#CharacterInterview LOST REPUTATION by @KimberlyAnnNJ an @Evernightteen #newrelease #giveaway #ya

We are thrilled to have an interview with 

the Hero of LOST REPUTATION, Victor Cruz

How did you first meet your writer? First, I should introduce myself. My name is Victor Cruz, but most people call me Vic. My writer plucked me from my life and sat me in a math class with this girl, Casey. I was instantly intrigued.

Did you ever think that your life would end up being in a book? Mine? No. I don’t think I’m anything special.

What are your favorite scenes in your book: the action, the dialog or the romance? Any scene with Casey in it makes my life worth living in this book. Of course, any romantic scene is better, but I’ll take what I can get.

Did you have a hard time convincing your author to write any particular scenes for you? Si. I wanted to get together with Casey from the beginning, but my author made Casey push  me away. I didn’t think that was very nice.

Do you infiltrate your writer’s dreams? The only dreams I want to appear in are Casey’s.

Are you happy with the genre your writer has placed you in? Si, especially since she wrote me in with Casey.

If you could rewrite anything in your book, what would it be? I’d make Casey like me from the minute our eyes met. Then I would claim her as my own and live happily ever after with her.

Do you like the way the book ended? Si!

Would you be interested in a sequel, if your writer was so inclined? Si! As long as Casey is there, write me in!

Do have any secret aspirations that your author doesn’t know about? Si. I wish she would write more of my expertise in Spanish. It’s a beautiful language and I’m fluent in it. She doesn’t know much Spanish, but maybe I can convince her to add it in a future book.

What do you do for a living? I’m a student, but I plan on becoming a pharmacist.

What is your greatest fear? Being sent back to Spain. I want to stay in the US with Casey and my family.

What do you wear when you go to sleep? Wouldn’t you like to know?

What are you proudest of? The confidence I gained since coming to America. I was a scrawny, scared kid who could barely speak English when I got here, but thankfully, I’ve grown, learned to speak English well, and become more comfortable with who I am.

What word makes you the happiest? Casey.

How do you react when people sing “Happy Birthday” to you in a restaurant? It’s never happened to me before, but I suspect I would sing right along with everyone! May as well enjoy the attention!

What’s your favorite animal? Horses. They are such magnificent animals, and they remind me of back home in Spain.

Have you ever thought about getting a tattoo, what would it be and where? If not, what if you had to? I have, but my author probably wouldn’t give me one. I think I would consider getting CB tattooed on both biceps.

Thanks again for visiting with us today !!!!

 

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LOST REPUTATION

Kimberly Ann Miller

Romance/Contemporary/Suspense/Young Adult

Evernight Teen Publishing/237 pages

Casey Hayes has a secret—she writes the conspiracy theory column for her high school newspaper. As the editor, she thrives on the thrill of uncovering the facts—until she gets tangled up in a scandal.

When she exposes a teacher’s shameful secret, threats start, demanding she stop spreading the vicious rumors. Casey blows it off and keeps on writing. Even sexy Victor Cruz, the hot senior with the adorable accent who chases after Casey and tries to protect her, fails to convince her to keep her mouth shut. But things only get worse as she ignores the warnings, and soon, Casey must decide if exposing the truth is more important to her than her life.

Buy Links:   Evernight Teen    Amazon    ARe 

Excerpt:

I laughed at the memory as I locked up the newsroom and rushed to my next class. I still had a smile on my face as I plopped down on my seat in the back row of calculus. Victor Cruz, my secret crush, entered the room. My pulse reacted to his presence, but, thank God, no other part of me did that he could see. I didn’t want to be lusting after anyone this year because I was planning on working hard toward my college goals and didn’t need the distraction.

The worst thing was, Charli told me he gave his ex-girlfriend some rash because he cheated on her. I so did not do the sexually transmitted diseases thing, and I definitely had zerorespect for cheaters. Not even for a hunk like him, who obviously screwed around and didn’t care if he got girls sick.

But damn, did this guy make my insides quiver. He was totally hot. His parents moved to New Jersey from Spain during middle school when Vic was scrawny and didn’t speak much English. When senior year started a month ago, no one recognized him because he’d grown ten inches, gained fifty pounds—of muscle—and must have taken some classes in style because, damn, the boy knew how to dress to show off his build.

Loose jeans with a belt, black boots, and a black, long-sleeved tee only made him sexier. And the way he walked? It should’ve been a crime. He had a swagger about him that rivaled any of the good old boys of Hollywood. Watching it made me quiver in places I didn’t know could quiver.

But it wasn’t just his looks that held me captive. He had the values of an old-fashioned guy—holding the door open for girls, helping them with heavy stuff, defending them when guys were too rough or mean.

If it wasn’t for that wild partying side of him … sigh.

As he approached his seat, I couldn’t help but stare at his thighs, mesmerized by the fluid sway they made with each step.

He caught me staring and raised a thick black brow. I diverted my eyes and pretended to be very interested in the junior’s notebook next to me. But I didn’t even know his name. Ugh.

Vic slid into his seat next to me and winked at the girls that were staring at him.

They always stared at him.

I rolled my eyes. But when I felt his eyes on me, I shifted in my seat, fighting the funny tingle in my stomach that came from looking at him.

The other problem was, besides being a distraction, Vic knew how sexy he’d become. He acted so cocky and confident, I wanted to smack the grin off his face and remind him that not long ago, he could have passed for a ten-year-old boy who couldn’t speak English or speak to girls.

But, whatever. He had a harem now, so good for him. And shiny black hair, smooth, bronze skin, and deep brown eyes that … never mind. Didn’t matter anyway.

Kylie sauntered over to him, swaying her hips so hard, I wondered how they didn’t dislocate. She leaned over his back and wrapped her arms around his ample shoulders, pressing her boobs into his back. I’m sure he loved that. “Hey, Vic. Busy this weekend? My parents are out of town, and we can go riding if you want. I’ll pack us a lunch.” She ran her fingernails over his chest as she spoke, clearly enjoying the feel of him.

He pulled her fingers off him and slipped out of her grasp. “Sorry, I’m busy, but thanks for asking.”

She leaned into him again, making sure to press her boobs into his neck. I rolled my eyes so hard, they almost didn’t return to face front. That would suck. What would I tell the nurse? I was looking at my brain instead of in front of me and I needed an eye adjustment?

“Maybe another time, okay?”

Vic nodded once. “Si.”

I pulled out my phone to check messages, done with listening to the vixen and her attempts at charming the hottest guy in school.

“Hey, Casey,” he said in his sexy Spanish accent. He had this way of dragging out the end of my name, making it sound like Kay Seee.

It was both unsettling and adorable, so I just grunted at him. How else could I get anything done with him around?

About the Author:

Kimberly Ann Miller received Bachelor's degrees from Georgian Court University and Rutgers University and a Master's degree from The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.  She is an avid reader and particularly enjoys true crime and young adult novels.  She grew up in New Jersey and currently resides in Monmouth County with her husband and cats. When she’s not writing, she loves to travel to sunny islands where she snorkels by day and stargazes by night. She always takes her Nook with her.

https://www.facebook.com/kimberly.a.miller.180
https://twitter.com/KimberlyAnnNJ
http://kimberlyannmiller.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5820784.Kimberly_Ann_Miller

authorkimberlyannmiller@gmail.com

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Giveaway: $10 Evernight Teen GC

  
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Character Interview: BATTERED not broken by Charity West @Writer_Charity #giveaway #interview

Please welcome the character from BATTERED not broke !

What are your favorite scenes in your book: the action, the dialog or the romance?

Definitely the romance. <grin> Getting to know Wren has been amazing, and I’m really glad she’s part of my life.

Do you infiltrate your writer’s dreams?

All the time. When she wasn’t writing, I’d try to give her a little nudge. The sooner the story was told, the sooner I’d get to meet the amazing readers out there.

What do you like to do when you are not being actively read somewhere?

I live in a small town and there’s this great lake not too far away. I like to go fishing, just sit in the quiet. I’m a Sheriff’s Deputy, so my job can be stressful.  I enjoy doing anything that’s calming. Fishing, reading, just hanging out with my girl.

Are you happy with the genre your writer has placed you in?

Yes, but I could have done without those suspense scenes. A straight romance with the only heart racing moments being those between Wren and me would have been awesome. Having someone threaten the girl of your dreams is not high on my list of things I want to experience.

If you could rewrite anything in your book, what would it be?

It’s hard to say. I’d love to go back and have Wren come from a sheltered home, where she was loved and cared for, and not beaten whenever her dad felt like it. But then, if she hadn’t been escaping that life, I never would have met her.

Do you like the way the book ended?

Happy endings are always awesome. I know that Wren and I still have an amazing future ahead of us, but we’re definitely on the right path. The only thing that would have made it better would have been looking about five years into the future. I’d like to think I’d be married to Wren by then.

What is your greatest fear?

Going to work and not coming back home. Our town is pretty quiet, but any morning I wake up and put on my badge and my gun, there’s a chance I won’t come home that night. I would hate to put Wren through that. I know if I lost her I’d be devastated, and I’m sure she feels the same about me.

What do you wear when you go to sleep?

In the hotter months, I sleep in my boxers, but I keep pajama pants in my dresser for the cooler weather.

What do you find most appealing in men/women?

The first thing I notice about a woman is her eyes, unless she’s too far away. Then it’s the curve of her hip. With Wren, it was a little of both…and then she smiled and I was a goner. Of course, I knew her as Wendy then.

What sound or noise do you love?

I love the sound of rain on a tin roof, or a storm raging outside. I like to watch the lightning flash and hear the thunder rumble.

 

What sound or noise do you hate?

Definitely nails on a chalkboard.

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

I love watching the sun rise in the mornings and enjoying a cup of coffee out on the porch. But with my job, I have to be prepared to work any shift, and sometimes that means I have to be a night owl.

Have you ever gone alone to either dinner or a movie? What about a vacation?

I used to go out alone all the time. Can’t say I’ve ever been on vacation alone though, usually I had my grandfather with me. He raised me after my parents died.

 Thanks again for visiting with us today !!!!

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BATTERED

not broken

by CHARITY WEST

Contemporary/Romance/Young Adult

40K, Evernight Teen Publishing

Who knew falling for a man in Khaki could cause so much trouble?

Battered and bruised, Wren has taken a lot from her father over the years, but when he throws her out of the house, she sees it as a blessing in disguise. She has no job, no home, and never finished high school, but what’s all that compared to a life without abuse? When she starts over in a new town, under a new identity, she makes it her goal to fly under the radar.

New town, new life. Only, there’s a corrupt deputy intent on stealing Deputy Gray Frampton’s family fortune, a slight case of aggravated identity fraud, and a night in the local jail. It’s enough to make any girl’s head spin. Wren Michaels has to find a way not to spend the next three years in jail, warn Gray that Deputy Pritchard is after him, and somehow hold onto the happily-ever-after that is finally within her grasp—assuming Gray wants a felon as his girlfriend. Who knew falling for a man in khaki could cause so much trouble?

Buy Links:    Evernight Teen    Amazon    ARe

14+ due to violence and adult situations

Excerpt:

The shadows crept closer as a deep cold settled into my bones. I cowered on the floor of my closet, hidden behind shoes and clothes, as I listened to the slap of flesh against flesh. He’d come home drunk again, even more so than usual, and he’d barely cleared the door before landing the first blow. It was cowardly of me to hide. I should stand up and fight—do something to make him stop. My phone was still clutched in my hand, and my heart pounded in my chest, the thump-thump loud in my ears. I knew I should call 9-1-1 and get help for Mom, but I also knew that even if they arrested him, they’d never keep him. Mom would give the cops some bullshit excuse as to why he was beating her, or say she fell, and then she’d refuse to press charges. If I thought things were bad now, they’d be even worse if he went to jail for the night. We’d lived through that horror once already, and once was more than enough. No one had to tell me my dad was an abusive asshole who thrived on being a bully. I’d experienced it firsthand.

My palms grew slick as I heard my mother’s whimpers and then booted steps coming down the hall. Was I going to be next? The footsteps grew louder, and I heard my bedroom door slam into the wall. I bit my lip to stifle my cry, hoping he wouldn’t find me. He shuffled around my room, his boots clomping and scraping the wood floor as he searched for me. When the closet doors were flung open, I squeezed myself as far into the corner as I could, but I knew it wouldn’t be enough.

An iron grip closed around my arm, his fingers biting into my skin, as he jerked me out of the closet. I stumbled and fell to my knees at his feet, bracing myself for what would happen next. My head was wrenched back, tears stinging in my eyes as he fisted my hair. There was such hatred in his gaze, such contempt, as if he couldn’t even stand to look at me. I’d always done everything he’d ever asked, and still it wasn’t enough. As far as my dad was concerned, I’d ruined his life, and he was going to make me pay for it until I was able to leave this place behind.

“Thought you could hide from me?” he slurred. “Stupid little bitch.”

The slap across my cheek made tears spill down my face, but I ground my teeth together so I wouldn’t make a sound. When he knew he was causing me pain, he seemed to enjoy it more, and I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. He pulled hard until I was standing upright, my hair still clutched in his fist, and then he punched me in the stomach. I folded at the waist, gasping for breath as stars danced in my vision and bile rose in my throat.

“Worthless. That’s what you are.” He kicked out and knocked me to my knees again. “You should be groveling, thanking me for your life. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t even be here, you ungrateful shit.”

Yes, because thanking him for the abuse he heaped on me day after day, thanking him for all the hurtful names I’d been called, thanking him for the days I’d had to skip school because I couldn’t hide the bruises—that was exactly what I wanted to do. One day, he would get what was coming to him. I didn’t know how or who would do it, but I knew someday he’d piss off the wrong person and they’d beat his ass until he cried like a baby. And I hoped like hell I was there to see it. I’d kick back with some popcorn and enjoy the show. I hated him. Hated him.

“You think I don’t see the way you look at me?” he demanded. “Well, I’m tired of it. I’m finished with you. My life was better before your mother got knocked up. Ever since she popped you out, you’ve been nothing but a financial drain. Not anymore. You have five minutes to pack your shit and get the fuck out of my house. And if I ever see you again, I’ll make you wish you were never born.”

Like I didn’t already wish that every day of my life. I should thank him for offering me freedom, even if I had nowhere to go. Anything was better than staying here. Plenty of people lived on the streets, so there wasn’t any reason I couldn’t do it, too. It just meant I’d have to find a way to get my GED sooner rather than later. Dropping out of high school hadn’t been the best decision in the world, but when Dad had broken my arm, Mom had thought it would be better than facing questions we couldn’t answer.

He stomped out of the room, and I heard his bedroom door slam. After grabbing a bag out of my closet, I shoved several outfits, underthings, and socks into it. I snatched my toothbrush and hairbrush out of the bathroom and crammed them in there, too. As an afterthought, I grabbed the travel pouch from under the sink that had shampoo, soap, and a razor tucked inside. I didn’t know where I would go to shower, or where I was going to sleep tonight, but I would figure it out. Maybe Mom would let me come home to bathe while Dad was at work a few times a week. Plus, it would give me a chance to check on her.

I zipped up my bag and then grabbed my backpack and purse off the bed. With my keys clutched tight, I walked out of the only home I’d ever known. Mom didn’t say a word as I passed her, and she didn’t try to stop me. Maybe she figured I was better off living anywhere but at home, and she may have been right.

About the Author:

Charity West is a young adult romance author who has always had her head in the clouds. She had her first crush when she was four, and it lasted for six years. Then she quickly fell head over heels for another boy, until she had to move away and leave him behind. Jumping from one boy to another, she finally found a keeper when she was twenty, and she’s been married to him ever since.

By the time Charity was twelve, she was sneaking her mother’s Harlequin romances and reading them in secret when she was supposed to be asleep. Teased throughout middle school and high school for the bodice ripper covers on the books she openly read in class, she knew that one day she wanted to write her own happily-ever-afters.

Twitter - https://twitter.com/Writer_Charity

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CharityWestAuthor

Amazon Author Page - http://www.amazon.com/Charity-West/e/B01BTUV3AA/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Giveaway:

$10 Evernight Teen GC

a Rafflecopter giveaway