Pivot and Slip
by Lilah
Suzanne
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Former
Olympic hopeful Jack Douglas traded competitive swimming for professional yoga
and never looked back. When handsome pro boxer Felix Montero mistakenly
registers for his Yoga for Seniors class, Jack takes an active interest both in
Felix’s struggles to manage stress and in his heart, and discovers along the
way that he may have healing of his own to do.
Faced
with the ghosts of his athletic aspirations, can Jack return to his old dream
or carve out a new path, and will their budding romance survive the test of
Felix’s next bout in the ring?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt:
Felix settled his hands on Jack’s shoulders, positioning him
directly in front of the punching bag. “Now, plant your feet, like that, yeah.
And bend your knees.” Felix’s hands slid from Jack’s shoulders and down his
arms as he moved in closer, speaking into Jack’s ear from behind. “Keep your
arms tucked in. You always want to remember to be defensive and not just go in
for the attack. Keep your guard up.”
Jack bent his arms in front of his face and tried bouncing
on his toes, though he imagined the effect was more Tigger than Tyson. Felix
chuckled, his warm breath puffing against Jack’s neck and spreading heat across
his skin.
“Focus on using your shoulders and legs for strength.” Felix’s
hands trailed back up, from shoulder to shoulder, then fleetingly touched
Jack’s thighs. “You have really strong shoulders. I always admired that about
swimmers.” He lips brushed Jack’s ear. “Always had a thing for blonds, too.”
Jack shivered with the touch but narrowed his eyes and tried
to focus on sending energy to his core, on breathing deeply, on trying not to
think about the heat of Felix’s body; the tremors left in the wake of his
hands; the heady scent of him, inviting and inebriating; his voice murmuring
low in Jack’s ear, breath hot against the shell. “Excellent focus. Now, Jack.”
He hit the bag one-two, one-two, one-two, the blows
reverberating through the gloves and his skin and humming in his bones.
“Good, right?”
Jack turned, his eyes finding Felix’s hopeful and searching.
“Yeah,” Jack replied. “That was… pretty intense.”
Felix circled around him and reached out to remove the
gloves from Jack’s tingling hands.
“That was power. Strength. The only time I ever felt safe
was when I was fighting, as strange as that sounds.” Felix tucked the gloves
under one arm, opening and closing one dangling strap with a harsh rip of
velcro.
“It makes sense,” Jack shrugged. “Like you said, you have to
keep your guard up.”
Felix offered a half-smile. “Maybe I could try letting it
down a little.”
Jack’s heart gave a little flutter in his chest. “Well in
that case, I solemnly swear that I will not knock you out.”
Felix tipped his head, eyes low, lips softly curved.
“I think it may be a little too late for that, Jack.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Let's Learn a Little about Lilah Suzanne:
What is your
writing environment?
I
write in a corner of my bedroom, currently at a low, long desk that’s gotten
pretty cluttered, but I have a small standing desk that I like to use too. I
need it it be quiet, but it doesn’t have to be total silence. My dog is usually
sleeping on the bed behind me along with a cat or two.
Who is your
perfect hero and why?
I
like heroes who are good and moral without needing to be special or chosen. Or
if they are, that being special isn’t the most important thing about them, the
fact they do the right thing because it’s right and they are kind without
getting anything out of it is what matters.
What authors
have caught your interest lately and why?
I’d
say John Green, because he really understands how to engage with his audience
and he’s savvy and respectful and humble while promoting himself. Some good
lessons there I think.
What type of
book have you always wanted to write?
I
have this historical novel set in the 1930‘s in New York that’s based on the
story of my great grandparents that has been tugging at me for years.
Historical novels are so overwhelming. But, hopefully, someday.
Top 3 things on
your bucket list?
See
the tulip fields in Holland
Visit
the Redwoods in California
Publish
a book- I get to check that one off now!
How did you get
the idea for this particular novel?
I
wanted to explore the concept of dreams and passions and what happens when you
lose your way. It’s a story that hits home for me, not athletic dreams like
these characters, but in writing. Something I gave up on once upon a time and
then had to cope with what failure means and how to stay true to myself.
What is your
favorite scene in your new release?
There’s
a scene where Felix goes back to box again, despite it being very dangerous to
do so, and Jack has to decide what loving and supporting someone really means
and that love is not a magical fix.
What are you
working on now and when can we expect it to be available?
I’ve
just started the editing process for my second book about a sex advice
columnist and his messy love life and journey to his happily ever after that
will be out sometime early next year.
What do you like
to do when you are not writing?
I
like taking it easy! I’m a homebody and pretty mellow. Just hanging out with
the people I love or doing something low-key, like a movie or a park (as long
it’s not too hot out!)
What would you
consider a perfect date?
Something
simple: Dinner and a movie or just hanging out. When my husband and I were
dating we went a lot of concerts. I don’t have the energy for that anymore, but
there is something special about live music.
What is one
interesting fact about you that readers don’t know?
I
come from a very creative family—lots of musicians and artists and writers and
entertainers. I’m a musical person and sang in choirs all through school, but
I’ve never been able to master an instrument. I can play the ukulele, but only
a little!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Lilah Suzanne
has been writing actively since the sixth grade, when a literary magazine
published her essay about an uncle who lost his life to AIDS. A freelance
writer, she has also authored a children’s book and has a devoted following in
the fan fiction community.
Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/lilahsuzanne
Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/lilahsuzanne
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giveaway:
Lilah will be awarding a $25 Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
A free download of an Interlude Press eBook title or an author/book swag pack (US ONLY) will be
awarded to one randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter at each stop during the tour.
The more you comment, the better your chances of winning! Follow the tour HERE
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the interview and for having me here!
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome!
DeleteFun interview--good luck with the release!
ReplyDeleteTrix, vitajex(at)Aol(Dot)com
I really enjoyed the interview. Nice to learn about the author. Thanks for sharing. The book sounds amazing.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview and I really enjoyed the excerpt. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the interview and the tour, hope I am lucky with giveaway as I would love to win your book
ReplyDelete