Friday, March 23, 2012

Please Welcome Kacey Hammell author of Illusions


Author of Illusions Kacey Hammell has written an erotic contemporary suspense. I'm sure she would love to have everyone who is browsing also leave a comment. If you do, you will be entered to win...

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 (excluding Kacey's or the host's).


Bio

Canadian-born author, Kacey Hammell 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!
Readers can contact Kacey at kaceyhammell@gmail.com

Links

Readers can learn more about Kacey’s books and contact her via …
Website/Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Amazon
Email


Learn more about Kacey

Interview



1. What or who inspired you to start writing? 
My husband encouraged and inspired me. Almost a decade ago, I worked online for multiple review sites. Reading nearly seven books a day, was something I looked forward to and loved sharing my passion for books, stories and authors with other readers.  As my number of reviews increased and I got to know the authors that I reviewed via email thank yous and written notes, I started to get requests to critique stories before they were published, offer reader feedback before the releases went worldwide and found an enjoyment in that. Soon I began editing (though I do miss my own errors surprisingly—and thank heavens for CPs and my own editors), which soon led to my husband’s relentlessness.  With his encouragement and gentle pushes, I began to think of the “What Ifs”.  Should I, could I?  What if he’s right and I can do it?
Then, the dream for Illusions, Brady and Isabella – the characters in my very first book – came to me in a dream that I could see them clearly, knew their names and began to hear their voices.  The next day I sat down to start their journey and finished it within four months.  To say I was surprised, shocked and overwhelmed is an understatement.  I was like, now what?   I submitted it nearly six years ago to a now-closed publisher, they loved it and signed me right away.

2. How did you come up with ideas for your books? 
Most of my stories come from a dream, or from characters’ voices in my head. They pop up at any given moment – driving my kids wherever, coming home from grocery shopping. I had the idea for the paranormal/ménage series I’m starting, while sitting in a restaurant. The three leading men (one from each story) suddenly started talking, as if they were sitting beside/across from me. 
Of course I didn’t talk back—couldn’t have people thinking I was crazy and talking to myself—only listened. *g*
The dream for Brady & Isabella in Illusions was simply them being ‘there’. I could see them clearly, they introduced themselves, and they talked about this and that. Who they were, their professions, that they were friends turned lovers but had to keep it a secret…didn’t take much to sit and start writing them the next morning. 

3. What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio? 
I grew up, and have since moved back, to the family farm. There was a lot of hard work over the years while my brothers and I were growing up. But there’s nothing like coming home again, sharing the process of farming with my children, raising and breeding cattle, living off the land (garden), and having a lot of places to explore with the kids. Farming isn’t always easy but it’s satisfying.

4. As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans? 
Continue to listen to the voices in my head. Write because I love it and love sharing the stories with readers. Simply continue to write.

5. If you could be one of the characters from any of your books, who would it be and why? 
Hmm, probably Connor from Illusions. He’s Isabella’s partner, and a tortured hero – can’t tell you why til his story – and I think it’s going to be the most emotional story I’ll have written this year (or at least start this year).

6. When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step? 
Once Illusions was complete, I knew instantly that I had to submit it. Isabella would forever hold it against me if I didn’t, and I felt I had written a compelling romantic suspense that many readers would enjoy.
Though I did hesitate a little, I decided to submit it within the week of completing it. If I didn’t, I would never know “what could have been”, so I told myself that was it and got everything together and submitted it. It was published about three months later (in its original version).

7. What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing) 
To write because you love it and that it’s not a hobby. It is a full time job, which is sometimes hard to juggle with small kids, and should be taken seriously as one. And writing because you love it – if you don’t – then what is the point?

8. Do you belong to a critique group? If so, how does this help or hinder your writing? 
I don’t belong to a group, no, but I do have a couple CP (Critique Partners) who give my stories a good whacking if need be. I think CPs are one of the most valuable tools any author could have. I firmly believe that not all authors can see their own mistakes. Sometimes it takes an extra set of eyes, experienced ones to really find ways to help the author develop his/her craft and point out their strengths and weaknesses. An author can’t grow or evolve if s/he thinks they are perfect and never makes an error. CPs, as well as critique groups, are invaluable.

9. Do you outline your books or just start writing? 
I don’t outline, I’m a panster for the most part. With some stories it’s just sitting and writing, finishing it within a couple weeks. Other stories take longer depending on how many twists and turns there will be, the world build, the character depths. I have outlined a more complicated series, the ménage/paranormal trilogy that I’ve started. There are many complicated layers and factors to this series, so I’ve had to sit and make notes, who is who and what happens in each book.


10. Have you started your next project? If so, can you share a little bit about your book? 
I’m working on the sequel to Illusions, in order to submit it to publisher. Also, the sequel to Sinful is ¾ finished and will be self-pubbed. I have other stories finished and with CP or subbed w/ publishers. Nothing definite yet.
The sequel to Illusions, Awakenings, features Isabella’s cousin, Alicia. In Illusions, Alicia faced tragedy and danger and in book 2, Awakenings, we find her trying to get back to who she was. She feels she’s lost herself after the ordeal she went through and needs the time and space to reconnect with her life again. Plus, there’s this one-night stand she had with Cole, who is now her new boss…nothing like a hunky guy to reappear and throw a woman even more “off her game” *g*

11. What is your favorite reality show? 
I’m a reality show junkie, well, for some shows. I don’t do the Jersey Shore or Real Housewives shows. I do enjoy the competitive ones like Survivor, Amazing Race, Fear Factor, The Voice, Idol, but probably my absolute fave (and not a competitive one) is American Pickers.  I love the history that Mike and Frank share with viewers as they find those “golden” picks. To see the treasures that have piled up over the years, and to see how they used to look, is quite interesting and I wish I could go picking! LOL Plus Mike and Frank make me laugh, and they’re adorable!

12. Who is your favorite actor and actress?
Again, plenty to choose from. I adore Matthew McConaughey. I think he’s a diamond in the rough, and totally underestimated in the movie business. Wish he’d do more movies though. Ryan Reynolds is probably tied with Matthew for the first place. I love others like Robert DeNiro, Morgan Freeman too.
Sandra Bullock and Meryl Streep, hands down are two of today’s best actresses and I try not to miss anything they are in. Iconic and classy women.

13. Can you tell us a little about the black moment in your book?
The dark moment in Illusions was difficult to write. My hands shook while writing it! When I was finished with it, and read it over, I was shocked that I’d written it. I even shed a tear or two – or a dozen.  I don’t want to give too much away but in the darkest hours of the book, family and friends comes together, reality sets in for Isabella about those around her, Brady makes an ultimate sacrifice, and a cop who believed she could handle anything finds herself rethinking everything she thought about herself and her job.

14. Anything else you might want to add?
Thank you, Christine, for having me on your blog. And thanks to all readers who continually support me and my writing. I love to hear from all of you, so email me any time.

Readers are welcome contact me at kaceyhammell@gmail.com
And follow me at …
Website/Blog
Facebook 
Twitter 
Amazon 
Goodreads

Excerpt


Illusions
Excerpt, Kacey Hammell, © 2012

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….”





Please leave a comment. And don't forget to check out her book. 






5 comments:

KaceyHammell said...

THank you for hosting me today!

Christine Young said...

Welcome Kacey, I hope you have a great tour.

Goddess Fish Promotions said...

Thank you for hosting Kacey today.

MomJane said...

This book sound really awesome. I hope you write more of this type.

Catherine Lee said...

Hi Kacey...I am a major city girl and have never spent any time on a farm. I expect that if would be a difficult way of life, with a lot of challenges, but very rewarding, as you say. I can imagine that it would be a great place to rear children.