2/09/2016

Addison Fox has a SURPRISE!

Hi everyone!  I'm pleased to welcome Addison Fox to the blog today!  We both write for Harlequin Romantic Suspense, and we both wrote stories in the new Coltons of Texas series (Addison's book is #2 in the series, and mine is #3).  I got a sneak peek into the other books as they were being written, and I can tell you this is one suspenseful series that I think readers are really going to enjoy!  Please join me in welcoming Addison to the blog!



Meet Addison!
Addison Fox can’t remember a time when words weren’t a part of her life. In addition to being an avid reader, she loves writing novels about strong-willed and exciting heroes and heroines – individuals who are meant for each other and who deserve their happy ever after. After she makes them work for it, of course!

Colton's Surprise Heir
Harlequin Romantic Suspense
With an imprisoned serial killer for a father, rancher Ethan Colton never planned on continuing the tainted family name. But six months after a night of passion with a woman from his past, Ethan discovers he's about to be a dad. Beautiful, independent Lizzie Conner turns up at his Texas ranch expecting nothing but protection from the guarded cowboy. A stalker is fast on her trail, leaving creepy gifts and notes threatening her and the baby. Now all that matters to Ethan is keeping his unexpected family safe—and out of a killer's clutches.



Here's a snippet!
A small voice kept beating against his skull that bringing a child into the world was a bad idea, but it was increasingly outshouted by the image of a tiny infant, snuggled warm and safe in her arms. His child.

Their child.

The panic he’d have expected at the news swarmed through his bloodstream but never seemed to land anywhere. Never seemed to settle.

Ethan wanted to be angry—hell, he expected that reaction—but no matter how he turned the raw play of emotions threatening to swamp him, he couldn’t quite manage to hang on to a single one.

Except need.

A sort of bone-deep desperation that simply cut a man off at the knees.

A strange reality settled over them, charging the quiet air with sparks of electricity.

Chemistry.

They’d had it, even as children. His sister needn’t have bothered with her admonishments to be nice and friendly. He’d always had a soft spot for Lizzie Conner. And long after the visits to see Josie at her foster home had stopped, he’d had fond memories of the endless, carefree days they’d played hide-and-seek and tag and dodgeball.

He hadn’t had many carefree days in his life, and he cherished the memories.

“I’ll figure out the acceptance part later. Right now, let’s focus on what’s happening. You’re having a baby. My baby.”

The fierce possession that fired his blood was even more surprising than the visions of a tiny infant wrapped in her arms.

He was going to be a father.

And despite the piss-poor example he’d been given, he would do everything in his power to do right by his child.

Lizzie’s gaze lifted to meet his once more, and something he couldn’t quite define lit up those verdant green depths. It was too soft to be anger, yet too mild to be anything near acceptance. “This is my child, and there is nothing I won’t do to protect him. Or her.”

“Likewise.”

“Good.” She laid her hands over her belly, and he wondered if she even realized the gesture of protection for what it was. The tightness in his gut ever since he saw the bump beneath her sweatshirt loosened another few degrees, and he latched on to something a bit easier to handle.

“You really don’t know if it’s a boy or girl?”

“I wanted it to be a surprise.”

“But you’ve decorated?”

“A few things. Just some of the basics, really. The rest will come.”

The hands that had cradled her stomach settled in her lap, twisting over each other. That small show of nerves released another layer of tension, and he had to admit it had taken real courage for her to come to him this morning.

“I don’t want to rehash old territory, but you made it clear to me you didn’t want children. What’s changed your mind?”

Reality.
_______________

Lara: How often to you get lost in a story?
Addison: As often as possible!!! I’m an avid reader and always have several books going at once.


Lara: What’s your favorite “love” word?
Addison: Understanding.

As humans we desperately wish to be understood but we often struggle to give someone else the same degree of understanding. Loving others means working to see their point of view, what they need and why they behave as they do. I don’t mean this to simply excuse bad behavior - we’re all responsible for our actions - but understanding one another takes patience and an open mind.


Lara: Do you write while listening to music? If so what kind?
Addison: I typically don’t. I love music and I often get lost in the music if it’s got words. Since I hate listening to songs I don’t like, I am typically only playing music I DO like and then I’m back to getting lost in the song.

Very long answer to…no, I don’t! :) [Lara: same here!]


Lara: What do you do to unwind and relax?
Addison: I’m a big believer in the therapeutic benefits of a long walk.  Fortunately I adopted a beagle back in May who agrees with me. I also love spending time with family and friends, enjoying a good bottle of wine or a big favorite - reading!


Lara: What is your hero’s “kryptonite” – in other words, what will bring him instantly to his knees?
Addison: I loved writing Ethan Colton - he’s got incredible layers and has survived a tremendous amount in his not-quite 30 years. His history is dark and deep, with a serial killer for a father and then being the one to discover his murdered mother, his father’s last victim.

He’s not interested in happy ever after and he’s certainly not interested in being a father. But a childhood friend, Lizzie Conner, has a way of breaking down those defenses.

To that end, I’d say his kryptonite is sort of this duality between the two - what he believes he doesn’t want and what he sees in Lizzie which is his future. He’s mired in one and deeply drawn to the other. {Lara: Can't wait to read this one!  It's on my nightstand now!]

Lara: What drew you to write in the genre(s) you do?
Addison: I love writing romance. I’ve been a lifelong romance reader and I never questioned that I wanted to write in the genre as well. While I love the core story - two people falling in love in their own unique way and time - I also love the creativity. Romance readers are so diverse in the stories they will read - from romantic suspense to contemporary to paranormal to historical. It’s wonderful knowing readers will come on the ride with you - it’s incredibly freeing creatively and FUN!

Lara: What’s the first thing you do when you finish writing a book?
Addison: Since I’m usually finishing that book around 4 in the morning (not to give away trade secrets!!) it’s off to bed. But the next day I usually do something pampering-esque, whether it’s an extra long time with whatever I’m reading, a glass of wine or dinner out (or maybe all three!)
  
Lara: What does it mean to love someone?
Addison: I think the beauty in that question is that there’s no one answer or “right” answer. Love is so complex and takes so many different forms in our life that it’s different for every person and every relationship. That said, I do think there are a few things that are essential. First, love for another means you care deeply for their well-being, both physical and mental. You want the best for them. You want them to reach their goals. You want them to be the best version of themselves. And when they do those things, you’re their biggest cheerleader.

I think loving someone also means accepting them for who they are. They aren’t going to be your personal ideal - they are themselves. Loving that person means accepting that - and accepting them. One of the things I love most about writing romance is exploring that very idea. Putting two people on the page who have different goals and different plans - and then helping them find their common ground and their fall into love. [Lara: great answer! :)]

Lara’s GOTTA ASK:  Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing?
Addison’s GOTTA ANSWER: I don’t read reviews and I made that decision before my first book came out. I write the very best book I can and put my all into it. But once the book is out of my hands, it belongs to the reader. While I deeply respect the reader’s right to their opinion, I can’t let that influence my work. I have to tell myself the story first and make it the best I can, as close to the way I see it in my own mind.

Where can you find Addison?
Blogs: I participate in the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood blog

What's next?

THE ROYAL SPY’S REDEMPTION  - an April 2016 Harlequin Romantic Suspense release


GIVEAWAY ALERT!!!!!
Addison is offering two books as prizes.  US and international readers.

ADDISON WANTS TO KNOW....

Do you enjoy getting lost in all types of stories or are there certain genres that tug at you and keep you reading up late into the night?

Thanks again for stopping by, Addison! :)

9 comments:

  1. Hi Lara and Addison. I like a limited variety. I do like to stay with my favorite authors. Luckily, you are both on that list. You are both on my auto-buy list

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  2. I read across most genres, but Historical Fiction, particularly, can cause me to get lost in a story.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  3. I enjoy the wide range of genres within romance... it all depends on the individual story, whether I stay up late till it is done... have had quite a few nights where I did not get to bed until the early morning hours, LOL. greenshamrock at cox dot net :)

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  4. all kinds of genres

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  5. I read a wide variety of genres, sometimes a good mystery can keep me up way too late.

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  6. I don't have a favorite genre I love that I have the ability to read and enjoy a wide amount of different genres

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  7. I love contemporary & intrigue the best --- in those genres, I enjoy a wide variety -- sports, cops, firefighters, military, cowboys, etc., etc., etc. :)

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