Louisa Bacio is here with me today, answering questions about her new release, Mirabella's Mardi Gras Menage. Enjoy!
1. Mirabella's Mardi Gras Ménage takes place in a world you've written in before. What should new readers know about the setting?
Within New Orleans, the world of the Others – paranormals – and humans – coexist. Yet, the humans don’t really know they are there. With the vampires, there are two primary factions – those that keep their soul and are more “humane,” and those who go rogue.
The “hero” of this story, Nick, is pretty complicated. His story began in Chains of Silver, and he’s gone through a lot of changes. I don’t want to give away a lot. People can definitely pick up this novella and appreciate it. However, they’ll get more out of it if they read the others first. Right now, Nick is probably my favourite character – next to Trevor from the original story – so I’m a bit prejudiced.
2. Mardi Gras is traditionally a last chance to let loose before a period of ritual fasting. Does that theme — or others related to the holiday — get picked up in your narrative?
Most definitely! Mirabella’s tired of being under the watch of her aunt, and she decides to get out in the world and live. It just happens to take place during the Mardi Gras activities. Pretty perfect timing, I’d say. Some conflict comes up, though, because she doesn’t quite know how to handle it.
3. Mirabella is in some ways a very innocent character — for example, she's still a virgin at the start of the book, thanks to her overprotective aunt. It impressed me that she doesn't get overshadowed by her two much more experienced lovers — especially since they have a bit of an existing relationship. What do you think keeps the relationship between the three of them balanced?
Oh, she’s a little bit frightened by them. I had to temper her down a bit. I think it’s more of the excitement and passion of being with them that helps counter the experience aspect. Plus, there’s a level of trust there. Nick’s saved Mirabella in the past, and she’s used to being around paranormals, so she knows he’s not going to harm her.
4. The gender mix in this book (two women and a man) is different than in some of your others. Do you find the emotional shape of a romance changes when you're writing a different combination of genders?
When the idea for Mirabella’s story came to me, I thought it would be a more traditional M/F/M. To my surprise – nope! I’ve written some lesbian stories, so the same-sex comes naturally to me. What I didn’t want to happen, though, was for Nick to bring Marguerite into the relationship. That seemed too domineering, and self-serving. Instead, I like the way it happened — that Mirabella and Marguerite got together first, and then Nick came into play.
Let me say, as a novella (which was supposed to be 20,000 words, and came in at 25k), there were more scenes I wanted to do. So, I might release a F/F excerpt at some time in the future.
5. You've written a lot of ménage, and I'd love to get any tips you can share on how to handle the dreaded pronoun problem — I always struggle to make it clear, say, which "she" I'm talking about.
Good place for a plug. I’m teaching a “De-Mystifying Ménage” workshop for Savvy Authors that starts today, March 25 (http://www.savvyauthors.com/vb/showevent.php?eventid=1745). The pronouns can be tricky and so can keeping the body parts in order. I’ve got some great tips from Stacey Espino – one of my fav. ménage authors – on the acrobatics. Part of it, for me is having more than pronouns or names. So nicknames or descriptions. In Mirabella’s story, Marguerite has red hair, so she became the redhead lover, etc.
6. Do you plan to continue writing in the world of The Vampire, the Witch, and the Werewolf?
At this time, I have one more full-length title planned for the fall. The story features Jana, a non-shifting werewolf we meet in The Wolfe Pack. Tired of being an outcast, she takes off for the city and shakes up with the original Vampire, Witch & Werewolf. Let’s say she has plenty of enticing experiences in this new environment.
7. Is there anything else you'd like to add, about Mirabella's Mardi Gras Ménage, or writing in general?
This story was extremely fun to write. On that note, follow your instincts with a story. Listen to your characters, and they will come alive!
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions!
Thanks so much for having me here today.
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Mirabella’s Mardi Gras Ménage
Constantly under the watchful eye of her Voodoo priestess aunt, Mirabella longs to break free during the events of Mardi Gras. Escapades draw her into the arms of Marguerite, a fiery redhead with a passion for life, and Nick, a familiar vampire who’s haunted by his transformation and past.
What starts as a new experience – a Mardi Gras Ménage – soon turns deadly, and none of their lives will ever be the same.
Available via Ravenous Romance, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other eRetailers.
Bio
Louisa Bacio is the author of six erotic novels, including the paranormal series The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf, and numerous steamy short stories.
Bacio enjoys soaking up the sun in Southern California, and spending time with her family. In addition to writing and editing, Bacio teaches college courses in English, journalism, film studies and popular culture.
Drop in for a visit at
http://www.louisabacio.com
http://www.facebook.com/louisabacio
http://www.twitter.com/louisabacio
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