Books-n-Kisses is pleased to have our pal Laura Kaye back on the blog today to chat about her newest book “One Night with a Hero”.  One Night with a Hero is Laura’s second book in her Heroes’ series.  

Laura, can you please share with us a little about yourself

I’d love to! And thanks for hosting me here today! I write contemporary and paranormal romance and am celebrating the release of my ninth book, a contemporary romance called One Night with a Hero (Heroes #2). I am also a wife, mom to two young girls (ages 8 and 6), college history professor, total vampire addict, and Marylander.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Not exactly. When I chose college teaching as a career, I knew I’d publish because it’s an expected part of the job. I have published two non-fiction books in history as a result. However, I wasn’t interested in becoming published in fiction until about four and a half years ago. I had a head injury that, once it healed, left me interested in all sorts of creative pursuits. I began my first novel, what became my vampire romance, Forever Freed, shortly thereafter.

Are you a plotter or a pantser or combo of both? And you explain the difference?

Plotters are writers who outline a story (to varying degrees of detail) before they begin writing. Pantsers are writers who write “by the seat of their pants”—that is, they tend not to outline or do much pre-writing preparation before they start a story. They figure it out as they go along. I lean toward being a pantser, but once your progress in a writing career to the point where you can sell books on proposal (rather than having to have the entire manuscript completed), you’re forced to do more plotting/outlining because publishers have to have an idea of what the story will be to buy it on proposal. So now I plot some and pants some, too.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

Hmm… The last couple of books I’ve written, I’ve written while listening to the same song on repeat over and over. For One Night with a Hero, that song was Coldplay’s Yellow. For Her Forbidden Hero, that song was Switchfoot’s Your Love is a Song. Currently, I’m writing South of Surrender, the third book in my Greek-mythology-inspired Hearts of the Anemoi series, and the song is Blurry by Puddle of Mudd.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

Yes! One Night with a Hero is the story of a one-night stand that turns into a lifetime love for two lonely people struggling to overcome difficult pasts. Here’s the blurb:

He wants just one night…

After growing up with an abusive, alcoholic father, Army Special Forces Sgt. Brady Scott vowed never to marry or have kids. Sent stateside to get his head on straight—and his anger in check—Brady’s looking for a distraction. He finds it in his beautiful new neighbor’s one-night-only offer for hot sex, but her ability to make him forget is addictive. Suddenly, Brady’s not so sure he can stay away.

…what they need is each other.

Orphaned as a child, community center director Joss Daniels swore she’d never put herself in a position to be left behind again, but she can’t deny herself one sizzling night with the sexy soldier who makes her laugh and kisses her senseless. When Joss discovers she’s pregnant, Brady’s rejection leaves her feeling abandoned. Now, they must overcome their fears before they lose the love and security they’ve found in each other, but can they let go of the past to create a future together?

One Night with a Hero is also the first book I’ve ever had to hit the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists. It was thrilling and amazing and a dream come true.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

The idea for One Night with a Hero grew out of the first book in the series, Her Forbidden Hero. From the moment the first images of Marco Vieri, the hero from the first book, came into my mind, I knew he would have a best friend who had gone through everything with him, and that that friend would have his own story. That was Brady Scott.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

I’m currently writing South of Surrender, the third book in my Hearts of the Anemoi series that comes out in late May 2013. And I’m also about to start writing the third book in my Vampire Warrior Kings series, which will also release summer 2013.

Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

I have had the chance to meet several authors who have greatly influenced me, including Anne Rice, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and J.R. Ward. I’d also love to meet Stephen King because I grew up reading his books and he more than anyone helped foster my interest in all things supernatural.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

Number one would be to write. You can’t revise or sell what you haven’t written. And finishing your first manuscript is hugely confidence-inspiring. Number two would be to do everything you can to perfect your writing—read books on writing, take workshops on writing, get other writers to critique your writing, join professional organizations of writers, etc.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

A lot of my bucket list is travel related. I want to go to Russia, Ireland, Egypt, and somewhere I could see the Northern Lights, for starters.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

The book I am most salivating for is J.R. Ward’s Lover at Last, which doesn’t come out until March 26. I am a diehard Black Dagger Brotherhood fan and have been yearning for Blay and Qhuinn to get their happily ever after! Right now I am reading Kate Avelynn’s Flawed, and it’s just so dark and compelling.

What is your favorite time of year & why?

My favorite time of year has always been summer. I love the sun and the warmth and the beach. Always have.

Who is your Celebrity crush?  And what would you do if you ever meet them?

Oh, geez. Just one??? LOL Chris Hemsworth, Channing Tatum, Hugh Jackman, et cetera, et cetera!!! If I ever met any of them, I would be totally freaking out inside. For real!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Just thank you so much to my readers who make it possible for me to do what I love!

 Also, how ‘bout a giveaway? Her Forbidden Hero has recently released in paperback with the new cover that coordinates with One Night with a Hero. To celebrate, I’m giving away a signed print copy of Her Forbidden Hero to one commenter.

What to comment?:

Who is YOUR celebrity crush???

Open to international!

DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE YOUR EMAIL!!!!

NO EMAIL???  NO ENTRY!!!!

Good luck!

See the whole One Night with a Hero Tour here and enter Laura’s Pandora Bracelet Giveaway (ends 11/30) here!

Buy One Night with a Hero at Amazon | B&N | Kobo

He wants just one night…

After growing up with an abusive, alcoholic father, Army Special Forces Sgt. Brady Scott vowed never to marry or have kids. Sent stateside to get his head on straight—and his anger in check—Brady’s looking for a distraction. He finds it in his beautiful new neighbor’s one-night-only offer for hot sex, but her ability to make him forget is addictive. Suddenly, Brady’s not so sure he can stay away.

…what they need is each other.

Orphaned as a child, community center director Joss Daniels swore she’d never put herself in a position to be left behind again, but she can’t deny herself one sizzling night with the sexy soldier who makes her laugh and kisses her senseless. When Joss discovers she’s pregnant, Brady’s rejection leaves her feeling abandoned. Now, they must overcome their fears before they lose the love and security they’ve found in each other, but can they let go of the past to create a future together?

 “Laura Kaye is synonymous with great, sexy romance.”

~NYT Bestselling Author Jennifer Probst

About Laura Kaye:

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nearly a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

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