Breathless… Interview with author Sofia Tate plus a Giveaway!
Today on ye old blog I’m super thrilled to have my chaptermate and friend Sofia Tate here to talk about her debut BREATHLESS FOR HIM out July 1 from Forever Yours. Thanks so much for being here on ye old blog today, Sofia. It’s a real treat.
Thank you, Kwana. It’s my pleasure!
First off can you tell us a bit about your current work?
BREATHLESS FOR HIM is a contemporary erotic romance about a billionaire named Davison Berkeley, who comes from a wealthy society family in Manhattan. One night, he retrieves a glove that he lost at a trendy bistro, and the instant he meets the coat check girl, Allegra Orsini, the spark is ignited-he is instantly drawn to her. For Allegra, the feeling is mutual. Allegra is the daughter of a butcher in Little Italy. She is also an aspiring opera singer and a graduate student of voice at a Manhattan conservatory. The lingering trauma of an event that happened to Allegra when she was five years old will affect her relationship with Davison, as will Davison’s ex-girlfriend, Ashton Canterbury.
What inspired you to write this story?
The basis of the story is a short story I wrote when I was studying for my MFA degree in creative writing. One evening in my fiction workshop, my professor gave us a story prompt-two left gloves. We had five minutes to write a story about them. I developed the story and titled it “Hearsay,” a word that plays a prominent role in the opening chapter. Basically, the first chapter of BREATHLESS FOR HIM is that story.
What made you choose this genre to write in?
Years ago, I tried writing a book in the vein of Bridget Jones’ Diary, but my heart just wasn’t in it. Around 2010, I wrote about 100 pages of a paranormal romance. Then I started buying RT Book Reviews every month to learn more about the romance industry. I read a review of SINFUL by Charlotte Featherstone and bought it immediately for my Kindle. After reading it, I knew I finally found my niche in erotic romance, but instead of historical erotic romance, I knew I’d be better at writing contemporary.
Tell us a bit about your writing schedule. Are you a Plotter or a Pantser?
I’m a plotter, but I don’t use a whiteboard or Scrivener. I write in a notebook, always using these red Pilot rolling ball extra fine pens I get at Staples-I guess you could say that’s my superstition. If Pilot ever stopped making them, I’d be devastated. I usually write at night, but I also write during the day when I can.
This is a favorite of mine. Care to share the story of your “overnight” success with my readers?
BREATHLESS FOR HIM had already been rejected by two publishers last year before I got the offer from my editor at Forever Yours. It took exactly a month between submission and the offer, which I think is mind-blowing and I’m still in awe of it all.
Who are some of your favorite writers that have influenced you? (sub-question) What book is currently on your nightstand or e-reader?
Charlotte Featherstone, Eden Bradley, Samantha Young, Raine Miller, Sylvia Day, Logan Belle, and Kate Pearce. I just finished reading Collide and Pulse by Gail McHugh. Gavin Blake-oh my! That man….
What advice would you give aspiring writers?
Hone your craft. Take writing classes. If you’re an aspiring romance writer, read RT Book Reviews. Go to the RT convention. Join RWA and your local RWA chapter. And READ! Read both in the genre you want to write in and outside it.
Right now, I’m working on Book 2 in my Davison & Allegra series, DEVOTED TO HIM, which will be out December 2 from Forever Yours.
Yay! I’m so excited to hear there will be a book 2 on the way! Throws confetti!
Thanks so much for being here today. It’s been a real pleasure. And now for some extra fun, Sofia has agreed to give one lucky commenter a copy of BREATHLESS FOR HIM, so comment away! Winner will be announced on Friday!
Sofia Tate can be found:
And you can pick up your copy of BREATHLESS FOR HIM here:
All the best,
KMJ
Author photo credit: Katana Photography
With this Thread… Threads of Desire release day!
Wow. So this has happened. In the past year and a half I’ve gone from zero stories published to as of today, with the release of THREADS OF DESIRE, the final book in my Crimson Romance Creative Hearts series, being a four time multi-published author. That is quick version of my overnight success.
The long version of that overnight success is nowhere near as astonishing or amazing and it sure as heck ain’t quick. The reality is this path to publication has taken me well over ten years (more like twelve, but come on, if I really count and then look in the mirror I may start to see the wrinkles and I’m not going there), three agents (yeah I’m still in that process) and enough rejections (from the who’s in the who) to wallpaper my house both inside and out to get where I am today. And where is where I am today?
Honestly, it is with me just where I am. Being a multi-published author grinding it out each and every day and still feeling just as wide-eyed and vulnerable as she did on the very first day. Both excited and nervous, stomach full of butterflies about presenting something to the world. But as with all new things I set forth, I’ll take a breath, steel my nerves and see where this one goes. And then come tomorrow, as with all the days before I will open my laptop and stare at the blank page.
Once again the possibilities for an overnight success wide open…
Thanks for joining me on the ride.
THREADS OF DESIRE is available now!
Sexy, fashionista Gabrielle Russell has been challenging Nick Ross most of his life and now is no exception. A top financial analyst, Nick has been dating his boss’s daughter and he’s on the fast track to turning his five-year marathon into a three-year sprint. But life throws him a curve when he finds his perfect girlfriend curled up in a very un-zen like position with her yoga instructor. Faced with this awkward downward dog, Nick heads to the only place he can think of—his brother Steve’s place—only to be stuck face to hips, thighs, lips, just about everything with his roommate, Gabby. She’s the habit Nick just can’t shake. The one that got away and she won’t let him forget it.
Gabrielle Russell is frustrated. She’s been banging it out for years as a curvy girl trying to make her creative mark the exclusive world of New York fashion and she’s hit a brick wall both personally and professionally. Now stuck in a dead end job designing jersey pantsuits for wannabe mafia wives while dodging the advances of her boss’s son, she doesn’t know how to get out of the hole she’s dug for herself. At least she has a bit of peace in the small apartment she shares with her childhood friend and roommate, Steve.
Or she did until Nick Ross walked in. Mr. Perfection and her own devastation, the one that broke her heart and almost broke her spirit, and now here he’s back and looking for a place to camp out while he gets his life back on track. Well, she’s got news for him: She’s not the same girl she was all those years ago when just a look would send her heart stuttering. Okay, maybe she is, but now maybe it’s time the tables were turned on the unflappable Nick Ross.
THREADS OF DESIRE can be found at these e-tailers:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1dKW7Sy
Barnes & Noble : http://bit.ly/Nkr0sc
iTunes: http://bit.ly/1aHfqS4
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1njw0I5
All the best,
KMJ
Bouce Your Merry Way!
It’s now official, as of yesterday, I am an indie publisher.
Whee! BOUNCE is live and for sale! Talk about a long time coming and what a way to have myself a Very Merry Christmas and welcome in 2014 with a Rousing Cheer.
I can’t express how excited, nervous and all around feeling every emotion a person could possibly feel in the moment. It’s like I’m standing on the edge of the highest cliff imaginable with nothing below me but green, ocean, sky and possibilities and nothing to guide me in my flight but my little hand painted wings that I’ve fashioned out of children’s kite material and some string.
Ok, so maybe I’m being a little dramatic here. I’ve know I’ve got a lot more behind me than I think I do, I just have to convince my gut of it. Right now it’s just a belly full of butterflies and no net to be had. But really I know I’m lucky. I have family and friends, critique partners, beta readers, formatters, loop groups, cheerleaders and boosters all there, puffing up my wings and watching to make sure I don’t spin out of control. Oh the joy! I am one happy woman.
All that said… I hope you’ll give BOUNCE a try. I have a feeling being a hybrid author in 2014 is going to be a wild flight.
Growing up as a young girl, Sabrina Jacobs could only dream her life would be this good. She has a successful career, a famous sexy husband, two children, a house in an affluent Westchester suburb and a shoe collection worthy of a magazine spread. Too bad it’s all a façade.
It has been almost a year since her husband admitted he had an affair with a younger and bouncier coworker. Follow Sabrina as she tries to rein in her out-of-control life by kicking her husband out on his rear, chucking her career and even firing her too-cute-for-the-job nanny. But how will she survive as a stay-at-home mom in the land of designer clothes, designer kids’ parties and designer babies? Hmm… maybe the hunky young French teacher, who has been flirting shamelessly with Sabrina, is just what she needs to take her mind off her problems. Well, not if her husband has something to say about it. Will Sabrina be able to forgive and still be true to herself? … Find out in BOUCE
BOUNCE can be found at Amazon here and at Barnes and Noble here.
Here’s wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Cheers to more Happy Writing in 2014!
All the best,
KMJ
image from here
Bounce with Me!
Excitement, nervousness, cold sweats? Yep I’ve got em’ all! Why you ask? Well because:
1. Christmas is a week away and I have 1/2 a tree up, 1 twin to still pick up from school, no gifts and nary a card sent out. And…
B. I’m preparing for my debut… first ever…. never done by me before… self published novel release due out as an e-book later this year!
Gulp and oh my, but let’s add in there a exuberant hooray! I’m thinking this this will be some thrilling way to end 2013 and start out 2014. Yesterday I had an exclusive cover reveal over at the wonderful Heroes and Heartbreakers blog and now I can share the amazing cover designed by Mae at Cover Fresh Designs I hope you like it.
Ladies and Gents…. BOUNCE…
Growing up as a young girl, Sabrina Jacobs could only dream her life would be this good. She has a successful career, a famous sexy husband, two children, a house in an affluent Westchester suburb and a shoe collection worthy of a magazine spread. Too bad it’s all a façade.
It has been almost a year since her husband admitted he had an affair with a younger and bouncier coworker. Follow Sabrina as she tries to rein in her out-of-control life by kicking her husband out on his rear, chucking her career and even firing her too-cute-for-the-job nanny. But how will she survive as a stay-at-home mom in the land of designer clothes, designer kids’ parties and designer babies? Hmm… maybe the hunky young French teacher, who has been flirting shamelessly with Sabrina, is just what she needs to take her mind off her problems. Well, not if her husband has something to say about it. Will Sabrina be able to forgive and still be true to herself?
All the best,
KMJ
Getting Wordy with Words of Lust author Lise Horton + a Giveaway!
It’s a lovely day over here at ye old blog and an exciting one as I’m so pleased and honored to welcome my dear friend and fellow RWA NYC chapter mate, Lise Horton. Lise is here to discuss writing, life in the NYC and her fabulous debut novel out from Carina Press: WORDS OF LUST. Believe me folks this is one you don’t want to miss and a voice you will not forget.
Thanks so much for being here today, Lise. I’m so thrilled to have you over at ye old blog!
Since I am a long time, ardent admirer of KwanaWrites, I am totally tickled to be here!
First off can you tell is a little about WORDS OF LUST?
This novel, my debut, is a contemporary, New York City-set erotic romance in which two very different people are brought together by fate and discover that love – and lust – can overcome all those obstacles: Age differences, IQ, disparate occupations, and even sexual history.
WORDS OF LUST is a pretty saucy (I adore that word) title. What was the inspiration for that? Did you come up with it or was it an editorial collaboration?
The idea for the novel itself was the final line of James Joyce’s Ulysses – the famous line where Molly Bloom climaxes, “. . . I asked him with my eyes to ask again yes and then he asked me would I yes to say yes my mountain flower and first I put my arms around him yes and drew him down to me so he could feel my breasts all perfume yes and his heart was going like mad and yes I said yes I will Yes.” I created a woman who hasn’t had the experience of the heroines of the classic erotic fiction she teaches. My original title was Words of Love but it was decided it was not right for an erotic romance. And since lust figures prominently in my story as Nick and Serafina’s relationship blossoms, it seemed quite fitting.
WORDS OF LUST is a bit of an opposite attracts story (as many of the best are) tell us, what made you pair a professor with a construction worker? Sidebar: Don’t we all love a man that’s good with his hands?
I adore opposites attract stories because I love lots of conflict that my hero and heroine have to deal with, and what better than coming from different worlds. It adds another lovely layer of complication and conflict, both internal and external. Nick and Serafina learn to discover that the truth, is hearts don’t recognize class, or wardrobe or bank accounts. And they’re also forced to navigate the sometimes choppy waters of society where loving outside of your group can get sticky. But in the end it allowed me to give my readers that terrific happily ever after and reinforce once again, that love can conquer all.
You are a New Yorker, what does the city mean to you and how does it influence your writing?
I lived the first year of my life on the West Side of Manhattan. As a child and teen I visited often the historical monuments, the theatre and museums here. And I’ve spent my adult life working here at various jobs, and in various neighborhoods throughout the City. I lived here for a decade (6 apartments in 3 years before finding my HEA apartment – pre-war, doorman building in the West 50’s – where I got my inspiration for Serafina Luca’s apartment) before moving back to LI to take care of my Mom. So I’ve experienced this grand and glorious metropolis during all the stages of my life and just can’t get enough of it. I am continually both awed and inspired by the life, the energy, the history and the amazing diversity here, both of experience as well as the citizens themselves. As a writer, I have my entire “world” right at my fingertips. So I am incredibly lucky to be able to use favorite neighborhoods, the habits of city dwellers, and attractions like the High Line, to give atmosphere, character and immediacy to my story. And these are a people I love to portray on the page! Like they say, there’s a million naked stories in this City (OK, so I took a bit of liberty there!)
Now for my favorite question, tell us the story of your “overnight” success.
As a former singer and actress, I’ve always gotten a kick out of that concept. In fact, while I’ve dabbled for quite a while, I didn’t get totally serious until 2008. That was the year I completed my first full-length novel. I started submitting in 2009, and made my very first professional sale in 2011: A short story called Share and Share Alike in the Ravenous Romance anthology, My First Threesome. The big moment came in November 2012, after I survived Hurricane Sandy and ten days in the dark in the aftermath, AND the ice storm that blew in just when the lights when on. (Although I can now brag I’ve cooked pasta on a hibachi and held back the darkness with my trusty book light and lots of great romance novels.) As you can all imagine, I was pretty burnt out about then. Then I received “the call” from Angela James at Carina Press. And it’s been a storm of a much more delightful nature ever since.
Lastly, what can we look for next from you?
I’m very excited to be finishing up book two in the Stellato Siblings series. I’ll be doing some revision and polishing before sending it off to my super editor at Carina Press, Alissa Davis. So I hope everyone crosses their fingers for me that she loves it as much as I do! And in the interim, I will have my short story “My Master’s Mark” included in the upcoming Cleis Press print anthology “Slave Girls”, edited by D. L. King. The story is dark – and it is pure erotica – but incredibly romantic (kinky, but romantic). I’m very proud of it, and thrilled to be in the company of some of the top writers of erotica in fiction today.
Thanks so much for being here today, Lise. What a great treat!
I cannot thank you enough for having me here, Kwana, and for being my friend, and being here to celebrate our mutual publications! Here’s to many, many more great love stories and thundering applause for all the readers who can’t get enough of them.
Lise Horton is a native of NYC and a Long Island suburb. She loves her rescued fur friends, her special needs brother, her mom, and writing books that make readers fall in love – and be just a little afraid. Words of Lust from Carina Press is her debut novel. You can find Lise at her Website: http://bit.ly/1aRWECL and Words of Lust can be found on Amazon: http://amzn.to/19UmTfe and at Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1cZjZqV Happy Reading!
Now for some BONUS fun! Lise will give away a digital copy of Words of Lust to one lucky commenter. So please comment away and be sure to leave your contact info. A winner will be chosen on Friday by 12 noon EST. Thanks Lise 🙂
All the best,
Kwana
Author photo thanks to katana-photography.com
3rd Time’s a Charm
In what seems almost unbelievable to me, yesterday afternoon I typed THE END, yet again, and then took the big, scary leap into the abyss and pressed send as I sent BOOK 3, my final book in my Creative Heart’s series (tentatively set for a January release), off to my editor at Crimson. In true Kwana form, as soon as I pressed send, I immediately wanted to find that magic button that said RETRACT, but guess what? There is none (why oh why doesn’t the internet have a 5 second rule? Imagine how many reckless mistakes could be avoided with just this one little button. How many eyeballs could be spared the runaway hot dogs). Oh well, it’s GONE now. And all I can do now is sit back and stew as I await the verdict on it. In the meantime I already have new ideas percolating so I guess the keyboard won’t have long to cool off as new characters are already whispering. No rest for the creative weary.
And in a huge bit of coolness check out what I got to hold in my hot little hands…yes, the print version of Book 2, SEDUCTION’S CANVAS! Please excuse me while I drool for awhile and turn into Smeagol from The Lord of The Rings and just stroke and put “My precious” on repeat. Talk about gorgeous. I have to say I’m loving it (and Jack is too) . What a fantastic job on this book and cover. And eek! I’ll be signing some of this and THROUGH THE LENS at Lady Jane’s Salon at my 1st reading on Monday October 7th. What a time to be had! Check out the details here.
Have a great day!
All the best,
KMJ
image fm we heart it
Man Up To Love…
“Sugar and spice and everything nice.” Yep, that’s what the old nursery rhyme tells us little girls are made of. And for so long it seems to have been the ideal standard for woman. The woman that we should look up to, the heroine for everyone to adore. But of course, living in reality and in the age of ‘not so real’ reality TV, we know that as women we can’t always be sugar and we definitely can’t keep everything nice, at least not all the time without blowing a gasket or two.
That said, even with the reality of it all, I have seen so many times in romance, especially the romances of the past, that the heroine must be perfect. She must be the Sandra Dee and never the Rizzo. The girl without a past, always a virgin, never one to swear and although she may have flaws, they are sweet little flaws like clumsiness or a penchant for over-generosity. The things that make my eyes roll to the back of my head by page three of a book. Looking at all these perfectionists that I know I can’t live up to I wonder, who are these women and what about the men that fell for them? How can they be truly relatable? This level of perfectionism doesn’t leave much room for the Rizzos of romance and the “not so bad boys” that may fall in love with them. Don’t the cranky girls need love too? What about the girls with a past, the women that are not virgins or even born again virgins? What about the mouthy… ahem, ladies? Can a woman speak her mind and still get her HEA?I say yes. That is if there is a hero strong enough to face the mouth, the emotions and the past head on and man it up to the plate. My 2nd book
from Crimson romance: Seduction’s Canvas ,out now, features what some would consider my most divisive heroine yet. A cross between, Paris Hilton and Lindsey Lohan with a bit of Ivanka Trump thrown in, Samara Leighton is a woman with a past, forced to take long hard looks at her mistakes and face them head on. But still she’s not apologizing for her needs and desires. Samara is the type of woman that if you don’t already know, you wouldn’t mind knowing and a bit of her may be you. That part that you want to whoop it up with and sometimes shake and say, “woman, get it together!” over drinks.Thankfully, she’s found a hero in Mark Thorn, who is just as strong as she is and alpha as she is to give her the space she needs when she needs it and the shake and the shakes (*insert wink here*) she needs just when she need them too. I think this is what makes a truly great alpha hero. When he is tough enough, but still secure and soft enough to let a strong women be the woman she was meant to be.
I hope you give Seduction’s Canvas at try as well as more books with heroines who have a little more Rizzo and a little less Sandra Dee or if it is more Sandra Dee, let it be Sandy with those cool, can’t breathe leather pants at the end of the movie.
Here’s a blurb for Seduction’s Canvas:
“I want to paint you” Artist Samara Leighton had wanted to say those words to the sexy motorcycle rider who lived in the building ever since she first laid eyes on him nearly a year ago. But now that the words were out she couldn’t stop her heart from beating wildly in her chest.
“Honey, you don’t have enough paint to cover me.” Security specialist Mark Thorn didn’t mean to come off as a hard ass. As a matter of fact he wanted nothing more than to let the tempting artist from across the hall do whatever she wanted to him and then some. But her haughty demeanor left the normally cool rider off his game.
Samara knew this was her only chance to live out her long-standing fantasy and she wasn’t going to let it slip through her fingers. She has very little time before her show is done and the pressure of her family legacy means she will finally go through with living out her life under the umbrella of the Leighton name and its responsibilities. There would be no more downtown jaunts, lazy museum afternoons and evenings spent lost in the magic of color and her canvases. And definitely no time spent holding tight to the muscular form of her dark rider while the horrors of her past and her cares drifted further away with each mile of road they covered.
All the best,
KMJ
images fm tumblr and beyond.
Seduction is Here!
So today is the day I become an official multi-published author. Wow. Let me pause and take that in a moment… breathe… and let it seep in another moment. It’s pretty amazing. At least for me it is. Because I know in about a minute and a half I’ll start to worry about reviews and rankings and get all down on myself about something or another I have no control over and then get all hot under the collar about how come I’m not writing enough or not writing fast enough, or well enough or whatever, but just for now, for this moment, I want to stop and say, wow. Cool. Go me! And let that be enough.
I hope you’ll give Seduction’s Canvas a go. I can’t thank you all who have encouraged me enough for your support. For those who don’t know about Seduction’s Canvas here’s a cool new trailer to get you up to speed. Thanks to Lex from Winterheart for her wonderful work. Feel free to share it and make it go viral. Wouldn’t that be cool? And if you’d like to give it a buy, just click on the book links below or to the right.
Seduction’s Canvas
available at Amazon
Have a fantastic Memorial Day!
All the best,
KMJ
P.S. Thanks to my PIC, Megan Caldwell aka Frampton for that kick butt quote. She totally rocks it out!
25 Reasons to Love …
Mark Thorn. Who is Mark Thorn you ask? Well Mr. Thorn is the hero in my next book Seduction’s Canvas which makes its debut on this Monday, the 27th! Whoo Hoo! I’m so excited and nervous that I thought I’d give you a little preview of Mr. Thorn today to entice you to pre-order your copy now at Amazon or B &N or iTunes.
Now 25 Reasons to Love Mark Thorn…
- His deep gravelly voice is like wheels on hot asphalt
- His dark see it all eyes.
- He brings coffee just because.
- He also brings bacon and egg sandwiches.
- His strong nose.
- Those arms.
- That quirky brow.
- That tattoo.
- Those muscles.
- That scar.
- Oh that scar too.
- His smile.
- He’s relentless.
- He’s loyal.
- His bike.
- The way he rides that bike.
- The way he rides it with you.
- He’s quick on his feet.
- He’s slow with his hands.
- He’s quick with his tongue (witted of course).
- He can carry you.
- He will carry you.
- You’re safe with him.
- He’s no superman but in your mind he is.
- He loves for life.
I hope you’ll give Mark a try and enjoy him as much as I do.
Seduction’s Canvas out on May 27th.
All the best,
KMJ
Images fm my Pinterest page and beyond.
A exclusive peek into Seduction…
As the countdown to Seduction’s Canvas continues head over to Heroes and Heartbreakers for an exclusive Seduction’s Canvas excerpt sneak peek before the May 27th release. Be ready to be seduced!
Have you placed your order?
All the best,
KMJ
image from Pinterest
