The Bum Magnet: July 2015

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.