The wonderful Candace Havens is here today with her latest release, Lions, Tigers, and Sexy Bears Oh My! Keep reading to learn more about Ms. Havens through an interview along with my impressions of her new release. Make sure to fill out the form below for your chance to win some goodies too!
TSP: Knowing what you do now about the publishing business, would you have done anything different career-wise?
CH: I might have diversified earlier. The business has changed so much in the last 10 years. I think it’s important to spread the love when it comes to your work. The days when you had everything at one publisher is gone.
TSP: What does your writing space look like and do you surround yourself with any particularly inspirational items?
TSP: What does your writing space look like and do you surround yourself with any particularly inspirational items?
CH: I wish I was home so I could send you a pic. I just remodeled my office. It’s very girly and Parisian. I have a lot of art on the walls from the day job as a TV and movie critic. But over my desk I have Andy Warhol’s giant pink daisy. It’s about five foot by five foot. It makes me happy. I also have animation cells from Mary Poppins from the chalk scenes in the park. I also have art from a lot of my friends surrounding me. The furniture is all white, and the accents very colorful. It’s the most inspirational place I’ve ever worked.
TSP: The majority of your books are contemporary/steamy in nature, what draws you to that genre?
TSP: The majority of your books are contemporary/steamy in nature, what draws you to that genre?
CH: I like stories that are relatable and sexy. And I write what I like to read.
TSP: Are there any genres you'd like to write in that you haven't yet?
TSP: Are there any genres you'd like to write in that you haven't yet?
CH: I just published a Steampunk story with Entangled. I’d definitely like to do more. But paranormal romance will always be my first love.
TSP: Beyond its synopsis, what do you want us to know about Lions, Tigers, and Sexy Bears Oh My!?
CH: These are flawed people who discover one another in the oddest of circumstances. I wanted to show that it doesn’t really matter how much money you have, or what you do for a living, when love happens nothing else matters.
TSP: Which of your books would you like to see made into a movie and who would play the main couple?
TSP: Which of your books would you like to see made into a movie and who would play the main couple?
CH: I’d love to see all of them made into movies. I’m especially fond of my first series Charmed & Dangerous. I’d love to see that town and that witch on television or in the movies. I wrote it when I found out Buffy was going off the air to entertain myself.
TSP: Of all the heroes you've written, who's the most heroic in your opinion?
TSP: Of all the heroes you've written, who's the most heroic in your opinion?
CH: I can’t pick. Really. I’m very fond of all of them. Okay, maybe Captain Will in Model Marine. He was my ideal man. But I’m also very fond of Luc. He’s a big ol bear, but a teddy bear inside.
TSP: How has the digital revolution affected your career and how you market yourself? Do you have an eReader yourself?
TSP: How has the digital revolution affected your career and how you market yourself? Do you have an eReader yourself?
CH: I have a Kindle and an iPad and I read a lot on my phone. Most of my books are ebooks now.
TSP: What's the biggest issue facing authors right now and how would you solve it?
TSP: What's the biggest issue facing authors right now and how would you solve it?
CH: I think you have to learn to adapt. Diversification is very important.
TSP: My site's all about favorite things, so what are your favorite things/the things you can't live without?
CH: Wow. I’m such a Diva. So many things. Dirty Iced Chais from Starbucks. Music (all kinds). And air conditioning. I recently vacationed in the Dominican Republic and realized I never want to live without air conditioning again. (Smile)
Everything about runaway heiress Ainsley McLeon screamed trouble—from her luscious midnight locks to her Louboutin-clad toes. Yet sexy, stoic bar owner Luc couldn’t deny the instant connection he felt to the tempting stranger…or the long-dead feelings she evoked. She could work in his pub until her truck was fixed but after that she had to leave town for good.
Ainsley traveled with her own emotional baggage and there was no way she'd fall for the bear-tempered Luc...no matter how many passionate nights she spent in his bed or how safe she felt in his muscular arms. Can these two opposites find love in the middle of a blizzard, or will Luc's darker side and Ainsley's past catch up with them?
BUY LINKS: BN | Amazon | iTunes | Kobo
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
Ainsley McLeon comes from a wealthy family but is accustomed to heartache after the supposed murder of her parents and her current flight to save her life as her uncle's dirty deeds have put her in jeopardy and made her question he brother's loyalty too. Driving down a desolate road in a barely working pick-up in a blizzard leads her even further into danger as a tiger causes her to crash and introduces her to a community full of intriguing individuals who she quickly thinks of as family as the rally around her to keep her safe. That's not to say that Ainsley is defenseless, far from it. She's outspoken and her commanding demeanor wins over gruff bar owner Luc and earns her a waitressing job and a place to stay that's safe and warm with him cooking her all sorts of delectable dishes. Ainsley doesn't like handouts so she makes it her mission to wipe away the darkness and grief she sees surrounding Luc. Before she knows it she's fallen in love with him wholeheartedly. Even knowing what kind of creature he is doesn't turn her off, it's a turn on in fact as they start a relationship that they agree is just temporary. An event late in the story causes the annoying Big Misunderstanding that pulls them apart but ultimately makes them realize how important they are to one another in a quickly concluded HEA.
Luc is thought of by everyone in town as a gruff old bear which is a very accurate description early on. He's still dealing with the grief of losing his wife, son, and entire family in a flood and doesn't want to enter that darkness ever again so he keeps himself closed off. The moment Ainsley enters his bar he's completely overwhelmed as she easily wins over everyone including him. His protective instincts kick in as the emotional barriers he's worked hard to enact quickly crumble through her smiles and take no prisoners attitude. Luc's an immensely likable character who's strong, loyal, and caring even if his past does make him act irrational late in the story. He does numerous sweet things for her that completely belie what everyone thinks of him and I found myself completely smitten with him. Seeing him emerge from his emotional darkness brought a smile to my face and the connection between him and Ainsley made for a fun journey full of witty banter and sexual tension that led to some heavy sexual interludes.
The town Ainsley's come to is full of shifters who have slight differences that set them apart from the usual shifters. Their emotions are intense but get stronger closer to the full moon. Warmth makes those who are bear shifters have difficulty staying awake so they keep their homes cold. Once they find their mates feelings of jealousy become more intense which can lead to bloody fights. Ainsley easily accepts the members of this community as they are since they've opened their hearts and homes to her making her feel like a member of their family. Along with a delightful main couple came a slew of memorable secondary characters that I'd love to see more of. Ian especially has me intrigued as grief drove him to lose himself in his tiger form. Meeting Ainsley on that deserted road was the catalyst for him to find his humanity as the latter part of the story dealt with his recovery and I long to see him get his well-deserved HEA. This was a fast-paced story that was sweet yet sexy and though some events were glossed over I still found this story immensely satisfying. Here's hoping Ms. Havens revisits this world soon!
My rating for this is a B+
*I received this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
Bestselling author Candace Havens has written twelve novels for Berkley, Entangled and Harlequin. She is also in the anthology Spirited, the proceeds of which help a literacy organization.
Her books have received nominations for the RITA's, Holt Medallion and Write Touch Reader Awards.
She is the author of the biography Joss Whedon: The Genius Behind Buffy and a contributor to several anthologies. She is also one of the nation's leading entertainment journalists and has interviewed countless celebrities including Tom Hanks, Nicolas Cage, Tom Cruise, George Clooney and many more. Her entertainment columns can be read in more than 600 newspapers across the country.
Candace also runs a free online writing workshop for more than 2000 writers, and teaches comprehensive writing class. She does film reviews with the Dorsey Gang on New Country 96.3, and is the President of the Television Critics Association.
SIGN UP FOR HER NEWSLETTER here.
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Thanks for this great giveaway!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the chance,can't wait to read
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the great interview and the giveaway. I enjoyed this book very much and I hope everyone finds the bears as sexy as I do. evamillien at gmail dot com
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