Please welcome fellow Total-E-Bound author C.A. Szarek who has kindly submitted to an author interview and is sharing a steamy excerpt from her best-selling novel Collision Force Book One in the Crossing Forces series...
What was your favourite book as a child/teenager?
I’ve always been an avid reader, so I can’t quite pick just one. I read a lot of fantasy when I was a kid, and I still enjoy it immensely. So, I can pick a favorite author from that time. Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern series. I *still* love it to this day and am so glad her son is carrying it on.
Who was the first author or what was the first book you read that introduced you to the genre that you most enjoy writing in?
Well, Anne McCaffrey. Fantasy is my first love, and comes easiest for me. But I love romantic suspense and anything police as well. I think I will write any story that occurs to me.
Do you believe in love at first sight? And if so have you ever been so afflicted? Did you do anything about it? (Did you go for it?)
I’m afraid this is going to sound silly coming from a romance author, but no I don’t believe in love at first sight. Lust, definitely. And I think that *zinger* moment is necessary in life and books, but its lust, not love. Sure fun to read about, though.
Maybe I would feel differently if it’d happened to me.
Is there a particular word you overuse or writing technique that your editor(s) ride you about?
*laughs* Independent body movements (i.e. “his arms shot around her…) And Dangling Modifiers *facepalm* definitely hard to break from.
Have you ever suffered from writer’s block? (Or do you even believe in it?) If so, how were you able to overcome it?
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Yes, I struggle with this sometimes, I am sure every writer does. When you stare at the cursor and it just blinks at you and the words will not come. I hate that. But I usually go over a previous scene and I can usually get back into the flow of things. But I have been stumped for weeks at a time and nothing is more frustrating that that.
If you could bring one of your own characters to life, who would it be and why?
Oh, this one is fun! Ummm, Cole Lucas, the FBI hero of Collision Force, hands down. Ummm….cuz he’s HOT. Read it, and you will feel the same way. Promise.
What are you reading right now?
“Vampires Gone Wild” an anthology with stories by Kerrelyn Sparks, Pamela Palmer, Amanda Arista and Kim Falconer. I am loving it.
When you read, do you prefer a stand-alone or a series?
I will read anything that looks good, but I love series. LOVE to see characters I love in more than one story, even if they’re not front-and-center in more than one book.
If you were to do a reality show, which one would it be?
Oh, I love to watch it but I would never want to be on it. Unless they made a writer one. Hehehe, would be boring, watching a buncha writers sitting around typing. But, I would so watch it. Or be on it. They could give book contracts as prizes! I am loving this idea. J
What is the craziest, most exciting, or most dangerous thing you’ve ever done?
I am a boring writer nerd/computer geek. Two feet on the ground for the most part, so I don’t really have an answer for this one.
Name a celebrity, athlete, musician, etc. you’d most like to get naughty with.
Chris O’Donnell. He’s had my heart since I was like 13.
What is your favourite way to promote or connect with fans?
I love facebook chats and groups for fan interaction. It’s fun to hear feeback from real readers for answer questions. It blows me away that people love my characters as much as I do.
Favourite movie?
I am addicted to movies and TV so I can’t really pick one. If it looks good, I will watch it.
Dream Vacation?
Scotland AND Japan. Someday!
Dream Car?
Dodge Challenger and/or 1965 Ford Mustang convertible.
Favourite Ice Cream Flavour?
Chocolate
What can readers look forward to next?
Book 2 of my fantasy romance series, Love’s Call (to release late 2013 or early 2014 from Gypsy Shadow Publishing) and book 2 of Crossing Forces, Chance Collision. Also I am working on a few other things, wolf shifters!
Please tell us about your newest release.
Collision Force is about a cocky FBI agent, Cole who is forced to work with a female police detective, Andi MacLaren in small town Texas when he follows a human trafficker that got away from him in New York. They don’t like each other much, so the sexual tension is high, and they were fun to write.
Author: C.A. Szarek
Title: Collision Force
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Total-E-Bound
Release Date: 7/1/13
Author Blog: www.caszarekwriter.blogspot.com
Blurb:
Bad boy FBI agent and feisty widowed police detective collide pursuing a human trafficker in small town Texas on their way to true love.
Bad boy, married to his job FBI agent Cole Lucas always gets his man. So when the unthinkable happens and one gets away, Cole grits his teeth and hunts human trafficker Carlo Maldonado all the way to Antioch, Texas, where he collides with Detective Andi MacLaren.
Cole doesn’t do small towns and doesn’t get involved with women he works with, but Andi tempts him in ways he doesn’t want to acknowledge.
Two murders, her partner shot and leading the investigation on her own, the last thing Andi needs is a cocky FBI agent who sees her as no more than a tagalong.
Widow and single mother Andi is used to being on her own. When Cole gets stuck without a place to stay, crashing on her couch puts them in dangerous territory.
Attraction and passion bring Andi to a place she’d left behind when her husband died. Her three-year-old son quickly wiggles his way into Cole’s heart, and he starts contemplating things—family, love—that he’d never planned for himself.
Can being forced to work together make them stronger or will their differences jeopardise their case and their hearts?
Reader Advisory: This book contains references to human trafficking and scenes of kidnap.
Excerpt:
“Goodnight, Cole.” Obviously, she didn’t want to talk to him about anything, let alone his overdue apology.
“So, that’s it? You’re not going to accept my apology?”
“Not tonight. I’m tired, and we have a long day tomorrow.” She turned to go.
“Andi, wait.” Why was he calling her back? He could respect that she was still upset with him—she had every right to be. He’d gone a bit overboard with some of the things he’d said.
Keeping Cass’ phone call from her had been unnecessary from the start. He hadn’t needed to carry it on in the car after they’d left the warehouse. It’d only served to get her so pissed off at him she’d barely uttered a word all day. So much for getting somewhere on the case.
Andi glanced over her shoulder and Cole grabbed her wrist. He yanked her into his arms and covered her mouth with his.
He hadn’t intended to kiss her but as her soft, warm lips caressed his, Cole couldn’t have changed his mind even if he’d wanted to. Her curves hit his chest with enough impact that should have jarred him back into his head, but he was lost and overheated immediately. He wrapped her in a tight embrace and kissed her harder.
She fought him, but his mouth was demanding over hers, and Andi opened for him, melting against him, surrendering to him. She slipped her arms around his neck and Cole bit back a groan. Her taste, sweeter than he’d imagined, was like ripe berries. He needed more.
Andi whimpered against his mouth, her tongue dancing with his. His cock stood at attention, straining against his zipper. He moaned as her body melded to his, breasts to chest, hips to hips. Cole had to have her.
As he walked them back towards the couch, she pushed hard against his chest, breaking the kiss and shoving him away from her. They both panted hard.
“Don’t…don’t ever do that…again,” she stammered, the gorgeous swell of her breasts lifting and pulling her shirt taut as her chest heaved. He could see peaked nipples. His erection throbbed and he struggled for coherent thought.
Cole dragged his gaze to her face. Blue eyes wide, cheeks rosy, freckles noticeable, her lips swollen from his. Though she’d been appealing before, how she stood before him now blew that out of the water. She was gorgeous.
He needed to say something. Anything. Apologise? He wasn’t sorry in the least. Speechless just about covered it.
She trembled and rubbed her arm. It took all he was made of not to pull her back to him and kiss her again.
There was no chance to answer. Andi turned on her heel and fled down the hall, slipping into the room farthest away from the living room. She didn’t even pause to look at him as she slammed the door.
He winced. What the hell should he make of what had happened? He stared down the hallway for a moment, his heart pounding. Never in his life, not even when he was a teenager, had one kiss stirred him to the point that Andi’s had. Then she’d run from him. His body shook with unfulfilled need.
Cole couldn’t blame her, really. No way should he have given in to the urge to kiss her. But he had the sinking suspicion he would have to do it again—and more. He wouldn’t be able not to. And hell, she’d kissed him back.
The voice of reason chided that he didn’t get involved with women he worked with, but his cock certainly disagreed. He ignored them both and dragged his hand over his face. The morning would bring complications.
Cole sighed and glanced at the couch. It looked comfortable, but would he be able to sleep?
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Author Bio:
C.A. Szarek is an author of fantasy, paranormal, romantic suspense and the occasional YA. Sword’s Call (King’s Riders Book One) AVAILABLE NOW from Gypsy Shadow Publishing! Collision Force (Crossing Forces Book One) AVAILABLE NOW from Total-E-Bound Publishing!
C.A. is originally from Ohio, but got to Texas as soon as she could. She is married and has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. She works with kids when she’s not writing.
She’s always wanted to be a writer and is overjoyed to share her stories with the world.
Thanks for stopping C.A.
Bestselling, award winning author of romantic suspense and epic fantasy romance, C.A. loves to dabble in different genres. If it's a good story, she'll write it, no matter where it seems to fit!
