Available today is the romance novel Unmasked Secrets, book two in the Strip Club for Women series, by author Brenna Zinn.
The author has taken a few minutes out
of her busy schedule for a Q&A about her newest novel.
I started as a child telling stories to my younger sister. I remember staying up late at night with her, weaving tales of princesses and fairies. Then, as I matured, my stories evolved to include other subjects. I worked as a training manager in a corporation for twenty years, and often created stories (situational scenarios) to include in part of my classes. In my thirties, I had a hysterectomy and was homebound for six weeks. To help pass the time, I started writing my first novel. I haven’t stopped writing since.
What was your first book/story published?
My first story published was a short story for True Romance Magazine called The Princess Dress. Turns out, the stories in the magazine aren’t exactly true. LOL. But I was so ticked seeing my story in print. I ended up writing several stories for the magazine before contracting with a publishing house.
What inspired you to write Unmasked Secrets?
Fifty Shades of Grey. I have friends who are deep into the BDSM lifestyle (I am not.) When Fifty Shades came out, I overheard many conversations about how the book wasn’t quite accurate. As someone who isn’t in the lifestyle, I wondered what it would be like for two characters who also know little about the lifestyle to dip a toe into that world. One character, my hero, would be a stripper whose stage name is The Dom. My heroine would read erotic books and trying a little BDSM might be something she really wants to do. But I also wanted to educate the readers, just a bit, on what the lifestyle is about. I had several of my friends give me guidance regarding that education. In the end, I think the lack of knowledge/experience of my hero/heroine and the education they receive, made Unmasked Secrets a fun, great read.
What character in Unmasked Secrets is the most/least like you, and in what ways?
Hannah Armstrong is the most like me. She’s a high school principal (something I actually went to college and got a Master’s degree to do), and she’s a bit of a type-A personality. She’s organized, proficient, smart and determined – all traits that I identify with, though I’m not as organized as I used to be.