Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Interview with Aspen J. Lee, Author of His Target, His Desire and a review too


 About the Author:
After joining her local writers’ centre and attending a workshop on romance writing, Aspen J lee decided she was set on the wrong career path. Swapping sides from factualising to fictionalizing life, she quit her job and started a Masters in Writing.

Soon after she discovered passion rather than academics was the key ingredient, so picked up the pen and began to fashion her own stories. Another workshop introduced her into the world of spicy writing. The end result was Slipping Through His Fingers, published by Siren-Bookstrand (2014). Two novels followed His Target His Desire (Siren-Bookstrand, 2015) and Bound (Eternal Press, 2015). 

Aspen is currently crafting her fourth erotic romance and dipping her quill into a dystopian, both of which she hopes to have published later this year.

When Aspen can extract herself from her characters, she can be found in her kitchen, crafting magic of a different nature, with dogs and cats in tow. She lives on 6.5 acres, which she shares with the wildlife, a husband and three children.

You can follow Aspen on her website and her blog.

You can also find her at one of these other places: 

Youtube * Google+ * Facebook friends page * Facebook fan page 

Twitter * Author central Amazon 

I was able to ask her some questions, the following is what she had to say:

What is your favorite thing about writing? I love going to work in my pyjamas with bedroom style hair. I love it that I can have lunch at ten o’clock if I want to. I love meeting new people on the page, crafting their lives and putting them in awkward or dangerous situations, then watching them rescue themselves. I love being able to make my heroes and heroines the way I want them. Most of all I love to create happily-ever-afters. 

What do you hope people get out of reading your book? Sometimes life can get stressful, or we may think we’re drowning. When you start to feel like this, sometimes it’s a good idea to escape into another life for a moment and find shear joy in entertainment. It’s great to drop your worries and fall in love with the characters of a book. Be swept up in their lives and cheer them on so that you may leave the read a little lighter or renewed. I write happily-ever-afters, and I know that life doesn’t always operate that way, but I write to make my readers feel good inside. And you can’t help but feel that way with a good love story. I hope they read my books with a good wine and a box of chocolates close at hand. Doing things that pleasure you always nurtures the soul. 

In what scenario do you do your best work? I’m a chaotic person, so I work well in most scenarios. I’m currently in the habit of writing at my kitchen table, but I have been known to squeeze myself into the back seat of my car with my computer while waiting for my daughter to finish drama. I’m a versatile writer. The only thing I struggle to do is write effectively when I’m surrounded by family. 

Do you prefer to go to the theater or wait for the DVD? Depends on the movie. Years ago, my husband and I were avid movie-goers, usually making a night of it and going out to dinner as well. Now it seems to be the last thing on our minds. So I would have to say I’m more a DVD girl. Some movies are worth catching in the theater, but these are usually no longer showing by the time I’ve discovered them. 

How likely are you to suffer from road rage? I never have. Some people are shocking drivers. I’ve been cut off loads and even run off by a truck, but I’m not that easily riled. 

Beef, chicken, pork, or vegetarian? I’m a vegetarian. I’m in the habit of making my heroines vegetarian. 

What is your favorite color? Orange. Definitely. Any shade. It goes well with most things. Burnt orange is my favorite. 

If you could pick any destination, where would you go? South America, Chile, Argentina, Peru or some exotic island resort, Fiji or Mauritus. 

Do you have pets? If so what kind? I have a little mixed breed dog called Photon, name curtsey of my eldest son, a ragdoll cat called Neko, which I read somewhere is supposed to be Japanese for cat, and a rat called Lenny (Yes it’s a pet). 

Hardback, paperback, ebook or audio book? Not sure of the question. Which do I read the most? I read paperback mostly, but with my time being eaten up more these days I’m discovering the joys of audio. My novels are in ebook format at the moment. 

What is your favorite part of the day? Evening. We used to have two ridgebacks and I loved the summer evening when I would take them down to the beach and run them along the soft sand. It’s still my favorite time of day. It’s when everything is winding down and you can relax and reflect on your achievements for the day. I think a glass of red and a chat with hubby is a good evening spent. 

Who is the first person you call with good or bad news? My husband. He’s a great sounding board and never gets weighed down in the drama of situations. When I phoned him to announce my first contact he arrived home that night with a bottle of Moet (I’d secretly bought a bottle as well, but of course I wasn’t that extravagant). 

What is your favorite flower? Rose has to have the best smell of any flower, but I love the cluster effect of hydrangea, also their colour. Over here in Australia, our eucalyptus put on a beautiful display. Some trees only flower once every two or three years, but when they do the tree is alight with colour. One of the best is the Hakea with it’s sea urchin like yellow and red flowers. 

Favorite beverage? I’m a herbal tea girl. That’s probably what I drink the most. The next would be hot chocolate and the real thing too, with melted bits of Lindt. My husband’s got the gift when it comes to wine selection. I always defer to him and am never disappointed. I tasted a pear cider recently and have decided that nothing beats one on a hot day.

Thank you for answering my questions. :-)

His Target, His Desire 

by Aspen J. Lee 

Buy Links: 

Bookstrand

Amazon 

B&N * Kobo


BLURB: 

The rules of survival in this line of work: trust no one, hold no assumptions, don’t fall for your target. Bryant Holt breaks all three.

For 1.5 million, Cypress Howard is now his target. Ex-black ops, Bryant finds he can’t resist her temptations.

He’s way out of her league, sexy as hell and asking her out for dinner. It just doesn’t make sense. But Cypress is frightened of letting any one in.

Why? Because Cypress now lives incognito. The real her is dead, or so everyone thinks.

A deal is struck between secret factions and Cypress is now being hunted. Bryant’s claimed her, and he’ll do anything to save her. But first he must unravel the maze of her past.

When her life begins to implode, Cypress’s lover turns into James Bond. Who the hell is he? It’s too late to question, Bryant’s already chained her heart. All she can do is hold on.
 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25398843-his-target-his-desire


Excerpt: 

“Sorry.” She gave him a quick glance as her cheeks heated some more, determined to give him only a moment’s eye contact, enough to endorse her apology, before turning her attention back to the broad shoulders in front, but the arresting smile and deep brown eyes held her head in place.

“Pleasure’s mine.”

O-k-a-y. A delicious yet confusing comment.

“Bryant Holt.” A hand came toward her in the ritual of welcome.

Long fingers laced around, encapsulating her hand, locking it to his warm palm. When she glanced up, the intensity of his gaze, lessoned only a little by his generous smile, swallowed her.

“Cypress Howard.” The words came out quick. Great, now he would think her childish, gushing or simple. “I wasn’t looking.”

His brow furrowed, then one eyebrow shot up quizzically—sexy, in a cute, alluring way.

“Your screen, I mean. I wasn’t peeking at your typing, or rather what you were searching through.”

He gave a small nod to show he understood her bumbling explanation. “Doesn’t matter. My cells littered with work stuff, boring as hell and riddled with jargon even I can’t understand.”

“You work in this building? It’s just that I’ve been riding this lift for a year now and haven’t seen you before.” Left off the sentence end was an elaboration that went something like “yours is a face I wouldn’t forget,” but it was way too much of a pickup line. And what about everything else she’d said? Did it all sound cheesy?

My Thoughts:

I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of action, excitement, and steam!

The pace was quick and steady with no lulls. There were a decent amount of pages and a plot that had me glued to my spot. I was quickly wrapped up in this story and read it in one sitting.

The characters were likable, smart, and charismatic. I especially liked our hero, Bryant. Possessive, protective and sexy. Mmmm! My favorite kind of male. ;-) The heroine, Cypress, was pretty great too.

This is an adult read only with plenty of panty melting scenes. There is more to it than steam though.

If you like action, some danger and surprises with plenty of sexiness, you'll want to add this to your TBR list or better yet, read it now!

I received an ecopy in exchange for my honest opinion. So much Hotness you'll be needing a cold shower or a willing partner, maybe both!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Don't forget to enter the Comment Incentive Giveaway. It is a great chance to win a book you'd like to have!

17 comments:

  1. When did you decide to become a writer?

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    1. Hi Mai, it must have been about four years ago when I decided I wanted to be an author. It took my a couple of years to realize I could do it. Once I gained the confidence, I began and haven't looked back.

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  2. I have enjoyed learning about the book. Thanks for sharing it.

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  3. Enjoyed your comments. The review was very good, and I loved the excerpt.

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  4. Hi MomJane, I'm so glad you loved the excerpt. I really enjoyed writing the novel.

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  5. Hi Brenda, thank you for hosting me and giving me a chance to share my book with your readers. Aspen x

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    1. Hi there!

      I was happy to host you and I am so very sorry that it was delayed in going up. My connection was not very good when I scheduled it apparently. :-(

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  6. I'm vegetarian, too! I enjoyed learning about you and your book~thank you for sharing!

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    1. Hi Betty, your welcome. I loved writing His Target His Desire, and so therefore really enjoy sharing it with readers. I'm glad you were part of that.

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  7. Sounds great to me! I love full of action with lots of steam so right up my alley! :)

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    1. Hi YampedChik, thanks for that. It's my kind of book as well, i guess that's why I write it. Thanks for your comment

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  8. Hi Brenda, once again thanks for hosting me. I appreciated the chance to share my book with your readers, and thanks everyone one who commented and everyone who enjoyed the excerpt and interview.

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  9. Thanks for the post. Enjoyed the whole blog.

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  10. it does seems terribly interesting i love when the plot is well structured

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  11. Congratulations on your new release. I always love the author interviews. I am looking forward to reading this series! Thank you for the post and the giveaway!

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