Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?
The Flirt Alert is part 2 of my 3-part trilogy of billionaire/enemies-to-lovers/forced proximity romances I’m calling “Spicy Standalones.” Each of them follow different couples who are side-characters in my Less Than Zero series, but can be read completely separately from all the other books.
The Flirt Alert is very personal to me as it delves into my FMC’s navigation of a surprisingly nuanced and common chronic health condition and how it’s affected how she moves in the world. My MMC is a self-made billionaire who has loved her for many years until he started hating her for something that happened when they were in high school. When they are thrown together at the top of a mountain…well, let’s just say a lot can happen in a ski-patrol hut.
Do you have a favorite character?
I really love Shay. Not only is she resilient, but she handles her chronic illness partly with seriousness but also with humor. My inspiration for Shay is a close family member who has navigated the same illness.
Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one? Did that change the direction of the novel at all?
Funny you should ask! We briefly meet Austin Andrews, my MMC, in Endless Encore when he’s discussing how his company can help bring arts education into schools. When I wrote about him, I knew I wanted to explore his backstory and now we do in The Flirt Alert.
Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?
Not at first, but I’m definitely experimenting with it now. I just signed with SBR Media who will be helping me with all the things – including potentially putting some future works through traditional channels.
Are you currently under a traditional publishing contract for future books or do you have manuscripts that you will self-publish? Are you doing both?
I am self-published primarily because my background is in media and publishing. Although, you’re hearing it here first, I signed a traditional publishing agreement with Page & Vine for an anthology I’m organizing to benefit MusiCares. There will be lots more about that in the coming months, the authors who are contributing are incredible.
What factors influenced your decision to self-publish your book(s)?
As someone who helps people protect their intellectual property and creative works, I always knew I’d want to retain ownership of my own material. I’m also a voracious reader and fan, so I know what I like and what I want to write. I’ve put together an entire team – editors, proofreaders, formatters as well as PR and marketing – so I’m running my own author life like a publishing company—I take it very seriously.
What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence?
I prefer silence – it takes me a little bit to get into a “zone” where I’m immersed in my world and story. Sometimes it’s playing a casual game or reading gossip websites, other times it’s taking a walk to mentally think through what I want to say. Ultimately, if I can get myself into this state of mind the writing just flows and the characters just speak to me.
What have you’ve learned during your self-publishing journey?
To be adaptable and to never get caught up in any drama. The preferences of readers change. Tropes come in and out of fashion. Ultimately, you have to be true to yourself and whatever story moves you so your writing is authentic.
Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book?
That’s one of the hardest parts. Finding time to really focus and write is such a luxury. I’m still running a full-time business so that takes a lot of time and attention. Writing is my special happy place. I actually love the marketing part of it and I create all my own social media graphics, but it’s very hard to be active and engaging all the time. At the end of the day, I’d rather put out a lot of great stories and be smart about how I connect with readers more authentically.
What’s next for you?
Next up is The Tryst List, the final Spicy Standalone which is out on March 14, 2024. After that I’ll be releasing a new series called
Book details:
The Flirt Alert
by Kaylene Winter
Publication date: November 17th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Synopsis:
When a man who has everything will do anything to ease the pain of the incredible woman who’s living with a timebomb.
My best friend’s twin, Shay Stojanović, is my ultimate gamer dream girl come to life.
Gorgeous, flirtatious and popular, she didn’t know I existed.
Until one fateful night, she made this nerd’s every fantasy come true.
The next day she blew me up like a frag grenade.
Years later, Shay’s brother and I have built a billion dollar gaming company.
He had the nerve to give his shady sister a coveted executive role.
Oh, I’m not going to make it easy on her—she’ll quit. You’ll see.
Everything’s going exactly to plan…
Until we get stranded at the top of a mountain.
And I learn the truth.
Now I can’t—and won’t—resist her.
She has a lot to overcome.
And I’m just the man to soothe her hurt.
It’s Shay’s turn for a flirt alert.
The Flirt Alert is a scorching, standalone, billionaire, enemies to lovers, best friend’s brother, forced proximity, STEM workplace, HEA romance.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/179489701-the-flirt-alert
Purchase:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ugj1WQ
AUTHOR BIO:
When she was only 15, Kaylene Winter wrote her first rocker romance novel starring a fictionalized version of herself, her friends and their gorgeous rocker boyfriends. After living her own rockstar life as a band manager, music promoter and mover and shaker in Seattle during the early 1990’s, Kaylene became a digital media legal strategist helping bring movies, television and music online. Throughout her busy career, Kaylene lost herself in romance novels across all genres inspiring her to realize her life-long dream to be a published author. She lives in Seattle with her amazing husband and dog. She loves to travel, throw lavish dinner parties and support charitable causes supporting arts and animals.
Author links:
http://rockerromance.com/
https://www.instagram.com/kaylenewinterauthor
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20367389.Kaylene_Winter
https://www.facebook.com/kaylene.winter.5
https://twitter.com/kayleneromance
Thanks for hosting today! :)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
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