Guest Blogger: Laura Kaye
Laura Kaye's HEARTS IN DARKNESS hit three top-rated lists on Amazon and was on the Top-10 bestselling list at Fictionwise for 10 weeks.
Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind;
and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.
~William Shakespeare
Two strangers. Four hours. One pitch-black elevator.
Makenna James thinks her day can’t get any worse, until she finds herself stuck in a pitch-black elevator with a complete stranger. Distracted by a phone call and juggling too much stuff, the pin-striped accountant caught only a glimpse of a dragon tattoo on his hand before the lights went out.
Caden Grayson is amused when a redhead literally falls at his feet. His amusement turns to panic when the power fails. Despite his piercings, tats, and vicious scar, he’s terrified of the dark and confined spaces. Now, he’s trapped in his own worst nightmare.
To fight fear, they must both reach out and open up. With no preconceived notions based on looks to hold them back, they discover just how much they have in common. In the warming darkness, attraction grows and sparks fly, but will they feel the same when the lights come back on?
Oh, Carol, can I just tell you how much I need the Tiki Hut right now? I have been in editing mode on three different manuscripts for the past month, so I’m not sure which I need more—this quiet time to sit and write new words for new stories, or to just lay on this blanket, soak in the sun, sleep, and never move again! Oh, hell, I brought my laptop, and I’ve got characters chomping at the bit, I might as well write. Sleep’s overrated. Right? Right?
If I was at home, I’d be noshing on some Cheez-Its (totally addicted) and a diet ginger ale, but since I’m on vacation, I’m splurging. Oh, cabana boy? Wow…talk about ask and ye shall receive! What service at this Tiki Hut! And, mmm, what strapping cabana boys, too. My. I’m tempted to keep ordering just to create new opportunities to watch this guy walk towards me, then away, over and over again. Sigh. The view here sure is pretty. Oh, right. My order—I’ll have a big tray of fresh, juicy tropical fruit and a strawberry daiquiri, please. Totally thirst-quenching.
This is the perfect setting for the new erotic romance I’m writing at this very moment, set in a luxurious resort in the Caribbean. The sea air, the white sands, the crystal clear teal surf. Oh, and the hot bodies. There, running down the beach, shirtless in a pair of running shorts perched dangerous low on a set of lean hips. He’s my guy. He’s Jamie, my darkly beautiful hero with a tragic past. Mess of wavy brown hair, mountainous shoulders, cut abs, and strong, bunching thighs that are nothing short of a monument to masculinity. See? Here in paradise you don’t have to choose between taking in the scenery and being focused on your writing. Look around and enjoy what you see, because it’s just inspiration for that next story.
Er, would you excuse me, Carol? *shifts laptop to the side and jogs down the beach* “Jamie? Hey, Jamie? Can I, uh, talk to you for a minute?”
Catch ya, later, guys, I’m heading off to indulge my, ahem, inspiration.
and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.
~William Shakespeare
Two strangers. Four hours. One pitch-black elevator.
Makenna James thinks her day can’t get any worse, until she finds herself stuck in a pitch-black elevator with a complete stranger. Distracted by a phone call and juggling too much stuff, the pin-striped accountant caught only a glimpse of a dragon tattoo on his hand before the lights went out.
Caden Grayson is amused when a redhead literally falls at his feet. His amusement turns to panic when the power fails. Despite his piercings, tats, and vicious scar, he’s terrified of the dark and confined spaces. Now, he’s trapped in his own worst nightmare.
To fight fear, they must both reach out and open up. With no preconceived notions based on looks to hold them back, they discover just how much they have in common. In the warming darkness, attraction grows and sparks fly, but will they feel the same when the lights come back on?
= = = = =
Oh, Carol, can I just tell you how much I need the Tiki Hut right now? I have been in editing mode on three different manuscripts for the past month, so I’m not sure which I need more—this quiet time to sit and write new words for new stories, or to just lay on this blanket, soak in the sun, sleep, and never move again! Oh, hell, I brought my laptop, and I’ve got characters chomping at the bit, I might as well write. Sleep’s overrated. Right? Right?
If I was at home, I’d be noshing on some Cheez-Its (totally addicted) and a diet ginger ale, but since I’m on vacation, I’m splurging. Oh, cabana boy? Wow…talk about ask and ye shall receive! What service at this Tiki Hut! And, mmm, what strapping cabana boys, too. My. I’m tempted to keep ordering just to create new opportunities to watch this guy walk towards me, then away, over and over again. Sigh. The view here sure is pretty. Oh, right. My order—I’ll have a big tray of fresh, juicy tropical fruit and a strawberry daiquiri, please. Totally thirst-quenching.
This is the perfect setting for the new erotic romance I’m writing at this very moment, set in a luxurious resort in the Caribbean. The sea air, the white sands, the crystal clear teal surf. Oh, and the hot bodies. There, running down the beach, shirtless in a pair of running shorts perched dangerous low on a set of lean hips. He’s my guy. He’s Jamie, my darkly beautiful hero with a tragic past. Mess of wavy brown hair, mountainous shoulders, cut abs, and strong, bunching thighs that are nothing short of a monument to masculinity. See? Here in paradise you don’t have to choose between taking in the scenery and being focused on your writing. Look around and enjoy what you see, because it’s just inspiration for that next story.
Er, would you excuse me, Carol? *shifts laptop to the side and jogs down the beach* “Jamie? Hey, Jamie? Can I, uh, talk to you for a minute?”
Catch ya, later, guys, I’m heading off to indulge my, ahem, inspiration.
= = = = =
Laura is also sponsoring a giveaway - just leave a comment before midnight Pacific Time on Thursday, 8/25, to be eligible. The winner can choose a digital copy of any one of her books - HEARTS IN DARKNESS, FOREVER FREED, a paranormal, or her new erotic romance, JUST GOTTA SAY, when it releases on 9/30. You can learn more about Laura and her books at www.LauraKayeAuthor.com
Comments
Carol, you rock with your authors. Thanks for another great introduction.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
Freelance Editing By Mason
Oh, and hey, I have to share a new HEARTS IN DARKNESS accolade! The book hits its best amazon sales rank today (#1,136) and a bestseller list for first time ever #94 bestselling contemporary romance! SO EXCITED! :D
Congrats on your Amazon ranking. I loved HEARTS IN DARKNESS and can't wait to read JUST GOTTA SAY.
Good luck with all those edits to all those upcoming releases.
:)
Hi Carole. Hi Laura. Congrats on the awesome ranking!
I absolutely loved Forever Freed and I've been reading about Hearts In Darkness for a while and would be thrilled to read it! I love elevator stories! So confining, so limited in what one can do/go but leaves SO much to the imagination! Yumm.
Everytime I hear of our success I smile. couldn't have happened to a nicer person - and I love the new headshot!
Have a great day!
Robin
Congrats on your success.
Congratulations on your Amazon success! I LOVED Hearts in Darkness. Caden was flawed but oh so lovable!!! Can't wait to read your next book. =D
Gabrielle
meingee@yahoo.com
Love the Shakespeare quote.
It's great to see so many new faces! Make yourselves at home. I'll send the cabana boys back in a bit to take your drink orders. Then I'll visit your blogs.
Raonaid at gmail dot com.
@L.G., Renee, Gabrielle--Thanks so much!
@Jill--I've so appreciated your pimpage! AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY LADY!
@O.V.--You're welcome--good luck!
@Christi--yes, you just came back from paradise, didn't you? And, hehe, yeah, those thighs...
@LR--LMAO! I suppose they were bouncing too, though that seems eminently less sexy than bunching!
@Mary and Melissa--aw, man, that's a great compliment you both paid--thanks!
@Alex--LOL, Well, I guess that would be only fair! (though, I think Carol's right!!!)
@Raonaid--Gawk away! Fun story: the cover model for HEARTS IN DARKNESS emailed me! I guess the photographers get info on how their stockphotos are used, so the model was able to track down the cover. He thought it was great and loved the addition of tattoos--said he'd have to consider getting one now! :D I about died!
@Maryann--always in my mind anyway! Good luck!
Mart and Janet--thanks so much!
Keep those comments coming & good luck everyone!
Jamie intrigues - but how cruel of you to introduce him to me Laura - now I have to wait - waaahhhh!! I'm the queen of impatience ; )
No need to put me in the draw - I just wanted to stop by and say hi and congratulations!
Dash it all! I had a fab time at my daughter's wedding though.
Nancy--LOL loved your post!
Thanks for stopping by!
P.S. You also have a fan club at my work. We can't stop talking about HID & FF!
dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com
@Denise--Thanks for following Carol! And good luck! :)
Wishing you continued success!
See you Thursday, Laura!
chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com
@Clarissa--if you met Caden in an elevator, it might cure your fear in a snap! LOL
@winnie--thanks so much!
@Erin--hehe...just a month til release! I can't wait either! :)
Popping over a little late. Great post and congrats on the ranking! Loved your "monument to masculinty." Woo hoo!
@Ciara--awesome compliment--thanks so much!
@Savannah--thanks! I likey that line too! :) I may or may not use it occasionally in stories! hehe
Thanks everyone!
Thanks so much, Laura, for a great guest post. Much good luck to you in your career.
THE WINNER OF ONE OF MY 3 EBOOKS, YOUR CHOICE!, IS....
*** L.G. SMITH ***
CONGRATULATIONS!
You have 48 hours to email me at laurakayeauthor at gmail dot com to claim your prize!
Thanks to everyone for coming out to chat at the Tiki Hut!
Gabrielle
meingee@yahoo.com
You get your choice of one of my three ebooks! Congratulations and happy reading!