The Book Connection...: Interview and Giveaway with Susan DiPlacido, Author of Shuffle Up and Deal

Susan DiPlacido is the author of 24/7, Trattoria, Mutual Holdings, House Money, Lady Luck, Shuffle Up and Deal, and American Cool. Trattoria was nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Small Press Romance 2005, and her short story, "I, Candy," won the Spirit Award at the 2005 Moondance International Film Festival. American Cool won the bronze medal in the 2008 IPPY awards and was a finalist in the 2008 Indie Book Awards. Shuffle Up and Deal was nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Small Press Erotic Fiction 2010. Her fiction has appeared in Susie Bright's Best American Erotica 2007, Maxim Jakubowski's Mammoth Book of Best New Erotica vol. 6 and 7, Zane's Caramel Flava, and Rebellion: New Voices of Fiction.

Please visit her online at www.susandiplacido.com or www.susandiplacido.blogspot.com.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susan.diplacido

Become her friend her on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/susandiplacido

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m from Pennsylvania, but I love Las Vegas, and you’ll definitely see that reflected in my work.

When did you begin writing?

After I saw the movie "Reservoir Dogs" Quentin Tarantino was just such a huge inspiration. I know he’s a screenwriter and not technically an author, but in his work and his writing, it was so obvious that he was going full guns for what HE loved onscreen, and he was doing his own twists on it and making it fresh and seemingly original. That sort of passion and talent and disregard for what the mainstream would purchase was entirely energizing and inspiring. I figured if he could write with that one thing in mind, so could I, and then hope my tastes matched up with a set of readers. But even if the audience didn’t come, at least I’d be writing what I loved.

What is this book about?

It’s a very sexy romantic comedy set primarily in Las Vegas. Here’s the pitch:

Meet Izzy Santillo. She's a charming-but-lonely thirty-four year old woman who loves poker and harbors a secret crush on the reigning king of Hold 'em. Meet Nick Nolan, the reigning king of Hold 'em. On the tables, he's fast and loose and almost always wins. But when it comes to women, playboy Nick holds his cards too close and always loses. When Izzy and Nick meet in embarrassing fashion at a Las Vegas poker tournament, Izzy's secret dreams turn into a public nightmare. But despite her humiliation, she may have finally sparked Nick's interest in something other than cards. Before long, Nick takes a gamble on Izzy and raises the stakes when he offers to help her sharpen her game. But Izzy's convinced that Nick is bluffing and will fold his hand after he's had her on the flop. But a string of outrageous proposition bets and steamy trips on the poker tour, from Los Angeles to Miami, make these two fierce competitors realize that it may be time to put all their chips on the table. Will Izzy and Nick pair up? Or will they lose it all if they go all-in for each other? Sit down, ante up, and hang on, as Nick and Izzy get ready to Shuffle Up and Deal.

What inspired you to write it?

Paul Newman. Both "The Hustler" and "The Color of Money" specifically. They got me thinking about mentoring someone with talent and the whole idea of teaching someone tricks of trades. With him, it was pool, but poker has exploded on the scene and it carries a lot of the same dynamics – even more so – when it comes to learning about playing people. And I thought it could be really fun to explore that dynamic between two people who are obviously attracted to each other, but are going to have basic trust issues because their profession is to literally lie, bluff and beat the other one.

Are you a member of a critique group? If no, who provides feedback on your work?

I have some wonderful writer friends who read and help tremendously. Mostly, Don Capone. He’s very talented and busy, but his input in invaluable.

Who is your favorite author?

I do not have just one. I love Anthony Bourdain, Chuck Palahniuk, Jackie Collins. In fact, I wanted to be Jackie Collins. Tom Robbins, Chris Moore, Elmore Leonard, Charles Bukowski. And, as you can tell, I love movies, so there are a lot of screenwriters I really admire. Jon Lucas and Scott Moore will forever have me jealous of what they wrote together. I know, you may not know their names, but I bet you’ve seen, and loved the movie they wrote.

Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with aspiring authors everywhere?

Just sit down and start typing. Thinking about it won’t make it happen. Ass in seat gets it done.

What is up next for you?

After Shuffle Up, I have one more book in my Vegas series titled Lady Luck. Though these books are all technically a series, readers can pick up any one and read them individually and not be lost. Lady Luck is one I’m also proud of, because it’s a comic version of Hamlet that centers around a Vegas showgirl who gets conked on the head and believes she’s the human incarnation of luck. Much like Shuffle Up was my take on “The Color of Money,” I would say Lady Luck is a love letter to both Shakespeare and Tom Robbins, another writer I adore. I wanted to try something fantastical.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Thank you so much for having me!

~ ~ ~ NEW KINDLE FIRE HD GIVEAWAY ~ ~ ~

Pump Up Your Book and Susan DiPlacido are teaming up to give you a chance to win a new Kindle Fire HD!

Each person will enter this giveaway by liking, following, subscribing and tweeting about this giveaway through the Rafflecopter form placed on blogs throughout the tour.

This promotion will run from December 3 – March 15. The winner will be chosen randomly by Rafflecopter, contacted by email and announced on March 16, 2013.

Each blogger who participates in the Shuffle Up and Deal virtual book tour is eligible to enter and win. Visit each blog stop as the Rafflecopter widget will be placed on each blog for the duration of the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If the Rafflecopter form doesn't load, please visit the Shuffle Up and Deal Tour Page:

http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2012/11/20/pump-up-your-book-presents-shuffle-up-and-deal-virtual-book-publicity-tour/