Cynthia Eden Interview - Building a Romantic Suspense Series

You’re coming out with your fourteenth and fifteenth book in the “Wilde Ways” series. When you came out with the first book, did you ever think you would continue this far with it?

No, I absolutely did not think I would be on book 15! I’m super surprised, truth be told. The first book was PROTECTING PIPER, and actually, when I began it, I didn’t have a series in mind at all.  But as the story developed, there were so many secondary characters who pulled at me, so I thought—you know what? Let’s do a bit more. And that more kept going…

The wonderful thing (for me) about the Wilde series—well, it’s that I can develop so many different story ideas that all fall under the Wilde umbrella (so to speak!). Because Wilde is an elite security and protection firm, the characters have assorted backgrounds, and their pasts often pull them into different directions.  I’ve been able to write stories about spies, celebrities, SEALs—each book focuses on different characters, so I have been able to explore and just have fun with the stories.

Authors usually say that their favorite characters are the ones they are currently writing about. Who have been some of your favorite characters or couples in your “Wilde Ways” series?

I have to confess that I loved writing about Linc Dalton (from CROSSING THE LINE). Linc was funny, sexy, and, from day one, he was willing to do whatever it took in order to stand with his partner, Blair. Linc wasn’t afraid of falling in love, and he waged a war to win Blair’s heart.  I love a man who will do anything for the woman he wants.

You write a lot of romantic suspense, but what do you like reading?

Everything!  Right now, I am binge reading my way through all of Jayne Castle’s sci-fi romance backlist. I’ve read these books numerous times, but I was in the mood for more re-reads. I also enjoy historicals, romcoms, and horror.

I was very skeptical when you wrote SAY I DO featuring the character Dexter Ryan. His swagger irked me and I felt like smacking him around. However, the story ended up exceeding my expectations and being really fab. What is your favorite type of hero to write about? To read?

LOL, ah, Dexter. The big puppet-master who liked to control everyone. I really enjoyed it when he finally lost control!!

My favorite type of hero (both to write about and read) is a confident, strong, fiercely protective guy.  I want a hero who will risk everything for the woman he loves—no holding back, no hesitation at all.  I like the guys who are “all in” when it comes to their heroines.

What can you tell me about your April release – FROZEN IN ICE? Will it be part of a series?

Thanks for asking about FROZEN IN ICE! I like to try new things, and this story just called to me. I’ve been doing a lot of research on the online crime solving groups—people who work together in order to solve cold cases, and the real-life stories I read fascinated me. That fascination then led to me create FROZEN IN ICE.  It’s a romantic suspense—sexy and twisty, and it has both a hero and heroine who are keeping a whole lot of secrets.

Will there be a series?  Honestly, it’s like PROTECTING PIPER…when I first had the idea, I just wanted to write the story. As I wrote FROZEN IN ICE, secondary characters started to pull at me.  Right now, I am thinking there will be at least two in a potential series (both standalones with different characters). Will there be more after that? I’ll probably let readers decide! If readers love the stories, then there are more characters I’d like to explore.

I loved your Christmas-themed book IT’S A WONDERFUL WEREWOLF. Will you be doing more paranormal “Christmas With a Twist” stories?

Yes! I have another that I plan to release in 2022, right before the holidays.  Those stories are just pure fun for me to write.  I want people to read them and smile and relax a little during a stressful season.

What made you decide to give your “Phoenix Fury” series a facelift with new covers?

I’ve gotten the rights back to many of the paranormal romances that I previously published with Kensington.  (And I can’t wait to get all of those stories back to readers!) Part of the reversion process, though, means that I have to get new covers—the original publisher keeps the right to the covers that they used.  But I actually like having the chance to pick out new covers—especially if I can find covers that really work for the characters.

With the new phoenix covers, I’m trying to go for a fiery, paranormal look. When people see the covers, I want them to know they can expect something hot inside.

What are you currently working on?

First, I’m finishing up work on THE BODYGUARD NEXT DOOR (out in May), and I’m also plotting on a new paranormal novella.  I like to switch things up, so diving into a paranormal tale after writing a romantic suspense helps to keep my creative energy strong.

Thank you so much for interviewing me. It has been a pleasure!

THE BODYGUARD NEXT DOOR by Cynthia Eden

Wilde Ways #15

He’s danger and a wicked, hot grin…

Iris Stuart may have a small crush on her neighbor. After all, Pierce Jennings is gorgeous, muscled, and he has a laugh that makes her toes curl. But she is not going down that particular path of temptation with the former Army Ranger and current Wilde agent. Nope. Not happening. They’ll stay in the friend zone because it’s safer that way. Safer for her—and for him. Even if looking into his baby blues makes her heart race.

She’s sunshine, secrets, and a bit of sin…

Pierce’s new neighbor wears paint-splattered jeans, she smells like sin, and he wants to put his hands all over her gorgeous body. Too bad she’s friend-zoned him. Too bad she’s starring in most of his fantasies. Too bad he can’t get her out of his head.

But when danger comes knocking, he’s just the man she needs.

So Iris may have a slightly infamous past—and a family who more than dabs in art forgeries. Iris inherited some of their not-so-slightly shady skills, and unfortunately, now some dangerous people want to use her. When the bad guys don’t take no for an answer and they try to abduct her, it’s her sexy bodyguard next door who comes to her rescue.

Suddenly, she’s got his protection.

The bad guys want her art skills, the Feds in stiff suits want her to work a sting, and Pierce? He just wants her to be his. And what Pierce wants, he will get. Even if he has to take down an undercover art ring and take on the Feds, he will stay by Iris’s side. He’s not just going to be her bodyguard. Before they are done, he plans to be one hell of a lot more to her…

Author’s Note: Does it get better than having a seriously buff, ready-to-handle-any-threat bodyguard…right next door? For Iris Stuart, this turn of events is probably the best thing that has ever happened to her. But falling for sexy Pierce wasn’t supposed to happen. She’s the bad girl. He’s the hero. Except…maybe a bad girl can win the heart of the hero, provided, of course, that they can survive the danger heading their way. It’s time for another WILDE ride. What can you expect? Hot times, lots of danger, humor, thrills…and a guaranteed happy ending.

Romance Suspense | Romance Erotica Sensual [Self Published, On Sale: May 10, 2022, e-Book, / ]

Buy THE BODYGUARD NEXT DOOR: Kindle | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

About Cynthia Eden

Believe in monsters. They believe in you.

Award-winning author Cynthia Eden writes dark tales of paranormal romance and romantic suspense. She is a New York Times, USA Today, Digital Book World, and IndieReader best-seller. Cynthia is also a two-time finalist for the RITA® award (she was a finalist both in the romantic suspense category and in the paranormal romance category). Since she began writing full-time in 2005, Cynthia has written over thirty novels and novellas.

Cynthia is a "hybrid" author. She has published extensively with New York (her New York publishers include Kensington, Grand Central, and Harlequin), and she has also enjoyed success in her indie writing career.

Cynthia lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast. She loves romance novels, horror movies, and chocolate. Her favorite hobbies including hiking in the mountains (searching for waterfalls) and spelunking.

Phoenix Fury | Blood and Moonlight | Magnus Pack | Long Island Coven | Mine | Lost Angels | Cynthia Eden's LOST | Wilde Ways | Christmas With A Twist | Killer Instincts | Cynthia Eden's Killer Instinct | Lazarus Rising | Bad Things | Dark Sins

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | BLOG