Friday, June 30, 2017

Author Interview: Aislinn Kearns


WELCOME TO THE BLOG, AISLINN!





Aislinn is an Aussie girl that loves to travel and see the world. She completed a Bachelor of Arts in English and History, which she loved, and then went on to do a Masters in an unrelated field. She now largely pretends that last degree never happened.

She is the author of the ‘Soldiering On’ books, a Romantic Suspense series. She enjoys reading, writing, travelling, watching action movies (particularly if they have a romance!), and fantasising about her future cottage in a forest. Now that she’s published, her next life dream is to own a dog.




Where to Find Aislinn:








TBQ: Hi Aislinn! Introduce yourself – perhaps in the form of 3 unique, wacky, or fun things about yourself?




Aislinn: Hi! I’m Aislinn (pronounced Aish-lynn) and I write romantic suspense.

Three facts about me:

  •         I’ve been to 20 countries, and intend to visit a lot more in my lifetime
  •         I own over 800 DVDs and a hell of a lot more books
  •         I find it impossible to follow recipes when I cook. I just end up substituting and adding and…well, it usually tastes OK!




TBQ: Damn, girl! That's a lot of traveling -- I'm jealous! :) 

Ah, um, yeah, I may also identify with the DVD/book avalanche in the house....


Your newest, Hotel Hideaway, releases today. Congrats! Can you tell us a little bit about this book, and why readers are going to love it?


A: Thank you! In Hotel Hideaway our heroine, Sam, is a bodyguard to a handsome CEO, but both have secrets they are keeping from the other. They have to learn to trust each other while dodging assassins after Cameron’s blood!

From the very beginning of this series I was excited to write Sam’s book. She’s just such a great character, tough but vulnerable, smart and practical. She used to be in the Navy, and now she’s working at Soldiering On – the security company my characters formed in the prequel to the series.
I knew that I would have a hard time coming up with a hero that matched her, but I think – hope! – I succeeded. Cameron has his own mission – and his own strength and flaws. I think they work really well together.



TBQ: Heroine bodyguard who was also in the Navy? SIGN ME UP! Good thing I plan on reading this one soon! :D

Why do Sam and Cameron fit together so well?


A: Both Sam and Cameron see the true selves that the other tries so hard to hide. They learn trust each other, almost in spite of themselves. Both have different skillsets that complement the other, and they make a great team.



TBQ: Aw, just what I love to see in a couple!

 In 5 words or less, describe Sam for us. And let's not forget Cameron -- what's he like?


Sam: Tough, smart, vulnerable, honest, loyal.
Cameron: Handsome, determined, focused, cold, good-hearted




TBQ: Did you have any particular actors/models/etc. in mind for these two?


A: I’m actually not a particularly visual writer when it comes to characters, and I don’t tend to face-cast them.




TBQ: *nods* I'm the same way while reading! I couldn't tell you what the characters look like if my life depended on it! 

Do you have a favorite part from Hotel Hideaway?


A: Well, I always love writing women kicking ass, so the opening chapter in which Sam saves Cameron’s life was a lot of fun!




TBQ: Who doesn't love that?!

Have you always wanted to write? Were you inspired by certain authors or people in your life to start your first novel?


A: Oh yes! I was in denial about wanting to make a career of writing for a long time, but I finally accepted that it was my dream, not just a hobby. I come from quite a creative extended family, so I’ve grown up seeing people follow their artistic dreams.

I’ve always had a really supportive mother, which was amazing. And my oldest friend Rebecca has always been super supportive of my writing, often more so than I feel it deserves! I couldn’t have done it without either of them.




TBQ: That's awesome; I'm so glad you've been able to turn a beloved hobby into a beloved career and passion like this!

I know many romance authors are also big readers first. What are a few of your all-time favorite books and/or authors?


A: Oh the hardest of all questions! Suzanne Brockmann – particularly her Troubleshooters series, is a huge inspiration. I love Linda Howard, but only through a certain time-period (Cry No More is my favourite of hers). Jayne Ann Krentz and her delightful, practical characters. Jane Austen (Persuasion is my top one of hers – all the delicious pining). Juliet Marillier from when I loved fantasy with heavy romance – romantic fantasy was my gateway into romance as a genre.

I mean, I could go on forever!




TBQ: It's true: a reader's favorites list never ends!

What have you read recently that you can’t stop recommending to others?


A: I loved Way Down Deep by Cara McKenna and Charlotte Stein.




TBQ: SUCH A GREAT BOOK! The ending, I know, wasn't quite what some readers wanted, and I get that, but I so loved the writing and the story anyway! 

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


A: Lots happening this year! The fifth and final book in the Soldiering On series will be coming out in a couple of months. I have two Christmas novellas in separate anthologies. And I’m going to start releasing a new trilogy that I hope to announce next month! [Yay -- busy busy, good luck with it all!]




SPEED ROUND:



A day on a secluded island OR a day at the spa?
Secluded island, for sure. Peace and quiet is my ultimate goal. [Saaaame]


Reading a spicy romance novel OR a sweet “my-heart-skips-a-beat” one?
Spicy, I think. I feel let down if there’s no sex! (But why not both? ;) ) [Yes yes yes!]


Hot summer days OR cold winter nights?
Cold winter nights!


Cover Lover OR Blurb Fan?
Blurbs – I’ll buy anything if it has a trope I like.


Where would your dream house be (assuming that, you know, money and whatnot isn’t an obstacle, dammit!)?
I want a cabin in the forest, somewhere in the northern hemisphere where it snows. Roaring fire, dog at my feet, and endless silence away from civilization! [Sounds perfect!]


Quick—name the one food that you cannot live without!
Pasta [Pasta. Is. Life.]




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


Aislinn: Thanks for having me! 

My question is: 
Alpha males have always been popular in romance. Do you think we’re moving away from that, have more variety? Or will that always be a perennial favorite?







Hotel Hideaway by Aislinn Kearns
Publisher: Aislinn Kearns (June 30th, 2017)
Series: Soldiering On, 4
Genre: Romantic Suspense


When Sam foils an assassination attempt against a handsome stranger, she’s given a dangerous opportunity. A few months prior, her friends were caught up in a deadly hostage situation, and now she has one chance to go undercover with the people her boss thinks are responsible. Only Sam isn’t good at lying, particularly not to the sexy CEO whose life she saved. But was he the one that ordered the terrorist plot that nearly killed her friends?

Cameron Lawrence has his own reasons for working at Beaton Security—reasons he can’t share with Sam. No matter how intriguing he finds his new bodyguard—or how beautiful—he knows she’s hiding something, and he needs to find out what before it puts them both in danger. When a second assassin strikes, they have no choice but to work together. But can they also learn to trust each other, before it’s too late?



Where to Buy*:
More Info:







Thanks for stopping by, Aislinn, and I cannot wait to start this one!


Don't forget Aislinn's question for you: 

Alpha males have always been popular in romance. Do you think we’re moving away from that, have more variety? Or will that always be a perennial favorite?




Enjoy!



Until Next Time,

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  *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!

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