New Release - More Than I Bargained For: A Paranormal Mini-Mystery

 

Hi everyone!

I’m sharing news about my latest release, More Than I Bargained For. This 4,500 word mini-mystery blends offbeat humor with the paranormal. You never know what you’ll find at an estate sale…

Here’s the summary and links:

More Than I Bargained For

A Paranormal Mini-Mystery

Katie doesn’t like going to estate sales. Why? Because she sees dead people.

When Katie reluctantly attends an estate sale with her friend Diane, she gets more than she bargained for. The deceased former owner of the house, Grace, realizes that Katie can communicate with her, and she has a lot to say.

As Katie pretends to shop, Grace tells her the story of how she was murdered—and reveals that her killer is still in the house.

It’s up to Katie to uncover the murder weapon and get it to the police… before time runs out.

Order it here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CG4J8B2

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/me9jzl

 

Stay tuned for another short fiction ebook coming soon…

Enjoy the rest of the summer!

Kelli

Meet the Character Day: Chatting with Curtis Taylor from Trust with Hearts

 

This “Meet the Character Day” blog is part of a series examining my romance novels. In each “Behind the Scenes” blog, I talk about why I wrote the book, share my thoughts on the plot and/or characters, and reveal what I loved most (or least) about writing the book. The “Meet the Character Day” blogs are fun chats with the heroes and heroines from my romances. Warning: blogs may contain spoilers.

Hello romance lovers! Today we’re chatting with Curtis Taylor, the hero from Trust with Hearts by Kelli A. Wilkins. Let’s see what’s on his mind…

 

Greetings, Curtis. Trust with Hearts is a contemporary summer romance. Can you tell us a bit more about the book?

Sure, I’d be glad to. The basic premise is: Sherrie moves in with her cousin Dave, and I’m already staying there. So we’re sorta thrown together and forced to get along. Or not. Sherrie is a city girl and hates country music, and I’m a country boy who just happens to make his living in country music, so you can imagine there’s lots of opportunity for conflict. But once we get past all that, Sherrie and I start a tenuous, yet passionate, summer romance. Readers will be intrigued and hooked right away.

In a good romance, the relationship between the hero and the heroine usually gets off to a rocky start. Tell us about your first meet with Sherrie. What attracted you to her?

Well… nothing. (Laughs) I met Sherrie early one morning—before she even knew I was staying with Dave. And she was a bit grouchy. She said a “banjo boy” kept her up all night playing music… Well, I didn’t take the insult too kindly, and I told her so. And off we went, right on page 1, we started fussin’ and feudin’. I liked teasing her, and I thought she was pretty (and had great legs) but she needed to tone down her attitude.

Sherrie came from the city and you’re a country boy at heart. How do you make that work in a relationship?

For the first few chapters, we fought like cats and dogs. Sherrie would insult country music (or me), and I’d tell her she didn’t know what she was talking about. After a few weeks of being forced together, (Dave conveniently left us alone a lot. It was his way of playing matchmaker.) I saw her vulnerable side and opened up to her. In time, we realized we both had been hurt in previous relationships and had serious trust issues. Once we dropped our defenses, we got along just fine.

Most romance readers know Kelli likes to torment her main characters. She tends to put them through the emotional wringer. When Kelli wrote the book, she gave you and Sherrie a lot of baggage, trust issues, and conflict. Tell us how she made your life miserable.

For most of the book I’m hiding a big secret from Sherrie, and when she finds out the truth it nearly ends our relationship. Kelli said the “bombshell” scene where Sherrie learns my secret was one of her favorites to write—but it put us through hell.

Sherrie already had a hard time trusting people, so learning I’d lied to her about something major shattered her trust in me and destroyed our relationship. At the same time, I’d just gotten horrible news, and I was in no mood to be questioned or to deal with a royally pissed-off girlfriend. I didn’t behave in the best way, and shut Sherrie out. (Thanks Kelli.) It took Sherrie a long while to come around, and for a time, I was certain we were finished. But in the end, we have a happy-ever-after.

But I’ll give Kelli credit, she wrote several amazing love scenes. And I certainly can’t complain about those. Sherrie and I weren’t incompatible in the bedroom, by any means! (Laughs)

Describe yourself in four words.

Stubborn, complex, sexy, talented.

Do readers need to be country music fans to enjoy Trust with Hearts?

Not at all. The book uses country music as a backdrop and setting for the main romance. If anything, country music fans might find Sherrie’s loathing and lack of understanding about the genre amusing. Readers who don’t like country music will probably agree when Sherrie calls country music “sad songs in denim.”

There’s a rumor that once upon a time the book had an entirely different ending. Is it true?

Yes. When Kelli originally wrote the book, Sherrie and I were in a horrible car accident and I nearly died. Sherrie risked her life to pull me out of a burning car. Kelli deleted those scenes from the current edition of the book, and wrote a new epilogue to tie up everything.

Will there be a sequel to Trust with Hearts?

After Trust with Hearts came out, Kelli was going to write a sequel, but other books got in the way and it never happened. Her idea was to have Dave fall in love with my girl cousin. (She seeks refuge with Dave the same way Sherrie did.) Kelli has shelved the project, but she did say if enough readers want a sequel, she might be persuaded to write a novella-length version of the idea. (Readers: Let her know your thoughts about this on social media.)

Anything else you want to add?

Thanks for letting me share my thoughts with readers and talk about this great book. Trust with Hearts is a summer romance with interesting characters, an unusual storyline, and plenty of sizzling love scenes. It will make you laugh, cry, and root for love. I hope you’ll add it to your summer reading list.

Kelli has written romances in all genres—historical, paranormal, contemporary, gay, and straight—but they all have two things in common—they’re all unique stories, and they’re anything but boring! I invite readers to catch up on all of Kelli’s romances and visit her on social media. If you missed any blog in this series, you can catch up here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/blog

TRUST WITH HEARTS

After a bitter breakup, Sherrie Parker seeks refuge at her cousin Dave’s house in rural West Virginia. Early one morning, she runs into Dave’s other houseguest, a singer named Curtis Taylor. The last thing Sherrie wants is to share living quarters with a country music crooner – even if he is sexy, in a cowboy sort of way.

Thrown together by circumstances, Sherrie and Curtis get off to a rocky start, but soon discover they have more in common than they ever imagined. Unable to fight their growing attraction, they give in to their desires and start a sizzling summer romance.

Everything is perfect between them until Sherrie discovers that Curtis is keeping secrets from her – and his biggest secret of all will change everything. Can their newfound love survive, or will destiny keep them apart forever?

 

Order your copy here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074422FHY

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/mgrK7R

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/trust-with-hearts

Kelli created a Facebook page for her contemporary romances. Visit it here:

https://www.facebook.com/Contemporary-Romances-by-Kelli-A-Wilkins-1965702023664339/

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 20 romance novels, 7 non-fiction books, and 3 horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror stories.

She released Journaling Every Week: 52 Topics to Get You Writing in early 2021. This fun and innovative guide to journaling is filled with hundreds of thought-provoking prompts designed to get you writing about your feelings and emotions.

In 2020 Kelli published Love, Lies & Redemption, a western romance set in 1877 Nebraska. This novel blends a sensual love story with mystery and danger.

Kelli posts on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and Twitter: www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor

Visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and to find all her social media links.

 

 

 

 

Behind the Scenes: Trust with Hearts (A Contemporary Summer Romance)

 

This “Behind the Scenes” blog is part of a series examining my romance novels. In each blog, I’ll talk about why I wrote the book, share my thoughts on the plot and/or characters, and reveal what I loved most (or least) about writing the book. Warning: Blogs may contain spoilers.

Trust with Hearts is an example of how a story idea can come to an author anytime, anywhere. One night I was waiting for a concert to start and a premise for a romance popped into my head: A woman falls in love with her cousin’s best friend, but doesn’t realize he’s a famous country singer. I knew I had to write it down, but the only paper I had was the envelope the concert tickets came in. (Yes, this was years ago!) I scribbled a brief outline and a character list before the concert started. And that’s how Trust with Hearts was born—but not right away.

I was in the middle of revising another romance at the time, so I took a few hours and wrote a detailed outline, snippets of dialogue, and character information about Trust with Hearts, then set it aside. About a year later, I pulled out my notes and started writing. The idea was still fresh in my head, and the book practically wrote itself. (I always advise writers to take down ideas as they appear—otherwise they might fade into oblivion.)

Trust with Hearts was an interesting book to write. The heroine, Sherrie, has left a bad relationship, and on the spur of the moment, goes to West Virginia and moves in with her cousin Dave. Unknown to her, Dave already has a houseguest—his friend Curtis. Curtis is a country boy and Sherrie is all city.

I enjoyed playing off their differences and had fun inventing vexing situations for them to get on each other’s nerves. And boy, do they! Right on page 1, Curtis and Sherrie start an on/off love/hate relationship—and soon realize there’s more to their teasing and feuding. Before long, they discover they have a lot in common, and begin a steamy summer romance.

Some of my favorite scenes are when Curtis climbs a tree to rescue a kitten, when Curtis and Sherrie realize they like each other, and the big bombshell scene when Sherrie learns Curtis’s secret. I also liked writing the scenes where Dave plays matchmaker and counselor to each of them. In his own way, he brought this unlikely couple together. 

But you can’t have a good romance without drama, and the book is filled with it. Sherrie confronts her abusive ex-boyfriend, reexamines her life, and finds her purpose. Curtis is healing his wounded heart, dealing with a major family crisis, and going out of his way to keep a huge secret from Sherrie. Throughout the book Cutis and Sherrie face their pasts, work on their personal issues, and learn to love and trust again.

Trust with Hearts is not just a romance, it’s also a summer romance, so when I was writing the book I made sure to include specific details to bring out the “summer romance” theme: hot, sticky, sweaty days and nights, cool iced tea, gardening, and even heat stroke. The details pull the reader into the story and into Curtis and Sherrie’s world. And since Curtis is an expert in country music, I worked those details into the plot and even had Curtis give Sherrie a very erotic guitar lesson...

When I was writing Trust with Hearts, I fell in love with the characters and considered writing a sequel. (A few readers were interested in a sequel too!) The basic plot would have been Dave falling in love with Curtis’s girl cousin (we briefly meet her in the book). But I’ve since abandoned the project. If enough readers want a sequel, I might be persuaded to write a novella-length version of my book idea. (Readers: Let me know your thoughts about this on social media.)

Trust with Hearts is a summer romance with interesting characters, an unusual storyline, and plenty of sizzling love scenes. It will make you laugh, cry, and root for love. I hope you’ll add it to your summer reading list.

 

 TRUST WITH HEARTS

After a bitter breakup, Sherrie Parker seeks refuge at her cousin Dave’s house in rural West Virginia. Early one morning, she runs into Dave’s other houseguest, a singer named Curtis Taylor. The last thing Sherrie wants is to share living quarters with a country music crooner – even if he is sexy, in a cowboy sort of way.

Thrown together by circumstances, Sherrie and Curtis get off to a rocky start, but soon discover they have more in common than they ever imagined. Unable to fight their growing attraction, they give in to their desires and start a sizzling summer romance.

Everything is perfect between them until Sherrie discovers that Curtis is keeping secrets from her – and his biggest secret of all will change everything. Can their newfound love survive, or will destiny keep them apart forever?

 

Order Trust with Hearts here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074422FHY

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/mgrK7R

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/trust-with-hearts

I created a Facebook page for my contemporary romances. Visit it here:

https://www.facebook.com/Contemporary-Romances-by-Kelli-A-Wilkins-1965702023664339/

I hope you enjoyed this “Behind the Scenes” look at the making of this hot summer romance. I welcome questions and comments from readers and other authors. Contact me via the form on my site or on social media.

Happy Reading,

Kelli A. Wilkins

Meet the Character Day: Chatting with Everett Kinkade from A Secret Match

 

This “Meet the Character Day” blog is part of a series examining my romance novels. In each “Behind the Scenes” blog, I talk about why I wrote the book, share my thoughts on the plot and/or characters, and reveal what I loved most (or least) about writing the book. The “Meet the Character Day” blogs are fun chats with the heroes and heroines from my romances. Warning: blogs may contain spoilers.

Hello romance lovers! Today we’re chatting with Everett Kinkade, the hero from A Secret Match by Kelli A. Wilkins. Let’s see what’s on Everett’s mind…

Greetings, Everett. A Secret Match is a contemporary gay romance set in the world of professional wrestling. Can you tell us a bit more about the book?

Absolutely, and please, call me Ev. Kelli got the idea for this story while she was writing A Deceptive Match, her straight romance that also takes place in the wrestling world. I was a secondary character in that book. I helped the hero (Vin) and the heroine (Danni) get together. Vin is my best friend, so I acted as a soundboard/matchmaker for him and Danni.

While Kelli was writing A Deceptive Match, she knew I needed my own book, but she wasn’t exactly sure what the storyline would be. Then one day on the way to work, the majority of the plot popped into her head, and she was off and writing. She says I’m one of those characters who tries to take over a book. (Laughs) And why not? I’m charming, and witty, and handsome. Who wouldn’t want to read about my life?

A big part of the novel centers around me dealing (or rather, not dealing) with my sexuality and my (un)willingness to be open about who I really am. My longtime partner, Josh, is tired of being kept in my “walk-in closet” and wants me to come out (at least to friends and family) but I’m concerned about losing my job. (Will fans accept a gay wrestler?) Part of me wanted to keep everything just as it was because that’s safe. But another part of me longed to stop pretending and hiding the truth.

Do you sometimes want to strangle Kelli? What sort of upsetting things did Kelli do to you in the book?

At times, yes! The book starts off great, but within the first two scenes, all hell breaks loose. Josh tells me he’s tired of being my little secret, and wants me to come out. That caught me off guard and it was something I was not at all comfortable with. (Kelli loves jumping right into conflict!) So, Josh gave me an ultimatum. (Sighs) Things didn’t go well for us, and I was devastated. Only one person knew about Josh, so I turned to my best friend, Vin, for help and advice.

Over the course of the book I had to come to terms with accepting myself for who I am, what I am, and how I’m perceived by the wrestling fans, my coworkers, and everyone else. Being an openly gay wrestler was something I didn’t sign up for, and Kelli threw me into a lion’s den! I did eventually come out—not once, but twice!—on live TV. That changed everything and took the story in a whole new direction.

Looking back, I realize it was for the best and Kelli knew exactly what she was doing, but at the time, I was physically hurt, emotionally wrecked, confused, and pretty pissed. Vin and Danni helped me through all the turmoil, and Josh stood by me when I needed him most.

What is it about Josh that makes you crazy in a good way?

He likes to drive me nuts on purpose. He enjoys teasing me and pushing my buttons and my boundaries. But it’s always in a positive way, for my own good. He’ll deliberately force me to come out of my shell and open up to new people and new experiences. And I love him dearly for it.

Was there an instant attraction between you?

Yes and no. I met Josh at the gym—but it wasn’t a gym hookup. I noticed him out of the corner of my eye and thought he was cute, but I was so deep in the closet I didn’t dare approach him. Josh asked me for training advice and we got to know each other in a casual way. Then one night he asked me if I wanted to grab a bite to eat, and the rest is… in the book! (Laughs)

Kelli did an excellent job of working my first meeting (and first kiss) with Josh into the book. They are some of the most sensual, tender scenes she’s ever written. I was incredibly nervous and unsure of myself, and Josh was there to put me at ease.

Tell us a little bit about your world. What are your greatest challenges?

I’m on the road wrestling about 300 days a year, so one of my greatest challenges is maintaining my relationship with Josh. We don’t see each other all the time, but we’re constantly talking on the phone and sharing photos. When Josh has time off from work he comes on the road with me and we hang out before my matches. It’s not easy (okay, it’s almost impossible) to have a “normal” home life, but we do the best we can—and we make the most of the time we have together.

Describe yourself in four words.

Sensitive, strong, sexy, wiseass.

Do readers need to be wresting fans to enjoy A Secret Match?

Nope! Wrestling is the setting or backdrop to the main romance. Kelli wrote the story in a way to help non-wrestling fans understand the moves, terminology, and action. So they won’t be confused or lost.

Kelli says the only difference between A Secret Match and other contemporary gay romances is that the story is about wrestlers instead of more “traditional” characters, like police officers, Navy SEALs, FBI agents etc. She could have written a similar gay romance about another sport (like hockey or basketball) but she chose wrestling because she’s been a life-long wrestling fan, and it’s what she knows and loves.

Okay, tell us the truth. Are the characters in the book based on real wrestlers?

Nope. Kelli gets asked this all the time, and I’m here to say emphatically none of the characters in the book are based 100% on any one wrestler. Kelli drew upon her years of wrestling knowledge and took bits and pieces of different wrestlers to create the people in the story. I’m drawn from at least five different guys. Even Nick August isn’t completely based on a famous “billionaire” wrestling promoter and owner. He’s close, but even he’s not 100%.

What do you and Kelli think of wrestling’s popularity these days?

We’re loving it! The wrestling world is getting lots of exposure and is certainly part of popular culture. There has been a recent wave of wrestler biographies, crossover shows featuring wrestlers, and wrestlers guest-starring on reality shows. Maybe we started a trend, because now people want to see behind-the-scenes shows of what goes on in the ring, out of the ring, and what happens backstage that fans never know. It’s an interesting business, for sure.

Anything else you want to add?

Thanks for letting me share my thoughts with everyone. I’m grateful to Kelli for sharing my story with the world. And I’m pleased to help her promote it during Pride month. A Secret Match isn’t just a “wrestling story” or a typical romance loaded with sex scenes, it’s a sensitive, coming out story that resonates with all types of romance readers; straight, gay, or whatever.

A Secret Match is a fantastic story, and it’s Kelli’s favorite gay romance. Anyone who likes a good love story/romance should read the book. And you don’t have to be a wrestling fan to enjoy the book. But you might become one after you read it! (Laughs)

If gay romances aren’t your thing, I urge you to check out the book that introduced me to readers, A Deceptive Match. It’s a hot romance and a fun behind-the-scenes look into the world of professional wrestling.

Kelli has written romances in all genres—historical, paranormal, contemporary, gay, and straight—but they all have two things in common—they’re all unique stories, and they’re anything but boring! I hope you’ll check them out. I plan on reading her other two gay romances, Four Days with Jack and Killer in Wolf’s Clothing.

I invite readers to catch up on all of Kelli’s romances and visit her on social media. If you missed a blog, you can catch up here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/blog

A SECRET MATCH

Everett Kinkade is a world-famous professional wrestler and the sexy heartthrob of millions of adoring female fans. But Ev has a secret he doesn’t dare share with anyone. He’s gay.

After years of being Ev’s secret lover, Josh is tired of hiding in the shadows and wants Ev to openly acknowledge their relationship. Coming out is the last thing Ev wants and fears it will ruin his career.

One night in a moment of truth, Everett outs himself on live TV. There’s no going back, and his announcement sparks a firestorm of problems—both personally and professionally. He’s forced to come to grips with who he really is while facing down a manipulative boss and a tag-team out to destroy him.

Torn between living a lie and losing the man he loves, Ev has risked everything… can he find a balance between his career and his heart?

Order A Secret Match here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FERW65A

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/md6rZb

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-secret-match

Don’t miss the book that introduced Ev to fans… A Deceptive Match:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F18X3XQ

All other platforms: https://www.books2read.com/u/3RB96j

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-deceptive-match

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 20 romance novels, 7 non-fiction books, and 3 horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror stories.

She released Journaling Every Week: 52 Topics to Get You Writing in early 2021. This fun and innovative guide to journaling is filled with hundreds of thought-provoking prompts designed to get you writing about your feelings and emotions.

In 2020 Kelli published Love, Lies & Redemption, a western romance set in 1877 Nebraska. This novel blends a sensual love story with mystery and danger.

Kelli posts on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins 

and Twitter: www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor.

Visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and to find all her social media links.

Behind the Scenes: A Most Intriguing Temptation

 

This “Behind the Scenes” blog is part of a series examining my romance novels. In each blog, I’ll talk about why I wrote the book, share my thoughts on the plot and/or characters, and reveal what I loved most (or least) about writing the book. Warning: Blogs may contain spoilers.

A Most Intriguing Temptation is the sequel to A Most Unusual Princess and is Book Two of the Royal Desires series. I never intended on writing a series, but readers loved the characters from A Most Unusual Princess so much (and so did I) that I wanted to continue the adventures of Dalton and Elara. A Most Intriguing Temptation is a more serious story than A Most Unusual Princess and focuses on the themes of trust, loyalty, identity, and honesty.

The book introduces Elara’s equally headstrong and spoiled brother, Prince Allan. He is an irresponsible womanizer who drinks too much and lives for having fun. To him, business is boring, and he doesn’t take his royal duties seriously. His father (King Maxwell) sends him to meet with Emperor Salizar on business. To ensure the negotiations go smoothly, Maxwell insists Dalton accompany Allan.

When Elara hears that Dalton is going to the emperor’s notorious pleasure palace, she devises a plan to test his fidelity. This sets the stage for the main drama of the book.

Elara sneaks into the palace and impersonates a kharim woman. She calls herself Oonish and begins her deception. She constantly tempts and teases Dalton (in the bath, in the bedroom, and even at dinner). To Dalton, Oonish is nothing but an annoying, dimwitted distraction. Although he admits she’s lovely and appealing, he pushes her away and insists he’ll remain loyal to the wife he loves.

Prince Allan learns about Elara’s plan and warns her that she is playing with fire. Trying to seduce Dalton isn’t fair, and the whole scheme could backfire on her. Spoiler Alert: Allan is right of course, and Dalton does “cheat” with Oonish—but there’s one catch—he already knew Oonish was Elara.

Elara is devastated that Dalton cheated on her—until Dalton confesses he knew it was her all along. That’s when the trouble really starts for the couple. Dalton is furious that Elara snuck into the palace. It’s not safe for any woman, and Emperor Salizar is a madman who despises King Maxwell and Elara. If she is caught in the palace, she will be in real danger. In addition, Dalton feels betrayed because Elara deliberately set him up and doesn’t trust him.

It’s a dark moment for this loving couple, and these events truly test their relationship. Elara is heartbroken and ashamed of herself. She let her jealousy get the better of her and has gotten in way over her head.

It’s also a turning point in the story, because Emperor Salizar has discovered Oonish’s true identity. Elara’s prank has put everyone’s life in danger.

When I was writing the book, I loved creating the scenes where Oonish/Elara drives Dalton crazy with her suggestive flirting and arousing touches—and Dalton goes out of his way to resist her. (He even tells Allan to take Oonish for himself.) The push/pull between the two characters was fun to write.

I also enjoyed the scenes between Allan and Elara/Oonish. These spoiled siblings are a lot alike: they share the same sense of entitlement, are used to getting away with their wild and irresponsible actions, and have an off-color, odd sense of humor.

The hardest scene to write was after Dalton “cheats” with Oonish and confronts Elara. All of a sudden, this isn’t a game anymore. Elara finally understands that she has done something despicable by tricking the man she loves.

Dalton wonders if he can ever trust Elara again. Elara is worried Dalton will leave her and dissolve their marriage. It breaks her spirit, and she realizes (a little too late) how awful she has been. This was a difficult scene to write, knowing how it would wound Elara, but she had to be taught a lesson and face the consequences for her actions.

Overall, I love A Most Intriguing Temptation. It’s got everything a great book needs: drama, adventure, humor, romance, and a hint of danger. It runs the gamut of emotions: parts of it are funny, parts are super erotic, and other parts are tender and sad. It’s a great story and readers loved it. (Although the book is part of the Royal Desires series, it stands alone as an individual read.)

As I was writing, Prince Allan turned into one of those characters who try to take over the story. I fell in love with Allan so much that halfway through writing this book I knew he needed his own book. Readers and fans also wanted to know more about Allan and thought he should have his own book, too.

Allan is the male counterpart of Elara, so I started wondering: what consequences would Allan face for his role in the events? What would happen to him when he got home? I explore this in the third and final book in the series, A Most Unfortunate Prince. (I’ll share more about that book in another blog.)

Here is the book summary and links:

A Most Intriguing Temptation

After only four months of marriage to Princess Elara, Prince Dalton is sent to Emperor Salizar’s pleasure palace on business. Not wanting to be left behind, Elara risks her personal safety and sneaks along on the trip.

Aided by her mischievous brother, Prince Allan, she disguises herself as one of Salizar’s sultry kharim women and decides to test Dalton’s loyalty. Masquerading as Oonish, Elara goes out of her way to tempt Dalton at every turn. Despite Dalton’s resolve to resist the indulgent girls, he finds himself falling under the spell of the mysterious Oonish.

After nearly giving in to temptation, Dalton discovers Elara’s trickery and turns the tables on her, making her into his submissive playmate. Their fun and games are quickly shattered when Emperor Salizar learns about Elara’s deception. He holds the royals prisoner and condemns Elara to a fate worse than death.

Can Dalton save Elara before it’s too late, or will her prank bring about the end of their love?

The Royal Desires Series is available on Amazon & other platforms. Catch this hot historical/fantasy trilogy from the start:

Book 1: A Most Unusual Princess:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CBX43D8 

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/me00L9 

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-most-unusual-princess 

Book 2: A Most Intriguing Temptation:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D8P8604

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/47kkvj

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-most-intriguing-temptation

Book 3: A Most Unfortunate Prince:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Most-Unfortunate-Prince-Historical-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B01DMBYJ6E

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/3yPPM6

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-most-unfortunate-prince

I hope you enjoyed this “Behind the Scenes” look at the making of this romance. I welcome questions and comments from readers and other authors. Contact me via the form on my site or on social media.

Happy Reading,

Kelli A. Wilkins

Why are vampires sexy? Find out here!

 

Welcome to February! 

It’s Women-in-Horror month, and recently I was interviewed for an article on “what makes vampires sexy?” It’s a good Valentine’s Day/horror crossover, don’t you think?

Here’s the link to the article:

https://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/2021/02/09/valentines-day-cuddle-up-vampire/4236489001/

What are your opinions of sexy vampires? Of paranormal romances? Who is your all-time favorite vampire? Write to me on social media and share your thoughts.

If you love horror, be sure to visit my Facebook Horror page: https://www.facebook.com/HorrorFictionbyKelliAWilkins

And don’t forget to check out the horror section of my site: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/horror to read about my horror ebooks, sci-fi stories, and more!

If you’re looking for some hot romances to get you ready for Valentine’s Day, you’ll find just what you need in the romance section of my site: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/romance

Until next time,

Kelli

FAQ with Author Kelli A. Wilkins (Part 1)

 

Hi everyone!

Today I'm answering a few fun FAQ and sharing a look at my historical/western romance, Love, Lies & Redemption.

When did you realize you wanted to write novels?

I’ve always known I was a writer, and I began writing short stories in high school and college. After college, I took a writing class for fun and I learned a lot about the art of creating interesting characters and telling a great story. After being encouraged to submit my work, I decided to pursue writing seriously. Currently, I divide my time between writing novels, novellas, and short stories.

Where do you write?

I write anywhere I can. When the weather is nice, I like to write outside in my back yard. In the winter, I generally write in a comfy chair in the living room.

Is silence golden, or do you need music to write by? What kind?

When I’m writing and proofreading I play quiet New Age or instrumental music in the background. (I find silence is too oppressive.) When I’m typing up a manuscript and/or making edits, I listen to all kinds of music: rock, pop, or whatever I’m in the mood for. My musical tastes are very diverse.

How much of your plots and characters are drawn from real life? From your life in particular?

Bits and pieces of my characters come from people I know or people I observe. However, no one character is 100% anyone from real life. I was asked about this a lot when I wrote my wrestling romance, A Deceptive Match. Everyone wanted to know which wrestler the hero, Vinnie, was based on. He’s a composite of a lot of different wrestlers (and other people) all rolled into one.

As far as plots go, 99% of them are just things I make up. I have a vivid imagination and my day-to-day life is not as exciting as the worlds I create for my characters.

Describe your process for naming your characters.

Sometimes this is a hard process for me. When characters “introduce” themselves to me (aka “show up” in my head), I usually learn about them and their problem/situation before I’ll get a name. Usually, I’ll get a first initial or a first name only, and then have to discover more about the character before I get his or her whole name and backstory.

Love, Lies & Redemption is one example. Before I wrote a word, I had the whole opening sequence in my head. I knew Sam and Cassie’s first names, and a bit about their backgrounds, but that was it. Sometimes my characters are a mystery to me until I get to know them better—even though I’m the one creating them!

Real settings or fictional towns?

I set my stories in fictional towns that are loosely based on real places. When I’m writing, I change up the details to make them my own. I can add buildings or rearrange the layout of a town to suit the story. The town of Holloway in Love, Lies & Redemption was my invention, but it was typical of a small prairie town of that time period.

 

Want more? Read the rest of this post here: 

https://www.kelliwilkins.com/post/fun-faq-with-author-kelli-a-wilkins-part-1

Kelli’s Quill Newsletter - Happy Halloween 2020

Hi everyone,

As you all know by now, Halloween is my favorite holiday, and this year there’s a Full Moon on the 31st. Not only that, but it’s a “blue” moon! Very rare! I hope everyone gets to celebrate the holiday in one way or another.

In this issue of the Quill, I’m sharing news about a new Halloween-themed anthology, highlighting my horror novellas, sci-fi anthology, paranormal romances, and more…

New Release!

Halloween Horror Vol. 2

My short story, “The Uninvited” appears in this collection of spooky Halloween tales. I don’t want to give away too much of the plot, so let’s just say it’s about a children’s Halloween party that goes horribly wrong…

Here’s the official book blurb and buy link:

Halloween Horror Vol. 2

The season's best and darkest tales of Halloween.

Stories of adventure, mishap, magic, and macabre happenings on All Hallows' Eve.

The night when spirits walk among the living and dead things crawl from their dark hiding places to unleash Halloween Horror.

Available as an ebook or paperback:

https://www.amazon.com/Halloween-Horror-2-DBND-Publishing-ebook/dp/B08K4QPV2B/

And if you want to really get creeped out, check out my other horror ebooks:

Dead Til Dawn is a Civil War themed ghost story,

Kropsy’s Curse takes place in a cemetery on Halloween,

and Nightmare in the North is a cautionary tale about travelling alone…

Read summaries, reviews, and get links here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/horror

Here’s a pre-Halloween treat! Read my flash fiction story “Unpleasant Dreams” for free here:

https://www.fabledcollective.com/journal/unpleasant-dreams

 

Stay tuned… more horrors await! Another of my horror stories will be included in Madame Gray’s Creep Show anthology.

Want more?? Read the rest of Kelli’s October newsletter here:

https://www.kelliwilkins.com/post/kelli-s-quill-newsletter-happy-halloween-2020

Enjoy the holiday!

Kelli

Kelli’s Quill Newsletter - Summer 2020 Issue!

Hi everyone,

I hope you’re all enjoying the summer weather and getting outside as much as possible. If you’re looking for some great reads to pass the time, why not visit my website and add a few of my books to your device? Whether you like romance, horror, or sci-fi, I’ve got something for everyone!

In this issue of the Quill, I’m sharing links to guest blogs, spotlighting my hot summer romances and more…

Special News!

I had a July book sale over the long holiday weekend, and I’m having another sale soon. My historical romances will be on sale for the first two weeks in August. Stay tuned to my blog and social media accounts for info and ordering instructions.

Here’s Something New…

This spring, I created a new Facebook page for my Horror Fiction! Visit it here and share it with your social media friends: https://www.facebook.com/HorrorFictionbyKelliAWilkins/

I’m posting excerpts from my horror and sci fi stories, reviews, and anything else that comes to mind…

Recent Release Recap

Earlier this year, Kelli released her historical/western romance, Love, Lies & Redemption. Set in 1877 Nebraska, this novel blends a sensual love story with mystery and danger.

Love, Lies and Redemption

Shot and left for dead, Sam Hixton stumbles into a general store on the Nebraska prairie and collapses into the arms of Cassie Wilcox.

Cassie’s world is turned upside down when the handsome stranger drops into her life. Sam is another complication she doesn’t need: her business is dying and her trouble with the townspeople is escalating. Yet she’s determined to keep the store open — no matter what the cost.

As Sam recovers from his injuries, he hides the truth about his identity and convinces Cassie to let him work in the store. He’s attracted to her and admires her independent nature, but quickly realizes Cassie’s in way over her head. They fight their growing attraction, and Cassie questions whether she can trust her fragile heart to a mysterious stranger. Will he accept her once he knows about her troubled past?

Cassie resists Sam’s advances and represses her feelings until one fateful night when they give in to their fiery passion. Together, they work out a plan to save the store, but find their efforts are thwarted — and their lives endangered — by the locals.

Sam’s secret returns to haunt him and pulls him away just when Cassie needs him the most. Will he regain her trust when she learns the truth?

Cassie has everything invested in the store — can she save it and find true love with Sam before it’s too late?

Order Love, Lies and Redemption here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0849LN73Z

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/mdzL6W

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/love-lies-and-redemption

Still Celebrating Pride Month? Don’t miss these sizzling gay romances…

A Secret Match

Killer in Wolf’s Clothing

Four Days with Jack

Read all about them on Kelli’s Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/kelliwilkins or site: www.KelliWilkins.com


Kelli’s Guest Blogs

Kelli’s been guest blogging about animal rescue, her books, and even sharing some recipes! Catch up on these posts…

June was Adopt a Cat month! Author and cat lover Kelli A. Wilkins shows you how you can help save a life by adopting from an animal shelter. https://www.kelliwilkins.com/post/save-a-life-adopt-a-shelter-cat

Need a fast summer dessert? Kelli shows you how to make a Quick Custard Cake in this Friday Food Blog: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/post/quick-custard-cake

Like Pistachio? Kelli shares a yummy cake recipe in this Friday Food Blog: https://theafterworkcook.blogspot.com/2020/02/easy-pistachio-cake-submitted-by-kelli.html

Author Kelli A. Wilkins kicks off Pride month with her two-part blog series: “Writing Gay Romances: 4 FAQ”:

Part 1:  https://www.kelliwilkins.com/post/celebrating-pride-month-writing-gay-romances-4-faq-part-1

Part 2:  https://www.kelliwilkins.com/post/celebrating-pride-month-writing-gay-romances-4-faq-part-2

Looking for a hot summer romance? Kelli A. Wilkins shares 3 of her sizzling love stories in this post: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/post/3-sizzling-summer-romances-to-celebrate-the-season

Have you ever wondered how publishing has changed over the years? Find out in this guest blog: https://alternative-read.com/2020/05/21/how-has-publishing-changed-over-the-years-its-a-different-animal-guestpost-by-kwilkinsauthor/ 

Read an interview with Sam Hixton, the hero from Kelli’s historical romance, Love, Lies & Redemption: http://nesiesplace.com/2020/04/26/characterinterview-love-lies-and-redemption/

Want to learn how to create interesting secondary characters in your next story? Kelli shares her insights here: https://marysbooksblogger.blogspot.com/2020/03/how-to-build-cast-of-supporting.html

Read Kelli’s blog series about the making of her latest historical romance, Love, Lies & Redemption:

Part 1: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/post/the-making-of-love-lies-and-redemption-part-1

Part 2: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/post/the-making-of-love-lies-and-redemption-part-2

Summer Romance Rewind
If you’re looking for a few hot summer romances, don’t miss:

Confessions of a Vampire’s Lover

Trust with Hearts

A Deceptive Match

Read more about these books on Kelli’s Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/kelliwilkins or new site: www.KelliWilkins.com

I hope you enjoyed this issue of the Quill. Coming this fall… news about new horror releases, more guest blogs, and book excerpts. 

I enjoy hearing from readers and other authors, so feel free to contact me with questions about my books, writing, or share your favorite summer reads.

Enjoy the season!

Happy Reading,

Kelli