Tuesday, December 31, 2013

"Remember This" by Kenya Carlton

NOTE: This book is for adults only

INTERVIEW and GIVEAWAY
Remember This
by Kenya Carlton


Remember This is currently on tour with Bewitching Book Tours. The tour stops here today for my interview with the author. Be sure to visit the other tour stops as well. There is also a giveaway to enter below.


Description
Ex-ballerina turned rehab designer Cece Newman competes in a reality show that could give her fledgling company the boost that it needs. Assigned a relic of a house in a renovation challenge, Cece soon becomes suspicious of the producer’s intentions. When she finds the house is one of many properties her ex-fiancĂ© and baby daddy Brock Thorn owns, Cece is convinced that she is being set up for failure.  eady to drop the project and what’s left of her career, Cece has to find a way to ignore the handsome athlete while she navigates around his kooky family. Cece must also convince their daughter that mommy and daddy won’t be getting back together again, a job easier said than done - especially when the attraction between the two is hotter than ever.
The biggest hit Brock Thorn took on or off the field occurred when Cece Newman left him at the altar. Five years later, Brock is more determined than ever to get answers from his baby’s momma. Even in regards to joint custody of their daughter, Brock’s only form of contact with Cece is through her loving, protective sister Lily. Brock packs up his high profile life and digs his heels in at the crappy house he’s inherited - the very one Cece is set to renovate. As he dodges cameras and uninvited family members, Brock must get to the bottom of his failed romance with Cece - especially if he has any chance of getting back the life that was lost when Cece left.

Review
After reading the blurb and excerpt for Remember This, my interest was piqued. I started Remember this with no expectations, as a couple of the last few books I have read disappointed me majorly. Ms. Carlton immediately drew me in with her crew. The heroine, I swear, is one of my all-time favorites. She's sweet, sassy and doesn't take any crap from anyone. The hero was hot as hell and to die for. He loved without limits and is an amazing father. I loved the secondary characters as well.
Kenya Carlton is a new-to-me author, one who I will definitely be reading more of. I laughed. I cried. I screamed and I really wanted to punch some people. This book had me enthralled. I literally couldn't put it down. There was no down time in this book, no skipping or skimming. The whole book was awesome.

Interview with the Author
Hi, Kenya, thanks for joining me today to discuss your new book, Remember This.
Which writers have influenced you the most?
I read so much I can’t say any one genre influenced me, but I do have a few "go to" people when I’m down. Dean R. Koontz (the Odd Thomas series is my favorite), followed by Charlaine Harris, and Stephen King. Also, you can’t knock a good Nora Roberts for some romantic fluff. She’s my favorite, with Jennifer Crusie close on her heels.
What age group do you recommend your book for?
Like the porn stores say, Adults only! At this point, every book I’ve written has been adult only content. Soon, I hope to clean up my act and write a YA, but that ride on the straight and narrow is far off into the future.
What sparked the idea for this book?
A ballerina. The art is beautiful no matter how you slice it, and football is fierce, so the mix is sexy.
Which comes first? The character's story or the idea for the novel?
Definitely the character. I think what type of personality would be able to go through what I’m about to put them through.
What was the hardest part to write in this book?
Remember This was therapy for me; I’d just had surgery and was high as a kite. A straight romance was furthest from my mind, but with the right pain killers anything is possible.
How do you hope this book affects its readers?
The main theme of this book is ego. All the lead characters are faced with their ego, and most come to terms with how it’s affected their relationships.
How long did it take you to write this book?
Around three months. Most of my books I finish around the three to four month mark. I plot out the story that is on deck, while I’m writing the story that I’m already working on.
What is your writing routine?
Unfortunately, I don’t have a routine. I write when I can, mostly at night. I will say my one consistency is plotting. I know a lot of authors claim they’re "seat of their pants" type of plotters, but that’s not me. I need structure. The story may vary if something better comes up, otherwise I know what will happen next.
How did you get your book published?
First, go into this expecting tons of rejections letters and know that you are in good company, i.e. Stephen King: Carrie; Judy Blume: Blubber, Forever, and Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret; Alice Walker: The Color Purple; F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great Gatsby. Once I grew a second layer of skin, I found a sweet boutique publisher that allowed me to be as quirky as I wanted to be. 
What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published writer?
Find an author that writes similar to your style. Do your homework on their publisher and literary agent, and go from there.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
Read …
What does your family think of your writing?
It’s filthy, so I try to persuade them not to read it.
Please tell us a bit about your childhood.
Kooky, crazy, strange, but mostly glad it’s over … well, except for one part, and please tell me if you understand. There is this time that kisses on teenagerness and adulthood where you become invincible. I enjoyed that small gap and I’m glad I worked my way through it.  
Sure, I understand. Did you enjoy school?
Not even a little bit …
Did you like reading when you were a child?
Always.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I still don’t feel like I really am.
Did your childhood experiences influence your writing?
Nope, the stories would be absolutely unbelievable if that were the case.
What was your favorite book as a child?
Anything that I wasn’t supposed to read. Sorry, I told you, kooky.
Who were your favorite authors as a child?
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
Often I hear, "this is different."
What can we look forward to from you in the future?
I would say something clean and acceptable, but that would be a lie.
Thanks for stopping by, Kenya. Best of luck with your future projects.

About the Author
Native of Chicago Illinois, Kenya worked in the Network operation Center for PBS and TLN television stations. Executive producer of her own production company Black R.O.K Productions Kenya produced a pilot for travel series Destination Everywhere, Independent short film Dawn shown at the Chicago Latino film Festival, and wrote and directed the documentary Our Africa. Writing titles available: Jaded, Sweet as Sin, Brazil, Devil’s Play, and Remember This.

Giveaway
Enter the tour-wide giveaway for your chance to win one of five $5 Amazon or Starbucks gift cards.

Links