A FAT Tuesday Welcome!
In honor of Mardi Gras I’m going to spice things up a bit. I’m pleased to introduce Author Open MIC’s next guest, Erotic romance writer, Louisa Bacio. She has an amazing array of books that spans the erotic romance genre to include paranormal, same-sex fiction, and mainstream erotic. Her backlist includes six erotic novels, including the paranormal series The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf, and numerous steamy short stories. We are celebrating her new release, Mirabella’s Mardi Gras Menague.
Louisa has an awesome guest post about the colors of Mardi Gras. Also, stick around for Louisa’s Headline News Interview. She also has some fabulous prizes ~ one free PDF copy of one of her back list books and hop over to her blog for more chances to win her Mardi Gras package giveaway. More details below.
The Colors of Mardi Gras
Forever I’ve seen the major colors of Mardi Gras – purple, gold and green, but until recently, I didn’t know what they meant. As I was doing some research for my new release Mirabella’s Mardi Gras Ménage, I came across a site explaining the historical references:
“The official colors of Mardi Gras, with their roots in Catholicism, were chosen 10 years later: purple, a symbol of justice; green, representing faith; and gold, to signify power.” (http://www.americancatholic.org/features/mardigras/)
When most people think of Mardi Gras, they imagine scenes of celebration: drinking, partying, flashing of bare breasts in exchange for colored beads (and you should see what I do with those beads in this novella!). Fat Tuesday, which falls on February 12 this year, is the day before Ash Wednesday, a Catholic holiday. So Fat Tuesday is seen as a last “hurrah” before Lent, a time of temperance, where many people “give up” something.
In the story, before going out to a parade, my characters Nick, Mirabella and Marguerite, dress in all their finery, and each one of them chooses a costume of a different color. Can you guess the three colors used?
Have you ever or would you want to visit New Orleans during Mardi Gras?
While I’m a fan of the city immensely, I don’t care for wild crowds. The opening scene, of Mirabella being swept off her feet, is actually an experience my husband said he had on one occasion, and he’s a big guy.
Contest: Leave a comment and a valid email address, and you’ll be entered to win a .pdf copy of one of the books on my backlist. Also, I’m hosting a release party for Mirabella’s Mardi Gras Ménage – so make sure to check out my blog for the grand prize package!
Thanks so much for hosting me. What a blast!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Louisa Bacio
Love knows no bounds
Louisa Bacio published her first erotic thriller SEX UNIVERSITY: Physical Education in June 2010, and since then has published three more, including The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf: A New Orleans Threesome and its sequel Chains of Silver. Louisa enjoys soaking up the sun in Southern California, and spending time with her family. In addition to writing and editing, Bacio teaches college courses in English, journalism, film studies and popular culture.
Author Links
Author site: http://louisabacio.com/
Blog: http://www.louisabacio.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/louisabacio
Twitter: http://twitter.com/louisabacio
INTERVIEW
Has writing always been part of your life or did you discover your hidden talent?
Always. Always. I’ve been fortunate to know I wanted to be a writer, for as long as I can remember, so most of what I’ve done has been to that end. And, I feel so fortunate to do what I love.
How do your stories come to you? Are you inspired by an object, picture or place or do they appear in your dreams?
It’s a real variety. Sometimes I dream of an event, and other times I’ve picked up a piece of dialogue somewhere. For this novella, Mirabella’s Mardi Gras Ménage, when I went to publish the first book in the series The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf: A New Orleans Threesome, the partial title Mardi Gras Ménage was thrown out. I kinda tucked it away internally. I thought book 4 The Wolfe Pack would be the last one, and then Nick started to act out, and pull some stunts, and Mirabella, who’d been in the background throughout all of the novels, starting speaking up – she wanted her HEA. Well, I love alliteration, and there you go!
What attracted you to write erotic romance? Do you write other genres?
Some of my first writing “dabbling” is actually horror and thriller. I’ve got a partially completed serial killer novel. (Great storyline.) I also have a mainstream women’s fiction that I’ll finish someday. It’s based on three friends – one died after high school, one was diagnosed schizophrenic and went AWOL, and then there’s me.
I’ve always been drawn to romance, though. Both my grandmothers read it. The erotic aspect comes naturally, and I believe it’s a viable aspect of a romantic relationship. Hence, important to show.
With the explosion of 50 Shades of Grey onto the world stage, how do you think that will impact erotic authors like yourself? This genre has always had their devoted followers. Do you think recent awareness will draw more readers?
Immediately, I saw the result. I had some reader-friends who previously told me they only read “Christian fiction.” After they read 50 Shades of Grey, they came around and said, “Well, I could read that … what are your books again?”
Can you share some information about your main character, Mirabella. What draws her to Marguerite and Nick? Is this a new experience for her? And, do they stay together?
Although she’s lived in New Orleans for her entire life, Mirabella has been sheltered by her aunt Teresa, who happens to be a Voodoo priestess. It’s a strange world she lives in. Knowing so much about what happens in the world, and yet not experiencing any of it. Mirabella decides she wants to venture out, experience more, and Marguerite and Nick come about at the right time. She’s known Nick from previous run-ins, but never like this. And no … I’m not telling the ending!
I really like that you have pulled in the paranormal element with Nick? Is he your typical vampire or is he different? How did he become a vampire?
Nick is one of my most favorite characters ever, and I think he’s finally found some happiness here in Mirabella’s Mardi Gras Ménage (at least he’s stopping nagging me, except for scenes I wasn’t able to include in a novella). He’s a tortured soul, and his own vampire nature haunts him. He’s also young, only been turned for two years.
His story spans through three previous books, two as a primary: Book 2: Chains of Silver, and Book 4, The Wolfe Pack. Even if readers pick up those, they’ll hopefully love him as much as I do.
What perfect timing for the release of your book, since it takes place in New Orleans. Have you visited there? What is your favorite part of the city?
Oh, that timing was very much planned! I’ve been to New Orleans three times and the city instantly imprinted itself on my soul. I don’t know what it is … the magic, the allure, a previous life? The French Quarter, by far, is my favorite place, and I would love to live there – for a little bit. (My heart belongs in Southern California.)
What do you are you cooking up next? What can readers expect?
Oooh, that’s a tough one. For the first time in a while, I’m actually contract-free (we’ll see how long that lasts). I have a few submissions out, such as a second book in Decadent Publishing’s 1Night Stand series, and I have a new paranormal romance I’m working on – revising book 1, and want to get started on book 2. We’ll see what the future holds.
Open MIC FAV five:
1. Favorite hero or heroine: I really like the pair of Ivy and Rachel in Kim Harrison’s Hollows series. Both are tough, but flawed. I’d like to see Ivy get a moment of happiness.
2. Favorite author: Almost impossible to say. There are so many – well-known and friends – who I buy regularly.
3. Favorite music to write by: Nine Inch Nails – dark & sultry
4. Favorite inspiration: The real thing
5. Most memorable writing moment: The best writing comes when it’s smooth and not forced. Sometimes the writing flows so easily. With Mirabella’s Mardi Gras Ménage, it really was the characters telling me the story.
BOOK INFORMATION
Mirabella’s Mardi Gras Ménage
Constantly under the watchful eye of her Voodoo priestess aunt, Mirabella longs to break free during the events of Mardi Gras. Escapades draw her into the arms of Marguerite, a fiery redhead with a passion for life, and Nick, a familiar vampire who’s haunted by his transformation and past.
What starts as a new experience – a Mardi Gras Ménage – soon turns deadly, and none of their lives will ever be the same.
Drop in for a visit at
http://www.facebook.com/louisabacio
http://www.twitter.com/louisabacio
Ebook (pdf) of one of Louisa Bacio’s backlist books to one lucky commenter. Enter your comment and email below. (18 years or older)
Enter Mardi Gras Package Giveaway
Click image to enter
Louisa is also holding a tour-wide giveaway. Hop over to her blog to enter the Rafflecopter for a chance to win.
Mardi Gras package includes Kitchen Witch spices, beads, fluer di lis cookie cutter, mask, etouffee mix. Shipping to the U.S. Value is worth $20 + the cost of shipping. I reserve the right to substitute the prize in case product is not available. If the winner is international, they can choose a $15 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Contest ends Feb. 28 at midnight.
Wicked Romance Blog 
Thanks for sharing that, I wasn’t aware that the colors meant anything. Justice, Faith and Power. How strange is that when it seems they do an aweful lot of sinning during this time. (Smile) Mary Roya
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Definitely agree with you there, Mary! Amazing what you can learn with a little bit of research! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Love paranormal romance! Congratulations on the new book. Enjoyed the very informative interview. Thanks for the giveaway.
Thank you for visiting BookLady! I’m a little bit of a fan of paranormal romance, too!
You’ve outdone yourself with setting up this interview and the *colors* fantastic. Thanks so much for hosting me.
My pleasure! Congratulations on your release. This book is on Amazon folks – it’s calling your name 🙂
Jean
I loved finding out what the colors mean. I didn’t know it. Wow…and my fave color purple means Justice! Right on!
Nikki — We’ve talked those “coincidences” in writing before. AND, my other character in the series is named Lawrence Justice. Oh, boy! *I meant that*
I really enjoyed the post and the book sounds yummy! Glad your tortured soul gets a bit of happiness. : )
Thanks for coming by, Tara. Would you believe that hours after I sent out this interview, I came up with another book idea? It’s not my tortured soul, though. He gets a rest.
Love the post, Louisa, and I had no idea that Mardi Gras had three colors! Growing up in St. Louis, I always wanted to get my friends together and head down to New Orleans for the big day, but never quite made it. After we married, we established a family tradition of taking the kids for a big steak dinner on Fat Tuesday. Not quite as much fun as the real party!
Alina — My family tends to do a short camping trip around this time of year. A bakery near our house does “King Cakes,” which are a Mardi Gras tradition in those colors.
Some day!
This sounds great, Louisa. I adore New Orleans, have been there at least four times, but like you, I do not like large crowds, so will reluctantly pass on Mardi Gras. Laissez les bon temps roulez!
Grazie Lyndi!
Yes, I feel like such a wimp not wanting to experience it. I’ve been there during some busy times, and that’s insane enough!
I have never been to NOLA at all, much less during Mardi Gras. I would love to go to MG, but I have bad anxiety attacks when I am in crowded situations, so I would have to be totally drunk or under the influence of prescription tranquilizers.
June
manning_J2004 at yahoo dot com
June — Maybe that’s why so many people are drunk! I might be able to handle being in a totally posh luxury suite overlooking Mardi Gras. Of course, the room would have to be sound-proof, too, because the crowds go wild!
Hi, Louisa!
The book looks great. Love the Mardi Gras tie-in. Would love to go sometime.
Thank you Whitley! I so appreciate you dropping by!