It all began when I was ten and I fell in love with fairytales like Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Cinderella. Cinderella being my absolute favorite. I began writing short stories on notebook paper until at thirteen I received a manual typewriter. Writing was my way of escaping, a kind of therapy that I didn't realize until I was much older. But I do recall at the age of ten deciding that I wanted to be a writer when I grew up.
Deciding on the romance genre was a no brainer. Didn't all fairytales have a happily ever after when there was a princess and prince involved? That was important to me, the HEA. My first books, Cupid's Arrow and The Senator's Daughter, was actually sweet romances but in time I evolved into the erotic genre because let's face it, we live in a different world than the 70's and 80's when sex happened behind closed doors. At least in the books I'd read, and imagination can only go so far! These days it seems readers want more of the details and feelings happening between the characters. I know I do.
Introduce us to the woman behind the pen or keyboard. Who is Tory and what do you love doing when you're not writing?
Tory is really Debbie but since I began writing while I was still working for Disney I needed an alias. I've always considered myself a grandma who writes smut with a plot. I was fifty when my first book was published and have since retired. Basically a homebody, I moved in with my daughter and her family after my partner passed away. He was thirty years older than me and we had seventeen years together. I have four fur babies (I call them my support staff), like to travel, and take naps. My two grandchildren are my world.
What can readers expect when they read your books?
Lots of action, suspense, humor and sex. There's a little bit of me in every book, mainly the humor part. Readers can expect to lose themselves in a fictional adventure. You won't read any COVID romances by me. Not bashing those who have written them but my personal feelings are that people are looking to escape when they read fiction.
Of all the books you've written, which one is your favorite and why?
This is always a hard question to answer because I love all my stories, and the characters I've created. If I had to choose it would be...
Kiss Me, which used to be Cupid's Arrow, and first book contracted with a publisher.
What is your latest release? Tell us about it.
SAX, book 4 of my Desert Rebels MC Series. The romance between Sax and Holly actually began in Furious, book 3 of my Nomad Outlaws Trilogy where they have a very brief appearance. Then it continues in books 1-3 of Desert Rebels. I decided to give them their own story because of events that occurred in prior books of the series that eventually tore them apart.
BULL, the last book in my Desert Rebels MC Series. I'd hoped to have it out by the end of 2020 but had to push the date to sometime in January 2021. I recommend the series be read in order starting with COLE, DEMON, LD, and SAX.
Also, for 2021 I have another book coming out titled, Savage. The hero, Brody Savage, has appeared briefly in other books. An older man, he works both sides of the law and is a loner until he runs into Lulu. Readers fell in love with her in Desert Rebels, she was one of their club girls, and are looking forward to her getting a HEA. I'm unsure yet if anyone from the Desert Rebels will make an appearance in this book.
Do you see a pattern here? I have a habit of writing books for secondary characters that appear in other books, sometimes more than one.
What advice can you give other writers?
Don't let negative reviews get you down, we all get them. Look at them more as a way to hone your craft so that you put out a better product. Also, no two people are going to like or dislike your book the same way. Reviews are just an individual's opinion.
Thank you for this interview, Tory!
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Great job on my interview! Thanks again for featuring me and it's an honor being your first of the year.
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