I am so glad you could join us here at RomanceJunkies. When was the moment that you knew you had to be a writer?
Lori: There was no one defining moment. It sort of crept up on me, at first telling me I was a daydreamer, and later telling me I was too introspective, and maybe fanciful. I started by creating stories in my head. Yeah, you can imagine what most thought of that. 
And then I wrote a few longhand, just for my own entertainment with no real thought of ever trying to sell.
I think it was when I attended a small local writer’s conference. At that time I’d written about 4 books. They were terrible – definitely not something I’d want in print. But without realizing it I was teaching myself to write. Anyway, at this conference I talked to some unpublished writers – several who had been working on a single book for years. I had that “wow” moment, and thought maybe I had what it took.
Who gave you the one piece of writing advice that sticks with you to this day?
Lori: Stella Cameron has been an angel on earth, giving me wonderful advice whenever I needed it. She will always be my hero.
At a local conference, before I’d ever sold, I met Stella. We hit it off and she was so kind that she offered to look at my work. I drove home (squealing all the way) and snatched up a manuscript, then drove back to the conference hotel. Stella sat on the bed in her room and read through several pages with me anxiously watching, my stomach in knots. And she said something life-altering. I don’t remember the exact words, but she told me I would definitely sell, that my voice was special, and that she was impressed.
That was really welcome praise, considering I’d been working on selling a book for 2 years. It had been revised, then revised again… and each time I sent it off I had to wait another 6 to 9 months.
Later that same day she sort of trapped a Harlequin editor in the elevator and asked if she was going to buy my book. (At that point the editor had had the revised manuscript for over 8 months.) When the editor waffled, unsure, Stella said she would just give my manuscript to her own editor with her recommendation – and the Harlequin editor said, “No, I’m buying her.”
I still smile when thinking of that. After waiting all that time, Stella got an editor to commit to me in an elevator at a conference hotel.
How could I not revere that woman?
Oh, and besides all that, Stella is an AMAZING author! I still love her work.
Describe the qualities in your “perfect” hero.
Lori: Well first off, he has to be imperfect. I can’t imagine anything more boring that perfection.
He has to be a man. A man’s man. I’m totally not into the metrosexual guy. If he paints his toenails… yeah, he won’t be in my book. Oh, and if he waxes his chest? Bleh. My guys are too busy kicking butt and saving mankind to groom their chests.
He has to be strong – physically strong is nice, but more important than that is mental and emotional strength. If he’s going to cry, it better be for a really good reason. Not because he lost a sporting event or watched a sad movie.
He has to be respectful to everyone who deserves it – which means unless someone has given him real reason to be disrespectful, he’ll be polite.
He has to be capable. It drives me INSANE when someone writes a hero who can’t change a diaper. I mean, that’s pretty basic. If you can’t do that, how can you possibly master anything complicated like driving a car or shaving?
He should be kind, with a sense of humor.
And he absolutely MUST love animals and feel protective toward children.
Being a stallion in bed doesn’t hurt either.
What are some of your favorite pastimes? Do you have any hobbies or collections?
I don’t actually collect anything, but I love anything with birds or windchimes. My kids have gotten me adorable little bird statues that are so cute for decorating. And windchimes… I love hearing them. The more the merrier.
My favorite pastime is anything with family. We have big family parties at my house. I look for reasons to invite all 60+ people over.
I also love, love, love going to movies. Horror and action are my favorite movie genres, but I can comedy and romance in a pinch. Drama… almost never. Who needs more drama? How is that entertainment?
Also really love the outdoors for relaxing. Hubby and I love to go to Hocking Hills (Fantastic place! Look it up!) or Cumberland Falls or The Natural Bridge. We have a small lake house and I spend much of the summer there. Boating, swimming, skiing… just being outside and seeing the birds and fish and hearing the breeze in the trees and feeling the sun on my skin… Love it.
What has been your biggest adventure to date?
In writing? Or in life? If you mean in writing, then that would definitely be I wrote Joe Winston (Say No to Joe?) and both Kensington and Berkley wanted the book. To call it an adventure would be an understatement. I doubt anything writing-wise can ever equal the excitement of being wanted by two publishers who kept upping the ante. Fun, fun, fun!
In life, well you know, having kids are adventures that never ends. Lol.
We love the outdoors so we’ve visited lots of local caves and rock bridges, etc… But topping it all was the underground river during a lot of rain. The river was high enough that we had to duck our heads in places to fit through the caves. And it was so dark! Not for claustrophobic people, that’s for sure. For anyone who’s a real adrenaline junkie, though, I’m sure it would seem pretty tame.
If your fairy godmother waved her wand and whisked you away to the location of your choice, which place would you choose, and why?
Lori: I’m going to be so lousy at this question because honestly, I’m so disgustingly happy right where I’m at! I love my home and I love my lake house. Between the two of those places, I can always be where I want. But if we’re talking about just for a visit… I love the beach. (Don’t want to swim in that “big water” but I love walking along the shore. I’ve never been to Hawaii so I’d love to visit there someday. I can’t go now because my little dog doesn’t travel well and I wouldn’t even think of leaving her behind.
When it comes to food, are you the adventurous type who will try anything once, or do you prefer to stick to tried and true foods and recipes?
Lori: Tried and true! Nothing with eyeballs. Nothing that looks like a bug. (shrimp = grub worms. Lobsters = insects. Whole fish that are looking at me… shudders.) I love roast and mashed potatoes, stuffed pork chops, beef stew and bean soup and sauerkraut with ribs… I’m a country girl.
And I’ve never met a dessert I didn’t like!
What is the one modern convenience that you cannot do without?
Lori: How modern are we talking? I mean, indoor plumbing is waaaaay up on the list, but it’s been around a while. If we’re talking recent modern convenience, I’m pretty addicted to my internet. My friends are on Facebook! We have coffee together every morning. J I always prefer to connect via email than to be stuck on the phone. And all my photos are stored in cyber space.
As a romance writer, what is your idea of the “ideal romantic evening”?
Lori: My husband and I are not, and never have been, party people – unless it’s an afternoon family party. When we go to the movies, it’s usually a matinee. So with that in mind, I like easy, slow evenings where he cooks me something delicious for dinner (he’s turned into an amazing cook!) and then either the theater (not too late) or a good movie on the television, dressed in our comfortable clothes. J Just us, quiet time, being together.
How would your family and friends describe you?
Lori: Hmmm… I actually just asked them, and here’s what they said:
Compassionate, considerate, kind, animal lover, grounded and organized, and from one of my sons: Small and Feisty, but also faithful and considerate.
Awww… I have such wonderful family and friends!
What is your favorite comfort food?
Lori: I have many comfort foods, but my favorite is probably stuffed pork chops. It’s a special meal, super fattening I’m sure, but oh-so-delicious! Mashed potatoes and gravy with that please.
What is your favorite season? What do you love about it?
Lori: I kind of like all the seasons for different reasons – I like summer longer than the others. I mean, I love winter because it brings Christmas. But once the holidays are over, I want winter to go away. I love spring after the cold weather, but I get tired of the rain. Fall is nice, but it means the end of summer, so… summer is my favorite! I love being outdoors, hiking, boating, skiing and swimming. Living in shorts and going barefoot. I love watching the birds and the squirrels and seeing fish jump in the lake. And as anyone who follows me on Facebook knows, I love the big bright sunrises and sunsets!
What project are you working on next?
Lori: That depends on how long it takes me to finish my current manuscript – which will be book 4 in the “Love Undercover” series. If I finish it early enough, I’ll start a new L. L. book, meaning more urban fantasy and more graphic gore. If it takes longer to finish, then I’ll jump into the next romance single title.
Any place we can find you in person or on the net this month or next?
Lori:I have an event schedule to make it easier for readers to locate me! http://lorifoster.com/bio/loris-events/
I’m all over the net, too. Goodreads, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, PushPage, and I have a really useful once-a-month newsletter that keeps readers caught up on all the happenings. J
June of every year I organize the “Reader & Author Get Together” with my good friend Duffy Brown. 500 romance readers, authors, editors, and editors getting together for fun, food, games, raffles and book signings. We’ve sold out already, but the booksignings are open to the public! Check out the deets on that here: http://lorifoster.com/connect-with-lori-online/readerauthor-get-together/
4 Ribbons from Romance Junkies “BARE IT ALL is an exciting, high octane, roller coaster ride. It is full of all kinds of lusty interaction between the two main protagonists. The subplot nicely sets up the next book in the series, and gives readers a chance to get to know the secondary characters really well. Lori Foster delivers a high wattage tale that you will not want to miss!”–Chris Mead, Romance Junkies – click here to read the rest of the review.
About the book: A cop’s craving to know more about the woman next door could prove fatal in the steamy new novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster.
As the person responsible for taking down a brutal human trafficker, Alice Appleton fears retaliation at every turn. No one knows about her past, which is exactly how she prefers it…until the sexy cop next door comes knocking.
Detective Reese Bareden thinks he knows what makes women tick, but his ever-elusive neighbor keeps him guessing like no other. Is his goal to unmask Alice’s secrets? Or protect her from a dangerous new threat? One thing is certain: their chemistry is a time bomb waiting to explode. And with no one to trust but each other, Reese and Alice are soon drawn into a deadly maze of corruption, intrigue and desire-and into the line of fire….
Click here to read an excerpt / Click here to buy your copy today!
OURS TO LOVE by Shayla Black
