Wednesday, July 16, 2014

[Blog Tour]: Interview with Kelsey Browning + Giveaway!


WELCOME BACK TO THE BLOG, KELSEY! :) 





Kelsey Browning writes sass kickin’ love stories full of hot heroes, saucy heroines and spicy romance. Originally from a Texas town smaller than the ones she writes about, Kelsey has also lived in the Middle East and Los Angeles, proving she’s either adventurous or downright nuts. These days, she hangs out in northeast Georgia with Tech Guy, Smarty Boy, Bad Dog and Pharaoh, a Canine Companions for Independence puppy. She’s currently at work on the next book in her Texas Nights series and The Granny Series. Give her a shout at Kelsey@KelseyBrowning.com or drop by www.KelseyBrowning.com. For info on her upcoming releases, subscribe to her Sass Kickin’ News.




Where to Find Kelsey:






TheBookQueen: Hi Kelsey! It's far too hot for baking, but I did make a batch of creamy chocolate ice cream. Cone or bowl?

Kelsey:  Absolutely a cone! Sugar, if possible, but I can even be persuaded to eat one of those cardboard-tasting ones. J




TBQ: *hands over sugar cone treat* Enjoy!

Since you've been on the blog before, let's jump right into the fun, shall we?

K: Sure thing!



TBQ: Your newest release, Problems in Paradise, is the third book in your Texas Series. Can you tell us a little bit about this book, and why readers are going to love it? 

K: Well, I love the book because Eden Durant has a couple of huge secrets. As the…ahem…author, I thought I knew her secrets. Oh, how wrong I was. I discovered the first secret as I wrote the line that reveals it. I was like Holy $hit, so that’s what’s going on here! Also, Eden’s character journey is incredibly hard for her so I think it’s all the more rewarding when she arrives. Beck Childress, the Crockett County chief deputy, has a couple of secrets of his own, but what isn’t a secret is how much he wants Eden. It was fun to see two rather serious people come together, have fun and, of course, some great sex.



TBQ: Oh yes the fun and hot sex was PERFECT, trust me! :) I was surprised by Eden's past, too.

Why do Beck and Eden belong together?

K: Because they’re both serious people who learn to play when they’re together. There’s nothing sexier than laughing together!



TBQ: So, so true! 

In 5 words or less, describe Eden for us. And let's not forget Beck—what's he like?

K: Eden – private, sexually unfulfilled café owner
Beck – protective, trustworthy, sexy, junk-food junkie (yeah, sue me, I used a compound adjective!)



TBQ: Hehe -- but it's true! I found his junk food habit hilarious as Eden tried to change his ways! 

Do you have a favorite part from Problems in Paradise?

K: Is it totally wrong to say I have several “favorite parts” of the book?? The first full love scene is a favorite of mine because Eden must place complete trust in Beck to be physical with him. Early readers say it’s very intense and sexy. I also love, love, love the end scene because I knew from early on how this book should wrap up. That made me uber-happy because the endings are often murky for me until I get there.



TBQ: Ooooh, all good choices, trust me! The night on the rooftop, when he literally dirty-talks her into an orgasm was a WOW scene for sure! :)

 When writing each novel, do you listen to certain songs, like a playlist for the story? If so, what was the playlist for Problems in Paradise

K: There's a Spotify playlist at the bottom of the page.



TBQ: I so love small town romances, but I'm always curious why others do – why do you love writing them?

K: I love writing small town romances because I love the fun, quirky characters who live in these places. For example, Clyde—the owner of Dirty Harry’s bar—shows up for a scene or two in each book. Emmalee Wright—Cameron and Jamie’s mom—pops up primarily in their books. Bitsy Miller—the local gossipmonger and salon owner—has a cameo or mention in several books, but she plays a much bigger part in Problems in Paradise. I so enjoy getting to write these secondary characters because I can take more liberty with them than I can the current (or future) hero and heroine.



TBQ: Speaking of  quirky characters! Shelbyville, Texas has a variety of characters in it. I love visiting this town. Do you have a favorite? Is there a secondary character that you'd love to write about, but haven't had the time yet?

K: Oh, whoops! I kinda answered that a little above. The Texas Nights series was originally supposed to be a three-book series. But once I wrote the end of Running the Red Light, I knew that Ashton Davenport needed her own book. I had tons of fun writing Designed for Love, which will be out in November, not only because of Ashton (who’s kinda the baddie in RTRL) but because I loved writing about her dog, Napoleon.



TBQ: Oooh, is it November yet? Because I so want to read her book now!

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

K: Dang, I just keep getting ahead of myself! Designed for Love will be released November 24, 2014, and this book concludes the Texas Nights series. I can’t wait for readers to have access to all four Texas Nights books! As for my WIP, I’m working on the next The Granny Series book, which I co-write with Nancy Naigle. I also have a new contemporary romance series in the works. I can’t give many deets on it now, but readers can expect the first book some time in 2015! [I can't wait!]



SPEED ROUND:

TBQ: Favorite man candy inspiration? (Pictures are always appreciated!) 

K: Man Candy that inspired Beck includes Daniel Craig and Paul Walker. I was so devastated when Walker was killed last year.

I keep all my inspy pics on Pinterest. Here are a few links:





TBQ: Oh, Walker. *sad sigh* His eyes!

Favorite place to write? 

K: My king-sized bed, sitting under the covers with my pup Pharaoh draped across my lap. J


TBQ: Favorite place to read? 

K: The bathtub (paperback) and the hammock (iPad).


TBQ: Snacking while reading – yay or nay? 

K: I’m all yay until I drop hummus on the page or screen!


TBQ: Plot it out or wing it as you go? 

K: Some of both. As I mentioned above, sometimes I think I know what I’m doing, and I’m dead wrong. LOL


TBQ: LOL  Dream vacation spot? 

K: Nikoi Island, Indonesia. Not exactly fair because I’ve actually been there.


TBQ: Lucky! Name something on your bucket list. 

K: Skydiving, but I haven’t worked up the guts yet!


TBQ: And finally . . . What book world would you love to live in? 

K: Oh, what a great question…but holy crap, it’s a hard one! I think it would be fascinating to hang out with the Black Dagger Brotherhood (JR Ward). Scary, but way cool! [Very true -- I'd love to visit, especially if I get to bring one of the Brothers back for keeps! *smirk*]



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



Kelsey: I always love to add to discover new authors. What lesser-known author do you think every romance reader should know about?




Problems in Paradise by Kelsey Browning
Publisher: Carina Press (July 14, 2014)
Series: Texas Nights, 3
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Eden Durant hasn't always been Eden Durant. She's made a fresh start in Shelbyville, Texas, far from her mother's notoriety. Running the Paradise Garden Café is as much excitement as Eden wants—or it was, until she meets Beck Childress. Although he's the one man who could expose her past, she's willing to open up enough to see if he might be her future.

Chief Deputy Childress is determined to get to know the real Eden, when he isn't busy cleaning up after the sheriff and running in the election to replace him. When several men fall sick after eating in Eden's café, he investigates even as her mysterious past raises both his suspicions and his protective instincts.

As their relationship heats up, so do the pressures of Beck's campaign. When Eden's secrets are revealed, jeopardizing his dream of becoming sheriff, he'll need to choose: serve and protect the town he loves or the woman who makes it home.



Where to Buy*:
More Info:

Reviews of Browning's Previous Books:

Personal Assets (#1) -- TBQ
Running the Red Light (#2) -- TBQ
Problems in Paradise (#3) -- TBQ




a Rafflecopter giveaway





Thanks for stopping by today, Kelsey! :) I hope your ice cream didn't melt and make a mess -- damn this heat! I can't wait for the last book in the series, though I'll be sad to see it end. Keep up the great work!

Interested in Kelsey's last interview? Find it HERE! 

And don't forget Kelsey's question for you --  

I always love to add to discover new authors. 

What lesser-known author do you think 

every romance reader should know about?




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!

12 comments :

Pink2 said...

I don't know how well known she is, but I really like Ava Miles!

The_Book_Queen said...

Oh, I remember her books now! I tried reading Nora Roberts Land last year, but had a hard time getting into it. But I have her others on my list and plan on giving her another try. ;)

Pink2 said...

Try THE PARK OF SUNSET DREAMS. That is the one I read that made me like her.

The_Book_Queen said...

I will, thanks for the recommendation!

Erin F said...

Cherise Sinclair but be warned she's an erotic, BDSM author. But her books are a great intro into that genre. For lighter, sweeter read, I'd have to say Marquita Valentine :) Thanks for sharing!

Glenda said...

Define lesser known.... I've heard about and read the authors already listed. One of my favorite newer authors who I don't see mentioned around the blogasphere as much is Jennifer McQuiston.

The_Book_Queen said...

I've heard good things about Sinclair, she's definitely on my list!


And I second your recommendation of Valentine; I'm a HUGE fan of hers!

Irma J. said...

Hm, lesser known... I'm from Slovenia so if there are new authors that you haven't all heard and I did... I think that's not posible. I could say that I love Gaelen Foley. Don't know how much does that hepl.

The_Book_Queen said...

I read her debut -- it was good! :) I haven't had a chance to read her 2nd or 3rd book yet.

The_Book_Queen said...

Oh, she's an old favorite of mine, though I haven't read any of her books in a few years now. :)

marypreston said...

I'm not sure about lesser known, but I love the books by Juliet Marillier .

Andrea M said...

I can’t really say that they are lesser known, but I think
every romance reader should know about Jules Bennett, Misty Evans, Adrienne
Giordano, and Rachel Harris.