Author Interview with Astrid Cielo
I’m happy to host an interview today with erotic romance author Astrid Cielo. Astrid is the author of “A Game of Cat and Mouse”, a story about a shapeshifting alpha and his beloved.
The Interview
1) When did you know you wanted to be an author?
I’ve always enjoyed reading and writing, even as a child and my family fed my addiction by ensuring a never-ending supply of notebooks and books! When I started college, I took literature and English classes as classes towards my nursing degree. I enjoyed every minute of it! I still wrote as a hobby on the side, but I never dreamed of it as a career. My friend and co-worker Riley-Kate Chase, self-published her own book in 2011 and I followed suit. It was so much fun that I did it again and again!
2) Why erotic romance?
Erotic romance ended up being my favorite genre to read, so it was only natural to write that genre. Actually, the words just flow easier for me! I always knew I would write in the romance category because those were the books that I always read, but erotic romance was just waiting for me and I’m glad I found it!
3) How did you come up with the inspiration behind ‘A Game of Cat and Mouse’?
Unbelievably I was washing clothes and there is a window beside our washing machine that lets an extraordinary amount of light in to blind me as I load the washer. That particular day my mind displayed a golden-eyed male who was lazing by a creek and his mind was filtering over all the things he was responsible for in his life. He was hurting and in need of love, so it was only logical for a tiny little mouse to come into his life! I’ve always been intrigued that shifters are mostly predator with predator! I think other shifters deserve a chance at happiness and what better combination than a cat and a mouse?
4) How long did it take you to write the book from start to finish?
It took a month to write A Game of Cat & Mouse. Once I started, the action just flowed! I was amazed at all the characters that came to life as I deepened my journey into Pinewood Creek. Other peoples lives bled into the plot line and it became a series instead of the single book that I’d originally planned!
5) What is your editing process like?
I read through after I’ve written the book and try to see how the story flows. I’m terrible with grammar…absolutely horrid! So, I was fortunate to stumble on Devin Govaere who actually aided me in editing A Game of Cat & Mouse! The comma abuse was borderline felony! As for when I write, I am the biggest fan of flashbacks, and I have to stop myself from sprinkling so many through the stories that I write.
6) Who was your favorite character to write about?
Although Caleb came first, his strife starting the whole spiral into Pinewood Creek, Miranda was my favorite character. She’s a tiny little mouse whose ideas and heart were bigger than an ocean. I wanted her to struggle some with accepting her position as a leader, but in the end to embrace it because she was the right person for the job! I wanted the shifter world to be more human…sometimes the biggest and strongest isn’t naturally the best leader. Sometimes it’s the smartest or the most compassionate.
7) Are you working on something right now? Can you tell us more about it?
I am working on a couple of things at this time. One of them is the second book in the Chronicles of JJ series about the paranormal world that lurks just beyond the human one. For centuries, these creatures have been at each other’s throats. Never to mix. Then the changeling Alpha fell in love with the Vampire Prince and now a prophecy has come to light. JJ and her team must uncover the reason the species can’t mix.
I’m also working on the second installment of Pinewood Creek, Begging for Forgiveness is Aspen’s story and I’m hoping that Aspen will find her place…with or without her mate.
Thanks for answering my questions, Astrid!
Book Cover and Synopsis
Title: A Game of Cat and Mouse
Author: Astrid Cielo
Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance
Caleb Anderson took over the job as alpha of his pride upon his parent’s sudden death. Ever since the females of his pride have been relentless in their bid to become his alpha female, but Caleb won’t settle for anything less than his true mate. Escaping for a few moments to relax in his favorite spot may have been the best thing to ever happen to him, especially when his true mate just happens to scurry by. Miranda Sullivan could not be more lost in the woods behind her new house. When cougar shifter Caleb finds her he is determined to claim her. Falling hard and fast for the sexy cougar is the least of a mouse shifters worries. Now Miranda must defend her place as Caleb’s alpha female against a crazy and angry kitty cat! What’s a tiny little mouse to do?
Pinewood Creek Shifters, Book 1
Be Advised: Sexual content not intended for readers less than 18 years of age.
Author Bio
Astrid Cielo is a Mississippi girl who enjoys a variety of things. By night, she is a nurse in her local ER, and by day, she is spilling her imagination out on paper.
Astrid began writing when she was a child her stories featuring a variety of characters (including her imaginary friends). When she was in high school she wrote her first completed story and was published twice in poetry anthologies. Gathering her courage, Astrid self-published her first book, Surrender Serenity, Salin’s Salvation, Book 1 and enjoyed every minute of it.
Now she balances her time between being a nurse (which she loves) and writing down the scenes that play out in her mind. She also plays World of Warcraft (which all of her friends think is weird)!
Astrid would love to hear from you!
You can contact Astrid at:
or visit her at:
astridcieloauthor.blogspot.com