Welcome!
Today, we are hosting Elle Wright who is promoting her
latest release which promises to be a serious page turner!! She was born and
raised in Southeast Michigan near Ann Arbor and learned the importance of
reading from her mother. It was also her mother who, later on in her life, gave
Elle her first romance nove: Indigo by Beverly Jenkins. From that moment on,
Elle became a fan of Ms.
Jenkins for life and a lover of all things romance. An old journal she wrote
back in college became her first book (which she still wants to publish one
day).
Elle's Latest Release is...
THE FORBIDDEN MAN
Sydney Williams has forgiven her fiancé, Den, more times
than she can count. But his latest betrayal just days before their wedding is
too big to ignore. Shocking her friends and family, she calls off the
engagement. She walks out on Den . . . and into the arms of his brother,
Morgan.
Known as a player, Morgan Smith has secretly spent years
fighting his feelings for Sydney. When Den's latest dirty deed leaves Sydney
devastated, Morgan can't stop himself from coming to her rescue. What begins as
friendship quickly escalates into all-consuming passion. Despite their intense
connection, Sydney would rather deny her desire than come between brothers. But
as Morgan is determined to make Sydney his, Den won't give her up without a
fight . . .
"She grabbed my attention in the first couple of pages
and kept it throughout its entirety. Now that's how you do it! Never a dull moment! FIVE STARS!" -- T. Pearson-Jones
“It is hard to put into words just how much I loved The
Forbidden Man. It is juicy and a definite page turner.” T. Tyler, Reading in
Black and White Blog
Release Date: July 28, 2015; Forever Mass Market; The Edge of Scandal #1
Now let's get on with the interview!!
Elle, why don't you start out describing what The Forbidden Man is all about. Sounds provocative!
Sydney Williams is living her dream: a successful career, a new business
in the works, and a committed relationship to the love of her
life—until her fiancé, Caden, cheats on her mere months before their
scheduled wedding. In fact, she’s actually in the bridal shop getting
fitted for her gown when she gets the dreaded call.
Morgan can’t help but rush to Syd’s aid. Initially, he just wants her to
be okay so he helps her. He offers her a safe haven, away from his
brother.
But mixing a betrayal with two fifths of Patron and a stranded car in an
ice storm will certainly complicate matters even worse. Eventually
Sydney will have to make a choice.
Umph. That sounds like there's going to be MASS drama! Love it! What inspired you to write this book?
I get my story ideas from random questions posed by friends. This one in
particular was inspired by the simple question, “What would happen if a
woman was torn between two brothers?” Then I wanted to expand on it.
Was there ever a circumstance that would make it okay for a woman to
fall in love with her ex’s brother? It was a challenge to try and create
characters that readers would root for, even in this situation.
You're not lying about that! To that end, why don't you give us some insight into your main characters.
Sydney is…funny. She’s a caregiver and a planner (which is so me). Syd
is constantly worried about what others think of her. Family is
everything to her. And she’s loyal to a fault. She stuck with Caden even
when she probably should have let him go. Being with Morgan is not
something she ever dreamed of or thought possible. So it’s fun to see
her take this journey.
Morgan, like Sydney, is the dependable one. He’s confident, but not
cocky. He’s a hard worker, driven to succeed. He spent years taking care
of his older brother, Caden. He has grown tired of always pushing
himself to the side for his brother. Relationships aren’t his thing. He
prefers brief flings, no commitment—until he realizes he wants Syd. It
throws him for a loop because he has to basically make a decision
between his relationship with Caden and Syd.
Wow! Loving Sydney and it sounds like Morgan's got some tough decisions to make. What are the central topics and themes?
I love a good theme. When writing, I usually identify specific themes
that I want to tackle. I like to give readers something to meditate on
while they’re reading and after they’ve finished. For The Forbidden Man,
I wanted to deal with consequences, fear, and misplaced loyalty. No
matter how right you think you are or how justified, there are always
consequences to your actions. The trick is owning your mistakes and
moving forward without fear. Also, I wanted to touch on knowing when to
let go. Syd held on to Caden for dear life because she felt like she
owed him something. Letting him go was a turning point for her. It was
necessary for her to walk in her truth.
There are a few themes in the Edge of Scandal series as a whole.
“Friends to Lovers” is my favorite theme. I love twisting and turning
intense friendships into something
more. Each book in the series has a different take on that particular theme.
For the series, I also played with a “bride” theme as well: A jilted bride, a
hell-
no-
never-
a-
bride, and a runaway bride.
I can relate to the runaway bride. Arrived at my wedding with track shoes on! So, what are you working on next?
Oh, so many things. I’m working on another book in the series. I’m
thinking “accidental” bride. (LOL) And I’m also plotting a new
contemporary romance series—all about confessions. In addition, I’m
writing a romantic suspense and top secret project.
Secret project? Now, why are you messing with us? I bet you're all ready for an excerpt. I know I am...
“Are you still feeling cold?” he asked, adjusting
the heater and finishing off the contents of his flask.
“Actually, I’m feeling pretty hot.” She jumped when
he started coughing. “Are you okay?”
He wiped his mouth. “I’m straight.”
“You sure?” Syd studied his face as she smoothed her
hand over his back.
“Yeah.” He closed the flask and tucked it back into
his pocket. “It’s the liquor.”
“Huh?”
“The bourbon.” He patted his pocket. “It’s making you hot.”
“Somehow
I doubt that,” she mumbled.
“What?”
he asked, leaning in closer.
I doubt it’s the
liquor.
“Forget it. I’m cold again.” She burrowed into him.
“You
want me to make you hot?” he asked.
Her
eyes flashed to his and her lips parted.
“I
meant . . .” He cleared his throat and shifted in his seat.
“Uh,
I can turn the heat up.”
“No.” She forced a smile and lowered her
gaze. “It’s fine.”
When
his hand caressed her cheek, her eyes closed of their own volition. Time seemed
to stand still. She felt his warm breath on her skin above her lips. “I think—”
She
dug her nails into his knee. “Maybe you should call Kent again. See where he
is.”
He slid his thumb down the side of her
neck.
She
exhaled. So this is what Terry McMillan
meant when she waited to exhale?
“Because this isn’t going anywhere good. You’re acting like you want to
kiss me and I know that’s not true,” she joked.
He
clenched her hair in his hands and tugged gently.
“How
do you know that?”
She
searched his eyes. “Do you? I mean—do you want to?”
“I
do—and so many other things.”
She
let out a nervous giggle. “I think you’re feeling the effects of that gasoline
you’re drinking, Morgan.”
His
gaze dropped to her mouth as his hand crept up her thigh and rested on her hip.
She jumped in surprise when he squeezed. “Actually, I don’t believe I’m drunk
enough,” he said. “At this point, I know exactly what I’m doing, which means
I’d be held responsible for my actions.”
Syd
placed her hands on his stomach and felt his taut muscles tighten in response.
“Den would kill you. So would Red.”
Morgan
traced her lips with his thumb. “It may be worth it. Let me . . .” Then, his
mouth was on hers, drawing a low moan from her mouth. The simple touch of his
lips to hers set off a fire in Syd that seemed to burn brighter and hotter with
every second.
She
wrapped her arms tightly around his neck as he continued to assault her senses
with his kisses. He slid his tongue across her bottom lip, demanding entrance,
which she happily granted. She gripped a fistful of his hair as he pulled her
onto his lap. He rocked into her, introducing her to his rock hard erection.
She braced her other hand against the window as she grinded into him. He
trailed hot, wet kisses down her throat and cupped her breasts in his hands. As
his thumbs traced her nipples, she cried out and he captured her cry with his
hot mouth.
Reluctantly,
she tried to pull away, but he latched onto her bottom lip with his teeth and
sucked. He obviously wasn’t ready for this to end . . . neither was she.
Woo! Fire! If you're like me and you're ready to buy The Forbidden Man Visit the links below and start clicking!
