In Hardpressed, the highly anticipated second book of the Hacker Series that began with Hardwired, Blake and Erica face threats that put both their love and their lives on the line.
Despite Blake Landon’s controlling ways, the young and wealthy hacker finally won the trust of the woman he loves. Internet entrepreneur Erica Hathaway broke down the walls that kept her from opening her heart and her business to Blake.
Ready to start this new chapter in her life, Erica is determined not to let anything come between them, even if that means giving Blake back some of the control he craves in and out of the bedroom.
But when demons from her past threaten their future, Erica makes a decision that could change their lives forever.
Meredith Wild picked up her first romance novel at the tender age of twelve, and shortly after put pen to word processor and made her first attempt at writing a love story inspired by those she so enjoyed reading well past her bedtime.
Her dream of writing took a back seat to college, parenthood and eventually entrepreneurship, which led her into the fast-paced and male-dominated high tech industry. With enough life experience for a few lifetimes, she now devotes her hours to writing contemporary adult romance, with a hint of kink.
Her debut novel Hardwired tells the story of billionaire bad boy, Blake Landon, and the object of his obsession, strong-willed tech startup CEO, Erica Hathaway.
When she isn’t writing or mothering, Meredith can be found sunbathing with an adult beverage.
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Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My life goal since childhood has been to simply be happy. With that in mind, every day I try to push my dreams forward, learn new lessons and make the most of every day, all with varying degrees of success. At the end of the day I’m a wife, a mother, an entrepreneur and a thirty-something woman trying to be happy. So far, so good.
Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?
The main challenge of bringing the book to market was believing that I could write and finish it. Mainly because my life is non-stop hectic and making time for this new project was a daily challenge. Also, writing Hardwired was an incredibly emotional journey for me, full of doubts, questions and personal discovery. One day I’d be on top of the world, on a wicked writing high, and the next I would feel like a crazy person for taking the project so seriously. Of course, my perspective has changed quite a bit since publishing and receiving feedback on the book. My mind is in a much different place going into Hardpressed, and I know the process will go much quicker and smoother!
As a first-time author, how many projects and stories did you discard along the way to HARDWIRED?
Thankfully, I only had one false start, but the process of starting and scrapping the story was immensely helpful. Once I got my bearings, I took a short break, a new story came to me and I ran with it. I plan to circle back to my first story at some point and rework it, because in retrospect it has many promising elements, but right now Blake and Erica have taken over my writing brain.
How did you come up with the title?
Technology is a prominent theme in the book, and when I was tossing ideas around for a title, “hardwired” seemed to capture the intensity of Blake and Erica’s relationship and also speak to the techie theme that brings them together.
How does your writing process look? Consistent with regular amounts of word counts daily/weekly… or more sporadic with a gush of words all at once and then a dry bed for a while?
I typically won’t write anything, or I’ll bang out 8,000 words in a day. I have a hard time getting into my mode but once I get going, I take advantage of that momentum and can become pretty prolific. For Hardpressed I’m setting daily writing goals and aggressive deadlines for myself, so I’m hoping to become a little more disciplined and a little less extreme with my writing jags.
If you could describe the HARDWIRED series in 3 words what would they be?
Asking a writer to describe anything in three words is cruel and unusual, but I’ll try. High-tech. Provocative. Temperamental.
Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
Hardwired is absolutely a work of fiction, but the story is heavily inspired by personal experiences. Being able to weave together real life experiences with a story that has taken on a life of its own is possibly my favorite thing about writing.
Is there a message in your novels that you want readers to walk away with? If so, what is it?
First and foremost, I want my readers to enjoy a sexy yarn and let the characters get under their skin for the pure fun of it. Secondly, I’d like them to walk away appreciating Erica as a strong and sexually aware character. At the core, I wanted to create story about a professionally successful heroine who isn’t afraid to explore a different brand of power play in the bedroom, and I hope that her successes and struggles, with Blake and otherwise, resonate with the readers.
Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?
I can’t say that a single book shaped me, having read and appreciated so many great works. As a writer, however, one book that I love coming back to is Julia Cameron’s The Right to Write. Her thoughts on creative writing are poignant, timeless, and successfully pull me out of any kind of writing funk I might find myself in. I’d highly recommend it for any writer, whether aspiring or experienced. There’s wisdom for everyone in those pages.
Why did you choose Boston, as the setting for you book?
I grew up in the Midwest and since then I’ve lived all over the country and even had a stint overseas. I’ve fallen in love with so many places, but, like Erica, no place has ever felt like home the way Boston has. I really wanted to bring a sense of place, the theme of home and some uniquely Boston elements into the story, so it seemed a natural choice for the main setting.
You’ve been given the task to host a last minute dinner party. Which authors are on your ultimate dinner invitation list? Alive or Dead.
Oh, I love parties! On the guest list would be Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf, Jeanette Winterson and David Sedaris. I’d consider inviting Shakespeare and Chaucer too, but after a couple glasses of wine, I’d probably struggle with the language barrier.
Can you give us a little tidbit for the upcoming sequel HARDPRESSED.
Hardpressed will be a continuation of Blake and Erica’s journey through the early growth of her business as they continue to negotiate and disregard personal and professional boundaries. We haven’t seen the last of Mark or Daniel by any means, and their role in Erica’s life becomes pivotal in this book. Lastly, Alli and Heath have a lot of issues to work through if they want to achieve their own happy ending. Many, many good things to come!
Beach or Mountain?
Beach, with a cabana boy and a cocktail, please!
Book or movie?
Geez, that’s like asking me to choose a favorite child. Hrmmm. Totally depends on my mood. Movies when my brain is too tired to read, I suppose, but most of the time I have a better emotional journey with a book.
Can you roll your tongue or tie a cherry stem into a knot with your tongue?
I can roll my tongue. Purrr. I can also do the Spock Vulcan salute. Live long and prosper! \\//
Chicken or Fish?
That’s tough. Probably chicken.
Chocolate or vanilla?
Chocolate! I don’t understand people who don’t like chocolate. Seems to go against nature.
Cowboy hat or cowboy boots?
Cowboy hat. I haven’t been able to find the perfect pair of cowboy boots yet.
Craziest thing in your fridge right now?
A Bud Light Straw-ber-ita that we can’t seem to pawn off on any of our guests.
Do you believe in love at first sight?
Love is a pretty intense emotion to feel in a matter of seconds. I do however believe in feeling an instant and unexplainable connection with someone that, if we’re lucky, can grow into a deep and profound love.
Do you have any birthmarks? If so, where?
I have a little strawberry on my leg. Oddly, each of my children does too. That’s how I know they’re mine.
Dogs or cats?
Dogs, preferably really tiny ones that think they’re ten feet tall and sleep on your lap while you work. Extra points if they’re a teacup Chihuahua.
