Book Blitz
Stay
(Alexa Reed #1)
by
Hilary Wynne
(Alexa Reed #1)
by
Hilary Wynne
~ Synopsis ~
Set against the steamy and sultry world of South Beach, Florida,
a modern romance unfolds in Stay.
Alexa is beautiful, independent and hard to resist for serially unattached Julian. Neither one is looking for a relationship, but their palpable chemistry and instant emotional connection is too strong to ignore. For the first time in years, Julian is interested in more than just sex. He wants a relationship with intoxicating Alexa, but it’s not that simple. Not only are Julian and Alexa struggling with the intensity of this new relationship, but they also have to contend with Luke, Alexa’s best friend, whose own love for her leaves him willing to do anything to convince her that Julian is not the man for her. Luke’s determination and Alexa’s secret past threaten to tear Julian and Alexa apart as she struggles to open her heart to love. Julian and Alexa embark upon a roller-coaster ride of emotional and physical passion that both pulls them apart and holds them together. Despite their affinity for each other, Alexa fears that Julian will leave when he learns about her past and Julian is unsure he can love a woman who in so many ways remains a mystery, a woman who keeps threatening to run, a woman who can’t decide if she is going to STAY.
Alexa is beautiful, independent and hard to resist for serially unattached Julian. Neither one is looking for a relationship, but their palpable chemistry and instant emotional connection is too strong to ignore. For the first time in years, Julian is interested in more than just sex. He wants a relationship with intoxicating Alexa, but it’s not that simple. Not only are Julian and Alexa struggling with the intensity of this new relationship, but they also have to contend with Luke, Alexa’s best friend, whose own love for her leaves him willing to do anything to convince her that Julian is not the man for her. Luke’s determination and Alexa’s secret past threaten to tear Julian and Alexa apart as she struggles to open her heart to love. Julian and Alexa embark upon a roller-coaster ride of emotional and physical passion that both pulls them apart and holds them together. Despite their affinity for each other, Alexa fears that Julian will leave when he learns about her past and Julian is unsure he can love a woman who in so many ways remains a mystery, a woman who keeps threatening to run, a woman who can’t decide if she is going to STAY.
~ Excerpt ~
I open my eyes, and Julian is staring down at me with that same
reverent look he had in the hallway a few weeks ago. The same one that had me
looking for an escape. The same uneasiness I felt then passes through me, and I
can’t figure out what about his stare is making me so uneasy. I’m going to
fight through it. I push myself up to my feet and stand in front of him. I turn
my face up to him and thread my fingers through his.
“Kiss me, please.”
I say the words softly and pleadingly. I’m aching to feel his
lips on mine, and I’m searching for a way to bring the physical aspect of our
relationship back into the dynamic. It’s feeling too emotional between us, and
I’m uncomfortable. I half expect him to tell me no. He has withheld himself
from me all night and has proven his restraint. I would’ve let him have his way
with me the moment I saw him in the lobby earlier had he tried. I don’t want to
wait for this anymore, and I’m not feeling shy about it.
I’m not sure if it was the way I asked him or the fact we’re
touching, but something has helped him decide we’re past the just-talking
portion of the program now. Julian leans down and brushes his lips against
mine. He starts to pull back, but I just can’t let him. I let go of his hand
and reach up around his neck. I pull him to me and press my mouth to his. Hard.
I open my lips and slide my tongue into his mouth. What happens next can only
be described as something similar to a dam breaking. All of the lust and need
we’ve been holding back tonight races through our bodies, and we hold onto each
other as if we might drown in these feelings. Julian’s lips and tongue find
their way to my neck and my face, and he marks me with his longing. His mouth
is hot and wet on my skin. Our tongues are battling as each of us tries to
control the tempo and pace of our kisses. I can feel his muscles tighten as
desire courses through him, and I melt into his strong body as he pulls me to
his chest. I’m on fire, and nothing could keep me from this man in this moment.
~ Links to Buy ~
~ Author
Interview ~
Tell us about your newest
release.
This is hard because I could spend the next thirty minutes
answering this question. I love to talk about my book. But, in a nutshell, Stay
is about a couple, Alexa and Julian, who meet in South Beach, Florida and find
that they can’t stay away from each other despite the fact that neither was
looking for a relationship. They have an undeniably intense physical and
emotional connection that pulls them close and pushes them apart at the same
time. They’re both wary of love and struggle to believe what they’re feeling is
real and can last. I tackle some real life issues about love, loss and
friendship in Stay and have created sort of a rollercoaster ride of a story
that will keep you guessing how it ends, until the end.
What
makes your story special to you?
Stay
is my very first novel and really the first thing I’ve written that I’ve shared
with anyone, so there isn’t anything that isn’t special to me. I’ve just
embarked on the writing journey and loving every second of it. This story is
close to my heart, because although it IS fiction, it’s derived from
inspirations of places and people I know. It allowed me to take a trip down
memory lane in many cases and put in down on paper.
When
did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Although
I just started writing novels, I think deep down I’ve always wanted to do this.
I’ve always written poetry and have had a few jobs where writing was a key
component of my duties, but the time was never right to take on the monumental
task of writing a real book. This past year, for many reasons, the time was
finally right, so I started to write Stay. Now I have to write, and can’t
believe I waited so long to really start.
What
is a typical writing day like?
If
I’ve learned anything on this journey it’s that there isn’t anything typical
when you’re trying to be a writer! I don’t do this fulltime (although my family
would argue), so I fit writing in whenever I have time. I usually write early
in the morning and late at night. Oh, and in my car, at the kitchen table,
during commericals…
Do
you have an interesting writing quirk or habit?
I
have to listen to music when I write. I find it makes me more in touch with the
mood of the book and my characters. I listened to the same song every single
time I sat down to write Stay. (All In by Lifehouse). I have a new song for my second book, Hold On
(Already Falling by Tyrone Wells), that’s always on when I start.
What
was one of the most surprising things you learned as a published author?
Honestly, everything has been a surprise because I had no
clue what to expect. Each day I wake up and learn something new. But if I have
to pick one thing I guess I would say that I had no idea that people would be
so supportive and touched by my words. I’ve connected with people on so many
new and different levels. It’s been an awesome experience.
What
authors or friends influenced you in helping you become a writer?
I got caught up
in the Fifty Shades of Grey and Bared To You craze and I will always appreciate
what E.L. James and Sylvia Day did to bring erotic romance to the masses, but
as far as writing influences, I can’t really think of any in particular. I can
tell you that I have been an avid reader my whole life and I read all genres. I
really judge a book by its ability to move me and I just love authors who use
the written word to touch people’s souls. There are so many out there. As far
as my friends go, I have a core group who read my initial drafts and pushed me
to continue. They know who they are and how much I love them!
What
does your family think about your career as a published author?
My
family is awesome. Once they realized I was serious about this and had some
talent, they all jumped on board. They’re proud of me and it means the world to
me. My youngest son, who is twelve, sat with me the other day and read some of
my reviews. When he was done he gave me a kiss and told me. “Good job, Mom!”
There’s nothing better.
Besides
writing, what other interests do you have?
When
I’m not writing, working my real job or being a mom of very busy kids, I play
tennis. I love to read, although that has taken a back seat lately. I also love
college sports (I’m a huge Florida State fan), and I love to travel. The beach
is my favorite place to be, always…
Can you tell us about what’s
coming up next for you writing wise?
I
just finshed the second book in the Alexa Reed Series, Hold On, and if all goes
well it will be out in early April.
11. How can
readers connect with you online?
I
can be found at hilarywynne.com
Hilary
Wynne on Facebook, Pinterest and Google+ and @HilaryWynne on Twitter
~ About the Author ~
Have you ever woken up one day and said, “Today’s the day
I’m going to do (insert thing here)?” Well, I did, and the result is
my first novel, Stay. I always thought of myself as a decent
writer, and then a trip down memory lane through my ninth grade book of
poetry confirmed it. I realize that I have always had a romantic
side and a way with words. With support from my husband and kids (and an
unspoken agreement to leave me alone for a few hours every night),
I embarked on this incredible writing journey.
I’m originally from sunny Southern California and spent my summers in South Florida. I attended college at FSU and received my Masters in New Mexico. I finally settled in the Washington, DC area. My happy place has always been anywhere near the water.
When I’m not writing, I help run a business with my husband, watch an inordinate amount of sports (my kids play something 365 days a year), indulge my competitive spirit on the tennis court, and spend time with my awesome family and friends.
I am an avid reader, but find my characters feel neglected when I hang out with other author’s characters for too long. When I do read, historical fiction is my favorite genre. I love traveling and experiencing different cultures, places, and times.
I feel so blessed that my love of books inspired me to finally do something that I forgot I had always dreamed about doing.
My someday has arrived!
I’m originally from sunny Southern California and spent my summers in South Florida. I attended college at FSU and received my Masters in New Mexico. I finally settled in the Washington, DC area. My happy place has always been anywhere near the water.
When I’m not writing, I help run a business with my husband, watch an inordinate amount of sports (my kids play something 365 days a year), indulge my competitive spirit on the tennis court, and spend time with my awesome family and friends.
I am an avid reader, but find my characters feel neglected when I hang out with other author’s characters for too long. When I do read, historical fiction is my favorite genre. I love traveling and experiencing different cultures, places, and times.
I feel so blessed that my love of books inspired me to finally do something that I forgot I had always dreamed about doing.
My someday has arrived!
~ Connect with Hilary ~
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