rich and famous?
—- Everyday guys – Guess, with the way the rich and famous are catered to, and the economy (especially us everyday joes trying to live paycheck to paycheck), I really find it unrealistic. Give me an everyday guy that struggles, gives me something to identify and relate to with him.
What is your favorite setting for a book?
— Mm, again, depends on what I am in the mood. Every now and then, I crave a good fantasy-based story. It can be fantasy fantasy or fantasy romance. Usually the setting is a world the author created like Mercedes Lackey’s world in her Valdemar series or the Wizard of the Coast / DnD’s Fearun – a magical based society. Then sometimes I want a Steampunk setting or paranormal or contemporary.
Very cool! I’m interested in the Gu Family Book - was this a book too or just TV show?
Korean drama, set in a historical time with a paranormal bent.
I thought it was so sweet how the divine being (guimho) risked much to save her and the gentle way he woes her. He was willing to risk everything he was to become human for her…
Then with their son’s romance with a young girl who didn’t care he was half guimho. She stood behind him knowing that her fate would end badly for choosing him.
The summary is for the first two episodes…
http://asianwiki.com/Gu_Family_Book
This has a better summary of the show…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gu_Family_Book
Cool. I’ll check it out! Thanks!!
Congratulations on the release of your new book! Caught sounds like a hot summer read. What books are you looking forward to read this summer?
Thanks, Bonnie!
Caught is insanely hot! And the characters make some really dumb moves because of their chemistry, but I love that about it. I love putting my characters in crazy situations and watch them squirm their way out of it!
I have a big deadline to get through this summer, but then want to spend a few weeks reading until my eyes bleed! I love thrillers as much as romance, so I want to read some good thrillers. I’m hoping to write a dark romance this fall, and the thrillers will get me in the mood.
On my kindle right now, I have: The Cellar, The Girl on the Train, Before I Go to Sleep, and One Step Too Far.
Hello! What are your plans for the Fourth?
Hey Susan!
So for the 4th, we’re going to one of my favorite places in the world: Minnesota’s North Shore. We have a cabin we rent right on Lake Superior and it is awesome! We hike the area, go to the ski hills nearby to ride on the alpine slide, go to some craft breweries, but mostly just hang out by the lake a feed the seagulls and watch the barges float by in the night.
I can’t wait!!
Author questions
Even though I enjoy reading all types of romance, I have been reading more spunky and steamy romances recently. Love a spunky heroine!
An everyday guy is my favorite type of hero.
I don’t have a favorite setting, but I find a book to be especially interesting if it is set in a location I have visited.
I have to share - I just had the best Rainier cherries. OMG!
Did you have any pets as a child?
We had a ton of pets!! Always a dog, we usually got them as rescues so they were older and were never part of the family more than a few years. My favorite pet was the Siamese cat I had until I was six or seven. Then we had bunnies, and gerbils, and crayfish, and hamsters, and all sorts of weird creatures coming in and out of the house
What do you hope readers will take away from reading this book?
Hi Lisa!!
I don’t think I have expectations for what readers will take away from a book. With this particular story, I just hope it entertains them
I hope they get lost in this world for a little while and enjoy their time with the characters … especially the steamy moments with Jarod and Viv!
Do you have a favorite cocktail?
Cocktails make me goofy! But, I love a glass of red wine
Hi, I see that your Favorite Movie or TV Show of all Time? Harry Potter- all of the movies!” Do you ever think about if it was perfect just the way it was or do you feel that it could have been better if it was darker and aimed more towards adults. I Like it the way it was but often imagine what it would have been like if it was geared towards adults and not children
Wow, Stephanie!! That is a great question. I love the idea of it being darker, but if it was geared for adults, I think it would’ve lost some of the magic. I loved that I got to be a kid again during the series!!
You can only have one kind of cupcake for the rest of your life: what is the cake, what is the frosting?
Hi Bethany!
Marble cupcake and vanilla frosting. But it has to has almond extract in it!
What kind of guilty pleasures to do you have as far as books or movies go?
Dirty books and dark movies - LOVED Gone Girl in both forms!
Love the intro and interview. I also like the idea of developing secondary characters because so many times, they sound so interesting I’d like to learn more.
Hi Kathleen!
Yes, I love secondary characters too - they really make the story come to life in my opinion. The best part? I can always write their own story if I want
If you could spend the day with any literary character, who would it be and why? What would you ask them?
Oh my! Maybe Dumbledore - he’s so wise and my own grandfather died before I really got to know him or ask him questions. I’d ask him about the secret to a happy life and how he remains so calm all of the time
I love a spunky romance story with an everyday hero, real guys who work with their hands are so sexy. Plus I love an outdoors type setting. Waterfalls, lakes, mountains its all about nature. Makes everything more romantic. My question for you is if you could live your life as a character in any movie or book who would it be and why? I would want to be Scarlett from Gone With the Wind. Feminine, smart, adored by men, and stringer than she knows.
Karla!
You’ll love my next book. The protagonist’s hero is Scarlett and there are many GWTW references!
Answers to author’s questions:
What kind of romance do you like: soft and sweet or spunky and steamy?
I’m a romance junkie, so I read all types of romance.
What are your favorite type of heroes- everyday guys or the rich and famous?
Neither, I prefer my heroes to be somewhere in between.
What is your favorite setting for a book?
Any historical time period and place, especially Europe (Scotland, Ireland, England, France, etc.), or an Ancient Culture (Greece, Egypt, Rome, China, etc.).
Love this!!
When you first started writing your “first” novel, What inspired your story in the beginning and what kept you going through til the end?
It’s a long and complicated story, but it was another book that inspired it. A character was very one-sided about an issue and this character came to life in my head and started arguing with her. I had to write the book. It was never published, but it did land me an agent!
What do you think about video interviews?
I love them! But … that means I actually have to wear real clothes
steamy
rich
don’t really care about settings
You know what you like, bn100. Love it!!!
Who is your favorite Muppet and why?
Miss Piggy! Because I love spunky women!!
1. Which character is YOU? (for ALL authors)
2. I like my romance spunky. I’m more into thrillers!
3. Actually.. I like my men to be brainiacs.
4. Favorite setting for reading? Would be laying on the couch. Now, if you meant for the books I read.. I love the settings to be in unexplored mysterious locations.
You are spunky, Cherei!
From any of your books, what is one of your favorite scenes, or types of scenes, to write?
soft and sweet
everyday guy
snowy cottage
Clare, what do you do when you get stuck writing? if you do
Hi Dina!
I get stuck a lot!! Taking a walk can help- or anything to get me away from my desk awhile. Exercise, playing with my son, petting the dog, even reading another book
To answer your giveaway questions:
It depends on my mood. I love both sweet and steamy, so it really just depends on the day.
I like books with everyday heroes.
I adore cowboy-themed books, so a ranch setting is my favorite!
Lindsey! My next book is cowboy-themed!
Do you have any reading or writing rituals?
Hi Amy!
Depending on the book, my rituals change. Sometimes I like to watch a clip of a TV show or listen to a song to get me in the mood. Other than that, I just write whenever and wherever I can!
I like sweet love that grows into spunky and steamy!
I go for regular guys as heroes, but sometimes I like celebs that are regular guys at heart (hockey players, musicians).
I like premises dealing with art, music, sports, or food, so any settings that facilitate those are welcome.
This is Awesome, Trix!
Questions Answered:
1. What kind of romance do you like: soft and sweet or spunky and steamy?
Kinda mixture of both but i guess if i had to pick it would be soft and sweet
2. What are your favorite type of heroes- everyday guys or the rich and famous?
everyday guys are my favorites lol rich and famous guys seem too egotistical at least the ones i read about.
3. What is your favorite setting for a book?
small town or close knit city where everybody knows your name and i do love books set in Europe or in New England.
Love it, Amy!
How do you decide if a book is going to be a stand alone or part of a series?
Sometimes I just know that there is more to cover with a story, but sometimes the readers made the difference. If they yell loud enough for another, they usually get their way!
Are there other genres you would have an interest in writing ?
I love thrillers and YA!
who is your favorite author?
How many books have you written so far and how old you are when you write ?
I’ve written about a dozen books - started in my early 30s!
Have you ever tried something that looked easy but turned out to be difficult?
Pilates!
What is the weirdest thing you have done for research?
I’ve tied myself up and put a rag in my mouth to see how it’d feel to struggle and how it’d sound if I screamed.
I was working on a kidnapping scene
Thanks for hanging out with me yesterday (and this morning)! And thanks for having me, Rachel. This was a ton of fun!!
Where’s your favorite place to write?
My office! I like the quiet
I also hate having to haul my laptop around!
What is your favorite movie that was based on a book?
Hi Natalie! The OUTSIDERS was fantastic. I was just telling my son about it!
what inspired you to become an author? or to write the way you do?
Thanks!
Of the books that you have written, which is your favorite?
1. What kind of romance do you like?
If it well written the kind isn’t important.
2. What are your favorite type of heroes– everyday guys or the rich and famous?
Cute and funny are much more important
3. What is your favorite setting for a book?
I don’t really have a favorite setting .
what is your favorite part of being a Author?
Who is the one person who has had the most influence on your writing?
Have your job experiences ever found a way into your books? What was the worst job you ever had?
1) sweet
2) rich and famous
3) It doesn’t matter as long as I care about the characters.
What is your all time fav book? and do you have it in paperbook or on a reader or tablet?
I like to read both sweet and steamy. Just depends on how I feel when I am choosing a new book to read.
I like my Heros both rich and reg gays. It depends on what the book is and how the character is to be.
I can’t answer the setting question because That depends on the book and I like all of them that is why I read for the difference.
If you could have three folks to dinner living, dead, real, or imaginary to dinner who would they be and why?
1. I like my romances in most ways. Just depends on the story and characters.
2. like the all the above
3. love futuristics and other than that any place is cool.
I am not picky as long as I like the story.
1. I like spunky and steamy romances these days. I can’t help it! Lol.
2. Everyday guys hands on. There’s just too much pressure with a the rich and famous to be perfect all the time.
3. My favorite setting? I’m not sure, I’ve never thought about it but I like almost every setting as long as the story is good.
My question for you Clare is what made you want to write romance?