Interview and Excerpt: The Saint's Devilish Deal by Kristina Knight
Thanks to Kristina Knight for stopping by with a Q&A and excerpt from The Saint's Devilish Deal. Please visit her tour page on CLP Blog Tours for more information!
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you? – From an early age, although I didn't know what 'being a writer' meant at that point. I just liked to write my own stories and draw really, really terrible pictures to go along with them. I gave up the pictures by middle school, but the story writing bug never really went away!
How would you describe your books? – Sassy and sexy with a hefty dollop of humor thrown in.
Why was The Saint’s Devilish Deal a book you wanted to write? – I love redemption stories, and reunion stories are one of my favorites, too. So when the characters of Santiago and Esme came to me I knew they needed to have pasts, that the pasts needed to be intertwined and I thought a reunion romance would be a great way to help them along their road to happily ever after.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you? – Getting the first half of the book right. I know a LOT of writers who can write the first draft, go back and fix problems in edits and not worry about the little things on the first go-round. I can do that, to some extent, but I have to have a good grasp of who my characters are and their issues before I can really move forward into the story. So, I go through a LOT of drafts of the first half of my books. I write, revise, re-write, start over. Once I have those characters issues down, the rest of the story can flow, but I have to have them right first.
What are your favorite genres to read? – I like all romance genres, but contemporary and romantic suspense are my favorites. That said, give me a good with great characters and I'm in for the story!
What do you want readers to take away from your story? – That love is both a great gift to give and receive. Saint and Esme both struggle with accepting love, because of their pasts. They're willing to give it, but accepting is a different story. Accepting might include hurt somewhere along the line. Accepting love, though, also opens the heart, and that is a good thing.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days? – I love social media! It's a great way to meet and interact with readers and other writers. I think it's an important part of the marketing of authors and their books, but I think looking at social media as only a marketing tool is a mistake. Social media should be more about getting to know other people than screaming 'hey, buy my book' all the time. Although I do share books links (my own and books I've liked).
What would be your advice to aspiring writers? To find a way of writing that works for you and to keep trying. My way of writing – getting those first 5-6 chapters perfect before moving on – isn't for everyone. Just as writing with no editing until the draft is finished isn't for everyone. We all need to find what works for us and use that. And, we have to keep improving, sending out manuscripts and trying new things so that we're always growing.
**Excerpt**
Esme ran her index finger along the neckline of her silk blouse, praying for a little relieffrom the oppressive heat Santiago brought into the room with him. Glancing up she saw the fanwas, indeed, still moving. The air itself seemed to hold still for him.“. . .and so Constance wants you to run the villa, with Esmerelda, for the next six months.Three with you in charge, three with Esme running things.” Velazquez’s tone said Esme runninganything would end in disaster. “At the end of that time, a decision will be made as to the futureof Casa. Although, I have to say, based on the bank balances and outstanding loans, I don’t seemuch hope for it.” Velazquez tapped the file closed and clasped his hands together on the deskblotter.“I will not vacate my property to leave him—” she jerked her thumb toward the pseudosurfercurrently slouched on the lawyer’s Spanish leather sofa “—in charge for five minutes,much less the three months mentioned in that letter.”Since being summoned to Puerto Vallarta, Esme’s world had turned topsy-turvy. A villaemployee had met her at the airport gate, delivering a single-page note from Aunt Constance,telling Esme that Santiago would help her run the villa until Con’s return from a private medicalfacility. Esme had barely known Constance was sick and now she was gone before Esme couldeven set down her suitcase.Esme spared another glace toward the sofa. Was Santiago paler than when he’d walkedin? Couldn’t be. No, his casual posture in the corner of the sofa belied any of the surprise thatwas currently making it hard for her to breathe. The Patek Phillipe watch on his wrist, costingmore than her entire ensemble, might be the only vestige of the businessman she remembered—but that man still existed. He wasn’t surprised and she shouldn’t be. Aunt Constance alwaysliked a little healthy competition, she reminded herself.But a vacation resort needed stability to grow, not one manger one week and another thenext.“Señorita Quinn, I know this comes as a shock, but Constance was very clear before sheleft for her extended rest.” The lawyer’s voice brought Esme abruptly back to the present. Hisglance skipped from her face to Santiago’s and back again as he clenched his jaw.Great, she’d annoyed the only man who could reverse this ridiculous situation.“As long as we’re both on the property, though, we meet Constance’s demands, correct?So how about keeping him on in an advisory capacity, while I run things?”“Constance was clear. She wants you and Santiago to run the villa. As I’ve said, for threemonths you will be in control, for three months Santiago will run things. If either of you leave,I’m to auction the property.”“We all know the highest bidder at any auction will be Eduardo Cruz. Why would I workwith one Cruz while another is already waiting to take my property?” Crossing her arms over herchest, Esme sat back. Santiago shifted and she cut her eyes to the sofa, focusing on her nemesis.“Look, you may have conned Aunt Constance with your surfer boy routine, but I don’t buy it.You don’t want to run a hotel. You don’t even want to be here, so why don’t you go buy a coffee downstairs while the adults talk?”The lawyer gasped but Santiago only grinned. Just like him not to get an insult whenaimed directly at him. Or his feet, since she found it hard to look directly into those deep browneyes without wanting to drown in them. God, she thought she was past the point of beingcharmed by The Saint.“I see the kitten has sharpened her claws,” he drawled. Each syllable rolled off his tonguelike honey. Despite the heat of the day, Esme shivered. ***********************************************************************************
Author Bio:
Once upon a time, Kristina Knight spent her days running from car crash to fire to meetings with local police - no, she wasn't a trouble-maker she was a journalist. When the opportunity to write what she wanted - business and family/parenting articles - and to focus more energy on the stories in her head, she jumped at it.
And she's never looked back. Now she writes articles for magazines and such by day and writes romance novels with spice by night. And any toddler-free, five minute break she has. She lives on Lake Erie with her husband and 4 year old daughter. Happily ever after.
Connect with Kristina! Website: http://www.kristinaknightauthor.comFB: http://www.facebook.com/kristinaknightromanceauthorTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/authorkristina
Buy the Book!
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Saints-Devilish-Deal-ebook/dp/B0096D6WFE/ref=la_B0081LO6DM_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1349205407&sr=1-2iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-saints-devilish-deal/id559862469?mt=11B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/kristina-knight
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you? – From an early age, although I didn't know what 'being a writer' meant at that point. I just liked to write my own stories and draw really, really terrible pictures to go along with them. I gave up the pictures by middle school, but the story writing bug never really went away!
How would you describe your books? – Sassy and sexy with a hefty dollop of humor thrown in.
Why was The Saint’s Devilish Deal a book you wanted to write? – I love redemption stories, and reunion stories are one of my favorites, too. So when the characters of Santiago and Esme came to me I knew they needed to have pasts, that the pasts needed to be intertwined and I thought a reunion romance would be a great way to help them along their road to happily ever after.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you? – Getting the first half of the book right. I know a LOT of writers who can write the first draft, go back and fix problems in edits and not worry about the little things on the first go-round. I can do that, to some extent, but I have to have a good grasp of who my characters are and their issues before I can really move forward into the story. So, I go through a LOT of drafts of the first half of my books. I write, revise, re-write, start over. Once I have those characters issues down, the rest of the story can flow, but I have to have them right first.
What are your favorite genres to read? – I like all romance genres, but contemporary and romantic suspense are my favorites. That said, give me a good with great characters and I'm in for the story!
What do you want readers to take away from your story? – That love is both a great gift to give and receive. Saint and Esme both struggle with accepting love, because of their pasts. They're willing to give it, but accepting is a different story. Accepting might include hurt somewhere along the line. Accepting love, though, also opens the heart, and that is a good thing.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days? – I love social media! It's a great way to meet and interact with readers and other writers. I think it's an important part of the marketing of authors and their books, but I think looking at social media as only a marketing tool is a mistake. Social media should be more about getting to know other people than screaming 'hey, buy my book' all the time. Although I do share books links (my own and books I've liked).
What would be your advice to aspiring writers? To find a way of writing that works for you and to keep trying. My way of writing – getting those first 5-6 chapters perfect before moving on – isn't for everyone. Just as writing with no editing until the draft is finished isn't for everyone. We all need to find what works for us and use that. And, we have to keep improving, sending out manuscripts and trying new things so that we're always growing.
**Excerpt**
Esme ran her index finger along the neckline of her silk blouse, praying for a little relieffrom the oppressive heat Santiago brought into the room with him. Glancing up she saw the fanwas, indeed, still moving. The air itself seemed to hold still for him.“. . .and so Constance wants you to run the villa, with Esmerelda, for the next six months.Three with you in charge, three with Esme running things.” Velazquez’s tone said Esme runninganything would end in disaster. “At the end of that time, a decision will be made as to the futureof Casa. Although, I have to say, based on the bank balances and outstanding loans, I don’t seemuch hope for it.” Velazquez tapped the file closed and clasped his hands together on the deskblotter.“I will not vacate my property to leave him—” she jerked her thumb toward the pseudosurfercurrently slouched on the lawyer’s Spanish leather sofa “—in charge for five minutes,much less the three months mentioned in that letter.”Since being summoned to Puerto Vallarta, Esme’s world had turned topsy-turvy. A villaemployee had met her at the airport gate, delivering a single-page note from Aunt Constance,telling Esme that Santiago would help her run the villa until Con’s return from a private medicalfacility. Esme had barely known Constance was sick and now she was gone before Esme couldeven set down her suitcase.Esme spared another glace toward the sofa. Was Santiago paler than when he’d walkedin? Couldn’t be. No, his casual posture in the corner of the sofa belied any of the surprise thatwas currently making it hard for her to breathe. The Patek Phillipe watch on his wrist, costingmore than her entire ensemble, might be the only vestige of the businessman she remembered—but that man still existed. He wasn’t surprised and she shouldn’t be. Aunt Constance alwaysliked a little healthy competition, she reminded herself.But a vacation resort needed stability to grow, not one manger one week and another thenext.“Señorita Quinn, I know this comes as a shock, but Constance was very clear before sheleft for her extended rest.” The lawyer’s voice brought Esme abruptly back to the present. Hisglance skipped from her face to Santiago’s and back again as he clenched his jaw.Great, she’d annoyed the only man who could reverse this ridiculous situation.“As long as we’re both on the property, though, we meet Constance’s demands, correct?So how about keeping him on in an advisory capacity, while I run things?”“Constance was clear. She wants you and Santiago to run the villa. As I’ve said, for threemonths you will be in control, for three months Santiago will run things. If either of you leave,I’m to auction the property.”“We all know the highest bidder at any auction will be Eduardo Cruz. Why would I workwith one Cruz while another is already waiting to take my property?” Crossing her arms over herchest, Esme sat back. Santiago shifted and she cut her eyes to the sofa, focusing on her nemesis.“Look, you may have conned Aunt Constance with your surfer boy routine, but I don’t buy it.You don’t want to run a hotel. You don’t even want to be here, so why don’t you go buy a coffee downstairs while the adults talk?”The lawyer gasped but Santiago only grinned. Just like him not to get an insult whenaimed directly at him. Or his feet, since she found it hard to look directly into those deep browneyes without wanting to drown in them. God, she thought she was past the point of beingcharmed by The Saint.“I see the kitten has sharpened her claws,” he drawled. Each syllable rolled off his tonguelike honey. Despite the heat of the day, Esme shivered. ***********************************************************************************
Author Bio:
Once upon a time, Kristina Knight spent her days running from car crash to fire to meetings with local police - no, she wasn't a trouble-maker she was a journalist. When the opportunity to write what she wanted - business and family/parenting articles - and to focus more energy on the stories in her head, she jumped at it.
And she's never looked back. Now she writes articles for magazines and such by day and writes romance novels with spice by night. And any toddler-free, five minute break she has. She lives on Lake Erie with her husband and 4 year old daughter. Happily ever after.
Connect with Kristina! Website: http://www.kristinaknightauthor.comFB: http://www.facebook.com/kristinaknightromanceauthorTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/authorkristina
Buy the Book!
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Saints-Devilish-Deal-ebook/dp/B0096D6WFE/ref=la_B0081LO6DM_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1349205407&sr=1-2iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-saints-devilish-deal/id559862469?mt=11B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/kristina-knight
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