Interview: Erin McCarthy, author of 'True'

You know you're in for a treat of a read when the blurb for an Erin McCarthy book starts like this:

Awkward girl meets scorching-hot boy …

When Rory Macintosh's roommates find out that their studious and shy friend has never been with a guy, they decide that, as an act of kindness they'll help her lose her virginity by hiring confident, tattooed bad boy Tyler Mann to do the job … unbeknownst to Rory.

LOVE a bad boy/good girl story, and when it's in the hands of Erin — who has written more than 40 novels and novellas in multiple genres (paranormal, contemporary romance and YA/NA) and is a Paste BN best-seller — it's guaranteed to make you laugh, cry and cheer. Erin's new NA, out today (May 7), is True. And she's joining us to talk bad boys with good girls, tattoos and the RT Booklovers Convention over the weekend.

Joyce: Welcome to HEA, Erin! True's hero, Tyler, is described as a tattooed bad boy … what do his tats look like and what are their significance?

Erin: Tyler has a tattoo of a dragon on his leg, a cross on his back, a poorly done Batman symbol on his inner wrist, and one on his bicep that reads TRUE Family. The Batman one was done when he was 15 by a friend who had no clue what he was doing, and at this point is basically a regret.

The TRUE tattoo is the first initial of his and his three brothers' names. It is very personal and important to him as it represents sticking together no matter what. His older brother Riley has the same tat.

Joyce: Back in high school, were you studious and awkward like Rory? Or were you a wild child cutting classes and/or smoking in the parking lot? Come on, don't be shy.

Erin: I was actually both. I was very shy and always a sidekick to a louder friend. But at the same time, I had an edge to me where I got into some trouble. Details on that shall remain a secret, though, as I have teenagers. ; )

Joyce: Understood!

What would you have done with a boy like Tyler? Would you have avoided him like the plague or would you have found him fascinating and sexy?

Erin: Oh, I would have fallen for him hardcore. In fact, I did, more than once. Maybe it was the neighborhood I grew up in, it just bred bad boys, but I didn't see the merits of a polo shirt on a man until I was in college.

Joyce: Which three authors were you most excited to hang out with at RT?

Erin: There's no way I can only name three! I love to see the friends that I've gotten super close to over the years like Kathy Love, Heather Graham, Alex Sokoloff, Beth Ciotta, Ann Voss Peterson and F. Paul Wilson. I was also really excited to meet some fellow NA authors for the first time, like Tammara Webber and Jennifer Armentrout.

Joyce: Which three authors turn you into a fangirl?

Erin: Susan Elizabeth Phillips is the total package — awesome books, classy lady. Nora Roberts makes me tongue-tied.

Joyce: What's the most amazing thing a reader has ever said to you?

Erin: That when her father was dying of cancer, my book was the only thing that made her laugh. That touched me beyond belief, especially since my own father died of cancer.

Joyce: What's the weirdest thing?

Erin: I'm not sure I can write that! I did have one guy write and say my books make him sweat a lot. Um. Ew. Keep that thought to yourself, buddy.

Joyce: Indeed!

Please tell us more about True.

Erin: I had a wonderful time writing this book and I hope you all will enjoy it! It's for every girl/woman who has ever felt left out or not cool enough. Everyone has tremendous worth in their own way and should stay true to themselves. I liked writing the tattoo bad boy so much there will be a sequel with Tyler's brother Riley in November.

Joyce: Please tell us about your July release, Fangs for Nothing.

Erin: Fangs for Nothing is a follow-up to The Fangover, which was out in November. It is written by myself and Kathy Love and it's our ridiculous, insane, over-the-top vampires in New Orleans version of the movie The Hangover.

Joyce: What can readers expect to see you from you this year and next?

Erin: Lots of books! Fangs for Nothing and Hot Summer Nights (an anthology) are both out in July. Then the second NA, Sweet, will be out in November. In December my seventh Fast Track book, Full Throttle, hits the shelves. This features Rhett Ford as a hero, and this is a steamy one!

Joyce: Thanks, Erin!

You can find out more about Erin and her books at www.erinmccarthy.net. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter (@authorerin) and Goodreads.

HEA curator Joyce Lamb has 25 years of journalism experience and eight published romantic suspense novels, three of which have been RITA finalists. You can reach her at jlamb@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter (@JoyceLamb). You can also follow HEA on Twitter (@HEAusatoday).