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By Kira Blakely

Trouble is all about fun. That’s what I really wanted in this book – to have some fun and create an emotional connection along the way.

The idea for this story sprang from the first scene of this book.

The bad boy hero, Cain, who is basically trouble incarnate, walks into a charity event one hundred percent naked. His old high school crush – more of a frenemy – is in there and witnesses the whole thing. Naturally, hilarity and conflict ensues. Mr. Trouble is in huge trouble for crashing the event he was supposed to help sponsor.

The scene had me in stitches while I was writing it, so I wanted to carry that humor through the book, but spice in some love and angst, as well. I figured that a man who’s pure chaos comes with his own set of baggage and I was exactly right.

Trouble is about Cain’s journey from trouble to tame – though, still with that same bite – and Margot, his crush’s, evolution from totally tame to a little troublesome. He bursts into her life and claims that he owns half her tattoo shop. She wants nothing to do with him. Throw in a reality TV show being filmed and the country’s eyes on the pair of them, and the recipe for disaster is complete.

My favorite scene to write was just about every one of them from Cain’s perspective. He’s such a funny asshole and totally unpredictable, from base jumping, to sex, to racing cars, to forgetting everyone’s names. He’s all over the place but centered at the same time and… okay, so I think I have a crush on him too. Whoops.

With all that said and done, Trouble isn’t just about a funny guy and a gal stuck in her comfort zone – it’s about unrequited love. It’s about going after the person you truly want without fear. It’s about risking it all.

That kind of fear and passion is what I want in a relationship.

Kira Blakely is the author of the new book Trouble. 

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What can you tell us about your new release, Once Friends?

Once Friends is part of the LOVE in the USA. Whereas the first twelve books focused on the lives of the Lord family and their friends and loved ones, Once Friends is the start of the Hester family stories. The Hesters are two sets of sisters, who are cousins and their grandmother, who is a woman who has always been before her time when it comes to life. The LOVE in the USA series focuses on characters who aren't necessarily looking for love or expecting it. Love comes to them when it’s ready, and it’s exciting, inconvenient and alien. But they’re dedicated to figuring out a way to make their relationships work and last forever.

You're hosting a literary dinner part. Which three writers are invited?

Of course J.K. Rowlings because, I mean, all hail Harry Potter. Such imaginative artwork and the characters don’t get lost in the rich world she created. I mean, isn’t that amazing? She CREATED it. My next invitation would go to Carole Radizwell. I read her book “What Remains” at least five years ago and that story never leaves me. I have a list of questions a mile long to ask her about that book. And finally, when I read romance, I need large doses of reality and Candice Bushnell gives it to me. I would so invite her. And I’m sure we’ll all just have one glass of red wine along with the tastiest food ever, and we’ll talk about stories from sun down to sun up.

Who is your favorite couple from literature?

Well, in the literary sense I have two favorites—Mr. Darcy and Lizzy Bennet as well Jay Gatsby and Nick Carraway. Regarding the latter, I feel there are no better love stories than the elements that bring two people together as great friends. As far as the first couple, I love the romance between the two characters but I perceive a divorce in the future when Lizzy gets bored and has nothing to do with herself. She wants all of Darcy’s attention but he has lots of business to attend to.That’s why in my stories, I make sure my characters have passions in life outside of their relationship to keep them happy and occupied.

If you had an extra hour each day, how would you spend it?

Writing of course! I always end the day wishing I had five more hours, along with the extra brain power, to do more of it!

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I’ve always been a creative person. I always loved stories that moved me whether in books, on TV, the big screen and especially in real-life. But I guess living and figuring out what I love one aspiration at a time led me to where I am. In the end all roads led here.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

Stopping at 30k words for my first read-through and then seeing how it all magically came together. It always amazes how the plot points are always there, because the first half of the book is such a struggle to write.

What scene in Once Friends was your favorite to write?

Well, I have two. But hands down my favorite scene is toward the end of the book when Sonja sits with her grandmother to discuss all she'd discovered about her Gran’s past.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Absolutely! Everyday I wake up and practice being brave, faithful, hopeful and kind.

Z.L. Arkadie is the author of the new book Once Friends. 

Connect with Z.L. Arkadie:
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What can you tell us about your new release, Hidden Seams?

Hidden Seams was actually born from an idea my husband came up with - what if a man spent most of his life pretending to be gay, but was actually straight? I kicked that idea around my office for several months, started and abandoned several drafts, but finally found the perfect characters to pull off the plot and dove into the story. The result is a decadent world of private butlers, billion-dollar fortunes, and sizzling chemistry between two main characters that are utterly unique and absolutely attracted to each other. I LOVE this novel, and I had so much fun writing it.

What’s the last book you read?

American Queen by Sierra Simone, and I loved it.

Who is your favorite couple from literature?

Beauty and the Beast. Look past the cartoon and you have a desperate dark romance built on and true friendship.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

The ability to spend weeks or months in my character's lives. The act of creation really allows you to mentally live in their worlds, feel their emotions, and that joy/love/heartbreak is a fantastic rollercoaster to be on. I used to love to read, but that only gave me a few hours in each story. Writing really stretches that into a longer and more fulfilling experience.

You’re hosting a literary dinner party. Which three writers are invited?

JA Konrath, Gillian Flynn, and Stephen King

How do you like to spend a rainy day?

In a big comfy chair, with my three dogs and my laptop. I'd knock out five hours of writing, then head to an afternoon movie and some Chinese takeout.

What scene in Hidden Seams was your favorite to write?

The scene where the two main characters first meet. Marco's Rolls Royce literally hits the main character - Avery McKenna - as she is snooping around the back of his mansion. It is really fun interaction, and the chemistry between them sparks immediately.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

It is what it is. I say that all of the time. Sometimes book sales are amazing, often times they aren't. Sometimes we are healthy, but last year we weren't. Sometimes huge deals fall apart and situations change. You've got to keep moving, keep positive, and keep appreciating EVERYTHING. The little joys in life are what keep me happy and grateful and I am 100% focus on positivity, ignoring the negative, and envisioning greatness.

Alessandra Torre is the author of the new book Hidden Seams. 

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By Penelope Bloom

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Penelope

Penelope Bloom is the author of the new book Baby for the Beast. 

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