There's all this stuff in my head...: Meet my Latest Guest: Lily Bishop!

I want to welcome Lily Bishop. First I’d love you to introduce yourself.

Hi, I’m originally from Georgia, but I live in South Carolina. I’m married with two children in middle school, so I stay pretty busy. I work full time as a data analyst for a research university, and in my spare time I write romantic suspense.

Tell us about your latest release.

I’m working on the City Lights series right now, and I just released the third book, For the Win. This novella tells the story of Lindsey and Ric, two characters who appeared in the other two books, and it takes place during the same time period as the first book. That has been quite a challenge. Lindsey and Ric’s story will continue in two future novellas that I am hoping to finish this summer.

Now I have a few questions for you – I have found readers do like to know fun things about us writers.

1.) Who is your favorite villain – it can be from a book (even one of yours), movie or TV show. And why?

I loved Angel in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He started out as a villain, but then he wasn’t so much a villain by the end.

2.) Who is your favorite character out of your books? Why?

Oh, that’s a tough one. Right now I’m in love with Ric, the male lead I’m working with in this trio of novellas. He was born in Venezuela and he owns a resort on a private island in the Bahamas. He has an amazing accent, and he is such a romantic.

3.) What do genre do you write? What made you pick that one?

I write contemporary/romantic suspense. I like stories that have an element of danger, so that’s what I write. My characters end up in tenuous situations, but we don’t always see the danger in the beginning.

4.) What are you working on now?

I’m finishing this series with two novellas, both about Lindsey and Ric, and they are both almost ready for editing.

5.) What got you to start writing?

I’ve always written, ever since middle school. I’ve always had stories in my head. I first published in 2013, and believe me, I have a ton of stories to tell.

6.) Where do you get your ideas from?

Well, my villains usually come from true news stories about things that happened. Other than that, I usually come up with the characters first.

7.) What would people who read your work be surprised to find out about you?

A lot of my books revolve around blackjack, and I can’t play a lick. I rely on my husband to help me with those scenes.

8.) Do you have any special talents?

I’m good with data. Lately all of the boards and committees on ask me to take their minutes. I can usually pick out actors from their voice.

9.) What was the one piece of advice you received when you were an aspiring author that has stuck with you? Why?

Write. Talking about writing does not count. Social media posts about writing does not count. The best thing a writer can do is write the next book and make it a good one.

10.) If you could talk to any famous figure (present, past or fictional) who would it be and what would you talk about?

I really admire former president Jimmy Carter, and I would love to meet him.

11.) What song would you say describes your life?

Landslide – I see life as constantly changing.

12.) If you could come back as any animal – what would it be?

I would come back as a cat. I love cats. A four-year old Tortie rules our house.

Blurb:

A steamy story of a woman torn between duty and desire, truth and betrayal—No Strings Attached is the first novel in a sexy romantic suspense series City Lights that will leave you begging for more.

When wealthy entrepreneur Fox Thornton accepts a contract as interim director of a Miami consulting firm he never suspects he will be working closely with Laura Todd, the beautiful, ambitious young woman who warmed his bed last weekend in Las Vegas.

Laura attends a Vegas conference and after a spicy weekend fling, she returns to Miami to find that her boss has been replaced by her Vegas lover. She never expected to see Fox again, but now she works for him, and she’s the only one who can provide the records he needs for his investigation.

The numbers don’t add up. The company should be flush with funds but is barely making payroll. Fox vows to bring the thief to justice, but all signs lead to Laura. Can he follow his heart while making sure that justice is served?

Excerpt:

Laura tipped the dealer and cashed out, but as she stood, the skirt of her dress ripped. She could feel her skirt dangling and sat down quickly, desperate to hide her lacy black thong. She hadn't even brought her purse, only her phone and room key in a wristlet.

"Are you okay?" she heard Mr. July ask.

"Wardrobe malfunction. I have to go." She gathered the fabric in her fist, planning to back out of the casino.

"Let me help." In a flash, he stood up and draped his jacket over her shoulders. It went all the way down to her hips and covered the ripped section. "Better?"

His scent surrounded her. Laura looked up and saw nothing but his blue eyes. "Thank you. I guess I need to go upstairs."

"I'll come with you." At her blank look, he gestured to the fine Italian suit coat. "To collect the jacket."

"Of course," she said, wishing she hadn’t made such a fool of herself. They started walking together toward the bank of elevators outside the casino. His arm around her shoulders felt like the most natural thing in the world.

"Well, this is awkward," she said, when they were alone in the elevator. "Nothing like ripping your dress at the blackjack table to get someone's attention." The ripped dress had stolen her confidence, and where she had been an outgoing flirt earlier, she felt herself slipping back into her natural shyness.

"You didn't have to."

The elevator stopped on her floor, and Laura led the way to her room. "Didn't have to what?"

"Rip your dress. You had my attention already."

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