Friday, September 21, 2012

TBR welcomes JoAnne Kenrick

TBR: Welcome to TBR, JoAnne Kenrick. Will you share a little bit about yourself?
JoAnne: I’m a Welsh lass who has lived across the globe with her hubs and two children, and is now settled in North Carolina. I’ve had various jobs and hobbies, some of which are pretty out there and never made me any cash--Ghost Tour Guide, Color Therapist, Window Dresser, psychic artist and card reader--but thank goodness I finally found my calling. The thing that makes me the most happiest. Writing! Creating people and telling their stories. Yes. I’m where I am supposed to be. And yes, my travel and life experience do inspire stories. You’ll see lots of hints of them in the Tales from the Coffin series especially. My favorite city York, my life as a ghost hunter/tour guide, a romantic getaway near the Black Mountains in Wales. Oh yes. You can experience Britain in my stories, without leaving your seat.

TBR: Tell us about Shamrocked and where it's available.
JoAnne: Shamrocked is Irish Kisses book two, and focuses on Devlin and his reluctance to find love after having his heart crushed by his fiance back in Northern Ireland. Madame Eve has just the woman for him, but the things worth having in life often require a bit of a fight. And boy, has Devlin got his work cut out for him in soap star Liz! Readers of Sweet Irish Kiss already got a sampler taste of Devlin and his naughty side…now get ready to enjoy the full dish! Available in most e-book retailers such as:
and much more!

TBR: Please tantalize us with a story blurb or excerpt.
JoAnne: 

BLURB: Devlin Kinney is focused on his Irish Rock band, Shamrocked. Between that and tending bar at Bell’s Irish Pub, he’s rushed off his feet. Still, he’s envious of Shaun who found his perfect woman through Madame Eve’s exclusive agency, 1Night Stand.

Pushed for time, he follows his friend’s lead and hopes to be matched with a woman ballsy enough to share in his fetish for things that go buzzzz.

At the event of the year for soap stars, Elizabeth Grant meets Devlin and mistakes him for her soon-to-be co-star on The East End. Before she has a chance to confess she’s not his 1Night Stand as he seems to think, the silver-tongued smooth dancer proves irresistible. He seems perfect…for one night of pleasure. She’s ready to play the role of her life!

Will his Irish charm and toys be enough to hold onto his leading lady, or will his heart be shamrocked into next week?

Mini Excerpt:
Surrounded by bridesmaids—the hottest guy in the place. His thick Irish brogue carried over the chattering wedding crowd and bad party songs.

Swallowing any signs of stage fright, she checked her fake hair in a mirrored wall, plumped her boobs, and plastered on a smile before making a beeline for her drop-dead gorgeous, future co-star.

She waded through the rough sea of pink-chiffoned up women, snapped out her arm, and took his hand like one of those shaking weight things. Thought she’d blown it until his mouth tilted up into a tempting smile. Dimples. Oh, my. He would be popular with the ladies. Might even help get her noticed by movie producers. Dating this hottie would get her on every front page known to the British public.

“Liz.” She fought to keep focused on his face rather than his thick muscles and rhythmic movements. She couldn’t recall ever seeing a man who could make dancing to All Night Long by Lionel Ritchie so goddamned sexy. His jig was infectious—her arm swayed in beat with his, their hands still clasped together.

“As in Elizabeth?”

“Uh-huh.” The swarm of bridesmaids knitted their brows and pursed their lips. One even stamped her foot. Liz couldn’t help but turning on a sweet smile. “Buh-bye, ladies.”


TBR: What inspired you to write about the theme?
JoAnne: The theme of the series, Irish Kisses, came from a pub scene in a movie; I had outlined a basic idea and blurb for a story I'd had based from my own life experiences that the song 'The Exception' inspired me to write. But when i was approached by Decadent to write a 1Night Stand story, it just so happened  I was watching Colin Farrell in In Bruges. Something clicked and sent my plot bunnies into a frenzy. Before I knew it, my little story switched up pace and was set around an Irish Pub in central London then turned into what would soon become known as the panty bunching book (you can thank the awesome Kat from Page Flipperz for that description)! Readers kept asking me when a certain character would have his own story…. and so the Irish Kisses series was born. There's a little bit of Colin in both Shaun and Devlin's characters. And a bit of me and my life's little struggles in each of the female leads.

TBR: Which of your characters would you most/least like to invite to dinner, and why?
JoAnne: I really wouldn't want to have dinner with Estella from Tales from the Coffin series…if you're at dinner at her place, you better be sure to have a huge supply of garlic and hope to heck she's having an off night. Otherwise she'll be having you for dinner, like on a plate.
And sign me up for dinner at Alec Murray's (from Dracula's Kiss) place for dinner…vampires make me go weak at the knees! Scottish accent and his willingness to please might mean we skip dinner, though.

TBR: What's next for you?
JoAnne: I have some really exciting news. Late November will see my holiday Irish Kisses book released, Hot Winter Kiss. It'll be my tenth book with Decadent Publishing -- be sure to be subscribed to my newsletter for details on my ten book swag spurge. Sign up here: www.tinyletter.com/joannekenrick 

Also, watch out for my Bonfire Night Tales from the Coffin special called Treacle and Treason. Also, the third Irish Kisses book, Threesome Sweetness, releases early winter.

The remainder of 2012 calendar of releases are now waiting in line for edits. Meanwhile, I'm working on a few new projects.

TBR: Any other published works?
JoAnne:
Stand alones
When A Mullo loves A Woman {full length, mainstream paranormal romance}
Rock You Like A Hurricane {novella, 80s rock romance set in Australia}
Dracula's Kiss {short novella, paranormal / vampire 1Night Stand book}

Irish Kisses, 1Night Stand Irish Pub Series, contemporary:
Sweet Irish Kiss, book one
Shamrocked, book two
Threesome Sweetness, book three (coming soon)
Hot Winter Kiss, book four (coming soon)

Tales from the Coffin, The Edge series, paranormal erotica shorts:
Strange and Beautiful, book one
All The Pretty Faces, book two
Bittersweet Symphony, book three
Treacle and Treason, book four (coming soon)

TBR: What’s the most challenging aspect of writing? Most rewarding?
JoAnne: I find keeping the motivation going the most difficult part, with no boss or anyone to tell me to get back to work and quit chatting on social network sites. I'm finding a schedule keeps me on track…on the days I want to stay on track. As for the most rewarding, that'll be hearing from readers about how much they enjoyed one of my books. I tell you, nothing beats it! Or editor comments of praise or giggles, and the cute smiley faces--they go a long way--in track changes during edits.

TBR: Who are some of your favorite authors and books? What are you reading now?
JoAnne: I love many authors, and have hundred of favorite books. I'm going on a major contemporary binge at the moment, and flying through books by Anne Rainey and Shelli Stevens and devouring the new Brazen and Indulgent imprints with Entangled.

TBR: Where can readers find you on the web?
JoAnne:


TBR: Readers, JoAnne will give away any of her backlist 1Night Stand books (Sweet Irish Kiss or Dracula's Kiss) to one lucky commenter. She'll pick a winner on 23rd September 2012 and announce the winner here. Be sure to leave your email address so she can contact you.

Thanks for visiting TBR, JoAnne! Best of luck to you.

3 comments:

  1. Yay, JoAnne's here! Hello, fellow Decadent author. Love those sweet covers!
    Cate

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  2. WOOT thanks for hosting me, Cate! And aren't those Decadent Publishing cover artists the bomb? They really know how to visually capture our stories xx

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  3. So many fascinating things I've learned about you. Great excerpt and sweet wishes.

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