Since I know that all of you are dying to read what our interviewee has to say about her current and upcoming work, I am going to keep this introduction short and sweet. Dakota Cassidy made her debut as an erotic romance writer at Liquid Silver Books last summer and she has quickly become an auto-buy author for lovers of erotic romance. Her books have become a favorite not only because of her distinctive sense of humor but also for her ability to touch the reader's emotions as well. In this interview, Ms. Cassidy gives us a glimpse of her writing persona, as well as of her upcoming projects and plans for the future. So, without further preamble, I am glad to welcome Ms. Dakota Cassidy.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m 37 years old, a housewife and mother living in New Jersey. I have two devil spawn, er…I mean boys, thirteen and nine. LOL. Besides writing erotic romance, I love to read, garden and hand paint furniture. I feel like I just gave the Mrs. New Jersey speech…LOLLOL.

What motivated you to start reading erotica and erotic romances?

Well, I began reviewing for a review site this past December, and found they reviewed erotic e-books. I’d never heard of an e-book, not to mention an erotic anything. I guess the raciest author I’ve read, who borders erotic in terms of frank language is, Linda Howard. So I requested an e-book, and from that moment on (or maybe from the second or third eye bulge, LOL) I fell in love. I loved that the bedroom door was flung wide-open and I was invited in. I couldn’t get enough of them, they were addictive and soon I’d found I’d read over 100, in a three month span. Woo hoo…it was a busy three months!

What motivated you to write your first published book as an erotic romance?

I’m still not sure how it happened, but the primary factor in writing erotic romance had to do with not having to work my way around the sex, aside from being drawn to the genre itself. If you know me, then you know I’m sooo not good at beating around the bush. I shoot straight from the hip and erotic romance lets you do that. I can use the less clinical, less inventive terms for female/male anatomy. That helped a great deal, and the book I wanted to write included a lot of sexual play, so erotic was the only way to go for me. I’d never written a single thing in my life, minus the grocery list. So I was as shocked as anyone to find this story on my computer screen.

How did you choose which publishing house to submit your work to?

I choose by the length of my manuscript and Liquid Silver was looking for short stories. My story met their criteria. I’d also heard they had a solid reputation in the e-industry.

What was your husband and other family member’s reaction when you told them your book had been accepted for publication?

My DH bet me a hundred dollars I’d be accepted, so he was pretty supportive. My sons think I write about people falling in love and kissing and my mother has now become an erotic groupie as a result of my writing. Needless to say, we were all pretty excited!

How did you come up with the idea for “Shut Up And Drive”?

I came up with the idea after watching a yogurt commercial, where a married couple is role-playing. She was the French maid, feeding the Lord of the Manor spoonfuls of yogurt. I thought how fun to keep your marriage fresh and exciting by playing together, the idea took root and before I knew it, I was hammering an idea out on my laptop. Also, the Pina Colada song, do you remember it? Where this couple each place an ad in the newspaper (neither knows the other has done this) because they’re looking to find a little excitement, that they aren’t getting from their current relationships. It turns out they respond to each other’s ad…I thought that was a great way to show that they still had lots in common, they just needed to freshen things up a bit.

Did you expect “Shut Up And Drive” to be such a success?

I was a nervous wreck over it, but it never would have gotten the kind of attention that it did, if it hadn’t been for the kind people who supported me before it came out. I met lots of lovely ladies on the lists and readers, who were a tremendous source of support and joy in my newly found cyber-life. They rallied for me and made SUAD what it is. I feel exceptionally blessed by that.

What inspired you to write “Sex With Your Ex “?

That’s a tough question. Some of it came from personal experience with a friend and the rest came from my zany sense of humor. I wanted to challenge myself as a writer, but I also wanted this story told for a multitude of reasons. It’s mostly about redemption and forgiveness, two things in life, that in my opinion, that are the hardest to achieve. It was a very emotional roller coaster ride for me.

“Sex With Your Ex” deals with a subject that certainly has to be handled with care, what kind of feedback have you received about it?

I can’t even begin to tell you how kind everyone has been. It does deal with a very touchy subject, and the hardest job for me, as a writer was to write the hero’s redemption. I’ve gotten such GREAT feedback from readers and reviewers alike. Several have e-mailed me privately to tell me they identified with the heroine, Melina. Some have just e-mailed to say they loved Pricilla, whom I parodied. It touched a chord on several different levels and I’m eternally grateful that it was so well received.

You have already collaborated in one anthology for Liquid Silver Books, “Ain’t Your Mama’s Bedtime Stories”, how did the idea come through?

I was invited toward the end of the anthology, just as they were preparing to wrap it up. My co-author, Dee S. Knight asked if I’d like to jump in, and we just began e-mailing back and forth about the fairy tale, Snow White. It took on a life of its own shortly thereafter. I had nothing to do with the conception of the project, but was honored to be a part of it nonetheless.

Did you exchange ideas for the anthology with the other writers or did each one of you work on your own story and just submitted it to the editors?

As I said I came in late, so most everyone was done by then, or at least almost done. I wrote Snow White in about a week and a half. Dee S. Knight helped me a great deal with changing the plot to create a more modern day feel to it. We all edited one another and it got a bit nuts trying to keep track of who had what <g>, but Snow went through the wringer a time or two. LOLLOL

Are there more anthologies in your future?

I have one in the works now, as for the future I think it will depend on where I am with any projects that are current. I love anthologies because they allow me to write a story in a shorter format. Shorter formats are my specialty. I admire anyone who can write a ninety-five thousand word manuscript. I have the attention span of a gnat. LOL

Your upcoming title at Liquid Silver Books is a vampire story. Was it difficult to make the switch from contemporary to paranormal?

It’s not difficult to switch as long as I can make my own rules, or a variation thereof <g>. I stuck to the basic vamp, in that, he needs blood to survive and is immortal, but after that, it was no holds barred! I loved being able to make it my own brand of vamp.

Why did you choose vampires and not werewolves for your first paranormal?

I don’t know…LOL. It just happened as most of my stories do. I think of something zany and try to find the irony in it. My vamp has a medical affliction that is rather ironic to a vampire. I also have a wolf story I’m working on now and that too has quite a bit of irony in it too.

From what we can see at your website, this vampire story will be a comedy of sorts, how did you come up with the idea? Was it difficult to develop?

Well, all of my stuff is essentially a comedy, so I thought it would be the best avenue to take with my vamps too…J My vamps are a lot campy and never to be taken seriously…J LOL. They are definitely humor laden, versus angst ridden. I wanted to write a vamp, who just loved being a vamp. I mean, there are some serious advantages to being a vamp. How cool is it to live forever with your Life Mate, knowing he’ll always want you and only you, FOREVER? He’s got a ‘pistol of passion’ that’s voracious and he’s all Alpha. I say, the heck with immortality, bring on the vamps! So you have to live by the light of the moon, big deal. All the cool stuff on TV is on at night anyway. LOL. There is a smidge of conflict, but mostly it’s just a fun ride.

I recall that when you first mentioned the vampires you were thinking in terms of a series, is it still so or will you wait and see how the public reacts to this book?

I rather left It’s A Vampire Thing, open to the possibility of a series. Two characters from that book may have a story of their own, if time allows with the other commitments I have. I loved the vamps and I can’t wait to see how people react to my way of portraying them. Less upset over what life has dealt them and living life with what they have, to the fullest.

Could you share with us a bit more about your upcoming project The FMP Society? It is to be your first project for Ellora’s Cave, right?

Ah, my F.M.P. girls…LOL. The idea came from the shoe design on my site and my vivid imagination. I gave three dead supermodels/fairy godmothers, (who’ve died in a tragic runway accident), a pair of “magic shoes”. They give them to give to a girl who needs a real boost of self-esteem. She also wants to catch a hot guy she’s been lusting after for a year. The shoes change with whatever you wear, and make you irresistible to men. My supermodels are a parody of what we as women think they represent and not to be taken too seriously, even though they deal with a more serious issue for women. I think they’ll prove to you that being pretty isn’t always what it seems. <g> This story is rather my version of the grass ain’t always greener…LOL.

This is my first project for Ellora’s Cave, and I’m thrilled to be joining their team. I got very lucky when I sent in a submission and I’m grateful. I have a GREAT editor, who understands me. My good friend, Sahara Kelly is there and I know several of the authors so I feel lucky to have joined the crew at the cave.

Will you continue your association with Liquid Silver Books?

Absolutely, they couldn’t get rid of me if they paid me, LOL. LS was where I began my writing career and if Linda Eberharter hadn’t taken a chance on this housewife from Jersey, I’d have no writing career. She gave me the boost of confidence I needed to think maybe I could do this, and here I am. They have great editors who were very patient with this newbie. So, yes, yes, yes!! As long as they’ll have me, I’m there. Liquid Silver is finding it’s niche in the e-book/erotic romance market, and I look forward to growing as a writer with them.

Where does Dakota Cassidy see herself in the future?

Um, married to Harrison Ford? I’m only kidding. Who wants to live in Hollywood with all that money anyway? LOL. How about hooking up with Linda Howard’s day job? LOL.

All kidding aside, I see myself writing more books for sure and enjoying myself doing it. As for much else, I’d just like to see what happens. I’ll never say never after this wild, totally unexpected ride! I’ve been very fortunate in finding two pubs who like my work in the span of just six months, certainly a surprise to me. Especially considering this was not a path I intentionally chose. So, for now, I’ll just be grateful and continue to feel blessed with the luck I’ve had and the online friendships I’ve made. The future will bring what it brings. I’m more than content with now…J

What sound or noise do you love

Laughter, Laughter, Laughter. I adore a good chuckle. And babies laughing…I love the sound of a baby laughing.

What sound or noise do you hate

Hands down, that would be the screech of, “Mom he’s touching me,” in the middle of a hot sex scene. LOL

What is your favorite cuss word

Hell’s bells. Sorta rolls off the tongue don’t you agree? LOLLOL

If Heaven exists, what will God’s first words to you be when you arrive at the gate

Oh, gee, um… Shut Up and forget about that halo, Dakota? <g> I hope it’s more of the “welcome home” variety, but ya never know…LOL

For those of you who want to learn more or keep up to date about Ms. Dakota Cassidy her website address is http://www.dakotacassidy.com. If you are interested in purchasing her current titles you can find them at at Liquid Silver Books. Starting next summer she will also have published work at Ellora's Cave.

We wish to thank Ms. Cassidy for sharing some of her time with us in answering our questions. Thank you, Dakota!

© Mireya Orsini - November 23, 2003 Issue of the Just Erotic Romance Review Newsletter

Back to Interviews 2003