Monday, January 16, 2012

THE SECRET OF THE LOVE LETTERS - K Dawn Byrd - Free eBook

Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I really don't intentionally write any of myself into my characters. Occasionally, a character might enjoy something I do, such has sports cars.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
I don't know that I would call it quirky, but I used to ride my own Harley Davidson. I've owned 3 Harleys and a Yamaha, which was my starter bike. I gave up riding to have more time to write, which is my real passion.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
I really didn't feel like a writer until I received the proof of my first cover. When I saw my name there, it drove the idea home.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I read a little bit of everything, but particularly enjoy romantic suspense and young adult romance.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
I'm a very organized person and that helps tremendously. I'm all for anything that saves time, especially making lists. I never go shopping without a list.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
I pull up baby name websites and read through them until something jumps out at me.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Obtaining my masters degree and becoming licensed in my field.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
If I were an animal, I'd be a giraffe. It would be nice to be tall enough to see everything that's going on. Not that I'm short. I'm about 5'7".

What is your favorite food?
Believe it or not, grilled cheese sandwiches.

I love grilled cheese sandwiches. I make mine with grated Mexican cheese mix on 7-Grain bread. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Finding the time to write was my greatest roadblock. I gave up some other hobbies to make time to write.

Tell us about the featured book.
Here's my cover blurb:
Zoe's cousin Emma thinks she's the recipient of some sick joke when an old boyfriend she thought dead shows up on the internet. Can Zoe solve the mystery that's causing Emma so much pain when her attraction to the town bad boy is so distracting?

When Zoe Mack moves in with her grandparents to start college, she's thrown into more mystery than she bargained for. Her cousin, Emma, is terrorized by a stalker who breaks into her house and leaves a photo-shopped image of Emma hanging from a tree. Nothing is as it seems and Emma soon learns that even the man she thinks she can trust is suspect.

Zoe can't wait to reunite with Nate, the bad boy who doesn't talk about his feelings much, but the passionate kiss he gave her last summer had to have meant something. When she arrives back in town and discovers that he's in trouble with the law, she must take matters into her own hands in order to clear his name. She has her hands full with a needy Emma, a cop who gives her the creeps, and Nate, the guy she desperately wants to call her own. Can Zoe solve the mystery, clear Nate's name, and make him fall in love with her?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Whoever thinks it's cool to live next door to the guy you love hasn't walked a mile in my shoes.

It's like entering an ice cream shop on a muggy day and craving your favorite flavor, while the frozen concoction mocks you from under the glass, just out of reach. The fact that you can look but not touch makes you want it even more.

I stepped away from my window as Nate Neitch paused by his truck and glanced up at my second story bedroom window. My pulse tripped. I held my breath as I moved out of his view and vowed that this summer would be different. This summer I'd make him fall for me. Hard. Nate Neitch, look out. I'm back, and I'm not playing games.

Be still my beating heart. How could he possibly know I was in town? I'd climbed the squeaky steps to the upper floor of my grandparents' farmhouse just after midnight, a day earlier than expected. News does travel fast in small towns.

Nate plugged something into his cell phone and opened the door of his truck as I pushed the sheer pink curtain a little further to the left to get a better view of its new paint job. I had to give it to Nate, he was handy when it came to cars.

My cell phone buzzed and I jumped, allowing the curtain to fall completely across the window.

Hey, Z-girl. You in town? Nate

A shiver of warmth surged through me at the sight of his nickname for me. I could almost hear his deep, gravelly voice, all male and totally sexy. Even after an entire school year away from him, he still made me feel like a twelve-year-old with a crush. My hands shook so badly it took me three times to get my reply right.

Yeah, I'm here. Z-girl.

I fought the urge to sign it, your Z-girl. I reminded myself that just because he'd kissed me right before I left town last year, didn't mean I owned him -- but a girl can wish. My phone buzzed his reply.

Going 2 town. Wanna go?

Those words were magic to my longing heart. I rubbed sweaty palms down the side of my jeans before texting that I'd be right there. He was practically all I'd thought about this past year, and I was finally going to see him face to face.

Would he kiss me again? Would he still want to hang out? He'd spent just about every minute of his spare time with me last summer. I'd be disappointed if there wasn't a replay this year.

I studied the cork board on the wall beside my dresser. The block letters running across the top jumped out at me. Zoe Mack & Friends. Gram had insisted we use my full name because she liked it so much. I smiled at the memory. We'd covered it in pink cloth and attached photos of myself, Nate, and my friends. Right now it was bare, awaiting the photos I'd removed when I'd left last year. Hopefully, I'd have new photos of this summer's adventures to add soon.

I took one last look in the mirror, pulled my strawberry-blond hair back into a ponytail, dotted the freckles on my nose with a little foundation, and rushed downstairs. Gram sat at an antique kitchen table, sipping a cup of steaming tea. As usual, the kitchen was immaculate. She'd cleaned up our breakfast of toast, eggs, and bacon and was reading her devotions. My grandparents were so set in their ways, I could just about set the clock by them.

I attempted to act calm, cool, and casual. "Hey, Gram. Nate just texted me. I'm going to town with him."

She pursed her lips and blew the steam away from the rim of her teacup, the sparkle in her aged blue eyes telling me she'd seen through me. When it came to matters of the heart, Gram was a pro at figuring out who had a crush on who.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
Twitter: kdawnbyrd





Thank you for spending this fun time with us, K Dawn


Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Zoe Mack and the Secret of the Love Letters (Zoe Mack Mysteries) - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

24 comments:

K. Dawn Byrd said...

Thanks for the blog spot, Lena. I look forward to interacting with your readers.

Unknown said...

Thanks for a great post and the opportunity to win The Secret of the Love Letters, Dawn and Lena. i had not seen this one before, but now i know i'll be looking for it. My brother had a Harley, but since he never got his license, he would not let me ride with him. i did have a ride with my uncle, but that is years and years ago.

Marianne from Arizona

mitzi[underscore]wanham[at]yahoo[dot]com

Coolestmommy said...

Thanks for sharing. I think the book sounds wonderful...and I know some teens who need to read it. Glad to 'meet' you here!
coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE

K. Dawn Byrd said...

It's nice to meet you!

Marianne: I don't miss the Harley at all. It doesn't compare to the joy I get from writing.

Robyn: I had so much fun writing Zoe Mack. I'm currently writing book two and having a ball.

Linda Kish said...

I would love to win a copy of this book.

California

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Katie said...

You have definately caught my interest! Please enter me! :) I'm from NC.

God bless~

Mary Preston said...

I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes to be organised & make lists. I enjoyed the first page for THE SECRET OF THE LOVE LETTERS thank you.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

apple blossom said...

thanks for the interview love to be included in this giveaway thanks. live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

K. Dawn Byrd said...

A big thanks to all for your kind comments! I'm stuck in major writer's block while working on book two of this series. I hope to get rolling soon. (Fatal Attraction will release in June.)

Joanna Richmond said...

sound very interesting I would Love to read it thanks for the chance enter me Thanks
Joanna Richmond
Blanch NC

Abigail Mitchell said...

Enter me!
Abigail
Blanch, N.C.

scottsgal said...

Thanks for a great interview! The cover would pull me in to this book!
cheryl in IL
msboatgal at aol.com

Merry said...

I loved the sneak peek, this is going on my wish list!
Merry in TX

karenk said...

thanks for the chance to read this fabulous novel :)

karenk...from PA
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Kristie said...

It is funny that you talk about giving up hobbies so that you can write. I'm desperately trying to find a winter hobby for my husband. In the summer he golfs but in the winter - nada. My hobbies are reading and sleeping and watching Golden Girls on TV. I suppose that reading is a natural hobby for librarians such as myself. However there are so many books and so little time. Just check my Shelfari "want to read" list for proof of that. *LOL* Your book sounds like something I would like to read. Romance with a dash of mystery. I'm from Ohio. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

Sharon Richmond said...

Enter me I would love to win a copy of this book it sounds like a great story! Thanks and God bless.
Sharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.

K. Dawn Byrd said...

Kristie:
My hubby is a big golfer also and I'm grateful for that because I must have total peace and quiet to write. I tell him that having him around the house is like listening to a bull in a china shop.

rubynreba said...

Great interview - I'm anxious to read this book.
From Iowa

K. Dawn Byrd said...

Thanks for all the great comments! I'm having so much fun with Zoe Mack. I'm currently writing the second book, Zoe Mack and A Case of Fatal Attraction.

Kaila's Grandma/Oh said...

Would love to win, sounds great..Kaila's Grandma

K. Dawn Byrd said...

I hope everyone has enjoyed the weekend. I've been working on the second book in the Zoe Mack series, adding in more tension, clues, and mystery.

Zoe is terrified of two things...crickets and blood. Can you imagine what happens when she goes undercover working in a blood bank? In book two, she's coming face to face with one of her greatest fears. Will she conquer?

Nathanael Richmond said...

Enter me!
Nathanael
Blanch, NC.

K. Dawn Byrd said...

Thanks for all the great comments! The Zoe Mack series combines two of my favorite things...mystery and romance. It offers something a little different to the market because of this and the fact that the characters are college age. There aren't many books out there with college age characters.

kamagra said...

THE SECRET OF THE LOVE LETTERS is another entertaining YA novel by an author who really knows how to cook up a tale of intrigue.