I'd like to welcome Michelle Pillow and Mandy Roth, the talented ladies who have a very successful career both as a pair and seperately. Hello ladies, thank you so much for taking the time to answer a few questions.
I'd like to start by asking, how did you guys meet? I've heard rumors about a personal ad?

Michelle - All the rumors are completely and utterly true. Mandy is a hit woman and I needed her services. I'd tell you why, but it's a matter of National Michelleland Security. LOL

Mandy- We’ll need to see your security clearance badge before answering that further.

Why don't you use a pseudonym, as so many authors do when they write as a team?

Michelle - We feel it's easier for readers to find us if we're ourselves. Besides, most days we can't even remember our own names, let alone the fake ones we give ourselves.

Mandy-The thought never occurred to me until after the fact. I’d have suggested something sexy, exotic, passionate—Bert. Yeah, Bert something or other would have been perfect. LOL. Or collaborative works vary from single titles to anthologies so it’s easier for us to keep our own names attached to it. The M&M tag, the readers gave us, seems to have stuck. It works and we love it.

How do you come up with your ideas?

Michelle - I get Mandy drunk and take advantage of her brain. LOL

Mandy-It really all depends. Most of the floodgates to our minds remain opening letting something as simple as a paper towel commercial inspire us (stop laughing at me, Michelle). Other times, we have to think about what we want to write.

Does one take a front seat on one story and the other on the next?

Michelle - No, I'd say everything is pretty equal. We might write different sections, but by the time we go through and proof, it all has us in it. We are very in sinc so that helps.

Mandy -We’ve learned that our styles, while unique, compliment each other well. Dependant upon the project, we may tackle it head on, bouncing back and forth or section up as needed.

Exactly how do you write?

Michelle - For me, it's a very sacred ritual, but I guess I can share. First, coffee. Second, pajama pants. Third, more coffee. It's an ancient secret I'm sharing with the world.

Mandy - I stare at a blank screen, waiting for the ‘magic’ to strike. When it hits, I type. It all comes back to the project. Some, I plot out all points ahead of time. Others, I free write and let my muse lead me. Whatever I do, I avoid forcing it. That never works out. I think that could be why I seem to always have four or more WIP’s going at a time. LOL.

Can you please tell us a bit about yourselves?

Michelle - Mandy is really a cross dresser named George. Oh, wait, was that me? LOL I can never remeber. Though, seriously, Mandy makes excellent pasta. I'm addicted to pasta. Creamy sauce... Long noodles... Mmmm...

Mandy - I’m anal retentive and proud of it. I’m grumpy until I’ve had least two pots of coffee in me and then I’m only slightly grumpy. I can’t stand people who check out in a ten item or less lane with carts full of things and I’m a dog person. Not a cat. LOL.

How did you get started?

Michelle - We both got our start at NCP around the same time.

Mandy - Borden got the best of me and I sat down one night and began pecking away at the keyboard. Daughter of Darkness was born and the rest have been a whirlwind that I hope never ends.

I read Pleasure Cruise and really enjoyed it, could you give us a rundown of your books and their storylines?

Michelle- *looking at 37 contracts and shaking head* Oy...this is going to take awhile, lol. Acutally, I'll just stick to our joint projects. So far, with NCP we have the M&M Presents Collection. There are two books in it, Christmas and All Hallows' Eve. At Ellora's Cave we have Pleasure Cruise, a story about two friends destined to fall in love with supernatural males. Then there is Red Light Specialists, a favorite pet project of ours...

RLS BLURB:
Three sexy secret agents. Three sexy missions…
Bianca, Sonja and Trinity were given a choice—become RLS-69 special agents or continue to serve out their prison sentences at the Restigatio Women's Correctional Facility. Trained to complete their mission by any means necessary, these women aren't afraid to pull out all the stops. With their freedom on the line, they'll do whatever it takes to get the job done. From combat to seduction, their targets won't know what hit them until it is way too late. There's only one problem…their handsome targets have a few secret weapons of their own.

Mandy- We now have a joint blog. Yes folks, the world have ended. http://ravenhappyhour.blogspot.com/

We also have the Raven where we offer an online, ongoing, FREE paranormal story. http://www.mandyroth.com/raven_reviews1.htm

And we’ve many other joint and solo projects in the works.

Mandy, can you tell us a bit about your Daughter of Darkness series? Of course any other books you'd like to talk about.

Mandy - Sure, DOD is a first person, edgy, urban fantasy with (if I do say so myself) a kick ass, sarcastic chick guiding the way. Daughter of Darkness centers around Gwyneth Stevens. It follows her on her journey of life, love, heartache in a way that is not all tied up with pretty boys with black and white answers.

Michelle, can you tell us a little bit about the Tribes of the Vampires? Again, any other books you'd like to mention, feel free.

Michelle - Tribes of the Vampire is a dark fantasy series. It spans time and countries and is a lot of fun to do. Though, I'm addicted to research, so that helps. LOL Basically, each book focuses on a single vampire from one of the 8 different vampire tribes. Not only do vampires have different personalities and characteristics, but also different supernatural traits passed down through their 'bloodline' and evolving within the different tribes--just as humans develop original quarks because of culture and background. And, just in case you're curious, yes the Tribes are real. I have my sources. :) Their laws are pretty basic--don't kill other vampires, don't turn those who can't fend for themselves, be beautiful and self reliant. Other than that, they pretty much do whatever they want. Like mortals, some vampires can be good--though not too good, they do have the beast that needs to be fed--and some can be very, very naughty. Most consider themselv! es gods upon the earth, ruled only by the apathetic guidance of the council of elders who could care less what they do so long as they don't cross the elders.

What books do you have in the works? Can you please give us a synopsis?

Michelle-
I’m very excited about my first full length erotic chick lit (CHEEK imprint) coming out with Virgin Publishing, Fierce Competition. Though, I do have to say it’s not like typical chick lit. It releases Aug 05 in the UK and Sept 05 in the US. Jane takes a job ‘beneath her’ to pay for a shopping spree she shouldn’t have went on, only to found out by her social rival, who then tries to ruin her life—starting with breaking up her relationship with the senator’s son. Then, right after that, I have Opposites Attract (CHEEK, Virgin Publishing) releasing Dec05/Jan06. It’s a cross-country adventure featuring an impoverished socialite and a tattoo artist who can’t seem to get along.

From Ellora’s Cave, I have a plus size historical, Maiden and the Monster. Vladamir is a political prisoner of King Alfred to insure peace between the Saxons and Vikings. While a prisoner, he is given land (for often nobles were held prisoner not by bars, but their honor). Eden, the daughter of his hated enemy and the man he holds responsible for his scars, is left before his castle gate for dead. He has to discover the mystery of how she got there, while using her to extract his revenge. Only problem, he never counted on feeling anything for her.

Also from EC, I have Scorched Destiny—a very hot erotic that’s getting rave reviews already. It has to do with genies (just released). And Taming Him, an even sexier alien abduction story.

From New Concepts Publishing, the Lords of the Var series is wrapping up. It’s the second of my futuristic series, spinning off of the popular Dragon Lords. I’m constantly amazed by how well these are loved by readers and get many emails asking about the series. I’ve go plenty of adventures for these guys and others planned and many books in the works. Dragon Lords 1 and 2 are in print (The Barbarian Prince, The Perfect Prince) and Lords of the Var 4: The Rogue Prince will release very soon in ebook.
Also from NCP, the Lords of the Abyss (underwater adventure) will be starting soon. The first book is tentatively set for Jan 06.

Mandy-
Project Exorcism 2: Force of Attraction (coming soon from NCP)
Series background: Year 2206— Man has long since achieved space travel. Almost all planets in the known universe are part of the Commission, an intergalactic governing body that oversees the well-being of all within its quadrants. Supernatural creatures were discovered among us in 2055 and immediately a witch-hunt began to rid Earth of them. A battle broke out and Earth’s human population dropped. In the end, humans were victorious, but only because a few select figure heads in the supernatural world agreed to the terms of a peace treaty. The terms were simple. They (the supernaturals) were to be escorted off planet Earth and relocated on other planets, ones that were not part of the Commission’s territory. Ones that were agreed upon ahead of time, and ones that the supernaturals would not be a threat to. Thus began Project Exorcism. Twenty vessels set out on this mission. Only one arrived at its chosen destination. The others were thought lost during the meteoroid s! hower that occurred shortly after take off. Man now faces a new threat, only they are unaware of it. By shipping the supernaturals off, they unknowingly gave them access to other planets’ resources, including added magical abilities, the ability to breed with their natives, and so very much more.

Is it different writing for a number of publishers vs writing for just one?

Michelle- There is definately more information to keep track of, lol, but it's been a great experience. All my publishers have been great and I've learned from each of them.

Mandy- Oh yes, each one is different, unique and a joy to work with.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Very Important Links ;)
BLOGS:
Happy Hour W/the M&M’s - Joint Blog
http://ravenhappyhour.blogspot.com/
Mandy M. Roth
http://mandymroth.blogspot.com/

WEBSITES:
Michelle M. Pillow
www.michellepillow.com
Michelle’s Newsletter
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/michellempillow/join
Michelle's Books at NCP (ebook and print)
http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/michellempillow.htm
Michelle's Books at Ellora's Cave (ebook and print)
http://www.ellorascave.com/AuthorsBooks.asp?AuthorCode=MP
Michelle's Books with Virgin Publishing (print only)
http://www.michellepillow.com/virgin.htm

Fan Mail
michelle_pillow@yahoo.com
Mandy M. Roth
http://www.mandyroth.com
Mandy’s Newsletter
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Mandy_M_Roth/join
Mandy's Books at NCP (ebook and print)
http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/mandymroth.htm
Mandy's Books at Ellora's Cave (ebook and print)
http://www.ellorascave.com/AuthorsBooks.asp?AuthorCode=MR
Mandy's Books with Virgin Publishing (print only)
http://www.mandyroth.com/sex_on_holiday.htm
Fan Mail
mandy@mandyroth.com
RAVEN Free Ongoing, Online Paranormal Story
http://www.ravenhappyhour.com/raven_reviews1.htm
Raven Reader Yahoo Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/The_Raven_Vampire_Nightclub/join

If you'd like to read more about these talented ladies, you can do so at their websites:
http://www.michellepillow.com/index.htm and http://www.mandyroth.com/

Thanks for Having Us!
Mandy & Michelle

Interviewed by: Serena