"Illusions" Book Tour + Author Interview w/ Kacey Hammell

Canadian-born author, Kacey Hammell is a self-proclaimed book-a-holic, who began reading romances at a young age and became easily addicted.  As a Mom of three, Kacey has made certain that each of her children know the value of the written word and the adventures they could escape on by becoming book-a-holics in their own right.

A decade ago, while working for multiple review sites, Kacey quickly discovered that she was developing the writing bug. Thanks to the encouragement of her own beloved hero husband, she decided to try her hand at writing. 

With a love of contemporary settings, modern day romances and the happily ever after, as well as the excitement of suspense, Kacey creates stories in genres she’s familiar with and that she loves most. She also loves vampires who nibble the necks of the heroines, ghosts who can't leave a loved one, shape-shifters who are sexier than hell and the thought of her very own werewolf or were-cat to tame makes her tremble!

Where to Find Kacey:

Website/Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Email

TBQ: Hi Kacey! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Kacey: I’m a mom of three, married, born, raised and still living in my hometown in Ontario, Canada. I’ve been an avidreader of all things romance, suspense and paranormal for decades and enjoy long walks with my husband and children. Some say I’m hot-tempered and very stubborn but I just chalk it up to being independent and a natural redhead. LOL

TBQ: What made you decide to start writing? Why romance?

Kacey: My husband encouraged me many years ago to finally sit down and write. I’d been a reviewer for a few online sites for a few years, critiqued for some authors and he believed with all my knowledge, I could write something myself. I finally took his advice – I’ll never say he was right *g* – and found that I could do it and enjoy it.   Romance is first and foremost my favourite genre. I began reading Nora Roberts, Joan Johnston and Debbie Macomber when I was about thirteen and instantly hooked.

TBQ: Your newest release, Illusions, came out last month (Congrats!). Can you tell us a little bit about it?

Kacey: Illusions is a romantic suspense with erotic romance interwoven. Isabella & Brady, the main characters, are friends who became lovers and fight commitment every step of the way. Neither believes that love is for them and they do everything possible to avoid it. However, as their secret relationship gets deeper, and a psychotic killer is inching his way closer to home, both of them realize that they can’t control everything. No matter how much they’d like to…

TBQ: Where do you get some of the ideas for your books?

Kacey: Isabella & Brady came to me in a dream. While Izzy is very opinionated, stubborn and vocal most of the time, Brady did most of the talking during the dream and made sure that I told the story as he wanted it told. I always thought Izzy was the one directing me the most, but I was so sadly mistaken.

A lot of my stories come from dreams, some real life experiences.  One WIP I just finished, Dare, stemmed from old college fun I used to have. Harmless dares that a group of pals and I would take part in, and I evolved that concept into an erotic romance. And an old flame resurfaced in my life about eight years ago, and wanted to meet me for coffee one day, my husband wasn’t too thrilled and so the idea for Last Man Standing, another romance story of mine, was born. (But I did end up going for coffee…husband in tow) LOL

TBQ: Are there other genres you would like to write about?

Kacey: I have an urge to write a paranormal series – and it’s in the works. I never thought I’d branch out into that genre, but the idea for a paranormal/ménage series has surfaced and the first books’ characters have been chattering in my ear.

TBQ: I know we all hate this question, author and reader alike. :) But I have to ask: What are a few of your favorite books and/or authors?

Kacey: Oh, the list is endless. Trust me. I have nearly three thousand titles on my keeper shelves—my husband had to make two complete walls of shelves in our bedroom). To name a few: Nora Roberts (Mackade Brothers series)/JD Robb (In Death Books), and anything by Cherry Adair, Lauren Dane, Jaci Burton, Patricia A Rasey, Rosalie Stanton, Vivian Arend, Sara Brookes, Maya Banks, John Grisham, Suzanne Brockmann, Sandra Brown, Brenda Novak, Terri Schaefer. 

Wizard of Oz, To Kill a Mockingbird and Jane Eyre are some of my most favourite titles.

TBQ: WOW--I am officially jealous of your bookshelves! I wish I had 'em, believe me, I could use them! LOL. Also, tons of great authors there, most of them are on my list of "must read", Nora Roberts is already a favorite of mine. :)

Have you ever fallen for a hero, either from one of your books or from another author? If so, who is he and what drew you to him?

Kacey: Brockman’s Troubleshooter series. Both Sam & Roarke are uber-uber-mega-delightful and sexy men who sweep a woman off her feet without even meaning to! I love sinking into stories with these two men. 

Brady (from Illusions) will always hold the biggest part of my heart since he was my first hero that I wrote, but Dare (from the recent finished WIP) is a very close second.

TBQ: Okay, definitely have to read Brockman's series---you are not the only one who has told me how great those heroes are! :)

What's next-- Can you tell us a little bit about your upcoming releases or WIP?

Kacey: I have the sequel to Illusions submitted to Decadent. Waiting to hear about Awakening. *fingers crossed* Hope it comes through!

The finished WIP, titled Dare, is also submitted to a few publishers that I’m waiting to hear about.

I am doing my read through/self-edits for another WIP (yet untitled) that I wrote within a week. A tortured heroine who’s had some horrible tragedies in her life. It was a gut-wrenching story to write but she wormed her way into my heart and thoughts and wouldn’t let go. Once I’m done my polishing, I’ll submit it to a few publishers and see what happens.

I have the paranormal/ménage series started and about to focus on that.

Things are never quiet in my head. LOL I think all of your readers are thankful for that! :)

Speed Round:

Chocolate OR Vanilla?

Chocolate.

A day on a secluded island OR a day at the spa?

Day at the spa – more relaxing without having to worry about getting a sunburn. *g* Yep, I'll join you at the spa--I'm not a redhead, but my father is and I've got skin that freckles and burns easily!

Reading a steamy romance novel OR a suspense-filled mystery?

Oooh, I don’t know. I guess the suspense filled mystery…but only by a slim margin!

Which would you rather have an affair with: a sexy highlander OR a devilishly handsome English lord?

Sexy highlander for sure! High-five, girl! :)

Hot summer days OR cold winter nights?

Cold winter nights…cuddle time! *g*

Where would your dream house be: in the city, where all the action is OR nestled in the mountain where you can enjoy the quiet and the wilderness?

Mountain—preferably somewhere in Ireland. Are you sure we weren't seperated at birth? :)

If you could live in any time-period, past or future, which one would it be?

Future.

Cover Lover OR Blurb Fan?

Cover lover … an addict actually. I like to make my own desktop backgrounds with some of my fave covers. *g* Join the Cover Lover and Proud group!

Steamy Novella OR Sweet Novel?

Steamy Novella.

And finally, tell us 3 unique/wacky/fun things about yourself:

I sing as if I’m on center stage when I’m driving alone in the car.

I’m cry during Disney movies.

I don’t drink alcohol but drink other beverages out of a wine goblet.

TBQ: Thanks so much for stopping by, Kacey and please know that you are welcome back anytime! Do you have any questions for our readers—something to spark a good discussion? :)

Kacey: Thank you so much! I loved your questions and would love to return, anytime! Readers, I'd love to know...if you could be in your favourite author's story, which would you rather be...Villain/Villainess or Hero/Heroine? 

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Illusions by Kacey Hammell
Publisher: Decadent Publishing Company, LLC (February 26, 2012)
Series: The Arms of the Law, 1
Genre: Erotica--Paranormal Suspense

Summary (Amazon.com):

Protection. Adventure. Love.
It’s all found within The Arms of the Law....

Detective Isabella Knowles, a tough-as-nails cop, lives by the law, and knows what she wants out of life. And it doesn’t include marriage or all that comes with it. Everything Isabella has ever known seems like an illusion when a new relationship makes her feel more alive than ever before. She isn’t happy about it and fights it every step of the way.


Burned by his fianceé years ago, seer and P.I., Brady Jacobs never wants another commitment in his life. But his bachelorhood and heart are threatened when he has one of his visions and see a killer striking too close to the woman he has recently come to love.


Danger lurks close to home and neither Brady nor Isabella like that they can’t control every situation…especially matters of the heart.

Show More

 

Where to Buy:

Kindle | Publisher | All Romance

Read my Review!

 

Illusions

Excerpt, Kacey Hammell, © 2012

Knowing she would soon run out of time before his arrival, and getting more aroused by the second, Isabella hurriedly reached for her bath sponge. Soaping it up, she cleansed her body with an eagerness she was growing accustomed to feeling whenever she had plans to see him.

Sponging all suds from her clean body, Isabella pulled the plug in the drain, and stood in the tub, reaching for a thick, blue towel from the shelf.

She rubbed vigorously at her body, drying it, and reached for the strawberry body lotion that went with her bubble bath. She poured a generous amount into her palm, rubbing her hands together to coat them in the sweet smell. Then she smoothed it over her arms, her breasts, stomach, and legs. The scent of strawberries made her smile.

Humming Destiny’s Child’s ancient hit Soldier to herself, Isabella wondered how many more minutes she’d have to wait before her soldier made an appearance.

She recapped the body lotion and tucked the towel loosely around her once again. Her heart skipped a beat when she heard the sound of the front door closing.

She hazarded a glance in the mirror. With the mussed, damp tendrils of hair around her shoulders, the towel haphazardly wrapped around her, she looked like a woman eager for a man’s—her man’s—touch.

The sound of a boot hitting the floor with a thud caused her to smile, and she moved to the doorway of the bathroom.

Hearing another boot drop and the sound of heavy breathing, Isabella peered into the hallway. When he finally came into view, she was already breathless, even though she had been expecting him.

Dressed in his usual black denim, form-fitting jeans, and dark hair damp as if he too had taken a few moments to clean up, he was a sight to behold.

Isabella’s heart thudded rapidly and her legs threatened to give out. She noticed his leather jacket, undone, over a naked torso. Obviously his zealousness to be with her had him forgetting a few things.

There they were. The abs, the washboard stomach had her literally teetering on the edge of orgasm already—and he hadn’t even touched her.

Finally lifting her gaze to his face, his smoldering silver-gray eyes captured hers. She had to lean against the doorjamb for support.

He always made her speechless. His beauty, his charm oozed from him with no effort at all. How she had gone so long, so many years as friends with him and never really noticed him in such a way before? Some detective she was, not seeing what was directly in front of her.

As he moved toward her, his pace slowed, as if he knew the effect he was having on her and wanted her to crave him more desperately than ever. His face broke into a sinful grin, telling her he knew exactly what he was playing at.

Never one to let anyone, least of all this man, have the upper hand, Isabella let go of the towel she was still holding around her. It slithered downed her body, pooling at her feet. Noting his small stumble mid-stride, she relished the power she had over him.

Naked and confident, she smiled at the man she needed to feel against her. Desperate to have his hands on her, she called to him.

“Brady….”

Kacey will be giving away a goodie package sent via snail mail (consisting of magnets, pen, notepads), plus THREE (3) ebooks of their choice from Decadent Publishing to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour!

How to Enter:

Mandatory: You must leave a comment (answering Kacey's question and/or asking one of your own for her), with a valid email address^. No Email Address, No Entry!

^If you don't wish to post your email addy in the comment section, then it must be visible on your Blogger profile (if you have one).


Kacey's Question:
Readers, I'd love to know...if you could be in your favourite author's story, which would you rather be...Villain/Villainess or Hero/Heroine? 

Be sure to follow the rest of the blog tour, both to learn more about Kacey and to increase your chances of winning!

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I'd like to thank Kacey for stopping by today--I enjoyed having you as a guest! After reading your answers, I found that we have a lot in common--I'll definitely be looking for your future books!

I'd also like to thank Goddess Fish for allowing me to participate in this tour, as well as providing me with the review copy of Illusions.




Enjoy!



Until Next Time,

*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!