Author Interview with Rhea Regale

AVAILABLE: Wednesday, December 18th

Welcome author, Rhea Regale, here with us today.

Growing up, I was always the quiet girl who knew everyone but never quite fit in. I kept busy with dance, cheerleading, and numerous other activities. I was an overachiever, a hard worker, and very dedicated to anything I pursued. When I decided that I loved writing enough to follow along the writer’s career path, nothing deterred me from reaching my goals. I didn’t go to college straight out of high school, but rather focused all my free time and energy into my stories. Negativity could not steer me off the path of my dreams. It only made me more determined to succeed as a writer. Now, with a loving family, I continue to do what I love most: write from my heart and share my stories with the world.
Thank you so much for having me here, Mary.

1. Why did you choose to write ménage? What intrigues you about this particular genre? Oh my, why did I choose ménage. Honestly, a writer friend nudged me into the ménage world  I didn’t quite know how I felt about taking the leap, but I did and I’m so happy for the push. I wasn’t sure what to expect with my first ménage book. I had a lot of “what ifs” going into this genre, but I truly do love writing ménage. I love how natural the relationships develop and how easy it is to incorporate the same level of emotion, if not more, between three characters as it is two.

2. Tell us about your latest ménage release: what’s it all about? Where did you find the inspiration? My last release was the third installment in my Casanova Cowboys series. The story revolves heavily around the rebel Ryder Carter who returns home after leaving five years prior in the wake of his parents’ deaths. He left behind the loves of his life. After a tour over seas, he suffers the loss of his closest friend.
The inspiration for this story came from the real life heroes that fight for our country every day. I spent a great deal of time speaking with my brother-in-law, who serves in the Army, learning about life over seas, their outposts, weapons (that aren’t classified, of course), and the small details of how the trials of war affect a soldier, both physically and mentally. I can’t begin to express how captivated I was listening to him. The level of gratitude I hold for the men and women who fight for this country because it’s “just another day at the office” (exact words from my brother-in-law) escalated beyond words.

3. Who is your favorite ménage character(s) and why? This is a hard one. Shouldn’t I say all of them? If I must choose, I still get a kick out of Micah, Slade, and Kasa from one of my older releases, Wild Hunts. They are three strong-willed, stubborn characters who are always butting heads. More recent, I have to admit I absolutely adore Carter in Summer’s Wicked Cowboys. Lucien Corrington, who will be introduced in my upcoming novel Tempted by Her Trinity, is another favorite. I must admit, I have a soft spot for broken heroes who come off as mean, hard men. I love watching the heroine break down their walls to reveal the real man beneath the façade. In addition to Kasa, Mandy from Mandy’s Homebound Cowboys is a favorite of mine. She’s got fire and passion, and has no problem saying what’s on her mind, regardless of the consequences.

4. In your opinion, what makes a good ménage novel? Emotion, emotion, emotion. I said emotion, right? Don’t get me wrong. The sex scenes are important, but I’ve always felt that a sex scene becomes something so much more potent if emotions are involved to their fullest, as long at it is appropriate for that time in the story. I’m also a huge fan of an intricate plot, those little twists and turns that keep the reader wondering. Everything works in symphony to pull together a great ménage, or any story for that matter.

5. What do you think of ménage romance in general? Do you think numbers are important in ménage stories? The more the better or maybe not? Hmm, in my personal opinion, I think there is a fine line between a romantic ménage and a ménage that is simply for the sexual content. In ménage, I must say I don’t necessarily believe more is better. A traditional ménage with three, and even four, allows for the development of a relationship that can go deep without having to worry about watering down the emotional content or slowing down the pace of the story.

6. What sparks your ménage imagination to the point of writing one? Is there a particular source of inspiration for your ménage stories? If my imagination were a tangible object, the thing would be a raging wildfire waiting to explode. Anything and everything sparks ideas. I have yet to figure out if there is something specific that ignites, but I’m grateful for having a tireless muse that can develop something out of nothing. That’s the magic of imagination. There are no boundaries and inspiration is everywhere.

7. What is your favorite gender combination in ménage? More men than women? No women all men? I must say, I favor multiple men with one woman.

8. Do you prefer to use straight, gay or bisexual male character? Why? What influences your choice? When I first started writing ménage, I focused on straight male characters. Then I had an idea that started off my Casanova Cowboys series, and found myself writing a story based on two bisexual males in search of a woman to complete them. For the most part, I write the story my characters want me to write. My greatest influences are my characters. I try and make each story true to who they are, whether the males have an interest in each other in addition to their female partner or not.

9. In your opinion, inside a ménage with more than one man, is the woman character condemned to a passive role? Or can she be portrayed as dominant? Is she just a toy, a doll in the men’s hands, or can she assert herself as a woman and an individual? No woman is condemned to passivity, unless she enjoys that role, but that would have to be made clear. A woman who can trust her men to satisfy her both sexually and emotionally should certainly be able to trust herself to take control in the bedroom, or anyplace she chooses. Her wants and needs are as important as her want and need to slake the desires of her men.

10. In your opinion, can a true ménage work in real life? Why or why not? I believe anything can work, but like any relationship, there must be balance from all parties. Respect, communication, understanding, and most of the key components of a traditional relationship would be imperative to keep a real-life ménage alive.

11. Do you think there is a difference between ménage sex and ménage relationship? Are the two one and the same? Or can one be without the other? Tricky. Yes, I do believe there is a difference between ménage sex and ménage relationship. On the surface, sex is an act that may or may not involve personal feelings. Menage sex could be for the sole purpose of personal satisfaction with no strings attached. The relationship aspect adds another layer, involving more than the act of sex. A relationship takes work, understanding of partners, some degree of trust, some degree of affection. Sex can be without a relationship. A relationship can be without sex, but I doubt it would  Anything is possible, but I definitely think the relationship can’t last without some sexual contact.

12. What do you think of reviews on ménage books? Do you find they capture the essence of your work? If yes, why? If no, why not? To start, I greatly appreciate anyone who takes the time to read and review my books. Nowadays, time is a hot commodity there just isn’t enough of. Overall, I have been pleased with the reviews for my books. I do believe they capture the essence of the story and the characters. I think I’ve only had one review for a book in my Blood Moon Legacy series where I don’t think the true essence of the characters, or perhaps the general story, was experienced, but what one interprets is often different from the next, and I understand, appreciate, and respect each review .

13. Tell us about your future projects. Do you have a new ménage romance coming out soon? Future projects? Oh boy. There are so many. I plan on finishing up the Casanova Cowboys series, first and foremost. I’ve been playing around with a spinoff series that’ll focus on the wild ranch hands at Ryder Ranch. I’m also developing an outline for a new paranormal series, but that’s still in the fetal stages for the moment ;). As far as new novels, I have a single title novel coming out on December 18th called Tempted by Her Trinity, involving three vampire heroes and one vampire/succubus heroine. Zandra is the feared Assassin hunting down a threat to the last surviving Elder of the vampire race. Her mission becomes complicated when she crosses paths with Lucien, Damion, and Tor Corrington. Not only do they awaken a long lost hunger inside her, the brothers are the prime suspects in the plot against the Elder, her sire.

14. Where can the fans find you and find your books? Buried beneath a pile of notes or lost in my head . Facebook. I try so hard to be active on Facebook daily, and I do enjoy the interaction with readers and writers alike. I find it more personal. My books are available at http://www.bookstrand.com/rhea-regale, as well as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iTunes, Google, Kobo, amongst other third-party venders. Any events I might hop on are listed on my website.

15. Please tell us where readers and fans can find you on the net. Readers and fans can find me on Facebook where I’m most active. I love interacting with readers, fans, and other writers. Information about latest and upcoming releases, and events I’m participating in can be found on my website, www.rhearegale.com.

16. Is there anything you wish to share with the readers? I would like to extend a huge thank you for your continued support and positive words. Without you, us writers would have no one to share our stories with. Thank You!

Thank you so much Rhea for this interview! It was a great pleasure to welcome you today and know you better. I wish you great success for your coming new release Tempted by Her Trinity but wish many menage romances to go in the future! ~Mary