Interview with Nikki Lynn Barrett

Tell us about your favorite character from your books.

First, I want to say thank you so much for having me here today! I had a blast answering your questions!

Amber: Awww, thanks. I'm glad you agreed to stop by. 

 Right now, I would have to say Ben from The Secret Santa Wishing Well. He's the six year old son of the heroine, Cheyenne, and he has been known to inspire and make people cry.  Ben has no father figure in his life, and he knows his mom works too hard, so he's always trying to do what he can. Ben is the reason Cheyenne and Jacob meet, and it's been stated that men aren't the only ones that are heroes in romance stories.   Ben really made the book...and it was the easiest story I ever wrote.

Where do you dream of traveling to and why? 

Everywhere! I want to photograph the beauty of the world!  But the place I really want to visit is Germany. I am from German descent and my great grandmother still lives in Berlin today. I lived there for maybe a year, but I was 3 or 4 and don't remember much.

Tell us about your current release. 

Baby Stetson is book one in the Love and Music in Texas series.  It's a story about Avery and Lucas. Avery is adopted and though she's lived with wonderful parents, she still wishes for a clue about her past. She was left in a Stetson hat in the fictional town of Harmony's Echo Texas.  Then Lucas comes into town and he's secretive, reclusive and mysterious, but he can't stop thinking about Avery.  This story was so fun to write. It's emotional, funny, and mysterious. Avery and Lucas are characters I can't stop thinking about! I want to write more of them, so I hope my readers love them!

What does your family think of your writing career?

They're supportive! My dad snatched my proof copy of The Secret Santa Wishing Well when it came in and wouldn't give it back until he finished it. My mom has a copy, though she's a little slower at reading, but she tells people about it and even gave a copy to someone.  I got my love of reading and writing from my parents, who were always giving me books and when I asked for pens and notebooks, gave them to me. I was easy to please in that sense :)

Does your significant other read your stuff?

Yes! My husband reads through my drafts, he edits, he formats the books  for me....He is fully supportive of my career and I'm so thankful  for that. Currently, he says Baby Stetson is his favorite story I've written. :)

What hobbies do you actively pursue?

 Other than writing? I run a blog, Storm Goddess Book Reviews & More. I love reading, of course. There's also photography. No one is safe when a camera is in my hand...I'm Queen of Candids. My favorite thing to photograph is the weather. I love storms! And yes, even though I live in Arizona..we do get storms. Here's proof- www.weatherchronicles.comwww.weatherchronicles.com  .  That's my storm photography site.  I love music, love to sing.  My latest venture is making jewelry. It's something my mom and I bond over and we're having a blast.

Tell us about your next release.

Echoes of the Past is my next release. It's very different from The Secret Santa Wishing Well and Baby Stetson. It's going to have that same emotional feel, but Echoes is darker, more angsty. It's a paranormal suspense. The H/h have a past, and they are brought together when Gabriel, the hero, comes across Calisa's  card (She's a PI), and hires her to help him find his missing daughter.   Let's just say I'm surprised at how some of the stuff is coming out in this book, but the story is good!

Morning Person? Or Night Person?

Total night owl! If I didn't have a four year old, I would probably stay up all night and write. :)

Do you listen to music while writing? If so what?

I sure do! I put Pandora on and shuffle my stations. I write with headphones so that I can drown myself in the music and write.  It helps so I can ignore the world around me. I write when my 4 year old is in preschool, but I still don't have the house to myself :(

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

To those of you that have read my books and left reviews and/or let me know you love them, that's so appreciated. That makes an author feel good!  To those that are new to me and my stories, I hope you'll give them a chance. 

Thank you so much for having me here today! I really appreciate it!

Amber: Anytime...I've enjoyed your visit! :o)

Baby Stetson Blurb:

Baby Stetson

Love and Music in Texas, Book One

In small Texas towns, strangers come and go...

Left in a Stetson hat, on the steps of the local bed and breakfast, Avery Callimer came into the world on a wing and a prayer. Raised by loving adoptive parents, she's never lacked for love...only the knowledge of her past.

By day she works the Inn, but by night...Avery comes alive as lead singer in a band. Life was good...stable, until new guests blew into town. 

Some strangers come with secrets and lies.

Lucas Bennett is one such stranger. Drifting from one mess to another has left him jaded. Doesn't matter the dramas are never his doing. Giving it one last shot to make a fresh start lands him Harmony's Echo, Texas and smack dab in front of the tantalizing Avery.

Despite his best efforts to ignore the burn Avery's ignited within, he's intent to keep his distance. Secrets have followed him. Secrets he doesn't want Avery to know.

Each time they're near the other things heat up like a brushfire on a dry Texas prairie.

But maybe, after the dust settles and the smoke clears, love can bloom with a fresh start.

Excerpt:

“Wow. This is a nice kitchen,” Lucas said, closing the door behind him.

            Avery faced him. “You like to cook?”

            “Oh yeah. I learned at a young age that I had to take care of myself, so I taught myself to cook. Now it’s something I enjoy.”

            “Are you good at it?”

            “I’m good at a lot of things, Avery.” Lucas closed the gap between them.

            Too close, too close!

            She couldn’t back up anymore, though. Behind her was the counter. Her back was already pressed up against it. Lucas looked at her like he wanted to devour her.

            “Lucas...”

            “I know I need to stay away from you, Avery. All I want is one kiss. I’ve got to taste you. Tell me no, right now, and I’ll back away.”

            Lucas pressed his body to hers. He slid his arms around her waist, pulling her to him. His face, only inches from hers, lowered. “Tell me now, Avery. Because if you don’t, I’m going to kiss you.”

            Don’t! No! Yes! Do it! No!

            She couldn’t get the words out. All she could think about were Lucas’s lips, mere inches from hers, sexy, tempting, inviting. Avery opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out.

            “I’m not supposed to be so attracted to you, Avery,” Lucas whispered, then his lips crashed down on hers. He cupped her face, pulling her into his kiss. She didn’t even have time to decipher what that comment

meant. Avery tilted her head upward, responding to his kiss. She wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders as her fingers dug into them. Holy hell, this man could kiss. The deep urgency of his kisses

drove her mad.

            “Lucas,” she muttered against his lips. His touch was lethal. It wasn’t supposed to feel this good. Or amazing. Or sensational. Avery wasn’t supposed to react to him this way. She didn’t even know this

man! Oh, but she knew his gaze, so intent on her, and she was fixated on him.

            “Yes, Avery?”

            He trailed kisses along her neck now. Desire burned within, igniting quickly. His lips were back on hers now. He darted his tongue out, touching the corners of Avery’s lips, pushing his way in gently.

            Avery opened for him, needing another taste. Lucas’s erection pressed into her, only making her want

him more. She lost all senses, other than to kiss him. Lucas hoisted her up, still pressing her against the counter. Avery squealed and wrapped her legs around him. More fiery kisses came next. His

tongue was gentle, daring, inquiring.

            “Avery.” He moaned against her lips, nipping lightly. “I want to take you to-”

            They broke apart as the sound of loud voices neared. Lucas put her down quickly and backed away from her.

Add this book to your goodreads list!

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17341981-baby-stetson

BUY LINKS:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Stetson-Music-Texas-ebook/dp/B00BWIE1GI/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1363971733&sr=1-1&keywords=Baby+Stetson

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/baby-stetson-nikki-lynn-barrett/1114866006?ean=2940016243566

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Baby-Stetson/book-rP9VC1UvlEqgaOrJJXLatw/page1.html?s=91X-oMVbn0aPh2Tu_jejRw&r=1

Other books by Nikki Lynn Barrett

The Secret Santa Wishing Well

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16159845-the-secret-santa-wishing-well

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nikki Lynn Barrett lives in Arizona with her husband and son. She's an avid reader, a dreamer, and loves everything about books. She runs a book blog, an online used bookstore, and writes various genres of romance. Nikki can also be found outside with her camera when a storm is near, snapping photo after photo. Her dreams of becoming a writer started when she was young, when she started writing books in one subject notebooks by the fifth grade. The Secret Santa Wishing Well is her debut book. You can visit Nikki's site at: www.nikkilynnbarrett.blogspot.com for more information. She is working on her next book. Nikki would love to hear from readers. Email her at nikkilynnbarrett@yahoo.com

www.nikkilynnbarrett.blogspot.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6583655.Nikki_Lynn_Barrett

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