FRIDAY FIRSTS with Maya DeLeina

The first five sentences of...FLESH FANTASY

I was thirty-five years old. Correct that. Thirty-seven years old.

I seemed to forget just how old I really was then, my mind firing thirty-five as a knee-jerk reaction anytime I was asked. It was nothing intentional, like trying to shield my real age or anything. I just truly lost track of dates.

Genre: Erotic Romance
Publisher: Siren Bookstrand
Available now

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Fun First Facts About Maya

1.What’s the first thing you do when you sit down each day to write?

I work to set the mood in my writing area, encompassing every sensory angle.  The right mood has a lot to do with conjuring up the imagery I am after in my books.  

I love to write at night.

I light candles, typically something with a heavy spice. I layer that with Satya Sai Baba incense. The lights are turned down low. I have one writing/reading lamp on. The rest of the lights are ambient, set to highlight Buddha painting and sculptures I have around my writing room. If it’s winter, I turn down the heat or turn up the AC if in the summer. I like the room to have a definite crispness to it. Now, my dogs don’t like that much, but hey, that is what fur is for right? Plus, it gives me the chance to wrap myself in soft throw blankets that I spray with a mixture of mineral water and lavender oil.  Last, I set the Pandora channel to one of three channels: Within Temptation, Lacuna Coil or Sleepthief or I turn on the XM Zen channel.

With that, I’m transported deep into my vampire world. The storylines drift their way into my mind, travelling down to my fingers and firmly making their mark on the page. And I can be completely absorbed in this for hours…until one of my dogs has to pee!

2. Tell me about your very first date (ever).

The first date that comes to mind was with a rather interesting man I met years ago. Not a man that you could really look at having a serious relationship with (as you will soon find out why), but certainly an experience you didn’t want to pass on.  His life could play out in the movies!

Sirhc was the bodyguard of a sultan that visited Hawaii on a regular basis. He was at always planted at his employer’s side, always jetting off to somewhere. Most times, he left without notice.  In addition to his chiseled features, mesmerizing accent and a body that made you mentally remind yourself not to drool, Sirhc had a small aircraft pilot license.

The first official date we went on was for lunch. I met Sirhc at a restaurant and prepared for a nice meal with amazing company.  I just imagined the stories he could tell me— the adventures and sights he had experienced.

As I stepped out of my car, he asked me to hop into his employer’s car service--a limo.  He explained that we were going somewhere else for lunch. I jumped right in without hesitation.

The car drove directly to the Honolulu International Airport. Within minutes, I boarded a Cessna piloted by Sirhc. He flew us to Kauai and had lunch a secluded resort.  After our meal, he arranged for us to have wine and chocolates on a section of the resort’s private beach to watch the sunset.

*Sigh*

3. If you won the lottery, what’s the first thing you’d buy?

Plane tickets to Thailand, Bali, India, Egypt, Greece, Venice, Tuscany, Ireland and Romania.

It has been my dream to see ruins, temples, landmarks, architectural marvels as well as have a taste of the food in each culture. I can just imagine the scents lofting in the air from fresh cut flowers while gliding along the floating market in Thailand, the sight of earth-toned spices mixing together at an open bazaar in India and the feel of moss covered stones of castles in Ireland under my fingers.

And I being a vampire author, I wouldn’t pass up the chance to visit the grounds of Castle Poenari.

More about Maya: Maya DeLeina was born and raised on the beautiful and romantic beaches of Oahu, Hawaii. Relocating to Colorado, Maya’s crystal blue oceans and powdery white sands were traded for enchanting forests, mystic mountains and golden plains of promise.

Living just on the outskirts of Manitou Springs, the town’s history of spiritual healing, eclectic flare, fabled underground tunnels and rumored lore of wizardry and witchcraft rekindled Maya’s love for the paranormal, metaphysical and most of all, vampires.

One bite and she was hooked.

With a hint of incense lofting in the air and the majestic Pikes Peak sitting in picture perfect view from her windows, Maya can be found relaxing in the recesses of her comfy couch, sinking her teeth into crafting and weaving seducing and erotic tales of vampires that may or may not roam her beloved town.

One read and you’ll be hooked.

You can learn more about Maya on her website and Facebook.