Hi, Kristen! Welcome to my blog - happy to have you here and to be a part of your ongoing tour - good luck with the book. Over to you...
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As
a newbie to the publishing scene, I’m learning more and more every day. One thing I’ve been learning about is
the debate about self-publishing and the labeling of self-published authors. The choices include:
self-publisher, self-published author, indie publisher, or indie author. Have you heard of more? These seem to be the main labels
debated.
I’ve
seen some argue that using the term indie publisher as a single author
publishing their own work is incorrect because this more accurately describes
what many refer to as small press publishers. These publishers are smaller and independent of the large
New York publishing houses so this argument makes sense to me.
Many
argue taking on the label of self-published author has a negative stigma that’s
inescapable. I don’t know if I
totally buy that an author can’t overcome the negatives self-publishing is
tainted with. I mean, once upon a
time things made in China were considered to be the cheapest and most horribly
made products on the planet.
I’m
very curious to find out what readers think and would love to hear
opinions. If an author told you
they were self-published, what comes to mind? What about if an author called themselves an indie
author? Does it make a difference?
Title: Love
Like Krazy
Author: Kristen Beairsto
Publisher: Self
Length: 122 pages
Genre: Romance
Sub-Genre:
Contemporary
Dates: July 16-August 31
Features: Giveaways,
Guest Posts, Interviews, and Reviews
Available
at:
Blurb:
Most
women would probably be offended at being mistaken for a stripper, but Kit
Conner finds the situation rather comical. But despite Kit’s outward appearance
of being able to handle just about anything, few are aware of the dark secrets
Kit harbors and the demons she hides by cloaking herself in a wall of crazy
antics and an outrageous fashion sense. As she returns to her hometown to play
the role of maid of honor for her best friend’s wedding, Kit’s determined to
hold on to those she holds dear for as long as she can. The only thing standing
in her way is the absurd attraction she feels for Benjamin Mathews.
Benjamin
Mathews is a guy who appreciates things to be slow, steady, and safe. Ben knows
many consider him to be boring, but he’s happy with his life and loves the
horse ranch he runs with his brother. The only thing he worries about is
surviving the planning of his brother’s wedding.
With a
wedding between Kit’s best friend and Ben’s younger brother fraying the nerves
of everyone involved, Kit’s return home brings out her dark secrets into the
light. The emotional overload starts to weigh on Kit and she begins to see Ben
as an anchor. As their relationship intensifies, Kit struggles to believe they
might actually have a future and soon finds herself fighting for the love she
never thought possible.
Excerpt:
Ben and
Greg arranged things so everyone could relax for the first few hours before the
real entertainment showed up. Ben glanced at his watch and noted the stripper
would show up in about an hour.
As he
grabbed a beer for himself, he started to head towards the poker table. As he
moved passed the front window, he heard the music before he saw its source.
Loud blaring techno music nearly drowned out the country music behind him. It
came from within a black Cadillac convertible pulling into the driveway. The
New York plates said KRAZYLV.
The music
suddenly died as the occupant in the Caddy turned the engine off. The driver’s
head was covered in a red zebra stripped cowboy hat obscuring their face. As
the driver climbed out, however, he had no doubt in his mind she was female.
Ben first
saw the flame red cowboy boots step out of the car. She turned to close the car
door and turned her back to him. Above the boots, red leather pants hugged
every curve of two very long legs and wide hips. From there, a red tank top
clung with a plunging neckline covering her torso, which included a flat
stomach and large breasts. Long blonde hair curled at the ends around her
breasts. But as she turned her back to him, Ben discovered the top only covered
the front of her and a few crisscrossed strings held the top on in the back,
exposing smooth skin. She bent over to grab something from the backseat of the
car and displayed a very nice view Ben greatly appreciated.
When she
turned to face him fully, he saw she still wore sunglasses despite the sun
being almost completely set. Even from the distance he stood, Ben could see the
deep red lipstick she wore, the heart shaped mouth practically invited a kiss.
But between the sunglasses and hat brim pulled down, he still couldn’t see her
face clearly.
She was
an hour early, he mused, but he would forgive her since she was sure to stir
the party up.
Outside,
Kit pulled her backpack from the backseat of her Caddy, turned and glanced up
at the two-story house where her best friend lived. She grinned, studying the
exterior of the home. Apparently, her best friend was well on her way to
becoming a Matthews.
The
Matthews were one of the wealthiest and most influential families in the small
California town. Raymond Matthews, Greg and Ben’s father, was a banker and
venture capitalist. His wife, Loren, up until recently was a highly successful
businesswoman and now, from what Kit understood, spent her extra time with her
philanthropy. But unlike most of the rich people she came to know and meet, the
Matthews were genuine people.
Of
course, Ray and Loren Matthews weren’t above using a regal demeanor when the
moment called for it, she mused.
Yep, Anne
was well cared for, Kit decided as she started up the drive towards the front
door. As she stepped closer, Kit realized she heard the low hum of country
music and remembered the bachelor party Anne told her about. She smiled in
anticipation as she wondered whether or not the stripper arrived yet.
Before
Kit reached the door, it opened and Ben stepped out.
He still
looked the same, she decided. Tall and handsome, with wide shoulders screaming lean
on me, and those piercing midnight eyes.
Kit
sighed inwardly as she felt the familiar flutter in her stomach. Damn, she was
still attracted to him. Oh well, she dealt with it as a teenager, she could
deal with it as a grown woman.
“Hi,
you’re early, but that’s all right.” He looked down at her backpack and
frowned. “If you don’t have a stereo or anything, that’s fine, but I hope you
have your own music. I don’t think you’d like dancing to the stuff we have.”
Kit
frowned, confused.
Ben
watched her heart shaped mouth frown, the rest of her face still obscured from
view. The backpack she carried didn’t seem to carry much. He certainly hoped
she had her own music, for the price they were paying, the least she could do
was provide her own music.
After a
moment, a seductive smile slipped across her mouth. There was something oddly
familiar about her, but unable to see the majority of her face because of her
hat, sunglasses, and the dark, Ben wasn’t sure how he might know her.
“Don’t
worry, sugar,” she offered in a husky tone, “I’ve got my own tunes.”
He gave
her a friendly smile and nodded. “Good. Why don’t I announce you first?” He
turned, opened the door and stood in the doorway, blocking the view inside the
house. Ben asked someone to turn off the stereo. “Now, gentlemen, I would like
to introduce the real entertainment of the night,” Ben announced.
Moving
aside, Ben turned and motioned for Kit to step inside. The seductive smile
stayed in place as she stepped over the threshold of the door. A few men
whistled in appreciation, a few others gave catcalls.
Smugly
watching his buddies’ reactions, Ben saw her mouth curve from the corner of his
eye. Glancing down, Ben noticed she had yet to remove the sunglasses. Seeing
her seductive smile change, something else nagged his brain.
“Honey,
no offense, but what’s your costume?” Ben whispered out of the corner of his
mouth.
Ben
watched the amused smile spread fully across her lips. Pulling her sunglasses
down the bridge of her nose, she turned slightly so the light in the room fully
illuminated her face. She looked at him over the top of the glasses with
familiar wide pale blue eyes dancing with mischief.
Ben felt
his stomach hit the floor.
Her lips parted to reveal white even teeth. “A maid
of honor,” she drawled with a knowing wink.
About the Author:
An avid
reader since she first learned to read, Kristen discovered romance novels as a
teenager. And what can she say? She was a goner. Kristen discovered she’s a
sucker for a good love story, strong characters, and that all-important happily
ever after. She wrote her first novel length story at the age of eleven and
after falling in love with romance novels, her writing started featuring
romantic elements.
When Kristen’s
not reading or writing, she’s hanging out with friends, family, her two
rambunctious daughters, and her exceedingly tolerate husband. She’s also a huge
New York sports fan.
Website: www.KristenBeairsto.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorKBeairsto
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