Romance author Kacey Hammell is here with us today for an interview. Canadian-born Kacey is a self-proclaimed book-a-holic, who began reading romances at a young age and became easily addicted. As a Mom of three, Kacey has made certain that each of her children know the value of the written word and the adventures they could escape on by becoming book-a-holics in their own right.
A decade ago, while working for multiple review sites, Kacey quickly discovered that she was developing the writing bug. Thanks to the encouragement of her own beloved hero husband, she decided to try her hand at writing.
With a love of contemporary settings, modern day romances and the happily ever after, as well as the excitement of suspense, Kacey creates stories in genres she's familiar with and that she loves most. She also loves vampires who nibble the necks of the heroines, ghosts who can't leave a loved one, shape-shifters who are sexier than hell and the thought of her very own werewolf or were-cat to tame makes her tremble!
Amazon
Bea: Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, Kacey.
Kacey: Thank you for having me here, Bea.
Bea: You developed the writing bug while working at review sites, but did you always know that you want to write? Was there anyone who inspired you?
Kacey: My husband encouraged me to write after about three years of reviewing. It was a very nerve-wracking endeavor to jump into but I did and haven’t regretted it.
Bea: Why romance? What’s the appeal for you? Do you think you might try a different genre some time?
Kacey: Romance is just a genre that keeps people believing in love, love at first sight? I started reading it when I was about thirteen and haven’t stopped. I do have a ghost story I’m working on, as well as a paranormal (Witch & Ménage) series I’ve also started. So I’m branching into paranormal but still main focus is romance.
Bea: Can you tell us a little about Illusions and the series it’s part of? Do you know yet how many books it will be?
Kacey: Illusions is a contemporary romance with light paranormal (the hero is a seer) and romantic suspense interwoven. Isabella & Brady, the main characters, are friends who became lovers and fight commitment every step of the way. Neither believes that love is for them and they do everything possible to avoid it. However, as their secret relationship gets deeper, and a psychotic killer is inching his way closer to home, both of them realize they can’t control everything. No matter how much they’d like to…
Bea: Are you a planner or do you wing it when you write? Any habits or superstitions that are important to you while writing?
Kacey: I write scenes first then put it all together. Sometimes I can start with page one and just go, but I have written a couple books as scenes first. No habits or anything, just go where the characters lead.
Bea: What’s a typical writing day like for you?
Kacey: Just writing, researching, writing, self-edits, write some more and edit again. Some stories I’ll just write fully then go back and edit but there are times when I’ll edit chapter by chapter.
Bea: Does your family read your books? What do they think?
Kacey: Yes, my Mom even! Bit scary to have my Mom read the stories but she’s an avid reader like I am, so I couldn’t keep her from doing so. And a lot of my friends have, as well as my Mom’s girlfriends. They’ve been some of my biggest supporters and always nagging for the next one. *g*
Bea: Are any of your heroes based on, or inspired by, your husband? You described him as your “hero husband”.
Kacey: The hero’s sensitivity and caring for the ladies is greatly inspired by my husband. He is a very open, honest man who is sensitive to who I am, what makes me tick, and takes care of me. I think my heroes are quite the same in “tapping into” their woman’s moods, feelings, and ultimately they just want to care for them.
Bea: I know you do some social media. Do you think it’s important to an author?
Kacey: Yes, I think it is. To a point though. No one wants to see promo after promo, so I try to do a couple promo things a day, while interacting with readers/other authors. I like to know about the reader’s lives (to a point), things we can discuss (like tv, movies, books), share fun pictures and just have some fun. It’s hard to always balance all of it with writing but the readers are very important to me and I try to make myself available, via email, blog hops, interviews, etc.
Bea: Do you prefer print books or digital? Do you have an ereader?
Kacey: I use Kindle for PC but don’t have an eReader. I’m still very invested in print titles. I find that after writing in front of the computer every day, critiquing for others, or doing interviews and such, that I just want to curl up with a print book. I do buy many ebooks mind you as I steal my hubby’s tablet often *g*, but do prefer prints.
Bea: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?
Thank you Kacey for taking the time to answer my questions, and for giving us an excerpt from "Illusions".
*****************************************************************************
EXCERPT
Knowing she would soon run out of time before his arrival, and getting more aroused by the second, Isabella hurriedly reached for her bath sponge. Soaping it up, she cleansed her body with an eagerness she was growing accustomed to feeling whenever she had plans to see him.
Sponging all suds from her clean body, Isabella pulled the plug in the drain, and stood in the tub, reaching for a thick, blue towel from the shelf.
She rubbed vigorously at her body, drying it, and reached for the strawberry body lotion that went with her bubble bath. She poured a generous amount into her palm, rubbing her hands together to coat them in the sweet smell. Then she smoothed it over her arms, her breasts, stomach, and legs. The scent of strawberries made her smile.
Humming Destiny’s Child’s ancient hit Soldier to herself, Isabella wondered how many more minutes she’d have to wait before her soldier made an appearance.
She recapped the body lotion and tucked the towel loosely around her once again. Her heart skipped a beat when she heard the sound of the front door closing.
She hazarded a glance in the mirror. With the mussed, damp tendrils of hair around her shoulders, the towel haphazardly wrapped around her, she looked like a woman eager for a man’s—her man’s—touch.
The sound of a boot hitting the floor with a thud caused her to smile, and she moved to the doorway of the bathroom.
Hearing another boot drop and the sound of heavy breathing, Isabella peered into the hallway. When he finally came into view, she was already breathless, even though she had been expecting him.
Dressed in his usual black denim, form-fitting jeans, and dark hair damp as if he too had taken a few moments to clean up, he was a sight to behold.
Isabella’s heart thudded rapidly and her legs threatened to give out. She noticed his leather jacket, undone, over a naked torso. Obviously his zealousness to be with her had him forgetting a few things.
There they were. The abs, the washboard stomach had her literally teetering on the edge of orgasm already—and he hadn’t even touched her.
Finally lifting her gaze to his face, his smoldering silver-gray eyes captured hers. She had to lean against the doorjamb for support.
He always made her speechless. His beauty, his charm oozed from him with no effort at all. How she had gone so long, so many years as friends with him and never really noticed him in such a way before? Some detective she was, not seeing what was directly in front of her.
As he moved toward her, his pace slowed, as if he knew the effect he was having on her and wanted her to crave him more desperately than ever. His face broke into a sinful grin, telling her he knew exactly what he was playing at.
Never one to let anyone, least of all this man, have the upper hand, Isabella let go of the towel she was still holding around her. It slithered downed her body, pooling at her feet. Noting his small stumble mid-stride, she relished the power she had over him.
Naked and confident, she smiled at the man she needed to feel against her. Desperate to have his hands on her, she called to him.
“Brady….”
*****************************************************************************
Kacey will be giving away a goodie package sent via snail mail (consisting of magnets, pen, notepads), plus THREE (3) ebooks of their choice from Decadent Publishing to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour and a $20 Amazon gift certificate to the host with the most comments.
You can increase your odds of winning and learn more about Kacey by following the tour and commenting; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.
Thank you for hosting Kacey today.
ReplyDeleteThank you for doing the interview and hosting me today. I appreciate it very much. Have a great Monday.
ReplyDeleteWonderful that you have such supportive family and friends! I'm sure it makes your writing more successful!
ReplyDeletebooks4me67 at ymail dot com
Yes it does. Family is so important and it's wonderful that everyone around me is very supportive. I'd be lost without them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by books4me67 :D
Kacey...I like your approach to social media. There are many authors I can't follow on Twitter because it's just BUY, BUY, BUY. There has to be balance.
ReplyDeleteI agree. There have been some authors I stopped following because there was too much promo, and some who post so rarely that it's not worth keeping them on my list (just as easy to look them up when I have a question).
Delete