Kaylene Winter's Blog, page 7
September 14, 2023
KEEPING MY HEAD ABOVE WATER
To say that the past two weeks have been a complete life upheaval is such an understatement.
I try, whenever possible, to share with you things that are going on with me. I’ll just say it: my beloved pup, Boudi the Husky, was diagnosed with cancer. Just typing this is excruciating because it makes it real.
I don’t want it to be real.
He’ll be six in December, so he’s far too young to be dealing with this. He’s not the first pet I’ve hand to go through cancer, but his is so different I’m finding it hard to navigate. Suffice it to say, I really need all of you out there in romance-book-land to send all your positive and healing energy to Boudi’s direction.
My husband and I don’t have kids, we have fur babies and Boudi is with one of us literally every second of the day. The bond the three of us share is unlike anything I’ve had, and all of this is just devastating.
I know there are many of you who understand. Many of you who have been through it.
I’m okay (extraordinarily sad, but okay). I have a great support system around me. Boudi is now immersed in chemo and hopefully treatment that will keep him with us for many months/years to come.
In any event, I thought I’d let you know what’s happening with me and if I’m not on social media it’s because I just can’t bear it right now.
I’m working away on The Flirt Alert – and despite what’s going on with my boy, I’m very excited about this book and the subject matter I’m tackling. It’s also very personal. A close family member dealt with what my heroine is going through and I hope it will be a relatable, fun and very sexy/hot journey for you to read just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Because of what’s going on in my personal life, ARCS and some of my production timeline is a little wonky – so bear with me. It think/hope it will be worth it.
Preorder The Flirt Alert today!
I love promoting one of my fellow rockstar romance loving authors. Charli B. Rose has a great free novel for you called Press Pause! Here’s the blurb:
Four years ago, I had the guy of my dreams, an amazing best friend and a plan for my future. A series of missteps cost me everything. But I survived, and I was on a new path. Fortune finally smiled on me. Then as I was preparing to embrace a new destiny, my past showed up. And he was wearing a tux and that devastating smirk that always made my heart race. I should’ve run the minute he called my name. But I didn’t. We couldn’t go back. But just maybe we could press pause for a little while.
xoxoxo
Kaylene
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August 30, 2023
FLIRT ALERT COVER REVEAL!
Hi everyone – I’m deep in the cave finishing up my first draft of The Flirt Alert, which is releasing on November 17 just in time for the long Thanksgiving weekend when you need to hide away from all the relatives!
My writing process is a little sporadic right now. I’ve had a ton of distractions, but what’s funny is that this book is coming to me easily. Probably because—you’re hearing it here first—I’m delving into the gaming and technology world.
You see, as much as I love rockstars, I also love gaming and tech. So, it makes sense that my MMC Billionaire is in gaming, right? I’ll be revealing little bits about the book over the next few weeks getting you ready for a wild ride where a misunderstanding leads to a decade of hate…and redemption.
What’s so fun about the writing process is how characters speak to you. I love writing dialogue because I can actually hear my characters talking in my head.
To get you excited, here is the Flirt Alert cover reveal! You’re seeing it here first my dear readers!
If you haven’t read The Hate Date yet, get it here.
ENDLESS REFRESHWelp guys, Endless has been fully refreshed and Limitless is next. The rest of LTZ will be staying as-is, but my first two books were in a different tense (maybe you noticed, maybe you didn’t). I’m also in the process of making discreet covers for all of the LTZ series to release the paperbacks wide. I’ll have more details on that soon, it’s taking longer than I planned, but sometimes you just have to go with the flow.
If you haven’t started the LTZ Series, now’s the time!
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHTI’m super excited to recommend books by two author friends: D.M. Needham and Paula Dombrowiak:
Blood & Bone Complete Series Boxset by Paula Dombrowiak:
All four books in the Blood & Bone series plus a special bonus novella.
It all started with a pair of jeans and a sharpie. Four friends left their hometown to chase a dream. In this bonus novella, their children are all grown up and learning to navigate life in the wake of their famous parents.
Blood & Bone: An emotional, love triangle, second chance, friends to lovers, rock star romance
Jack O’Donnell is a middle-aged rock star with a long history of bad decisions. Erin Langford is a seasoned journalist tasked with writing a piece on the aging rock star. As Jack starts to reveal the heart-wrenching details of his past, the feature she thought she was going to write, turns into so much more.
Two Days, One Interview, Twenty-Five Years of Rock ‘N Roll. Telling his story might just repair past relationships and ignite new ones.
Breath to Bear: An emotional, second chance, rock star romance
Journalists are supposed to be objective, to look at a story as if they’re outside a window looking in. Instead, she fell through the glass and right into Jack O’Donnell’s bed. The memoire she was supposed to write turned into more than she bargained for.
Jack O’Donnell thought telling his story would purge his demons, but it didn’t. If anything, it brought them closer to the surface. Now, they’re threatening to drag him back into the darkness and stop him from moving on with the journalist who captured his story and his heart.
Bonds we Break: An emotional, love triangle, second chance, rock star romance
She promised herself to one man, while still in love with another. She came between two best friends and by betraying one, lost everything. In the end, they both knew, those bonds were always meant to be broken.
Her name was Mia Stone. You may know how her story ends, but the truth is buried between the headlines. A secret that was meant to be taken to the grave – Until now.
Bound to Burn: An emotional, age gap, second chance, rock star romance
Cash Morgan didn’t want to fall for her. In fact, he was determined not to, but she danced her way into his heart with her pink glittered Converse, and the sweet taste of peppermint. She’s way too young, and chasing something he can’t give her, but that doesn’t stop him from wanting her. Sasha Leone was the curveball he never saw coming.
If you love damaged heroes who get a second chance at love, then you’ll love this gritty and emotional, rock star romance boxset. Get it here.
Fairy Tales and I Love You by D.M. Needham (Better to Burn Out Series)
17-year-old, Ava Richards has been through one of the worst tragedies of her life. She had dreams of being a singer but never a model. However, after her friend entered her in The Model of the Moment contest, she saw her life taking a different turn.
At a party, she meets a man that can change her life, singer and record executive Russell Langford. He sees his next muse. His record label’s next star and the woman he loves. If only he could convince her.
While Russell seems like he could be the man of her dreams, the man haunting her dreams, Nigel Hartagan, is out to prove he’s not the rockstar everyone has painted him out to be. He’s willing to declare that she is his destiny, his one genuine love, but will she believe him?
The night of her 18th birthday changes everything. While she knows both men could genuinely make her dreams come true. She has to make a choice between Nigel and Russell. Who will she choose? Get it here.
xoxoxo
Kaylene
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August 16, 2023
BEHIND THE SCENES: MOVIES AND TELEVISION
I know so many of you have loved watching the behind the scenes of my video/photo shoots with Regina Wamba and the amazing men and women of LTZ.
One of my favorite things is to work on television and movie productions. As a lawyer, I represent so many clients who film documentaries, make television shows and film movies and I get to do the legal work and also visit the sets.
This past week, I was on set in Montana on the first documentary film I’ve ever produced – and it always gets me thinking about when and how I’ll bring some of my books to life.
So many of you have commented and told me in person how much they’d love to see LTZ on the screen. I would too! What’s cool is most (if not all) of my models are on board, which would be amazing.
The thing is – to gain enough notoriety for a production company to take on such a project, a lot needs to happen. The first is the groundswell of love for the books and characters. This translates into book sales and social media in this day and age. The second is connecting with the right medium – would LTZ be a television show? A movie? A streaming series? All seem very possible to me.
I’m putting it out there in the universe: Let’s make LTZ happen! IF you’re on board, the best thing you can do is follow me on all my social platforms and like and comment on my posts.
For ease, here is how to follow me on:
TikTok
Instagram
Facebook Reader Group
Facebook
I’m so excited to partner with Gilded Love Notes for their debut specialty rock star edition book box! Make sure you stay tuned on August 22nd for Pre Orders! What do you think about this beautiful cover? You won’t want to miss this because it is also the debut of the REFRESHED version of ENDLESS!
Sign up for the Gilded Love Notes newsletter to get special first access to preorder dates, sign ups, swag reveals and all the goodies!
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: J. Bengtsson & Crystal KaswellDouble the trouble, double the fun! I’m super excited to recommend two books by two dear friends, Jill Bengstsson and Crystal Kaswell!
CAKE by J. Bengstsson
Cake is a love story at heart but does deal with a sensitive topic and may not be suitable for all.
Cake is not about actual cake
FREE Rockstar Series Starter
A Top 10 Amazon Bestseller
2018 Audie Award Finalist in Romance
Jake McKallister might have been a rock star, but he was no ordinary one. Surviving an unspeakable crime as a young teen had shaped him into a guarded workaholic, and he now lived his life trying to forget. If it hadn’t been for music and the redemption he found through it, he might not have survived. Career success came easily for him. Personal connections did not.
A vivacious college student embracing life
When outspoken and fun-loving Casey Caldwell was paired with the famously reserved musician for a friend’s wedding, she was prepared for the worst. What could they possibly have in common? She was a bubbly talker; he was a media-shy loner. His life was filled with music; she couldn’t carry a tune. She’d enjoyed a happy childhood; his was a well-publicized nightmare.
Their worlds are about to collide
Despite their obvious differences, Jake and Casey found each other, and her light balanced out his darkness. Would their love be strong enough to survive the weight of his tragic past?
TEMPTING by Crystal Kaswell
Brendon Kane is devoted to two things: his kid sister and his career as a tattoo artist. Make that three things: his kid sister, his career as a tattoo artist, and not picturing his kid sister’s best friend Kaylee naked. Okay, maybe a few sketches here and there. A dirty drawing or two. That’s the only way to keep his crush under control.
Or it is. Until Kaylee needs a place to crash and he offers her the spare room. The booksmart blond is even more tempting across the hall. Not to mention the late nights on the couch, the shared jokes at breakfast, the long conversations on the patio.
He tries to play his role–to help her study, fix her dinner, talk her out of bad decisions. Say kissing him back. Or kissing him again. Or doing a whole lot more than kissing…
Tempting is a smoking hot best friend’s brother romance packed with heat, humor, and heart.
Love,
Kaylene
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#LTZworld #LTZseries #Endless #Limitless #Fearless #Timeless #encores #TyAndZoey #JaceAndAlex #ConnorAndRonni #ZaneAndFiona #KayleneWinter #RockstarRomance #SteamyRomance #ContempoaryRomance #BookishMusic #SecondChanceRomance #FriendsToLovers #ChildhoodFriendsToLovers
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August 9, 2023
AI & WRITING
Those of you who have followed me for a while know that I’m also a media/technology lawyer.
One of the hottest topics in the “authorverse” is the use of Artificial Intelligence “AI” in writing. There are so many competing stances. On one hand, many authors abhor it and won’t use AI for any purpose. On the other side of things, entire books are being generated using AI.
I’ve always been a huge embracer of technology while trying to maintain a healthy understanding of the legalities and moral/ethical implications of technology’s capabilities.
As AI pertains to writing, there are some important considerations. An author who generates all or part of their book using AI means they cannot claim copyright or ownership over those portions they didn’t write. The other issue I see is some authors will flood the market with AI-generated books and it will be hard for readers to know if what they are reading is legitimate or not.
I do think that a lot of this will get sorted out and rules/processes/disclosures will be implemented eventually. In the meantime, I’m busy WRITING The Flirt Alert, though I’ll admit…I used Chat GPT to help me settle on the last name for one of my main characters.
GUILDED LOVE NOTES
I’m so excited to partner with Gilded Love Notes for their debut specialty rock star edition book box! Make sure you stay tuned on August 22nd for Pre Orders! What do you think about this beautiful cover? You won’t want to miss this because it is also the debut of the REFRESHED version of ENDLESS!
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Anna DoeI’d love to introduce you to a new-to-me author, Anna Doe! She just released Kiss Me Tenderly (part of her epic Blairwood University series) last week, so you should have a nice time binge reading the entire series:
Sebastian Black. The broody bad boy. The rockstar God with the most haunting voice I’ve ever heard. And, starting now, my next-door neighbor.
I never thought I’d bump into my teenage crush on campus, but when it happens, any childish illusions I had about him are erased with a few harsh words. I don’t expect to run into him again, but I’m wrong.
He’s at Blairwood to stay, and not just that, he wants me.
Sebastian claims he lost his muse, and I’m the only one who can bring it back, but I want nothing to do with the arrogant man.
That is until he proposes me a deal.
He’ll help me with my bucket list if I play my piano for him. The request is outrageous, but the more I think about it, the harder it is to find reasons to say no.
As we spend time together, I get to know the man hiding beneath the jaded exterior, and suddenly my crush doesn’t seem so childish after all. But there is no way that the world-famous rockstar will fall for a small-town girl like me…
Love,
Kaylene
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August 2, 2023
GRATITUDE
A very important deadline came and went in June and I want to acknowledge it before another year slips by. June 30, 2023 marked the third year anniversary of the release of ENDLESS, my first book ever published.
With the release of The Hate Date last week, I was pretty busy getting ready for the launch to properly acknowledge how grateful I am for my readers. Some of you have been with me from the very beginning and some of you are new to me over the past month or so. I don’t think you have any idea how much it means to me, as an author, to know that some of my work resonates with you, entertains you and even makes you feel something deeply.
I’m evolving as a writer and will continue to evolve as I create stories. While I always lean toward the angst, sometimes I love a fun, quick love story like The Hate Date. I think books are like people – there are lots of flavors and personalities. For me, it’s fun to mix things up!
Thank you to all of you for making The Hate Date release so fun and special!
HATE DATE REVIEWSI thought I’d share just a few lines from the reviews that keep pouring in (thank you!!) because it’s so awesome to know how much you love Joar & Clover! Thank you so much!!
“I loved this unique plot – I’m not going to give any description – it is too good not to allow it to unfold organically! I want you to fall in love with JJ and Clover and their unforgettable journey.”
“From page one, I was hooked. Joar and Clover couldn’t be more opposite, but like the old saying goes, opposites attract….. Well, the fireworks from these two characters had me taking a cold shower when I finished the book!!!! ;-)”
“Loved the storyline and characters. A beautiful standalone that has left me looking forward to more.”
“Their chemistry is so hot my Kindle practically exploded, and their emotional connection grew so strong I knew they’d get that second chance Joar begged for. I cannot wait for more of this author’s writing now because Clover and Joar have made me a huge fan.”
“This is one of my favorite romcoms of the year without a doubt! If you enjoy a spicy, fun, romantic comedy, then I definitely recommend this book!!!”
“This was such a great story that I couldn’t put down. So glad I discovered Kaylene, love all her books.”
“This is truly a love story, extremely romantic and I loved it. I’m giving it five stars and highly recommend it.”
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Mari CarrYou guys know how much I love Mari Carr, and I want you to grab her newest release when you’re through with The Hate Date!
Hot & Heavy: Italian Stallions, book 5
What’s better than one sexy protector? Two.
Hazel knows she’s in serious trouble when her shady uncle threatens to implicate her in his crimes. When two police officers show up at her apartment, she’s forced to flee Boston in the dead of night. Philadelphia feels like a big enough place to hide…until the seedy motel she’s staying in burns down.
Kayden and Aldo’s protector instincts rise to the surface after they spot a shivering redhead standing alone at the scene of a fire. Discovering everything she owned was destroyed, the sexy cop and charming firefighter offer her a place to stay.
None of them is able to resist their instant, scorching attraction to each other. The three give new meaning to the term “hot and heavy.” Aldo and Kayden want more…hell, they want it all. But Hazel is in too deep, and as her lies begin to unravel, she’s caught between a rock and a hard place.
Especially when the past catches up to her. Unless she puts her fears aside and offers Aldo and Kayden the one thing she’s never given before–her trust–she stands to lose everything.
That’s it for now!
Love,
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July 24, 2023
HATE DATE RELEASE DAY!
If you haven’t downloaded your copy yet, get it here!
I want to take a quick minute to acknowledge everyone who’s helped me get The HATE DATE out to all of you!
Cover/Graphic Designer/Finder of HOTTIES: Regina Wamba
Editor : Grace Bradley Editing, LLC
Proofreading: Beth Carbutt
Formatting : Willow Yanarella
PR: Valentine PR
Publicity : Next Step PR, Xpresso Tours
Website Maven: Sherri Kiarsis, Sublime Creations
My Right Hand: Willow Yanarella
YAY to KAYLENE’S KREW!!!
Beta Readers: Anna Theurer & Beth Carbutt
My Inspirations: My husband, my pup and the entire cast of Vanderpump Rules. The Scandoval kept me captivated this spring and summer!
REVIEWS!!!I’m so thrilled at receiving so many amazing reviews, here are some of my favorites!
“Once again Kaylene Winter gives her reader exactly what they are looking for: A heartfelt romance filled with characters that have huge back stories as well as smoking hot scenes. Amazing from the opening pages and will be a top read!!” –The Overflowing Bookcase, Amazon
“This story drew me in right from the start and quickly became one of my favourites by Kaylene Winter.” –Julie Shaw, GoodReads
“I can honestly say I will probably never look at an elevator the same way again…” – Allyschleicher, BookBub
“I may need to find myself a billionaire and get stuck in an elevator with him. Hot damn!” –J.Stover, Amazon
“This was such a great story that I couldn’t put down. So glad I discovered Kaylene, love all her books.” –Queensgoth, GoodReads
“Humorous and heartfelt, with tons of steam and a little drama, this one is a terrific reading escape.” – BookAddict, BookBub
“Whew! The Hate Date was one steamy, fun, emotional read. Clover and Joar are HOT and their connection is absolutely sizzling from the moment their eyes meet. Their relationship is sweet and funny and they prove that there’s a thin line between love and hate.” – AEW, Amazon
“Kaylene Winter writes a story that draws you in and keeps you invested in her characters. This story is full of steamy sex scenes that will make your toes curl and keep you wanting more. A must read for fans of sexy romances with emotions that will have you on a roller coaster. LOVED this book so much I had to read it again.” –Emily, GoodReads
“Loved the storyline and characters. A beautiful standalone that has left me looking forward to more.” –A Lady Rider, BookBub
Thank you to everyone who’s reading The Hate Date!
Until next time,
Kaylene
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July 18, 2023
ONE WEEK UNTIL THE HATE DATE RELEASE!
Hello, my friends, I’m getting so freakin’ excited for The Hate Date to drop on July 24!
By now you’ve seen the gorgeous cover by the amazing Regina Wamba. You’ve hopefully figured out the perfect summer-reading tropes: Billionaire, Enemies-to-Lovers, Age-Gap, Forced Proximity. Now all you need to do is add it to your TBR and preorder today!
THE ELEVATOR SCENE
Now, about that elevator scene…
I love the forced proximity trope a lot. Some of my favorite books involve the couple getting stuck in the same hotel room, or on a tour bus, or even in a stalled car. I wanted to do something different, though.
Fun fact: my husband is extremely claustrophobic and one of his biggest fears is being stuck in an elevator, so he’s a bit of inspiration for this scene.
As I was mapping out their story, I got to thinking, where better to create all of the delicious elements of forced proximity than an elevator?
When Joar and Clover find themselves stuck for a few hours, we know they’re attracted to each other, but we also know that Joar hates her for what he thinks she’s done. Clover, on the other hand, has no idea Joar knows her—well, knows who she is.
Throwing them together in the elevator added an element of vulnerability to a situation where Joar thinks he’s got all the power…until he doesn’t. It gave the two of them the opportunity to connect under expected circumstances.
And connect they did. A lot. It’s probably one of my steamiest scenes yet. I think because their heightened emotions combined with the adrenaline rush from being in a confined space lead to intense feelings and gave the two of them an opportunity to bond that wouldn’t have happened otherwise.
As all independent authors know, preorders matter. The past few months Kindle Unlimited has been really wonky, and it’s hard to count on royalties coming from page reads. When you download an eBook into your library, that is really showing the author that you value their work and contribution.
I’d love it if you’d preorder The Hate Date today, but this ask is not just for me, it’s for all of my fellow authors who love to bring you stories each and every day!
LESS THAN ZERO SeriesIf you haven’t caught up on LTZ, don’t forget that each couple has their very own ENCORE!
Get all the books in the LTZ series.
xoxoxo,
Kaylene
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July 6, 2023
THE HATE DATE: ENEMIES TO LOVERS & BILLIONAIRES
Hello my friends. I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday!
The Hate Date is out in just 2 ½ weeks, are you excited? ARC’s have all been distributed and I’m really excited that people love Clover and Joar.
Here’s a little teaser from the book. Don’t forget to preorder now:
I’m cut short when my friend Pax presses his palm to my mouth. “Shush. We need to work on your game. Do you see the way dudes look at you? Every day, wherever you go, men practically worship the ground you walk on. Tell me you know this.” He removes his hand. Holds my gaze until I break eye contact from the intensity of it all.
“Stop. I know you’re just trying to help me, but don’t lie. No one looks at me that way. Especially now that I’m pushing forty.” I take a deep pull of my peachy slush.
Pax spins my stool to face him. “You’re thirty-two years old. You’re hot and you’re going to be even hotter when this show comes out. Grow some self-esteem, woman.”
Now it’s my turn to roll my eyes. “Look. Ronni gave me this role, and I’m grateful. She told me her vision: I’m the girl next door. The chick who every woman relates to yet is destined for the most epic romance. It’s what the show’s about.”
“Do you hear yourself?” His brow furrows. “This show is your life. You’ve joked about it to the entire crew. What did you say your foolproof plan is?”
“First on the list is to revive my career. Hopefully this show will do it for me. Second, I’m embracing every day to the fullest. If I want to make out with someone, I’m going to do it. For the first time in my life, I’m going to learn what makes me happy. Finally, I’m never dating another guy who wears a suit.” I emphasize each item on the list by holding up a finger.
He sucks in his lips, pondering. “As far as the second and third items on the list, my recommendation is you try some guys on for size, if you know what I mean.” He flicks his eyes to his junk and back up at me. Waggles his eyebrows.
My drink is nearly empty and I’m feeling a good buzz. “You think I should chat up a guy and take him home with me?”
“I think you should open your eyes. See yourself how others see you. It will all fall into place.” He cups my cheek with his palm. “Don’t look now, but there’s one hot MF checking you out. He’s behind you and to the left.”
Even I have enough game not to turn around and stare at him. Instead, I slide off my barstool, grab my phone and purse and point to the front of the restaurant. “I’ll make a quick trip to the ladies room and have a look. Be right back.”
I confidently stride past the bar toward the dining room and sneak a glance in the general direction of where Pax said the dude was sitting.
Holy friggin’ moly.
My heart stops. As do my feet.
Pax wasn’t kidding. A man with tousled, longish, dark hair cropped short on the sides is buried in a menu. He fills his white T-shirt to perfection, I swear I can see each defined muscle in his arms and chest. His olive skin is smooth. He’s got a square-cut jaw with a hint of stubble. As I get closer, I see he’s a bit older than me from the sprinkling of silver throughout his sexy mane.
His eyes, cast down to peruse food choices, snap to mine as I walk past. They’re incredible. A truly distinctive shade of blue, no—violet.
It’s like I’ve been zapped with a jolt of electricity.
Right to my core.
He’s caught me gawking, so it’s all I can do to keep my feet moving and pretend I’m not affected. This perfect specimen of a man is so completely out of my league it’s not even funny.
Then something unexpected happens.
He smiles at me. Tips his head, even.
Oh, this guy’s a player and I know exactly what this means. He’s giving me an opening to go talk to him. My mind races with potential things to say. Funny anecdotes. Witty self-depreciating comments. I can admit the truth: I want him to do wicked things to my body right here.
Right now.
The Hate Date is exclusively in eBook on Amazon and will be available in KU – get it here.
The Hate Date paperback is going to be available at ALL Retailers!!! Please let us know if you have a particular bookstore we need to get it too. Get it here!
UPCOMING EVENTS AND KAYLENE NEWSI’m super excited to confirm another couple of signing events! I’ll be at UtopiaCon in Nashville next June and Wild & Windy West in 2025!
Meanwhile, if you’re on the east coast this weekend, I’ll be at RomantiConn in Trumbull, CT with a lot of amazing romance authors. Here is a link to buy tickets, I think there may be a few left and I’d love to see you!
This week I’m excited to give you a link to METALSOME HEARTS a FREE Rockstar Romance from my friend Katie Baldwin:
Jessica Walker is on the run from her ex-boyfriend. Again. A youthful flirtation with a police officer led to a year of mental and physical torment. For seven months, she lived free of his abuse, and then he found her, and things went dark very fast. The only possible hiding place is with her sister’s dear friend Diego Aguilar. But Diego isn’t a regular guy. He’s a world-famous heavy metal guitarist. A beautifully talented man who has been Jess’s Rock and Roll fantasy for years. But after her past with her ex, the last place she wants to be is around any man. Even Diego.
Diego Aguilar doesn’t trust most people save the guys in his band, Metalsome, and his adopted family. But when he first sees Jess, he feels compelled to protect her. He knows from experience the pain of being brutalized, and he’ll do anything to keep her safe — even if that means letting her into his heart.
xoxo
Kaylene
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June 21, 2023
HATE DATE COVER REVEAL
Well, by now you’ve hopefully seen the gorgeous cover for The Hate Date created by my friend and creative muse, Regina Wamba!
Here it is in all its glory:
The process behind creating a cover without a cover model was interesting. Regina and I went back and forth on a lot of ideas, we knew it had to have an elevator. I wanted it to be somewhat whimsical, but didn’t want to use the cartoony characters or really dramatic images.
It all came together when I said “what if we had a bunch of clothes strewn on the floor” and Regina knocked it out of the park! After adding touches like making the title be like the back of the elevator cab and the post it note “Don’t be Late,” I was in love.
The Hate DateI’ll admit, after being immersed in the world of Less Than Zero for the past few years, it was really fun to get to know brand new characters!
The Hate Date was conceived about a year ago when I was figuring out which series I wanted to tackle next. I’ve narrowed it down to two contenders which are offshoots of LTZ, but I got to thinking…
What if we could peek into the lives of a few of the characters who made cameo appearances in one of the LTZ books. Then I got really excited! Within a few hours, I made lists of some of the minor characters throughout the series and a few stood out, but Clover Callahan was the clear winner to start us off.
Clover makes a brief appearance in Fearless Encore, but she felt so memorable to me I had to find out more about her. Now my favorite female lead (although, that will change with each book I write as tend to fall in love with whoever I’m writing).
The Hate Date is part of what I’m calling my Spicy Standalone series – each story has a little hook into the LTZ world, but can be read and enjoyed without reading any of the LTZ books.
For now, I’m going to be doing a trilogy of these little standalones, but I reserve the right to change my mind.
Meanwhile, the next Spicy Standalone has a name… The Flirt Alert! It will be out in November this year, and more to come on that one.
For the next couple of months we’ll be celebrating all things Hate Date! Preorder The Hate Date now!
ARCs OF THE HATE DATEI can’t wait for you to read The Hate Date! If you are interested in receiving an ARC copy and joining my ARC group, click here!
FREE ROCKSTAR ROMANCEI’m so excited to tell you about an amazing free book offered by my friend Athena Wright called Hard Rock Poet!
A secret rocker needs a poet…
…what will Amelia do when she finds out her mysterious indie musician is the hottest new rock star around?
xoxoxoxoxo
Kaylene
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May 17, 2023
FINISHING HATE DATE & ERUPTING MOUNTAINS
Only two chapters to go and the HATE DATE is finished and off to my amazing editor, Grace Bradley!
Behind the scenes, I finalized the cover (you’re going to DIE, it’s so amazing) with my creative muse, Regina Wamba.
We have the first teaser graphics made, and I’ve changed the cover on my FB group pages. These are exciting times because it’s been nearly 3 years since ENDLESS came out – and launching a standalone makes me feel like I’m starting everything over again!
My process in writing is to perfect each chapter and move on. Then when something happens later I go back and rework and rework and layer and layer. Ultimately, I want to make sure the story is cohesive and makes sense as a whole.
And, can I just say, I am loving Clover Callahan. She is a woman who has gone through a lot of things in her life, but her attitude is positive and hopeful. After years of thinking her life was going to be one way the rug is pulled out. She bounces back—determined to learn from her mistakes.
Until a fateful encounter turns her world on its axis again.
He’s powerful. Controlling. Stalkerish.
Irresistible.
MT. ST. HELENSEvery May in the middle of the month, all of the Seattle press releases articles about the eruption of Mt. St. Helens way back in 1980.
That weekend, I was a very young girl on a camping trip with my neighbors. We spent the day before playing and splashing around in the Cowlitz River.
The morning of the eruption, my friend and I were sleeping on the pull-out bed in the van that pulled the family camper. We heard pings on the roof of the van and thought it was hailing. Nope, pebbles.
By this time, her dad was pounding on the door and he led us through the woods to the lodge on the property. It was so dark you couldn’t see your hand right in front of your face.
My friend and I were blissfully ignorant. There was no internet. No mobile phones. Only CB Radio.
When the darkness cleared a couple hours later, the entire sky was filled with gray ash rain which didn’t let up for days. We had to wear masks. The ash dust was so fine it found it’s way into every nook and cranny. Covered the vehicles. Choked the engines.
It took a week for us to get home.
ROCKSTAR ROMANCES FOR YOUThis week its all about the rockstars!
Broken Bridges by Tania Joyce was just released this week!
He’s lost his band, his lover and his grandfather – the friends and family who’d accepted his lifestyle choices.
She’s lost her career, the love of her life and after a freak accident has to accept she’ll never be the same.
A chance audition for The Flintlocks could change his life.
A move across the country could be the fresh start he needs.
She needs to find her way in the world again.
But she’s stuck in a new TV show…in a city that she never wanted to return to.
When these two broken souls meet, will they cause more havoc to their damaged hearts?
Oh…hell yeah!
‘This is a love-is-love, gay-to-bisexual romance. The majority of the story is a MF banter-filled, angsty, steamy, sexy heart-wrenching rock star romance. If you can’t handle intense emotion with all the feel this book may not be for you.
NOW, HOW ABOUT A FREEBEE!!!
Steal My Heart by Darby Fox
Garrett Colt is the king of country music . . .
With the release of my latest song, my career looks ready to hit another all-time high, so imagine my surprise when a green-eyed goddess with a sassy mouth confronts me at my birthday party and accuses me of stealing her song.
When it looks like she’s about to accuse me publicly, I do the only thing I can think of in the moment, I kiss her. Now the world thinks we’re a couple and the more time I spend with her… I can’t help wishing it was real. But I’m too old and too jaded for this fresh-faced sweetheart who doesn’t realize she’s stolen my heart.
Happy reading!
Xoxoxoxoxo
Kaylene
Get the entire LTZ Series here
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