Author Saturday Spotlight: Nikka Michaels #Interview #Giveaway

I am very happy and excited to have Nikka Michaels as my Author Saturday Spotlight this week. She co authored (with Eileen Griffin) one of, if not, my favorite chef trilogy ever! The In The Kitchen Series is so outstanding. The second I finished it I knew that Eileen and Nikka had something amazing! I had to have Nikka as a spotlight and I was so happy when she said yes.

We will take a look at her work, do a wonderful interview, and of course there's a giveaway at the end. So, let's get started shall we?

When Donovan Ramsey comes home from yet another business trip he realizes he and his long-term boyfriend, Nate Pearson, have drifted apart. Donovan is used to engineering solutions in his career, but he’s stumped on how to fix his dwindling sexual relationship with Nate.

After a late night internet search, Donovan finds a place that might be exactly what they need to rekindle the romance in their relationship. There’s just one catch: the idyllic Cooper Mountain Bed and Breakfast specializes in BDSM for couples.

Over the course of the weekend, the two men experience a taste of what the BDSM lifestyle has to offer. Will that taste lead to a stronger connection between Nate and Donovan, or will it ultimately be their undoing?

Be Warned: m/m sex, BDSM, public exhibition

If you can't take the heat…

James Lassiter has had a crush on fellow culinary student Ethan Martin for three years, but has never had the guts to make a move. Putting himself out there is hard, especially when under the thumb–and wallet–of his overbearing parents. Now that bad boy chef Ethan–who is always vying with Jamie for best in class–is struggling with the pastry course, Jamie suddenly has a reason to reach out.

Ethan doesn't mean to be an ass–okay, so mostly he does–but even though he's secretly hot for Jamie, he sure as hell doesn't want help with pastry. Ever since his dad walked out, Ethan has been the one to hold things together and he's done fine on his own. Except that he can't get his cake to rise.

Jamie could be the answer to what Ethan's been missing his whole life–someone to depend on. But with the two competing for the same scholarship, things suddenly get too hot to handle. And if Jamie finds the strength to go for what he wants, he isn't about to settle for what he needs.

Ezekiel has been a Watcher angel for thousands of years, and now he wants a promotion to Guardian status. When he shows up for a meeting at Purgatory, Inc. Zeke gets the shock of his lifetime when his boss and Higher Power commands him to bring back Azazel, Death’s assistant.

Throw in the devil, a possible apocalypse, and a partner in archangel Sam and Zeke might get more than just his Guardian angel wings.

INTERVIEW

Thank you, Nikka, for being here today and for being my spotlight author this Saturday. I have a few questions for you. Hopefully it won’t scar you and you’ll like me afterwards. LOL. Kidding, I’m charming.

Heh. Luckily, I don’t scar easily, Miss Meredith and I’ve heard nothing but the best about you from my co-writer, Eileen Griffin.

I want to start out by praising your In the Kitchen series you co-wrote with Eileen Griffin. What are the good parts and not so good parts about co-writing?

I’m totally blushing right now! No, seriously, thanks for reading and the opportunity to hang out with you at Diverse Reader.

Both Eileen and I still marvel at the fact people actual read the stories we make up in our heads. It’s a very surreal and awesome thing knowing people love our characters like we do.

The good parts of co-writing definitely outweigh the bad parts by a million to one. Writing can be a lonely, solitary process so working with someone else during from the beginning from random idea, through brainstorming, outlining, writing, submitting, editing, revising, editing, cover art, promo, interacting with fans? It’s a blessing having the opportunity to share the process with someone else, especially such a great co-writer like Eileen.

There isn’t really a bad part. I would say to be part of a co-writing duo, you have to be open and willing to make mistakes and truly collaborate on an equal level is making sure both people’s ideas are well represented. Eileen is an amazing writer. She’s so great at everything, including outlining and transitions, characterizations, and expressing emotion from our characters. I’m the flaily one of the pair, and I’m a pantser so I can definitely see where she might get frustrated with me some days when I go off on a rambly tangential journey to Nonsenseville. We both have our strengths so the ability to be able to put your ego aside and let the other person take over is definitely important.

Do you have any plans to join forces with Eileen in the future for more books?

We’re both super busy at the moment but we definitely have plans in the future for more books. I know Eileen is working on an outline for a possible Book 4 of In the Kitchen and we’re currently writing the sequel to Stripped Bare.

Since Halloween is coming, what plans do you have? Anything spooky?

I’m probably the one person in the universe who doesn’t enjoy spooky things, ghost stories and scary movies. Plans include hanging out with the family, watching movies and eating all the Halloween candy in existence.

Do you have a favorite Halloween book?

I don’t really have a favorite Halloween book but the last suspenseful story I read was The Headmaster by Tiffany Reisz. I like descriptive suspense and supernatural that creates a mood that subtly gives you the creeps or the feeling that something isn’t quite right.

Are you a good cook? I ask because I was starving after finishing the In the Kitchen series. How far does your culinary ability take you?

I’m a pretty good home cook but a terrible baker so I definitely identify with Ethan on that front.

Eileen and I constantly made ourselves hungry looking through recipes and cooking techniques. As far as culinary ability, I’d definitely lose Iron Chef or Chopped but I do consider myself a foodie. I live in Portland, which is definitely a foodie town. I’d love to participate in a Culinary Adventure tour of great restaurants and learn more about the local scene.

Do you attend any conferences? If so what are your favorites and if not what one would you love to go to?

So far due to scheduling and budget, I haven’t had the chance to attend any conferences but would love to go. For me, I’d probably pick the RWA National Conference. I’ve received so much help and guidance and learned from the amazing people in my local chapter, Rose City Romance Writers. I love hearing the stories from everyone after conferences.

What is your favorite childhood book?

I was a huge reader growing up, and I remember loving The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L Konigsburg.  Something about the story of the brother and sister who ran away to live in a Museum just hooked me.

Can you tell us what you’re currently working on?

I’m currently working on the sequel to Stripped Bare, and brainstorming with Eileen for Book 4 of the In the Kitchen Series. Solo, I’m working on a comedic romance about dating called The Back Up Plan and a sequel to Saving Sam.

How can your fans/readers follow your career: Twitter, Facebook, Website?

For random observations, rants, and food discussions on Twitter: @NikkaMichaels

Connect with me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nikkamichaelsauthor

Website for book news, free reads, book recs: http://www.nikkamichaels.com

Thank you, Nikka, for being here today! It’s been awesome and I look forward to more of your work.

 GIVEAWAY

Nikka will gift one person any of her backlist ebooks.

Simply fill out the rafflecopter below. Contest will run until  October 23rd.

Winner will be notified via email so please check your spam.

Thank you to Nikka for hanging out with me and chit chatting.

Good luck to you all!

a Rafflecopter giveaway