NOTE: This series is for adults only
INTERVIEW and GIVEAWAY
The Trust Me? Trilogy
by K. E. Osborn
The Trust Me? Trilogy by K. E. Osborn is currently on tour with Bewitching Book Tours. Find out more about the first book in the series, Trust Me?, and the second book in the series, Love Me?, which has just been released. The tour stops here today for my interview with the author. Make sure you visit all of the other tour stops as well, and don't forget to enter the giveaway!
Trust Me?
by K. E. Osborn
Description
Jenifer Taylor is content with her life, dull and boring as it is. Being absent from the dating scene means she doesn’t have to deal with the major trust issues she has with men that stem from a controlling and aggressive ex-boyfriend and an absentee father. She’s happy being alone, sharing her life with her friends and family.
When Jeni starts a typical day in the big city of Mornington Vale , California
Her world changes forever that day because she meets Aiden O’Connell, the billionaire son of Alistair O’Connell, who owns Mornington Vale’s largest financial corporation. Aiden is an up-and-coming young businessman who's ready to take on the vice presidency of his father’s company. He is the good son, and it’s imperative to Alistair that Aiden succeed and follow in his footsteps. Life for Aiden involves working hard and not much else.
After the accident, however, Aiden’s world changes as well. He finds Jeni irresistible and instantly pursues her. With some coaxing, she eventually agrees to a date, and the attraction is mutual.
Jeni finds love quickly with Aiden, but trusting him is another issue. When to trust is tested in many different ways but comes to a head when Aiden is investigated for a serious crime. As her trust issues spark, she is forced to go through a journey of self-discovery.
She must decide once and for all whether she trusts the man she loves when she’s asked the ultimate question: “Do you trust me?”
Note: This book is for mature audiences 18+ It contains explicit language and sexual content.
Excerpt
I turn to face him; he puts his other arm around me. We are in the same position as before when the last kiss attempt failed. My arms are tight around his neck, his arms around my waist. I look down. He lifts up my chin so I’m lost in his gaze. His hand goes back to my waist. He swallows; I think he’s as nervous as I am. He tilts his head and leans in … I back away quickly.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, looking hurt.
“Oh, no, it’s not you. I think … I might have garlic breath.”
He laughs and pulls me back to him. “So do I.” He pulls me in tighter, and before I know what’s happening, his lips are on mine. I give in and surrender to him completely.
This feels like one of my fantasies, only way, way better. He holds me tight as one hand moves from my waist to caress my cheek, kissing me softly but sensually. My hands move to the back of his head, and I grab a lock of hair in each hand. He moves our bodies so that I’m against the railing at the edge of the deck. He moves his hand from my waist to hold the rail as I still grasp his hair. The kissing becomes feverishly passionate; his tongue against mine as they intertwine with each other. Our breathing becomes faster and erratic. Our kissing becomes more intimate. We are in perfect sync with each other. I pull him closer to me, our whole bodies touching. My heart is pounding fast and hard. His hand moves from my face to the back of my head, pulling me tight. He moves my hair from the side of my neck, breaks our kiss and kisses my neck slowly and seductively. I sigh and breathe in a stuttering motion. I open my eyes to see the waitress standing there, gawking at us. I stiffen as I see her. He pulls back and looks at me. With my eyes, I gesture toward the waitress. He turns, looks, and lets out a little huff. He leans in towards me.
“Now that’s a first kiss,” he whispers as he grabs my hand and leads me over to the table. I can’t help but smile.
Review
By Maria T
Jenifer has some serious trust issues. From the moment he ran into her (literally with his car) Aiden has known there was something special about her. In between their budding relationship his family (well his father), an ex he can't get away from, and corporate embezzlement could tear them apart unless Jenifer can Trust him.
I'm totally in love with Adian where can I find one of him? (Shhh don't tell my husband I said that) ;) Great story with an interesting plot line. Loved Sarah and Chris's banter it helped lighten up the story so further down the line it didn't seem so dark. It was easy to get into the roles of the characters especially what kind of smart ass remarks I would make to Alastar for Jeni. The story draws you in and doesn't wanna let you go.
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Love Me?
by K. E. Osborn
Description
In the first book of The Trust Me? Trilogy, Jeni Taylor finds the love of her life, but as the second book begins, she finds herself lost without Aiden O’Connell, who’s been wrongly convicted of embezzlement charges and incarcerated. She must find the strength within to help prove he’s innocent while dealing with other issues. Aiden’s father, Alistair, still taunts her, making life between Jeni and Aiden more difficult, and an unexpected visitor enters their lives, creating havoc and turning it upside down. Jeni’s trust issues return in a major way after an incident leaves her fragile and broken. Aiden and Jeni find themselves going through more trials and tribulations than ever before in this second installment of The Trust Me? Trilogy. In the end, Jeni will be asked the ultimate question: Do you still love me?
Note: This book is for mature audiences 18+. It contains explicit language and sexual content.
Excerpt
My nerves start to get the better of me, I start to feel nauseous; those darn pesky butterflies attack again. I’m not sure why I’m nervous, whether it’s the shoes making me unstable or whether it’s the memory of our first date, our first touch, or our first kiss that’s making me bashful.
I turn the corner to see him standing there with a bunch of red roses, in the suit that he changed into earlier, this time with a baby pink tie on. Behind him is that gorgeous waterfall cascading down the cliff with the lush greenery surrounding us. As I take a step closer, I hear music playing. “Thank You for Loving Me” by Bon Jovi. It’s our song. I feel my eyes welling up as all the emotion and love I feel for this man is becoming too much to bear.
His smile is beaming from ear to ear when I approach. Finally I reach him. He holds out his hand for me to take. I take it, and he pulls me into a tight embrace.
“This is perfect,” I whisper.
“Perfection for perfection, my love.” He kisses my cheek, and places the bouquet of flowers on the railing.
Review
By Maria T
Warning minor spoiler alert!
Aiden and Jeni's story continues right where it left off with him in jail for a crime he didn't commit. Luckily for them when Jeni goes to clean out Aiden's office she and Bri (Aiden's sister) overhear and record a conversation from the real perpetrators helping to set Aiden free. With him free their love grows to new heights and they begin again with their lives together.
So that's it right? Nope!
When things finally seem to be going their way new trials and tribulations come foward that could threaten to tear them apart for good. Can the Trust they found in each other truly know no limits or will what happens ruin them forever.
Loved this book just as much as the last and am now chomping at the bit for the final installation in this trilogy. Jeni standing next to her man at the beginning is a beautiful show of her Trust. And Aiden's desire to do anything and everything he can to take can of Jeni was so sweet. And yes I'm still in the mood to kick Aiden's potty mouthed, anger management needed father right where the sun don't shine.
Book Links
Interview With the Author
K.E. Osborn, thanks for joining me today to discuss The Trust Me? Trilogy.
Which writers have influenced you the most?
E. L. James and her the Fifty Shades of Grey Series, because her writing re-ignited my love of books, which I had lost over the years. I also enjoyed reading S. C. Stephens, The Thoughtless Series and Conversion. Her writing skills and execution are exemplary, and I hope that I will be that skilled one day.
What age group do you recommend your book for?
I write in the Contemporary Romance genre so therefore my books are for mature adults 18 years +.
What sparked the idea for this series?
The Trust Me? Trilogy was born from a vivid dream. The dream was so real that I woke up and quickly wrote it down, so I wouldn’t forget about it in the morning. The next thing I knew I was writing a Trilogy. I had the dream in 2012, and I sat myself down to write solidly until the Trilogy was on paper. Some of the characters in the book are based on my actual friends, and of course things that have happened in my life. I have major trust issues and this book helped me to see that perhaps they can be overcome with love.
Which comes first? The character's story or the idea for the novel?
For me the idea of the storyline or a particular scene in which the story is built around seems to come first. Then I develop a storyboard for my characters.
What was the hardest part to write in these books?
Trust Me? is light-hearted to start with, but as you get further into the book and see the direction it’s taking, it became more difficult. However Love Me? was quite hard to write because it’s an emotional roller coaster ride, from beginning to the end. Technically all the legal scenes were difficult to write because I had to do a lot of research to make sure the story was as accurate as it could be without a legal background.
How do you hope this series affects its readers?
A lot of women out there have trust issues and therefore can relate to the lead character Jeni. I am hoping that the readers who have trust issues will begin to believe that perhaps there is hope for them to find love and trust the man they are with. Sometimes trust issues can be overcome and I certainly hope that scenario can be drawn from these books.
How long did it take you to write the books?
Trust Me? took around three months to write, with Love Me? taking approximately one month. Of course, this is only the first draft, many more endless hours of editing, drafting, beta-reading and re-editing have taken place for each book.
What is your writing routine?
Currently I am spending most of my time promoting Trust Me? and Love Me? with the rest of my time editing and re-writing All of Me?, the last book in The Trust Me? Trilogy. However, I hope to continue writing my latest work within the next few weeks.
How did you get your books published?
As an Indie Author I have self-published my books using Amazon and Smashwords.
What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published writer?
Whilst I really enjoy writing and love the fact that I’m self published and people are purchasing and loving my work, it’s not an easy job by any means. There’s so much more to it than just writing your books. You need to have an editor, you need to find and trust Beta readers, you need to have designers to help you with book covers, memes, banners, etc. (lucky for me I am a fully qualified Graphic Designer so I don’t have to outsource my graphics). You also need to have a fair amount of cash behind you so you can pay for all the necessary items to have your book self-published. This includes all sorts of hidden costs. One of the traps for young players is the fact that you have to have a US tax file number (if you are not from the US), which can take months to get. The other thing is that you have to work endlessly and tirelessly at self-promotion because you do not have a marketing team like you would if you had a publishing house behind you.
Great advice! What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I really like reading, going to the movies and spending time with family and friends. One of the things that I have noticed is that time is very limited because I have to spend lots of time social-networking. So even when I visit friends and family, I need to take my iPad with me so I can ensure that I don’t miss anything important.
What does your family think of your writing?
My mother actually found my manuscript for Trust Me? when it was about 50% completed. She sat down and read it and then asked, “Where’s the rest of it”. She was the first to read the entire first manuscript, and then I sent it out to friends to read. I’m pretty sure my mother is very proud of me.
That's great! Please tell us a bit about your childhood.
I had a great childhood growing up, and I was involved in many groups such as the Australian Naval Cadets and a karate group. I got involved in drag racing as a spectator and as president of a fan club – I absolutely loved it. I majored in music, drama, and design at school. Basically I have a love and flare for all things creative.
Did you enjoy school?
Yes I loved school. Mathematics and science not so much, but English, drama, music, and design were my favorite classes. I had a great group of friends and we used to hang out for hours.
Did you like reading when you were a child?
I was more into movies than actually reading a book. If I had to read a book in school, mostly I would just rent the movie. Although, through school I was a big fan of The Baby-Sitters Club books and the Goosebumps series.
What was your favorite book as a child?
Apart from those already mentioned, I had a soft spot for The Secret Garden and anything written by Roald Dahl. Probably though my favourite childhood book was C. S. Lewis' The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
Who were your favorite authors as a child?
Roald Dahl and C. S. Lewis were probably my favourite authors.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
In high school I had a love of writing, but decided on a career in Graphic Design instead. It wasn’t until I had a vivid dream about a couple meeting through a three car pileup, that I felt like I had to write this story down. Next thing I know the idea has turned into a Trilogy. My dream was in October 2012, and I set myself down and started writing solidly until the Trilogy was on paper. It was after I had a few people tell me that my writing was good that I realized I wanted to publish it.
Did your childhood experiences influence your writing?
No, my genre has nothing to do with children, so therefore nothing from my childhood can be used to influence my writing.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
Basically I do hear from them a lot on social media and mostly they say, “I cannot wait for the next book, when is it out?” Also the fact that they think that the lead male is super-sweet and sexy.
What can we look forward to from you in the future?
I currently have two projects. The first project is called Just Friends? This story is about an Australian girl, Kat Barett, who moves to LA to further her music career. She meets a cocky and arrogant Will Sanders at her college. An Indi Director hires Kat and Will to star in an upcoming movie franchise. The story talks about their rise to fame, how they cope with it, and ultimately go from being just friends to falling in love.
The second project is called It Will Rain? This is the story about Mikailie Raine, a budding young author who’s on the right side of the tracks. She meets Cole Barrington, a very dominant man who is ruthless in his business dealings. Mikailie quickly picks up that there’s something darker about Cole, and that he’s keeping something from her. Cole is infatuated by Mikailie and her innocence, but he doesn’t want to drag her into his darkness. This book may develop into a series of two books, but the first one is still in the early draft stages of writing.
It sounds like you're pretty busy! Thanks so much for stopping by for a chat today. Good luck with your upcoming projects.
About the Author
K. E. Osborn is the Adelaide-based author of The Trust Me? Trilogy, a romance series with love, laughter and plenty of lust!
K. E. Osborn was born in September 1984 and raised in Adelaide South Australia
Giveaway
Enter the tour-wide giveaway for your chance to win some great prizes.
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