Author Interview- Seleste DeLaney (Gaming for Keeps)

Goodreads Summary: 

Pen Holloway’s done with men—in real life. Guys in game are so much less drama. But when her partner from　Heroes of Fallen Gods　invites her to the convention of the year, she panics. What if he’s another jerk? What if he’s not?Cal Burrows is living his dream of being a spy. One of TRAIT’s misfit spies, but still a spy. It’s the perfect job… until an arms dealer with a taste for blood invades his not-so-secret geek haven. All Cal wanted from ConDamned was to meet his on-line girl. Now, with the threat of mass murder looming, he’s forced to choose between keeping his mission a secret and protecting the girl of his dreams.Despite their attraction, Pen can’t help but suspect Cal’s hiding something. She also can’t shake the feeling he’s not as much of a stranger as he seems.

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 What made you decide on writing this book? What inspired you?

First and foremost, my guild from Everquest (The 4th Wall). Ever since 

most of us stopped playing EQ, I wanted to write a story featuring the 

guild and the family atmosphere we always had. For the longest time I 

pondered how to do it, and then the “Geek Collection” call came from 

Entangled and I jumped on it with both feet.




When you pictured the characters did they reflect anyone particular in your life?

No. I don’t do “real-life” character models very often. Too often it 

ends up with people cranky because I didn’t model characters after them. 

So I use celebrities (actors/models/musicians) for most of my character 

models. In this case, I always saw Pen as Amber Tamblyn and Cal as 

Garrett Hedlund.




 If you could meet any of your characters who would it be and why?

From GAMING FOR KEEPS: Definitely Marissa. She’s (hopefully) getting 

her own book soon, and her life history is insanely interesting to me. 

Plus, I think she could drink me under the table.




 Tells us a bit more about Gaming for Keeps, what are the main key 

points in the book?

It surrounds a couple who plays an MMORPG together but have never met. 

Then they’re both at the same convention. Only, he’s a spy who has to 

stop a terrorist, and she’s a woman who’s been burned by guys online 

before and can’t get past the knowledge that he’s keeping secrets.




This is the official blurb:

Pen Holloway’s done with men—in real life. Guys in game are so much 

less drama. But when her partner from　Heroes of Fallen Gods　invites her 

to the convention of the year, she panics. What if he’s another jerk? 

What if he’s not?




Cal Burrows is living his dream of being a spy. One of TRAIT’s misfit 

spies, but still a spy. It’s the perfect job… until an arms dealer with 

a taste for blood invades his not-so-secret geek haven. All Cal wanted 

from ConDamned was to meet his on-line girl. Now, with the threat of 

mass murder looming, he’s forced to choose between keeping his mission a 

secret and protecting the girl of his dreams.




Despite their attraction, Pen can’t help but suspect Cal’s hiding 

something. She also can’t shake the feeling he’s not as much of a 

stranger as he seems.




If you had to pick just one favorite part of the book what would it 

be?

The shower scene. It was actually added during edits, and I was giddy 

the whole time I wrote it. It’s fun and flirty and sexy and ridiculous, 

and in that way it perfectly encapsulates Cal and Pen’s relationship.







Thanks so much for having me here today, and if any of your readers 

have questions, I’ll be popping in as often as I can to answer :)





A big big big thank you for Seleste for taking the time out of her busy schedule to come and talk to us, I really can't wait to read the book to find out what actually happens in the shower scene!