Making the jump from friends to lovers. Is it really worth the risk?

Publisher: Changeling Press
Cover Artist: Bryan Keller
Genres/Themes: BDSM, Contemporary, New Adult
Length: Novella

When his long-time crush Nikki gets dumped, Michael decides to make his move. She’s the perfect girlfriend — so perfect so that she’s never single for long. Michael knows his window of opportunity is limited. It’s now or never.

When her best guy friend Michael breaks all the rules and kisses her at the bar, Nikki’s stunned. Michael’s the guy Nikki always turns to when her heart is broken — again. He’s a friend, a confidant, and, best of all, he’s safe. She can tell him anything. But once the shock wears off and she has time to sort out her feelings, she decides he’s worth the risk. Time to find out just how compatible they really are!

Get it Today at Changeling Press

Pre-Order for November 16th at Amazon, B&N, iTunes, and Kobo

 

 

Do you have a favorite type of hero or heroine to write?

I like to write spunky heroines. I’m quiet and rather timid IRL so it’s fun when I get to write a heroine that says what she’s thinking. As far as heroes go, I tend to write the “friend” character. The nice guy that always gets looked over. In Playing with Michael he gets fed up of being passed by and decides to do something about it. I am however, very much looking forward to writing a few assholes in upcoming stories.

How long have you been writing, and how long did it take before your first book was published?

I’ve been writing since I was 15 but the stuff I wrote back then is just awful. I’ve come a long way in 16 years and hope I continue to improve. I was first published in 2016. It took me about a year to write My Mistletoe Master, and since then I’ve learn how to write much, much faster. I’ve got four novels, five short stories, and one novella out. By the end of the year I’ll have two more shorts, and I’m currently working on four contracts for two different publishers. I hope I can keep up!

Do you have a routine you follow when you’re working on a book? A certain time of day when you write, or a snack you keep nearby?

I recently had a baby. My daughter is seven months old and any sense of routine went out the window when she was born! Now that she’s sleeping through the night I generally get a chance to write in the evenings. My “sprinting” partner, Dena Garson, and I often try to get a few words in every night.

Writers Block. Is it a problem and if so, what do you do to break through and start writing again?

If I get stuck, or I’ve stepped away from writing for too long and I’m having a hard time getting back into it I do one of two things. I either sprint with a partner and just push through it, until it clicks again, or I start something new. I might change and work on a different story, or I’ll skip through and start a new scene. Generally that shakes something loose.

Is there a book, movie, or song that inspires you when you’re working?

Lately, I’ve been finding the band Imagine Dragons really inspirational. When their stuff comes on the radio I just start seeing scenes from my book. Characters start popping up.

As a writer, I’m sure you also love reading. Do you have a favorite book and what do you love about it?

I do love to read. I have a few favourite authors that I like to read. Gaelen Foley, Lori Foster and Laurelin Paige are my favourites. I really enjoy the writing styles of Foley and Foster. I like the way they write series and the connection between the male characters. I strive for those types of relationships in my own writing.

Marketing. I know most authors have a love/hate relationship with it. Have you found that to be true, and do you have any recommendations for new or aspiring authors?

Marketing is so tricky. It’s not easy to do, and honestly it’s really expensive. Whether it’s paying for FB ads, or for blog tours. Some authors pay a company to do their promotion for them. Buying swag is costly, as is going to conferences to try to get exposure. What I find very difficult is that I write under a pen name, so trying to keep the divide between my personal and profession life is hard. I think I’d pull in more sales if I could talk more openly about writing erotic romance.

My best suggestion is to have a newsletter, social media pages and an easy to navigate website which includes an active, INTERESTING, blog. I often host blog interviews or tours which somethings include contests. I have one coming up for Christmas.

What advise do you have for those who think they want to write professionally?

When I was first starting out I remember someone saying “Before you’re published, when you finish your first book start on the next one, then the next, because once you sign with a publisher they want books fast!”

That’s a great piece of advice and I wish I’d listened to it more. As I mentioned I’ve got 4 contracts going, 2 I’m finishing up and 2 I’m just starting, all for series. You need to be able to write quickly, because they can pump it out quickly!

 

All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2018 Cameron Allie

“You really think tonight is the best time?”

Even though his brother couldn’t see him, Michael rolled his eyes. They’d had this discussion multiple times. He wasn’t interested in hearing it again. After lifting his ass off the nylon upholstery, Michael dug his wallet from his back pocket and fished out a twenty to pay the cabbie. “Now is the best time. Yes.”

“But she just got dumped today.”

Michael snorted. He doubted she was the one who got dumped.

Nikki had texted him partway through his work day to inform him her boyfriend had been cheating on her, and tonight she wanted to let off a little steam. Their friends were meeting at Club Ivy. She wanted to know if he was free.

From that point on it had been nearly impossible to focus on work. Tonight he’d finally have his chance with Nikki.

“He cheated on her, Jer,” he told his brother through the phone. “I think she did the dumping.”

“Still, it’s fresh. Why don’t you wait a week or so? You don’t want to crowd the poor girl.”

“I can’t wait, and don’t ask me why, because you damn well know why.” Nikki never stayed single long. Each time one of her relationships came to an end Michael had given her space, all the while plotting his move, and each time he waited too long. The last time she was single was over a year ago. He’d promised to give her a week, then he’d ask her out. Turned out a week was too long.

“I don’t want to see you get your heart broken.”

“I’m a big boy, Jer. I can handle it.” And if she rejected him, well, he’d cross that bridge when he came to it. “Look, I got to go. I’m there.”

The cab pulled up to the entrance of the club. A line was already beginning to form at the door. A few men were scattered among the hordes of women in tight dresses and plunging necklines, all waiting to be let inside. Michael handed the driver his bill and told him to keep the change.

He pulled the handle on the door and stepped into the refreshing evening air. Through the phone his brother said, “Whatever happens in there tonight, good luck.”

“Thanks,” Michael replied before disconnecting the call and pocketing his phone. He knew despite Jer’s worry he really did hope for the best. Jer was the only one who knew how hung up on Nikki Michael was, and understood how miserable he was watching from the sidelines as she steadily dated men who were all wrong for her. Men who weren’t him.

 

Romance author Cameron Allie grew up in a small town north of Toronto. As a child she loved stories, and after reading her first romance novel at age fifteen, her dreams of writing became singularly focused on the love story. She is currently living in Ontario with her husband, their young daughter and with their cat, who is constantly trying to interrupt the writing process.

Visit Cameron at: https://www.cameronallie.com/