Interview: Sheri Gilmore
Eppie nominated author, Sheri Gilmore has stopped by this month to let us know a little more about her upcoming releases. Sheri burst onto the publishing scene not so long 
ago, racking up fantastic reviews and a loyal readership. Among her many releases in the last few months was the anthology Hard Candy, that is now available at many Borders or Walden's bookstores. 
Sheri! So great to have you here in my boudoir. Make yourself at home.
Thanks, Melissa. It's good to be here with you.
You have had an exciting year! So many releases, including your offering in the Anthology Hard Candy with Angela Knight and Morgan Hawke. Can you tell me what has been the most gratifying accomplishment you've had?
It has definitely been a roller-coaster year for me. I was very happy to be included in the anthology Hard Candy with Angela and Morgan. I consider both to be DIVAS in the erotic-romance genre, so naturally I was very honored when Loose Id asked me to contribute to the project. The anthology received a 'Recommended Read' from (FAR) Fallen Angel Reviews and has been put into print! It is available in paperback at Border's, Brentanos, and Waldenbooks.I'd have to say the most gratifying accomplishment I have had was getting my novel, 'Hot House: Dante & Hayley' published. I had sold it to Ghede Books, a subsidiary of Ellora's Cave, in 2004. The publisher never got off the ground and folded after having my contract for a year and a half. Loose Id stepped in and contracted the book and published it in May 2005. Since then I have had mixed reviews due to the subject matter, but I am proud to say that Hot House: Dante & Hayley finaled in the 2006 EPPIES for 'Best Erotica w/Paranormal Elements'. We'll find out in March, 2006 whether it won. I'm up against some very stiff and talented competition. Either way, I am ecstatic that the story has done so well.Besides that my trilogy THE PREACHER'S DAUGHTERS has started off with a 'bang'. The first book, 'Eye for an Eye', received a 'Recommended Read' from (FAR) Fallen Angel Reviews. The story centers around three sisters and their quest for love. Through each book a ten-year-old murder mystery threads its way from the first book through to the last book that revolves around their preacher-father and their mother. I also use different occult elements in each book. The second book in that trilogy, 'Witching Hours' will be available soon through Loose Id.
You have several series going right now with Loose Id, including your next release, Hot House 2: Micheal and Mercy. Can you tell us a bit about this particular series? What do you have planned for it next?
The 'Hot House' series is based on the concept that 'satan' is actually a title that several angels have held over the millenium and that the 'devil' is actually doing what he is supposed to be doing in the grand scope of things. After all, it would take a 'devil' to maintain an office that is so misunderstood and unappreciated by all. It's a very lonely position to hold. Each angel has secretly given up his quest to ever find his soul-mate. There are rules in Hell and certain trials that have to be endured while in office, which include temptation by some very beautiful people, who want to explore the wild-side of life offered at The House of Purgatory. When the devil isn't waging war against the pagan gods, he's running a goth/metal-rock club that caters to the more brave or depraved souls of earth. Every vice and passion known to mankind is available in The House of Purgatory. Just be careful going through the gate. You might not find your way out. But, then again, you might not want to. The basis for the series comes from several books, including 'The Divine Comedy', 'Paradise Lose', 'The Book of Enoch', and of course Greek and Hebrew mythology. The first book in the series explores the story of Dante/Samael and Hayley/Lilith. He's the original 'devil' and she the original 'wife of Adam'.The second book, coming out very soon through Loose Id, is the story of Michael and Mercy. Each book centers upon the idea of reincarnation and that all of us have a soul-mate, which we have been separated from and for whom we are forever seeking. Only a few of us ever succeed in finding our other half.
Many of your books are in the paranormal genre, with a few cross genre books. Is there a particular theme you find yourself exploring, or is each book in and of itself a new exploration for you?
I enjoy writing anything contemporary and occult/paranormal with BDSM elements. I also like to use horror and suspense elements in my works. I am a huge fan of Stephen King, Peter Straub, Clive Barker, and several other horror authors, including the great H.P. Lovecraft. Each book is a new exploration for me even if it is within a series or trilogy. There might be an underlying theme, but every romance is it's own story. We are no two persons alike, so no two romances can be the same. Every hero and heroine bring different aspects and elements to a particular relationship whether it be a shady present/past occupation, witchcraft, vampyre-craft, voudoo, or kinky sex. We all need love and companionship no matter who we are, or what culture/sub-culture we belong to. I just like to explore those areas that others consider 'darker than normal' and the ones most people don't really want to know are out there. But, once discovered, some of us are fascinated and intrigued enough that we have to investigate those darker elements just a little bit more. Those are the people I write for. Are you one of them? There's only one way to find out - read my stories. You might discover some dark aspects of yourself you didn't know were there.
You have some things coming up for you in the future, many releases but your first release from Red Sage's Secrets Anthology entitled "Bunko". Can you tell us a bit about it and when can we look forward to seeing that?
This story is a psychological study of the masks that people wear everyday to hide their underlying self. People don't want others to see the real them and only let their true self out under the cloak of darkness. The story centers around a young, professional woman, Tu Tran, who is attracted to her boss. There is some miscommunication between the two, because her boss, Jack, has hidden his true self behind a suit and tie for so long, he doesn't trust anyone to accept the real him. He begins a game of secret identities to win Tu, but now he's jealous of his other self. Which man will Tu choose? Uptight Jack, or Dirty Dev?This story is contracted and I am hoping it will be out sometime in 2006. It is one of my favorite stories that I have written.
You must have a TON of devoted readers. Can you tell us where to find you on the web and if you have any reader groups, etc?
I love all my readers and thank them immensely for liking my work. My website is at http://www.sherisecrets.com. I have a newsletter that you can sign up for under the 'Comments' section of my site. You can also find me on several loops like LI Community, Erotic Whispers, Dark-Romance Authors, The Parasitorium, Diane's Wastebasket, and Magnolia State Romance Writers of America (MSRWA). I love hearing from my readers, so they can send me e-mail at sgilmore@sherisecrets.com.
Sheri, Thanks so much for being in the first edition of Melissa's Boudoir!
