Good day to Sahara Kelly and Ciana Stone, I am excited to be interviewing both of you for Fallen Angel Reviews and getting to know all about you. You have a new upcoming series, Sexplorations,that I can’t wait to hear about! So let’s get started with some questions.

Sexplorations is an exciting new concept, what do you think sets it apart from other "series"?

Sahara: I guess the idea of a very strong bond of friendship between the women in these books is what makes it stand out. Each heroine plays a role, each supports the others, shares life’s mysteries and wonders! It’s what real women do and I loved writing about it.

Ciana: The friendship between the women is definitely one of the unique aspects of the series. Each of them is on her own journey of self-discovery and sexuality but they all share their experiences, fears and funs with one another – just like real women. And those moments can be quite hilarious.

How did you come up with the idea for the Sexplorations series?

Sahara: That’s for Ciana to answer. She’s the driving force behind this series!

Ciana: I have no idea. It just happened. I thought about how popular television shows about women and their friendships are, and how much fun they are for women and wondered why no one had done a series that developed friendship as well as romance. So when that thought “bonged” in my mind, I naturally picked up the phone and said “Sahara, I have this idea…” After she finished cringing at those words, she engaged her warp engines and we were cooking *grin*

What has been the biggest challenge in writing a series with another author?

Sahara: I’m not sure there were too many challenges, since we were both on the same page from the get-go. We knew what we wanted to portray, who these women were, and how we wanted the books to connect. So other than a few minor timeline issues, it was pretty smooth sailing.

Ciana: Gut burn. Seriously, I laughed so hard at some of the things we came up with that I had to start doing more strenuous ab workouts to keep my belly from hurting.

You have some very successful books under your (garter)belt, has this success changed your life in any way?

Sahara: Oh gosh yes. I had to go back to learning FLASH for the Sexplorations website. I will never be the same again. LMAO Since I managed to survive the experience without losing too much of my sanity, I’m now redesigning my own site into a FLASH site. Some people never know when to quit.

Ciana: Aside from having a pool boy, a yard man, a chef, a driver and a houseboy? Nope, not a bit. (Okay, it IS a nice dream!) Having people enjoy my books is a huge thrill and makes me want to write more – and better books.

I know you are part of the Hussies, how did that come about?

Sahara: Ciana and Sally Painter asked me. Honestly, would YOU have said no to a chance like that? LOL

Ciana: Sally was the driving force behind the Hussies so the credit goes to her for that. I was lucky enough to be hooked up with her first (two Union County gals out to have fun, you know) – and we were lucky enough to have Sahara, Nicole Austin and Nathalie Gray join us. What fun it has been!!

If there was one thing you would want people to know that they might not already know about you, what would it be?

Sahara: Um…Can’t think of much. I’m pretty boring. Although I may be the only woman in the world who can’t use her iPod. I’ve got one, but never did figure out what to do with the darn thing.

Ciana: WANT people to know? Hmmmm… let’s see… how about that I still like to stomp in mud puddles barefoot, and love tractors.

If we looked at your bookshelf right now, what would we find there?

Sahara: Books One through Seven of Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files. Hubby and I are working our way through them, and I’m in love with Harry Dresden. Fabulous books, a delight to read and I can’t wait for Book Eight. Hubby has it right now. He’s being encouraged to read FAST! LOL

Ciana: Oh my! Books on weapons, native mythology, forensics, photography, film and video, Taoism and herbs. All of Daniel Silva’s books, the Bourne books, David Morrell, Sharon Sala, Claire Matturro, Julie Garwood, Katherine Neville, every book Eric Van Lustbader has ever written, Dan Brown, Greg Isles, Nora Roberts, Anne Rice, Key Hooper, Iris Johanssen…

What is your favorite part of a book to write?

Sahara: Those twisty little things that I hadn’t planned but that creep into the dark recesses of my brain in the middle of a story and (I hope) make readers sit up and say “Whaaaa???? I didn’t see THAT coming…”

Ciana: The part I didn’t expect. I get really jazzed when something unexpected happens that makes me go “hey now, I didn’t expect that!”

Do you have any special rituals to help you get in the mood to write?

Sahara: Uh…caffeine. I think Ciana and I are probably responsible for continuing steady sales and the rising prices of coffee bean futures. LOLLOL

Ciana: yes, had I wisely invested in coffee bean futures, I would be writing this on my laptop from some fabulous penthouse in Atlantis, looking out over the white beaches and sparkling waters of the Bahamas.

Since everybody needs a break, even when doing something they love, how do you like to spend your time away from writing?

Sahara: I have a couple of favorite tv shows – House MD, NCIS, the CSI’s….and some favorite DVDs, like the Tudors. I just reclaimed my copy of the complete West Wing series from my son. All seven seasons. I like to sit back with a good show and maybe work on sewing costumes or something. (I’m in New England. We have a few months where there aren’t too many other options and I got a BluRay DVD player for Christmas. I’m all set for snowstorms. LOL)

Ciana: I’m a gym rat and normally go every day. I’m a disc golf addict and will spend as much time as I can on the courses. I like to run and bike and hike and swim and windsurf and just be outside playing. I paint (pictures not houses although I have done that), do photography and video and love to lie on my pool float and read (except now because that water is COLD). And I love to snuggle up on the couch with Honeyman in the evenings and watch shows like Fringe, Heroes, House and Smallville (Yes, I still love Superman).

Can you tell us a little about your other upcoming works?

Sahara: I’m so proud that I have two more SEXPLORATIONS books upcoming. March will see Nadine’s story in MY FISHNET FETISH, and in May, Eden will find her man. Her book is called TOUCH ME. (He does.)

Ciana: In February, April and June I have books in the Sexplorations series coming out – Dee’s take is first in The Thing About Cowboys (Yeah you know I love those cowboys). Then I have Stella and her fella Dex who has the most talented hands in Finding Her Rhythm. My last book is Calliope’s story as she goes on an unusual vacation and discovers Leo who inspires more than ideas about a good working in Working up a Sweat.

Is there anything else you would like to share with your fans?

Sahara: Just that I love them dearly and am so grateful for all the years they’ve stuck with me through my assorted craziness and bought my books. I hope the Sexplorations series will continue to entertain them and that they’ll have as much fun reading these six novels as Ciana and I did writing them!

Ciana: “Ya’ll are the best!” Sincerely, I have been so blessed by my readers and I am very grateful to each one for the support and enthusiasm they’ve shown for my books. I’m always thrilled, amazed, and humbled when readers buy my books and contact me to say they enjoyed what they read.

And I echo Sahara’s sentiments on this new series. I hope readers will be able to find something of themselves in this series – something that makes them tap into memories they’ve had with their own friends – some little connection that gives them one of those “hey that could be me” moments. If they have as much fun reading the books as we did writing them I’ll be one happy woman.

Thanks for having us here on Fallen Angels. We really love you guys and feel very honored to be here. (And yes, you WILL endure my excellent rib-squishing hugs the next time we meet!)

Ladies, what an utterly fabulous interview. You gals are a riot! I truly appreciate getting to know you both better and learning some of your methods behind that sexy madness you write! I am impatiently waiting for all the Sexplorations fun. You can find out all the info on the books www.mySexplorations.Com. Thank you so very much and I am looking forward to that hug!

Interviewed by: Dawnie