1. What inspired you to write Briefly Yours? I wanted to write a story about a woman who has a very specific idea of who and what she is. She thinks she’s frumpy and too serious and that all the things she’s good at don’t have any value. When she’s forced to go outside of her comfort zone, she realizes she’s much more than what she imagined: talented, intelligent, and sexy. By pushing herself and her boundaries, she discovers her own self-worth, and she gets the hot, smart, and fun guy in the process!
2. Do you think a lot of women can relate to your heroine, Ava? Why? Absolutely. We all have our moments where we lack self-confidence, and a lot of times we don’t realize everything that we’re capable of. There are so many talents out there that are underused, or go undiscovered altogether. We don’t often get to live up to our full potential, and often times we are bogged down by others’ expectations of us, and our expectations for ourselves.
3. What do you think sets apart Briefly Yours from other romance novels currently on the market? It’s the only book where underwear is serious business! Seriously, though, although the characters deal with some tough issues, they have sense of humor about themselves, and the tone of the story is light. It has a fun undercurrent. I had a great time writing the book, and I hope readers will have just as much fun reading it.
4. What did you learn about our writing between your first book, The Deep End, and Briefly Yours? The stories in The Deep End were much shorter. In Briefly Yours, I had fewer main characters but I spent a lot more time with them. Also, in the Deep End, I had to develop a satisfying ending to each story in a small amount of space. In Briefly Yours, I took my time. It was a much longer process of discovery for the characters before they made their final revelations and got their happy ending.
5. Why do you think people tend to find underwear so sexy? It’s hidden, it’s forbidden, and leaves what’s underneath to our imagination. And sexiness is mostly in our minds, isn’t it?
6. Your heroine, Ava, designs underwear for mature ladies. It's when she's made to design sexier patterns that her own sexuality begins to bloom. What do you think the evolving designs symbolize in Ava's life? The fact that she gets bolder with her designs coincides with her gradual discoveries about herself. She begins to loosen up and enjoy herself more, which is something she never thought she was capable of. She learns that she’s attractive and sexy, and wants to explore this through her relationship with Justin, and also within her work.
7. I love the fact that you're releasing your own underwear line to coincide with the book. How do you think your own line could spice up some peoples erotic lives? As Ava plans in the book, if a guy is too shy to ask or say what’s on his mind, he can buy the underwear and let it do the work for him! Perhaps the underwear will open up some new possibilities, or at least a conversation!
8. Can you tell us about your signed underwear giveaway? Sounds very naughty! Readers can enter the contest to win a pair of racy underwear at: www.madisonmartinbooks.com I will sign and send off an autographed pair of underwear for the winners… It’s a way to take home and wear a little piece of the book!
So, Madison, and most importantly, what do you prefer your men to wear- boxers or briefs? LOL! That’s a rhetorical question, I think…requiring much careful thought. Both definitely have their advantages. I love what boxers leave to the imagination. But if forced to make a decision, I would have to say briefs!
