Heat Flash - Romantic Suspense Giveaway

Today I'm welcoming Taylor Anne, author of the romantic suspense novel Heat Flash and a new "Rose" at my publisher The Wild Rose Press.  She's offering an e-copy to one lucky reader - leave a comment to enter and we'll draw a name on Sunday night!  Please enjoy her first author interview below, as well as the blurb and an excerpt from Heat Flash!

      I love hearing about “the call” – tell us about finding out your book received a contract offer.

Well, I initially submitted Heat Flash as a short story with a totally different name. I received a rejection. :(  But with the help and support of my great editor, we worked and worked at the story until it was in good enough shape to submit again. So, I was on pins and needles twice with this book. When I did get the email, well, all I can say is Woo Hoo! I don’t think I’ve drifted off cloud nine since that day. It’s an awesome feeling!

 

      It really is the best feeling!  It’s great when an editor finds a story intriguing enough to help make it the best it can be.  So what inspired you to write this novel?

The idea for Heat Flash actually came from a one-sentence writing prompt. All I knew in the beginning was that the couple had a history together. It really just evolved from there.

 

      Oh, couples with a history have serious sparks – I love to read (and write) “reunion” romances too!  What was the strangest thing you’ve done in the name of research?

So far my research has only consisted of internet, books, people watching and conversations with others. Who knows though - one day I may find myself jumping out of an airplane in a parachute. I’m always up to new adventures.

      I would draw the line at jumping from a plane, I hate heights!  Did anything from real life make it into the book?

A couple of things actually. First, when I was writing the story I was planning to buy a new vehicle. I wanted a Nissan Rogue, so that just had to be the vehicle for Kendall. Mine is grey, not red like hers. The second thing would be Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA. My son followed in his great-grandmother’s footsteps and attended four years at NSU. It is a quaint and picturesque town. Oh, and I can’t forget Kendall’s favorite wine, Moscato. Definitely one of my favorites also.

 

      It’s fun when characters take on some of the author’s interests.  My heroines all love coffee.  Tell us three things about yourself unrelated to writing.

Three things, hmmm. I love to travel. In the past six years, I have been on four Caribbean cruises, visited Galveston, TX; St. Augustine, FL; Orange Beach, AL; Table Rock, MO; and Washington D.C. And my son is moving to Santa Cruz, CA, this summer, so guess where I’m going? Totally unrelated to writing would be the full-time job I hold down. I’ve been with this company for seventeen years working as a Sales Administrator. Challenging and frustrating – but they are my second family. Do you think they would mind if I gave that up to write full-time? LOL. Okay, so I live in Southwest Louisiana and have to say that boiled crawfish is one of my favorite foods. Yes, those little mudbugs! If you haven’t tried them, you really should. But you have to come to Louisiana because we really know how to spice them up.

      That’s a lot of traveling!  I really, really want to visit Louisiana some day, but I might have to pass on crawfish.  What’s your all-time favorite book?

That’s a tough one. I don’t think I really have an all-time favorite. I love reading romance and suspense, but am open to many other genres such as paranormal and dystopian.

 

      I enjoy different genres as well.  Anything else you’d like to share?

Sure. First I want to say I couldn’t have done any of this without the love and support of my wonderful family. Thanks guys! Second, one thing I have discovered is writing and publishing a book is a lot more than what it sounds like. The work doesn’t end there. You have book cover designs, edits, blurbs, promoting, social media….. okay, I’ll stop. Wow! But, the readers and other authors out there are the best support system a person could ask for. Thanks to all of you. And a special thanks to Kathryn for hosting me today. It has been a pleasure.

 

You’re welcome, Taylor—I’m thrilled to be hosting your very first blog spotlight, thanks for being here!  You make a great point about all the work that goes into a book—it takes an enormous group effort to bring each story to life.  Congratulations on the release of Heat Flash!  It sounds like a great book, and Taylor is giving away a free e-copy to one lucky commenter.  Be sure to check out the blurb and excerpt below. 

HEATFLASH - BUY LINK

When FBI agent Mason Black left Kendall Reed without warning, it devastated her, but she managed to bounce back. Now on the run from a maniacal stalker, she must learn to trust the man who betrayed her in the past.

Dealing with his own insecurities and secrets, Mason will do anything to protect Kendall from the dangerous lunatic terrorizing her. But the bigger threat may be the one Kendall poses to his heart.

Scared of Kendall’s reaction if she learns the truth about him, Mason puts his own problems and emotions on hold to find her stalker. But when Kendall’s life is threatened, he has no choice but to risk body and soul—and even his heart—to save her.

 Excerpt:

“Look,” Kendall said, irritation lacing her words. “I know you don’t want me here. You did your duty by protecting me. You saved my life tonight, and now you’re stuck here. The least I can do is keep you company.” She silently hoped that explanation would satisfy him. She was wrong.

Mason watched her. A flicker of some emotion flitted across his face before he rasped, “It was my job to watch after you. This,” he gestured to the bed and rumpled sheets pooled around his waist. “This is one of the drawbacks of my job. It’s something I’ve learned to get used to. And, it’s just that, my job, it’s nothing personal. You don’t need to babysit me.”

  “I see.” She turned away from his cold stare so he wouldn’t see the hurt his words had caused. He dismissed her, just as he had done in the past. So much for thinking they could talk. So much for the flutter in her heart at knowing that Mason was back in town. She fought hard to hold back tears. 

Fear of going home to an empty house turned her stomach. She lifted her hand to rub her throat. She had to get control of her emotions. She wasn’t afraid of much and didn’t want to allow herself to be scared now, even though the night’s events justified a little fear. With confidence she mustered up from somewhere, she took a deep breath, removed her hand from her throat, stubbornly set her jaw, and faced the man lying in the bed. 

Her clipped words took them both by surprise. “Nothing personal. It never is with you, is it?”