Interview with Bethany Rosa, PURSUIT OF INNOCENCE

If you could keep a mythical/ paranormal creature as a pet, what would you have?

It’s not mythical, but I would love to have a bobcat as a pet. Really, though, I don’t want any more pets. After raising four daughters, I've decided that I don’t have any desire to be needed around the clock by an animal.

 

How do you keep your writing different from all the others that write in this particular genre?

That’s an interesting question because I don’t think you should be too different in the romance genre. It’s sort of what got me to start writing. I kept looking for what I liked and wasn’t finding it. I kept coming across these books that were so out there, and all I wanted was my virgin discovering passion and an alpha male discovering love. I adore that storyline and could read it repeatedly with different characters and circumstances. So that’s basically what I did. I realize I have to be a bit different in my future books, but starting with the basics was good for me. I think what sets a book apart is the author’s voice. Their writing style. The settings and characters, along with side plots, along with the basic romance formula. Some readers like what they like and gravitate toward other books with similar styles, and that’s okay.

 

What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?

I can’t say I’ve received any bad advice. Everything is helpful in some kind of way, whether you apply it or not. The best advice I’ve received is to set an attainable minimum goal each day. I’m hard on myself; it comes with having a type A personality, so lowering my standards is hard, but it sure makes me feel better some days.

 

Are the experiences in this book based on someone you know or events in your own life?

Of course, I get asked this question a lot! Everyone wants to know if the passionate scenes are from my own experience. From now on, I’ve decided to respond, “No, I’m saving my personal life for my murder mystery novel.” All joking aside, I use a lot of my childhood in the books. It’s unavoidable, it’s easy, and I know it. So, there is a bit of me in there, and it’s not in only one character. Lily has many of my traits, but Sebastian also has sailing experience with his dad from me. And getting back to the passion, no, it’s not personal. It’s from the hundreds of books I’ve read and what does it for me when I’m reading.

 

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BLURB:

 

“I’m done waiting around. You’re mine. No more games or pining over someone else when it’s me you want. You won’t remember his name after I get through with you.”

 

Lily knows exactly what she wants in life. To graduate, land a high-paying job, and forge her own way. Nothing will distract her. Until the ultimate playboy, billionaire Sebastian Dubree, barges in. Not to be overlooked, Lily’s longtime crush, Jackson, decides she’s worth the fight.

Reluctant to succumb to either, she quickly becomes a challenge to conquer.

Lily must decide between the familiarity of her childhood longing or the newly discovered  passion ignited by the dominant CEO. But can she surrender without losing herself in the process, or will someone take matters into his own hands?

Boundaries blur between desire and resistance in this gripping coming-of-age romance, leaving readers yearning for more.

Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVHM9VG7

 

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Excerpt :

“So, do you take all your new hires to lunch?” she asks in jest.

“Only the ones I’m trying to date.”

“You do this often, then. Oh wait, you don’t date. You’re a one-and-done kind of guy.” Ah, the feistiness I’ve come to look forward to.

“Exactly, so I guess you could say you’re my first… pursuit, that is. See, we each have firsts to give each other.” The look on her face is priceless. I think I just stunned her into silence, but alas, I should know better.

“Oh no, you can give me all the firsts you want, but you won’t be getting mine.”

“I intend to claim them all, Lily. Whether you’ve come to that realization is irrelevant because I plan to start soon.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links: 

Bethany Rosa raised four amazing daughters before fulfilling her dream to become a writer. Her goal is to ignite passion in readers through her erotically charged stories. When not immersed in writing, Bethany finds joy in life traveling the world alongside her husband of 25 years. Home is divided between the mountains of Montana and the Arizona sunshine.

 

Website: http://www.bethanyrosa.com/

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/Bethanyrosa.author

TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@authorbethanyrosa

 

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Interview with Dana King, OFF THE BOOKS

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?

Off the Books is my sixth novel to feature Chicago-based private detective Nick Forte; he also appears in two of my Penns River police procedurals. In Off the Books Forte is hired by a wealthy businessman whose wife witnessed a fender-bender in a small Illinois town while visiting their grandchildren. Nothing special there except that the driver who rear-ended the car in front of her was obviously drunk and came out of the car brandishing a weapon; the client wants to know why the local police aren’t doing anything about it. Forte quickly finds his client has not been straight with him and there’s a lot more wrong in Lundy, Illinois than sloppy police work. 

 

What factors influenced your decision to self-publish your book(s)?

I’m in my late 60s and decided after eight or nine years with a publisher I wanted more freedom and control over what would be left of my career. By self-publishing I can set my own release schedule and marketing plan (such as it is) without worrying if I’m doing right by my publishing partner.

 

If you used a graphic designer/publisher’s designer, how involved were you during the creative process for your cover?

This is a good story. The seventh novel in my Penns River series, White Out, was ready to go out  for blurbs before we had a cover. The Beloved Spouse™, who is a wizard with Photoshop, dummied up a placeholder in black and white that was supposed to be only for the ARCs, but we liked it so much we kept it for the general release. “Branding” is a big deal these days and it occurred to us we could use the simple, stark covers as a kind of logo for my books. The Nick Forte novels now all look like what you see here and the Penns River books will be re-covered over the next year so they’ll all look like White Out. My two standalones will be similar but different enough so folks will know they are not part of either series.

 

What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence?

I was a professional musician until I was about 35, so the problem for me with having music around when I write is my mind tends to focus too much on the music and not enough on the writing, so I now write in silence. Or at least without music; background noise doesn’t bother me much.

 

My process varies from draft to draft as I refine the work. The first draft is two or three sessions of 500 words each; the goal is to get the story on the hard drive. Parts may even look like a screenplay, as dialog tends to come easier to me than action, so I sometimes put a slug in place to remind myself what has to go there and will tidy it up on the second draft.

 

The second draft is a true re-write, where I type everything out again., Substantial changes, additions, and deletions can be made. Authors are taught to “kill your darlings” when editing. I have found it’s easier to leave them along the side of the road and just not type them in again.

 

The next draft is the hard core editing. I like to think the book is essentially done when this is finished.

 

Last I have a three-step process:

Day 1: Read a chapter or two. Just read them. Nothing else.

Day 2: Edit what I read on Day 1. Read the next chapter or two.

Day 3: Have Word read back to me what I edited yesterday to make sure it’s right. Edit what I read on Day 1. Read the next chapter or two.

Then repeat until I’m done.

 

I think of each draft like this:

Draft 1: Producing  the raw materials.

Draft 2: Refining the iron ore from the bauxite.

Draft 3: Turning it into steel.

Draft 4: Tempering the steel.

 

This process is a little different every time, but after sixteen books it’s now pretty well set.

 

Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?

Outline, though usually little more than a sentence or fragment to remind me what needs to happen in each scene. How it happens is a game time decision, and those decisions sometimes force me to revise the rest of the outline.

 

I tried to write a couple of books without an outline and ended up throwing away 25,000 and 35,000 words. I’m one of those writers who needs to know the story before I do it justice, almost as if I’m reporting on things that have actually happened. 

 

Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?

Yes. Chris Rhatigan has been my primary editor for years and he never fails to improve the books.

 

A word of advice about editors: Make sure you have one who shares your vision for the book and isn’t going to remake it into something they think will be better. Maybe they will; then again, maybe they won’t. In the end, it’s your name on the cover, and you’re paying the freight, so make sure you get someone you’re comfortable working with. That doesn’t mean you’ll always agree. You want an editor’s suggestions, not your mother’s.

 

Is your book(s) in Kindle Unlimited or is it wide? What percentage of royalties does page reads represent if in KU?

All the Nick Fortes are now Kindle Unlimited, mainly because I lack the energy and discipline to regularly keep up with multiple markets. I honestly do not know what percentage comes from KU page reads, as the book only came out a couple of weeks ago.

 

What advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing arena?

Make sure you’ve written the best book you can before you start worrying about formatting or marketing. You only get one chance to make a first impression with readers, so you want them to see the best you got. Marketing might sell this book, but it’s not going to generate repeat business.

 

Also, be meticulous about the formatting, by which I mean how the book looks on the page, to include pagination, typos, margins, paragraph indentations, and all the other things we take for granted when buying a professionally-published book. Get a proof and compare it to a book on your shelf. It doesn’t have to be as polished, but you also don’t want anything to scream, “I don’t know what I’m doing!” The key is to present yourself as a professional.

 

Some fun facts about you, which do you prefer – dogs or cats? Chocolate or vanilla? Coffee or Tea? Talk or Text? Day or Night?

Dogs, no question. Cats are assholes.

Chocolate. I love French vanilla ice cream, but with chocolate syrup.

Tea. I’ve had two cups of coffee in my life. The first was such a bitter disappointment I knew I wasn’t going to like the second before I even tasted it. This post is already longer than I planned, so if anyone wants to know about that first cup, ask me in the comments section.

Talk. Interactions are too slow and clumsy in texts. I’m also a lousy typist.

Day. There are few things I enjoy more than being outside on a beautiful day. I’, also more productive during the daylight hours. To me, nights are for winding down to prepare for the next day.

 

What’s next for you?

Lunch. After that I’ll move things along in Phase 4 of my first Western, which I hope to have finished by the time this interview appears in print. After that I plan to move right into the next Nick Forte novel; the outline is already 95% finished.

 

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BLURB:

 

Nick Forte has lost his detective agency and makes ends meet doing background checks and other paperwork. He pays for everything else through jobs he takes for cash and without any written contract. What starts out as a simple investigation into a traffic accident exposes Forte to people who have truly lost everything and have no viable hope of reclaiming their lives. That doesn’t sit well with Forte, leading him and his friend Goose Satterwhite to take action that ends more violently than anyone expected.

 

“The return of Chicago private detective Nick Forte, the tough protagonist of two Shamus Award nominated novels, is well worth the wait. Nick’s latest escapade Off The Books—the first in nearly six years—will surely earn additional praise for the acclaimed series.”

-J.L .Abramo, Shamus Award-winning author of Chasing Charlie Chan.

 

"Nick Forte reminds me of Robert B. Parker's Spenser: a PI with a finely tuned sense of justice who doesn't take anyone's s***. Any fan of hardboiled detective fiction is in for a helluva ride."

--Chris Rhatigan, former publisher of All Due Respect Books

BUY LINKS 

http://tinyurl.com/4w2avye3

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Off the Books is Dana King’s sixth Nick Forte private investigator novel. Two of the earlier books (A Small Sacrifice and The Man in the Window) received Shamus Award nominations from the Private Eye Writers of America. Dana also writes the Penns River series of police procedurals set in a small Western Pennsylvania town, as well as one standalone novel, Wild Bill, which is not a Western. His short fiction appears in numerous anthologies and web sites. He is a frequent panelist at conferences and reads at Noirs at Bars from New York to North Carolina. 

 

WEBSITE

https://danakingauthor.com

 

BLOG 

One Bite at a Time https://danaking.blogspot.com

 

TWITTER

@DanaKingAuthor

 

FACEBOOK

https://www.facebook.com/dana.king.735/

  

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Interview with Benoit Lanteigne, The Cyborg's Crusade - Day of the Deus Ex Machina

Do you have any tattoos? Where? When did you get it/them? Where are they on your body?

No, I don’t. Sorry, this is the most boring answer possible. I have nothing against tattoos, and I’ve seen several that I thought were very cool, but I’ve never felt the urge to get one myself; Not sure why.

 

Is your life anything like it was two years ago?

The biggest change is that we’re not in lockdown anymore. That was… something. Other than that, it’s similar, except I’m about to publish my first book. That’s taking some effort, but it’s exciting! 

 

How long have you been writing?

Depends on how you look at it. If we’re talking about publishing books, I’ve just started. If we’re talking about writing just for fun, then since high school, roughly thirty years ago. I’ve been writing on and off since then, but nothing I considered publishing or sharing with anyone. The Cyborg’s Crusade is the first project I feel I need to put out there. In part, it’s because I feel it is something special. Mostly though, it’s a self-growth exercise. Publishing a book terrifies me, so I figured I should do it!

 

What advice would you give a new writer just starting out?

Well, I’m only starting out publishing myself, so I’m not very comfortable giving publishing advice. I think I’ll go with this: Editing exists, so don’t worry about writing a good book with your first draft. Most writers can’t do that. Oh, I’m sure there are a few geniuses out there who crank out perfect first drafts, but for the majority (including myself), it doesn’t work that way. Just get a version of your story on paper as a starting point. It might stink, but from there, you revise, edit, rewrite, and eventually, after a ton of work, it will only emit a vaguely unpleasant odor instead. From there, you keep on editing. Once you feel comfortable enough, get some impartial beta readers involved, so you receive feedback. Feedback is tricky, some is good, some is bad. Filter out what you feel is good feedback and revise again based on it. If you can afford a professional editor along the line, it can do wonders.

 

Anyway, the short version is, writing is an iterative process. It doesn’t matter if the first draft is garbage as long as the last one is gold.

 

Tell us something about your newest release that is NOT in the blurb.

My first idea for The Cyborg’s Crusade was to have it set in the afterlife. The story started with James Hunter dying. While it turned out there was life after death, it wasn’t the heaven or hell his religion told him about. Instead, it was a war zone where multiple parties battled for control. Rose, the winged woman who helps him in The Cyborg’s Crusade, was the leader of one such party. The titular cyborg didn’t exist back then. The closest thing was a man in armor wrapped in chains. After a while, I just couldn’t get anywhere with this idea, so things changed a lot.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

BLURB:

 

How did it come to this? My life used to be so simple. Back then, I hated it; I found it boring. Let me tell you: boring’s good. Boring’s great! I should’ve been thankful…

 

It was supposed to be a date like any other for James Hunter, a simple convenience store clerk. Nothing more than watching a movie in the town of Moncton. A place as unknown and unimportant as he considered his own existence to be. And yet, while walking to a cinema, James teleports to another world. There, a hostile crowd surrounds him, including various mutants with strange deformities.

 

Before he can even gather his wits or make a dash for it, a lone ally presents herself in the form of a winged woman named Rose. An important cultural figure in the country where James appeared, she offers him both protection and a home.

 

Soon, James learns that this new world is divided by a cold war. On one side is Nirnivia, home to Rose. The other, Ostark, led by a mysterious cyborg. James is unaware that the cyborg has him in his crosshairs, thinking of him as the Deus Ex Machina that will end the war in his favor.

 

But, the cyborg is far from the only potential threat to James. Soon after his arrival, BRR, a terrorist organisation, kidnaps him.

 

What would a rogue group out for revenge seeking to turn the cold war hot want with someone like James? Is there anyone also aware of this other world who will try to find him? Or is he on his own? If so, how is he supposed to escape? If that's even an option...

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

So, my name is Benoit Lanteigne and I’m a French Canadian (outside of Quebec) who’s trying to write in English. That can be tricky. I’m a computer programmer and I enjoy it. I see many inspiring writers who hate their jobs and hope to quit someday, but that’s not my case. Mostly, I’ve worked on websites and web applications. 

 

Back in school, I enjoyed writing and according to my teachers and classmates; I had a talent for it. Well, not so much for grammar and spelling, but they liked my stories. Once I went to university, I dropped writing as a hobby. There were other things I wanted to focus on, such as my career. Then, in the early 2000s, around 2006 I’d say, I had a flash of inspiration. At first, it was a single character: a winged woman with red hair. I didn’t even know who she was, but the image stuck with me. From there, I began figuring out details about her origins and her world, but I only started writing for real in 2009. 

 

It’s been roughly 10 years now, and it’s not yet finished. That’s in part because I write in my spare time, and in part because the scope of the project is huge. Maybe too much so. Still, I’m getting close to the point where I could release something. The question is what’s next? Self-publishing? Attempt traditional publishing? Nothing? I don’t know the answer yet, I’m trying to figure it out. Frankly, sharing my writing is difficult for me, and whatever I end up doing, as long as I make it available to people I consider the experience a victory no matter what comes out of it.

 

Website: https://thecyborgscrusade.com/ 

Newsletter: https://thecyborgscrusade.com/fanclub.html 

Social Media Link Hub: https://thecyborgscrusade.com/hub.html

https://www.facebook.com/people/My-Skeptical-Angel/100055656492122/

https://twitter.com/bl98 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS80WvrsYaBCOKBVgYwsXTA 

https://www.tiktok.com/@thecyborgscrusade 

https://www.instagram.com/thecyborgscrusade/ 

 

The book will be $0.99 during the tour. 

 

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Cyborgs-Crusade-Day-Deux-Machina-ebook/dp/B0CBZZRDZ4

 

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#Interview with Traci Wooden-Carlisle and D. Tina Batten, THE PRAYER WARRIOR

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?

The Prayer Warrior is a Christian fiction supernatural novel about a student counsellor for a Christian Academy who prays, lends a listening ear and advice to the students and staff of the school. At night, while she dreams, Ms. V intercedes and battles for the souls of her students.  It is a standalone book but d. Tina Batten and I do have plans for book two.

 

Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one? Did that change the direction of the novel at all? Did the character become the hero/heroine of their own book?

In my Promises to Zion series the sister in the first book is a secondary character but her true identity is revealed in the second book, thus creating a deeper backstory for her and some of the other original main characters. There was even a breakout book with her as the main character.

 

Do you have an ARC review team? How did you recruit your reviewers? BookFunnel? Readerlinks? Booksprout?

I use Bookfunnel to send out and track ARC copies. It allows me to move forward since it has automatic features.

 

Do you regularly send out a newsletter? How are you recruiting new subscribers? Do you have a reader magnet?

I usually send out a newsletter once a month. After much consideration, I did make my novella from my romantic suspense series a free gift to those who subscribe to my newsletter.

 

Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?

 Absolutely! I get so far into my head when writing I miss grammatic and spelling errors all of the time. It is much easier to let a professional take care of it.

 

Is your book available in audio format? Briefly describe how your narrator was chosen?

Yes. My co-author Traci and I are so delighted to have our book, The Prayer Warrior available via audio format. In search of the perfect narrator who was chosen for this project was a divine connection to say the least. It happened so fast.  Traci and I were in the very beginning stage of seeking a narrator. We had just auditioned one other company prior to finding the right person for this project (Anita Faye Thomas) whom Traci found in passing. She was at the right place at the right time. The conversation was organic and after one audition, we knew she was the perfect person for our book project. If you have a chance to listen to the audiobook version of our book, you will quickly agree. She did a phenomenal job on the project.

 

Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?

Yes, Definitely outline. I’m a big fan of outlining any story I write and will recommend that step to anyone. It will help save time by organizing your thoughts, making the necessary corrections along the way if something in the storyline isn’t working. Trust me! To outline your story is a good thing. 

What advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing arena?
I would first congratulate the new author for finishing their book project and considering self-publishing. That’s a huge hurdle to cross alone. After the manuscript is complete, this is when the hard work truly begins. There is a mountain of very important decisions the author must make. It’s the end of one process and the beginning of another. 

The author can publish the book he or she truly desires because the author maintains direct control of every aspect of publishing the book. The author must make the important decisions about anything and everything involving their book. It’s good to find a team of trusted professionals to help bring the author's vision to life. Outsource when you can depending on the budget. It’s a time saver. Search for a great editor, graphic designer to help create the best possible book cover to draw readers to want to purchase the book. And this is only the beginning.You need to decide on publishing platforms to distribute the book, marketing of the book, etc.  Research! Research! Research! There is a tremendous amount of work that needs to be done with self-publishing. But the rewards are great. 

Besides writing, do you have any other passions?

I’m a very creative person. I love the performing arts ministry and try to stay connected to those roots. I’m always working on projects. I could be producing a stage play, dinner show, film, or concert. No telling with me. You will have to follow me and stay tuned in for sure ;-)

Some fun facts about you, which do you prefer – dogs or cats? Chocolate or vanilla? Coffee or Tea? Talk or Text? Day or Night?

I prefer Dogs, Chocolate, Tea, Talk and Night.

 

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BLURB:

 

There is a thin line between the natural and the spiritual realm.
Ms. V., a humble servant of the Lord, has been placed on assignment at Center of Hope Christian Academy.

By day, she serves as a trusted counselor for students, giving them a safe haven to pour out their innermost feelings while providing professional and honest truth wrapped in a firm kindness and love that inevitably draws them closer to Jesus. Not to be outdone, the faculty also bends her ear from time to time.

By night, Ms. V. enters the spiritual realm and takes her place on the battlefield as one of God’s faithful prayer warriors. She wields her whispering sword, slicing through the enemy’s plans to bind the precious hearts under her charge.
Her assignment’s burden on her physical body is taxing, but can she withstand the strain and remain victorious?
Saving souls is her true mission, but at what cost?

Readers are in for a journey of spiritual intrigue and biblical insight as they experience the ramifications of each character’s life-altering decision.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

D. “Tina” Batten is a loving mother, wife, sister, daughter and Mima to her grandchildren. She is a gifted visual storyteller who is passionate about bringing encouraging messages of inspiration and hope to the world.

Tina Batten, a writer for over eighteen years of various dramatic works of performing art via stage, and film, encompasses unique ways of creating fascinating story concepts that touch the heart of most who view or read her work. She is both honored and thrilled to have teamed up with long-time friend, sister in the gospel and co-author Tracy on this phenomenal collaborative book project. With such a humble heart and desire to bring people together in love and unity, Tina Batten will continue her work as a visual storyteller spreading the good news of Jesus Christ one project after the other. 

 

As Always, D. “Tina” Batten gives God All the Glory!

 

You can find her at the following social media platforms:

Website: http://www.sisterbatten.com

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Sister-BattenCom-Sister-Batten-Productions-157650117630075/

FB: Tina Batten Profile: https://www.facebook.com/tina.batten.18

IG: https://www.instagram.com/sisterbatten/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sisterbatten

Subscribe to Sister Batten YouTube Channel

shorturl.at/lsxA4

Walking in the Spirit Trailer

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sisterbattenfilms

If Not For The LORD, Where Would I Be? Delicious Episode Trailer

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sisterbattenproductions

 

Traci Wooden-Carlisle

Traci Wooden-Carlisle began writing to publish in 2011 and enjoys writing stories that provoke thought and evoke emotions. Her desire is to draw readers into the lives of her characters and share messages of God’s love, His faithfulness and peace. The messages in her books speak to her way before they speak to her readers.

 

Traci lives in San Diego with her husband, David. When she isn’t writing she does some light traveling or assists people with their physical fitness, creates graphics, designs pretty things for her jewelry business and swag for authors. 

 

You can find her on the following social media platforms.

 

Website: www.tawcarlisle.com

 

Newsletter: www.tawcarlisle.com/subscribe

Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Traci-Wooden-Carlisle/e/B00OIAS208/

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/Author_TraciWCarlisle

Facebook: www.facebook.com/traciwoodencarlisle

Instagram: www.instagram.com/tawcarlisle

Bookbub:https://www.bookbub.com/authors/traci-wooden-carlisle

Twitter: www.twitter.com/traciwcarlisle

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/tawcarlisle

Book Video: https://youtu.be/lw3DiS_-E0A?si=1DjRSVTB3Ggqg9pT

 

 

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Interview with Kaylene Winter, THE FLIRT ALERT

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

 

 

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