Interview and giveaway with Eve Berlin (Eden Bradley)

It's a great day because I have the honour to welcome erotic romance author Eve Berlin. You already might know her books she has published as Eden Bradley.

Today "Pleasure's Edge" the first book written as Eve Berlin is published. To celebrate the release of it Eve answered some questions and also offered to give away an ebook copy of Winter Solstice (go to the bottom of the post for the giveaway).

Let's start. 

Please tell us a bit about yourself.

I write erotica and erotic romance as both Eden Bradley, and more recently as Eve Berlin. My first Eve book, PLEASURE’S EDGE, was just released from Berkley Heat, and I’m so excited about this debut! Writing under multiple pen names does make me a bit schizophrenic, but both of my evil twins are art geeks, love shoes, chocolate, tattoos, my three cats and reading everything!

Was it always your dream to become a published author?

When I was little I wanted to be a ballerina, a nurse, an archaeologist-but I also always wanted to write books. I’m still amazed that I’m getting to live my dream! One of them, anyway-I took ballet lessons when I was younger, and never did pursue nursing (other than fake-bandaging my brothers, my friends, my dolls) or archaeology (my brother and I did get in trouble for digging a four foot deep hole in the backyard as a kid, but I don’t think that counts).

What did you do when you sold your first book?

First, I hyperventilated. Seriously. Then I called my parents, who have been so supportive of my writing. My first contract was for a contemporary erotic romance to a now-defunct e-publisher, so that book is no longer available. It wasn’t long after that I contracted another e-book. And less than a year later that I sold my first book to New York. For that one I actually popped a blood vessel in my eye. There was more hyper-ventilating-a lot more. I spent about a week freaking out, and believe me, it was not pretty-lol! That was a two book deal to Bantam, THE DARK GARDEN and THE DARKER SIDE OF PLEASURE, both BDSM erotic novels. 

I still get a little breathless with each new sale. I’m happy to say the thrill never goes away.

Do you have a favourite place to write? 

I’m a bit of a prima-donna when it comes to my writing process. I’m no good sitting at a cafe, although I love to go there to brainstorm with my writer friends. But to really write, I have to be at home at my desk in total silence. I used to write to music, but lately it’s been too distracting, for some reason. Some of my other must-have’s are a blanket on my lap if it’s cold, lots of bottled water, and chocolate. Milk chocolate, preferably. Donations are happily accepted. *G*

Do you sometimes get weird reactions from people when they learn that you write erotic romances? Or are most people excited when they hear about your books? 

Oh yes, plenty of weird reactions! Men often get that glint in their eye...like writing erotica means you’re a porn star. Some people don’t know how to respond. Others are excited to meet a real live published author-if only they understood that mostly means I spend my life at home in my pajamas, my hair in a ponytail, muttering to myself like some sort of madwoman. Glamorous stuff!

How does it feel to have total control over what happens in your books? 

 If only that were true...A lot of what an author can do is dictated by our publisher’s guidelines, our editor’s preferences, and what our particular readers want to see. And sometimes my characters can be incredibly demanding –they like to think they’re in charge. Especially my doms. And my vampires. Those guys are really bossy! Like spanking and tying people up regularly or drinking blood and living forever means they can push people around...

Do you have a favourite character from your books?

I’m always in love with the hero I’m currently writing, so at the moment it’s Dante De Matteo, the hero from my next Berkley book, DESIRE’S EDGE. Like Alec in PLEASURE’S EDGE, Dante is a dominant, so he’s a commanding alpha, totally in charge. But he also has a heart of gold. It’s that contrast that  always makes me swoon. And they both have the tall, dark and hansome thing going on, which isn’t bad, either...I’m in edits now, so I’ll have to leave him behind soon (*sniff*), but I know there will be another hero for me to fall for in a few days. I’ll be working on the next two books for my Midnight Playground series from Samhain, so it’ll be back to my vampires, who I always adore. Book Three, THE TURNING KISS, will have another appearance by Calam, my hot Scotsman, and Book Four, EVERSONG, will be Ever’s story. He’s the oldest of my vampires, the darkest, and one of the most mysterious, which is so sexy to me!

What genres do you read?  Do you have any favourite authors?

I read everything. Lots of women’s fiction, the dark stuff and the more comedic, and in the last year or so I’ve found some amazing YA authors. I’m also a big sci-fi fan from way back. Tanith Lee was probably one of the biggest influences on my writing voice. She writes sci-fi, horror and erotica, and has the most lush phrasing of any author I’ve ever read. 

Of course, I also read erotica and erotic romance. One of my recent favorites is R.G. Alexander’s POSSESS ME-awesome, hot read set in New Orelans (that city is sex itself!) with a unique twist. I also love Megan Hart, Kate Pearce, Shayla Black, Robin L Rotham, Maya Banks, Joey Hill, my fellow Smutketeers, Crystal Jordan and Lilli Feisty, and I am a huge fan of Anne Rice’s erotica.

Do you worry that the plots of the books you read will condition your ideas?

I don’t really worry about it. I read so many different genres. And they say that every story has already been written, that it’s up to us as writers to find a fresh way to tell it,  to make it uniquley ours. That’s why developing your voice as a writer is so crucial.

Can you recommend any books that you recently read and enjoyed? 

Aside from R.G. Alexander’s POSSESS ME, I really loved WINTERGIRLS by Laurie Halse Anderson, a wonderful YA author. It’s pretty heavy material, so maybe not for everyone. And I loved THE SUGAR QUEEN, by Sarah Addison Allen. It’s just magical and sad and lovely. Also, Kate Pearce’s KISS OF THE ROSE, the first in her Tudor Vampire series, is a must-read!

What aspect do you enjoy most about writing?

Psychology-what makes people tick-is always fascinating to me, so I really love developing my characters, getting to know them. And because a complex character is most interesting to me, I love to give them dark secrets, tragic pasts-anything to make finding love more complicated for them. Ultimately, I think that can make love an even greater reward, something to treasure, and that can bring the most emotional impact for my readers-and for me! 

You work two jobs, writing and a day job. How do you manage to find the time and energy to write after coming home from work? 

I was teaching Pilates at a physical therapy center, and I loved it, but my deadlines have been overwhelming this year. I couldn’t keep up with both, so I recently gave up my Pilates clients. Finding a balance while writing over a quarter of a million words a year was pretty much impossible, and because I worked mostly with people recovering from surgury and injuries, my work was very physical, so I was tired when I got home. I’m still in the middle of several very intense deadlines, but I’m looking forward to having a life again next year, maybe spending some time with family and friends. Maybe even a vacation that’s not a writing conference! I love them, but I’m really overdue for a few days spent lounging poolside-with a good book, of course!

Please gives us an overview about  your new book, Pleasure’s Edge.  PLEASURE’S EDGE is the story of a woman, erotica author Dylan Ivory, who is new to the BDSM scene. It’s a long-held fantasy of hers, one she’s never truly been able to admit to. Until, while doing research for a book, she meets Alec Walker, sexual dominant, gorgoeus, and the man who finally brings Dylan to her knees-figuratively and literally. There’s a bit of a power struggle as she tries to accept her own desires, and learns to serve his-and they both learn to accept love.

Are there differences in books by Eden Bradley and Eve Berlin? 

While I’ve written about BDSM as Eden Bradley-among other topics-so far all of my Eve books are BDSM-themed. But there’s a more commercial voice to my Eve Berlin books. They’re not quite as dark. They’re very much romance-centered, while some of my Eden books, especially a few I’ve written for Bantam or Spice, can be a bit more focused on the heroine’s journey of self-discovery. Although other than a handful of short erotica stories, I always write a happily-ever-after-or a happily-for-now, at least. I love it when my charcters find love!

What are you working on right now?

Everything at once-lol! Edits for DESIRE’S EDGE, and my next two vampire books for Samhain, as I mentioned earlier. I’m also working on the outline for FALL EQUINOX, the next in my Celestial Seductions series for Samhain. And I’m putting together a few chapters and a proposal for a women’s fiction book I’ve been dying to do, so fingers crossed! That will most likely mean yet another pen name, but I’m getting used to the schizophrenia. ☺

Readers can always find out my latest news on my websites: www.EveBerlin.com or www.EdenBradley.com , or on my group blog, the Smutketeers, with fellow erotic romance authors Crystal Jordan, R.G. Alexander and Lilli Feisty: www.Smutketeers.com . We also have a Smutketeers Yahoo group, so if readers would like to visit, we’re on there nearly every day, chatting, having guest authors and running contests.

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. 

Thanks so much for having me!

You can also find Eden on 

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Giveaway

Thanks to Eden Bradley one person will win an ebook copy of Winter Solstice (click on title or read my previous post for more info on the book). 

To enter just leave a meaningful comment or a question for Eve/Eden. Don't forget to add an email-address so I can contact you. 

Extra entries

For spreading the word about the interview and contest via twitter, fb, etc. +2 each (please leave links)

Giveaway is open until November, 7.