GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ Stephanie Rowe Interview + Give away | I Smell Sheep

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Stephanie Rowe Interview + Give away




Make sure you play Stephanie's theme music (above player)


Ready to talk about smexy tortured warriors? Stephanie Rowe is an expert on them and she is here, now! to talk about the newest release in her Soul Fire Series- Hold Me If You Can. Hang around till the end for a chance to win a copy of this tasty book!


Boston, MA. Art museum. 2 Sheep. 1 master of the smexy meet...


Sharon: Hello Stephanie and welcome to I Smell Sheep *hands over a tray of moon pies and Cherry Kool-Aid*
Katie: Help yourself, come on don’t be shy!

Stephanie: Oh… how many moon pies can I have? Those look really good. Are they homemade? Thanks for having me. I'm so excited to be here.
Sharon: We prefer our junk food with preservatives. These babies are 100% store bought!
Stephanie: Oh, those are the best! I'm all in with the store bought!

Sharon: Let’s talk tortured smexy immortal warriors <G>. The third book in your Soul Fire series Hold Me If You Can just released on Jan 1st. Can you tell our readers who aren’t familiar with your series a little about it?

Stephanie: The Soulfire series is about a team of immortal warriors who have recently escaped from the Den of Womanly Pursuits, after 150 of torture and sensitivity training by Death's grandma. These hardened survivors can, much to their dismay, wield a pair of knitting needles as well as they can vanquish a demon with a sword. Not that they will admit that. Ever. Denial only goes so far, however… If a man's got a talent with a curling iron, he can hide it for only so long…

In HOLD ME IF YOU CAN, book three, Nigel Aquarian is the only warrior who's entirely at peace with his softer side. Give him a sketch pad and some markers, and he's happy. But those that giveth taketh away, and Nigel suddenly finds that his art has become deadly to those he loves. Without his art, Nigel has no outlet for his darker side. He has to find a way to regain control before he kills everyone he loves, and the only woman who can help him is Natalie Fleming, a passionate woman with a talent for chocolate, demons and maybe, just maybe, his salvation. If, of course, they don't kill each other first.

Sharon: Your heroes are always so “swoon” worthy. When I first read this I saw “chocolate demons” and thought “I wanna a bite of one of those!” ;)
Katie: Come now, Sharon! We’re much more civilized then that! We shall nibble softly on them. Someone please tell me why I said all that in an English accent?!
Stephanie: What? We're supposed to be civilized? No one told me that!

Katie: I’m unfortunately not as familiar with your books as Sharon is but I am VERY interested in these smexy immortals! Who’s single still and would they like a short hot blonde? Not for me of course…my friend the OTHER short hot blonde. *Winks*
Stephanie: Hey, I'm a short hot blonde too! Don't I get to pick one? Actually, you've inspired me that book #5 will be about a smexy, tortured warrior who falls madly in love with a short, hot blonde named…Katephanie. How does that sound? Since Christian's story is coming out this summer and I've already got his woman picked out, I'm thinking it will need to be Pasquale who will be lucky enough to have us. There's nothing like a cheeky warrior who refuses to get down on the misery of 150 years of torture to make a girl swoon while he's battling demons to save her life, don't you think?
Sharon: Um…excuse me?! Did we forget someone! <G>
Katie: lol Don’t be jealous Sharon.
Stephanie: My dear Sharon, fear not. I have a very special tortured warrior in store for you. Tall, muscular, wields a sword with deadly accuracy and in desperate need of a good woman to love, honor and take to the highest heavens. You game?
Sharon: Well, if you insist...;)

Sharon: I’ve read the second book Touch If You Dare, and it was fabulous! I really enjoyed the fast paced action and the witty dialogue. Does the snarkiness come natural for you?

Stephanie: It depends on my mood. I can definitely be a little snarky and a bit of a troublemaker when the urge strikes.

Sharon: What is it about Nigel Aquarian, the hero in Hold Me If You Can, that will have me swooning for his touch?
Stephanie: Nigel is a total bad ass who can decimate the bad guys within in seconds, but in his heart, he likes nothing more than to tap into his artistic side and pour all his inner tenderness into paints of those he loves. He's the man who will write you poetry at the same time he's slaying demons for you, and he'll turn love making into the most beautiful experience ever, because he's not afraid to tap into the side of him that is about beauty, love and harmony and to shower his woman with all that tenderness.
*Sharon becomes a puddle*
*Katie grabs a bucket to mop Sharon into*
Stephanie: Sharon, try writing about him. It's almost impossible not to melt into a pile of goo!

Katie: Have you personally ever swooned for someone’s touch? And if so we want DETAILS!

Stephanie: I swoon often and frequently. Why wouldn't I? There's nothing like the feel of a man's hands stroking over your shoulder, down your arm and… excuse me. I need to go take a cold shower.
Sharon: *taps foot and gives Katie the evil eye* always causing trouble…
Katie: *makes innocent eyes* Who me? Never. Now I say we all head out and find some swoon worthy men to pant over!
Stephanie: I'm in! What do you say…three men for each of us? Do you think that will be enough?
Sharon: there is only one way to find out!

Sharon: It seems the cover fairy has been very good to you! Do you think the covers portray your warrior heroes well?

Stephanie: The cover fairy has been my very best friend. I adore these covers. They are perfect portrayals of my warrior heroes: hot, sexy, dangerous with a hint of their paranormal powers… oh, yes. Yes, yes, yes. *fans herself vigorously*
Sharon: *turns on fan* Katie was smart to install this.
Katie: Always be prepared.
Stephanie: I have six installed in my office.
Sharon: you win! ;)

Sharon: This isn’t your only paranormal romance series. You also have 4 books in the Immortally Sexy Series. How is this series different from the Soul Fire series?
Katie: Can I just add that I love how you put it right out there with the sexy bit! Up front folks these guys/gals are sexy!

Stephanie: Both series have a high-octane, satirical feel, but the Soulfire series is a little bit darker and emotionally intense. I would say the Immortally Sexy series is a little more playful than this one, though, as a writer, I used the same no-holds-barred playful mindset when I wrote both series. And thanks, Katie! Sexy is good, and the world should know it!
Katie: I feel like there’s a song we should start singing now….
wiggle,wiggle,wiggle,wiggle,wiggle, Yeah!
Stephanie: Sing, Katie, sing!
*Sharon covers ears*

Sharon: Do you have a book or character that has a special place in your heart?

Stephanie: Honestly, I fall in love with whatever story I'm writing in that moment. I become so engrossed in the lives of my characters that I literally feel every emotion they have. I root for them, I cheer for them, and I cry with them.
Sharon: I think you left out an emotion Stephanie…;)
Stephanie: Um… I don't think I should mention that one in a public forum, Naughty Sharon.
Sharon: You are right. *psst...we'll talk later*

Sharon: If you could pick a theme song to play when you entered a room what would it be?

Stephanie: Eye of the Tiger by Survivor. I've actually had a pretty rough go of things the last few years, and that's been my theme song to pump me up and decide to take control instead of wallowing around in victim mode. Nothing changes until you change your attitude!
Katie: Yup! That’s the song!
Stephanie: Gets me every time!

Katie: If you could spend an evening with anyone from the past or present, fiction and non who would it be and why?

Stephanie: Dale Carnegie. I just finished reading his book, "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living," and it has been a huge life-changer for me. I can make myself crazy worrying about things (big and small), and this book has really helped me chill out and figure out how to feel emotional relief (and even happiness) no matter what's going on around me. I'd love to sit down with him and talk to him for real about all his learnings and expertise on that topic. It's really a brilliant book.
Katie: Sounds like it made a big impact on your life, I’ll be sure to give it a read.
Stephanie: Why didn't Sharon chime in here? Hello? Do you think you're too good for Dale? He's kind of smexy too, in a geeky kind of way.
Sharon: okay, went and checked him out. It is great how something written that long ago can still ring true today.

Sharon: You have recently made a move to self-publishing. Why and are you glad you did?

Stephanie: I am still in the early stages of this new venture, but so far I am really loving the autonomy of it. I have the freedom to truly tap into my creative side without being bound by the rules and demands of others. At first, I was a little worried that I was doing the wrong thing (there's that "worry " thing again), but as I get further involved in it, I can feel myself coming alive creatively and professionally in a way that I've never experienced. I'm so excited to see what the next year brings and to see the changes that freedom will bring to my writing.

Katie: If you got stranded on a desert island what are the three things you would not be able to live without?
Sharon: I would think tortured smexy warriors qualify, just saying…

Stephanie: Oh, yes, Sharon, I agree. The three things I would need: (1) A tortured smexy warrior who cherished, loved (in all ways ;-)) and adored me. (2) lots of delicious food that appears whenever I'm hungry without me having to prepare it (3) a really comfortable bed. For sleeping. Uh, huh.
Katie: I like you Stephanie. My kind of gal.
Stephanie: I like you, too, Katie. Let's go eat some chocolate together. Sharon? Will you come with us and bring the moon pies?
Sharon: If you are waiting on me, you are going backwards!

We interrupt this interview for a chocolate break ...
we now return you to the interview already in progress

Sharon: Finish this sentence: People think I am weird because... (don’t be shy, we won’t laugh, until you leave <G>)

Stephanie: I dance and sing in the aisles of the grocery store with reckless abandon just to make my daughter laugh.
Sharon: so that was you I saw last week?! <G>
Stephanie: I'm a good dancer, aren't I? We call it the "I'm a hot tamale dance." I get at least a date per week out of it.
Sharon: I see a "how to" book in this <G>

Sharon: What shampoo do you use? (bet you never got asked that one!)

Stephanie: I used to use Goldwell, but they changed their ingredients and added one I'm allergic to, so I tried a new one called Living Proof. It seems to work really well, but I'm not a huge fan of the fragrance. We shall see… I'm allergic to an ingredient that's in most shampoos, so my choices are somewhat limited.
Sharon: oh, I think that would have qualified for the weird question…being allergic shampoo…<G>

Time to play our favorite Rapid Fire round! Fasten your seat belt and hang!

Sharon: Coke or Pepsi
Stephanie: Diet Caffeine-free Coke
*Sharon just died a little inside*
Katie: Hahaha Coke for the win yet again!
Stephanie: But I will drink Pepsi, too, of course. My favorite, however, is rootbeer. But you didn't ask about that. Poor rootbeer. It feels so left out.

Katie: Sweet potato fries or French
Stephanie: French, for sure.

Sharon: surf or turf
Stephanie: I like them both! Bring 'em on

Katie: Beauty or Beast
Stephanie: Beast.
Sharon: growl…;)
Stephanie: Manly beasts are good.
Sharon: and tasty!

Sharon: fangs or claws
Stephanie: Fangs.
Katie: So sexy.

Katie: Sexy Carpenter or Sexy Fireman
Stephanie: Fireman.
Sharon: what she is really asking is hammer or hose ;)
Katie: LOL! Busted.
Stephanie: I'm not sure I understand the question. *innocent blink.*

Sharon: leather or lace
Stephanie: For me? Lace. For him? Leather.
Sharon: nice answer. 10 coolness points for you!
Stephanie: Rock on, girlfriend!

Katie: Sexy heel or Sexy flat
Stephanie: Sexy heel once my plantar fasciitis heals. At the moment, it's sexy flat all the way. Or even not-so-sexy sneakers.
Katie: I rock sneakers daily, we make them sexy.
Stephanie: It's all in the attitude.

Sharon: waxed man titty or au natural
Stephanie: Chest hair is sexy.
Sharon: can be, but there is a line that no man should cross
Katie: *shudders*

Katie: Fireplace or Hot tub
Stephanie: Fireplace for sure. Hot tubs are a little tricky in real life.
*Sharon glares at Katie* Don’t you DARE ask…
Katie: *zips lips*
Stephanie: Some secrets will never be told…

Sharon: rollercoaster or merry-go-round
Stephanie: Merry go round. Roller coasters scare me. A lot.

Katie: Thanks so much for stopping by to chat with us Stephanie would you like to add anything before we wrap up?

Stephanie: I just would love to say thank you for having me! And next time, share the moon pies. I can't believe Sharon ate them ALL.
Sharon: *mumbles with mouthful*
Katie: They are addictive! Thank you for coming by Stephanie we look forward to everything you have in store for 2012.
Stephanie: Thanks, ladies! It's a pleasure to hang with you and talk about swooning, hairy chests and warriors. What more could a girl ask for?
Sharon: was that rhetorical? cause if you really want to know...*Katie stuffs Moon Pie into Sharon's mouth*

***Give Away!***
You can win a copy of Hold Me If You Can! Plus we will throw in some awesome Sheep Swag!


Just tell us...
1. What is your stance on chest hair?
2. Leave a way to contact you
*Followers get DOUBLE entries!


Contest ends: January 22nd at midnight



45 comments:

  1. hmm.. in regard of the first rapid fire, please add rootbeer next time TT__TT like stephanie, i also choose rootbeer over coke or pepsi :D

    now, on to the giveaway, since i never see a chest hair in real life.. i can't really choose. men in my country always has smooth chest, at least those i've seen with my own eyes ;)

    i'm a follower

    smile_1773@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Chest hair does not matter to me one way or the other. Both can be appealing. Great interview. My daughter has problems with shampoo as well.
    debby236 at gmail dot com
    I am a follower

    ReplyDelete
  3. I like both with chest hair and without. I find both attractive. I enjoyed the interview. :)
    +1 GFC: LadyVampire2u

    LadyVampire2u AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I didn't realize I was pro-chest hair until I started seeing a couple men who waxed it! O_O oh my, why do they have to start getting facials, mani pedi and other feminine treatments? (I have nothing against men whose chests are naturally smooth, though a bit of chest hair goes a long way in alluding to their virility)

    Thank you for the interview, I haven't heard of Stephanie's books before, but they sure sound interesting! :-D

    I'm a follower (GFC, Twitter, FB, e-mail subscriber)

    stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think it depends on the man's body. I've seen some that had no chest hair and were incredibly sexy and then on the flipside, I've seen men with chest hair that looked sexy too. I don't like the ones that look like a wooly mammoth, a big turnoff to me.

    GFC follow as seriousreader
    Email subscriber

    seriousreader at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I totally love the interview thank you. Now As to chest hair I kinda like it not too much but just enough to get that tingle in you had as you rub their chest. But I have to say that too much is a turn off. <3
    Peggy
    wolfspirit12188@yahoo,com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Interview was a hoot !! I even stopped for a chocolate break to !! As far as the chest hair Im either or either ! lol.. but I cant stand it when there is spose to be hair and its been waxed.. Just doesnt do it for me Im afraid.. Ur hairy or your not !! lol..

    Love the cover and I must say Im a coke girl myself !!

    thanks ! kat

    I am a follower !!

    kittee_cat@bigpond.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. That was an excellent interview. Great way to start the morning :)

    I agree it depends on the body. Both can be yummy but if I have to pick I'd say a bit of a hairy one.

    GFC follower Red and facebook.

    acade29 @gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. i love chest hair it makes me feel safe when i can run my fingers threw it.
    uthippy@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I like minimal chest hair , just in the center and a nice happy trail, no gorilla's need apply!

    sugerlady@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great interview - what a fun concept for the books! Very unique! I had to read an excerpt on Amazon and loved the wit. Chest hair? Primal delight. But then, I'm a werewolf-lovin' gal.

    dani@daniharper.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi! I don't mind chest hair, but I think it depends on the man body! SOome are hot with and others aren't! Thanks for this great interview! I really like this series!
    Follower: Proserpine!

    proserpinecravedfor(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I don't mind a little chest hair, I've never been with a man that had a lot of it and am glad for it.
    patty5419@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. freaking hilarious interview!! and i want this book SOO FREAKING BAD!! fingers crossed that i win!

    well previously i had only been around ones with very little.. however my bf is a hairy beast.. lol.. so ive gotten accustomed to a bit of it..

    alainala AT hotmail DOT ca

    and i follow like a loyal sheep! BAAAA

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Sienny! Root beer all the way! My favorite is IBC.

    Hi Debby, I'm actually with you. Chest hair can go either way. But I do think there's something nice and manly about chest hair. Just tried the shampoo of Living Proof yesterday, and it BLEW ME AWAY! I can't believe the difference from my regular shampoo. The key was using both the shampoo and the conditioner, and apparently that brand takes like a week to show a difference b/c it heals your hair. I don't know what it is but WOW.

    Thanks LadyVampire2u for stopping by!

    HI Stella, I've seen some guys who shave the chest hair, and that's okay b/c you can still feel that manly chest hair. Waxing might be a little too pre-pubescent… I suppose it depends on his chest…

    LOL, Linda! A wooly mammoth is a definite no-go!

    Thanks, Peggy! I agree!

    Hi Katrina! Well, you are the third vote for no chest waxing for me. I agree!

    Hi Red! Thanks for the kind words and for stopping by! I agree, a bit of chest hair is the perfect amount.

    Hi Tami! I like that visual! Thanks for sharing!

    LOL, Tammie! Definetly no gorillas!

    LOL, Dani! Would you want a werewolf in real life? That's the question!

    Thanks for stopping by, Patty5419!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Alaina! I'm glad you enjoyed the interview! Sharon and Katie were so fun to work with! They're hilarious! Good luck in the contest!

    ReplyDelete
  17. first of all I LOVE the chocolate break!!!! Okay, now down to business.....chest hair is good in moderation. Too much, you might as well be wearing a gorilla suit. Bare chest is good if there's a six pack to go with it!!!! LOVE YOU STEPHANIE!!!!!
    +1 follower
    iluvmik16@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I adored this interview...it was so much fun and very enlightening. I too do silly things to make my kids laugh. But today you guys made me laugh. I am literlly wiping the tears from my cheeks. Thanks I needed that!
    I don't mind some chest hair, but I agree there is a limit, I should not have buy shirts for him a size bigger to accomodate his chest hair....ewe!

    I am a follower now!!;-)
    rainie72(at)gamil(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. P.S ~ Loved the theme music...very appropriate. And i wished I took the chocolate break with you guys, but I just could not stop reading it was so funny. Thanks again!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. What an absolutely wonderful interview. Thank you all for taking the time to share the giggles with us today and for the awesome giveaway opportunity. Now I am a believer in being thankful for whatever comes my way and accepting folks as they are; however, there is certainly something to be said for a nice wax job with glistening pecks all shinny with baby oil - I think I will stop here and go have some chocolate. I am definitely a follower :)

    dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I really depends, I like the bare chest if it's natural. There's really nothing worst than rubbing your cheek against a bare chest and feeling stubble...Now I also don't like the chest hair that's so sparse in just one little place that it almost looks like pubes...Ack! coughvomitcough

    Now I am unlike others who do not like the wooly mamoth look. I once had a boyfriend who's entire upper body was covered with three inch long thick hair and it was so soft...omg His chest, back and arms were so furry..it was like rubbing up against a furry animal..not that I'm into that ...O.o

    But it was different from hubby who has no hair on his chest and very little hair on his legs naturally.

    GFC follower

    miztik_rose@Yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. My take is a little hair is nice but I hate bear rug chests. No hair is good only if the guy has great abs :D

    Stephanie I am so sorry that you are allergic to an ingredients in shampoo, I am also restricted in my choices because I am allergic to anything with orange or orange essence in it. It is very surprising where you end up finding orange oil or essence outside of food stuff :(

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a great interview thank you for sharing! I like mine to have little but guess it has everything to do with the man! I look forward to reading this book thank you for the great giveaway!
    +1 Follow on GFC-latishajean
    tishajean@ charter.net

    ReplyDelete
  24. In the summer, I prefer a hairless chest. But, for the other 3 seasons I'm happy with hair. My boyfriend has a hairy chest- but I agree with Sharon, there IS and line and it needs to be trimmed back every now & then!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I enjoyed the interview, it was a lot of fun!
    I don't care for chest hair, a little dusting of hair is okay, but no more than that. I'd rather have a naturally bare chest though, than chest stubble, eww.

    Barbed1951 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Well Hum..........I like a bit of hair on a chest or the man looks like a little boy...but a hairy beast is not my favorite I don't want to braid it to keep it out of my face. Not stubble itchy...yuck...I follow GFC Lisa old thanks lisapeters at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. In the summer, I prefer a hairless chest. But, for the other 3 seasons I'm happy with hair. My boyfriend has a hairy chest- but I agree with Sharon, there IS and line and it needs to be trimmed back every now & then!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Chest hair, hahaha, well I think it depends on the guy. Some is good, not sure about Sasquatch, but hmmmmm. And yes, I'm a follower!

    Lisa Richardson
    keizerfire@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I like my chests without hair. I find them better looking and just more appealing. Although I guess it would depend on the guy overall, just as long as it isn't so hair you can't tell if there is skin underneath all that hair. Yes I am a follower.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I prefer hairless chests.

    I follow your blog.

    I really enjoyed the interview. It was very fun to read. Thanks for the giveaway.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I like some chest hair but when it travels up the shoulders (gag) and down the back...that is just to much for me. Unless he's a smexy shape shifter....then I may reconsider.
    I follow on Twitter @armyma32 and on facebook
    proudarmymom32@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I personally like a little chest hair, I think it's awesome sexy. Sometimes I like to run my fingers through it. But I draw the line on so much hair that one can't tell the front from the back. *shivers*
    GFC: Julianne

    luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I love chest hair. If they don't behave just give one little tug :) yum.

    ovalleba@charter.net

    ReplyDelete
  34. Not a fan of chest hair. I don't know why but I never have. Maybe cuz I'm short and all that hair is directly in my face :)

    Thanks for the awesome interview! I haven't read anything of this author but I've heard great things. On my wishlist!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I don't like a lot of chest hair. I wouldn't mind trying a hair free chest but I do like a little hair.

    beckerjo at verizon dot net

    ReplyDelete
  36. Forgot to mention I'm a follower (beckerjo)

    ReplyDelete
  37. i don't care for chest hair or not , i'm no superficial so as long as he is happy the way he is, that's good for me

    gfc follower: miki

    isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  38. It doesn't really matter to me but if I had to choose, I would go for a smooth chest.

    GFC follower
    Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I prefer smooth chests.
    GFC Marlene Breakfield
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  40. FUN interview...GREAT giveaway! I so LOVE the concept of this series! I really need to have this book! ;) Chest hair...I could take it or leave it, I'm good with either...so long as if he has it...it's not a pelt. Ya know? The only hair thick enough to tangle my fingers in...should be on top of his head! Unless he's a were...LOL!

    barbbattaglia@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. LOL this interview made me laugh.

    I normally go for bare chested all smooth but i hear that hair on a chest of the guy feels good while your getting down and dirty so it leaves me curious to test the theory.

    GFC Follower: Lindsey Hutchison

    babydoll82959307(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Contest closed. Winner will be picked later today. Thanks for entering!

    ReplyDelete
  43. the winner is LadyVampire2u!! congrats! I will be sending you an email :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. Awesome interview. I've only recently discovered Stephanie's work and she rocks!

    ReplyDelete