The fabulous Kacey Hammell is here with her book,
Illusions. Want to learn more? Read on! There's even prizes up for grabs! What? 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. Now, seriously, read on!
Hi Kacey! So glad you could make it. I'm excited to talk about your newest book. So, what was your favorite scene to write in ILLUSIONS?That’s tough. There are many. I’d have to say the bathroom love scene. I remember when first release years ago, (Illusions is a re-release, extensively revised), it was a popular scene discussed and asked about. I’ll have to see what reactions the scene creates this time around.
What was the inspiration behind Illusions?There was really no ‘inspiration’, however, I’d always had the dream to write but hadn’t picked up a pen yet. The dream came to me about Isabella & Brady, seriously right down to their names and with all Brady’s nattering in my ear, I finally picked up the pen – or grabbed the keyboard – and started writing. Illusions took four months to write and very much worth it.
What is the most interesting thing you’ve done in the name of research?Hmmm, probably asking my hubby for his okay to use a memory from our past for the bathroom love scene. I’ll leave it at that… LOL
Ya gotta use what ya gotta use. What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?
Most annoying, don’t think anything so annoying that it’s worthy to mention. Most rewarding, hearing from readers, knowing that they love the story(ies). Music to a writer’s heart to hear from her/his readers.
You're a smart girl. What accent inspires you to do naughty things?OMG, did someone tell you about my Irishman fantasies? *g* The Irish brogue of men just gives me shivers. Even reading JD Robb’s In Death series, Roarke’s brogue does the trick. Think of Gerard Butler & Jeffrey Dean Morgan (both actors) in the P.S. I Love You movie. Colin Farrell makes for some naughty thoughts too.
Of course, I wish Sean Connery (tho Scottish) would do audio books for a living! He’s make millions for sure and keep the ladies even more entertained than he does now! J
Oh honey... Gerard Butler's brogue. Gets me every time. Name something readers would be surprised to learn about you?I’m deathly afraid of snakes. Seriously. My most recurring dream, and the only one I can remember, since childhood is being smothered by one. Not sure why, my brothers have promised that they never did anything sinister to me, but it’s a fear that I cannot shake.
I'm not big on snakes either and the small person wants one. Umm, not gonna happen. If you could ask the readers one question what would it be?What they might be buying if there were no such things as books, ereaders, etc.?
Good question. I'd be buying music. What’s your writing process like?Depends on the story and the Muse. Sometimes I get the story in mind and can sit down immediately and just start typing. Other times, I have to start with random scenes featuring the hero/heroine or main plot scenes/conflicts, then go back and do the beginning or between scenes and put it all together afterward. It’s such a vicious cycle!
I hear you. What can readers expect next from you?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.
Cool! What is the best thing about being a writer? The worst?
Best is sharing my stories with readers. I love to hear from them and to know they are enjoying the characters, stories and romance, makes every word written that much more valuable.
Worst would have to be to find the time to write. While I know it’s a matter of making the time to write, as many authors would agree, my three kids come first and it’s not always possible. Do I set aside my writing so I can play video games or just veg on the couch? No, never. But when it comes to the kids (and they know I’m an invalid to even try to play a video game), there are many things that I must attend as their Mom and board games to play, homework to do, rooms to paint, birthday parties to plan…the Mom role comes first. No matter how many voices are talking to me. J
Yes! Totlets do make it hard to write and keep up! What is your method of breaking through writer’s block?I’ve never had actual writer’s block to be honest. There have been times when I’m in the middle of a WIP and might not be “feeling” something about the characters/story, so will set it aside, but I usually just open another one. I’ll read a few lines, find something that clicks and work away at that one. I did take a hiatus four years ago, but that was due to personal tragedy and changes in my life that I needed to heal from. I didn’t have the heart, nor was I in the right place, to write romance so I set it aside until July 2010.
I can respect that. You gotta write what you feel. What fuels you as an author to continue to write?The readers. Their emails, support are invaluable to me and as long as I have one reader interested, I’ll keep going.
Can you tell us a bit about what book(s) you have coming out next and what you’re working on now?Sequel to Illusions – which was also released years ago -- Awakenings. I’m polishing it up in order to submit to publisher. In Awakenings, Alicia (Isabella’s cousin) deals with the aftermath of her ordeal (which happens in Illusions) and faces her new boss … who she had a one night stand with years ago.
Sequel to my self-pubbed title, Sinful, is called Desired. It will be self-pubbed and hopefully in readers hands by Spring. (Sinful is a re-release, however Desired has never been published before) In revolves around Sin’s ex brother-in-law and the owner of the nightclub that Mikayla owned. Neither character takes falling in love easy. It’s a contemporary erotic romance.
I have two stories that are also new – Lonely Souls: a ghost story which is with the CP and features a woman who is “gifted” a weekend away by her BFF to meet a blind date, and encounters a ghost instead.
Also, Dare – keeping details to myself on that one, but let your imagination run wild J
And I am in outlining stages for a Paranormal / Ménage series. The men, who have supernatural abilities/powers, already sound delicious!
Holy cow! You are one busy girl! I'm jealous! When you get a chance to read, what books do you love to read?Oh I have a wall of bookshelves that my hubs had to put up in our bedroom, as well as a wall in my office for my near 3000 keepers. I love books by JD Robb/Nora Roberts, Suzanne Brockmann, Jaci Burton, Lora Leigh, Lacey Alexander, Lauren Dane, Vivian Arend, Jasmine Haynes, Cindy Gerard, Roxanne St. Claire…and those don’t include any ebooks. I read as much as time allows.
Great list. What bores you as a reader?Those old “I’m pregnant, you don’t have to marry me” storylines. And I’m not a huge fan of historical romances. I’ve read some and liked them but not a huge fan.
If the trope is written in a fresh way, then I will try it, but yeah, that one's been used. What is your favorite feature on a person?Eyes. Kind, gentle and honest eyes are the best trait on anyone.
What is your favorite time of day?Evening. When hubs works nights and kids are in bed, I can sit up and write as long as I wish and not feel like I’m neglecting anyone LOL But when hubs is on nights, or doing day shifts when the kids are in school, I do get a lot accomplished that doesn’t take away from family time.
I know what you mean. What music gets you dancing?R&B, Hip-Hop and Motown. My parents were avid music lovers so I grew up with it always playing. And my taste runs along the same vein as my 15 y.o., which is R&B & Hip-Hop so it’s constantly blaring out of the speakers around here. I’ve always wished I could dance the jive as well as my Mom though. J
I have no balance and my rhythm is off, but I like to bust a move every once in a while. Love to sing, too, but I tend to cause auditory problems on the unsuspecting public when I do. Shrug. Aliens have landed on the planet. What are the three things you would tell them that are great about this planet?Romance Novels! LOL Hello!, it’s the business I’m in.
Computers—I’ve met some amazing friends online and it’s given me the job I have now.
Transportation – we have the ability to travel the world in various ways, it’s a wonderful adventure to try.
Good choices! You have been locked in a mall and told you can get anything you want and when they open in the morning you won’t have to pay a single cent. What stores would you hit? Better question how would you haul away all your loot?Wow, awesome question! Hmmm, depends if there’s an auto dealership on site. I’ve always wanted a candy apple red ’69 Ford Mustang Convertible.
I’d have to hit electronic stores for all the latest gadgets. Ladies’ clothing store of course. Our mall has a Chapters in it, I’d just swipe my hand along the shelves of the romance section.
Well, I’d call the hubs to come get me, bring his pals and the kids, and we’d fill up his pickup truck with all the loot. Hubby’s are great for carrying and hauling the bags after a shopping trip! LOL
If you could share one major writing tip, to help other writers in their quest for publication, what would it be?Self-edit. Publishers’ time, as well as the author’s, is very valuable. In order for a publisher to sign you, they want to see the very best you can do. If a story is not self-edited or executed well, they might not be as inclined to open up a second email from you after rejecting the first. Submitting a MS to a publisher is very serious, not something to be taken lightly in the least.
If you could write in any other genre what would it be, and why?I don’t think there is an area I haven’t explored. I have the first paranormal, Lonely Souls that began as a Contemporary but has evolved, and with the Ménage series, I have paranormal covered. I wouldn’t be one to try and write in a genre that I wouldn’t read (or never read before).
And now a little bit about Kacey!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
Want to know more about
Illusions? Here you go!Detective Isabella Knowles, a tough-as-nails cop, lives by the law, and knows what she wants out of life. And it doesn't include marriage or all that comes with it. Everything Isabella has ever known seems like an illusion when a new relationship makes her feel more alive than ever before. She isn’t happy about it and fights it every step of the way.
Burned by his fiancé years ago, seer and P.I., Brady Jacobs never wants another commitment in his life. But his bachelorhood and heart are threatened when he has one of his visions and see a killer striking too close to the woman he has recently come to love.
Danger lurks close to home and neither Brady nor Isabella like that they can’t control every situation…especially matters of the heart.
