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Today we are interviewing Teiran Smith, author of the new adult romance "Rooter."
Describe the plot of your new book, "Rooter," in a few sentences.
Sophie is infatuated with Rooter, the "vicious criminal" next door. After a series of rescues and Rooter saving her life, they embark on a passionate romance. But there are those who will not leave them be. Mike, Sophie's roommate is obsessed with her and Candace, Rooter's crazy ex-friend-with-benefits refuses to let him go without a fight. When Sophie is accused of committing an unforgiveable crime, Rooter ends the relationship and Mike's obsession turns deadly.
Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Anyone who enjoys a romance filled with angst, drama, and sexual tension, will probably enjoy reading Rooter.
What inspirations contributed to this book?
I wanted to write a story with fiery, flawed, yet lovable characters dealing with real life situations. There are so many cookie cutter romances out there where the characters are super likeable, and sweet, and kind. That's not always real life. Life isn't always sweet.
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| Author Teiran Smith. |
Tell us a bit about the main character, Sophie.
Sophie has been through hell in her short life. All she really wants is a normal life and to know real, unconditional love. She's much more self-conscious and unsure of herself than she even realizes. Her mother, and only family, never truly cared for her and committed suicide when Sophie was in high school. Her first and only boyfriend stole her virginity by raping her. The only constant, loving presence in her life is her best friend, Miranda and he family. But Miranda's parent's have both recently passed. Sophie now lives with Miranda and her brother Mike. But things are complicated between the three of them since Mike is in love with Sophie, but the feeling isn't mutual. She's completely enamored with Rooter. Her interest in Rooter only makes things more complicated and tense.
Rooter is a self proclaimed bad boy, so even though he's crazy about Sophie (to the extent of learning everything he possibly can about her) he refuses to bring her into his dangerous world. But after coming to her rescue a number of times, he finally gives in and admits his feelings for her. But he has a past and connections that he can't just cast aside. He really tries to do right by everyone although it often times causes more trouble than good. And despite his huge heart, Rooter is seriously flawed and complicated and at times infuriating.
What drew you to the new adult romance genre?
I love the new adult genre. The very first new adult story I read was Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire. I was instantly hooked. I've been writing New Adult stories before it was ever a genre. So to find books by Colleen Hoover and Jamie McGuire was like finding buried treasure! And it gave me the confidence to publish my work.
Are there any authors who have influenced your writing style?
Definitely Jamie McGuire, Colleen Hoover and Katy Evans.
Tell us about your creative process, from initial idea to published manuscript.
My creative process is so haphazard. Something will spark an idea and I just run with it. I don't do drafts, but I do make notes about scenes and dialogue to use throughout the story. I write by the seat of my pants but usually always know my beginning and ending before I start. Once I start writing, I just let my characters take me on their journey. Then, I polish the story in editing. The most difficult part, by far, is writing the book's blurb. I suck at writing blurbs!
How do you feel about the increasing popularity of ebooks?
I think it's a good thing, ultimately. They are convenient and affordable. Hard cover books and even paperback can be very expensive. I think being able to buy ebooks affordably has increased the number of books that are being read. Additionally, it has helped make indie authors more visible. Ebooks have completely changed the game in my opinion.
What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
I just want to be writing and publishing new stories. Hopefully I will have published several books by that time in both the new adult genre as well as literary fiction.
Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
I love writing! Everything about it. I detest the editing process. Everything about it. Ha!
What do you have in mind for your next project?
My next project is the second book in the Double H Romance series, told from Rooter's POV. It will be released in Spring 2016.
Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
I don't do sweet (in large doses anyway). There is plenty of foul language, some violence, and while Rooter isn't an erotic romance, there is some explicit sexual content. So if you have delicate sensibilities and are offended by any of those things, it may not be the book for you. But if you enjoy angst, drama, highly emotional situations, passionate characters and romance, give it a try!
Book blurb for "Rooter":
Sophie is obsessed with Rooter, the “vicious criminal” next door. After
her jealous roommate, Mike, catches her chatting with him, he attacks
her in a fit of rage. Rooter comes to her rescue and Sophie quickly
falls for him. When she’s attacked yet again, Rooter swoops in and saves
her and finally admits his feelings for her. But his secrecy,
controlling tendencies, and crazy ex-friend-with-benefits threaten to
tear them apart. When she’s accused of committing a brutal crime against
Rooter, will he be there to save her when Mike’s infatuation turn into a
deadly obsession?
More Information
Buy "Rooter" on Amazon
Check out Teiran Smith's website
Today we are interviewing Piper Lawson about her new adult/contemporary romance novel, "Schooled" (Book 1 of the Travesty series).
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m
a new writer and long-time romance novel devourer! I particularly love
new adult and college-type romances, because they’re such coming-of-age
stories. Though my background is in economics, writing is my REAL
passion. This particular story, Schooled, has been burning in the back
of my mind for a couple of years and I finally needed to get it out!
Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Readers who like smart, sassy characters. A lot of romance novels - even contemporary ones - feature damsels in distress. I love strong heroines who aren’t afraid to say what they want.
Tell us a bit about the protagonists, Alexis Caine and Dylan Cameron.
Lex is stubborn - sometimes too stubborn - and thinks she has everything right. Dylan’s trickier because we don’t know all his secrets. We think he’s one thing, then find out it’s not that simple. They’re both surprised by what springs up between them, and at a loss for what to do about it. This book’s about how they deal with that.
Who was your favorite character to write?
Dylan. So many readers have said Dylan is their fave book boyfriend. He’s mine too :) I think the reason they like him is that he’s almost an anti-hero - he’s not the typical alpha male, or sports star, or guy from the wrong side of the tracks. Dylan has so many sides. It keeps you - and me! - guessing where his head’s at.
Are there any authors who have influenced your writing style?
So many. Ilsa Madden-Mills, Abbi Glines, Samantha Young, Jay Crownover. Colleen Hoover is masterful - she could wring emotion from a rock. My favourite is probably the writing duo of Christina Lauren. Their Beautiful Bastard series was a big part of why I decided to write.
What do you have in mind for your next project?
The second book of Travesty, Stripped (Ava’s story!) is due out in September. I’m partway through a third book that’s unrelated - but I’m excited to share it with the world this fall…
An excerpt from "Schooled":
The
light brush of his lips was fleeting. I’d intended only to assess, but
my eyes fluttered closed at the first touch. His mouth was just the
right mix of hard and soft. A tingling lasted for seconds after his lips
left mine, then faded into nothing at all.
I felt strangely exposed until Dylan’s mouth came back. This time it was firmer, lingering. His lips brushed. And they clung.
My
eyebrows rose in surprise as little sparks ignited in my brain,
pinpricks rising along my arms. Dylan’s mouth moved over mine, still
slowly, but more deliberately by the second.
The kiss was deceivingly
casual, like Dylan himself—smooth on the surface with an edge lurking
just underneath. It struck me suddenly that he was right: I didn’t know
him at all, and it might be more than a little bit dangerous to assume I
did.
His lips slanted over mine, coaxing, his mouth asking for
things that couldn’t be put into words. It felt like he wanted my
permission to explore, to savor. I wanted to let him do that and more,
and the realization shook me. I sucked in a breath, having to
consciously will my hands to stay at my sides.
After a moment, or five, he pulled back and I did too.
Well
damn. It was going to take me a moment to regroup—from his kiss and
from my reaction to it. I blinked, trying to focus my gaze on the denim
that stretched over his knee until my eyes uncrossed enough to meet his
gaze. Our knees were still touching.
Whoever had told him he didn’t
have any moves was sadly mistaken. Part of me wanted desperately to see
his eyes, but I didn’t trust myself to look up quite yet, though I could
feel his eyes on me. “Well.” Was that my voice? I cleared my throat.
“That was—”
My words were cut off as I felt fingertips on the back of my neck, searing my skin as he pulled my mouth back to his.
That’s when Dylan Cameron really kissed me.
More Information
Buy "Schooled" on Amazon
Visit Piper Lawson's website
Follow Piper Lawson on Twitter
Like Piper Lawson on Facebook
Today we are interviewing Ashleigh Zavarelli, author of the contemporary romance novella Under the Cypress Tree.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a Montana Native currently living in South Australia. I freelance as a Ghost Writer in my spare time, and spend most of my days reading and writing with a cat somewhere nearby. When I’m not doing that I like to travel and explore new places.
What do you like most about writing contemporary romance?
I like writing contemporary romance because I feel like it gives the reader that sense of being fully immersed into the story. A place or a situation that they can imagine themselves in, and a feeling of… hey that could happen to me.
Who do you think would most appreciate your novella?
Anyone who likes romantic stories with a happy ending. People who enjoy characters who are a little different from the norm.
Who was your favorite character to write?
In this story, I would have to go with Archer. He was just a guy who got himself into a tough situation and did the best he could to survive, ultimately hurting some people along the way. I sympathized with him, but at the same time fell for his charm and easy going demeanor.
How do you think you've evolved as a writer since when you first started?
I think one of the biggest obstacles for me was learning to let characters have their flaws and own them. I am sometimes afraid and think, oh this one is too deeply flawed and people aren’t going to like him or her. But now, I just roll with it and stay true to the characters and the story that they have to tell.
How do you feel about the increasing popularity of ebooks?
Well speaking from a Kindle addict’s perspective, I’m all for it. I love how easily accessible books have become, and even better the opportunity for Indie Authors to get their work out into the world.
What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
I am continually learning and growing as a writer, and I hope I will continue to do so in order to be the best that I can be. I’d like to publish all of the works in progress that I have going at the moment, and to bring readers characters that they will love and remember for years to come.
What do you have in mind for your next project?
I am currently working on Roxy and Bentley’s story for the second Novella in this same series. After that, I plan to finish a story that I’ve been working on that’s a darker, grittier read.
Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
Just that it’s free on Kindle Unlimited right now, and $.99 to purchase. I hope they will give it a read, and leave me some feedback when they do.
Book blurb for Under the Cypress Tree:
When Archer blew out of town
six years ago, he took Annabeth Richard’s heart with him. With a head
full of hope and promises, she waited for his return. But when he
didn’t, Annabeth was left to pick up the pieces without him.
Archer
Beaufait signed up for the Army fresh on the heels of Graduation. He
wanted to make something of himself, but he never expected to be going
to war. He’d made his fair share of mistakes, but after six long years,
he realized it was time to come home. The only problem was, the life
he’d left behind and the people he hurt weren’t real eager to see him
return. Especially not Annabeth Richards.
When the two meet
again, old wounds are brought to the surface along with some feelings
that never quite went away. But when secrets start coming out of the
woodworks, and they realize that time has changed them both, it’s one
obstacle they aren’t certain they can overcome.
More Information
Under the Cypress Tree on Amazon
Under the Cypress Tree on Goodreads
