I am thrilled to welcome fabulous author Sophia Jones to my blog. Sophia is my critique partner, fellow romance junkie, and all around great gal pal. After years of Skype and IM, I finally had the great pleasure of visiting her in her home state of Arizona, where she joined me in checking off one of my big bucket list adventure items. Gotta love a friend who’ll jump out of an airplane with you!

She’s been with me from the beginning of my writing journey – seriously, she’s read everything I’ve ever written, including some things better left buried in the depths of my computer hard drive. So naturally I’m very happy and proud to be a part of her writing journey!

Today, she’ll be telling us about her new release, The Pharaoh and the Curator.

Synopsis: Unlucky in love museum curator Michelle Beaumont finds herself in Egypt where she contributes to god Amon Ra’s resurrection. His burning heat soon has her throwing caution to the desert winds, but a lurking danger threatens both of their souls.

Sophia, tell us a little about your heroine, Michelle. Aside from the physical, what drives her attraction to Ra?

Oh goodness, dare I use the word soul mate?  He is her soul mate.  But that connection aside, I think she’s drawn to his warmth.  He’s considerate of her, respectful in a way that harkens back to another time–yet he knows she is his equal and treats her as such.  She also likes the way he’s managed to keep a positive attitude and his sense of humor through what has been a very long trial.  She admires his fortitude.

Ah yes, chivalry of old mixed with a soul-deep connection and a mighty pleasing physique. Speaking of…luckily for Michelle, Ra shows off that physique by wearing very little, aside from one particularly intriguing piece of clothing that doesn’t quite fit the Saharan desert setting. Needless to say, Michelle calls him out on his wardrobe choice with great comedic effect. Do you find it easy or challenging to balance the romance with humor (which you do very well, IMHO)?

Aw, you’re sweet, thank you for that nice compliment.  I’ve been a bit surprised at how many readers have commented on the humor in my stories–mostly because I’m not a funny person.  I can never remember the punch lines to jokes and can’t tell when other people are kidding half the time.  But I find that often my characters, my female leads especially, have snarky inner voices that translate to their dialogue.  Any humor element in my writing comes about organically and usually takes me by surprise.  The romantic bits?  I have to work at those. ;o)

Oh, I don’t know, I personally think you’re a pretty funny gal, and I definitely enjoy the romantic bits in your work. This is the second erotic short you’ve published (and, dear readers, you should really check out her first – The Phantom and the Psychic), and I adore your exotic locations and romantic pairings. Can you give us any hints about what’s next for you?

I intend to do another Paranormal Erotic Tale and am currently polling readers about what they’d like to see.  Their suggestions have been quite inspiring.  So far the possibilities include a Roman garden with floral scents heavy in the air, historical New Orleans, and haunting Savannah, Georgia.  I love all of these ideas, but I’ll be honest and admit there’s a pirate argh-ing sweet nothings into my ear and sending me flashes of blue Caribbean waters when I close my eyes. 

You know I’m voting for the pirate theme, as visions of Captain Jack Sparrow dance through my naughty mind. Now then, readers, I happen to know a bit about Sophia’s process, including an, um, unconventional writing location she favors (evil grin)… Tell us a little about the inspiration for your stories and your process. You can even share that writing location if you like 🙂

You’re an evil, evil woman who knows far too many of my secrets.  Okay, if I can jump out of a plane, I can share this. ;o)  I’m a big reader, as many of us writers are I think, and I do a fair amount of my reading from the bathtub.  I suffered pretty bad writer’s block for this second shorty, and in desperation one evening, I plopped down in my bathtub– laptop and all.  No, there was no water in it, just me, sitting in an empty tub, typing.  But I found writing from my “reading place” helped me get back into my story.  The next night I laid a big, squishy comforter in the tub for cushioning, along with a pillow or two, and was able to crank out two thousand words.  Needless to say, my hubby was amused.  No, there is no photographic evidence–nor shall there ever be!

Hey, you gotta go with what works. Here’s my confession: I once pounded out 2,000 words in the passenger seat of a car while picking hubby’s brain about the inner workings of the male mind. So, in the bathtub or elsewhere, which authors would we find you reading when taking a break from your own writing?

There are so many, and it changes week to week.  My all-time favorites are Kresley Cole, Lisa Kleypas, Susan Elizabeth Philips, Stephen King, and more recently, Joe Hill.  

I’m with you on Stephen King and Joe Hill, and I’ll add Lisa Kleypas and Susan Elizabeth Philips to my list. Thank you so much for the wonderful interview and for feeding my romance addiction with your wonderful stories!

Thank you so much for having me.  I’ve learned so much from you these last couple of years; you’re truly an inspiration.

To learn more about Sophia, please visit her website. The Pharaoh and the Curator is available now from Amazon, as is her first, The Phantom and the Psychic. You can also find Sophia on Twitter and Facebook.