Where: Las Vegas home of one of the MANY James Cavendish lavish properties.
What: Spending some quality time with the remarkably gifted R.K. Lilley and Mr. Beautiful while having lunch.
When: On the heels of her book three, Grounded, in the Up in the Air series and Lana we are all waiting with baited breath for Bad Things! What better way to spend the afternoon then with the creator and her muse.
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TBA: Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me today! I have to say that I love it here but *leans in so only the three of them can hear* I would have performed a far better interview on a private jet on the way to a certain ranch. *blushes while looking away*
We order lunch and now it is time to jump in!
TBA: Ok well first I would like to thank you for an amazing series! *looking at R.K.* I couldn’t put the books down! I must say that James had me at first class seat 1A! Sorry James but you have to know that you are the dream…a total package! *sighs*
TBA: R.K. can you tell a little about how the series came to be and how *looking at James* we were lucky enough to have this man come into our lives?
R.K.: I wrote a story that had elements of everything that I absolutely adore about erotic romance. I would definitely say that it’s a guilty pleasure. It was sure as hell a guilty pleasure for me to write it. It’s angsty, dark, dramatic, passionate, and tells a heart-wrenching love story through some pretty spectacular, over the top, kinky sex. The setting was a fun little extra, and a sort of homage to my days as a first class flight attendant. James, unfortunately, is a figment of my imagination, but a very well-developed figment, and pieces of him do come from real life.
TBA: James, you really put yourself out there when it came to Bianca. What was it about her? You are powerful man and could have you pick of anyone. I know she is one hell of a Flight Attendant but what was it about her pre flight checks that sent you over the edge?
James: It isn’t any one thing that sent me over the edge…Is it trite to say that she’s perfect, and I knew it from the start? If you made me pick one single thing, though, I’d say it was her eyes. They’re ageless. They told me so much about her that she never had to say.
TBA: She is pretty special and so talented! That art work! I am going to have to pick up a piece before I leave this paradise! So where is the lovely Bianca today?
James: She and Stephan are having a besties day.
TBA: R.K. both James and Bianca are characters with dark pasts. They both have dealt with life events that no one should ever be subject to. At times did you find it hard to write their journey with such a heavy back story?
R.K.: I wouldn’t say it was hard for me. It’s a little therapeutic, to be honest. Getting that sort of thing out on paper is sort of a relief. Some of the events, though, did have some basis in reality, and having to get some of it okayed was awkward.
TBA: I loved that fact that the story wasn’t wrapped in a pretty bow. Real life is not pretty 100% of the time. It is the ugly that shows us who we really. James and Bianca showed up just how beautiful ugly can be!
R.K.: I like flawed characters. You’ll never see me writing about people without serious issues. I don’t relate to that. I don’t think many people do.
Lunch arrives and after a few moments of silence I have to ask the question that every single living breathing woman in the world wants to know!
TBA: James! *sitting my drink down I decide to go all in* The ranch, the horseback ride…where did you even come up with that idea! It was H.O.T! You gave new meaning to the sport of equestrian! *cheeks getting bright red*
James: Is that not normal? Perhaps I have a one-track mind, but the two things just seemed to go together for me…
TBA: Ok now that we have that out of the way James what’s next for you and Bianca? I must say that we love the way you love her!
James glances at R.K. It is not a particularly friendly look. “I guess you’ll have to ask this sadistic one over here. She has plans for us, and she’s been threatening to tell all of my secrets.”
R.K. smiles, unfazed. “I thought their story was done, but I was wrong. Currently I’m working on the first book in my series about Danika and Tristan. You’ll be seeing more of James and Bianca over the course of that series, and in ways you may not expect. And, down the road, you can expect a book told from the POV of James and Stephan. It will run parallel with the Up In The Air series, but also go beyond it, giving you a look into the after of Bianca, James, Stephan, and Javier. I can’t wait to write it!
TBA: Things get a little hot and heavy in the playroom, *laughing* ok well let me correct myself, its a lot of hot and heavy! James, would you care to share any of your secrets? *shaking head…did I just ask that*
James displays a rather sinister smile. “It takes time, a seriously filthy mind, and training to learn my secrets. Suffice it to say, don’t try these things at home, without the proper training.
TBA: Well I guess we could all take a page from your book Mr. Cavendish *winks* Can you blame a girl for asking? I mean Bianca is one lucky girl!!
Time for a change of topic…
TBA: I love the relationship between Bianca and Stephan! Friends are truly soul mates! The relationship between Bianca and Stephan proves that. Where do you find the inspiration for their friendship?
R.K: Stephan is my favorite. I don’t know if I’m supposed have favorites, but he’s it, and that’s because he does come from a lot of real life inspiration for me. He’s a combination of my own personal bestie, and the men I’ve known and adored who’ve been through some very similar struggles.
TBA: James you and Stephan are close now did you find it had to have another man in Bianca’s life? How did you deal with it?
James: I’ll admit that my first reaction was purely pragmatic. Being on Stephan’s good side meant getting closer to Bianca, and so I made sure to stay on his good side. However, Stephan is one of those people that it’s impossible not to love. And the way he’s been there for Bianca… Quite simply, I would do anything for him. He’s the best guy in the world.
TBA: I so love me some Stephan!! I must say that each and every character in your books is worthy of their own story. What do we have to look forward to after Bad Things? Who else will we have the pleasure of getting to know better?
R.K.: I will definitely be focusing on the novel from James and Stephan’s POV after I finish up the Bad Things series. And I will be releasing the second book in my urban fantasy series, hopefully sometime in September. After that, it’s up in the air:) I’d love to hear which characters you’d like to see more of!
After we finish our lunch I know our time is coming to an end. I could sit here forever! This is what happens when you fall in love with a book series! There is never enough! I thank both R.K. and James. Not wanting the day to end I make one last effort…
TBA: Thank you for taking this time with me and The Book Avenue! We truly love the books and are looking forward to many more! R.K. you rank at least 30,000 miles high in my book! So James…the day is still young how about some of that 5 star treatment? I am thinking spa day? *blushing as he flashes his million dollar smile*
R.K. Lilley is the erotic romance author of the UP IN THE AIR series.
R.K. Lilley lives in Colorado with her husband and their two beautiful sons. She’s had a lot of interesting jobs, from being a first class flight attendant, to being a stablehand, but swears she never knew what hard work was until she had children. She’s been addicted to both reading and writing fiction since she can remember. She loves to travel, read, hike, paint, game, watch anime, and make the most of every single day. She is the author of the erotic romance novels In Flight, Mile High, and coming February 12, 2013, the conclusion to the Up In The Air trilogy, Grounded.
