In the Author Spotlight
NIKKI DUNCAN

AL: Hi Nikki Thanks for being in the “Author Spotlight” this week.


Nikki: Hey, Ann. Thanks for having me here.

AL: So, tell us what’s happening with you.

Nikki: I’ve been watching American Idol, and am eagerly waiting, more so than years past, to see who wins. I’ve picked the winner the last 2 years, but in my mind the competition hasn’t been as close as this year. I really liked several of the contestants this year, but no matter how good they are, my pick this year is Lee Dewyze. Admittedly, Crystal is great, but for some reason I am more drawn to Lee.

I’ve also been catching up on our fave TV Shows and am looking forward to many of the summer shows: Burn Notice, Royal Pains, In Plain Sight, Criminal Minds, NCIS, NCIS LA, Bones, The Vampire Diaries, House, and many more. The TV time helps me slow my mind down a little.

AL: Tell us about your newest release, SCENT OF PERSUASION.

Nikki: SCENT OF PERSUASION is book 2 in the Sensory Ops series. Unlike book 1, I do not have a character with a handicap. Rather, the sense comes into play as the murder weapon. It was fun to find an interesting way to kill people that isn’t done over and over and to play with the motives.

AL: What other works are you deep into?

Nikki: I am currently editing a book that spins off the Sensory Ops Series. It’s still suspense, but it’s a little different than the Ops books. I instead have a treasure hunting couple. Think a Lara Croft lover’s reunited story with a more traumatic backstory.

AL: Is SCENT OF PERSUASION your first book published work? How long did it take you to write it?

Nikki: It’s my second. SOUNDS TO DIE BY, book 1 in the Sensory Ops Series was my first. Though they were not my first books written. As for how long to write it, I think from beginning the plot to the finished product it took me around 3 months. I can work faster than that, but I like to feel somewhat human.

AL: When you write do you do a detailed outline before you get started or do you have the idea then just 'fly by the seat of your pants'? :-)

Nikki: I have some amazing friends who help me think out the major plot points at the beginning of a book. Some books I plot more thoroughly than others, but I always have a pretty solid idea of where I am going and what suspense elements must be tackled.

AL: If you weren't writing, what do you suppose you'd be doing?

Nikki: Living a much more dull life with more TV and reading time. Living the life I used to lead. This one is more exciting.

AL: Now, settle back and relax…What is this romance writer's idea of the "perfect romantic evening"?

Nikki: Actually, settled back and relaxed sums it up very nicely. Whether it’s an evening with the kids asleep early and hubby and I on the couch with favorite shows, a night at the movies with just us, or even the recent walk on a beach in San Diego at sunset, my idea of a romantic evening is just about anything that includes quiet time with hubby. It’s the reconnection time.

AL: Is there an author(s) out there that you’d love to do an anthology with?

Nikki: Hmm, I haven’t thought much about this. There are a lot of authors I respect and would enjoy working with, but I’m not sure I have an answer.

AL: What would people be surprised to know about you?

Nikki: That I could quite easily go days or weeks without seeing other people and be perfectly happy. Don’t get me wrong, I love spending time with people, but I also love my alone time.

AL: Can you share some of your plans for 2010 and beyond?

Nikki: Aside from writing a couple more Sensory Ops books, I am looking forward to SOUNDS TO DIE BY releasing in print in August, and my first book signing at the RWA Nationals Literacy Signing.

AL: Imagine if you will…If you had to write yourself as a villain, what kind of villain would you be? What would you be named?

Nikki: Interesting question. Maybe a lightning sniper. I would be tough to track. As for a name...Anya Sparks, because it doesn’t sound like a killer’s name. Who would suspect such a sweet sounding person?

AL: Please share a favorite quote(s) with us.

Nikki: Women who behave rarely make history.

AL: Thanks so much for sharing with joining us this week, Nikki.

Nikki: Thanks for having me here. It was great fun.

AL: If you’d like to find out more about Nikki please visit:

http://www.nikkiduncan.com/
http://www.sensoryops.com/
www.twitter.com/nduncanwriter

FEATURED TITLE: SCENT OF PERSUASION

Blurb:

Actress Kami Evans is tackling the biggest role of her life—as an escort. There’s definitely something going on in Madame V’s mansion, but Kami has to prove herself trustworthy before she can dig deeper and prove her stepbrother didn’t commit suicide.

Her first assignment: seduce a CEO and, oddly, steal his hair brush. He’s everything she avoids in a man: suave, sexy, suited. She plays her role all the way to the bedroom…and finds it stunningly difficult to walk away.

Breck Lawson’s undercover assignment, posing as a replacement CEO, is yielding zero clues as to why his friend tried to kill himself—until Kami comes on the scene. She’s everything he likes in a woman: safe, sexy, temporary. She also arouses him just by walking into a room, a sure sign it’s time to push her away.

Then he connects the dots she unwittingly shares, and realizes their investigations are linked by delicate strands of DNA. Keeping her near isn’t wise, but he has to know her secrets and keep her safe.

Unless they trust each other and come clean, those dots could lead to death for both of them…

Excerpt:

“You didn’t dance with me.”

“You didn’t ask.” She wrapped one arm behind him and reached across herself with the other, resting her palm on his stomach.

“I’m asking now.” He covered her hand and assured himself the sentimentality he was feeling toward her was a strict product of a successful night. She was being paid for a job, and he would be a fool to ignore the opportunity. “Will you dance with me, Kami?”

She tilted her head slightly and met his gaze with her sparkling green eyes. “I would love to.”

Breck led her to the dance floor. The band shifted to an instrumental piece, slow and somewhat melancholy. Sexy. He set her hands on his shoulders and then placed his at her waist.

Kami fitted her body to his. Their cheeks brushed as they swayed to the beat. Without her shoes, she’d fit neatly tucked against him with the top of her head under his chin. Her heart wouldn’t beat right against his, like it did now, unless he picked her up.

He turned his face into her hair and inhaled her sweet orange blossom scent. “Sorry you didn’t win the Heat packet. Though I don’t recall meeting a Channing Harris.”

She shrugged and wiggled against him. “No worries. It went to a great cause.”

Wishing Trevor had been able to see the night’s success, Breck settled into dancing and was surprised as always that the childhood lessons from his mother had stuck with him. Tonight’s difference was the pleasure the moves and the music brought him. Since losing his mom, he’d found no interest or delight in either.

With Kami’s arms around him, he wondered what else he’d missed out on. And that was a dangerous thought.

She sighed. Warmth washed over his neck and slid beneath the collar of his shirt and down his back. Her body pulsed with each move. He hardened against her thigh.

“This is nice.” She hummed low in her throat—a sultry accompaniment to the song that had the hair at his nape standing at attention.

He scanned the few remaining couples as he guided her in a circle. He wanted them gone. The tuxedo jacket grew warmer by the minute with his rising temperature. He wanted Kami to himself. He wanted to discover the treasure of what she concealed beneath her silken dress.

He’d paid for an escort all night and though he hadn’t intended to keep a woman with him until morning, the temptation of Kami and hot sex had him reevaluating his plans.

He swallowed and glided his palms up her back. The strings would snap against the smallest pressure. The dress would fall to the floor. If they were alone…

He kissed her beneath the lobe of her ear. His pulse raced as the band shifted into a song about sexy love that had a throbbing opening beat more suited to a flirtatious striptease than a slow dance. “You’re staying the night.”

She arched intimately against him, her pelvis bumping his erection, and moaned deep in her throat. “If you like.”

“We’ll both like it.”

“That sounds like a promise.”

“As soon as the last couple walks out that door it’s a promise I’ll make good on.”