Kaylene Winter's Blog, page 8
May 11, 2023
WRITING UPDATE
Hello my friends! I want to give you an update on The Hate Date!
I’m so deep, deep, deep into the cave, but it’s a happy cave. A very happy cave. I’m so in love with the characters and the push-pull dynamic of the Billionaire/Enemies-to-Lovers couple. I’m doing a twist on the trope, because—well—it’s me (It’s me, It’s me, I’m the problem it’s me…”)
Yes, I’m a little punchy because I have 2 weeks until deadline and just a few more thousand words to write…
In the meantime how about these little teases:
A pivotal scene happens in an elevator.Pole dancing may or may not be involved.A couple from LTZ makes an appearance.My MMC might be a bit stalkerish…Intrigued?
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT-APALOOZAI love recommending new authors to you while you’re waiting for my next release. This week I have not 1, but 2 amazing authors for you to try!
Untouched: A Friends to Lovers Supernatural Suspense Romance by Renee Regent
An insistent ghost. A life at stake. And how to get out of the friend zone.
When photographer Zac Daley sees something strange in his vintage camera, he thinks he may be losing his mind. He sees a young woman in the lake, crying out for help, but no one else can see or hear the drowning girl.
Then her ghost appears again. She becomes insistent, demanding he deliver a message, but to who? And how?
More importantly, why?
With his friend Amanda’s help, he sets out to solve the mystery, but at a cost neither of them could foresee. They must race against time before a young man’s life is lost.
Amanda Bresky has a problem. Zac, the man she loves, wants to just remain friends. And worse, he’s planning to leave town soon. But she is determined to break through to his heart, whatever it takes. Even if it means helping him face his tortured past, and chasing down a ghost.
The Third Son (Brookside Book 1) by Dyan Layne
Home is just a place, right?
Arien Brogan had plans. In Denver. The only place she’d ever call home.
Then her mom met Matthew Brooks, and Arien’s plans were no longer her own.
So here she was, on a ranch in Wyoming, with her two new stepbrothers.
She’d never met cowboys like them before.
Kellan, the sullen one.
Tanner, the sweet one.
What did they want from her?
There was something strange about this town, their ways, and everyone in it.
Everything that comes in threes is perfect
Where in the hell was she?
She wasn’t staying anyway. Come summer, she’d be gone.
But if plans can change, then dreams can too.
Because home is more than a place.
It’s a feeling.
Happy reading!
Xoxoxoxoxo
Kaylene
Get the entire LTZ Series here
The post WRITING UPDATE appeared first on Kaylene Winter, Author.
April 19, 2023
LOVE N SEATTLE
Just a short check in this week as Willow and I are deep in preparation for the Love N Seattle book signing downtown Seattle at the Motif hotel.
How do I prep for an author event?
It’s a great question. I really believe that meeting readers face to face is one of my most rewarding experiences. I love to make everyone feel welcome and provide a lot of little incentives to stop by and say “hi!”
For Love N Seattle, it’s my hometown so I’m stepping it up a bit. Enrico (aka Zane) is flying in on Friday. My husband and I will be showing him around Seattle Friday and Sunday. Saturday, he’ll be with me all day signing books and meeting readers. He’s one of the sweetest, kindest guys around – and I know he makes everyone comfortable.
We’re giving away a full set of the LTZ Series and some special swag items. I’m sure I’ll have other surprises too!
If you’re in Seattle and want to come by here is a link to tickets.
PEARL JAM EXHIBIT AT MOPOPLast week, I finally had the chance to see the Pearl Jam exhibit at MoPOP, which is an amazing pop culture museum here in Seattle.
It was a walk down memory lane. Some of you know I worked for the band when they were first starting out. The band wasn’t there, but one of their longtime crew members was and we hung out all night reminiscing about the “good old days.”
What a great night out!
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT
Christina Hovland FREEBIE!!!
I love to highlight rockstar romance books from my fellow rockstar romance author friends. Today I want you to meet USA Today Bestselling Author Christina Hovland, who is not only an author but an artisan chocolatier by day!!!
WHAT???
Christina brings a lot of real-world experience into her books, her career spanned from the television newsroom to managing an award-winning public relations firm. I love a fellow overachiever, that’s for sure.
PLAYED BY THE ROCKSTAR
He’s a rock star. She’s a waitress. He’s about to rock her world.
Certified behavioral counselor (and former band groupie) Becca Forrester needs a break. Taking a leave of absence from her job, she moves into the apartment over her parents’ garage, and clinches a gig waitressing at a dive bar known for bringing in big name musicians.
Cedric “Linx” Lincoln is a certified rock star. Bassist for the hugely popular rock band, Dimefront, he’s in Denver while the band is on hiatus a-freaking-gain. He’s looking for something—anything—to keep him occupied until they can all get back to making music. When he saunters into his friend’s bar, he finds the perfect diversion.
Becca’s presence is a breath of fresh air. The sizzle she ignites in him is precisely what he needs. Bonus: no-stress, no-strings hookups are his specialty. But when things between them tip toward serious, his band implodes, and Becca’s leave of absence ends, they’re forced to decide what their “real” lives should look like. Maybe there’s room for an encore…
Happy reading!
Xoxoxoxoxo
Kaylene
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April 14, 2023
A NEW STANDALONE: THE HATE DATE
I’m in the writer’s cave (and I’m behind AF) on writing my new spicy, standalone novel called the Hate Date!
I’ve got all of the chapters outlined and am getting to know my characters a little better. I’m not going to give out any spoilers just yet, but our FMC is someone you’ve met before!
While this is a fully unique standalone, there may be a little cameo from one or two…or maybe even three of your favorite LTZ characters.
To get you excited about this release, here are a few cool facts:
Regina Wamba, who created all of my covers for LTZ, is working on the cover art right now – and it will be my first DISCREET cover!
The tropes in this book are : Billionaire, Age-Gap, Enemies to Lovers, Forced Proximity.
I’m featuring more ripped-from-the -headlines plot lines. Scandoval anyone???
LOVE N SEATTLELove N Seattle is NEXT WEEK on April 21/22, there are still tickets available here – now’s the time to get your tickets.
Enrico and his beautiful wife Jasmine are coming in for the weekend, so if you are unable to attend you might see us sightseeing on Sunday!
I’m super excited to see my friends Jaine Diamond and Kat Singleton, both of whom will have tables close to mine. A rockstar romance trifecta of authors, just for you.
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHTI met Sierra Hill last year at Readers Writers Seattle – and she’s one of my favorite authors ever! I love to recommend books I love – and this week it’s Falling for the Fake Boyfriend, which is the first book in Sierra’s Clearview Falls University Book. Here is a description:
One football player.
Two simple rules.
Three fake dates.
Zero chance of falling for the other.
Emmett Hudson is just trying to play college football at Clearview Falls University while keeping all the balls from spinning his life apart. He thought he had everything under control until the coach threatened to bench him if he didn’t get his grades up with the help of a tutor.
Lucy Parker isn’t into football players, except the one she’s crushed on since high school. But he’s the star quarterback and doesn’t even know she exists.
The answer to this problem comes when a deal is struck with her new tutoring assignment, aka: Emmett. He promises a way to get his teammate’s attention if Lucy commits to being his fake girlfriend for three dates.
Three. Seems easy enough. Right?
But even with safeguards in place, their fake relationship soon begins to feel more real than either Lucy or Emmett expects.
And with their hearts on the line, it could turn this winning strategy into a losing proposition.
Happy reading!
Xoxoxoxoxo
Kaylene
Get the entire LTZ Series here.
The post A NEW STANDALONE: THE HATE DATE appeared first on Kaylene Winter, Author.
April 6, 2023
BEHIND THE SCENES: OWNING A RESTAURANT EDITION
Thank you so much for making the Timeless Encore release such a success!
I’ve been getting some comments about Fee’s restaurant, Gus, and how the characters would be a potentially great series. Well, that wasn’t by accident. I definitely want to explore a series based on Gus.
Little known fact: I used to own a restaurant! Actually, two restaurants!
Yes, it’s true. My husband and I owned an Irish Pub in West Seattle for 11 years. We sold them both 8 years ago.
When I say that Timeless Encore is my most personal book, it’s very, very true. So much about putting together and opening Gus stemmed from my own experience. Sure, our pub was more casual, but both my hubby and I are foodies. Everything was made from scratch. Our food was excellent.
However, some of the things that happened during that time are so nuts that sometimes I don’t even believe they’re true.
So, yeah. I could write an entire series inspired by the characters who we met by virtue of owning the restaurants.
What do you think? Would you like a series centered around a restaurant?
If you haven’t picked up Timeless Encore yet, here is a link.
Readers Take Denver was 4 days of jam-packed solid fun! Willow, my PA, Kiki, from my PR team and Enrico (aka Zane) Ravenna were all on deck to share in the non-stop action.
Highlights for me included:
Speaking on a From Naughty to Hottie panel with Kat Singleton, Jack & Piper Davenport, Sasha Marshall and Emmanuele Snow, moderated by TikTok influencer Kaylawiththebookproblem.Meeting all of the readers, signing books and taking pictures – I’m still pinching myself when you guys actually know me! The events! From red carpet Passionflix screenings to panels to donuts and pizza, there was always something to do.Special thanks to Lisa Renee Jones and her entire team. This event was brand new, but you’d never have known it. World class event organizers.Here are some fun pics, next up is Love N Seattle on April 21/22, there are still tickets available here – so if you want to see me and Enrico in my home town, there is still time!
I met my friend Erin Branscomb last year at Inker’s Con, and we were fast friends. She is an innovative marketer with her on Amazon Live channel. She’s also a famous YouTuber and social media maven.
But she’s also a talented romance author. Her latest book, “All in Thyme” from her Freedom Valey Series is available here.
It hits all the right notes: Reverse grumpy sunshine, right next door, protector, a woman in jeopardy, single parent, mistaken identity, shelter from the storm, created families, saving someone you love, ultimate cinnamon roll, undercover love, small town, circle of friends.
When I said “I do” five years ago, I was young and had no idea the nightmare I was walking into.
When I finally escaped my husband with my young son, we ended up at an idyllic family-owned New England inn, living under new names and building a life that was safe and happy with new friends that became like family to us. I thought had figured out a way to make our lives beautiful and happy again.
Then I met Ty, the sexy and charming yet protective mechanic who didn’t seem to mind my complicated past. But then we unexpectedly ended up housemates, and he became everything I never knew I wanted or needed.
Like any good mechanic, he’s good at fixing broken things, and he’s been hard at work fixing my heart.
He showed us what a real family could be like and fixed the family he didn’t break.
And now, I can’t imagine our lives without him.
Only it turns out we both may have something to hide.
When secrets surface and truths are revealed, can our hearts be rebuilt?
Happy reading!
Xoxoxoxoxo
Kaylene
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March 30, 2023
TIMELESS ENCORE RELEASE RECAP
I’m blown away for the love you’ve shown Zane and Fiona.
I want to thank all of my team who helped make this the most seamless release yet. Willow, my “right hand” took on so many roles from social media manager to formatter to chief cat herder. Having a book release 2 weeks before such a huge signing event is no small task.
Special thanks to Anna, who is killing it as my PA. Beth, who took on the role of both beta reader and proofreader. Kaylene’s Krew members for all of the social media shares. The ARC team for reading and posting such great reviews.
Most importantly, I want to thank all of you – my readers. I know that Less Than Zero is coming to a conclusion, but I promise we will check in with everyone regularly. Carter is getting his full-length book later this year. Stay tuned for announcements on 2 new series and a load of fun Standalones, all of which will touch the LTZ world in some way.
If you haven’t picked up Timeless Encore yet, here is a link.
By the time you get this newsletter, I’ll be in DENVER for Readers Take Denver!
I’ll be coming at you live on TikTok and Instagram, so make sure you keep an eye on my social media. I’m going to be fan-girling all over the place in addition to meeting a whole bunch of readers. I can hardly believe that I’ll be side by side with authors like Kristen Ashley, Willow Winters, Sophie Oak, Mari Carr, Lexi Blake, Meghan Quinn, Sapphire Knight, and so many others including the one and only Clare Hastings (see below).
I’m speaking on a fun panel called “From Naughty to Hottie” with Piper and Jack Davenport, Sasha Marshall, Kat Singleton and Sasha Marshall. We’ll be sharing our secrets for making tortured heroes loveable.
The signings take place over 2 days, and Enrico Ravenna is joining me to make all of the attendees swoon. He’s truly the nicest, sweetest guy in the world, and the perfect Zane.
I’ll be sure to document the event and post pictures if you can’t join me when I go live!
I’m really excited to catch up with Clare Hastings at Readers Take Denver. Last week she released Thinking ‘Bout You, a small-town, second-chance romance you’ll want to check out immediately – and it’s available in KU!
Here’s a description:
To the world, he’s Dustin Wild, country star with a megawatt smile and a voice smooth as whiskey. To me, he’ll always be Dustin Wilder, the small-town boy who stole my heart…then broke it.
It’s been seven years since Dustin rolled out of our rural Georgia town, chasing his dream, promising he’d be back. Except that never happened. Instead, he topped the charts, trading in our future plans for a life that didn’t involve me at all.
I thought I’d moved on. Until the town busybodies invite Dustin back to Hickory Hills to perform at the annual Rhythm and Brews Festival.
All I can do is swoon when he says my name or flashes me that smile. And by the way he’s looking at me, my heart can’t help but hope he feels the same.
I’ve got my eyes wide open this time, and I won’t let him hurt me again.
That is, until ghosts from our past have something to say about our second chance.
I have one more recommendation – if you’re looking for a FREE book and have not read K.L. Shandwick, here, Flying Under the Radar might be just what you’re looking for:
Remember that feeling when you fell in love?
The feeling of wanting the world to know?
Falling in love with someone who loves you back should feel easy, right?
If only life was that simple for Lee and Niamh.
Enjoy the rest of March and see you next week!
Xoxoxoxoxo
Kaylene
The post TIMELESS ENCORE RELEASE RECAP appeared first on Kaylene Winter, Author .
March 16, 2023
TIMELESS ENCORE IS LIVE!!!
Today’s the day!
I’m so excited for you to read the final chapter in Zane & Fiona’s journey.
Some of the reviews are coming in and my heart is warmed.
“A perfect ending to a series that had it all – love, loss, acceptance, mental health awareness, drug overdoses and family dysfunction – but through it all Fee and Zane had each other. But with the band on hiatus and Fee getting her Michelin restaurant off the ground is their love enough? Heartwarming and highly emotional – this was a wonderful ending to a series that has become a favorite.”
I couldn’t sum it up better myself!
If you haven’t picked up Timeless Encore yet, here is a link.
Less Than Zero’s world is expanding…that’s right!
Clover Callahan showed up in Fearless Encore, and she’s getting her very own standalone novel, though you may see a character from LTZ pop up here and there (we can only hope, right?)
Without revealing too much, my next book will be out in July (it’s up for preorder).
I’m excited for you to fall in love with Clover! I’ve just started writing it, and it is decidedly less angsty than some of my LTZ couples, but all has not been revealed to me yet. I’ll keep you up to date as the story progresses!
What other characters would you like to see me write a standalone for?
What other characters need to be part of a series?
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT x2
Once you’re finished with Timeless Encore, don’t despair! I will have plenty of rockstar romance recommendations to tide you over until my next book. This week, I highly recommend Madden by Brooke O’Brien, the last book in the Havoc series.
Here’s a description:
Madden Cole is considered a rock ‘n’ roll god, and all the women want him. Except for me. After working my butt off as a journalist for years, I’ve heard the rumors about him and his band and have read all about their dirty scandals in the headlines. When I land a job as a writer for Limelight magazine, I’ll stop at nothing to make a good impression. Even if it means agreeing to a sit-down interview with the bad boys of A Rebels Havoc.
They’re making a name for themselves by soaring to the top of the charts with multiplatinum records and sold-out tours. Madden is cold and closed-off, but the more I get to know him, the more he starts to open up to me. As hard as I’ve tried to resist wanting him, when he turns on his sweet-talking charm, all the walls I’ve built around me crumble.
They say what goes up must come down, and the band is forced to face the downside of fame. Rumors, lies, and blackmail threaten Madden’s life and the career he and the guys have worked so hard to build. He doesn’t know about the secret I’ve been keeping. And I fear when he finds out the truth, it could destroy everything.
OOOOH! Here is a link.
I have one more recommendation – if you’re looking for a FREE book and have not read K.L. Shandwick, here, Flying Under the Radar might be just what you’re looking for:
Remember that feeling when you fell in love?
The feeling of wanting the world to know?
Falling in love with someone who loves you back should feel easy, right?
If only life was that simple for Lee and Niamh.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me and loved Less Than Zero, I’m excited for the next steps in my author journey and hope you’ll come along for the ride!
Xoxoxoxoxo
Kaylene
The post TIMELESS ENCORE IS LIVE!!! appeared first on Kaylene Winter, Author .
March 9, 2023
ALL OF THE ROCKSTARS IN ONE STORY
Sooo…. Do you remember in Timeless when Ashley Player made a cameo?
For those of you are saying, “ummm,” Ashley Player is one of my friend Jaine Diamond’s most famous characters in her Players series. Anyway, he shows up backstage at Coachella where Less Than Zero is playing.
In subsequent books, other rockstars have made cameos as well.
In Timeless Encore? How about 5?
That’s right, my characters from my friends Mari Carr, Julia Wolf, Wynne Roman, Cari Quinn/Taryn Elliott & LM Dalgleish all appear in extended scenes in Timeless Encore!
I’m not going to give away any spoilers, but if you haven’t preordered TIMELESS Encore, here is a link to get it NOW!
It’s been a while since I told you a “BTS” story, so thought I’d give you one on Enrico Ravenna, a.k.a. Zane Rocks.
I can’t believe it’s been over 2 years since the photo shoot for the LTZ series in Minnesota, with my visual creative muse Regina Wamba.
The night before the shoot we had a wardrobe fitting which was where I first met Enrico. He’d just flown in from his hometown and showed up at the studio with his bag. My star helpers Elena and Debbie worked with him to get the perfect outfits. When we were done with the fitting, he came up to me –almost shyly—and said, “Is anyone going to get dinner or something? I don’t know anyone so if I could tag along, that would be amazing.”
Now, I’ll admit, I was a little star-struck by him and still was. He’s such a professional. He’s clearly good looking. It never even occurred to me that he’d WANT to come out to dinner let alone ASK.
Long story short, Enrico, Christine (Ronni), me, Regina and the rest of the crew went out for dinner and had a wonderful time. He and I hit it off immediately, and he is so sweet, kind and REAL. We talked for hours about the modeling industry and why he agreed to be part of this project. He said, “Something told me that it would change my life.”
WHAT? Imagine that?
Fast forward to now. Enrico has been with me at multiple book signings and will be with me in Denver at Readers Take Denver and in Seattle at Love N Seattle. He’s so much fun to hang out with. My husband loves him. I love Enrico’s wife, Jasmine.
But how did being Zane change his life? Well, he’s taken guitar lessons and fell in love with Zane’s “style.” Enrico has a very dynamic day job where he’s able to truly be himself, with flowing long hair and leather. HE told me that he finally felt like himself when he stepped into Zane’s shoes. And, considering TIMELESS was the first book I wrote AFTER I met the model playing the character, I incorporated some of Enrico’s interests and personality into Zane.
Which makes the TIMELESS duet (TIMELESS & TIMELESS Encore) very special to me.
I hope you can come see Enrico and me in Denver or Seattle.
I’m super thrilled to tell you about a new release from my friend, Mari Carr. As those of you who have followed me for a while know, Mari is not only one of my favorite authors, she’s become a dear friend.
Mari’s new book is out called “Wild and Wicked” which is Book 4 in her Italian Stallions series. Here is a description:
Gianna, queen of to-do lists, clean freak, organizer extraordinaire, has her future all figured out. Dream job at twenty-four, engaged at twenty-six, married at twenty-eight, first baby at thirty. And she’s on her way to achieving that…sort of. She has a job, though it’s not a dream, and she even thought she had her guy. Until he dumped her just short of that engagement ring deadline.
Enter Elio Moretti, king of the ice, the playboy hockey star who lives his life just one day at a time. When Gianna and Elio are trapped in his family’s cabin during a blizzard, the concept of opposites attract is put to the test. Until the tequila comes out.
Their steamy one-night stand throws Gianna’s original plan out the window—and now she only has nine months to come up with another one. Lucky for her, Elio is very good at thinking on his feet and calls a play that just might give her everything she wants.
Have a great week!
Xoxo
Kaylene
The post ALL OF THE ROCKSTARS IN ONE STORY appeared first on Kaylene Winter, Author .
March 2, 2023
MARCH MADNESS
March is my favorite month of the year! Why? Spring is in the air. The days are finally getting longer. The smell of the air is fresh and hopeful.
Oh, did I mention it’s my birthday month??? It’s also my husbands.
I’m such a huge birthday girl. Not just for myself, but for those closest to me. Last year, my hubby had a very important birthday and I spent a year planning a surprise party for him. It was amazing…and keeping it a secret from him became another full-time job.
Some highlights:
Four couples were on our same 5-hour flight – all managed to hide from him so he was none the wiser.One of the couples was actually sitting 2 rows behind us if you can believe it! Both had hoodies pulled over their heads.Luckily, Duff McKagan and his wife were sitting in the seats next to us, so my husband was distracted. They actually have played golf together and talked shop all the way to baggage claim which made it much easier to distract him from our friends who were skulking around waiting to grab their suitcases.We got to the hotel and another couple were literally walking across the vast lobby when our car pulled up. I had to drop something so he’d pick it up and miss seeing them.That night, the plan was for everyone to meet on an outdoor terrace where all of our friends were waiting to enjoy appetizers and drinks. The problem was, you could see the entire set up from the balcony of our room! Needless to say, I kept him from that side of the deck.When we made it to the restaurant and gave our name, the hostess was like “Oh, yes, you’re with the big group.” I clenched my teeth, gave her a pointed look and growled, “Uh, no, it’s just the two of us.” Oblivious, she chirped, “Are you sure it’s not the big group?” I’m like, “Nope.” Finally she looked up and saw my expression, clued in and shut up. She took us to our “table” which was actually where our friends were waiting. Shockingly, my husband was none the wiser.It was a wonderful, wonderful week and all of the planning was worth it. The end.This year, we’re going low-key. Just a nice dinner and some time at home. What is your favorite birthday activity?
TIMELESS ENCORE ARCS AND PAPERBACK IS OUT
By the time you’re reading this, all of the Timeless Encore ARC’s have been sent out. But…drum roll please…the paperback is LIVE! Yes, I decided to release the paperback early. Mainly because I needed to order copies for a couple of events I have coming up. Get your copy here!
READERS TAKE DENVERFor those of you in the Denver area, I’ll be at Readers Take Denver on March 30-April 2 and REALLY hope to see you there.
If you want to volunteer, there are some really amazing opportunities. Here is a link to the form.
As you wait for the release of Timeless Encore, I Was Always Yours is a great book for you to grab this week by my friend Emma Luna:
I was always yours but are you mine?
I’ve been on every bad date you can think of, and I’m still traumatized by some of them. I know I’m a curvy girl, but I still deserve a nice guy.
I decide to give Internet dating one last go, and that’s when I meet Lee. He’s the perfect guy—smart, funny, and incredibly sexy. He brings out a praise kink I didn’t even know I had, and I just want to be his good girl.
Sadly, Lee doesn’t want a relationship, and instead proposes we be friends with benefits.
The more time we spend together, and the more benefits we enjoy, the more my heart is put on the line. So why can’t I walk away?
Then when life throws me a deadly curveball, and I lose all hope, I push everyone away. But as Lee fights to be a part of my life, we both have to reevaluate what we’re really looking for.
Is there any chance we were both meant for each other?
I Was Always Yours is a heartbreaking, friends-with-benefits, contemporary, new adult romance featuring a curvy girl looking for love and the guy who shows her what life and love is really like. This book is intended for mature readers and there are plenty of spicy scenes featuring praise kink. This book is a standalone with a HEA.
Love,
Kaylene
The post MARCH MADNESS appeared first on Kaylene Winter, Author .
February 16, 2023
TIMELESS IS FREE
Hi everyone, just a short note to remind you that TIMELESS is FREE through Feb 18, 2023 on Amazon, so if you haven’t picked up your eBook, now is the perfect time to do it. TIMELESS Encore is out on 3/17/23 so I want you to be ready for the second act in Zane and Fiona’s epic love story.
I also want to give you a little clue as to what’s in store…
CAMEOS!
Here’s an excerpt from TIMELESS to get you in the mood…
“God, Fee. Is this your first time at a festival?” Carter throws his arm around me and we walk toward a balding, portly guy with a long braid for a beard who seems to be waiting for us.
“Yep. Looks like I’m doing it in style.” I hip check him. “I’m guessing this isn’t how the masses get in.”
“Mr. Pope.” The man holds out his hand. Carter shakes it. “I’m Billy. Here are your wristbands. Here is my card, call me if you need anything. I’ll make sure we accommodate you.”
The man helps strap on about half a dozen different colored cloth bands around each of our wrists. Carter’s security team gets the same bracelets as us, plus one more. As we step through the gate, I shoot Carter a puzzled look. “What happened to a good old VIP All-Access lanyard?”
“Ah, well there’s not really such a thing anymore at most festivals.” He pinches a plastic square that is attached to a bracelet. “This is a RFID chip, each bracelet designates where you’re allowed to go. They’ll scan it at various places throughout the festival. It allows the organizers to keep track of everyone because your ID is associated with the chip. That’s why I had my management office get all your details yesterday. Basically, because we have all of these bracelets, we can get anywhere. Mostly, for security purposes, we’ll be behind the scenes.”
Which means, in layperson speak, Carter can’t really mingle with the masses. He’d be mobbed. I finger through each of the bracelets. Carter explains what each means. One of them is bright pink with “artist” printed in black lettering, it allows us to go to the backstage general lounge areas and to watch most shows from special areas to the side of the stage. Another is pale blue for “guest,” which gets us into more private backstage areas. One is yellow, apparently we can hitch a ride on a golf cart with that one. We also have a brighter orange “VIP,” a purple “Production,” and a black-and-silver one marked “VVIP,” which apparently is the most coveted bracelet at the festival.
By this point, we’re in a golf cart zipping toward a smaller stage where a band Carter’s excited to see is playing. I’ve already forgotten their name, and they’re not really my taste, but it doesn’t matter. One of the wristbands allows us to stand at the side of the stage and watch the crowd, so I’m people watching. Slutty bohemian-chic outfits. Crazy hairstyles. Cosplay. Basic fans. Posers. Drunk people. Families with kids. It’s a fascinating mix.
Luckily, I studied up ahead of time on festival fashion. I kinda sorta fit in. My bright-pink hair braided into pigtails seems to check a box. I’m a basic festival bitch, but passable. A couple of layered tank tops in black and pink. Cut-off shorts. Ankle boots. Oh, and a black Limelight bandana Carter handed me when the golf cart kicked up a plume of dust, causing me to cough.
“Carter Pope. Good to see you.” A striking dude with jet-black hair and ice-blue eyes stands next to us. He nods at me.
Carter pulls down his baseball cap. “New album sounds good.”
“Thanks, man.”
“Ash, this is Fiona Reynolds, Zane’s girlfriend.” Carter puts his hand on my shoulder. “Fee, this is Ashley Player, his band goes on right before LTZ.”
I extend my hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Crazy. I’m living in a whole new world I didn’t know existed.
That’s right! My friend Jaine Diamond allowed me to let Ashley Player make a cameo in TIMELESS.
Just WAIT until you see which characters (yes multiple) make their cameos in TIMELESS: Encore! Oh, if you are a fan of rockstar romance, you’re going to SQUEE so hard!
Just a little tease…
Until next week,
Kaylene
The post TIMELESS IS FREE appeared first on Kaylene Winter, Author .
February 9, 2023
BEHIND THE SCENES: GRAMMY EDITION
I’m back in Seattle after a whirlwind few days in LA at the Grammys. If you’ve been following me or subscribed to my newsletter, you know that I used to be a band manager and rock promoter before I became a lawyer and now author.
I’m one of the lucky few who have a membership to The Recording Academy, AKA the organization that produces the Grammys. I try to go as often as possible because it’s a very cool experience and, well, it’s a hell of a lot of fun.
This year, in between various industry parties and dinners, I even managed to sneak off for a date night with my husband.
Did you watch the show? I can say that I loved all the performances. From the 50-years of Hip-Hop to Sam Smith to Harry Styles to Lizzo, there’s really no other place you can see such a wide variety of music in one place.
The event itself, when you’re there, is a little like a mixture of a concert and basketball game. It’s live, so every time there is a commercial break there is also a break inside the venue too. All of the rockstars on the floor in front of the stage mingle and chat. Everyone in the seats do the same. Ten seconds before the break is over, announcers are urging everyone to take their seats.
On screen it looks so polished. When you’re there, you get to see the set changes, the camera work and all of the scuffling around to get people here and there.
If you ever get the opportunity to go, I highly encourage you to take it!
TIMELESS IS FREE ON AMAZONMark your calendar, I’m doing a special FREE book promotion of TIMELESS on Amazon from February 14-18 as my special Valentine’s gift to you. IF you haven’t read Timeless, it’s your chance to get it just before TIMELESS Encore is released.
This week, I can’t wait for you to learn more about my friend J. Nathan. She writes new adult romances with cocky heroes and sassy heroines, and I’m excited to offer you the chance to read Kozart, Book 1 in her Savage Beast Rockstar Romance series. Here’s a description:
Kozart Savage is the world’s biggest rock star.
At twenty-five, he’s got it all. Money. Fame. And the adoration of fans everywhere.
He thought that was enough to make him forget his past.
Enough to transform his distrusting heart.
Turns out that’s not how it works…
Then he meets a bridesmaid hiding out in a hotel bar.
Probably the only girl on the planet who doesn’t know who he is.
But she seems to be the one girl who can give him something no one else can.
Aubrey Prescott just discovered her boyfriend cheating—at her sister’s wedding.
Trying to escape humiliation, she seeks refuge in a hotel bar.
While trying to figure out how to pick up the pieces of what was supposed to be an amazing senior year in college, a handsome stranger interrupts her wallowing.
A stranger who quickly makes her forget why she’s there.
One who disappears without a second glance.
Have a wonderful weekend. Don’t forget, Timeless Encore cover reveal is NEXT WEEK!
If you’d like to be part of Kaylene’s Krew and receive ARCS, all sorts of inside information and join my legendary street team, sign up here.
All my love,
Kaylene
Don’t forget to preorder TIMELESS Encore!
The post BEHIND THE SCENES: GRAMMY EDITION appeared first on Kaylene Winter, Author .
