The Dark Side: Christa Paige

The Dark Side aims to shed light on that deep, dark, mysterious side of an author, a face that she rarely, if ever, shows to the public. What secret is she hiding behind that enigmatic smile on her official photo (if any)? what juicy tidbit is she keeping from the world? What are some of the things that she liked, things we would never know, because it's not part of her bio?

Today, we have with us CHRISTA PAIGE, author of STAR SPANGLED KISS, who regaled us in a previous post with some fun facts about her book and an exclusive excerpt.

Remember, think dark, dark, dark...

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you? 
The most embarrassing thing that happened to me is one I will never forget. Late one evening, I took our dogs on a walk at the park. Aisha, a black lab, and Bodie, a Rottweiler, were fairly obedient dogs and I often let them run around off-leash. When our walk had concluded, I gave them the command to go to my truck. Both dogs went at a dead-run down the hill and straight into my pick-up bed. A blink later, Bodie jumped right out again and high-tailed it across the parking lot…straight into a dog-obedience class! She began fighting with the other dogs, got right up into one’s face and went for the throat. Mortified, I tried to get her away and physically drag her back to my truck. As I was hauling her naughty butt from the class, I heard the obedience coach say, “This is why dogs need to be taught how to obey commands.” I never took the dogs back to that park again and my embarrassment has lasted nearly 20 years.

Please share one deep, dark secret from your childhood/young adulthood. 
A deep dark secret from my childhood happened when I was in pre-kindergarten. For some reason, I really did not want to go to school that day. Before the whistle blew and all the students were required to line up, I found my way to the gate. Sliding through the bars, I snuck into the parking lot. There, I leaned against the building, tipped my head up to the sky, and began to pray. I begged God to send me an angel. I told Him that I could sit on the angel’s back while it flew me home. I must have been outside for quite a while, pleading with God to just allow any one of his angelic chorus to fly on down to retrieve me, but nothing happened. I simply stood there, expecting for some mighty, winged angel to pop in front of me and say, “Climb on board.” At some point, a teacher found me and made me go to class. I wondered every day, for a very long while, if I’d missed that angel’s arrival when the teacher forced me back into the classroom. 

What is the one thing fans wouldn’t know about you unless you tell them? 
One thing fans wouldn’t know about me is that I used to be a competitive figure and pair ice skater. I trained at the same ice rink and with the same coaches as the 1984 Olympians.


How did you overcome a particular dark time in your life? 
A particular dark time in my life came three months before my wedding in 1996. I was diagnosed with an incurable illness and was facing a disability. Then, to my horror, the medications they gave me made me gain weight. I was terrified my wedding gown wouldn’t fit. Probably an irrational thought there but it weighed heavily on my mind. Overcoming the emotional strain became my sole priority. Being 23 years old and on the cusp of a marriage, I realized I couldn’t spend the rest of my years allowing my pain to run roughshod over everything I had to look forward to. One morning, I got up and made the choice to deal with the cards I’d been dealt. It was the right step for me to take.


Who helped you overcome a particular dark time in your life? 

I credit my family and fiancé for never allowing me to give up. Through their love, strength and encouragement, I learned that the condition was only a small part of me; I had so much more to live for. That was fifteen years ago and I am thankful everyday that I didn’t allow my illness to take away all the wonderful moments of joy I’ve experienced from the wedding, (yes, the dress fit), to having children, teaching autistic students, and becoming an author. I will admit that ice cream, In-N-Out cheeseburgers and barbeque potato chips did quell some of the initial emotional stress, at least temporarily (and probably contributed to the weight gain. I’m a terrible example of how to cope!). However, a strong religious faith, parents who insisted I fight, and the determination I’d beat the illness were instrumental in helping me overcome that dark moment of diagnosis. Oh, and hubby got me a puppy. That little Rat Terrier required my care and attention. Because he needed me, I was able to put aside my own issues so I could see to him. He is 15 years old now and still kicking. Just like me. 

Lightning Round 

White or dark chocolate : I’m allergic to both but the white always looks tantalizing.

Milk or coffee : COFFEE
Night or Day : Day
Coke or 7-up : 7-up
New York cheesecake or black forest cake : Due to allergy to the chocolate, cheesecake
Vampire or werewolf : Since I write a series with vamps, I’m bound by the Muse Code of Conduct to prefer them.
Football game or candlelit dinner : I can’t have them together at the same time? Candlelit dinner, then.
Ebook or print : Yikes, this one is a bit tricky. Ereaders rock, so I’d go digital.
Spring or autumn : I live in Southern California, these seasons are the same. Twisting my arm, autumn.
Sweet or Salty : Sweet!
Kitten or puppy : Puppy...no, kitten...no, puppy. Puppy.
Cook or take-out : Cook

Christa Paige's STAR SPANGLED KISS is now available at Liquid Silver Books (ebook). This title is also included in the list of giveaways for our ongoing contest.

Christa Paige's other titles: 

Bound by Deception

Bound by Rebellion

Exclusive Peek: Star Spangled Kiss by Christa Paige

From Christa Paige:

Star Spangled Kiss is a Fourth of July holiday story for Liquid Silver Books’ 2010 Holiday Theme. I wrote it as a continuation of my Kissin’ Cops series. I would like to share with you an interesting tidbit about this book.

The reason I chose Independence Day for the setting came down to one vital scene. It occurs in the second half of the book when Tyler goes out on patrol. The deputies in Los Angeles County have an unwritten rule they stick to during fireworks. I wanted to write that occurrence exactly how the cops experience it. Not very many people know about this safety procedure, not even the heroine, Sophie. So, she is quite surprised when Tyler changes course and takes her somewhere unexpected. Soon though, she doesn’t mind the detour.

Another little fact about the story I am proud to have included happens during Sophie’s time at Century Sheriff’s Station. As she is leaving, she walks down a long hallway. She looks up at beautifully crafted portraits. I had an emotional moment when she views these photos because on the wall hang pictures of those who lost their lives on duty, including a close friend of my family. It is a pivotal point in the plot and one that was so very close to my heart.

Exclusive Excerpt:

"What do you think, Marshal? A divine sight, isn't it? Two hot women, wearing nothing but bikinis, are hard at work in the kitchen. Next stop, seventh heaven."

Sophie glanced over her shoulder. When had the two of them sneaked in? The big and imposing detectives stood there, leaning back against the stucco wall. This time, Sophie allowed her gaze free rein to roam over the chiseled perfection of Tyler's bare chest. A bead of sweat tracked down the midline, and she followed its path, captivated as it slid over the taut, steely bands cording his abs. It disappeared below the edge of his blue and gold board-shorts. She stole a glimpse a smidge lower, and her breath hitched in her throat. Tyler was doing nothing to hide his state of arousal.

Brazen, cocky fool. Sophie tore her stare away, quickly looking up at his face. Their gazes collided and heat flared in his eyes. The tip of his tongue darted out, swept along his lips.

"It makes a man hungry for what they’re offering," Tyler declared.

Gavin exhaled, drawing Sophie's notice. She saw his cheeks were flushed, his nostrils flared as all his focus centered on Cassidy.

"Yes, it does!" Gavin replied in a husky tone. Suddenly, he moved up behind Cassidy. He leaned in, his arms sliding on either side of her. He gripped the lip of the sink in both hands. Cassidy was trapped by Gavin's body. "Don't move, baby," the rough command echoed in the kitchen. When he pressed his mouth to her shoulder, Cassidy whispered his name, but she didn't budge an inch.

Sophie tried to divert her attention but their intimacy was titillating.

"God, Sophie. You like that, don't you?"

She jerked at Tyler's gruff, whispered words. He stood right next to her. His close proximity reignited the slow burn from earlier. She fumbled for a coherent reply but ended up saying, "I don't know what you mean."

Tyler moved even closer, the side of his arm brushed the curve of her breast as he brought it behind to the small of her back. Tilting his head, he spoke in a pitch that only she could hear, "The way you're watching them, sweetheart. Your beautiful brown eyes are focused on Gavin and how he's pinning Cassidy in place. You can lie all you want, but your body tells the truth."

Sophie opened her mouth to respond, but Tyler's fingers tangled with hers. He entwined them and squeezed.

"Be honest," he commanded.

Shaking her head, Sophie blinked and tried to quit staring. Using the wood grain of the china hutch as a focal-point, she said, "I don't know. I've never experienced it before."

His fingers tightened around hers as he hissed, "I promise, you will. Soon."


Summary from Publisher's Website:

Detective Tyler Mason always gets what he wants, until he tries to seduce unattainable social worker, Sophie Perez. Suddenly, everything he thought about women is turned upside down. Now, he will do anything to make her his. Sophie resists her attraction to Tyler. She knows he only wants one thing. However, at a Fourth of July barbeque, she is given a glimpse of the man he truly is.

Amidst the fireworks of the holiday, their passion ignites. Tyler must win Sophie's heart or risk losing the one woman who can teach him how to love.

Available now from Liquid Silver Books (ebook).

Note: This title is included in the list of giveaways for the ongoing contest.