Welcome back to another fabulous Writer Wednesday! Today Lissa Matthews, who’s sassy and sultry, with a little bit of naughty (oh, wait, maybe that’s her books…), joins us and gives us a peek into her writerly life – and gives some excellent advice for newbie writers, which applies equally to life in general, I’d say!

What inspires you to write?

Everything. I’ve been weaving fairy tales since I was a kid and started writing in Jr. High. It’s how I escaped the reality of some situations I didn’t know how to deal with. It’s how I explored feelings when I didn’t know how to talk or express them in any other way. Everything I see, do, experience, witness, hear is an inspiration.

Name one interesting thing you learned in researching/writing your last book.

I’ll share three. In researching/writing The Tattooed Barista, I learned that mobile coffee karts are becoming a big deal. I learned that frosting melts beautiful and creamy when hot espresso is poured on top of it. I learned that I really like music from the ’40s.

What one piece of advice do you wish you’d had when first starting out?

Listen to yourself, your gut, your heart, your mind. Don’t let anyone tell you how to write, what to write, who to impress, how to carry yourself. Just be yourself. Just be genuine. Just be authentic. You’ll be happier that way. (ML’s note: LOVE this!)

What’s your favorite romance novel of all time, and why?

Linda Howard’s After The Night. It’s emotional, painful, raw, erotic. It’s full of every emotion and a strong, fragile heroine. It’s passionate and I have read it over and over and over again. I am always amazed that I get sucked into it from the first page, as though I’m reading it for the first time.

Want to know more about Lissa’s books? You’re in luck, because here are the blurbs:

The Tattoed Barista – COMING SOON!

Derek Grayson couldn’t lie his way out of a paper bag, but somehow he’s managed to convince his less-than-approving mother of his engagement to the teal haired, dangerously curved, tattoo covered, coffee cart owning girl named Peggy.

Peg, not ‘Peggy’, is far from amused by Derek’s fib, but the way he kissed her, left her wondering what might have been if she hadn’t been paid to play along.

The stakes are higher than the original bargaining price, a new business is getting off the ground, and it’s going to take a whole lot more than caffeine to get through this wedded mess.

Grinding Gears – AVAILABLE NOW!

In the final laps, it’s ALL or NOTHIN’

Jason’s entering his rookie season as a big time stock car driver in the national spotlight, but he’s no stranger to breakneck speeds, sponsor expectations, or the older women who’ve revved his engine since he was a teenager. He’s content to learn and indulge himself in fun until a blind date with a curvy smartass brings his boots to a screechin’ halt.

Alli’s strong, driven, and a recent law school graduate. She’s also on a self-imposed man hiatus. And despite the lure of a sexy, race car drivin’ cowboy, the good intentions of her friends, and an incredible job offer, she’s not giving in to the temptation.

Is she?

Jason knows he’s got one shot to prove himself to his new owners and his new high profile sponsor on the most famous super speedway of them all and… only one shot to win the heart of the woman he hopes is waiting for him at the finish line.

Find Grinding Gears here: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | All Romance eBooks

Want to connect with Lissa to find out even more? You can find her here!: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LissaMatthewsfanpage
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lissamatthews
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/authorlissa
Website: http://lissamatthews.com
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hy8xo

Thanks so much for joining us, Lissa!