ℚ♫ Zoey's Place - E.M. Bannock

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author E.M. Bannock to talk about Zoey's Place (25 May 2019, E.M. Bannock, 218 pages), a Modern Adult Romance with Erotic elements.

"First off, I don't usually read romance. I refer to romances as schmuck books. This wasn't a typical schmuck book though. There was significant content and a strong female protagonist. Sure, it started out as a mature version of 50 shades, but it wasn't all soccer-mom erotica. The foreshadowing made events halfway through the book of little surprise, but then the unexpected happens! This is when I really got intrigued, and I had to keep reading to the end. It was a nicely written story, not just a romance with lots of juicy sex, but that was fun too. I have already recommended it to my friends, because unlike 50 shades, I don't feel dumber for having read it. Great read and worth the time!" ~ Lisa

|| Synopsis || Teaser: KCR Preview || Author Q&A || About the Author || Giveaway & Tour Stops ||

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A very warm welcome back to E.M. Bannock; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

"Flora, thanks for hosting this tour spot for my second book, Zoey’s Place.  My first book, Totally Devoted, which you also hosted on a VT was a finalist for a 2019 NERFA (National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award) in two categories, Contemporary Romance 56K and up, and Best First Book.

BooksChatter was a stop on my previous book VT, Totally Devoted, and I thought your stop was one of the best.  I love the format with the pictures and the music.  I’m really looking for to letting your readers know about Zoey’s Place."

That's very kind of you, Esther, thank you.  And congratulation on being a finalist!  It is a pleasure to have you back with us today.

And thank you for sharing your playlist for Zoey's Place with us - enjoy!

What was the inspiration for Zoey's Place?

"Zoey’s Place was a fun book to write.  The idea for it evolved from a writing challenge in an author’s group I was in at the time.  The theme was summer love.  I took that article and it became the opening of Zoey’s Place.

But the interesting part is that I got the inspiration for the article from a song that is played at the Zumba exercise class I attend with a group of local friends; all married, some retired.  Don’t know if you really want to visualize this but picture a room full of such women dancing to Flo Rida’s stripper song, Apple Bottom Jeans [Low].

They’re the kind of cut-off’s Zoey wears in Chapter One.  That’s where it all started."

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"Zoey is a lot like me mentally.  She is a strong-willed, independent woman who will takes charge of the situation.  For a while in my life, I was a computer programmer and a project manager.  A logical mind is a must for that occupation.  I tried to give Zoey that logical outlook on life.  When circumstances and obstacles are presented in her life, she reasons them out to decide on the right path to take.

I think Zoey has my tastes in men.  I certainly like my leading men.

There are times in Zoey’s Place where her thoughts are my thoughts, especially when she is contemplating the meaning of life.

My son went through a horrible divorce but ultimately got custody of his son.  It was a horrible time for our family, especially my grandson.  Some of my personal experience is reflected in this book.  It was therapeutic to write about it."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Zoey's Place - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"The cover of Zoey’s Place is the third version of the cover.  I designed it myself.

Because my first book was published by a publishing company, I did not own the cover and when I released the audio book, I had to design a totally different cover, for my Totally Devoted audio book.  I decided then that I would design my own covers so that would never happen again.

Because lakes play an important part of Zoey’s life, I looked for a cover with a shoreline or a lake in the background.

The first version had a couple sitting on the shore looking out at the sun setting on the lake.  It was a nice picture but didn’t really move me.

The second incarnation was a sexy silhouette of a couple embracing on a shore with the setting sun glowing between them.  It had more reds and oranges in it.  I really like the picture and may use if for ads.  But I still wasn’t satisfied.

I was looking at more pictures on a web site that I purchase images from, and I saw the current picture.  It was nothing like what I was looking for, but it struck me as the one as soon as I saw it.  The couple on the cover could be Zoey and Mickey.  It’s sexy and intimate without revealing too much. I think the black and white adds drama.  It’s almost like we are voyeurs peeking through the window at a couple about to make love.  I don’t know who took the photo or who the models are but to me, they will always be Zoey and Mickey.  I used red in the text because that is the color of love."

I like the evolution of the cover, and the final result.

Why should we read Zoey's Place and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?

"As an author I tried to write a love story that has an original plot.  I hate predictable, mundane stories.  I think readers will like the unusual situations Zoey faces.

Even though her marriage is solid and her husband true-blue, there are other things going on in her life besides love.  Everyone has stressors whether real or imaginary, and it’s how we deal with them that determines if we let them rule our life or we conquer them.  Zoey is no different.

There are parts that will make you smile and parts that will bring tears to your eyes.  I hope there are parts that will surprise you.  I’ve tried to create a story that runs the emotional gambit.

Zoey’s supporting cast members bring a lot to the story, too.  I think by the end of the book you will wish you had friends like Joanne, Carol, Fen, and Annette.  The women who support Zoey and help her through her struggles.

I want you fall in love with Zoey and Mickey as I did while writing the book.  Their love is true and strong.  They were meant to be together.  I want the reader to embrace and experience their love, feel its tenderness and its erotic moments."

Can you tell us something quirky about Zoey's Place, its story and characters?

"Zoey’s Place is loaded with names of people I know, here are just a few.  I’ve always loved the name Zoey.  So, there’s that. Mickey is named after my childhood babysitter’s older brother.  I was 4 years old; he was in high school.  I was in love with Mickey.  He even bought me a small gold band.  Of course, he just thought of me as the cute little kid his sister babysat for, but I was crushed when he got married while I was in grade school.  I’ll never forget you Mickey.

Some of the other names are Annette (sister), Jonathan (her son, named after her husband), Carol (cousin), Dave (her husband), Joanne (dear friend), Lenny (cousin), Jenna (my dog), Max (nephew), Trent (Max’s friend).

Other names that are meaningful to me are DeLucca, Suzie, Lucy, Harrison, Francis, Sam, Mary, and Betty.  There are a few names for people I care less for and their characters reflect my feelings.  I won’t list them.

Side note on my nephew, Max, and his friend, Trent.  They asked me to write them into the book as the exact characters that they are described as.  I was happy to do it for them.  By the way, both are adults and of legal age to read my book.  The characters are fictional, the names are real."

Who would you recommend Zoey's Place to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"This book is defiantly not for the prudish.  There are plenty of very descriptive erotic love scenes in here.  Zoey and Mickey had an anything goes policy in the bedroom.  No orgies, or ménage à trois, or bestiality, but just about everything else.  The sex may seem excessive at the beginning of the book, but it is not gratuitous.  It’s backstory for the future.

I write for women, and not just for older women.  I think younger women will find Zoey’s resourcefulness and determination inspiring and empowering.  Besides all the drama, it’s pretty entertaining.  So, if you enjoy reading modern romance books with an unusual story line, interesting characters, and lots of good sex, and I know I’m not alone, this is the book for you."

If you could / wished to turn Zoey's Place into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"Zoey has a Natalie Portman feel to her; beautiful, intelligent, powerful and in control.  Mickey is more of a dark, Mediterranean looking kind of guy.  In my mind, Mickey is a Greek Adonis.  [I am going to put forward either Chris Hemsworth, or, for a shorter, more Greek-like stature, Zac Efron - what do you think, Esther?]

There is another important male character in the book.  I won’t spoil it for you know but he is most definitely a young Brad Pitt sort of guy.  You’ll know who I mean when you find him in the book.

This story needs a woman director, such as Denise DiNovi.  Although she is more of a producer.  She has directed episodes of Outlander and done a wonderful job.

I would like Toni Graphia to write the screenplay.  She has done a terrific job on shows like Battlestar Galactica, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, and Outlander.  I think she could write it from Zoey’s POV which is what it needs.

Zoey - Natalie Portman

Mickey - a Greek Adonis: Chris Hemsworth?

or Zac Efron? Any others?

Important Character - Brad Pitt

Director - Denise DiNovi

Screenplay - Toni Graphia

The locations are hard wired.  Michigan home locations in the campus area of Ann Arbor, a high-end home in Birmingham and a cottage on one of the many beautiful lake shores in the state.  Nevada locations are at the MGM Grand, and a luxury home in Incline Village, NV."

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Birmingham, Michigan

MGM Grand, Las Vegas

Luxury property in Incline Village, Nevada

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"I like to write about love.  I think it is the most essential emotion and motivation in the world.  It is the most important thing in life.  I like stimulating stories, and, to me, that includes sex scenes.  I don’t like books that give you a big build up and then leave you hanging with a door closing, a smile, a wink.  I want details.  And so, that’s what I give my readers.

I read a lot, and those are the kind of books I like to read.  I write about modern times because that’s what I know the most about.  But I enjoy reading romance of all kinds, sci-fi, paranormal, and all types of historical from Clan of the Cave Bear, to 18th century Outlander, to 50 Shades of Grey."

What is your writing process?

"My writing process is very loose.  I write when I have time.  I get my best writing done at night when everyone else is sleeping.

Once I get the idea for the book, and that could come from a song, a picture, a view, or something someone said, my mind weaves a story.  I like to keep a character list with important information about the character.  I also like timelines.  It helps me keep the order of events correct.  I find it is most helpful when there is a passage of time or children growing in the process.

I do a lot of research to ensure that my geography is correct and that the current events I reference, including technology, music, movies and more, are accurate."

What is in store next?

"My next book is going to be little different than the first two.  The ladies I do Zumba with have requested that my next book be a period piece that takes place in the remote rural community that we live in around 1860 - 1900.  It’s a little town with no commercial business except for a bar and churches, but beautiful views.  It’s located in the shadow of the Beartooth Mountain Range of the Rocky Mountains.  Lots of western outlaws passed through here and my new characters will be interacting with them as they pass through.

The conventional, ridiculous views of some of the old timers around here will fit right in and provide plenty of head-butting action between them and my strong-willed female lead character, Queenie.  The name of the book will be Queen of Clark.  It’s still in the planning stage but I’m excited to begin writing."

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?

"This is my girl, Jenna.  There is a character in Zoey’s Place named for her.  My little princess is an American Pit Bull, but don’t tell her because she doesn’t know it.  We have had many, many dog babies, male and female.  All our other female dogs where kind of tomboyish.  Jenna is not.  She is very feminine and sensitive.  We call her a ‘house girl.’ She does not like it outside where there is wind and snow and bugs and noise and other scary things.  She has a very gentle mouth.  If you've ever been around a dog, you know what that means.  Also, she is afraid of the cat.

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She thrives on love and one of her favorite things is to lay in the middle of the bed while we massage her stretched out body and tell her what a beautiful girl she is.  Jenna is the most obedient dog we have ever had.  She never runs out of sight, let alone earshot.  She sits, shakes, stays, and gives lots of kisses and is not motivated by food.  She does however have one bad issue.

My husband and I cannot take any overnight trips.  Jenna suffers from separation anxiety.  She sleeps in bed with my husband every night, and I mean every night.  One time, we decided to take a weekend trip and take Jenna with us.  She was so nervous and stressed out in the hotel room that we had to pack up and leave Saturday morning, cutting our trip short.

We really can’t blame her.  She had a tragic beginning.  Without going into the details, I will say that when she was 15 months old, she witnessed her master, a gentle, kind soul, senselessly murdered in front of her.  She is seven years old now and the best dog we could have ask for.  She is the daughter we never had."

Hello Jenna!  You are a very beautiful girl!  And what a story, you little one.  Lots of head-scratches and belly-rubs to you from all of us at BooksChatter :-)

Esther, thank you so much for sharing Jenna and her story with us.  We hope you are having a great tour!

Zoey's Place
ONLY 0.99 until 2 August 2019!

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