Monday, July 8, 2013

Blog Tour: Interview with Candis Terry + Giveaway!



WELCOME TO THE BLOG, CANDIS! :)








Candis Terry was born and raised near the sunny beaches of Southern California and now makes her home on an Idaho farm. She’s experienced life in such diverse ways as working in a Hollywood recording studio to chasing down wayward steers. Only one thing has remained the same: her passion for writing stories about relationships, the push and pull in the search for love, and the security one finds in their own happily ever after.


Where to Find Candis:



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The_Book_Queen: Hi Candis! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?


 



Candis: Hello! Thank you so much for letting me stop by today.


If I’m a new to you author, I write sweet and sexy small town contemporary romances with some quirky characters and a whole lot of heart. My road to publication was long and bumpy and there were times I was ready to hang up the keyboard. I’m so glad I stuck with it so I could bring readers my new Sweet, Texas series and my previous Sugar Shack series.
 
 
 
TBQ: Why were you drawn to romance (both to read and to write)? What is it about this genre that you love so much?





C: I could go on for hours why I love the romance genre so I’ll try to keep it brief. I first discovered romance (the sweet kind) back when I was a young teenager. I discovered it again after I got married and had my daughter. I realized that in a world often ripped apart by tragedy, romance novels always offer a happy ending. Who wouldn’t be drawn to that?


Aside from what some people out there on the planet might think about romance novels being unrealistic, I think they are very realistic. Okay, maybe not the vampires, and shapeshifters, and werewolves. But even they give a realistic view of a monogamous love relationship. It isn’t always easy. Both sides usually have to learn how to work together in a give-and-take relationship. And in the end they realize they want to be together forever. I love to see people find ways to work things out because of the love they have deep inside. It’s very satisfying.
 
 
 
TBQ: Very well said, I completely agree!
 
Your newest release, Anything But Sweet, came out last month (congrats!). Can you tell us a little bit about this book, and why readers are going to love it?

 




C: Thank you so much! I knew right from the start that Anything But Sweet was going to be special to me. It’s completely an unstoppable force meets an unmovable object story. Charli is a whirlwind of energy and positive thinking who wants to change everything and make it better. Reno is a great big stop sign and wants to keep things the same. The entire Wilder family and the citizens of Sweet, Texas really round out the story in very endearing and quirky ways. I mean, there’s a goat in the book. And she likes to dress up. No kidding. I always try to reach in deep for the most heart I can put into a book and I also like to add a lot of fun. I hope readers will truly enjoy the battle of wills between Reno and Charli.


 
 
TBQ: I sure did! :)
Speaking of... Why do Reno and Charli belong together?

 




C: Oh boy, if there were ever two people who were more meant for each other I haven’t met them. At first Charli doesn’t much care for Reno and vice versa. But the more they’re around each other they start thinking about the other’s needs. Charli is the only one who can reach in deep, pull Reno from his self-imposed prison, and show him how to live and enjoy himself again. Reno gives Charli a sense of the home she’d always been looking for.
 


 
TBQ: And that's why I loved their story so much--they were perfect for each other, even if it took them a while to realize it! :)
 
When writing each novel, do you listen to certain songs, like a playlist for the story? If so, what was the playlist for ABS?

 




C: Music plays a huge part in my stories. I don’t listen to music while I’m writing but I hear it in my head. And very often I’ll mention the song in the book because I believe it adds to the mood of the scene. The Playlist for Anything But Sweet pretty much shows how much I (and Reno) love country music.


ANYTHING BUT SWEET — PLAYLIST




The Man in Love With You—George Strait
Somethin’ Bout a Truck—Kip Moore
Sideways—Dierks Bentley
Country Girl Shake It For Me—Luke Bryan
I Love This Bar—Toby Keith
Over—Blake Shelton
Whiskey Bent—Hank Williams Jr.
Kiss Me When You’re Drunk—Jake Owen
Drink In My Hand—Eric Church
She’s Country—Jason Aldean
American Saturday Night—Brad Paisley
All I Ever Wanted—Chuck Wicks
Guitars, Cadillacs—Dwight Yokum
Ticks—Brad Paisley
 
 


 
TBQ: Ooh, a lot of good songs, as well as a few I'll be looking up on YouTube later! :D
 
In 5 words or less, describe Charli for us. And let's not forget Reno--what's he like?




C: Charli is effervescent, caring, sincere, dedicated, and funny.
Reno is stubborn, honorable, loyal, dedicated, and diligent.
 


 
TBQ: Do you have a favorite part from ABS? (If spoilers are involved, you can be vague.)

 




C: I have many scenes that are my favorite because there are some with real heart-tingling emotion. But one of my favorite humorous scenes is when one of the elderly citizens of Sweet gives Charli some advice on how to “get her man” and Charli puts it into action at the Wilder Family Barbecue Extravaganza. Charli cracks me up.
 


 
TBQ: Mission accomplished then--Charli had the same affect on me! :)
 
I know we all hate this question, author and reader alike. :) But I have to ask: What are a few of your favorite books and/or authors?




C: Oh, I’ve got a list a mile long! A few who come to mind are Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Rachel Gibson, Jill Shalvis, Kristin Higgins, Janet Evanovich, J.R. Ward, Teri Garey, Kerrylyn Sparks, Coreene Callahan, Tessa Dare, Julia Quinn, Dean Koontz, and of course, Nora Roberts. I am crazy over Jill Shalvis’ Lucky Harbor series and I salivate over Coreene Callahan’s Dragonfury. Never thought I’d be so hot for dragons. Who knew?


TBQ: Dragons... mmm. *Ahem* Sorry, back to the interview....
 
We've all fallen for a hero (or two, or three, or....ahem).  Tell us one hero that you've fallen for—who is he and what drew you to him?

 




C: I’ll omit my own because I love them all (even though they drove me crazy at times). But I can honestly say the one hero who I’ve fallen for over and over again is Bobby Tom Denton in Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ Heaven, Texas. Bobby Tom is ornery, cocky, and funny. And he’s just so sure of himself that I knew when he fell he was going to fall hard. Oh and how he falls! I’ve reread this book so many times that I actually have two copies because one is so dog-eared I’m afraid it will fall apart the next time I pick it up.


 
 
TBQ: I've yet to read that book from SEP (as well as many, many others---I only just read my first SEP novel this year, I'm sooo behind!) but I'm moving it to the top of my list now!
 
What's next-- Can you tell us a little bit about your upcoming releases or WIP?




C: The second book in the Sweet, Texas series is called Sweetest Mistake and its Jackson Wilder’s story. Jackson is a hard-headed alpha male who happens to be a really hot and sexy firefighter. He’s a Wilder brother through and through. And by the time I wrestled him to his happy ending I was exhausted! Sweetest Mistake will be available December 31. So mark your calendars! (I can't wait!)


 
 
SPEED ROUND:
 
 
A day on a secluded island OR a day at the spa?
Secluded island with a good book and a cold martini.
 
 
Reading a spicy romance novel OR a sweet “my-heart-skips-a-beat” one?
My-heart-skips-a-beat one.
 
 
Which would you rather have an affair with: a sexy highlander OR a devilishly handsome English lord?
Well, I’m a Scot, so of course it would be with a sexy highlander. Just don’t tell my husband! (Not a word! :D)
 
 
Hot summer days OR cold winter nights?
Hot summer days. I’m an outdoors kind of girl.
 
 
Where would your dream house be: in the city, where all the action is OR nestled in the mountain where you can enjoy the quiet and the wilderness?
Nestled in the mountains. I live on a farm and love the quiet and sounds of nature.
 
 
If you could live in any time period, past or future, which one would it be?
Well, each time period has its pros and cons doesn’t it? I’m drawn to the West so probably the days of the old Wild West. (Ooh, that would be an interesting time!)
 
 
Cover Lover OR Blurb Fan?
Blurb. I’ve learned covers can be deceiving.
 
 
Steamy Novella OR Sweet Novel? (aka, Quickie or Slow Build Up?)
Slow Build-Up. I like to see the relationship evolve.
 
 
Quick—name the one food that you cannot live without?
Pizza.
 
 
And finally, tell us 3 unique/wacky/fun things about yourself:

 



  • I name everything (One area of our backyard I’ve dubbed the Party Cove) and all the animals that wander onto our property. Most notably is Henry the Owl who who who has a penchant for watching me from the big pine tree when I’m in the hot tub. (Sounds like a peeping Tom! Er, Henry...)
  • I sing. All the time. And don’t even care if the person in the car next to me can hear.
  • I love to make elaborate cakes and have always had a secret desire to be a baker. (Go for it! And any "failed" attempts can be sent to me; I'd be more than happy to help you get rid of the evidence....)

 
 
The_Book_Queen: Thanks so much for stopping by, Candis, and please know that you are welcome back anytime! Do you have any questions for our readers—something to spark a good discussion? :)
 
 
Candis: Thank you for having me!

As for questions for your readers . . . are there storylines you haven’t seen yet and would like to see? What do you think has been overdone?




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Anything But Sweet by Candis Terry
Publisher: Avon (June 25, 2013)
Series: Sweet, Texas (1)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
 
HE’S STUBBORN AND THOROUGHLY MALE . . .

If Charlotte Brooks thinks she and her TV makeover show can turn Reno Wilder’s hometown upside down, he’ll be happy to prove her wrong. The x-Marine has seen too much turmoil and he likes Sweet, Texas, just the way it is. Traditional. Familiar. A little dull. Everything Charli isn’t. But instead of backing off from his scowls like everyone else, Charli digs in her skyscraper heels.

SHE’S TENACIOUS AND WICKEDLY TEMPTING . . .

Reno Wilder is a one-man unwelcoming committee, but Charli isn’t budging. It’s clear the gorgeous cowboy needs an overhaul just as much as Sweet. Someone needs to break him out of that gruff shell and show him how fun and rewarding a little change can be.

THEY’RE ABOUT TO FIND THAT LOVE IS ANYTHING BUT PREDICTABLE.



Where to Buy*:
More Info:




Read my Review here-- I really enjoyed this book! :)



 
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*Prize will be given away after the end of the tour and will include:
Black and White Striped Summer Tote Bag, "Cooking with Love" Heart-Shaped Baking Set, Red Heart-Shaped Alabaster Paperweight, Signed copies of Anything But Sweet, Second Chance at the Sugar Shack, Any Given Christmas, Somebody Like You, For Love and Honor, and Crazy Sweet Fine.
*Giveaway is also open to international readers.



a Rafflecopter giveaway










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Thanks so much for stopping by today, Candis! I had a wonderful time getting to know you better, and I have to say once again how much I LOVED Anything But Sweet! Please keep up the great work! :)


Don't forget Candis' question:

Are there storylines you haven’t seen yet and would like to see? What do you think has been overdone?






Enjoy!



Until Next Time,



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*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

7 comments :

Lisa Filipe said...

Thank you so much for hosting today.

candis.terry said...

It's great to be here with royalty today! Thank you, it's my first!

As I head into the planning stages of the next series, I'm eager to find out what readers might be looking for . . . more fantastic firemen? Hot cops? Cool undercover guys?

In the meantime don't forget to enter my giveaway!

Donna said...

I always enjoy interviews with authors. I am already planning to read ANYTHING BUT SWEET as it has really piqued my interest. But I was interested to read Candis's 6 word descriptions of Charli and Reno. And the humous scene "get her man" -- well, think that's kinda close to home. :)

candis.terry said...

Hi Donna! Despite Charli and Reno's differences they really are a fun and hot couple. Hope you will enjoy!

Anna@herding cats said...

Aw sounds like a great read. I love when characters don't quite get along at first but kind of grow on each other. Enjoyed the interview ladies :)

candis.terry said...

Thank you Anna!

KAMEBookReview said...

Oh Candis you and I would get along great! I haven't heard of this series and I love anything with a cowboy. That song list - most of those songs are on my Ipod now! Fantastic job TBQ