The Finish Line by Leslie Scott
Happy holidays to all! Give a big welcome to Leslie Scott, author of The Finish Line available for pre-order, release date 12/11/17. Have a seat and grab an insulated mug. I’ve got hot chocolate, hot cider and coffee. Choose your pot, they’re labeled. Pick your choice of a Snicker-doodle, Chocolate Chip or Peanut butter cookie from the plate. Yep, I baked them myself. Lets see what The Finish Line is all about. Thanks for joining us Leslie and I see you brought guests!
Yes, this is Jordan Slater and Raelynn Casey from The Finish Line.
Wonderful. (rubs her hand together gleefully) Always glad to have fresh blood… ahh… guests.
Jordan, Tell us about the real you— What you see is what you get. I love my family (my friends), I love cars and racing, I say what I mean and I mean what I say.
What event in your past has left the most indelible impression on you? When my grandfather took me in when I was a kid, showed me that family is what you make it, not who you’re born to. Real family is worth protecting, no matter the cost.
What do you most value? A win.
What is the type of woman you want to spend the rest of your life with? The sort of woman who knows the difference between a turbo and a pro-charger, doesn’t mind waking up in the middle of the night for a street race, and blues eyes and a dimple doesn’t hurt.
What do you consider most important in life? Family. The people you surround yourself with are the most important thing you can have.
What is your biggest secret? If I told you, it wouldn’t be a secret, would it?
You wouldn’t believe how many times I get that answer. But I still consider it cheating! LOL
Hi, Raelynn Casey, great to have you on Authors’ Secrets.
Tell us about yourself. Who are you really? I think I’m afraid to know who I really am. That if I look in those dark corners, around all the mistakes and pain, I won’t like what I see.
Who were the biggest role models in your life? My parents. They are honest, hard-working, good people. Even if Jordan thinks they are carbon copies of the Cleavers, they are special to me.
What kind of man do you want to spend the rest of your life with? There isn’t a “type” of man I want to spend the rest of my life with. There has and will always be, one man I want to spend the rest of my life with. It’s Jordan Slater or nothing for me. Now, I just have to convince him that our love is worth fighting for.
What kind of man would you never choose? I actually chose, once, the man that fit this description and it didn’t bode well for me. Just because a guy is all shine and polish, says all the right things, doesn’t mean he’s better than the street racer with grease under his nails.
What is most important to you in life? My family, my friends, and the love that binds us all.
What is your biggest fear? Growing old without Jordan, watching him have a family with someone else.
Leslie, Tell us a little about writing this story. Was it fun or difficult? Do your characters always act as you expect? Are you a plotter, or fly (write) by the seat of your pants?
Writing in general, is always fun for me, literally my favorite thing to do. There were parts of this novel that were incredibly difficult to write, because I’d become so invested in Raelynn and Jordan, in their community of family. When you have to write things that cause that family to crack, even break in some instances, it’s like a punch in the chest.
But, finishing? Taking Raelynn and Jordan to their happily ever after? That was a total rush. The feeling of accomplishment was exhilarating. They became a part of me and will always be, that’s one of the reasons I decided to make The Finish Line the first novel in a series. I love this town, the people in it, and the stories they have to tell. I hope your readers do as well.
Give us an insight into The Finish Line.
Another night at the races is more than burnt rubber with a hit of nitrous. For one young woman, it’s navigating trauma, love, and loss in the stifling Texas heat under the watchful gaze of her brother’s best friend and reigning King of the Streets, Jordan Slater. Home in Arkadia again, Raelynn Casey starts to heal from a terrible incident at college. She finds love in Jordan, a member of her brother’s circle of racing buddies. When another in the racing circle, the guy who took her to her high school prom, exposes his feelings for Raelynn, tragedy erupts like a tank of race fuel. Guilt, remorse, and pain must be overcome before Raelynn and Jordan can race to The Finish Line.
A Peek Between the Pages of The Finish Line!
The night was an off night for everyone, Jordan’s time slips proved it. Not that he’d ever been a huge fan of testing at the track. We were all on edge, all worried about Devin and my sister. Nobody’s head was in the game.
“It’s a street car, meant to be raced on the street,” Jordan grumbled as he sat in the car with a laptop propped on his knees.
“There’s some rubber on it man, the street can’t get
any better,” Vic argued.
It wasn’t the surface or the car that was the problem. It was the driver. The look Aiden shot me over the roof of the car was in agreement. Jordan hadn’t been right since we’d got word that Devin was testing almost a hundred miles away to avoid us. Devin had never tested without Jordan before and it weighed heavily on him.
“Hey.” I leaned in the open door. “You all right?”
He glanced at me before pulling off the hat and rubbing his head. “No, not really.”
I closed the distance between us and pressed my lips against his. My kiss was soft and meant to be fleeting, but he pulled me close and held me there. Jordan took his time with it, as if he were committing every part of my mouth to memory.
“Cut it out!” Aiden called from the other side of the car. “You can’t kiss my sister in front of me. It’s weird.”
Jordan’s response was to kiss me again, this time slower, more lingering, and with a considerable bit more tongue than before.
Aiden groaned and tossed a wrench, loudly, into a
tool box.
“I’m with him, it’s going to take some getting used to,” Vic commiserated.
Jordan eyed me in an almost predatory fashion as I moved out of the car so I didn’t offend my brother’s sensibilities. “You’re gonna have to get used to it. I like kissing your sister, Aiden.”
Available for pre-order now, release date December 11, 2017.
The Finish Line, Paperback http://bit.ly/2isnD4u
The Finish Line, Nook http://bit.ly/2A88mjH
The Finish Line, Kindle http://amzn.to/2A875ZX
More about the Author:
Leslie Scott thrives in the middle of chaos. Not because she home schools her son and rides herd over the family’s zoo of indoor pets or listens to her soul mate wax poetically about all things car and related. Oh, no. That’s nothing. The real chaos is the characters in her mind, elbowing and tripping each other to get to the front of the line so they can be the next romantic couple in one of her stories. Her family is her passion. Writing romance is her dream.
Readers can find Leslie on my
website: lesliescottromance.com,
Twitter @leslieSwrites,
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lesliescottwrites.
She’s really active on twitter/facebook and would love to hear from readers!
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with The Finish Line!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Contemporary, family, Leslie Scott, Racing, Romance, The Finish Line by Tena Stetler with 10 comments.
Justine Avery, Author of The One Apart
Happy holidays to all! Give a big welcome to Justine Avery, author of The One Apart, available for pre-order now. Release date December 4, 2017.
Have a seat and grab an insulated mug. I’ve got hot chocolate, hot cider and coffee. Choose your pot, they’re labeled. Pick your choice of a Snicker-doodle, Chocolate Chip or Peanut butter cookie from the plate. Yep, I baked them myself. Lets see what The One Apart is all about. But first Justine going to give us ten top reasons to read The One Part. Thanks for joining us!
Hmmm… the cover seems ghostly, eerie, full of mystery, and the description promises a compelling plot and a big, intriguing puzzle to be uncovered, but how do you know if The One Apart is really for you?
10) The One Apart is filled with paranormal spookiness, a dark presence leering over your shoulder, and apparitions only one special child can see. And you’ll never guess who or what they are. In fact, you may begin to wonder if they really do exist—all around us…
9) The One Apart will make you laugh, gasp, cry, and glance over your own shoulder to remind yourself you’re safe and sound in your own room.
8) The One Apart introduces you to compelling characters you’ll fall in love with, feel every struggle with, or love to hate. You will not want to say “goodbye” to any of them when the story ends.
7) The One Apart grabs you like a compelling saga and treats you to an epic adventure. It’s a mystery wrapped in a mystery, gripping your attention like a suspense thriller.
6) The One Apart will keep you guessing until the very end. There are twists around every turn, unpredictable events that will leave you gasping and expecting nothing but the unexpected.
5) The One Apart is a roller coaster of emotions—ups and downs that will have you clenching your pillow tight and then throwing it into the air in elated celebration.
4) The One Apart rewards you with a surprise romance tucked into its pages, waiting for the main character when he needs—and deserves it—most. And you’ll wish it was all your own.
3) The One Apart is not like any other book you’ve ever read. It’s a fast-paced ride that will whirl you away, spin you around, send you soaring, and leave you wondering what’s actually real and what may not really be. It’s a story that will stick with you long after you’ve reached the end.
2) The One Apart introduces you to a world like none you’ve ever read before, one seamlessly integrated with the world you know and live in, a world you’ll wish is actually true and out there, waiting for you.
1) The One Apart delivers an ending that will leave you in awe, speechless, and completely satisfied. It will reward you so richly, that you will want to start at the beginning and live the story all over again.
Okay, we have reasons to read The One Apart, now tell us a little about the story itself.
against Sancha’s arm.
through to something rooted within Sancha.
blinking resembling Morse code.
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Justine Avery, Paranormal, reincarnation, The one Apart by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
Fun Facts-KK Weil Author of Some Whisper Some Shout
Happy holidays to all! Give a big welcome to K.K Weil, author of Some Whisper, Some Shout. Have a seat and grab an insulated mug. I’ve got hot chocolate, hot 
cider and 
coffee. Choose your pot, they’re labeled. Pick your choice of a Snicker-doodle, Gingerbreadperson, Chocolate Chip or Peanut butter cookie from the plate. Yep, I baked them myself. Lets find out some fun facts about K.K., and see what Some Whisper, Some Shout is all about. Thanks for joining us!
Thanks so much for having me again, Tena. It’s always fun to be on Author’s Secrets. I’ve chosen to do your speed round today, but before we start here are a couple of silly things about me… I always eat my pizza crust first, my happy place is the beach but I don’t really like the texture of sand and if I drink caffeinated coffee instead of decaf, I won’t be able to stop talking for about an hour straight.
Speed Round (one word only answer): Yep, I know torture for a writer!<evil laugh>
Favorite movie: The Princess Bride
Favorite book: Atlas Shrugged
Last book read: The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas – It’s YA and amazing
Favorite color: Depends on my mood – usually something dark and earthy
Stilettos or flipflops: Stilettos
Coffee or tea: Coffee
Ebook or audiobook or paperback: Ebook
Pencil or pen: Pencil
Favorite song: Knights in White Satin
Streak or not: Not
Favorite dessert: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Favorite junk food: Sour cream and onion potato chips
Favorite thing to do to relax: Go to the beach
Champagne or gin: Champagne
Paranormal or Historical: Historical
Wonder Woman or Top Model: Wonder Woman
Favorite TV show: This Is Us
Hot or cold: Hot
POV: Alternating
I’d die if I don’t have: the ability to travel
Review or Not: Review
A little about Some Whisper, Some Shout:
Devices.
Jolie’s got tons of them. Coping mechanisms that ensure she’s not falling victim to the mental illness that’s taken hold of both her brother and father. Helping the homeless gives Jolie much needed consistency. But when a stranger struts into her Jersey Shore creperie, writing cryptic songs on napkins and then disappearing, her world becomes anything but routine.
Reed can play the soul out of his saxophone, but he’s also hiding something. Jolie’s sure of it. Why else would he reveal so little about himself, or plan one secluded, albeit eccentric, date after another? And what’s in that backpack he carries everywhere? Then again, with her distressed brother missing, an estranged mother returning home and a feisty grandmother acting weirder than usual, Jolie can’t decipher whether her suspicions are valid or dangerous delusions.
When inexplicable slashings of the homeless occur in her otherwise safe town, Jolie’s devices begin to fail.
A Peek Between the Pages of Some Whisper, Some Shout
Reed’s bag sat on the floor next to me. I wasn’t in the habit of snooping. I’d never wanted to pry into the life of a guy I was dating before. Then again, I’d always gone in with my eyes open and my information gathered.
And no one else had been so intentionally evasive.
I scooted a few inches on the couch toward the bag. It was zipped shut so I couldn’t even sneak a peek. I’d have to very intentionally open it. I leaned over, a centimeter at a time, as if someone was recording me and I was trying to be sly. In my own home. How silly. My hand fell to my side, closer to the bag. My nail scratched at the couch, creeping its way toward the zipper. My stomach knotted into itself and my palms got clammy. I wiped one against the couch. This was very unlike me. Besides, I wasn’t even sure what I was looking for or if I wanted to know the answer.
Before my hand could make its descent from the couch to the backpack, the bathroom door opened. My hand flew into my hair and I sat up straight. Rigid even.
“Forgot my stuff.” Reed strutted toward me, in all his shirtless glory, with his shorts undone and hanging. He leaned over, scooped the backpack, and withdrew to the bathroom. He didn’t notice the plank of wood rammed down my back or the word guilty scribbled across my forehead.
I should have been disappointed. My snooping opportunity had passed. Instead, a cool ocean breeze seemed to blow through the room. I guess I didn’t want to know as much as I thought.
You can find Some Whisper Some Shout at Amazon, The Wild Rose Press, and Barnes and Noble .
About the Author:
K.K. Weil grew up in Queens, but eventually moved to New York City, the inspiration for many of her stories. Weil, who attended SUNY Albany as an undergrad and NYU as a graduate student, is also a teacher. She enjoys writing her own dramas and lives near the beach in New Jersey, where she is at work on her next novel.
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Some Whisper, Some Shout.
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Crepes, Homeless, KK Weil, New Jersey Short, Some Whisper Some Shout by Tena Stetler with 13 comments.
Interview with C.E. Clayton About The Monster Of Selkirk
Have a seat and grab an insulated mug. I’ve got hot chocolate, hot cider and coffee. Choose your pot, they’re labeled. Pick your choice of a Snicker-doodle, Chocolate Chip or Peanut butter cookie from the plate. Yep, I baked them myself. Lets find out a little about C.E. Clayton and The Monster of Selkirk. Thanks for joining us!
C.E., did you tell friends and family that you were writing a book? Or did it take a while to come out and tell friends and family you were a writer?
It actually took me awhile to tell people that I had written a book, I didn’t even tell them I was writing it until it was pretty much done. I felt embarrassed, believe it or not, that I was an adult writing young adult fantasy. I thought those in my professional life would laugh at me, and judge me harshly for it. I realize now that was just all in my head, because when I did tell my friends and family, their reactions varied from “It’s about time!” to “Oh my God! That’s so cool! How did you write A WHOLE BOOK?! I could barely write my college term papers!” Now, I don’t hesitate when I tell people I write books.
Do you see yourself in your characters?
I absolutely do! I put so much of myself into these characters, things I wish I was like, or handled differently… I put most of that into my main character, Tallis. Emotionally, she’s like me, but her strength, how she appears, that’s how I wish I was. Tallis’s best friend, Rosslyn, shares a lot of my snarkiness though, making her a treasure to write!
What do you want your readers to take away from your books?
Even though my stories are fantasy, I make sure each of my characters have their own emotional demons to handle. They suffer from anxiety, depression, feelings of inadequacy, trouble fitting in, and have their blind spots for certain people who only end up hurting them with their toxic relationships. We all know people who fit into these categories, even if you don’t yourself. I want people to know that it’s okay to not feel good enough, but that it shouldn’t stop you from being yourself, and doing the things you love. Tallis is a strong woman, but she needs help, like we all do, and I want readers to see that and find a kindred spirit. Even though my stories are fantasy, they are populated with very real feelings and grounded characters that I hope inspire readers.
Okay lets have a little fun. You’ve got a time machine, a cloak of invisibility, and one hour. Where would you go, and what eavesdropping would you do?
I would go as far into the future as I could, and not to use a Sports Almanac to make myself rich, either. But I want to see how it all ends, if the things we did mattered. So I’d listen in on whoever was in charge when all that’s going down. It’s kind of like a Doctor Who episode, but honestly, I’ve always been the kind of person who likes looking at the last page of a book to see if it’s worth it, so of course I’d do something similar if given an opportunity!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged E.E. CLayton, The Duality of Nature, THe Monster of Selkirk, YA Fantasy by Tena Stetler with 2 comments.
