Blurb:
Kenzie propositions a sexy stranger in a coffee shop to prove to herself she’s capable of taking a risk. She doesn’t expect him to be sitting across from her the following Monday as her newest client. Even worse, she can’t stop thinking about what might have happened between them on a personal level if it weren’t for their professional relationship. He knows how to push her buttons, and she doesn’t want him to stop.
Scott has built his software company from the ground up to escape things like stuffy old men telling him how to behave, so he loathes his board of directors ordering him to make the public forget he doesn’t have a verbal filter. When his new publicity manager is the almost-fling he never expected to see again, he seizes the opportunity to have fun and still pretend he’s complying with the board’s edict.
Giving in to desire could mean both their jobs, but each “one last time” always leads to another. Now they have to decide what they’re willing to sacrifice to indulge this conflict of interest.
Excerpt:
“Do you want a lift?” Scott asked.
Her footsteps slowed, and she pulled away. “In the love van?”
He spun to face her, not sure what to make of the comment. She’d nicknamed his car? Fascinating. “Excuse me?”
She nodded at the Escalade in the back of the parking lot. “That one’s yours right? The Game God license plate? The tinted windows meant to keep out even the most penetrating light?”
She knew what the G4M3G0D on his plates meant. She was full of entertaining surprises. He bit back the urge to joke about the word penetrating. “That’s it, but love van, really?”
She fell into step beside him again. “No one’s ever accused you of that before?”
“Not to my face. Interesting assumption.” He moved closer, letting his bare arm brush hers.
“No worse than deciding I was reading some bodice ripper inside.”
He stopped at his SUV, spinning to face her and leaning back against it, one foot propped up on the rubber strip running along the bottom of the door. He looped his thumbs in his pockets. “Fair enough. We’re even on the inappropriate assumption front then?”
She kept her distance but didn’t seem in a hurry to leave. “I didn’t know we were keeping score.”
A gust of wind tore through the parking lot, whipping her ponytail into her face. She hugged herself and shivered as the clouds devoured the last traces of direct sunlight.
He forced his hands to stay by his side, biting his tongue before he could offer to warm her up. Or ask if she’d like to be the one biting his tongue. “Someone’s always keeping score.”
Allyson, thanks so much for stopping by. So, why don’t you tell us a little about yourself?
Thanks so much for having me, I love the look of your blog. A little about me… well… I’m a database developer by day, which sounds much more impressive than it is. Basically my job is to make sure the computers that run our various pieces of software all talk to each other, and translate for them when there’s a language barrier.
Beyond that I write (obviously ;), read, and have a not so secret addiction to playing video games.
How did you get started writing?
When I was young, five or six, my mother always encouraged me to tell stories. She transcribed one for me and typed it all up. I was so pleased with the finished product that I decided then and there that I wanted to do that whenever I could—make my words into something more tangible.
What was the inspiration for your book?
In addition to my gaming addiction, I also have a very public addiction to coffee. I like my fix. And one day the idea came to me, what if two people met in a coffee shop, and slowly fell for each other over shared lattes and traded secrets? Also… gaming.
It wasn’t a very well fleshed out idea. But I managed to grow it into Scott, who built his gaming company from the ground up, and Kenzie, who’s hired to teach him how to behave in public, thanks to an edict from his board of directors. Things might not be so awkward between them if they hadn’t already spent a couple of minutes as strangers getting up close and personal in his SUV the weekend before.
Are there any genres you won’t read or write in? Why?
I won’t rule anything out completely. I think I’ve read in most genres out there. But I’ve never been a big fan of flowery prose – ala Charles Dickens, so I would probably never write something historical in that type of voice.
So, what are you working on right now? Got any releases planned, or still writing?
I just finished the first book in a brand new series, and while I can’t share many details yet (I’m hoping very soon), I can say it’s got karaoke, hackers, and black jack. Also, more than a hint of sexiness.
Alright, now for some totally random, fun questions.
Woot! I love random.
Favorite color?
Red
Favorite movie?
Iron Man
Book that inspired you to become an author?
Neil Gaiman’s American Gods
Alright, you have one superpower. What is it?
The ability to look like anyone.
Last question: Which of your characters are you most like and how/why?
When it comes down to individual books, I usually have to say my heroine from the individual story. But if I were to pick one character across all my books to date, it would actually be the hero from Conflict of Interest—Scott. Our views on life, corporations, and daydreaming align pretty closely, and like him, I’d almost always rather be wearing an Incredible Hulk T-shirt than a tuxedo.
Holding Her Close:
March 10: Long and Short Reviews
March 11: All I Want and More
March 11: Musings and Ramblings
March 13: Love is a Mystery
Conflict of Interest:
March 17: Bitches Be Writn'
March 18: Sharing Links and Wisdom
March 18: Desire Me Only
March 18: Musings and Ramblings
March 20: Romance Novel Giveaways
March 21: Books and Other Spells
Toeing the Line:
March 24: It's Raining Books
March 25: Musings and Ramblings
March 26: Harlie's Books
March 27: Sharing Links and Wisdom
March 28: Welcome to My World of Dreams
Learning New Tricks:
March 31: Rachel Brimble Romance
April 1: Musings and Ramblings
April 3: Untamed Spirit
April 4: Harlie's Books
Author Bio and Links:
Buy Holding Her Close:
Buy Conflict of Interest:
Buy Toeing the Line:
Buy Learning New Tricks:
Liquid Silver Books | Amazon | All Romance eBooks
Thanks for hosting me today!
ReplyDeleteLoved your interview Allyson. As to your WIP~ karaoke, hackers, and black jack~ sounds like the seedy side of Vegas... maybe a run down PI who gets drafted into the role of super-sleuth (if he can stay sober). His name could be Herschel. I should stop now. LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm liking your story idea, Elise-Maria. Mine's more about the dark seedy side of corporate America, but now you've given me all sorts of new ideas, lol.
DeleteYou know, I was never a fan of the Charles Dickinson-esk language myself...I am however a huge fan of steampunk. To better understand the genre better, I made myself take a class on Victorian Literature...to my surprise and amazement...the reading gets easier and more fun with practice. I still would prefer standard modern fantast/sci-fi/romance...but now and then I pick up a classic!
ReplyDeleteOoh, I didn't even think of Steampunk, but that's a genre I love to read, and wouldn't mind trying my hand at writing either.
DeleteThank you for the awesome giveaway ! I will be looking this book up !
ReplyDelete