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.
Excerpt:
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.
“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?”
