Interview, Review and Giveaway - Kiss Me Goodnight by Michele Zurlo

 

KISS ME GOODNIGHT

by Michele Zurlo 

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BLURB: 

I’m Lacey Hallem, and I have a few secrets. These aren’t them: I wash my hands a lot and lie when I’m stressed. Also, I have horrible taste in men. That’s how I knew Dylan was trouble the first time I saw him…

Life can be challenging for Lacey, especially when things don’t come in sets of six, but she’s smart and funny and able to keep her demons at bay—most of the time. She might have sensed trouble when she set eyes on Dylan, a delectable musician in a vintage T-shirt, but that doesn’t stop her from thinking about him, or spending more and more time in his company. 

Enter Thomas. Wealthy, handsome, and completely adoring of Lacey (flaws and all), he’s everything a man should be. So why can’t she convince her heart to fall in love?

 

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Excerpt: 

After the show, I introduced my best friends Jane and Luma to Dylan’s band. Thank goodness neither of them looked at the men like they were a buffet. 

Gavin looked at Dylan and clapped Levi on the back. “We should clear out.” 

“No, you shouldn’t.” Heads swung and everybody looked at me. It was a little disorienting. I won’t be going on a stage anytime soon. I swallowed. “I mean, this was your first performance. There have to be a hundred women and more than a few men hanging out in there who enjoyed your show and wouldn’t mind meeting you. Mingling will help build your fan base.” 

I needed to shut up before somebody asked me if I was a publicist. Knowing me, I would probably answer in the affirmative. I have a major in finance with a minor in business administration. Nothing there speaks to this situation. 

“Sorry. Just throwing out ideas.” 

Jane and Luma chuckled nervously. Jane moved closer, probably ready to drag me away if I kept going. 

Levi nodded thoughtfully. “Good ideas, though. They make sense. Ladies and gentlemen, we’re heading back inside.” 

Daisy linked her arms through Jane and Luma’s, and the three of them went first. Levi and Gavin followed. 

Dylan held the door for me, which led to a hallway behind the stage. He grabbed my hand, holding me back when I would have followed everyone else through the door into the main room. 

I cocked my head and gazed up at him. 

“You liked the show?” 

“Very much. I’d even see it again.” I still think they need some backing vocals. “I especially liked the last song. That’s where you took the name for your band?” 

He nodded. “I wrote the song a few years ago.” His eyes clouded over the tiniest bit, a combination of nostalgia and melancholy. 

I was about to ask him if he was okay when he tilted his head down. The right moment had finally come. He was going to kiss me. My lips tingled with anticipation. My senses came alive, attuned to every molecule of this moment. 

He pulled me against him, holding me so I could feel the hard length of his thighs (yes, thighs, you perv) against mine. But that wasn’t enough. Taking one step forward, he moved my back against the wall. Throwing caution to the wind, I gave in to my urge to run my hands over his chest. I broke my gaze from his, putting off a moment I knew would blow away every kiss I’ve ever had. 

You don’t think I’ve set my hopes too high, do you?
 

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My Review:

 

I found myself captivated by this interesting and unique love story.  Lacey has quirks. One of her biggest quirks is lying, she does this when stressed but she never does it to hurt anyone.  She is a real sweetheart and I was fascinated with her tale.  She is instantly attracted to Dylan, a singer in an alternative band.  Dylan is sexy and nice.  Then Thomas enters the scene and she finds that she like the attention Thomas gives her and suddenly does not know what to do.  I am having a hard time writing this review as I do not want to give any surprises away.  I will say that I LOVED this story and I am positive readers of romances will as well.  If you are like me and know the wonderful Michele Zurlo based on her "kinkier" stories, you will be blown away by the beautifully written and endearing tale. ~Booklover Sue

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Let's Learn a Little About Michele Zurlo: 

What is your writing environment?

Michele: I write wherever I can. I do it on the sofa, at the table, in the bedroom…and at the pool. One of my kids is a diver and the other is a swimmer. I spend a lot of time poolside. I typically wear headphones at the pool so my friends will know when I’m working. They’re very supportive.

Who is your perfect hero and why?

Michele: My perfect hero is intelligent and driven, strong enough to appreciate and celebrate a heroine who may be even smarter and more successful. Confidence is a must. Dylan is cocky and self-absorbed—comfortable with himself and with his attractiveness—yet he’s thoughtful and sensitive. I like complex heroes who are flawed because that’s what makes them real.

What authors have caught your interest lately and why?

Michele: I’ve been reading The Shriver Report. I know—it’s nonfiction—but it’s very interesting and eye-opening. It makes me want to do more with my life. I’m a news and information junkie. I think it’s important to be informed about state, national, and global matters. It’s interesting to see how it has shaped the national debate topics and policy decisions.

What type of book have you always wanted to write?

Michele: I’ve always wanted to write romance, and so that’s what I do. I grew up dreaming of becoming a writer, and when I said that a few years ago to someone who had written a book (and visited my classroom,) and she said, “Well then do it. It’s never too late to follow your dreams.” Kiss Me Goodnight is actually a departure for me. I usually write BDSM romances. With KMG, I loved exploring a different direction and a new genre.

Top 3 things on your bucket list?

Michele: I do not have a bucket list. I set goals, and I work to achieve them. I’m a homebody—I’m not adventurous, and I feel no need to travel or skydive (and I hate heights.) I love my life. That said, I’m terribly impulsive. When I decide I want to do something, I do it.

How did you get the idea for this particular novel?

Michele: Lacey came to me first. I wanted to challenge myself by writing a character who was difficult to like. Lacey lies and washes her hands a lot, and she has an unfortunate history of falling for married men. I found the challenge of making her likeable—relatable, lovable—to be invigorating. She’s an incredible person, and I loved getting to know her through her search for happiness and balance.

What is your favorite scene in your new release?

Michele: I love the scenes where Lacey is flinging lies all over the place. She has a way of committing to it in a big way. You find yourself rooting for her to come out on top, even when you know she’s majorly messing up her life. However, my favorite is the scene where Dylan finds out Lacey is dating someone else—he’s a lot slow in getting things going with her—and he comes over to stake his claim. It’s a very intense scene.

What are you working on now and when can we expect it to be available?

Michele: I am working on the revisions to Kiss Me by Moonlight, which is the second part of Lacey and Dylan’s story. It shows the next leg of their journey—they really have to work for that happy ending!

What do you like to do when you are not writing?

Michele: I teach middle school language arts, and I spend time with my partner and our tween twins.

What would you consider a perfect date?

Michele: It would involve grilled cheese and a warm night—maybe a bonfire on the beach. As long as I get to sleep in my own bed, then it will have ended well.

What is one interesting fact about you that readers don’t know?

Michele: I am an ardent Whovian. You’ll find the TARDIS mentioned in Kiss Me by Moonlight because I just couldn’t help myself. Last Halloween, I dressed up as River Song, which only my fellow geeks understood without an explanation. I didn’t even have to do anything with my hair because Alex Kingston (the actress who plays River) and I have the same wonderful curls. I’m anxiously awaiting the premiere of the new Doctor—wondering how Peter Capaldi will change the role and further evolve the Doctor.

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links: 

I’m Michele Zurlo, author of over 20 romance novels. During the day, I teach English, and in the evenings, romantic tales flow from my fingertips. 

I’m not half as interesting as my characters. My childhood dreams tended to stretch no further than the next book in my to-be-read pile, and I aspired to be a librarian so I could read all day. I’m pretty impulsive when it comes to big decisions, especially when it’s something I’ve never done before. Writing is just one in a long line of impulsive decisions that turned out to showcase my great instincts.

 

Find out more at:  www.michelezurloauthor.com  or  @MZurloAuthor.

 

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Michele-Zurlo/e/B003EG3IOC/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1393005919&sr=8-1

 

BN Author Page:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/michele-zurlo

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Giveaway:

Michele will be awarding an autographed paperback of Kiss Me Goodnight and $20 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn Rafflecopter winner (US only).

 The more you comment the better your chances of winning!!  Follow the tour HERE

a Rafflecopter giveaway