Guest Blogger: Laura Kaye


Laura Kaye's HEARTS IN DARKNESS hit three top-rated lists on Amazon and was on the Top-10 bestselling list at Fictionwise for 10 weeks.

Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind;
and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.
~William Shakespeare

Two strangers. Four hours. One pitch-black elevator.

Makenna James thinks her day can’t get any worse, until she finds herself stuck in a pitch-black elevator with a complete stranger. Distracted by a phone call and juggling too much stuff, the pin-striped accountant caught only a glimpse of a dragon tattoo on his hand before the lights went out.

Caden Grayson is amused when a redhead literally falls at his feet. His amusement turns to panic when the power fails. Despite his piercings, tats, and vicious scar, he’s terrified of the dark and confined spaces. Now, he’s trapped in his own worst nightmare.

To fight fear, they must both reach out and open up. With no preconceived notions based on looks to hold them back, they discover just how much they have in common. In the warming darkness, attraction grows and sparks fly, but will they feel the same when the lights come back on?

= = = = =

Oh, Carol, can I just tell you how much I need the Tiki Hut right now? I have been in editing mode on three different manuscripts for the past month, so I’m not sure which I need more—this quiet time to sit and write new words for new stories, or to just lay on this blanket, soak in the sun, sleep, and never move again! Oh, hell, I brought my laptop, and I’ve got characters chomping at the bit, I might as well write. Sleep’s overrated. Right? Right?

If I was at home, I’d be noshing on some Cheez-Its (totally addicted) and a diet ginger ale, but since I’m on vacation, I’m splurging. Oh, cabana boy? Wow…talk about ask and ye shall receive! What service at this Tiki Hut! And, mmm, what strapping cabana boys, too. My. I’m tempted to keep ordering just to create new opportunities to watch this guy walk towards me, then away, over and over again. Sigh. The view here sure is pretty. Oh, right. My order—I’ll have a big tray of fresh, juicy tropical fruit and a strawberry daiquiri, please. Totally thirst-quenching.

This is the perfect setting for the new erotic romance I’m writing at this very moment, set in a luxurious resort in the Caribbean. The sea air, the white sands, the crystal clear teal surf. Oh, and the hot bodies. There, running down the beach, shirtless in a pair of running shorts perched dangerous low on a set of lean hips. He’s my guy. He’s Jamie, my darkly beautiful hero with a tragic past. Mess of wavy brown hair, mountainous shoulders, cut abs, and strong, bunching thighs that are nothing short of a monument to masculinity. See? Here in paradise you don’t have to choose between taking in the scenery and being focused on your writing. Look around and enjoy what you see, because it’s just inspiration for that next story.

Er, would you excuse me, Carol? *shifts laptop to the side and jogs down the beach* “Jamie? Hey, Jamie? Can I, uh, talk to you for a minute?”

Catch ya, later, guys, I’m heading off to indulge my, ahem, inspiration.

= = = = =

Laura is also sponsoring a giveaway - just leave a comment before midnight Pacific Time on Thursday, 8/25, to be eligible. The winner can choose a digital copy of any one of her books - HEARTS IN DARKNESS, FOREVER FREED, a paranormal, or her new erotic romance, JUST GOTTA SAY, when it releases on 9/30. You can learn more about Laura and her books at www.LauraKayeAuthor.com

  
 



Comments

Mason Canyon said…
Laura, you had me with the synopsis of your book. With our eyes closed what could we really see in the other person? Great story line. Wishing you much success with your writing. Now I'm just going to sit here under the beach umbrella and soak up some sun. :)

Carol, you rock with your authors. Thanks for another great introduction.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress
Freelance Editing By Mason
Carol Kilgore said…
Mason - Thanks. I think all my guest authors rock, too!
Laura Kaye said…
Yay, Mason! Thanks so much! And thanks to Carol for hosting me--it's SO NICE here!

Oh, and hey, I have to share a new HEARTS IN DARKNESS accolade! The book hits its best amazon sales rank today (#1,136) and a bestseller list for first time ever #94 bestselling contemporary romance! SO EXCITED! :D
Joya said…
Hi Laura,
Congrats on your Amazon ranking. I loved HEARTS IN DARKNESS and can't wait to read JUST GOTTA SAY.
Good luck with all those edits to all those upcoming releases.
:)
Calisa Rhose said…
Ooh- Jamie sounds heavenly!
Hi Carole. Hi Laura. Congrats on the awesome ranking!
I absolutely loved Forever Freed and I've been reading about Hearts In Darkness for a while and would be thrilled to read it! I love elevator stories! So confining, so limited in what one can do/go but leaves SO much to the imagination! Yumm.
I'm such a fan of Laura's work! Hearts in Darkness is one of my faves. Can't wait to read Just Gotta Say!
Robin Covington said…
Laura - You know how much I love Caden but this Jamie sounds great too!

Everytime I hear of our success I smile. couldn't have happened to a nicer person - and I love the new headshot!

Have a great day!

Robin
Rula Sinara said…
Love the blurb! Congrats on the rankings :) Come back and let us know what happened after you caught up with Jamie, LOL.
Laura Kaye said…
Oh, so many nice words, guys! Thanks! Oh, and wait til you meet this Jamie character. Hot as hell and sweet and damaged. FLOVE! :)
Cynthia D'Alba said…
I've never been stuck in an elevator. I'm not sure how I would react...panic? Maybe. :)

Congrats on your success.
Laura Kaye said…
LOL, Cynthia! Thanks!
Elspeth Futcher said…
There's nothing like a break at the Tiki Hut to recharge those batteries! And some batteries are more fun to recharge than others. Best of luck with your editing, Laura; the idea of editing three manuscripts at once makes my head spin.
Luanne G. Smith said…
Wow, what an interesting set up for a story.
ReneeRearden said…
Laura,

Congratulations on your Amazon success! I LOVED Hearts in Darkness. Caden was flawed but oh so lovable!!! Can't wait to read your next book. =D
Jill James said…
Laura, congratulations on Hearts in Darkness busting up the charts. I love that story. I've recommended it to all my friends. Wishes to you on your continued success.
Obscured Vixen said…
Laura, this sounds great! Thanks for taking the time out for this and the awesome giveaway!
Christi Barth said…
Having just left the beach, reading this blog was bilssful torture. And now, stuck at my desk, I'm craving a pina colada. And those thighs you described oh-so well, wrapped around mine...
Gabrielle Lee said…
What a great sounding book.Caden sounds like a great character.

Gabrielle
meingee@yahoo.com
LR said…
Lol. First I read "bouncing" thighs instead of "bunching." Must be the heat.

Love the Shakespeare quote.
Carol Kilgore said…
Elspeth - Recharging batteries already? You just came back from vacation - LOL.

It's great to see so many new faces! Make yourselves at home. I'll send the cabana boys back in a bit to take your drink orders. Then I'll visit your blogs.
Mary Gray said…
Hearts in Darkness sounds like a fun book. I actually read the entire premise, which is good for me because my eyes often glaze over while reading premises. :) I love that they meet in the dark and we have to wait to see if they'll like each other when the lights come on.
Since all of the guys seem to hang out near the Tiki Hut, I really need to go find the beach full of hot babes...
Congrats on the Amazon ratings! I know I am totally and shamelessly gawking at the cover for Hearts in Darkness. Mm, yes I like my men with hair but stillll.

Raonaid at gmail dot com.
Carol Kilgore said…
Alex - Silly man :) You're in the right place. The hot babes all head here for the cabana boys!
Great story idea- love it! And you presented it well - got me interested and kept me interested. Terrific!
Maryannwrites said…
Enjoyed the visit with Laura. Hope she caught up with that Cabana boy. Was going to rush over to buy the book, but decided to wait to see if I win a copy. Frugal reader that I am. LOL
Mart Ramirez said…
So good to see you here, Laura! You are so awesome! Great post, Carol!
Janet, said…
Congratulations on your books and your ranking on Amazon. Hearts in Darkness sounds like a great read.
Laura Kaye said…
@Elspeth--oh, yes, totally headspinning, thus the Tiki Hut! ;)

@L.G., Renee, Gabrielle--Thanks so much!

@Jill--I've so appreciated your pimpage! AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY LADY!

@O.V.--You're welcome--good luck!

@Christi--yes, you just came back from paradise, didn't you? And, hehe, yeah, those thighs...

@LR--LMAO! I suppose they were bouncing too, though that seems eminently less sexy than bunching!

@Mary and Melissa--aw, man, that's a great compliment you both paid--thanks!

@Alex--LOL, Well, I guess that would be only fair! (though, I think Carol's right!!!)

@Raonaid--Gawk away! Fun story: the cover model for HEARTS IN DARKNESS emailed me! I guess the photographers get info on how their stockphotos are used, so the model was able to track down the cover. He thought it was great and loved the addition of tattoos--said he'd have to consider getting one now! :D I about died!

@Maryann--always in my mind anyway! Good luck!

Mart and Janet--thanks so much!

Keep those comments coming & good luck everyone!
LaVerne Clark said…
Well - I can heartily endorse both Hearts in Darkness AND Forever Freed. Loved both - but Caden took my heart. One of my all-time favourite books.

Jamie intrigues - but how cruel of you to introduce him to me Laura - now I have to wait - waaahhhh!! I'm the queen of impatience ; )

No need to put me in the draw - I just wanted to stop by and say hi and congratulations!
Oh my! A celebration with a nice cabana boy reminds me of...hotties... when I spent a ten day holiday in the Caribbean. Five star hotel, lovely weather( forget the tail of the hurricane) for someone from Scotland; hot nearly naked males wandering around(that was not the staff who were gorgeous); superb food for the senses and all; fourteen in total in my group of couples to party together...is there something not quite like your novel here?
Dash it all! I had a fab time at my daughter's wedding though.
Laura Kaye said…
*waves* to LaVerne--thanks lady!

Nancy--LOL loved your post!

Thanks for stopping by!
Lana Pettis said…
I LOVED and I mean LOVED Hearts In Darkness! If any one hasn't read it do it NOW! You will not be disappointed. Forever Freed is SO good too. Can't wait to read more from you! Boy can you write some good (wink, wink) love scenes!! :-) I will buy anything you write! Would be even nicer to win the new one!

P.S. You also have a fan club at my work. We can't stop talking about HID & FF!
Denise Z said…
Thank you so much for the fun post today and the invite to hop over. I think just the name of this awesome site would make me sign up to follow and share the fun. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Kilgore and the mosquito wars LOL. Of course my fingers are itching to win a copy of one of your lovely titles - got some scratching going on here :)

dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com
Laura Kaye said…
@Lana--OMG you made my night! Woowee!

@Denise--Thanks for following Carol! And good luck! :)
shelleymc said…
I truly enjoyed ur books. U r a very talented person. I'm looking forward to reading ur next book. Thanks and keep them coming :)
Laura Kaye said…
Aw, Shelleymc, thank you so much! Between Sept. 2011 and Nov. 2012, I have 7 books releasing, so there's definitely more to come!
Rochelle Staab said…
Laura, huge congrats on your Amazon rankings. You have to be dancing under the Tiki Hut! I love the premise of your novel, awesome. I look forward to reading it—and it sounds like it would make a GREAT movie.

Wishing you continued success!
Laura Kaye said…
Aw, Rochelle! Thanks so much! I've had great fun today everyone! I'll be back tomorrow for more...
Carol Kilgore said…
Thanks to everyone for stopping in today and commenting.

See you Thursday, Laura!
Unknown said…
Being stuck in an elevator (especially a dark one) is a big fear for me so I really like the premise. I enjoyed your post.
Unknown said…
This book sounds very interesting and different. Would love to read it, thanks for the giveaway!

chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com
Erin said…
Patiently waiting for Just Gotta Say... Can't come soon enough!!!
Laura Kaye said…
Good morning everyone!

@Clarissa--if you met Caden in an elevator, it might cure your fear in a snap! LOL

@winnie--thanks so much!

@Erin--hehe...just a month til release! I can't wait either! :)
Anonymous said…
Love the cover for Hearts in Darkness! People should buy it for the cover alone! And you have a tortured hero and the Caribean in your next book? Wow! Way to round the bases!
Ciara said…
Hi, Laura and Carol. This was great. I've been on a couple of sites with Laura's book lately and I've already mentioned how much I love the cover. The synopsis just seals the deal. :)
Savannah said…
Hi Laura,

Popping over a little late. Great post and congrats on the ranking! Loved your "monument to masculinty." Woo hoo!
Laura Kaye said…
@jessica--there are a couple of reviews around where people said they read it just because of the cover, for which I have to give a great big shout out to cover artist, Tricia Pickyme Schmitt--if you don't follow her on Facebook you're missing out on all the INCREDIBLE cover art and fan art she does and posts! And, yes, that next story is chock full of goodies! ;)

@Ciara--awesome compliment--thanks so much!

@Savannah--thanks! I likey that line too! :) I may or may not use it occasionally in stories! hehe

Thanks everyone!
Anonymous said…
I'm very intrigued by Hearts in Darkness (also marked as "to read" in GR). I've seen some of your earlier fiction...fabulous. Looking forward to reading this and others.
Laura Kaye said…
Great of you to stop by, Brown Eyed Girl! :)
Carol Kilgore said…
It's been nice meeting a lot of new commenters, and seeing my friends here, too.

Thanks so much, Laura, for a great guest post. Much good luck to you in your career.
Laura Kaye said…
Thanks for hosting me, Carol! Your place is FUN! :)
jmaxy619 said…
Love the blurb for your new books- and the cover art?!?! Can I just say yummy!
Laura Kaye said…
Thanks for saying so, jmaxy! It is quite delicious! Thanks to great cover artist Tricia Pickyme Schmitt! :)
Ciara said…
Stopped in to let you know you are a WINNER! Hop over to www.ciaraknight.com to claim your prize. Congratulations!
Laura Kaye said…
Wow! Congrats, Carol! Look at that!
Carol Kilgore said…
Wow! Thanks, Ciara - I'll be right over :)
Laura Kaye said…
With the assistance of random.org...

THE WINNER OF ONE OF MY 3 EBOOKS, YOUR CHOICE!, IS....

*** L.G. SMITH ***

CONGRATULATIONS!

You have 48 hours to email me at laurakayeauthor at gmail dot com to claim your prize!

Thanks to everyone for coming out to chat at the Tiki Hut!
Laura Kaye said…
Hey everyone! Well, the bad news is, L.G. Smith never responded to this post or to an email I sent. So...the good news is, we have a new winner!

Gabrielle
meingee@yahoo.com

You get your choice of one of my three ebooks! Congratulations and happy reading!
Carol Kilgore said…
Congratulations to Gabrielle!

.