Which one of your books would you say is your favorite?
I can’t decide! My work differs slightly with every book. Finale is my second novel and is all about the 1980s and glitz, and it’s a humorous, erotic, unconventional love story. Coercion, my first, takes place in the mid 1970s and has far more emphasis on sex. The characters are also younger and the ending has left a few readers aghast, so I classify the story as smart erotica for people who don’t mind a little realism amidst all the doin’ it. I explain Coercion’s “resolution” more in depth on my website at the post “Why, Lux, Why? The Ending to Coercion” (http://luxzakari.com/2011/07/25/why-lux-why-the-ending-for-coercion/).
Are there characters in your books based on people you actually know?
I definitely sneak in some real-life quality traits I’ve known some certain people to have…
Is there a character in your one of books that you would say is most like you?
I think all the characters are made of bits of me, because when I write about them, it’s important for me to understand where they’re coming from. I have to side with them and their decisions, regardless whether they’re “right” or “wrong.” It’s my Libra powers that allow me to do this!
What are you currently working on?
I just received some awesome news that my friends-becoming-more story—Secretly More—will be published by Etopia Press, so I’m certainly excited about that. I also have plans to try my hand at self-publishing a novel I wrote last year that involves sex, love and the Major Arcana, as well as writing a new story in which I’ll be exploring the endlessly entertaining world of fan fiction. It’s proving rather daunting though, especially since I gave myself a deadline of Sept. 12!
What made you want to become a writer?
Something intrinsic, I think! I don’t know what it is, but it’s so hard for me not to write; it’s like I can’t help myself. I’m perpetually jotting down fragmented ideas and pieces of conversation that I intend on immortalizing in some way at some point in time.
I think, though, what really propels me to write is love. I want other people to fall in love with the ideas and thoughts I’m in love with and value so much that I have to create a whole fortress around them – I have to put them in the context of an actual story so they outlast me. I’m big on preservation and I hate forgetting, so writing helps me with that.
Do you have a favorite place to write?
I write where I can – on the floor, in bed, in my office, on the back of a library book receipt in my friend’s basement during band practice… Stealing moments whenever I can to write is one of the reasons why writing is fun for me.
Tell us all about your new book.
Of course. Here’s the blurb:
When music legend Jonathan Levant dies in a motorcycle accident, no one is more stunned than his former lover Olivia Gray, a hedonistic ex-celebrity who learns she’s been inexplicably named the guardian of his children. Olivia’s reluctant acceptance of the new parental role obliterates her hope of resurrecting her songwriting career as she faces sarcastic teenagers, suicide attempts and séances. The upset to her self-indulgent life forces Olivia to finally face the truth about the cruel decisions of her wild past, her now uncertain future and her secret, turbulent relationship with a man who, even in death, continues to upend her world.
And an excerpt:
Jonathan silently toed off his shoes and I floated on my back, treading water as I watched him, waiting. He peeled off his socks, stuffed them in his shoes and then cannon-balled into the water, fully dressed.
“Obviously no one ever explained the concept of skinny dipping to you,” I said when he resurfaced, shaking the water from his hair.
He wiped his wet face and gave me a devilish grin. “I didn’t know there was a dress code.”
“In L.A., there always is. And politeness dictates you adopt the customs of your host.”
“But you’re not the host. You don’t own this pool.” He backstroked around me, his eyes challenging me to reply.
I kept our gazes locked, knowing if I looked away he’d think he’d bested me, when in truth this was one of the more exciting, prolonged games I’d been involved in. Usually, at this point, it’d be done with—the guy would be naked and all over me in ten seconds or less. The willpower of men was nearly nonexistent. But this boy was a worthy adversary, and therefore I’d defeat him with my best weapons of seduction. “Johnnie, is it?”
“I go by Jonathan.”
He would, anything to throw me off guard. “Well, Johnnie, we’re going to pretend I do own this pool, but because you clearly have body issues, I’ll forgive your attire.” I raised an eyebrow. “Although to continue swimming with me and avoid being rude, you’ll have to play a little game.”
He smirked. “Marco Polo?”
“No, this game is actually fun.” I swam closer to him and suppressed a smile at his sudden, audible intake of breath. “Put your hands behind your back.”
The wary look returned to his eyes. “What kind of game is this?”
“A game where you can’t touch me, but I can touch you.” My feet touched the bottom of the pool, the inky-black water revealing only everything from my wet shoulders up, and again we were eye-level. “And if you touch me, you lose.”
“What happens if you win?” His voice was low, nervous, but he still looked defiant. He was going to actually try. I did my best not to burst with delighted glee.
Directly in front of him now, I could feel his breath speed up against my cheek. “Then,” I murmured, my lips were just inches from his, “I get to do whatever I want to you.”
I deflected any potential protests by pressing my mouth against his, and stifled a moan at his eager response. He was far better at kissing than I would’ve anticipated. Then again, maybe it was no surprise. He was the star of The Golden Boys; he probably had more girls than he knew what to do with. Maybe I’d help him with that, show him a few tricks.
Still keeping a few inches between us, my lips left his mouth and trailed down his throat, my tongue lapping at the wet skin of his Adam’s apple. His breath came in whimpering, quiet pants and his eyes were squeezed shut as he faced the sky, gnawing his lower lip, but still he didn’t reach for me, a fact that did not escape my attention.
I tangled my legs around his waist, eliminating the remaining distance and feeling his body flush against mine. A needy groan escaped him, and the way he was so clearly begging his body not to betray him was nothing short of divine.
My heels brushed against his hands, locked and clinging together behind his back, and my lips returned to his mouth. He kissed me back with an intensity that surprised me. I wound my fingers in his wet hair, crushing him to me.
Then I felt his hand creep up my thigh.
# # #
Buy link for Finale: http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/torrid/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=601&zenid=6682f72a0e56c6d5ef87b6d88e427d51
Buy link for Coercion: http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_12&products_id=315
For details about Lux Zakari, visit www.luxzakari.com
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