Thursday, June 25, 2015

Excerpt, Author Interview & Giveaway - Nashville Crazy by Bethany Michaels


Nashville Crazy

by Bethany Michaels
 

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BLURB: 

When Harper Perry’s latest Hollywood debacle blows up the internet, the fallen starlet returns home to Nashville…and the man she left behind. She needs someone to make her Tennessee home livable--someone who will be discreet while she lays low and lets all the negative press blow over. Former lover Dan Ryan is just the handy man for the job.  With her personal life being primetime tabloid fodder, her career on the skids, and her concert tour facing cancellation, Harper has a lot to figure out. The last thing she needs is the irresistibly sexy handyman working his way back into her life…and her bed.

Dan Ryan has never forgotten the girl who left town the second he confessed his feelings for her ran deeper than the sizzling hot hours they spent burning up the sheets. And with half a dozen women on speed dial, he’s tried! But once he sees Harper again, he knows why no other woman has ever touched his heart--he gave it away to Harper years earlier. Now that she’s back in town, however briefly, Dan is determined not to let Harper get away a second time...even if he has to give up everything he’s worked for to keep her.
 

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EXCERPT:
 

“One more thing.” 

He moved into her space, crowding her against the counter. His body pressed into hers, making her suck in a deep breath. He looked down at her, stroked the line of her jaw. Her body responded with a delicious shiver.  

“What?” she managed to get out, fighting the urge to grab a handful of his tight t-shirt and pull him even closer. 

He bent his head slowly, not taking his eyes off hers, giving her a chance to protest, to move out of the way, to tell him to stop.

But she didn’t do any of those things. 

Instead, she let her eyelids drift closed and leaned into him. He kissed her softly at first, just nibbling at her lips, teasing her, making her want more. Then he dipped inside and she tasted the sweet pastry. She let out a sigh and prepared to settle into the kiss, but just as quickly as the kiss had begun, it was over. 

Dan pulled back. “This is something else we need to discuss,” he said, stepping away.  

“What?” 

“How much you want me. And what we’re going to do about it.” He grinned at her. “See you at lunch.”

He sauntered out the back door, whistling, and a moment later, Harper heard his truck pull out of the driveway.
 

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Let's talk with Bethany Michaels!
 

What is your writing environment?

I have four kids, a husband and a full-time job in addition to writing, so I have learned to write wherever and whenever I can! My “official” writing space in my house is the former living room. The previous owners converted the basement/garage into a family room some time in the 80’s, and that’s where the television, video games and toys are located. The old living room is just off the kitchen and has beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows, a fireplace and built-in book cases. I’ve sort of made it my own with lots of candles, pictures of family and flowers, but it’s still a very busy part of the house. I think I need to invest in a door…and a big lock. Maybe some sound-proofing for summer break J

 

Who is your perfect hero/heroine and why?

I like a strong heroine—one who is determined to get what she wants and isn’t afraid of a challenge. In a hero, I like a little bit of alpha, but not so much that he comes off as a controlling jerk. I kind of like the every-man type of guy. Sweet and honest, yet one that has dead sexy abs you could bounce a quarter off. Ok, maybe that part is more of a fantasy ;)


What authors have caught your interest lately and why?

I read all kinds of books by new-to-me authors and more established ones. One author I’ve read recently and just loved was Kylie Scott. Her Stage Dive series is so sexy, yet romantic, too. Everybody loves a rock star hero, right? Every woman dreams of being that ONE girl who catches the bad boy’s eye and makes him want to be a better man. Highly recommend!


What type of book have you always wanted to write?

I’ve written some Regency-set romance, but I’ve always been interested in writing a full-blown historical fiction. The thing that holds me back is the fear of getting something wrong. I wouldn’t want to write about a particular time period unless I could confidently write about it with accurate detail. That takes a lot of time. I admire authors like Diana Gabaldon who nail it!


Top 3 things on your bucket list?

Skydiving, definitely. Seeing the pyramids in Egypt would be up there, too. Oh! And Stonehenge. I’ve always wanted to see that. I have an interest in all things Celtic.

 

How did you get the idea for this particular novel?

Nashville Crazy is the fifth book in my Naughty in Nashville series. Each book is a stand-alone title, though some characters show up in several books. For this one, I wanted to write a heroine who had made some mistakes but was ready to get her life back on track. I was thinking of a Brittany Spears or Lindsay Lohan type—someone who has talent, but kind of got caught up in all the other stuff and lost her way. When my book opens, my heroine is recovering from a hangover, and slowly remembers that she has *accidently* burned down her cheating boyfriend’s house. She needs to get out of town quickly and lay low for awhile, so heads back to Nashville and the guy she left behind.


What is your favorite scene in your new release?

I think it’s the scene where the heroine realizes that the hero means what he says about always being there for her, even when they are ticked off at each other. She never had that growing up. Hot tent sex follows J

 

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

I’m currently working on book 6 in the Nashville series, Nashville Surprise. This full-length novel picks up where my companion novellas Nashville Fling and Nashville Flirt leave off. (The novellas are freebies at most vendors!) I’m planning an August release. After that I’m planning to do a three-book series, still in the Nashville world, but more closely related to one another. It’ll be about members of the same up and coming Nashville band. I have no release dates on those yet, but you can join my mailing list on my website to get news on new releases.
 

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

I am a total nature girl and love to be outside. If deck-sitting (and wine drinking) was an Olympic sport, I’d totally be the gold medalist! I like to hike and camp, too, and am a volunteer with my kids’ scout troop. I also love movies. I work at night, so don’t watch much tv, but I do watch a lot of movies. I like historical-set movies and quirky/dark comedies or rom-coms the best. Favorite movies ever? Shakespeare in Love, Wonderboys and Sweet Home Alabama. I would love to travel more, but it’s tough when my husband and I both work full time…not to mention travelling with four teens/tweens can be trying… 


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

I am the mom of twins—actually I have four kids, all born between 2000 and 2003. I started writing after the twins were born (#3 and #4) to keep my sanity. It sort of almost worked  J


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AUTHOR Bio and Links: 

Bethany Michaels is the author of over a dozen steamy contemporary novels as well as a few Regency-set historicals and light paranormals. The first book in her “Naughty in Nashville” steamy country music series, Nashville Heat, was a finalist in RT Magazine's Reviewers' Choice awards for Best Small Press Erotic Romance. 

She also creates cover art for indie authors through Dragonfly Press Design (www.dragonflypressdesign.com). 

When not writing, Bethany enjoys movies, travelling, the outdoors, volunteering with her kids' scout troops and visiting the cool places around Nashville where her books are set. A native Hoosier, she now lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and children.
 

Links:







 

 
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GIVEAWAY: 

Bethany Michaels will be awarding a Naughty in Nashville prize pack(paperback copies of all five Nashville books plus lots of local Nashville goodies, US and International) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.  Follow the tour HERE
 

10 comments:

  1. Thank you for today's post. I look forward to to reading Nashville crazy

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  2. Such a great post. Thank you!

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  3. Thanks so much for hosting! I'd like to let readers know that I'm running a blog week special on an ebook bundle containing all five of the Nashville novels plus a novella for $2.99--available at all the usual retailers. Ends tomorrow!

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  4. If you were an animal in a zoo, what would you be?

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  5. Fun interview and excerpt!

    Trix, vitajex(at)aol(Dot)com

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  6. i enjoyed reading the blurb/excerpt

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  7. I really like the blurb and the book cover. The book sounds wonderful. Thanks for having the giveaway.

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