Tell us about JOINED

Joined, book one in the series, is about two people who begin a relationship based on lust and it quickly turns into something more; their emotions get involved and it’s not an easy reality for either of them to accept.

After graduating from college, Rebecca Salins returns home and tries to establish herself and reconnect with her best friend and family. It’s been two years since her oldest sister passed away and she still has difficulty moving forward since her passing.

Mateja Guvo is a powerful and wealthy man who is intrigued by Rebecca when he first sees her. But they both have secrets and challenges that might interfere with them ever finding out if their relationship can be something more.

The cover design for the book was done by Melody Simmons at
http://ebookindiecovers.com/. If possible, can you please give her
credit? She worked so hard to capture the tone that I was looking for.

What genre is it?
It is erotic fiction.

What’s the difference between erotic fiction and porn,  anyway?
I LOVE that question and I am so happy that you asked because readers who refrain from the erotica and erotic romance genres might
re-consider reading these two genres.

Porn is a sexual encounter(s) that is intended to excite readers only. There’s no concern about the characters, the setting, or any build-up. Not that I am saying anything is wrong with that.  Erotica, on the other hand, is intended to illustrate the main characters sexual journey, how the romance unfolds, and it can or cannot include a plot, or characterization.

Since erotic romance is oftentimes longer, it incorporates sex or
sensuality with characterization, a flow to the plot, and a happily
ever after (HEA). My series is an erotic romance.

Thanks for clearing that up. You say Joined is the first in a series. How many more books are you planning?
There will two more books in the Joined series. I have working titles for them, but I still need to mull over them.

What kind of readers will it appeal to?
This book will appeal to readers who love to see characters who communicate through sex. While I hope that readers are revved up when they read it, the meaning and value of sex are different for Rebecca and Mateja. For Rebecca, having sex awakens her, and further connects her to her feelings. Mateja does enjoys sex, but with Rebecca, he gains more pleasure by pleasing her first and this is something he has never experienced before. With this, he truly establishes an authentic bond with her thorough intercourse because he can channel her needs and his initial interest becomes actual affection for her.

If you can answer this without any spoilers, where are you planning to take Rebecca and Mateja’s story next?
All I can say is that Mateja and Rebecca will ultimately find their way to each other. They are BOTH very stubborn characters! But they’re dear to me and they mean well.

How long did it take to write Joined?
It took me three months to write this book and polish it up.

That’s fast. What was the most challenging part of your creative process?
The most challenging thing about this process is that every character wants to have a say from time to time! However, Rebecca’s voice overpowers theirs and I am only able to learn about them from her.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a proud foodie. I love time with my family and friends. When I am not writing, I love to a read a good book!

Come on, tell us more! Okay, you’re a foodie, but that’s not all there is to you, is it? Are you male or female? Young or old?
Right! Yes. I am a female in my late twenties. I come from a big
family and they would be shocked to know that I write erotic romance.
It’s still taboo or “huh hush” (Please excuse my colloquial talk:-) ) And
as I inform more family members, I hope that this changes.

Oh, so is Alexia Stone a pen name? How did you choose it?
I think that pen names are good for writers for various reasons. One
of the common reasons is that it separates them from any other genre
they might write and the second reason is that it provides writers
with some privacy.

Since Alexia is my middle name and Stone is my actual last name, I don’t consider it a pen name.

Have you got a blog where readers can keep up with your work?
Please check out: http://authoralexiastone.wordpress.com.

And where can we buy Joined?
On Amazon ( US , UK).

What’s next?
The sequel to Joined is coming in 2013.