Personal Asset by Kelsey Browning-Interview, Blog Tour and Giveaway
INTERVIEW with Kelsey Browning
Kelsey Browning writes sass kickin’ love stories full of hot heroes, saucy heroines and spicy romance. Originally from a Texas town smaller than the ones she writes about, Kelsey has also lived in the Middle East and Los Angeles, proving she’s either adventurous or downright nuts. These days, she hangs out in northeast Georgia with Tech Guy, Smarty Boy, Bad Dog and Pharaoh, a Canine Companions for Independence puppy. She’s currently at work on the next book in her Texas Nights series and The Granny Series. Give her a shout at Kelsey@KelseyBrowning.com or drop by www.KelseyBrowning.com. For info on her upcoming releases, subscribe to her Sass Kickin’ News.
TRC: Hi Kelsey and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of PERSONAL ASSETS.
Kelsey: Thanks so much for having me!
TRC: We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?
Kelsey: Oh, that’s an open invitation for a girl from Texas who can talk your ear off. I’m a Virgo, have a psychological allergy to green peas and am raising a puppy for Canine Companions for Independence. (How’s that for brevity and sneaking in more than one thing??)
TRC: Your bio states that you have travelled all over the world. Which destination was your favorite ? Which destination was the least attractive or favorite? Why?
Kelsey: Wow – tough question. I tell people the most beautiful place I never knew I wanted to visit is Sri Lanka. The people are incredibly friendly and their country is gorgeous even after the tsunami in 2005. Last summer, we stayed at a guesthouse in Arugam Bay that had been almost wiped out in the storm and then rebuilt after.
Least favorite…probably Kuwait City. We were living in the Middle East at the time and Kuwait City was an even more even more stark landscape than the city where we lived. While in KC, we stayed in a hotel that had been completely bombed out in the first Gulf War. They had a glass case that held a huge shell casing, a melted telephone and other evidence of the bombing. Interesting, but eerie. Very eerie.
TRC: PERSONAL ASSETS is your latest release. Would you please tell us something about the book?
Kelsey: Personal Assets is a contemporary romance about a sex therapist who wants to shake things up around her small Texas town and a man who’s recently returned to his hometown to restore classic cars. Allie propositions Cameron to a no-strings affair, and he can’t believe the town’s princess would stoop to sleeping with the kid of the town drunk. But Allie is trying to find her inner bad girl, and in the process, finds love with a man who has to learn she doesn’t want him to take care of her.
TRC: How many books do you plan for the TEXAS NIGHTS series? Will any or all of the storyline characters interact with each successive novel?
Kelsey: There are four books in the Texas Nights series. I originally planned three, but a new heroine emerged from book two. Readers will be introduced to six of the main characters in Personal Assets. In Running the Red Light, readers will be introduced to Ashton Davenport and her hero. Of course, readers will see all the characters in each book, but the focus will be on the current hero and heroine. Readers can find out more about the other books in the Texas Nights series here.
TRC: What challenges or difficulties (e.g. logistical, research etc) did you encounter writing this particular storyline?
Kelsey: The biggest challenge I had at the time I first wrote Personal Assets (several years ago) was I was living out of the US in a Muslim country. If the country’s government considered a website too explicit, it would be blocked/censored from view. That sometimes made it hard to research sexual topics – LOL.
TRC: Are any of the characters or experiences based on events in real life? Or are they an amalgamation of many characters and your imagination?
Kelsey: Oh, I think our subconscious is always collecting and then developing characteristics based on what we’ve seen. We just don’t know it—and can’t always recognize it—on the surface. What I have found, however, is that my books have a common theme around reconciling yourself with home and homecoming. I’m originally from a small town in Texas and I have a real love/hate relationship with the place. I left for college when I was 18, and although I visited, I never lived there again. I think I’ve been trying to reconcile myself with my original home and my adult homes ever since.
TRC: If you could change something about yourself personal or professional, what would it be and why?
Kelsey: I’d wave a magic wand and give myself a big old helping of patience.
TRC: Who or what has been the biggest influence in your life and why?
Kelsey: Too many people to name, probably. But here are a few:
My mom – everything happens for a reason
My dad – you can do anything you want
My husband – always find a reason to say yes
My sister – we’re stronger than anyone can imagine
TRC: Is there a question that you would like to be asked in an interview, but nobody has asked? If so, ask away!
Kelsey: Yow – I used to ask this all the time when I interviewed people. It’s harder when it’s turned back on you. How about What did you love most about writing the Texas Nights series? Characters, characters, characters! I’m a totally character-driven writer. And shh…don’t tell anyone I said this, but secondary characters are often more fun to write than the hero and heroine because the author doesn’t have to be so darn careful with character arc and relationship arc. It’s easier to just let things fly with the secondaries!
TRC: What five things would you like to accomplish in the next ten years?
Kelsey:
Write and publish another 25+ books
Live overseas again
See my son off into his own fabulous world
Become a better storyteller
Return to public speaking
TRC: What are your thoughts on book reviews-good or bad?
Kelsey: I think reviews allow authors to glean important tidbits about what readers love about their work. They can also discover what’s missing in their writing. But I think an author can’t take every word to heart. Not all books are made for all readers. I have to keep that in mind.
TRC: Many authors bounce ideas with family and friends, as well as other authors. With whom do you bounce ideas and information?
Kelsey: I have a plotting group—made up of authors Tracey Devlyn, Adrienne Giordano, and editor and all-around-girl-Friday, Theresa Stevens. I’d be lost without them. When I need technical help—like how to get out of a locked storage closet door—I go to my husband, who’s an engineer. He rocks at that kind of stuff.
TRC: If you could be a contestant on a television ‘reality’ program, which show would you like to be a participant and why?
Kelsey: Yikes, is there a reality show about drinking coffee and wearing PJ bottoms? If so, that’s the one I want. Don’t know that I could do it, but Tech Guy (my husband) and Smarty Boy (my son) have a yen to go on Survivor.
TRC: On what are you currently working?
Kelsey: I’m currently working on edits for Problems in Paradise—the third book in the Texas Nights series, writing Designs to Die For (#4) and working on the release of In For a Penny, a humorous women’s fiction/cozy suspense I co-wrote with the amazing Nancy Naigle. It’s the first book in The Granny Series and will be out in November. Here’s the tagline, just to give readers a taste of that series: They’re just like Dirty Harry—only over 50, female and from the South!
TRC: Would you like to add anything else?
Kelsey: I love to hear from readers, so feel free to shoot me a note at Kelsey@KelseyBrowning.com!
LIGHTNING ROUND
Favorite Food – Is Chardonnay a food?
Favorite Dessert – Just one? Fine, tiramisu
Favorite TV Show – Castle
Last Movie You Saw – Despicable Me
Dark or Milk Chocolate – Dark. Oh, who am I kidding?? BOTH!
TRC: Thank you Kelsey for taking the time to answer our questions. We wish you all the best with PERSONAL ASSETS.
Kelsey: Thanks so much for y’all’s hospitality!
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Personal Assets
Texas Nights #1
by Kelsey Browning
Release Date: August 26, 2013
Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /
Sex therapist Allie Shelby has the professional credentials, but she could use a bit more practical experience. Finding the right man to bring out her inner bad girl is tough in a population-challenged Texas town. So when sinfully sexy Cameron Wright rolls back into Shelbyville, Allie wastes no time inviting him to join her in some hands-on research.
But while her personal life heats up, Allie’s business is about to crash and burn. And she has to convince Cameron that she’s one princess who’s not looking for a prince to ride to her rescue.
There are TWO ways to WIN with the PERSONAL ASSETS Blog Tour
Kelsey is offering -1 set of Texas Themed Wine Charms- to one lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.
1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page (right hand side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.
2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email with your comment
3. Giveaway is open to US and CANADA only
4. Giveaway runs from August 20 to September 1, 2013
One lucky person will WIN a Bed Lounge Pillow (US only)
NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the Rafflecopter Giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the tour promoter.
I just wanted to say thanks so much to The Reading Cafe for hosting me today. Loved doing the interview, especially the speed round!
Kelsey
Nice to meet you Kelsey. I love learning about new authors we may never had the opportunity to discover. Your book looks good, I will check it out.
I love Castle.
Barb –
I’m so ready for a new season of Castle!
Cheers,
K-
Thank you Kelsey for the great interview. It is always our pleasure to meet the author behind the books we love to read. We wish you all the best and congratulations.
Thanks so much, Sandy! Such a fun interview :-).
Kelsey
Great interview. I love learning about the author.
And I love the lightning round as well. I’ll take milk chocolate for $200 Alex. 😉
Sassy –
Thanks for stopping by! I love to ask people THIS or THAT questions on Facebook. Like PBJ or tuna? Football or baseball? I find people love giving opinions on the things they love!
Happy Tuesday!
Kelsey
Nice post and interview. Love meeting the author and learning about what intrigues them etc. And I too love the ‘speed round’. I believe the speed round can reveal quite a bit about the person. ;p
Alicia –
As an author, I could do that lightning round all day long. 🙂 Maybe that’s just because I have strong opinions about pretty much everything.
Thanks so much for popping in!
Kelsey
Love getting to know fantastic authors!! Can’t wait to read your books!!!
Kelly –
Thanks for hanging out with me today. I’m so excited to connect with readers like you!
Happy Tuesday,
Kelsey
Great interview ladies!! Thanks, Kelsey, for stopping by. Love the premise of your books!!
Vickie –
Thanks so much. I have a ton of fun writing quirky characters and Texas settings. Hope you enjoy :-).
Kelsey
I really do enjoy coming here and building up my list of books to read, not to mention meet new authors. Kelsey, nice interview and your books look very good.
Thanks so much! All four of the Texas Nights books should be out by the end of 2014, so I hope readers will stick with me for the whole ride.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Kelsey
Hey Kelsey welcome. Really enjoyed the interview and looking forward to your series. It sounds intriguing and fun.
So Chardonnay isn’t a food? Hmmm was pretty sure it was 😉
Marcie –
Thanks for the welcome. Um…we know Chardonnay is made of grapes. Grapes are a fruit. And fruit is food. My college logic teacher would say :: therefore Chardonnay is food! LOL
🙂
Kelsey
Great interview Ladies. And nice to meet you Kelsey , your series sounds yummy and I am sure they are fun to write . Looking forward to checking them out myself.
Thanks so much, Lori! I do have tons of fun writing my books (uh, maybe a tad less so in revision 🙂 ). So hope you enjoy!
Kelsey