Interview with Ellen Hopkins, author of Love Lies Beneath

LOVE LIES BENEATH is sexy noir fiction about a woman, once widowed and twice divorced, who finally falls for Mr. Right–the orthopedic surgeon who treats her after a ski accident at Tahoe. All is well until his teenage son moves home, sparking unusual skirmishes. And then begins a series of threatening texts and emails . . .

Which book from your childhood or teenage years has stuck with you as an adult?

I’ve always been drawn to character over plot, and one book that has stuck with me is LORD OF THE FLIES. The idea that humans–and kids at that–could so easily revert to savages because of circumstance really opened my eyes as a kid myself.

What is the one movie that you can quote the most?

BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID. “Use enough dynamite there, Butch?”

What are you currently craving?

It’s very early in the morning as I write this. Currently craving coffee.

How do you like to spend a rainy day?

I live in Northern Nevada, where snow is actually more common than rain, but either way we like to play board games, eat popcorn and drink hot chocolate. Or hot toddies, depending on the company.

What’s on your writing desk?

My writing desk is fairly clean right now. On it is a small collection of antique books, an orchid, my phone, a couple of bills, a marble keepsake holder, a miniature koala, a candle box hand carved by a talented friend and half a dog chew.

What’s your favorite quote from Love Lies Beneath?

“But I’ll allow him the first move. In some weird, recessed nook of my brain, this small gesture is an invitation to intimacy, and it’s been a very long time since I’ve welcomed that . . . Orgasm for the sake of orgasm, however, becomes less and less a goal, and so does conquering a man simply for the sake of victory. Does that mean I’m getting old?”

Do you have a favorite local bookstore we can give a shoutout to?

We have a wonderful indie in Reno, Sundance Bookstore. It’s housed in an old mansion, and amazing.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”

Ellen Hopkins is the author of the new book Love Lies Beneath.

Connect with Ellen
Author Website
 Twitter