By: Gina Morris

1.       How would you describe yourself?

I’m a pretty laid back person.  What you see is what you get.  I love my family, my friends, my professional career and my hobbies.

 

2.       What do you do outside of writing?

I’m the President and CEO of RiverHouse Publishing.  I am a partner in a national cleaning service.  And from 9-5, I represent some of the nation’s most promising businesses, political figures, non-profits and initiatives at a world-class public relations firm.

 

3.    What made you start to write interracial romance?

I’ve been writing since I was four.  I had my first poem published when I was five.  I started to write interracial romance in high school and finally committed to my first novel in undergrad.  I have always been drawn to the genre and felt like the only way to truly share my vision of IR was to write it.

4.       How did you grow such a large readership?

I started out with 50 people whom I had to beg to write my book.  Then I developed a small grassroots marketing plan and started to reach out to IR readers.  My base went from 50 to 500 overnight and now it is at 50,000 readers globally.  Three of my basic tenets is to respond to emails, encourage open and honest dialogue and write to entertain.  I always want my readers to know that I appreciate them and their opinions and their support.  So, I do what I can to show that through my communications.

5.       Is it true that you’ve dated Russian mobsters?

It’s true that I’ve dated a Russian. The rest is funny fiction.  I don’t know where the rumor started, but it was shortly after a post that my ex put on my page who also happened to be a 6’8”, blue-eyed Russian.  He was the muse for the book, but the rest is just an overactive imagination.

 

6.       With over 10,000 reviews online on combined sites, most people seem to either love you or hate you.  How do you handle bad reviews?

I read the reviews to gather input, but I have learned to only take the good from even the worst review.  One of the things that I remind myself of constantly is that after I’ve done my best, I just need to walk away from the project and move on to something else.  It keeps it fun and light and allows me to keep writing.  Plus, you can’t please everyone.  So, I don’t try.  If I can please the majority, then I’m a happy camper.

 

7.       What is the process for you writing a novel, whether short or long?

I ask myself if I’d fantasize about the scenario.  And if I would, then I write it. If I get bored with even the thought of the storyline, then I dump it.  There are so many half-finished manuscripts on my desk, until it’s not even funny.  But if I don’t think its good enough, I don’t give it to my readers, because they deserve my best.  I normally start out with an outline, cut out pictures, develop a soundtrack and then depending on the mood of the book, I carve out time during certain parts of the day to write it.

8.       Your divorce was pretty public?  How did you handle it and are you dating now?

I encourage all women and men going through a tough divorce to pray hard and know that this is just a season in your life.  Wake up every day and look forward.  Visualize where you want to be and get there through hard work, prayer and healthy living. It was hard at first. I lost a lot of weight, was sick, got out of my normal schedule and really had to find out who I was without the “Mrs.” on the front of my name.  But in searching for the new me, I discovered that there was a better me around the corner.

 

Yes, I am dating now.  I’m in a happy relationship with a real “Southern Gentleman”.  LOL.  He’s funny and smart, but I think that outside of what he brings to the table, I’m a whole person, so we can mutually complement each other. You can’t do that when you don’t have it together yourself.  There will always be one step forward and two steps back.  But Trivi is okay now.

 

Plus, I like that every day with him is exciting.  We are both parents, both divorced and both anxious to see what life has in store for us.  Hopefully, what is in store will be something that we can enjoy together.

 

9.       Do readers have new characters to look forward to in 2014?

The Medlov Men will be out in January.  The Nine Lives of Kat Steele will be out in 2014.  And there will be new characters will completely different stories for The Lonely Heart Series.

 

10.   What’s next for you?  You’ve accomplished so much in a short time.  What else are you looking to achieve?

 

In 2014, I will be trying my hand at merchandising through a new company that I’m launching.  Trivi’s Treasure Chest.  There will be more to come on that, but I hope that the ladies like it.

 

The next set of questions are meant strictly for entertainment.  So have fun with it.

 

Favorite Clothing Line

Armani

 

Favorite Perfume

Acqua di Gioia by Giorgio Armani

 

Favorite Flower

Red Roses

 

Favorite Movie

Too hard.  My list is too long.

 

Favorite Sport/Team

Football – Dallas Cowboys

 

Favorite Alcoholic Beverage

Jack and Coke in a crystal tumbler with two cubes of ice

 

Favorite Vacation Spot

Looking for a new one, but I’d have to say Palm Springs, California. I love the mountains and the amazing views.

 

Favorite Song

Beyoncé  – Run the World (Girls)

 

Favorite Color

Black

 

Favorite Body Part on a Man?

His chest and arms (they have to be bigger than life)

 

Favorite part of the day

Running a hot bubble bath in the garden tub right at dusk, opening the windows, having a glass of wine and listening to Robin Thicke.  It’s priceless.