(watch for the Rafflecopter at the bottom!)
It all started one night...
I was flipping through the RT Magazine looking at the list of upcoming releases for June when an idea formed, took root and grew. I knew what had to be done.
As I promptly put my plans into motion, it became apparent that my elusive prey lived a wee bit from me, but determination fueled my blood and nothing could stop me, not even thousands of miles. I was determined to gain the information I sought.
So, giving up my life of warmth & comfort, I set aside my Coach Purse and my cool Nike's, slung my ratty-ass backpack over my shoulders and packed a pair of snow shoes. Who's idea was it to construct these friggen' things, anyways?
Where was I going? I didn't know the exact details at the time, other than I knew there was snow, but I could handle a little snow. Right? Only, it was readily apparent that I had no idea what I was in for as I trekked north of the US border into foreign lands, all to find the elusive J.K. Coi.
How in God's green earth could anyone live on this barren expanse of...nothing. As far as the eye could see, snow. Everything was white. I knew it was one of life's little riddles that I would likely freeze to death before I ever figured out. Moving on. With determination fueling me, and reader's across the US and beyond chomping at the bit for the information I knew she held, I continued on...
But as I forged ahead I was about to be taught a lesson, that had I known at the time, I would have turned south and ran like a bat out of hell. But, I ignored my screaming instincts and continued forward. Sadly, my education was brutal and embarrassing, as my wind-blown tears and dribbling snot repeatedly froze solid to my face, laying waste to my latest Clinique makeover and forever humbling me. I would likely never recover from this experience. I had arrived - destination Hell.
Still, I continued on...
Naturally, I had mapped my prey, but as I neared her lovely home I suddenly became leery, ducking back and hiding behind the nearest grouping of trees. I might have forgotten to tell her I was coming and even I had heard the stories of how unwanted visitors were handled in the arctic fields...
I had a perfect vantage point to scout my prey...until I hit a branch, knocking a half-ton of snow from the branches above and burying me hip deep.
Still, barely retaining some semblance of sanity, I bid my time, doing my best impression of a snow man. I was not in the mood to meet the end of a thirty-aught-six, so I watched and waited, looking for any signs of life.
After waiting for hours and still detecting no movement, I soon discovered that I was the only one daring *cough* dumb enough to brave the -25 degree temperature. Well, that is other than the polar bear I could see in the distance, ripping the hide off of some poor, defenseless creature. Ugh. What had I gotten myself into? FORWARD MARCH!
Digging myself out, I trudged forward. Too frozen to attend to formalities - my mission, straightforward, obtain heat, then information, in that order - and to frozen to care, I bypassed the whole knocking thing. I turned the handle and, thank my favorite Prada's, found it unlocked (who would have guessed that the frozen arctic was not appealing to thieves?).
Stomping in, with my first step I promptly tumbled to the floor, falling flat on my face in a mass of frozen snot as my snow shoes slipped on the hard wood flooring. This was NOT working the way I had originally envisioned it. Not. At. All. I was to be the hero, bringing back the amazing release from Author J.K. Coi. Bumbling hero, it appeared.
Standing, I scanned the room, ignoring the stacks of packing boxes, as I reached down and ripped the offending bastards from my frozen feet, throwing them across the room, smashing delicate objects waiting to be packed. Whoops. My bad.
More determined than ever to find my quarry, I dropped my backpack and went in search. I had questions that needed answers - writing, life outside of it and a new release - and after traveling to hell and back, I finally found her and I acquired it all, just for you! (Duct tape & a chair may have been used) =)
Obviously, I like to have a little fun, but in all seriousness, I am beyond excited to introduce to you a spectacularly creative Author (who really does live in a snowy place) - known for her amazing work and her ability to easily breach a multitude of genre's in the Romance world - YA, Paranormal, Contemporary, Erotic and Urban Fantasy.
Author J.K. Coi
I have known J.K. and her work for some time and for those of you who haven't had the pleasure of getting to know her, or her work, I'm honored to make the introduction. =)
S: Starting out, we have to talk about your new release. Is there something (in particular) that
inspired you to write your upcoming release, In Bed with the Competition?
JK: I’m not sure, I guess I just wanted to write something a little
lighter, lots of fun, that doesn’t take itself too seriously. I also like to
change things up every once in a while. If I write nothing but paranormals, I
start to get stir crazy.
S: The title makes my imagination run wild! What
inspired it?
JK: LOL. The title was originally Corporate Holiday – and it just
didn’t inspire the kind of imagery that we get with In Bed with the
Competition, does it? I have to thank my publisher for helping me pick a really
edgy, fun, sexy title that really represents what this story is all about.
S: Please tell us a little about In Bed with the
Competition. Do you have a favorite scene or scenes? Do tell. Details woman! Details! Details! =)-
JK: I love the scene when Ben and Beth go walking on the beach at
night. They come across this little greenhouse and Ben teases Beth about
getting caught breaking and entering. It’s a great scene with sweetness and
smiles, but also heat and tenderness. Then again, I also love the scenes where
they argue, because the two of them have such great chemistry! J
S: Oh, that does sound so...yummy. That leads me perfectly to our next question. Using a rating scale from ‘tame as a baby kitten’
to ‘RAWR! Claws are out!’ how hot would you rate In Bed with the Competition?
JK: It’s got so much sexual tension you’ll be screaming at the page!
*evil laugh* Seriously though, in contrast to some of my other books, the
sexual content probably isn’t as graphic or as obvious, but it feels real and
potent, and I think it really works!
S: Look below for a taste of what In Bed with the Competition is all about and remember, this is just the first treat...read on for more. MUSH! MUSH! =)
WARNING! IT'S HAWT!
This rivalry is too hot for the tropics…
Elizabeth Carlson and Ben Harrison used to be friends, coworkers...and almost lovers. But that was before Ben proposed mixing business with pleasure. Elizabeth refuses to lose her heart to a hotshot tycoon with a cutthroat, take-no-prisoners attitude. Not with the prospect of starting her own company at stake.
Driven to succeed in all areas of his life, Ben couldn’t resist the temptation to make Liz his. But then she walked away, igniting a bitter rivalry. Competing for the same contract at a Caribbean conference ignites sparks too hot to ignore, and Ben’s determined to finish what they started, even if it’ll only last a few steamy, tropical nights.
Elizabeth’s resolve begins to crumble under Ben’s blatant seduction. Can she walk away from a hot island fling with the sexiest man she’s ever known with her heart intact, or will losing herself in Ben destroy everything she’s fought to achieve?
S: Wow! That was...*fans herself* So, can you tell us, what is your favorite part of the entire
writing process? (cause writing that *points above* has to have some guuud parts!) ;)
JK: I love getting those first shimmering ideas and trying to decide
how the story will play out. Of course, the writing makes me want to tear out
my hair, but then there are those fantastic moments when it just flows so
perfectly (usually when I have absolutely no chance of accessing the Internet,
LOL).
S: What would best describe your writing style -
plotter, planner or a pantster? Why?
JK: Well, I like to think I’m a plotter, but I always change my plot
like…right after I get started, so…maybe not so much. I usually have a pretty
good idea where I want to start and where I want to finish, though. That’s
good, right?
S: Of all of your work, which one did you enjoy
writing the most? Why?
JK: I love all my books as soon as they’re finished. During the
writing process I hate everything about them. Wait, that’s not true. There was
one book that almost wrote itself from beginning to end. I think I finished the
whole thing in something like 2 weeks and it barely needed any revisions. But
I’m not going to tell you which book that was…I can’t play favourites with my
books *grin*
JK: One of my favourite characters is actually from a book I wrote as
my alter ego, Chloe Jacobs, who writes dark fantasy for young adults. She’s a
kick-ass girl stuck in a dangerous world where everyone wants her dead.
Obviously, she’s got some trust issues.
S: You are known for your Immortal Series, a
paranormal series featuring sexy-as-sin Alpha Vampires. Your latest release in
this series was Forever Immortal. Do you
have plans to continue the series? Details, details!
JK: I would LOVE to continue the Immortals series! That world and
those characters are really close to my heart and I do have plans to write more
of them as soon as I can. The next book would be Kane’s story. He lost his twin
brother in the last book and I’ve been waiting for a chance to let the readers
know what happens to him.
S: Do you find it challenging writing in both
Contemporary and Paranormal genres?
JK: Sometimes, but mostly I find it freeing. I like the challenge of
writing in different genres. I like the change of pace. The kind of story I
tell in a contemporary romance is very different than the kind of story I tell
in a horror, or a paranormal, or a steam punk. They all have different story
expectations and different ways for the characters to grow.
S: What do you like about writing in one genre
versus the other?
JK: The thing I like about writing contemporary romance is that the
characters can be a little more light-hearted and their struggles are real and
relatable. But I like writing paranormal and fantasy for exactly the opposite
reasons. I can be angsty and extra dark with the characters and their conflict.
And yet at the end of the day, they all go through hell and come back again,
they all get tortured before they can see the light.
S: If you could create the “perfect man” from
top to bottom, what would you create? Specifically. =)
JK: I think the perfect man would be pretty boring. I like a man with
baggage, with issues, with intensity and passion. All those traits would create
a very interesting man. But perfect? It might be a better idea if we never get
perfect.
S: Outside of writing, what do you enjoy in your
spare time? Any hobbies?
JK: I used to do a little bit of painting, and I also like to work
stained glass. I haven’t had much time for either of those recently, but when I
really need to relax and clear the mind those are the first activities I go
for.
S: Who is the one person, in all the world, you
want to meet? Why?
JK: If I had the chance, I would want to meet Stephen King. I would
really love a couple hours to pick his tricksy, twisted brain! J
S: In ending, is there anything you would like your readers to know
about Author JK Coi?
JK: Well, I hate winter and I hate spiders, but I love cheesecake, and
I LOVE to hear from readers! Please look me up and say hi!
Thanks for having me!! I had a blast! JK
*big hugs* and thanks back at J.K. Coi for visiting with us here today at The Decadent Divas and putting up with my wacky humor! (yes, I know she hates winter *snickers*)
Most important, a huge thank you to you, the reader - without you, none of us would be living the dream. =)
*big hugs* and thanks back at J.K. Coi for visiting with us here today at The Decadent Divas and putting up with my wacky humor! (yes, I know she hates winter *snickers*)
Most important, a huge thank you to you, the reader - without you, none of us would be living the dream. =)
As a thank you for all of your support, below you will find our gift to you - J.K. and I are giving away an awesome pack to (2) winners! Each winner will receive the following: $10 Amazon Gift Card, an (e-copy) of 'In Bed with the Competition' by J.K. Coi and a swag package from J.K. Coi, Shelbie Knight & The Decadent Divas! WOWZA! How's that? (must be 18 to enter)
So, here's your chance! Re-tweet, Like, follow and comment to your heart's desire!
*hugs*
Shelbie Knight
Amazong(dot)Blonde Diva
shelbie@shelbieknight.com
www.shelbieknight.com
I sat next to JK Coi at the Romanticon book signing last year. I was INSANELY nervous and probably asked her a bunch of goofy questions or rambled incoherently. :-P My bad. Congrats on your latest release!
ReplyDeleteJocelyn you were delightful and I hope to meet you again soon!
DeleteYou are welcome back ANY time!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you SOOO much for having me here today! This was a fantastic interview, so much fun! I think this has been the craziest release I've ever had and it's fitting that you are my first crazy stop on the blog tour LOL
ReplyDeleteIt was all my pleasure J.K. *hugs* =)
ReplyDeleteYou guys have been awesome, Shelbie!! Hugs and mucho thanks!!
ReplyDelete