Daring to Love

Tell the readers a little about yourself.

My name is Karina Buchanan and I'm a romance writer. That sounds like I'm in some sort of group therapy meeting doesn't it? Lol I live a relatively quiet life in Northern Ireland and I'm a bit of a newbie to the writing world. I've had a few short stories and articles published over the years but my very first full length novel, Daring to Love, is out on 6^th January with Breathless Press. It's a contemporary romance set in Belfast and I still can't believe I'm finally going to see it in print!

As an author, do you take time to read? If so, what do you like to read and who is/are your favorite author/s?

My husband used to say I ate books, I consumed them so fast but I probably haven't read as many as usual this year due to edits and WIPs. Primarily, I read modern romances because I love a happy ending but I also like a bit of humour in my reading material. At the minute, M&B author Maisey Yates is ticking all my boxes for a fab read. I'm also a big Jackie Collins fan but I enjoy the gentle romance in Irish author Maeve Binchy's work. I'm easy to please really! I suppose the stories I'm mostly reading at the minute are those of my crit group. The UCW ladies cover everything from paranormal to sizzling erotica, so I'm never stuck for reading material. 

How do you stay motivated when the Muse is uncooperative?

I am the worst person in the world to get motivated but that's where amazing critique partners prove invaluable. We have constant posts of erm, 'motivational' pictures and brain storming sessions on our internet group page when we are at a loss. And when I do make the mistake of saying I can't be bothered, there's always someone there to crack the whip!

If you could go anywhere in the world on a romantic getaway, what would you do and where would you go?

Both my husband and I have always talked about going to Italy one day on our own. Being able to enjoy the scenery and admire the architecture without kids whining that they're bored sounds like bliss. And then of course there's the food and wine…

What is the hardest thing for you to write?

Anything that requires a lot of research as I tend to get bogged down in the detail, and my usual response is to set it aside until a deadline looms. Case in point would be the new medical I started months ago…

If you could live the life of one of your characters who would you be?

One of my first heroines lived in an old wild west town and ran her own craft shop. It might sound boring to some but I really liked the idea of that kind of isolation – peace and quiet to just paint and make a living from a hobby. Of course, despite my hermit tendencies I would welcome the handsome stranger who rode in to save her, with open arms 

What do you like to write about the most? The least?

I prefer to write stories set in my homeland, it seems more 'real' to me. And my favourite part of a story is the flirty banter between the hero/heroine at the start. I love a bit of teasing to build up the sexual tension and I enjoy letting the dialogue flow in those scenes.

I don't enjoy those dark moments, where all hope is lost. I just want them to get together and live happily ever after!

The tag line on my blog is ‘Indulge Your Inner Romantic.’ What do you do to indulge?

I'm all about my home comforts. There's nothing I like better than to curl up with my other half and watch a DVD with the rain pouring down outside. And there may be chocolate involved too.

So without further ado, here's my very first novel.

Daring to Love

Andrea Macleave is determined to lose her 'Miss Stuffy Knickers' nickname with a rappel down Ireland's famous Europa Hotel, for the hospital where she works. Risk taking goes against everything she believes in and it takes a kiss from her hunky instructor to send her on her way. With her wild side let loose, a one night stand with the action man seems the perfect antidote to her staid life.

Excerpt

"I should have known you couldn't handle your drink." With the devil in him, Matt pushed the buttons guaranteed to re-activate his Andie.

A frown, a purse of full pink lips and she took the bait. "I'll have a whiskey if you're buying." The determination to prove him wrong blinded her to the goggled looks she garnered and the sudden quiet at the table.

He couldn't help his smile getting wider, the more irritated she became. "One whiskey, coming up. Jimmy give me a hand getting these in, will you?"

"I've a good mind to get you fired!" Matt hadn't noticed Andrea following him over to the bar. At the sound of her sexy, pissed-off voice, he slowly turned his head.

She stood, ram-rod straight, giving him clear appreciation of long, lean legs. They seemed to go on forever in those spiky black heels she had swapped for her trainers, even if she still had to look up at his six foot four frame. The figure-hugging jeans would bring a grown man to his knees but he would prefer to see her in something to better show off those pins.

The rose tint in her cheeks gave away her embarrassment at being so openly admired and coming across as a letch was not how he wished to be perceived. Nevertheless, he did enjoy throwing her off guard.

"You should be thanking me really." He wound her up and let her go.

"Thanking you?" She crossed her arms across her chest, drawing the V of her top down to give a tantalizing peek at her cleavage. "I should have you arrested for the way you behaved, never mind getting you fired."

"It got you over the edge, didn't it? You were so caught up, being ticked off at me that you didn't have time to think about what you were doing."

"In that case, turn around."

"Why?"

"So I can slap the gold star on your backside for a job well done! Do you seriously think that's a good enough reason for your behavior? Is that the way you carry on with all your clients?"

"Only the pretty, obstinate ones. As for having me fired, well," he backed his elbows onto the bar, "I do the charity rappels voluntarily. It's difficult to replace a trained instructor willing to work for free but if I caused you so much offense, do what you must."

Her delicious mouth opened and closed and he was assaulted with memories of tasting her. And how good it would be to do it again.

"Since it's for charity and all, I suppose I'll let the matter drop. Forget it happened." The defensive arms slackened and fell to her sides. With the thaw setting in, Matt impulsively stepped forward, to invade her personal space.

"Are you sure that's what you want, Andie?" If he could forget his rules for one night, she could stop pretending she didn't want him.

Instead of seeing the look of longing staring back at him, her pupils narrowed. "Where do you get off calling me 'Andie', anyway? My name is Andrea." She lifted the tumbler of the finest whiskey from the bar, knocked it back and stalked back to her friends.

Matt King never was one to back away from a challenge.

If you want to find out what happens next, you can buy Daring to Love here 

http://www.breathlesspress.com/daring-love

And you can contact me here:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=hp#!/profile.php?id=100002715462350

http://karina-buchanan.blogspot.com/

http://karinabuchanan.weebly.com/