Interview with Roxie Noir, Author of Enemies With Benefits

What can you tell us about your new release, Enemies With Benefits?

This book is so much fun! I had a blast writing it – Eli and Violet are former nemeses who find themselves working together, and even though they don’t like each other, they also realize that their chemistry is off the charts. I loved writing their I-want-you-but-you-drive-me-crazy dynamic, their hilarious banter… oh, and their sex scenes. Those were really fun, too.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

To be honest, I don’t really remember! I’ve been a huge reader for as long as I can remember – I used to get in trouble in elementary school for reading too much – and I think it was only natural that I started writing my own stories! Sooner or later I realized writing could be a job, and from then on, that was the goal.

What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?

Beard Science, Penny Reid
This was the first Penny book I ever read, and I was hooked! I’d never read a hero like Cletus before – he’s totally eccentric, a little weird, and has his own sort of grumpy charm. He’s not at all an over-the-top alphahole, and I love that about him! Plus, Jen is such a wonderfully drawn character even though she’s a fairly young virgin, and her voice is so strong that you can’t help but love her, too.

Outlander, Diana Gabaldon
This is probably a classic answer, but only because Outlander is great. Jamie is the dreamiest, and I love that Claire is smart, determined… and older than him! Plus, those sex scenes. WOW.

When A Scot Ties the Knot, Tessa Dare
This list aside, I honestly don’t read that much historical romance! I only recently discovered Tessa Dare, but her books are so much fun! I swear, the scene in this book where Jaime MacKenzie puts on glasses to read in bed… well, I get it. I totally get it. I think I’d read the banter between Madeline and Jamie for another five novels if Tessa wrote it.

Prince Albert, Sabrina Paige
Listen. I like a good, steamy novel, and oh man does this one deliver. Is it borderline smutty? Hell yes it is. But it’s also surprisingly romantic, and most importantly, it 100% sells me on the lust-to-love storyline. When Belle shows up for the final love scene wearing a butt plug with a rainbow pony tail attached, I’m a total believer in their love.

Crazy Rich Asians, Kevin Kwan
Obviously, I like my romance light. I like it fun. I love banter. I’m not a big angst reader. I thought Nick and Rachel in this book were perfect together, and even more than that, I LOVED reading the crazy machinations of his family. This book is a total delight, through and through.

Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

I think I’d go with Terry Pratchett, who wrote the Discworld series, just because I want to know how he organizes everything! Enemies With Benefits is the first in a five-book series, and keeping track of everyone and everything is so hard. But Pratchett has this huge world with so many characters, and yet every flows beautifully and all the characters have these delightful, distinct voices. Basically, I want organizational tips, I think, and I’d listen to him talk about character creation any day. RIP, Terry.

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

I love making things up. I love when I write a character who surprises me and goes off-script, does something totally unexpected. I love making a world for these characters to live in… and, even though it always wrecks my plans, I love when they throw all my plans out the window and do what they want.

What is a typical day like for you?

I have a one-year-old, so I don’t think anything is ever typical! But I do try to get a run in, write for a couple of hours, and then of course lots of family hang out time.

What scene in Enemies With Benefits was your favorite to write?

Anything with Eli and his brothers was my absolute favorite – I love, love, love writing banter and these guys constantly calling each other on their shit was just so much fun.

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

“Never half-ass two things. Whole-ass one thing.” – the great Ron Swanson. I’m trying, Ron. I swear.

Roxie Noir is the author of the new book Enemies With Benefits.

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