 |
| Click for Tour Stops |
The Blurb
Billionaire CEO Shawn Dunn has plenty of sex, power, and money. A woman turning down his advances? Unfathomable. Yet that’s what she does, again and again.
Kara Hayward is supposed to be off limits. Her sister is hiding from the dangerous assassin she escaped from, and it’s best for everyone if Shawn keeps his distance. Certainly as far as Kara is concerned. Shawn’s only after one thing and then he’ll walk away, just like her ex-husband.
But Shawn has larger desires and he’s used to getting what he wants. He doesn’t care if being together is dangerous. He doesn’t believe that threat to him, or his empire, is real. Right up to the night he has everything taken away.
Keep by Karyn Lawrence
Series: The Command, #2
The Excerpt
Was there any other option? She sighed. “Okay.”
She expected him to get up out of the bed, to go to the shower, but he continued to sit there like a lump.
“Thank you,” he said, “for agreeing.”
Annoyance grew in her. “Can you stop doing that? Treating me differently?”
“What?”
“How you're being nice to me. I don't like it.”
He blinked. “I'm sorry, you're asking me to be mean?”
“No, just treat me like you used to. I can't handle it when you come at me all . . . sideways.”
“Sideways?” he said, a small laugh escaping him. “Are we in combat?”
She scowled.
He exhaled and then gave her a large grin, and she could see it in his eyes. The game was back on. He finally moved, but it wasn't how she wanted it to go. He had on the smallest pair of boxer briefs she'd ever seen, and they clung to every inch of him.
“Want to take a closer look?” he asked, looping a finger under the waistband.
Interview with the Author
I have a special guest in the studio today.
Put your hands together, y'all, for Karyn Lawrence!
Did you have a specific inspiration for this book?
I didn't intend to write a series. In the original draft of my debut novel “Stay” the hero (Shawn) of “Keep” had a small part. My editor suggested I cut some secondary characters and beef up Shawn's role. And when I got to the end of “Stay” I decided to introduce Kara (the heroine of “Keep”) and it was too much fun between these characters to have that be it for them.
I didn't intend to write a series. In the original draft of my debut novel “Stay” the hero (Shawn) of “Keep” had a small part. My editor suggested I cut some secondary characters and beef up Shawn's role. And when I got to the end of “Stay” I decided to introduce Kara (the heroine of “Keep”) and it was too much fun between these characters to have that be it for them.
~~~
Do you have a favorite character in this book?
Shawn, all the way. He'd do or say things that my internal editor wanted to fight. “He can't do that, it's manipulative and the reader won't like it.” Didn't matter, he just kept being him. I finally stopped worrying and took the leash off, and holy cow, writing him was amazing.
~~~
What is the best part of being an author?
Having absolute control. You get to decide what people think, who they love, how they fail and succeed. How awesome is that?
Very awesome -- but it sounds like Shawn had a little bit of control. I am looking forward to "meeting" him.
Very awesome -- but it sounds like Shawn had a little bit of control. I am looking forward to "meeting" him.
~~~
When and why did you begin writing?
I have a crazy imagination, and have been writing since I was little. I decided to try novels in 2013, switching from screenplay writing.
~~~
Do you prefer to write books that are in a series, or stand-alone books?
I've yet to write a non-series book, but I try very hard to keep the books standalone. I like the idea that a reader could pick up any book and start reading and enjoy it as a complete story. Also, I do not enjoy cliffhanger endings. If a reader invests several hours of their life reading my work, I owe it to them to give a satisfying conclusion.
~~~
Can you tell us about any books you may have in the planning stage?
The third book “Surrender” should publish in April 2015. I have a vague concept for a fourth book, and would like to write a fifth featuring a character introduced in “Keep.”
~~~
What books by other authors have influenced your life?
“Black Ice” by Anne Stuart. It was the first book I read that had thrilling action, steamy sex, and a dark anti-hero. Her follow-up book “Cold As Ice” was even better because it had a strong heroine. It was everything I wanted in a book.
~~~
Which writer would you consider to be a mentor?
I'd love to have Anne as a mentor, or possibly Cristin Harber. I love her Titan series books. I'd be thrilled to have a reader say my work reminds me of either of those author's.
~~~
What are you currently reading?
Oh my gosh, my iPad is full of books I've purchased and haven't allowed myself to read until I finished editing “Surrender.” Since that's done now, it will either be “Ruthless People” by J.J. McAvoy, “Rusty Nailed” by Alice Clayton, or “Hard Kill” by Charlie Flowers.
~~~
Do you have any hobbies other than reading?
I really like sewing and quilting, but the writing dominates my time. I also am planning to ramp back up my running habit and run another half-marathon this spring.
~~~
Are there any new authors who have captured your interest?
She's new to me, and writes in erotica – Roxy Sloane. Her love scenes . . . holy hell. They're scorching, and the POV sections with her alpha males are so much fun.
~~~
If you could have a dinner party and invite four authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite, and why?
Anne Stuart, Cristin Harber, Roxy Sloane and Jasinda Wilder. Anne and Cristin because I'd love to pick their brains on their process, Jasinda because I find her personal make or break story fascinating. (She quit her job to write full time.) And I've spoken to Roxy a few times and she seems like a genuinely nice woman, who's probably a ton of fun.
~~~
What four items do you always have in your fridge or pantry?
Macaroni and Cheese, Diet Coke, Mint Oreos and 2% milk. So healthy!
~~~
Is there anything else you would like my readers to know?
“Stay” will be on sale for 99¢ December 17-21.
Fantastic news! Now I can "meet" Laurel and Jason also!
Fantastic news! Now I can "meet" Laurel and Jason also!
~~~
The Author
About Karyn Lawrence
She has been a screenwriter for more than fifteen years, with rather mild success, and grew tired of her stories only reaching a handful of readers. The decision was made to try fiction in early 2013 and once she figured out how to write internal dialogue again, the prose came fast and furious. She most enjoys writing smexy (smart-sexy) books featuring a lovable SOB hero and a tough-as-nails heroine.
Karyn is a Chicago native who lives in Kentucky with her epic husband and two adorable sons.
The Giveaway
Karyn will be awarding a $25 gift card to Amazon, a signed paperback copy of both "Keep" and the first book in the stand-alone series, "Stay", bookmarks from "Stay" and a can kozie with the logo from the fictional beer company that the hero owns in "Keep" (Swag and print book are US only) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
If you enjoyed this post, please show your appreciation by sharing it.
