Birthday Bash Guest #1: Jaci Burton

My very first guest blogger helping me kick off my Birthday Bash is Jaci Burton. With five books being released between April and September this year, Jaci's one busy busy author! She writes steamy hot romance for Ellora's Cave, Berkley and Samhain. Her latest, Taken by Sin, was released on Tuesday by Bantam Dell.

Did one book give you more trouble than the others? They’re all a giant pain in my ass when I write them. And a blessed relief when I’m done. But Surviving Demon Island is probably the hardest book I ever wrote, mainly because it was the first mainstream single title, the longest book I had written at the time, and the one I did the most revisions on. It was a true labor (oh man was it ever labor) of love, and probably the book I’m most proud of.

What's your biggest distraction when writing? The internet in all its glory. It is evil. (and wonderful...and a giant timesuck)

Do you play music when you're writing? I don’t play music. I find it utterly distracting. Probably because I sing when I hear music. And then if I sang while I was writing you would read lyrics in my books. And really...who wants a “Boom Boom Pow” right in the middle of a heated action scene? Hmmm...might work if I was writing an action scene though. Heh.

Do you "cast" your characters using pictures or actors to help inspire you when you're writing? Nope. Straight out of my imagination.

What advice would you give to an aspiring writer? Treat your writing career as a career and not a hobby. If you don’t take it seriously, no one else will. Make it a priority.

If you could go back to when you were just getting out of high school to give yourself one piece of advice, what would tell yourself? Don’t take 20 years to get that college degree....such a pain in the butt.

Leah here: My eldest son got his motorcycle license and first motorcycle last year, so I had to ask Jaci: You and your hubby both ride Harleys - what's your weirdest riding experience? Well let me clarify—he rides..I’m merely the passenger. ;-) Our weirdest riding experience was probably the poker run we went on last summer. Thousands of bikers, temps near 100 degrees. Me so hot I almost fainted and having to stand in line after line after line to get our poker hands. It was fun...but just a truly horrendous out of body experience. The weird thing? We’re doing it again this year. Yeah, I’m a glutton for punishment.

Where would you like to ride but haven't had a chance? Haven’t been to Sturgis yet, the biggest bike rally in the U.S. I really want to go.

(Leah again - oh oh, I suspect Guitar Hero will be eyeing that next year.)

Here's a look at Taken by Sin:

Temptation. Sin. Seduction. He’s taking her all the way.…

HE’S THE SEXY DEMON HUNTER WHO JUST SAVED HER LIFE. NOW SHE’S ABOUT TO SHOW HIM WHAT SALVATION’S REALLY ABOUT.

It’s a mission that could cost him his career and his life. But the woman he just rescued—his lover for one unforgettable night—has something Dalton desperately needs. That’s why the fearless demon hunter is risking everything to spirit Isabelle to a secret hideaway in the Louisiana bayou. Saving her is one thing. Banishing the demon inside her is another. Especially when this gorgeous seductress brings out the devil in him.

Isabelle can see the passion roaring inside Dalton—and it both frightens and arouses her. Is Dalton her enemy or her savior? All she knows is he’s beyond seductive and igniting all sorts of conflicting feelings. All Dalton knows is that they’re both in big trouble—hunted by demons and demon hunters alike in an all-out war for survival. As their pursuers close in and passion overtakes them both, Dalton must make a stunning choice…. Caught between sin and salvation, between darkness and light, will he make the ultimate sacrifice to save the woman he loves?

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Jaci has kindly offered a copy of one of her books as a prize. Leave a comment to be eligible for today's draw. Winner will be announced here tomorrow morning. (Make sure we have some way to contact you, or check back here. Prizes must be claimed within 30 days.)

Don't forget that you'll not only be eligible to win Jaci's book, but you'll also be entered in my weekly draw next Friday as well as for the grand-prize drawn at the end of July.