Bliss has released another “red-hot Bliss” title, Taming the Country Star by Margo Bond Collins. Paired with Ophelia London’s more tradional-style Bliss title, Making Waves, they’re calling it the Naughty and Nice tour! Read on for an interview with Ophelia London, and a whole lot more…
Welcome, Ophelia! Tell us more about your book—take us beyond the official “book blurb”.
I’d love to! And thanks for having me on your lovely blog. MAKING WAVES is the fourth and last book in my Perfect Kisses series. Well, technically I’d planned on stopping at book three. But after taking a trip to Oahu, I knew I had to write a book set in Hawaii. And since Oahu is most famous for the big waves at North Shore, I also knew I needed to write about a hot surfer. Mmm!
I’d have to agree, excellent choices all around! 🙂
Give us more info about your main characters—who are they?
The heroine is Justine Simms. You might remember her as Mac’s younger sister in SPEAKING OF LOVE. She’s a struggling journalist who decides to kind of ditch the stress of work and spend a long weekend in Hawaii with some friends. She’s not looking for love because a year ago, she’d been burned pretty badly by the guy she’d been dating back home. Little did she know she would have a chance run-in with him in the least likely of places.
Our hero is Will Davenport. When Justine knew him back in LA, he was an IT tech with nice eyes, great body and killer smile. But then Will resurfaces—even hotter—a year later in Hawaii as the reclusive pro surfer “Chase Ryder,” dead-set on winning back Justine’s heart and trust.
Excellent visuals, too!
What scene in your book was the most fun to write, and why?
Well, obviously I looked forward to all the scenes in the water. I love the beach and the ocean. It easily lends itself to romance. I knew what the scene would be like when Juss and Will first kissed in the ocean. There was a lot of build-up and sexual tension. But the scene ended up being a lot more emotional and playful that I’d first envisioned.
Very nice!
How long have you been writing, and what (or who) inspired you to start?
I’ve been writing for about ten years. It took me a while figure out what kind of stories to tell and even longer to hone the craft. I have two pretty major inspirations. The first is Jane Austen. Her novels were the first to give me a love for reading. The Twilight series by Stephenie Meyers was another huge influence. Not only did I love those books but from them I learned about the necessity of a strong story and memorable characters.
Interesting pairing! I have to say I agree with both your choices.
What do you like best about being a writer?
Oh man. There are so many things to love! I dig seeing the reaction of readers. When they totally “get” the story or the character, it makes me so incredibly happy. Also, it’s still amazing to be sitting in my car during my commute home or whatever, thinking of a cool scene to write and then…months later…seeing that scene on the final page. It gives me happy chills!
🙂
What is the most challenging part of being a writer?
I don’t like using the term “writer’s block,” because I don’t like to name that problem. But let me assure you: it’s real. I’m a pretty fast writer, but I do get stuck. That makes me crazy. If that “stuckness” lasts more than a day, I really start to panic. But usually it’s just something I have to push through. I have an amazing beta reader and critique partner. They always help walk me through those moments.
What are you working on right now? What can readers look for from you in the next year?
I’ve got all kinds of projects cooking. First, I have a novella set to release during Shark Week, which is at the beginning of August. That was kind of a little side project that I wanted to do for myself. I was really excited when my editor was all over it. Second, I’m working on a companion novel to my new adult DEFINITELY, MAYBE IN LOVE that came out last year. It’s another modern retelling of Jane Austen. I’m completely in love with this story!
Yay! Another JA retelling to look forward to! Plus, Shark Week…very intreguing!
What authors and/or books have inspired you?
Marian Keyes is one of my favorite rom-com writers. She can take dark and serious subject and add warmth and humor. It’s such an amazing skill. I love her books.
I agree–she’s written some of my faves as well.
What are you currently reading?
I’m on book #4 (out of 19!) of the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters. I’ve never been into historical mysteries, but I’m totally loving these books. It just goes to show how important it is to write lovable, relatable characters.
I am so behind on that series!
Please share a favorite scene from your books with our readers.
This scene takes place when Will takes Justine bathing suit shopping. It makes me laugh!
“Any luck?” he said, moving to her dressing room.
“I’m not sure,” she replied as her door swung open. “What do you think?”
Thinking wasn’t something Will was able to do right then, because when Justine stepped out of her dressing room wearing a teeny-tiny red bikini, every drop of blood rushed from his brain and headed south.
“Um, nice,” he managed to garble. “Very umm…”
“It’s not too much?” She pivoted around to display her back half.
Hooooly hell.
Will’s pulse went into maximum overdrive, his helpless gaze glued on the tiny sliver of red fabric that could hardly be considered a bathing suit bottom.
“Umm. Shhhyoob…” When it was probably obvious he couldn’t form a complete sentence, Justine turned to face him. A second too late, his eyes darted to hers. He hadn’t the damndest idea what his expression looked like, though he was pretty sure he resembled a horny teenager drooling over the cover model on the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue…live and in person and smelling like springtime.
LOL! Excellent choice–that’s one I highlighted while reading 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing, Ophelia!
Keep reading to find out more about Ophelia and her book, as well as the “naughty” portion of the tour…and dont’ forget to enter the giveaway!
Author Bio:
Ophelia London was born and raised among the redwood trees in beautiful northern California. Once she was fully educated, she decided to settle in Florida, but her car broke down in Texas and she’s lived in Dallas ever since. A cupcake and treadmill aficionado (obviously those things are connected), she spends her time watching art-house movies and impossibly trashy TV, while living vicariously through the characters in the books she writes. Ophelia is the author of ABBY ROAD; the Perfect Kisses series including: PLAYING AT LOVE, SPEAKING OF LOVE, and FALLING FOR HER SOLDIER, and the new adult DEFINITELY, MAYBE IN LOVE.
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Making Waves by Ophelia London
Book Synopsis: She’s in over her head and he’s in hot water…
Visiting her friends Ellie and Charlie in Hawaii was supposed to be a much-needed vacation for journalist Justine Simms. But when she learns the notoriously reclusive pro-surfer Chase Ryder is coming out of retirement for a competition, she knows she’s found the perfect exclusive to save her career. Of course, then she learns he’s the gorgeous, secretly nerdy guy who broke her heart a year ago.
Will Davenport—aka Chase Ryder—doesn’t do interviews. He keeps his real name out of the papers and doesn’t mix his public life with his private. That is, until the still-heartbroken Justine blackmails him into giving her an exclusive. Seeing Justine, stunningly beautiful as ever, brings back all the feelings he had before. But despite their smoldering attraction, nothing has changed since he had to leave her the first time.
Buy Links:Goodreads *Amazon* Barnes & Noble *iTunes *Entangled
Taming the Country Star by Margo Bond Collins
Book Synopsis: He’ll do anything to win her heart. She’ll do anything to keep him away.
Country star Cole Grayson is in town, and Kylie Andrews is less than thrilled. As if months of changing the radio station and tearing down his posters weren’t bad enough, now she has to deal with a town of fans swarming toward the man who deceived her the year before. But when Kylie’s eyes meet Cole’s again, she can’t deny the electric chemistry that drew her to him the first time around.
Cole Grayson is on a mission. Ever since Kylie left him, he hasn’t been able to forget her sweet country smile. After writing a song just for her, he sets off for her hometown to prove he’s not the player she thinks he is. But as much as Cole can’t forget her, Kylie wonders if she can forgive him…
Review:
I liked this one from the
Buy Links:Goodreads * Amazon *Barnes & Noble *iTunes * Entangled
Author Bio – Margo Bond Collins
Margo Bond Collins currently teaches college English courses online, but writing fiction is her first love. After a decade of moving all around the country (Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta are a few of the places she’s lived), she has settled in her native Texas. Margo lives near Fort Worth with her husband, her daughter, and several very spoiled cats, and she spends most of her free time daydreaming about heroes, monsters, cowboys, and villains, and the strong women who love them. She currently writes for Entangled Bliss
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Giveaway Info: $20 Amazon gift card from Margo Bond Collins
iPod Shuffle with the Making Waves playlist from Ophelia London
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