Happy Saturday, everyone! The greatest day of the week is here: Saturday Author Spotlight! This week I'm shining two spotlights. I have the amazing writing duo Parker Williams and K.C. Wells here with us. They have a new book out,
Before You Break, and we have a review for that today. There's an interview, and then there's a giveaway for a signed paperback copy of this book! So, let us get started.
Before You Break
Title: Before You Break
Series: Secrets #1
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Reese Dante
Publication Date: May 26, 2017
Length: 340 pages
Reviewed by Morningstar
Synopsis
Six years ago Ellis walked into his first briefing as the newest member of London’s Specialist Firearms unit. He was partnered with Wayne and they became fast friends. When Wayne begins to notice changes—Ellis’s erratic temper, the effects of sleep deprivation—he knows he has to act before Ellis reaches his breaking point. He invites Ellis to the opening of the new BDSM club, Secrets, where Wayne has a membership. His purpose? He wants Ellis to glimpse the lifestyle before Wayne approaches him with a proposition. He wants to take Ellis in hand, to control his life because he wants his friend back, and he figures this is the only way to do it.
There are a few issues, however. Ellis is straight. Stubborn. And sexy. Wayne knows he has to put his own feelings aside to be what Ellis needs. What surprises the hell out of him is finding out what Ellis actually requires.
Buy Links
Review
This book is a spin-off from the Collars & Cuffs series that has Jarod and Eli making a move to London and opening up their own BDSM called Secrets. We get a small glimpse at some familiar faces from that series, but this book does not require reading that series.
I struggled to contact with Wayne and Ellis the first portion of this book. I can’t even tell you what it was that was making me feel that way. It could’ve been the chemistry between the two guys or the uncertainty of how these authors were going to bring them together, but whatever it was it was throwing me off.
I loved Wayne with his sense of humor and how he was a leader in all ways that his team needed him. The dynamic that the team had especially in the police force and having an out and proud
gay man leading the team was incredible. Wayne wanted to use the guiding hand that he’d always used with Ellis on the job, in private but Ellis struggles with it. And man, does he have the patience of a saint when it comes to Ellis and the phone calls and the leaving. But you can tell he really wants to take care of Ellis and loves him.
A lot of his struggles come from his family situation, a situation that I truly understand and on some level can easily see parents brainwashing their child into believing in what they taught him, which they did from a very young age. Ellis is in a tight spot when it comes to his job, and his family adds on top of it the BDSM Wayne is throwing at him I was glad he didn’t come around quickly. But it makes complete sense that submitting to another man in his situation would been even harder to fall into.
The banter between the two men later on in the book when things are going well between them is fun and made me smile. The development with Ellis’s sister was sad but uplifting all the same.
Although it is long, it’s well paced and flows. There's alternating POV even within a chapter, but it is clearly marked and easy to get used to the change, so no head hopping, not that surprises me with these two authors. Great story that’s light on the BDSM, heavy on the sexy, and light on the angst.
Other collaborations with Parker Williams and KC Wells
Interview
Well, it’s very exciting to have a dynamic duo like the two of you as our Author(s) Saturday Spotlight. We’ve never had a double up so this is exciting. You have a new release Before You Break. Our lovely Morningstar reviewed it below and for a while now it seems to be one of those books people have been so excited about. Congrats on the new book. Today I’m going to ask you both some questions. Some together some separate. Hopefully painless.
For both of you: How did you meet?
Parker: I met her at the candy store, she turned around and smiled at me, you get the picture?
K.C.: He was reading ‘An Unlocked Heart’ and messaged me to tell me how much he enjoyed it. I asked him if he was interested in hearing about the second book, ‘Trusting Thomas’. His answer hasn’t changed much since I’ve known him: “Duh.”
For you both: When did you both decide you wanted to write books together?
K.C.: I asked him if he’d consider writing a book with me. He said no.
Parker: In my defense, she’s freaking K.C. Wells! I was a nobody. Then one night at work, I had an idea for a story about a boy from the US who went to the UK because someone he’d never met sent him a ticket. I talked to her about it and from that came ‘Someone to Keep Me’.
K.C.: Er, excuse me? When I asked you, I had ONE book published. Okay, so I’d written four, but still… (It’s a good thing I love him, right? ;-) )
Parker: What was your first impression of KC?
She was funny, smart, sweet, cute, cuddly, and adorable.
Hey, wait a minute… K.C. why are YOU answering for me? (Just kidding. She is all those things and more.)
KC: How did you know that you were going to be able to collaborate with Parker so well?
By the time we started writing, we were already having these verbal sparring bouts on Facebook. People came by to watch with popcorn. I’d read his first book, Pitch, and I loved his style. But when the moment arrived to start, we were already friends who talked every day on Skype. I just… knew.
Parker: What is the hardest part about collaborating?
Waking up at 2 in the morning to talk with her while she sips coffee. Beyond that, working with KC is great. I’ve learned a lot from her. Including to look for SQUIRRELS! (Which is my way of saying both of us can be pretty easily distracted.)
K.C. : snort Ya think?
KC: What’s your favorite thing about writing with someone else?
Bouncing ideas off one another. I love it when I get a message when we’re in the middle of writing, that begins with OOH. It usually means he’s had another great idea.
For you both: How did you form the idea for Before You Break?
Parker: When we were writing the last two books of Collars & Cuffs, I suggested that if we did a new series, Eli & Jarod should move to London to open a BDSM club. KC liked the idea, so we began to discuss possible storylines. One of them was Wayne and Ellis, two police officers. We ran several potential plots through the betas and asked them for their opinion.
For You Both: Can you tell us what you’re currently working on together or separate?
Parker: We’re on the last two chapters of ‘An Unlocked Mind’. If the title sounds similar to K.C.’s first book in the Collars & Cuffs series, ‘An Unlocked Heart’, it’s because it features Alex’s brother, the selfish prick known as Rob. I’ve also got ‘Haven’s War’ coming in June (it’s the sequel to Haven’s Creed and deals with Haven coming up against an enemy that has killed other agents and seems to be looking for him.) And in July I have Runner coming out from Dreamspinner (my first solo book with them as Parker).
K.C.: I’ve just finished writing Lace, a standalone short story. Next it’s BFF, my last Dreamspun Desires title. And after that? Well, let’s just say it will be a departure from my usual writing style ;-)
Could either of you ever collaborate with anyone else or is this unique?
Parker: I’m not sure. To be honest, I’m not super-confident in my writing. I’m getting better, but not sure how well I could work with someone else. K.C. is patient with me, which I totally appreciate. Plus she’s easily distracted by SQUIRRELS!
K.C.: I’ve been asked by a couple of authors, both of whom have writing styles that would gel well with mine. The only thing would be finding the time, because there seriously aren’t enough hours in the day!
How can each of your readers follow your work: Websites, Twitter, Facebook etc…
FAST FIRE QUESTIONS:
For Parker
Day or night? Probably very late night/very early morning.
Beer or wine? Neither. I’m not a drinker.
Favorite holiday? Halloween because our local food store carries vegan pumpkin bars!
Best song ever? Right now it’s The Warrior Song: Hard Corps by Sean Householder
Favorite comfort food? Paul makes an awesome pot pie that I need on bad days.
Favorite KC book she wrote without you? An Unlocked Heart or, because I’m a goof, the Personal Series which features a character named Will Parkinson (my alter-ego)
Favorite destination? Bed!
Favorite color? Yellow or red, depending on my mood
For KC:
Chocolate or vanilla? *eye roll* Really? (chocolate)
Dogs or cats? Kitties.
Favorite movie? Sorry. WAYYYY too many to answer that one
Favorite Parker Williams book he wrote without you? 500 Miles
Favorite flower? freesia
Favorite alcoholic beverage? Wine, Long Islands and Mai Tais all tie *grins*
Cake or ice cream? Ice cream!
Favorite place to write? A café here on the island, by the sea
Okay, thank you both so very much for being here! I’m so thrilled for your new release and for all the books to come.
Giveaway
Parker Williams and KC Wells will gift one person a signed copy of
Before You Break.
Since they live in separate parts of the world here's how it will work.
If the Random winner is in the US it will be signed by Parker.
If it's international it will be signed by KC Wells.
I want to thank both of them for being here today!
Contest will end on June 2nd!
Thanks!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
