A recent Q&A session with the Literary Vixen Book Club (www.myspace.com/literaryvixenbookclub)
Completed 2.4.2009
LVBC: What can you tell your readers about your novel and about you?
SBR: My formal background is a newspaper reporter. I worked primarily as a sports reporter and on a free-lance basis for various publications and websites for 15 years. I’m also a co-host with The Author Dark~N~Delicious on Real Talk, Real People; it’s a popular Blog Talk Radio show on Thursday nights (11 p.m., eastern). I also offer book editing for authors, and that’s been rather successful so far in terms of reader feedback from the books that I’ve helped make better.
As for my novel, I consider Temptation.com a scintillating work of erotica that will push one's literary envelope. The book delves into online dating and sexual and online porn addiction through the lives of two main characters: Royale Cole, a forty-something divorcee; and Ulyssa Howard, a thirty-something single mother of three at the time that they met. I’ve often put out there if you like your erotica nasty, scorching, freaky and did I mention nasty again this is the book for that grown and sexy reader.
LVBC: What do you want people to come away with after reading your book?
SBR: I want individuals that may be heavily into viewing porn to possibly see themselves and perhaps consider any necessary changes for the good as a result of reading my book. This is not some self-help book, but the characters were developed as means by which the reader might be able to identify himself, herself, or someone they know.
LVBC: What has been the most gratifying part of being an author?
SBR: So far, I’ve had the opportunity to regain my identity as a writer. That had been missing for almost 10 years. The other thing is when I write, particularly in my frequent blogs, it’s yet another opportunity for me to perhaps inform, educate, and to some extent entertain people.
LVBC: Where do you see yourself as a writer ten years from now?
SBR: I try not to look that far down the road. But I do see myself becoming more diverse. I hope within the next five years to have earned my master’s degree (probably in Creative Writing) because I would like to teach at the college level. Hopefully, I might have the same impact on someone in the next generation of writers as a couple of my instructors had on me.
LVBC: How do you define success?
SBR: Success has always been to me an expectation fulfilled. I recently noted in a blog that there is much hope in the pursuit of excellence.
LVBC: How do you deal with adversity and failure?
SBR: Some times you just have to keep on moving. I’ve also come to acknowledge that even in “failure” there’s often an opportunity at making application of lessons learned or achieving redemption for the good.
LVBC: What do you do to stay grounded and maintain a sense of balance in your life?
SBR: Easy. My wife of nearly 14 years and my daughter have a lot to do with that. I’m also mindful of my shortcomings and past failures. I realize that I can’t take a familiar path that leads me to futility and expect something good might come from it.
LVBC: Which character in your novel did you connect with most and why?
SBR: I write with a theme in mind so that’s where I make any connection. The characters are merely what brings these themes to light for me.
LVBC: What should your readers expect next from you?
SBR: My publisher (Jessica Tilles of Xpress Yourself Publishing) has already indicated that she’s exercising an option to publish my next book that’s titled The Shades of Passion. It should be released in 2010.
LVBC: How can readers get in contact with you?
SBR: I’m all over the Internet. My primary website is www.maverick-books.com. I can be found on MySpace (search: maverickbooks). I’ve created a Temptation.com social network; its web address is www.temptationdotcom.ning.com. 
