~Not everyone plays by the rules~
Kade Dennon tried to stay away from his brother’s girlfriend and remain loyal to the only family he’s ever known but Kathleen Turner is his forbidden fruit. Eventually temptation drags Kade back to Indianapolis and the one woman who feels like home.
~The players changed but the game remains the same~
Kathleen Turner knows what she wants and who she desires. She seizes a new job and an opportunity unfolds. Soon, she’s working with her boyfriend’s brother and nothing will ever be the same again when Kade stakes a claim and aims for Kathleen’s heart.
~It's impossible to break a player who refuses to lose~
Blane Kirk needs his brother Kade to keep his girlfriend safe but when Blane sends Kathleen out of Indianapolis to protect her, he has no idea what kind of danger Kade and Kathleen will find while testing a new Las Vegas casino loyalty program. When an old enemy resurfaces with threats and an agenda, Blane goes to Sin City to warn his brother and discovers a few unwanted surprises of his own.
~A house of cards now destined to fall~
Working side by side, Kathleen’s and Kade’s relationship quickly changes, a fact they can’t deny. Seduction and passion lead them to a night that will scorch the sand right off the Mohave Desert and this time, foreplay won’t sustain them. With no one to stop them, Kade and Kathleen tread into the realms of unforgivable betrayal. And when Blane arrives in Vegas, he realizes too late that his brother is now playing for keeps.
Can you tell us a little bit about where you are from?
I was “born and raised” in small town Church Hill, Tennessee. After a couple of years in Columbia, Missouri, I returned to East Tennessee. Now, my husband and I spend a lot of time in between Navy bases in Connecticut and Virginia so we can stay close to our granddoll.
What does your writing desk look like? What would we find on it right this minute?
When our children still resided at home, my husband built an office-cabin so I could get away from the noise and they could still “be teenagers” so my office is about thirty-steps from our back deck. My desk is generally cluttered with contracts, research pulled from the internet, books and outlines. You can always find family photos and a cup of coffee nearby along with several computers, monitors, notepads, and pens.
Do you have any news you’d like to share with us?
My two new YA titles are now available at select retailers as preorder options, which is pretty exciting. One of my pseudonyms just released a Christmas novella found at Kindle Worlds.
On the daily work front, I’m polishing old titles that were recently pulled from one of my publishers. If any publishers are in need of edited backlist works, I’m open to offers but will likely self-publish these. Lastly, I’m researching the medieval era for a ghostwriting assignment.
At what point did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’ve always known that I’m a writer. I began to think of myself as a serious working writer when one of my ghostwriting retainers was more than enough to pay my house payment for a year. That was a crucial turning point because we still had young children at home so it was a big deal to have that verification of “Hey, you can probably earn a living at this.”
What inspired you to write your first book?
I can’t really go back and pinpoint one certain reason that I started writing. Like so many other writers, I grew up on Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew. A variety of books were always at our fingertips since my grandmother worked for Grosset and Dunlap Publishing, which is now part of the Penguin Group.
Do you have a specific writing style? In other words, are you a plotter or a pantser?
At one time, I was definitely a pantser. Now, it drives me crazy if I don’t have an outline.
How much of your book(s) have a bit of you in the characters?
Growing up on Sunday, because of the story, has a bit of me in one of the main characters.
What books have most influenced your life most? (This can be professional or personal life influence)
Over the course of my career, James Patterson, John Grisham, Tom Clancy, and Sidney Sheldon influenced my writing with their works. Their books remain with readers for a lifetime.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I don’t think anyone would put up with me now. I’m too set in my ways. If the opportunity were there, I would ask someone like Stephen King or John Grisham.
In the past, when I’ve been approached about mentoring other authors, I’m pretty cautious. I would imagine that mentoring is something that gives all writers pause because mentoring is a big responsibility and takes a lot of time if it is approached in the right manner.
When and if a writer chooses a mentor, it’s important to find someone who far exceeds where you are as a writer otherwise it’s difficult to learn from them on a continual basis. You want to “study” with those who have mastered the craft and have the sales and/or experience to back it up.
What book would we find you reading right now?
I just finished reading Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas—which is phenomenal.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
Sarah J. Maas is new-to-me and now one of my favorite authors. Highly recommend her Throne of Glass series.
What are you currently working on? Can you give us a sneak peek?
I’m working on several projects right now. Gatekeepers and Legends, two YA novels are set to launch March 1st and are now available at select third parties for pre-order. The stories have unraveled much better than I could’ve ever imagined and it looks like a YA publisher may pick up Gatekeepers prior to its official release which would be kind of neat. It’s sold well in preorders, from what we can tell, so we’re excited about it.
You can find Legends and Gatekeepers at Kobo or iTunes and coming soon to other third party venues as well. In addition to YA works, I’m wrapping up a sports fiction manuscript, Growing up on Sunday, which is loosely based on a true story. Limited clips are posted at Twitter: @DestinyBlaine clips. A few other excerpts will pop up as well, but Growing up on Sunday clips should be easily located. I’m also wrapping up the final book in the Love Bites Back trilogy for The Vampire Diaries at Kindle Worlds.
Do you see writing as a career? Do you write full time? Or in addition to another job?
Writing has been my full-time career for well over a decade.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
Sure, Below is a short clip from the recently released Turn Card, a Kathleen Turner at Kindle Worlds novel
“Mr. Galloway?” Kathleen walked toward the large desk in the room’s center. “Your receptionist told me it was okay to come on up.”
Seated in an executive chair, Galloway faced the window. At first Kathleen thought he might have been on the phone, but after noticing it was cradled on its stand, she asked, “Um…should I come back?”
“No.” Galloway’s deep baritone voice was somewhat recognizable but she couldn’t place it by the simple one-word response. The leatherback chair slowly swiveled around. It was as if the man seated there had thought out this moment and wanted to set up the right scene. Almost cobalt-blue in color, his eyes twinkled as he tucked steepled fingers under his chin.
Kathleen’s heart raced as soon as she saw him. Her next breath caught in her chest. What was he doing here?
Full lips twitched before a slow smile crept across them, but the grin contradicted the tight expression on his face, the coolness in his hypnotic gaze.
Kathleen stared back at the man who had saved her from what could’ve been the worst night of her life. Given the look on his face, he may have been revisiting recent memories, too. His recollections were probably in line with what happened after he saved her.
She fidgeted. Smoothing her hands across her ordinary black skirt, she looked at him spot-on and waited. At that moment, his blue-hot gaze dipped and his tongue swept across a too-noticeable mouth.
“Hello, princess.” This time his smile lit up the room. “I’ve been expecting you.”
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
As mentioned above, there are those authors who influenced my work early in my career and if they’re still with us in this world, I typically pick up their new releases.
With the aforementioned, this is one of those questions that authors tend to avoid because it is ever-changing.
Then there’s this—when a writer praises another writer’s work, there will always be someone else out there to accuse that writer of trying to gain “brownie points” for a leg-up but here’s the thing—I don’t need a leg-up and never asked for one. We were always taught that if you want something, work for it. With me, there’s no beating around the bush and I’m a tough sale now—more so than even a year ago—because I treasure my reading time and won’t hesitate to toss a book if it doesn’t hold my attention. Time is too precious.
In any event, it’s important to give those virtual high-fives to those who truly deserve them. Give props where they’re due because writing isn’t an “easy” job. With that said, I’m so content with where I am in my career and that’s been a long time coming. Content writers are a rare breed, actually. In any event, to give the well-deserved pats on the back:
Current favorite authors include: Jana DeLeon, Shari Hearn, Sarah J. Maas, Julie Plec, and Steven Konkoly.
Steven Konkoly is the master of apocalyptic fiction and spins the ‘can’t leave until the end’ kind of story. Jana DeLeon’s cozy mysteries are laugh-out-loud funny and her characters are so cool that you feel like you’ve known them for most of your life.
Shari Hearn grabs her readers at the door and pulls them into a great tale right from the start. She also writes in the Miss Fortune series at Kindle Worlds and I recommend her work to everyone. Sarah J. Maas is probably one of the best world builders in fantasy fiction today and I highly recommend her Throne of Glass series. Last but certainly not least, Julie Plec’s Originals trilogy is brilliant. I loved visiting the Originals in their historical setting and Plec’s trilogy was a nice spinoff from her show.
Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
As a ghostwriter, I used to travel a lot. Too much, actually. I was one of these writers who believed that it was important to grab the opportunities while they were in front of you. At the time, being available was very important.
My priorities are different now. I spent years putting my career first and now my granddoll comes first. Writing runs a very close second. *Smiles* If I’m hired as a ghost, I’ll work short-term assignments or even long term arrangements but I won’t jump on a plane and go if someone wants to write their autobiography or the “best fiction story” ever. Still, I’m a working writer so sure, I travel as needed. I’m just more selective now because I’m a grandmother! *Smiles*
Do you have a cover artist you’ve worked with that you’d like to give props to?
In the past, I worked with Patty Foltz at Way2Kool Designs for romance covers and she created terrific covers for romances. Recently, I purchased the Legends cover from Sami at ebookcoversgalore.com. It is simply beautiful. The artwork for Gatekeepers was produced by Shardel at http://www.selfpubbookcovers.com/Shardel and Gatekeepers is also sensational.
Have you learned anything from writing your book(s)? If so, what was it?
Growing up on Sunday has been the greatest writing challenge because there isn’t anything else out there on the market that compares to it and I’ve looked for comparable books. I doubt there will be because it is loosely based on family ties in sportsbetting. I’m a sprint writer and never ‘dally’ long with any one story, but because this story is so close to the heart—it’s been in the pipeline for a while now.
Growing up on Sunday has taken me on a personal journey. I’ve learned so much about myself and my family by analyzing the details that are crucial to the story. Plus, I’ve had a lot of fun spinning the fictional pieces into the tale as well. Every writer has that one special project. Growing up on Sunday is mine. It wouldn’t surprise me to see it on the big screen because that’s where it belongs, not because it’s my story but because it is such an unusual project. I mean… how many kid-bookies do you know? *Smiles* With that said, I’d want Nikki Reed to play the lead because she looks so much like my mom did at that age. It would be the icing on the cake, a way to really present a more believable cast to those who already know the real story behind the book.
Do you have any advice to offer other writers?
Don’t pay attention to the outright negative (or sideway insults) in this business. Writers are in the entertainment business and when you put yourself out there, you can either develop thick skin or lose yourself to an industry that doesn’t care if you slump back into the shadows. Stand firm on your beliefs and write what you love. Use negative reviews for positive reflection and become a better writer with each new project. Keep writing. And finally, don’t let anyone take up too much of your time. Time and talent are your greatest commodities in this business. Protect both.
Do you have anything else you’d like to add?
I do actually. There’s this underlying belief that writers should not respond to reviews. The fact is, if you are attacked—personally attacked (or worse and your family is attacked)—then you should respond in a professional manner. If you don’t respond, the only thing the next reader may see is that ONE reviewer’s opinion. If that person is spieling lies and you do nothing, then you are giving someone else the power that they do not deserve. By all means, fight back when the review is designed to hurt you or your family. My children were often hurt by reviews and that wasn’t fair to them and I should’ve protected them more.
As author/readers/professionals, we should all join together and support the books that are attacked in such a ridiculous manner. They’re often among the best books on the shelves. Just food for thought.
For more than a decade, Destiny Blaine and her pseudonyms have earned the coveted #1 spot in over half of Amazon's sub-categories. Her international bestsellers have landed in the top 20 in many categories at Amazon, Amazon UK, Amazon CA and Amazon Australia. With more than 300 titles on the market today, Destiny is widely known as a sprint writer and currently writes under seven active pen names.
In 2015, Destiny will release more than 22 novels and novellas. She still takes on the occasional ghostwriting project and is represented by Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency.
Married for almost 25 years, Destiny and her husband have two grown children and love their empty nest. They spend a lot of time with their granddoll in Connecticut and Virginia Beach.
When Destiny isn't writing, she can be found watching a football game, attending music festivals and book events, or playing casino craps and poker at one of her favorite casinos.
Author’s Social Media links
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/destinyblaine/
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