Sex and Poker: Susan DiPlacido's Shuffle Up and Deal

They say the best way for a writer to improve her craft is to read well-crafted stories in the genre of her choice. My goal is to write smart, sexy page-turners, but good educational materials are not always easy to find. Derivative bestsellers that stroke the same old synapses bore me, even if they are dressed up in flashy vampire or alien costumes. Stuffy, self-important “literature” bores me even more. Fortunately, my friend Susan DiPlacido, just came out with a glittering new Las Vegas erotic romance, Shuffle Up and Deal, that provides a perfect blend of entertainment and education for any erotic writer.

The first part of the novel is told from the point of view of Izzy Santillo, a thirty-something journalist with a talent for poker and a distant crush on the reigning champion of Hold ‘Em, Nick Nolan. She ends up meeting Nick in person in a very memorable way on a trip to Vegas, and in the second part of the novel, we get inside his head as their rollercoaster romance speeds ahead. The third part switches back and forth between them, and by now, the reader fully appreciates how the dueling perspectives embody the dynamics of poker itself. The better you are at reading others and bluffing them yourself, the better chance you have of getting what you want out of the hand (which isn’t always to win).

This novel really does have it all: a witty female protagonist who comes into her own by pursuing her passions at the poker table and in the bedroom, a plot that never ceases to keep the pages turning, great humor between the lovers, and best of all, plenty of realistic—and sizzling—erotic scenes that fit seamlessly into the story. Not only did I get a refresher course on how to keep a story humming, I picked up a few poker tips, which translate quite effortlessly to everyday dealings with fellow players in the game of love and life. But here’s the real reason to admire Susan’s storytelling skills—I truly came to care about Izzy and Nick and what happened to them, and when I read the final scene, I actually had to wipe away some tears.

If I can do that in my next novel, I’ll consider it a job well done.

Besides, thanks to Susan’s novel, Herr Doktor and I have a new euphemism for doing our marital duty (always a necessity with kids)—“respecting our relationship.” As in “Honey, should we respect our relationship tonight?”

Who can turn down that offer?

But it gets even better! Susan has graciously consented to stop by to chat with us over pomegranate cocktails on the topics of writing, gambling, and sex. Afterwards, we'll finish up with some of Susan's famous tiramisu. Now that's an offer you can't refuse....

Is playing poker in real life as sexy as you make it seem in Shuffle Up and Deal?

I know it's sexy for some people because it's so popular, but it's not for me. Poker is stressful for me because I'm lousy at it. So I don't play at all anymore since I didn't enjoy it or have any talent for it and I hate routinely losing money. But I still enjoy drinking and watching others play sometimes. It really is a great skill game, but my skill lies with actual cards, where in poker you have to be skillful with people, and I'm apparently not.

So where will we find you in your favorite casino?

Blackjack, definitely. That's my card game of choice. Then once I start drinking I usually end up at a rowdy craps table. Then if I get smashed I've been known to try some hands of baccarat because you're likely to run into some characters at those tables and the dealers are extremely accommodating.

I have to say, though, that I learned a lot about the subtle power play of poker from the novel, so maybe your observer’s perspective serves you as well as the avid player’s. Are you sure you wouldn’t recommend this book as an insider’s guide for newbie poker players in terms of helpful strategies?

Oh, thank you so much, Donna. I would NOT recommend this book for newbie poker players, though, as I've already admitted my lack of expertise at the game. At the best, you might be able to pull one good move out of it, and at the worst, it could facilitate you going bankrupt. So pick up the book hopefully for some laughs and steamy romance, but not gaming advice.

Like your protagonist Izzy Santillo, you’re an Italian-American writer who knows her way around a casino. Are there any other autobiographical elements to the novel?

That's a good question. There are a few little anecdotal scenes that are pulled from my experiences. Those things always pepper my writing, but they end up pretty well fictionalized most of the time. For example, some of the more unbelievable mishaps that Izzy suffers are things that happened to me, such as falling on my face and ripping my skirt in a crowd, and in particular in front of a guy I had a thing for. What can I say, I lead a charmed life.

That ripped skirt scene did seem especially authentic, come to think of it! Now, the novel alternates between Izzy’s and Nick’s point of view. This works brilliantly with your poker-love connection in that each narrator has to “read” the other player’s motives. Did the dual point of view present any challenges as a writer? Any tricks for getting into a male character’s head so convincingly?

Again, thank you for the kind words; I'm glad it worked for you. The only real challenge was the occasional fretting about whether readers would roll their eyes when reading from Nick's POV. But I think writers think more about that than readers do. Most writers do write from the other gender's POV quite often and readers never even think about it, they just roll with it. I didn't have any tricks, other than to keep in mind a book from a friend of mine: Don Capone's Into the Sunset. He's a guy, and he wrote a really humorous story about a guy suffering mishaps in love and it helped me draw the line between being overly sentimental and too stoic from the male POV.

I’d like to share a snippet of one of my favorite sex scenes—one of many in a narrative where the eroticism fits seamlessly into the story.

Deep and hungry kisses right away, he makes me hum with it as our mouths meet and before long that buzzing that he started sparks and I’m flush and fevered for him. I long to touch his body all over. His stomach brushing against mine, all those sinewy muscles in his arms. But he keeps my hands locked down near my head while he does the work with his body and mouth. He’s teasing me, and himself. Pressing his chest into mine, he undulates, rising up while pressing his hips into mine. He’s rock hard, I’m wet. He won’t release my hands though, so I can’t get leverage. It’s like he’s possessing me and owning me, but doing it only to give me pleasure.

I spread my legs and wrap them around his waist, try to force him down and into me. I get him close, but not inside. Instead, he’s careful and controlled. Still holding my writs, he kisses me deeply and slides his erection between my lips, gliding across my hot spot. Repeatedly. Repeatedly….

I do enjoy that kind of repetition myself! Do you have a favorite scene in the novel?

Aw, again, thank you! My favorite scene is probably when Nick gets really frustrated with Izzy's tilt poker play. He's crazy about her, but she drives him crazy at that point and even though, as a poker pro, he should be able to contain himself and his emotions, he still just can't maintain and I thought that was kind of funny and endearing about him.

I know you recently came back from a trip to the Riviera (see the illustrated travelogue at Susan's blog). Did you have any adventures—gambling or otherwise—that you’d like to share?

Well. Oddly, the main thing I came back with was a renewed love for Las Vegas. My favorite things to do on vacation are swim, eat, drink, and gamble, and you just can't beat Vegas in those areas. I felt compelled to visit Monte-Carlo and see what the legend was about, and I'm glad I did. It's beautiful there, and there were some great eats. (Robuchon!) And maybe I'll enjoy the atmosphere there more once I'm embalmed, as it seems like everyone else already is. But because of the formal and rigid attitude that permeates the area, it makes adventures a little less likely to occur organically, so it was more of a laid back trip. I also got my clock cleaned at the tables, so that may be contributing to my sour perspective. In other words, there was nothing that happened that I'd write home about, nor just write about at all. Donna, thanks so much for having me here and for asking such interesting questions that were fun to answer! I really appreciate your insight and thoughtfulness and time!

Thank you, Susan, and my god, this chocolate tiramisu is a winner at any table!

Naked Men at Naked I

It's time for a new F-Stop post and this week we have a meditation on the pleasures of the male body by one of my favorite erotica writers, Susan DiPlacido. Susan provides our first sampling of original art, the eye of the artist. I'm so thrilled with the amazing variety and depth each writer is bringing to the topic of self-exposure. So head on over to F-Stop and start thinking of your own way to expose yourself for us! (Thanks, Susan, for a great post!)

Tiramisu Time!

Today is Bottom’s Up Spike Day, so don’t forget to head over to Amazon to buy your copy! Come on, wouldn’t it feel extra good to start your week by messing with the computer mind of a hegemonic Internet merchant?

But the fun doesn’t stop there. I have another spanking good treat for you, because today is Tiramisu Day here at Sex, Food, and Writing. I just love tiramisu and order it whenever I have the chance in restaurants, but often what appears on the plate before me is, well, predictable. I keep ordering it though, because when it’s good, there’s no dessert more sublime than a thoughtful, complex, rich, creamy tiramisu.

Thoughtful, complex, but with a sexy hit of booze and sensual indulgence. It kind of reminds me of a great sexy short story collection I read a while back called American Cool. That’s why I just had to beg Susan DiPlacido for her recipe for tiramisu. I have to confess I have a number of very sensual fantasies about Susan. One involves dressing up in my cheong sam and lounging languidly at the blackjack table beside her in some grand Vegas hotel. I’ll just be watching, but Susan will be playing, a pomegranate cocktail by her side, and she’ll win big.

Don’t even get me started on my dream of attending one of her Big Night style multi-course Italian feasts for her family that earn her standing ovations from some very discriminating diners. Actually, I have a pretty indulgent food and travel fantasy about things I’d like to do with everyone of my wonderful regular visitors here at my blog, but I probably should keep that between us (although Isabel Kerr has already scooped me on the one I have about her in her "Woman for All Seasons" interlude right here).

Generous as always, Susan kindly agreed to send me her take on tiramisu. It’s the kind of recipe I love now, but would have been terrified to tackle in the past. Until distressingly recently, I used to follow a recipe for everything I made, but in the past few years I’ve gotten much more adventurous and I love my new freedom to experiment and create and trust myself. Susan’s recipe invites you to do just that, although I’m not sure which version to try first. I already have a fresh tin of Hershey’s cocoa to make fudge for my son’s birthday party, so I might just have to go for the chocolate. I’m also thinking about using pannetone at Christmastime. And the photo above is a strawberry version of the classic. Which one appeals to you? Or do you have your own special recipe?

Tiramisu a la DiPlacido

Zabaglione:

4 egg yolks, room temp
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 c Marsala wine (that's the basic, which I rarely use anymore. I often sub/add something citursy instead, most often orange juice/rum for a nice kick if I make it chocolate flavored)

Cook that while whisking over a double boiler until it's big and fluffy.

Whip up pint of heavy cream and then fold that into it.

THEN, here comes a big variation. Sometimes, I make the mascarpone mixture and keep it separate for extra layers, or sometimes I mix it in with the zabaglione part, flavors depending. I like to make a chocolate mascarpone a lot, and keep it separate from the zabag if it's orangey. But if I do a marsala thing, I just make a plain mascarpone mix and put 'em together. I just make the difference this way:

Mascarpone filling:

1 c mascarpone
2 egg yolks
1/4 c sugar
beat it all up.

If I want it chocolate, I melt, I don't know, about a good handful of dark chocolate in just about a half pint of heavy cream, with a dollop of butter and a wee pinch of salt. And then I mix that into the mascarpone. (If I'm doing traditional, with marsala, zabag and espresso soaked stuff, I put a little kahlua flavor in here, too)

Then I use whatever's on hand for the layering. People can stfu about ladyfingers being the only proper thing, cuz they're not. I like to use Chocolate cake. (the BEST chocolate cake recipe is the one on the Hershey Cocoa box. You can jazz it up by using a premium cocoa, but still follow the Hershey recipe, because it's sooo moist and dark chocolate good.) Just cut it in half so the liquid you soak it in soaks in. The "standard" liquid is a cup of espresso, 1/2 c sugar, and 1/4 c dark rum. Again, I screw with this a lot and often change the rum to a different flavor to brighten it up, like Grand Marnier and oj, but that's only if I use chocolate cake instead of lady fingers. That's about it, really.

(I'm off to the store to stock up on supplies! Bueno appetito!)

Another Hot Threesome at ERWA!

Tomorrow is the first day of July, the first full month of summer freedom, and I'm the proud (and exhausted) author of three essays on the ERWA website. Don't the best things always come in threes?

This month's installment of "Cooking Up a Storey" is called "Naked Lunches:
Picnics, Porn Stashes, and the Roots of an Obsession." It may seem a bit familiar to regular readers of this blog in its discussion of naughty trysts en plein air and the surprising uses of one's personal erotic history. But this time I include a recipe for "Naughty Picnic Couscous Salad," which is appropriately very portable to out-of-the-way areas and protein-rich to keep up your stamina!

If you've been following my "Shameless Self-Promotion" column (and if not, why haven't you? Are you embarrassed?), you'll be interested in this month's "Viva the Internet: Book Reviews and Blogs." The Internet is by far the most effective tool for independent promoters and I not only give you a few tips from my own experience, I invite the amazingly resourceful and creative Jeremy Edwards to share his intimate knowledge of the path of cyber-shamelessness in a must-read interview at the ERWA blog.

That's the usual couple, but I'm in the mood to invite a third hot body into bed, and what better candidate than a 21st Century Courtesan, the steamy new novel by Eden Bradley? My review of the book touches upon the nature of genre fiction and the ways writers bend its rules, often beautifully, as does Bradley in this psychologically complex erotic romance.

But wait--do I see another sexy babe slinking over with a gleam in her eye and a ticket to Vegas in her hand? Yes, it's my favorite American Cool lady, Susan DiPlacido, who is the featured author at Ashley Lister's "Between the Lines." You can find out more about Susan's fascination with Vegas, her tricks of the trade (regarding writing, not gambling, although we'd love to hear those secrets, too), and how to test run your next novel in a short story. You'll think you've hit the jackpot with this down-to-earth discussion of the author's craft.

So come on, jump into bed with us. There's always room for more!

X Goes Audio!

I'm very excited to announce that the most sensually luxurious erotica anthology you can get your hot little hands on, X: The Erotic Treasury, is now available as an audiobook. For the aurally inclined--and I include myself in that persuasion--this means you can just lie back and enjoy steamy stories by erotica writers such as Rachel Kramer Bussel, Susan DiPlacido, Shanna Germain, P.S. Haven, Bill Noble and yours truly, slithering softly into your ear. Best of all you'll have both hands free to do, you know, whatever! Can you think of a better way to spend a sultry summer afternoon?

You can hear some excerpts at Susie's Blog. An advance reviewer told me my story "Yes," was read by a man with a nice, deep voice. Can't wait to hear him murmur those naughty commands for myself....

Story Soup and Sexy Readers

The April ERWA columns are up today, and there isn't any fooling around this month for yours truly. My "Cooking Up a Storey" continues its sexual and culinary meditations with Story Soup: Forbidden Fodder, Mystery Spices, and Very Embarrassed Eggs. First I muse about the way our pasts inform our writing and how, ironically for writers working with often taboo subject matter, it is taboo to acknowledge the roots of our work. As I was writing this month's column in the midst of my own focus on the creative process, I came to this realization about the self-reflective nature of this year's "Cooking" project:

The more I stirred the stewing pot of my own psyche, the more I realized how many different elements nourished my imagination. Some were obvious, some secret and subtle, but the bubbling brew began to seem very much like a homemade soup, crafted without a clearly defined recipe but rich with the freshest produce at hand and piquant spices from my cupboard. In short, when I write, I really am cooking up a story. Who knew?

It's nice to know I can at least convince myself of the relationship between cooking, writing, and sex! Then at the conclusion of my soul-searching taboo talk, you'll be rewarded with some juicy descriptions of Sunday dinners at my grandma's and an old-fashioned Pennsylvania Dutch recipe for a way to use up hardboiled eggs.

This month's "Shameless Self-Promotion: Websites, Blog-sites and the All-Mighty Reader" talks about the importance of seeing our readers as people, not sales stats, and ways to make your website reflect your sensibility, which is what readers connect with when they buy your book. I take a quick tour of some websites and blog-sites I like by Lisabet Sarai, Susan DiPlacido, and Jeremy Edwards and I also interview Lisabet Sarai at the ERWA blog about what she's learned from her recent website redesign.

The other day I was looking through notes and saw that my one-day publicist, Lauren Cerand, recommended an author actively promotes her book for one year. I'm not sure if she meant I should start counting from the pre-publication work I did, which would mean I should stop now, or that the clock starts ticking from the publication date (which gives me until June). Writing the Shamless Self-Promotion column is definitely helping me figure out what worked, what didn't and what I want to do next time, so that's been very helpful for me!

Tomorrow brings the start of another very exciting event, the all-star blog tour for SWING! Adventures in Swinging by Today’s Top Erotica Writers. I'm the host on April 3 with an excerpt from my story and lots of secrets to share. It's truly a fabulous roster of writers and we'll be blogging all month long. Come hang, and swing, with us!

"Buying" Sex in Sin City

Susan DiPlacido is one cool writer in every sense of the word. Her work is smart, down-to-earth, humorous, and generous, just like Susan herself. In fact, she wrote the book on American Cool and stopped by to chat with me about it right here. Her stories are often set in Las Vegas, the land of sin and glitzy hotels galore, and the perfect theme for a Friday when our thoughts turn to the weekend and a little self-indulgence. (If you love Vegas, her novel 24/7 is a must read!)

Now I know that some of us who’ve shared our stories here in Suite 69 have let a little memoir creep into our fiction (I plead guilty as charged!), but as readers we don’t want to jump to conclusions about this excerpt from Susan's darkly magical "Neon Nights," which appears in The Mammoth Book of Best New Erotica 4 as well as American Cool. Still, I was intrigued to read in a very revealing and kick-ass funny interview by Critical Mick that Susan has actually dated a mob guy. I'm sure there's lots of inspirational writer's material there, but then again the code of silence is strong, and I wouldn't want my curiosity to get me in trouble.... However, there’s no question that Susan knows Vegas very well, so I thought I’d ask for her recommendations for hotels in the city. Here’s what she said:

Mmm, well, for not being a rich person (which I'm not) I have rather fussy tastes about that stuff, so it's sort of lucky in some ways that I gamble so much. I'll only stay at the Wynn or Caesars Palace. I won't even stay at the Bellagio anymore since it's gone a little ghetto with the wannabe party crowd. I can tell you that the Wynn has the most comfy beds ever and it's a world-class facility in every way. And Caesars is just like a home to me, and it's nice, but still has little pockets of old-Vegas tucked in there which delight me.

Got that? Wynn for the beds, Caesar’s for the nostalgia, Las Vegas for hot hotel sex all along the Strip. For our refreshments today, let’s order in some simple, honest Italian food from Caesars' legendary Rao’s. Maybe some signature Lemon Chicken, “broiled to perfection and sauced with Uncle Vincent’s Famous Lemon Sauce that consists of lemon juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil and spices.” Or their classic veal chop, “pan seared and topped off with a medley of cherry peppers hot and sweet; and the meatballs, either alone or accompanied by one of the many pasta dishes, taste as if Aunt Anna were still rolling them each morning.” We vegetarians can dig in to the pasta puttanesca. For dessert? Susan’s homemade chocolate tiramisu, made with pannetone. Give me one of those red-and-white checkered napkins, I'm drooling already.

But enough food porn. Let’s get to the real thing!

From "Neon Nights" by Susan DiPlacido

I let him take me back inside. But I steer him into another bar before I make a regrettable mistake. Just the thought of being with him makes my breath go shallow and fevers me, so I know he'll win this battle of wills.

But I'm determined to win the war.

Coy, I put my hand on his thigh. The vibe from him is unmistakable, he's oozing lust worse than I am. I tell him, "I've done nearly everything in this city. All but one thing."

"Yeah, what's that, Rossi?" He downs his fresh drink in one long pull.

"Probably the most traditional one, besides gambling. I've played games, seen lights. They've given me fight tickets and limo rides. I guess it's 'cause I'm a female that they don't offer me hookers."

He laughs. "You want a hooker, huh, Rossi?"

I shrug. "I won't feel like I've fully experienced the place until I've paid for sex."

"Never knew you swung both ways, babe," he says and raises his eyebrows, lifts his empty glass and chews on some ice. "Can't say I'm totally opposed to the idea."

"Not a woman, stunade," I laugh. "They have guys."

His jaw throbs and face flushes. Maybe he does have an idea how I'd feel about him getting side action on me.

"Relax," I say and move my hand higher up his thigh. "Maybe you'd be interested in the job."

"Check!" he signals for the waitress.

I slow him down. "You do understand the appeal of it, right?"

"Sugar, I understand the appeal. I understand it enough that you don't need to pay me."

"No, you're not getting it, Vin. It's not just sex. It's freedom. It's anything the person wants – at a price. They can talk, they can connect, or they can just fuck. It's as empty or meaningful as they want. But when it's over, it's over. Capisce?"

He looks down at my hand on his leg, then looks away and shakes his head. He capisces.

"Name your price, Vin."

"Lana, I'm not…"

"A million bucks."

"Are you fuckin' insane?"

"How about this, I'll make it two. I'll have to pay you with a casino check and you'll have to pay taxes. So I'll make it two."

He stares at me, incredulous. But he's not saying no.

Oh. Vinny.

I stand up and flip him my room key. I throw money on the table to cover the check, and tell him I'll meet him upstairs.

He grabs my arm. "You're really serious about this?"

"When it's over. It's over. Forever." I pull away and head to the casino office.

~~

I try to stay poised. But as I'm waiting for the elevator, Fly Me To The Moon wafts through the overhead speakers and I can't help but hum along. Vinny opens the door, and I hold the check up high for him to see. A throaty whisper, all he says is my name. "Lana."

I realize I haven't just been horny, I've been lonely.

In bed, he goes slow at first. His ID bracelet is cool against my skin but his hands are warm as they trace along my skin, heating me. But then he climbs on top of me and takes hold of my wrists, pinning me down. He squeezes tight as he enters me, panting already.

Right in my ear, raspy, "You're mine. You're mine, Lana."

It feels so good, him filling me up, thrusting so deep, hitting exactly the right spot. Hotter, faster, getting me higher, higher. Near frenzied, I buck and try to move to drag it out, but he's got me clamped down tight, his hands hot and rough. The same hands he's used against other men. Vinny's hands that have actually killed men – for me.

That thought makes me come instantly. Hard, shuddering, no escape as he keeps thrusting, lighting me up brighter than all the neon on the strip. Making me feel more alive than winning a million bucks. He says my name, loud, possessive, and then, softly, "Ti amo." And then he quivers and comes too.

American Cool is the Coolest!

Today, I have the great pleasure to feature on my blog one of my favorite short story collections—Susan DiPlacido’s American Cool. Although officially categorized as “erotica,” and previously published in top erotica anthologies like Best American Erotica and the Mammoth Book of Best New Erotica, these award-winning stories have it all. They are funny, bold, and insightful, not to mention the prose is snappy, down-to-earth, and wonderfully evocative. This book is very, very cool, even when it’s very, very hot. But there’s tremendous depth and poignancy to the stories. For example, the title story, “American Cool 101” peels back the layers of cool to expose the sad, soft need that is an inevitable part of the human experience. When I finish a Susan DiPlacido story, I always feel a little wiser about the mysteries of the human heart, but the lingering flavor is always bracing and bittersweet--like a good cocktail (Susan favors vodka with fresh pomegranate juice)!

Susan is also the author of four novels, 24/7, Trattoria, Mutual Holdings and the forthcoming House Money, and writes an equally cool and entertaining blog called Neon Fiction. She has graciously consented to come chat about her writing and her travels.

“Neon Nights” is a dark and dream-like story that is a very appropriate opening to the collection. Maria Rossi is one of Sin City’s “living ghosts” and she’s been on a winning streak for 136 nights. She’s upholding the Vegas illusion but she’s not deluded about what’s going on. She knows she’s the statistical rarity that supports the hope of winning: this is what gives the city its life. “It’s not about the money. That’s what the non-gamblers and skeptics and pragmatists will never understand about this place. They blame it on the greed… It’s not just the entertainment. Winning is a buzz. It makes you feel alive.”

I’m definitely one of those clueless skeptics, but when I read this story, I “got” Vegas for the first time! Now that’s a story to change your life. So, I am finally getting to a question for you here:

DGS: What draws you to Las Vegas? Do you have any recommendations for a first-time visitor to get beyond the tourist traps to get an authentic “Vegas Experience”?

SD: I'm a shallow person, and, some would say, a degenerate gambler and a bit of a drunk. So, Vegas is a good fit. I also love sunshine and heat and swimming pools, so it's pretty much perfect for me there, day or night. That's a good question about the "authentic" Vegas experience for a first-timer, and I know when people travel to other places, they like to avoid tourist traps and get a taste of the "real" city. However, what you have to keep in mind about Vegas is that it was built with the exclusive purpose of being a tourist trap. Truly, it wasn't much more than a railway stop until gambling was legalized, and then it boomed. So you can go to the first hotel there to see old west history (The Golden Gate, located right downtown), and then there's The Flamingo, which was the first destination complex which was built by Bugsy and the mob. Beyond that, its history is still mostly up and down the strip, even though most of the hotels have been rebuilt. So the most authentic Vegas experience really is to get drunk and gamble away your life savings in a spiffy casino. Maybe work in a hooker somewhere, too. Or a wedding -- while drunk. And then a quickie divorce. And, so, I guess that's why I love it there.

“Found in Translation” is another transporting and lusciously erotic travel tale, but this time the destination is Bellagio (where, coincidentally, I spent my honeymoon). I know you’ve traveled to Italy often. Do you have any favorite places/sites/restaurants that are particularly inspiring?

Well, you've been to Bellagio so you know what it's like there. It really is mind-blowing beautiful. Venice is strange and sort of cool, and that's where the world's oldest casino is, and it's a really swank place that I like. The Amalfi coast and Capri are lovely. I do prefer the north to the south, which is unusual, as most people prefer the south. But it really is Rome that I love the best. There's just so much there that's breathtaking and historic, but it's all within this incredibly huge and busy metropolitan world-class city, too. You can walk up the Spanish Steps and feel like Audrey Hepburn or you can romantically toss a few coins into the Trevi Fountain or check out the Colisseum and just be in awe.

“Coyote Blues” is simply one of the sexiest stories I’ve ever read—and believe me, I read a lot of sexy stories in my line of work. I seriously just wanted to crawl right through the pages into that bed with Wes and stay there forever. Here’s an appetizer sampling of the “climactic” scene:

“Once I’d calmed he started again. The kissing stopped when the panting started and it wasn’t long before we were all out fucking. We usually moved a lot, but not that night. He kept my hands clamped down by my head and he stayed on top. When I tried to wiggle or thrust, Wes was having none of it. He set the pace, and he set it well. I didn’t care, I was getting high again, getting close. The way he was driving into me I don’t know how he was holding out so long. But I was starting to get an idea of exactly what this was really about.

“That’s when he released my hands and put his arms around me. Instinct, I guess it was, I put my arms around his neck and held him close. As high and hot as I was, I could still feel the details, like his sweat dripping down onto my neck, the rough stubble of his cheek scraping against mine, moist hot breath in my ear, the heat and silken steel of his chest pressed against my breasts, the muscles of his shoulders working and contracting under my hands, and that glorious frenzied fucking going on.

Everything I thought I knew about us changed when I gripped him tight inside, felt the start of another orgasm overtaking me and heard him whisper in my ear. Breathy and low. Urgent. Just my name. ‘Rita.’”

I want to be in “Coyote Blues.” Is there a story or stories in American Cool that would you like to step into?

Aw, thank you for the kind words on the story and scene! Coming from a master like you, that's like praise from Caesar! Honestly, though, I have a low tolerance for stress or conflict, and since some sort of conflict is necessary in fiction, I wouldn't want to be in any of the stories! My low-stress tolerance, in fact, is probably to blame for my fiction not being better. I can't even manage to create too much prolonged agita on the page because my need to make everything copacetic is so strong.

Was there a particular method or mood to the arrangement of your stories in the collection?

Well, I use recurring characters or tell similar stories from different perspectives, so I wanted to be sure to not make it chronological. I wanted some of the stories to feel a bit surprising by putting the prequel part after the sequel so it'd have a different feel. Other than that, I just tried to make sure and mix up the erotic and non-erotic and sprinkle some humorous ones in there.

What’s next for you?

I actually already have three more books written. One is with a publisher and I'm not sure when it will be released, but hopefully this spring or summer. It's called "House Money" and I love it. It's a bit of a sequel to "24/7" but with some new characters, and it's a crime caper set in Vegas. The other two books, I'll be looking for a publisher soon.

Name a writer (or two, living or dead) you’d like to have dinner with, one you’d most like to trade talents with, one with whom you’d most like to spend a lost weekend in Vegas.

Oh man! Remember, I'm shallow, so if I'd be given that wish, I'd probably blow off deserving writers and conjure Cary Grant! But, okay, I'd have dinner with Charles Bukowski because we'd have a grand time knocking back the booze. I'd happily trade talents with a plethora of writers: Dorothy Parker, Anais Nin, Jackie Collins, Tom Robbins, Elmore Leonard, but if I had to name one, it would be a writer, but not one who writes books, but rather screenplays. It'd be Quentin Tarantino. He writes exactly what I wish I could write. It's fun, it's a little freaky, got tons of suspense and amazing dialogue. And I'd also spend my lost weekend in Vegas with Quentin, because I know he'd be a great time, and I have truly adorable feet which he'd appreciate. Dostoevsky would be second choice, as he was quite the gambler, too, and I wouldn't mind seeing him go nuts at a single zero roulette table.

Finally, describe a perfect meal that would be guaranteed to seduce you—into a deep conversation about the writing life, if not something even juicier!

Well, you know, this is probably odd for an erotica writer, but I much more equate food and meals with family fun rather than romance or sexiness. My idea of a perfect meal is lots of big platters full of everyone's favorite foods and we all just feast and fight and have fun. There's nothing that could really seduce me into talking about the writing life -- which is what's so clever about your questions. You asked things about specifics in my stories instead of "the process". I can talk about Vegas all day or night. I'll listen to conversations about writing, for a while, then I'm bored. And I won't really talk about it, cause I'd feel like a prize idiot or fraud. But I'm easily seduced into plenty other things with a couple martinis. And I'd sure to love to have a bite and chat with you anytime, Donna, as you've already been an incredibly gracious hostess! Thanks!

The pleasure is all mine, Susan. And any time you're in Vegas and hankering for a middle-aged erotica writer in a slinky Chinese dress to blow on your dice, give me a buzz!

SeX and the Sea

Today I feature an interview with another seXy author, Susan DiPlacido, who is a wonderful writer and amazingly generous, humorous and super-cool person. Her offering in X: The Erotic Treasury, “Beyond the Sea,” is a great example of erotica that transcends the genre—or what the general public seems to think the genre is! I first read this story in Susan’s short story collection, American Cool, which I hope to talk about a lot more with her in an interview here at Sex, Food and Writing in the new year. It’s one of the best “erotica” collections (because of course, it’s more) that I’ve ever read and plenty of critics and prize committees agree with me. I'm not a cruise kind of girl--I prefer vacations where I can walk a lot and not in circles--but my little ship trip with the tarnished silver-surfer Ray and the lovely, but sticky-fingered Isabella was pleasure all the way. Let me just say now, if you never thought a blow job could be a life-changing event (I’m talking to the women, most guys don’t need convincing), “Beyond the Sea” will change your view of the matter forever!



SB: Tell me how you would cast the film version of your story...

SD: Oh, so easy. Bobby Cannavale for the male lead. He's just so charming and good-looking but also really quite fun and funny. And Penelope Cruz for the female, because she's amazing and I don't think Hollywood has yet found a way to bring her to show her off the way that films from other countries do.

SB: What do you really know about larceny and pickpocketing?

The only experience I have with pickpocketing is from this one time when I was in San Francisco. I was riding the bus, cause I was broke and poor. And I saw this pickpocket coming for me. He wasn't smooth at at all, but I didn't even bother to stop him, because, like I said, I didn't have any cash. He got a handful of used tissues. He was clearly annoyed and called me a dirty hippy.

SB: Has your work ever been banned in a nation, or seized at Customs?
My work hasn't, but I have! I'm still not allowed to return to the Bahamas. That was such a fun trip!

Any interesting felonies or misdemeanors you'd like to mention?

Omerta.

When not writing, what are you likely to be doing?

Swimming, gambling, cooking, or watching a movie. And any of those things are often accompanied by cocktails.

When you think of your recent writing, for "X," and then consider your recent sex life in reality, what comes to mind?

That I really should reconsider and take a cruise!

Wanna Get Wet?

I love The Erotic Woman! It’s a smart, sexy site that features some of my very favorite writers like Susan DiPlacido, Jeremy Edwards, and Gwen Masters.

I love the photos, too. They’re geared to the female sensibility somehow. And the editors are fabulously fine to work with--it's always a true pleasure.

Best of all, they’ve just featured an illustrated version of my Best Women’s Erotica 2008 story, “Wet.” You may know that bathing is an important ritual in Japan, but you probably had no idea how very wet you can get!

Check it out and leave a comment if you’re so inspired! For my erotica writer friends (you know who you are and you know I love you!), send them a story and join a very happy club….

Spicy Secrets with Mars, Venus and Alana

My Amorous Woman blog tour continues with a stop at Alana Noel's very cool blog Mars with Mars and Venus. There's a (literally) steamy excerpt from my novel and a wonderful Q & A that was incredibly fun to do. You'll learn a lot of things about me I've never shared in public before: my pop culture indulgences, advice I'd give to my 13-year-old self and why I'm indebted to Diane di Prima. Alana's questions made me feel very clever and interesting and urbane, as if I were sitting in a cafe in Paris uttering witty, but significant things. I also mention the work of my good friend Susan DiPlacido, one of my favorite erotica writers and why I love her stories, so do go check it out. It's a whistle stop for artisanal ice cream in a homemade cone!

An Amorous Interview by the Queen of Cool

Click on over to Susan DiPlacido's blog to read her interview with me on the topic of Amorous Woman, sex in Japan, writing and Jimmy Hoffa. Susan is one of the coolest writers and people I know and so it's a huge honor for me to be interviewed on her blog this week among the latest scoop on "American Idol." Please leave a comment if you have the time!

Susan's blog has other good news, her awesome short story collection, American Cool, (believe me, it is WONDERFUL and sizzling with lots of very HOT stories) was named runner-up in the romance category at the Beach Book Festival. Congratulations, Susan!

Surrounded by Sensational Smut!

The writer’s life is a difficult and stony path of lonely toil (how’s that for a fresh metaphor?), but sometimes you have a week of sweet sunshine when the fruits of your labors seem to fall into your lap, or at least your mailbox. Last week I got two lovely packages of contributor’s copies and they are ripe and juicy treats indeed.

The first contained my copies of The Mammoth Book of Best New Erotica 7 and I have to say, this one is the best yet. I’ve just started reading it, but I’m mightily impressed. Tara Alton’s opening story, “The Dire Consequences of My Libido,” is brilliant and hilarious. Susan DiPlacido’s “Coyote Blues” is one of the HOTTEST and smartest stories I’ve read in a loooong time and more treats await me from Ashley Lister, Shanna Germain, Lisabet Sarai, Sage Vivant…well, I’m not going to copy down the whole table of contents. Suffice to say, it’s sure to please erotica fans and convert the doubtful to the wonders of libidinous literature.

Then on Friday I got my copies of the latest books in Alison Tyler’s naughty Erotic Alphabet series I is for Indecent and K is for Kinky. As always, the covers are fabulous and I get to sit next to Saskia Walker in the “Kinky” line-upwhich always makes me happy!

It’s a lovely way to start off the month of Love. Now back to the stony toil!