Chick Lit Goddess

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Kristina Knight

BOOK FEATURE: “Lost on Anna Maria Island”

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“Lost on Anna Maria Island” by Kristina Knight

Blurb: Florida Warriors star defensive end, Colby Sullivan, is the best in the business, but since his parents dropped the news that he not only had a biological sister but a biological twin sister, he’s been on his heels. He feels like he’s in the middle of a cover defense with no one backing him on the strong side. Colby knows, as the eldest, it is his job to keep the family going, but he can’t figure out what all this means to him with the daily interruptions from either his well-meaning parents or his rallying brothers. A flirtation with the girl next door is the perfect distraction, but all too soon she’s way past his defenses and heading for a touchdown that his heart just isn’t ready for.

Between her baby sister’s wedding and her job rehabbing Colby’s image, Madalyn Hunter is holding on by a thread. Mad understands football, cover defenses, and option offenses, but dealing with sneaky paparazzi, her sister’s obsession with the perfect wedding, and Colby’s not-friend-like kisses has her ready to throw a Hail Mary. The more time she spends with Colby, the harder it is to resist the gorgeous man who has always been her best friend. It’s fourth and goal with love on the line, but can Madalyn teach this star defender that the best way to protect his heart is to give it to her?

EXCERPT

“I’m not here just because Henry thinks I need to be associated with football’s Queen of Nice. I’m here because there is something going on between the two of us that I can’t ignore any more.” He paused, and uncertainty floated into his eyes. Mad swallowed. “Mad, I don’t want to ignore it.” His voice took on a husky edge that made the hairs on the back of Mad’s neck stand up.

The butterflies stilled in her belly, and for a moment, everything else faded, too. It was just the two of them, and she knew the right thing to do would be to break whatever this spell was that was building between the two of them. For the first time in her life, she didn’t want to do the right thing. She didn’t want to be the nice girl, the good girl. For once, she wanted to do what she wanted to do. And she wanted to do it with Colby.

Dance in formal wear at this ridiculously theatrical party.

Walk on the beach in the moonlight.

Watch a romantic movie and share a bowl of popcorn and not make a concerted effort to keep her hand from brushing against his.

Wake up in his arms. Madalyn swallowed.

“Dance with me,” he said, holding out his hand. The band struck up a waltz. Of course, Livy’s first dance would be a waltz. From the corner of her eye, she watched Carlton sweep her sister onto the dance floor, the two of them flowing together as if they were part of the song. She could do that. Just let herself get swept away for a little bit.

Oh, this was going down the wrong path, and it was going fast. She should get things back under control. Back where Colby was her friend, and she understood that things between them would only ever be friend-related.

“Forget Henry and the paparazzi and my getting drunk the other night,” he said.

She needed to remind Colby they were friends, just friends. Remind him of the image rehab plans. Remind herself that this was only going to end in either broken-hearted suffering or the loss of a friendship.

“I want to dance with you, Mad.”

Madalyn ignored all the shoulds and reminders circling her mind, and put her hand in Colby’s. “Okay.” She wanted to dance with him, too. Maybe take things farther than a dance. Maybe, for the first time since they were kids, see if the undercurrents between them could be more than undercurrents.

Colby swept her onto the dance floor, which flowed around and over the pool area. Groomsmen and bridesmaids had joined Livy and Carlton, along with other party guests, on the dance floor. Madalyn caught a few flashes as different people took pictures, but she didn’t worry about what they were shooting or why. It was all she could do to keep her feet on the ground and to keep her heart from beating out of her chest.

Colby’s hand was warm at the small of her back. His thumb brushed bare skin at her waist, and Madalyn couldn’t hold back a shiver at his touch. His other hand was firm on hers, and he waltzed as effortlessly as he chased down running backs on the football field. She caught scents of ocean and something else that was inherently Colby. Something she usually worked hard at not allowing herself to notice.

Madalyn let herself be swept away. By the music, by Colby. She wasn’t completely sure. More than that, she didn’t care. Just for tonight, when things were already surreal from Livy’s elaborate staging, maybe it would be okay to lose herself in him.

Enjoy the feel of her skin against his, the way his hand seemed to burn, in the best possible way, where it touched her lower back.

*****

**Grab your copy of “Lost on Anna Maria Island” now!: Amazon   Barnes & Noble   iBooks   KOBO

**The Anna Maria Series: Home   Lost   Found

*****

**About the author: Once upon a time, Kristina Knight spent her days running from car crash to fire to meetings with local police – no, she wasn’t a troublemaker, she was a journalist. Her career took her all over the United States, writing about everything from a serial killer’s capture to the National Finals Rodeo. Along the way she found her very own Knight in Shining Cowboy Boots and an abiding love for romance novels. And just like the characters from her favorite books, she’s living her own happily ever after.

Kristina writes sassy contemporary romance novels; her books have appeared on Kindle Best Seller Lists. She loves hearing from readers, so drop her a line!

**Contact Kristina: Website   Facebook   Twitter   Pinterest   Goodreads   Google+   Amazon Author Page

AUTHOR FEATURE: Kristina Knight, author of “What the Bachelor Gets”

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Kristi

About the author: Once upon a time, Kristina Knight spent her days running from car crash to fire to meetings with local police–no, she wasn’t a troublemaker, she was a journalist. Her career took her all over the United States, writing about everything from a serial killer’s capture to the National Finals Rodeo. Along the way, she found her very own Knight in Shining Cowboy Boots and an abiding love for romance novels. And just like the characters from her favorite books, she’s living her own happily ever after.

Kristina writes sassy contemporary romance novels; her books have appeared on Kindle Best Seller Lists. She loves hearing from readers, so drop her a line!

**Contact Kristina: Website   Facebook   Twitter   Pinterest   Goodreads   Google+   Amazon Author Page

INTERVIEW

Tell us about “WHAT THE BACHELOR GETS”: What the Bachelor Gets is a friends-to-lovers story set in Las Vegas. Gage and Callie grew up together on neighboring ranches outside the city; Callie went off to college and Gage stayed in Vegas. Now, she’s made a few missteps in her career and her personal life and Gage holds the key to her comeback….if she can just stay out of his bed.  WTBG is the first in my new Billionaire Cowboys trilogy – Gage has two cowboy brothers who are fighting for a happily ever after, too!

What made you want to write this book? I’ve always loved Las Vegas, and I knew I wanted to set a book there, but I also knew that not just any story would work. Gage, Connor and Jase were the right characters!

What is the easiest and hardest part about the writing/editing/publishing process? The easiest is the idea phase, for sure. Ideas come at me all the time – and I love that! Turning those ideas into full-blown books that will entertain readers is the hard part.

If your latest book were turned into a movie, who would you want to play the parts? I actually had people in mind (you can see them on my Pinterest board) for these two! There is a male model named Noah Mills that I had in mind as I wrote Gage. He’s scruffy and a little moody in his photos and that seemed to match Gage. And Kellie Pickler, the country music star, was a kind of model for Callie because she’s bubbly and excited and always ready for a challenge. At least, that’s how she seems to me.

If you were to meet any other author, who would it be? Gosh…I’d love to sit down and actually talk with Nora Roberts. I’ve said hello in passing at writer’s conferences, but I’d love to have an actual chat!

Between being an author, wife, and mother, how do you separate your time? It’s so hard! I really regiment my days – the bulk of my writing takes place when my daughter is at school and my husband is at work. Evenings are family time and so are weekends, but if I’m really behind on a deadline, I’ll write after they’re both in bed for the night.

What is the most rewarding part about being an author? Meeting readers!! That never gets old!

Describe what a day of your life is like: We wake up about 7, breakfast/shower/dress and get the kid off to school. RadioMan and I will either take a powerwalk or ride our bikes for an hour or so and then get ourselves cleaned up. If we’ve got time for lunch, we’ll go to our favorite Mexican place, or if he’s got an early day, he’ll head to work around 11. Then it’s writing time until the kiddo gets home from school. Homework, making dinner and family time until about 8 … then I decompress with some TV or reading. Bed around 11 and back at it by 7 the next morning.

What is your favorite quote? It’s from Nora Roberts: If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place.

Do you have any writing rituals? Not really. I know, boring answer! As long as I’ve got my candle burning and something cold to drink, I’m good to go. Unless I hit a wall and then chocolate is mandatory.

Every author must have a: story!

What are you working on right now? I’m finishing up the second Billionaire Cowboy book, What the Heiress Wants, which comes out in May…and getting ready to start on a super-secret project that I’m sooo excited about!

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“What the Bachelor Gets” by Kristina Knight

Blurb: The Billionaire Cowboys trilogy by best-selling author Kristina Knight kicks off with a seductive story of long-simmering feelings and hot Vegas nights.

When Vegas Nightly names local property developer Gage Reeves as its sexiest bachelor, he’s barraged with a stream of showgirls, local socialites, and entertainers who all expect something from him. But all Gage wants is to make a success of his new luxury shopping development.

Enter Callie Holliday. Callie dreams of having the hottest day spa in Vegas, but she’s saddled with a bad location and an account balance full of zeroes. When she walks into a last-chance meeting with an angel investor and finds herself face to face with Gage, the childhood friend on whom she had a huge crush, she’s not sure his reputation is the right match for her business. But then he offers her a storefront in his new high-end retail complex, and she has to admit it’s a thoroughly tempting proposition. But feelings she thought were long buried threaten to turn their deal from strictly professional to decidedly personal.

It’s risky business gambling on love . . .

 

EXCERPT

Callie unlocked the front door but didn’t move to go inside. Instead, she stood beside him as if waiting. Their bodies didn’t touch, but he could feel a slight hum that seemed to connect him to her.

“Good night, Gage.”

“Good night, Cal.”

This time she moved, toward him. Gage stepped forward, too, and leaned in to press his lips to hers. She was soft, her full lips steady beneath his, and she tasted like the Corona and lime she’d been drinking. Gage slipped his hands to her neck to play his thumbs against the sensitive skin beneath her jaw, and Callie stepped forward again, this time bringing her body in full contact with his. His dick jumped in his jeans.

Her hands pressed against his chest and then pushed up around his neck. Callie slanted her head and opened her mouth to him. Gage pushed her against the doorframe, insinuating his leg between hers as he took the kiss deeper.

She drew him in, deep into the depths of her, and Gage didn’t care if they kissed like this for the rest of the night. He wanted to be near her. Wanted to feel her against him. Wanted to go on tasting her until he was positive he’d never forget any of it.

Finally, he broke the kiss, panting, his lips millimeters from hers.

Callie swallowed, and he watched the muscles in her throat slide down and then up slowly. She blew out a breath.

“Good night, Gage?” It was a question, and he didn’t want to answer it.

“Good night, Cal,” he said. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

Before he could talk himself into her condo, Gage returned to the truck. He sat in the cab for a long moment, watching until Callie went inside and closed the door. Then he looked at his jeans and said, “Cold shower, buddy, ice-cold shower.”

**Book links: Amazon   B&N   iBooks   KOBO   Crimson Romance   Goodreads

BOOK FEATURE: “First Love Again” by Kristina Knight

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“First Love Again” by Kristina Knight

Blurb:

Some loves deserve a second chance…

Coming back to Gulliver Island after a ten-year absence to take care of his father should have been simple. Emmett Deal would fix and sell the family home, and return to Cincinnati with his ailing father in tow. Yet something compels him to stay a little longer. The beautiful, bright eyes of Jaime Brown.

Ten years ago, traumatic events changed the course of Jaime’s life forever, catching her in a small-town life she can’t escape. Emmett’s return stirs up the memories she wanted to ignore…and dreams she had forgotten. Now she finds herself with a rare opportunity—a second chance. Only this time, it’s not just for love…

EXCERPT

“You could install an alarm system,” a new voice joined the conversation. The hairs on Jaime’s neck stood up again. The man in the corner. This time it wasn’t annoyance at being talked down to that caused the reaction. It was the voice itself. A voice she never thought she’d hear, at least not while she was on Gulliver.

The broad shoulders.

The not too long but not too short black hair.

Sure, his face was turned away, but she should have known or at least suspected. Ten years.

She turned slowly and felt the blood drain from her cheeks. The man from the corner booth wasn’t so much stranger as long-lost resident.

Emmett Deal stood there, listening to her argument with the trustees. Sunlight glinted off the pristine windshield of an unfamiliar work truck. Stenciled on the side were the words Deal Construction. Here was Emmett and here was his truck. She blinked and he was still standing at a table near the front door. She wasn’t imagining him.

His eyes were bluer than she remembered. More of a cerulean than the baby blues that invaded her dreams when she was overly tired. He was taller, too. Not by much, maybe an inch. His shoulders more broad and his hips— Jaime gave herself a mental shake and brought her gaze back to Emmett’s beautiful face. Chiseled jaw…hint of stubble.

Before he’d left Emmett had hated that he couldn’t grow a proper mustache. It didn’t look as though that was a problem any longer. Black, black hair flirted with the collar of his tight tee.

He seemed to look straight past her, though. Jaime swallowed and tried to ignore her rapidly beating heart.

KristinaKnightGuestPic2**About the author: Once upon a time, Kristina Knight spent her days running from car crash to fire to meetings with local police–no, she wasn’t a troublemaker, she was a journalist. Her career took her all over the United States, writing about everything from a serial killer’s capture to the National Finals Rodeo. Along the way she found her very own Knight in Shining Cowboy Boots and an abiding love for romance novels. Kristina writes contemporary romance with a smattering of sass, sex and (of course) drama, and she loves hearing from readers. And just like the characters from her favorite books, she’s living her own happily ever after.

**Contact Kristina: Website   Facebook   Twitter   Pinterest   Goodreads   Google+

BOOK FEATURE: Anthem Trilogy: Light My Fire, Start Me Up, and Call Me

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Anthem Trilogy: Light My Fire, Start Me Up, and Call Me by Kristina Knight

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Light My Fire: Lily MacIntyre’s life is offtrack, and she knows exactly how to right it: shed her America’s sweetheart image in a big way. Getting down and dirty in a limo with rocker Nate Lansford seems like the perfect solution. Plus, she’s had a mad crush on him practically since birth. The only problem? Nate is her brother’s best friend…and he doesn’t see her as anything other than a surrogate little sister.

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Start Me Up:Matchmaker Nina Wright might work in LA but she keeps Hollywood types off her client list. She doesn’t need their drama and she doesn’t like the way so many of them exchange lovers like last year’s accessories. But she needs one happy, high-profile client to get her business off the tabloid pages and back on solid ground.

Hollywood hottie Chase MacIntyre wants the gossip surrounding his lastest fling to stop and he knows exactly how to do it: show up on his next red carpet with a new woman and once he meets Nina Wright he knows she is the woman to stop the presses.

The problem? Once they’re under cover, this business-only agreement is definitely too hot to handle…

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Call Me: Katrina Phillips is itchy. The job that has always challenged her seems stifling, her friends are all pairing off and she’s been without male companionship for seven long months.

Josh Hanna is paying off a debt: fly to LA, play backup for the house band during the season finale of Star Power and then back to his boring – and sober – life in San Francisco.

But five years hasn’t been long enough to douse the flames between them, and its hard to remember why things went so badly in the first place…

* * * * *

EXCERPT

“Call Me”

“What do you think I’m doing here?” she countered, crossing her legs and spreading her arms over the back of the seat. “You practically invited me.”

The car began moving. Well, at least he hadn’t kicked her out of the limo.

“I said hello.”

“You told me not to leave on your account.”

“And then you did.”

“I thought you might want a little more privacy.” She slid across the side bench to Josh’s seat, bent her leg to sit sideways and rested her head against her elbow. “This is pretty private, I’d say.”

He watched her for a long moment. “You’re here for sex.”

Kat nodded. “I don’t usually go for casual, but since we have a history, this isn’t your typical one-night stand.”

“This isn’t what I expected when I came down here tonight.”

“This isn’t what I expected when I showed up for work tonight.” She reached out to trace her finger along his jaw. That contact zinged along her nerve endings straight to the butterflies flapping around in her belly, electrifying their beat.

“I’m headed straight to the airport.” He leaned toward her.

“LA traffic’s a bitch no matter what time of day it is.”

“You’re not the girl I remember.” This time he reached for her, his hand drawing a path of fire down her arm. “The girl I remember—”

She cut him off before he could get started on the girl she used to be. The girl who was of so little importance he felt no qualms about walking away from without a single word. Well, she’d grown up since then. Had other relationships. Sure, none of them as serious or deep as what she thought she’d had with him.

But then, she’d never really had him, had she?

* * * * *

KristinaKnightGuestPic2About author, Kristina Knight: Once upon a time, Kristina Knight spent her days running from car crash to fire to meetings with local police–no, she wasn’t a troublemaker, she was a journalist. Her career took her all over the United States, writing about everything from a serial killer’s capture to the National Finals Rodeo. Along the way she found her very own Knight in Shining Cowboy Boots and an abiding love for romance novels. And just like the characters from her favorite books, she’s living her own happily ever after.

Kristina writes sassy contemporary romance novels; her books have appeared on Kindle Best Seller Lists. She loves hearing from readers, so drop her a line!

**Contact Kristina: Website   Facebook   Twitter   Pinterest   Goodreads   Google+

Book Feature: “Shades of Desire: 10 Sweet and Spicy Romances”

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ShadesOfDesire

“Shades of Desire: 10 Sweet and Spicy Romances”

Blurbs:

Liar, Liar: Divorced certified fraud examiner Jessica Barlow catches liars for a living. Sparks fly when she’s assigned to investigate a dating website owned by a man determined to guarantee she finds love, even if he has to pretend to be a client!

About the author: J.A Coffey writes both sizzling and heartwarming contemporary romance and lush, gritty historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page.

A complete cupcake addict, when she isn’t writing or reading, she can be found in trying to convert her front lawn to an edible landscape, test baking desserts, or “feathering her nest” with spruced up flea market finds. A 2014 Indie Book Awards Finalist and former RWA Golden Heart finalist in the “Best Manuscript with Romantic Elements” category, J.A. is currently working on her latest novel and trying not to get cupcake batter on her keyboard.

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Dangerous Flames: Sometimes good men are taught to do evil things and it takes the strength of a sheltered woman to make things right. When Gabi learns of her father, she is asked to leave for her own safety. Fine. She’ll go… but she is taking her secret love with her, even if it’s at gun-point.

About the author: Wendy Ely is a USA Today bestselling author who writes some romantic suspense, really hot stories, and the wonderful happily-ever-after. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her own real-life hero, three teenagers, and two crazy cats. When she isn’t busy writing new stories, she enjoys time outdoors by taking trips to the hot desert or swimming at the lake.

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A Decade For Darius: Jess never forgot her first kiss, especially since it came from the guy who taught her everything she knows about antiques, her livelihood. But if she wins the priceless inheritance, Jess will risk losing Darius Covington all over again.

About the author: From Dorothy Callahan: Writing has been a passion of mine since I was a young girl, and I am thrilled to be able to see my stories brought to life. I am an animal lover, and animals (both real and imaginary) always have some sort of role in my stories. We have enough animals of our own to run a farm… if only I could convince my husband to let me buy some chickens…..

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Still How For You: Shay LaCosta screwed up a damn good marriage. Now she’s on a mission to get a little submission, and get her hunky husband back in her bed.

About the author: Born and raised in the Bronx, N.Y., Diane Escalera makes her home in coastal North Carolina. The sultry surroundings are a steady source of inspiration for her hot love stories. Diane is married, has two children and a super cute dachshund she can’t get enough of. She writes contemporary romance and is published with Kensington Publishing and Lyrical Press.

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His Bedpost Queen: Athena Lewis has a sharp mind and an even sharper attitude. Except when it comes to “Davie,” the only man who’s ever truly made her feel safe. Yet to protect the only family she has left, she must embark on a mission that goes against everything she believes in, and that includes using the last trick she has left. Her body.

About the author: Lena Hart is the author of sensual romances with alpha heroes and smart, sexy heroines. She published her first book in 2012 and have been publishing happily ever afters since. A Florida-native, Lena currently lives in New York City with her spoiled calico cat, Duchess. When Lena’s not writing, she’s reading, researching, or conferring with her muse.

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Resisting Destiny: Thrown together for ninety days by a spiteful judge, womanizing attorney, Cayson Sullivan and street-smart hustler, Destiny Jackson find the only thing they can agree on is their red-hot attraction for each other.

About the author: Chanta Jefferson Rand is an Emma Award winning Debut Author of the Year, a multi-published, best-selling author of sizzling-hot romance, and the former host of The Chanta Rand Show. An avid reader of all genres, she stepped onto the scene in 2010 with her first published historical romance, Pharaoh’s Desire. Chanta is a history junkie, a Walking Dead fan, and a recovering shoe addict. She never met a stiletto she didn’t like!

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Trusting Love: Pregnant and running from her abusive boyfriend, Chloe Wilder takes refuge in the sleepy coastal town of Arden. Police chief, Jayden Peterson, thinks the worst crime that could happen in Arden is jaywalking. Could the real danger be the two of them falling for each other?

About the author: Emma Leigh Reed has lived in New Hampshire all her life. She has fond memories of the Maine coastline and incorporates the ocean into all her books. She lives in a small town with her three children, although now it is mostly her and her Springer Spaniel to keep her company as empty-nesting has started. Her life has been touched and changed by her son’s autism – she views life through a very different lens than before he was born. Growing up as an avid reader, it was only natural for Emma Leigh to turn to creating the stories for others to enjoy.

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Wounded: Battle-worn soldier, Jerry returns home intending to avoid his ex-fiancée. The shrapnel that wounded him pales in comparison to the gash she left in his heart. Kimber lost everything when she broke off her engagement, and she’ll fight to win him back.

About the author: Cindy Stark lives with her family and an adorable Border Collie in a small town shadowed by the Rocky Mountains. She loves to pen emotional romantic suspense, sexy contemporary romance, and sizzling paranormal stories.

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Spanish Nights: Armand has lost everything. His magic and his freedom are taken when an evil curse is placed on the Jinn, but a newcomer to town may be his savior. When evil emerges from the shadows, Makayla learns she must choose between her mortality and Armand’s freedom.

About the author: Award winning and bestselling author Valerie Twombly grew up watching Dark Shadows over her mother’s shoulder, and from there her love of the fanged creatures blossomed. Today, Valerie has decided to take her darker, sensual side and put it to paper. When she is not busy creating a world full of steamy, hot men and strong, seductive women, she juggles her time between a full-time job, hubby and her two German shepherd dogs, in Northern IL. Valerie is a member of Romance Writers of America and Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Romance Writers.

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Mr. Right Now: Dumped by her celebrity boyfriend, unlucky-in-love author Casey Cash needs a break. But, between the male escort trying to get into her bed and the tabloid reporter intent on getting her story, Casey might have been smarter to stay in New York…

About the author: Once upon a time, Kristina Knight spent her days running from car crash to fire to meetings with local police–no, she wasn’t a troublemaker, she was a journalist. Her career took her all over the United States, writing about everything from a serial killer’s capture to the National Finals Rodeo. Along the way she found her very own Knight in Shining Cowboy Boots and an abiding love for romance novels. Kristina writes contemporary romance with a smattering of sass, sex and (of course) drama, and she loves hearing from readers. And just like the characters from her favorite books, she’s living her own happily ever after.

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Purchase “Shades of Desire: 10 Sweet and Spicy Romances” now!

Amazon   iBooks   Kobo   ARe   Barnes & Noble   Google

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**Contact: Facebook   Twitter

Kristina Knight

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About author, Kristina Knight: Once upon a time, Kristina Knight spent her days running from car crash to fire to meetings with local police–no, she wasn’t a troublemaker, she was a journalist. Her career took her all over the United States, writing about everything from a serial killer’s capture to the National Finals Rodeo. Along the way she found her very own Knight in Shining Cowboy Boots and an abiding love for romance novels. Kristina writes contemporary romance with a smattering of sass, sex and (of course) drama, and she loves hearing from readers. And just like the characters from her favorite books, she’s living her own happily ever after.

INTERVIEW

Welcome back! How have you been? Waves to Isabella! I’ve been great! It’s so good to be back at CLG – thanks for having me!

Tell us about your book, “The Saint’s Devilish Deal”: Saint is a reunion romance, set in sunny Puerto Vallarta. Saint and Esme got everything wrong the first time around, mostly because they didn’t trust one another. Now, they’ve been tasked with saving Esme’s aunts vacation villa…but they still don’t trust one another. So, sparks! And some making up. 🙂

What’s on your desk? Too much stuff! But, a few of the highlights – a green alien flashlight, a half-eaten bag of dry-roasted almonds, a neon orange croc keychain and a bag of cough drops – cherry flavored!

Where did you get your ideas for your book? My ideas come from all over the place, but for Saint, it all started when I was watching a surfing competition on TV. Those guys are amazing and I wondered what would happen if a surfer got caught up with a Type A, business woman…and it all snowballed from there.

If you could meet one author who would it be? Nora Roberts. She …I’m just in awe of her.

What was the most fun part about writing “The Saint’s Devilish Deal”? The research! I wrote this book in the dead of winter with snow up to the eaves. So escaping into tropical Mexico every day was awesome!

Describe your typical day: Get the kiddo off to school around 8, deal with email/social media/phone calls until noon and then write write write until the bus comes home. Then it’s off to gymnastics or swimming and a harried dinner and bedtime stories and maybe a little quality time with RadioMan (husband) and then some more writing…and hitting the pillow around midnight only to get up at 6 to do it all again.

What is the best advice for someone who wants to write a book? Put your heart into your work. Because if you don’t love your characters, readers won’t, either.

Hard/paperbacks or eBooks? All of the above, depending on the moment!

What is your favorite inspirational quote? You can’t edit a blank page. Nora Roberts said that – and it is so true!

Do you have any writing goals for 2014? I do! I have a trilogy coming out in the spring and summer, so I’ll be doing the usual promo stuff. And I’ve just started a new book, I have 4 slated to write this year so I’m going to be super-busy.

Can you tell us anything about your upcoming projects? I have a sequel to Saint in the works, telling his brother’s story. Tobias is the opposite of Santiago – total alpha male, all about business…and he’s wrapped up in a woman who is his perfect match. Of course, he thinks he needs to fix her… 🙂 And then I just started a new project centering on a trio of cowboy brothers – who are just to yummy! Can’t wait to dive into their stories.

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“The Saint’s Devilish Deal” by Kristina Knight

Blurb: Esmerelda Quinn has been looking for a place to belong since her parents were killed in a car crash when she was young. The closest thing to home has always been Aunt Constance’s villa in Puerto Vallarta, so after a string of dead-end hotellier jobs, she’s coming home to run the villa.

Santiago Cruz has called the villa home for as long as he can remember. In between surfing events, Constance has always had a room for him. Color him surprised when Constance decides to retire – and leaves a joint interest in the villa to both Santiago and Esme.

Esme isn’t thrilled to share ownership of the villa with the youngest Cruz brother – especially when she learns Santiago’s brother has been after the villa for years. But Santiago has grown up while she’s been away at school and soon she finds herself falling for the rich boy down the hall.

**Contact Kristina: Email – Kristina@kristinaknightauthor.com   Website   Blog   Facebook   Twitter

Kristina Knight

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KristinaKnightGuestPic2

About author, Kristina Knight:  Once upon a time, Kristina Knight spent her days running from car crash to fire to meetings with local police—no, she wasn’t a troublemaker, she was a journalist. When the opportunity to focus a bit of energy on the stories in her head, she jumped at it. And she’s never looked back. Now she writes magazine articles by day and romance novels with spice by night. She lives on Lake Erie with her husband and four-year-old daughter. Happily ever after.

 INTERVIEW

Hi, Isabella! Thanks so much for having me here today!

It’s my pleasure having you back.  Now, for the interview:

You knew you were a writer when…:  I wrote my first book, over summer vacation when I was 12. It was a girl power version of The Three Musketeers, with a little romance thrown in for good measure!

Salty or sweet?  Ummm…yes?

What is the writing/editing/publishing process like for you?  Probably a little weird, but it works for me: as I’m developing a story idea I will create an outline of events…as soon as I start writing, that outline is blown out of the water, but its important for me at the beginning stages. I write first drafts fast, and many times they include things like [INSERT SEX SCENE HERE] or [THIS MOTIVATION IS CREEPY, FIX IT], those places are what second drafts are for! I’m still new to the publishing world, but usually a couple of rounds of edits, cover art suggestions and we’re ready to send a new book out into the reading space.

What message do you want to send to you readers?  That they can do/be/achieve anything they want. There are so many people, even people important to us, who poo-poo our ideas or goals. But if something is important to you, know that you can get to that goal. It takes a lot of hard work and determination sometimes, but you can get there.

How do you come up with the titles of your books?  Titles are a bear for me. Usually I send out a panicked email to my critique partners that says something like, “I can’t call this book HawtVetCowboy any more…what should I call it?” And we brainstorm and come up with ideas that my publisher changes anyway…

Where’s your favorite writing location?  I love Starbucks in the morning. Give me my iPad, a smoothie and lots of noise and I’m a happy writer.

Are any parts of your books based on anything true?  Kind of? A lot of times real-life happenings will inspire a scene or a conversation, but I’m careful not to ‘out’ the real-world inspirations…

What is your favorite word?  Kerfuffle. I love that word, it kind of dances off my tongue.

If you books were turned into movies, who would you want to play the parts?  This is a tough one! I always have ‘faces’ in mind as I’m writing, but I like the readers to be able to draw their own conclusions as to what the characters actually look like. But Scarlett Johannsen has been heroine inspiration for me a couple of times and so has David Gandy. I’ll let you all decide who and what books…

How was the social media helped your career?  Social media is great. It’s helped me connect with readers, build better relationships with other authors…and basically kept me sane. I’m a full-time writer with a little one at home, so I need an adult outlet now and then. And social media is usually that outlet.

Every writer must have…:  Sharpies! Sharpies! Sharpies! They’re good for everything: editing, outlining, storyboarding. Plus they come in fun colors.

Can you tell us about any upcoming projects?  I’ve just released my 3rd (and final, sob) Texas Girl book, What a Texas Girl Dreams…and my next book, Mr. Right Now will be out in the fall. It’s a fun, contemporary, vacation romance with a mistaken identity twist and I’m really excited about it!

Additional comments by Kristina:  Thank you so much for having me here today, Isabella! I’ll be hanging out all day, so if anyone has a question, shoot!

WhatATexasGirlDreams**Contact Kristina:

Website   Facebook   Twitter   Pinterest

The Next Big Thing: Authors Tagging Authors!

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Happy Friday, everyone!  Whew!  It’s been a long time since I’ve really blogged and I’ve missed it, and my followers!  Thank you for being patient with me the last few weeks, but it’s been quite a busy time in my work and personal life.  The good thing is that my office is almost finished, so I’ll be a lot more focused hopefully by the end of this month, (YAY!).

And now for something exciting…

Last Friday I was tagged by Jackie Bouchard of Pooch Smooches as part of a blog going around, called “The Next Big Thing.”  It was a pleasure being tagged along with other wonderful authors.  Below are the questions that are given to each other, along with my answers.  While some of them were difficult to answer because I’m (very) shy and don’t like to talk about myself or my books, I had wonderful advice given to me by the ladies of a Facebook group that I started, Chick Lit Goddesses.  We’d love to have you!

What is the working title of your book?  Right now I’m working on edits for my books, “Redefined Dreams” and “The Right Design.”

Where did the idea come from for the book?  I began writing “Redefined Dreams” while taking a creative writing class at Gotham Writers’ Workshop.  One assignment was to start a story with “The window…”  I had no direction at first for it, but I was a newlywed and still had wedding stuff on my mind, so the beginning story was easy, but then the characters started to “speak” to me and soon my characters came to life, as well as a story!

“The Right Design,” it was the beginning of October when I decided that I would participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month).  When I sat down to write this book on that first day of November, I knew I wanted my Heroine to be very different from the MC in my first book, but had no clue whatsoever what this book would be about, but that changed very quickly.  I wrote this book as if I were the main character, so I guess you could say that I wrote the book about a life I have/had/wish I had and in some ways, want.  For those of you that know me, I bet you’d be surprised, though only three people have read this book, (one of my closest male friends, my mom and my editor)!

What genre does your book fall under?  Both of my books are a mix of Chick Lit/Romance

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?  I love this question!  My dream is to write a book and have it turned into a movie, even if it’s on Lifetime, (only without Leann Rimes and Eddie Cibrian — if you don’t know the story, HERE is a summary).  For “Redefined Dreams,” I’d have to say that Ashley Williams or Gennifer Goodwin would play Lucy, Eric Dane would play Jackson, and Nathan would played by Channing Tatum.  For “The Right Design,” I would have Katherine Heigl play Carrie, Sandra Bullock to play Sara, Harry Connic Jr. would play Roger, and either Matt Bomer or Colin Egglesfield would play Brad.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?  What a great question!  “Redefined Dreams” — Have you ever been engaged to a man who turns out to be gay, but you get over it by falling in love with your ex-wedding coordinator’s son, only to end up pregnant with his baby?  “The Right Design” — What’s a better way to get over your cheating ex-boyfrind than to move to new city, only to be tempted by your client and not able to act on it because of the rules you’ve set for yourself, until he makes the first move?

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?  I’m still deciding.  There are both positives and negatives about each choice, but there is one I’m leaning towards and that’s to self-publish!

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?  “Redefined Dreams” took me a full year, March of 2010 to March of 2011.  “The Right Design” took me 30 days in November of 2011!  (Participating in NaNoWriMo was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made).

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?  I’d love for my books to be compared to Emily Giffin’s “Something Blue” and “Something Borrowed.”  Those books are why I wanted to be an author in the first place.  She’s an inspiration!  I think that Emily is the most talented and beloved author in the Chick Lit genre.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?  Like I mentioned before, Emily Giffin is an inspiration, but my husband inspired me write books one and two.  He’s a constant motivator and pushes me to achieve what I think I can’t do, but knows I can.  (Thank you, hubby!)

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?  My books aren’t just to entertain, but I want my readers to feel like they can relate to my main Heroine and/or the struggle she’s in.  While I write for pleasure, I love to write for others who can finish my book and say, “Wow, that was great,” and the character and/or story sticks with them.

I was only supposed to tag 5, but I have so many awesome author friends that I wanted to include, so I tagged 6.  Next Friday, the 26th, they will have answered the questions and tagged  more authors, and so on.  Be sure to check stay tuned and see who they tag!

Wendy Ely

Elke Feuer

Kristina Knight

Francine LaSala

Sharon Moore

Samantha Robey