I pretty much went on a Skylar Cates reading binge one month. When I was done I knew she was always going to be the type of author that I'd see a book of hers available and just get it.
Like all great authors, she has a style all her own. Her characters are not only well written with great back stories. Her flow is spot on and each book is intriguing, beautiful, lovely and a bit hair pulling. I love it!
Naturally, I had to spotlight her and that brings us here today. I have a wonderful interview with Skylar, a FANTASTIC giveaway and of course a look at her available work. Let us begin.
Skylar has a series The Guy Series. In the interview you'll get the answer if there is a third coming out but in the meantime lets glance at them, shall we?
The Guy From Glamour (Book 1)
Blurb:
Anthony Carrino loves
his big, gregarious Italian-American family, even if his sisters are
interfering, and his dad, the local sheriff, knows everything going on
in town. He’s happy as a middle school guidance counselor. Despite
helping kids and their parents fix their problems, Anthony can’t manage
to get his own love life right. If only everyone would stop calling him
the “nice” guy.
Dean Pierce doesn’t do relationships. A
tough-minded military man, he is dedicated to his job as a Night
Stalker, flying Chinook helicopters and not speaking much to anybody. He
certainly doesn’t want to deal with a mess of emotions. But when
tragedy strikes, Dean finds his hands full with his troubled niece, her
irresistible guidance counselor, and a meddlesome family, which includes
a rather large puppy.
The Only Guy (Book 2)
Blurb:
Aaron Weiss knows how to
escape. Years ago, he ran from a romantic disappointment and
impulsively joined the Army. Now, he’s forced to take a medical
discharge and readjusting to life at home proves a challenge.
Jesse
Ross knows how to hide. He realizes he’s an oddball, and that he’s an
outsider within his own family. He also knows his secret love since
childhood, Aaron, only wants his good-looking, favored older brother.
Yet Jesse could never completely abandon his intense feelings for Aaron.
Over the years, Jesse was a faithful pen pal to him. Still, he's
shocked to his core to find Aaron on his doorstep.
As long-buried
secrets and past hurts take center stage, the two are overwhelmingly
drawn to each other. But it’s their future that may force them to risk
everything.
You will love these books! JUST LOVE! I read them back to back and even had a bit of a book hangover when I was done.
Skylar also did a collaboration with Cate Ashwood called Five Ways a Boy Can Break Your Heart:
Blurb:
When Trey and Liam meet in
boarding school, they couldn’t be more different. Liam is a classical
violinist with a scholarship, and Trey is a punk rocker with famous
parents. Despite their conflicting backgrounds, they hit it off and bond
over their love of music. But after spending every waking hour
together, Liam is devastated when Trey leaves school without an
explanation. Worse yet, Trey capitalizes on a song they wrote together.
Seven
years later, they bump into each other at a charity benefit in New
York. Old sparks fly, but Liam hasn’t quite recovered from the pain Trey
caused. Liam doesn’t know if any explanation Trey can offer will be
enough, or if he can find it in his heart to forgive the only man he’s
ever really loved
And LAST let me show you the book the brilliant Skylar M. Cates is featuring as the giveaway today...
Exposed
Blurb
After years of running
from a traumatic secret, young journalist Rafe Quintero is making his
way in the world alone. Now that he’s landed a job at a Miami newspaper,
he’s hungry for success. His goal? A blistering exposé on closeted PGA
golfer Daniel Andrews. Rafe will stop at nothing to get the scoop—even
if it means going undercover on Daniel’s private yacht.
Daniel
is used to being in the spotlight, but his reputation for being cold and
unfriendly hasn’t made him very popular. Still reeling from his
mother’s death and his ex-boyfriend’s engagement, he hides out on his
yacht to escape the press hounding his every step. His instant
attraction to Rafe, his new crew member, is a problem he can't ignore.
When
Rafe and Daniel begin a steamy affair, Rafe knows it’s only a matter of
time before Daniel discovers his betrayal. Now he has to choose:
confess and hope Daniel can swallow his pride and forgive him, or put
his ambition ahead of his heart and follow the story
WOOHOO! Are you freaking out? I would be!
Of course you can check these all out and purchase yourself on her Amazon page :
Skylar on Amazon
***Interview***
Can you tell us your writing process? Obviously it all
starts with a plot bunny, but how do you go about making it into a book?
Yes, it starts with an idea. For example, with The Guy from Glamour, I wanted to write
about a warm, loving family for my MC. Then I immediately wanted the other MC
to need love and family------Anthony and Dean were born. With Exposed, I wanted a story of betrayal
and false identity.
Once I have that main idea, I start to shape the characters.
I outline all of this, but I always deviate from my notes a little too. The
beginning of the book is usually pretty definite for me. And, unlike many
authors I know, I usually have a strong sense of the ending. For me, it is the
middle that is the most challenging to build. I’m always concerned that the
middle part reflects love and not simply lust, and love is a wayward, often
tricky path.
I loved the Guy series. You created an outstanding world.
Will there be a book 3?
Thank you! That makes me so happy to hear!
Yes, there is a third book, Henry’s story. It will be
released around early December. It has
an enemy-to--lover vibe. I think it is a fun one! It’s pretty hot and heavy
too, as they battle through their feelings, and has some twists that were fun
to put in there. I’m excited for it to be released.
Possibly, there might
be a holiday novella set in this world too, where all the guys can be seen one
last time. I’m kicking around the idea of A Guy’s Fourth of July, but that one
is not definite.
Jesse, in The Only Guy, is physically flawed. It's so
rare I read a not glamorous looking man in a book. It's refreshing! I'd love to
know how Jesse came to be?
Originally, with Aaron’s backstory in The Guy from Glamour, I was going to have the usual physical
perfection for the love interest, the brother he had a crush on, but I changed
my mind. I was in the mood for more of an Ugly Duckling story. I always had a
soft spot for romances that portray somebody who is not the best looking person
in the room, except, of course, to the other MC, he becomes beautiful. I wanted Aaron to go through that sort of
discovery with Jesse.
You are giving one lucky reader an ebook copy of Exposed.
It's about love, golf and journalism. Are any of these things (besides love)
close to your heart?
Ha! It’s not really about golf at all. Daniel is actually
running away from the spotlight. I picked golf because I wanted a sport where
you could be filthy rich, and a sport without teammates. It was either tennis
or golf that fit my criteria. I’d read a few tennis romances, but I hadn’t read
any with golf. I did use several friends
for my research, since golf was not close to my heart. I wanted Daniel
outwardly reserved, privileged, but hurting and shy. It felt like the correct
sport for him.
Journalism is closer to my heart. Rafe gets intoxicated with words at times; I
can easily relate to that part. He is hungry for a story and to show the world
he can be a success.
Exposed, for me,
is truly about two men clashing, having totally different worlds and different
dreams, and then discovering love. There is a struggle with assumptions and
pride, forgiveness and redemption—--all aspects of love that I feel strongly
about and wanted to explore.
How do you think you've evolved in your writing?
I’m not sure. That might be better answered by critics, but
I have learned a few things. For example, I realize my characters grin and
shrug too much. *grins and shrugs*
I try and keep a list
of words and actions to be aware of repeating.
I’m also always exploring doing something new (even if it
remains in the romance world). Henry’s coming story, for instance, has a
thriller element, which I never attempted before this book. I think it is good
to grow and explore. Perhaps simply being willing to evolve will keep my writing
fresh.
You write in the M/M genre, did you choose this or did it
more choose you?
It chose me. But I honestly love it!
Can you tell us about any upcoming projects?
Sure, but I have to warn you my answers keep on shifting (based
on what new and shiny project catches my eye).
1.
I’ve started a new M/M series. It revolves
around four housemates in Florida. When they face an unexpected tragedy, it
impacts on them all.
Book One is almost done for submission
Book Two and Book Three= planned out in notes
2.
A holiday YA novella—short and sweet—for Harmony
Ink.
3.
A werewolf shifter novella— action-packed,
unrequited werewolf love (This one is done, but I feel it needs a sequel. I’m
considering self-pubbing it on Halloween for fun though)
4.
Cate Ashwood and I have a half-written novel
about a college athlete involved in a scandal. Care just had a baby, though, so
this in the waiting zone
5.
A fictional account of three open water swimmers
Tell us about the covers for your books. Who designs them
and how much say do you have in that process?
Dreamspinner has amazing artists, let me say that right
away. I’m fortunate to have worked with several of them.
Reese Dante did Exposed, and I was so new, I barely said
a word, lol. I did know that I loved Daniel’s face right away. With The
Guy from Glamour, however, I drove Maria Fanning a little nuts. We had
trouble finding a guy in a white shirt with Dean’s body type. We must have gone through fifteen drafts, but
I love the cover. It’s just right!
That experience did make me realize that I could speak up
for my covers, and the Dreamspinner artists would try and work with me. I try
not to abuse that or be a PITA, but the cover is very important.
The hardest part is that the artist has NOT read the book.
Since I’m not an artist, it is occasionally hard to articulate what I want to
them.
What are you hopes as a writer in 5 years time?
Still writing, I hope!
My goal is to build a steady backlist, develop a good
relationship with my readers, and do the best work that I can. I’d like to
write a few more series in the M/M world. I could see myself branching out in
to other genres, too, like a family saga or something, but I’m happy at the
idea of producing work that people generally respect and enjoy.
It’d be great to quit the day job and focus on writing one
hundred percent---that’s the big dream.
Oh, might as well throw in a cleaning lady to keep my messy house in
shape while I write too, lol. It all gets a bit chaotic at times.
How can your readers follow you through Social Media or
websites?
Thank you Skylar! This is so awesome of you :)
My pleasure! Thanks
for hosting me!
You all will truly fall in love with Skylar's books if you haven't already!
Giveaway time. Above is the cover and blurb for the giveaway. Exposed.
Enter below and when the contest finishes I will email the winner. You will simply have to tell me the format and email you'd like your copy of Exposed to be sent to.
Thank you so much to Skylar M. Cates for letting me spotlight her! Be sure to purchase all of her work and all her future stories.
***GIVEAWAY***
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Melanie Moreland lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her husband and four children. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them.
Known as the quiet one with the big laugh, Melanie works for the sporting teams of a local university. Her (box) office job, while demanding, is rewarding as she cheers on her team to victory.
While seriously addicted to coffee, and somewhat challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties and socialize, and also enjoys traveling, here and abroad, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip.
Melanie delights in writing a good romance story with some bumps along the way, but is a true believer in happily ever after. When her head isn’t buried in a book, it is bent over a keyboard, furiously typing away as her characters dictate their creative story lines to her even more inspired tales, for all to enjoy.
