Monday, September 24, 2012

INTERVIEW AND GIVEAWAY ~ JULIE ANN WALKER -- IN RIDES TROUBLE



~ GIVEAWAY DETAILS AT END OF POST ~


Hello Lovelies! Today I am excited to have two very interesting people with me to talk about their story and have some fun. In Julie Anne Walker’s newest series, Black Knights, Inc., we get to meet some very interesting men and one woman who work at a motorcycle shop in Chicago. It’s a front for an elite special ops team that takes jobs the government doesn’t want. They are highly trained men with a military past and have mad skills—in as well as out of the bedroom.


Here is a little blurb from Goodreads about the newest release, In Rides Trouble.




Release Date: September 4, 2012
Book Two, Black Knights
 Rebel with a Cause...

Becky "Rebel" Reichert never actually goes looking for trouble. It just has a tendency to find her. Like the day Frank Knight showed up at her door, wanting to use her motorcycle shop as a cover for his elite special ops team. But Becky prides herself on being able to hang with the big boys-she can weld, drive, and shoot just as well as any of them.

Man with a Mission...

Munitions, missiles, and mayhem are Frank's way of life. The last thing the ex-SEAL wants is for one brash blonde to come within fifty feet of anything that goes boom. Yet it's just his rotten luck when she ends up in a hostage situation at sea. Come hell or high water, he will get her back-whether she says she needs him or not.



We meet Frank and Becky in the first book, Hell On Wheels, where they verbally spar with one another, and one can feel the sexual tension that’s thicker than the San Francisco fog. I must admit, these two had me very interested in seeing just how their future would work out.



CS: So **points to two chairs**, why don’t you both get comfortable, and have a seat. Would you care for anything to drink? OJ, coffee, milk? **looks slyly at Frank and Becky while digging for bowl under desk** Or would you rather have a Dum Dum? I even have Root Beer flavor.

Becky: **slugs Frank in shoulder and snickers**

Frank: **rubs shoulder and frowns**

Becky: Don't let that glower fool you. He wants it.

Frank: **shrugs and reaches for Root Beer Dum Dum, stuffs it in shirt pocket**

Becky: See! I told ya! The man has absolutely no control when-

Frank: **interrupting** That's not what you said last night.

Becky: Shh! This is a professional interview, you big dillhole. Try to keep your head out of the gutter for five seconds, will you? **feigns a scowl, but corner of mouth twitches**



CS: Okay, Frank, this first question is for you. How did you get into motorcycles? I know that Becky here has always been a little grease monkey growing up. What is your story? And what is your dream bike? Have you asked Becky to design one for you?

Frank: **looks over at Becky and winks** I got into bikes when I was a teenager and yearned for the freedom of my own ride but couldn't afford a car. My junior year in high school, I bought an old 1982 Honda CBX for three-hundred bucks, wrestled it back into fairly good working order, and, from then on, I was hooked. The wind in my hair, the open road... There's just something about it.

Becky: **rolls in lips, eyes thinning slyly** Yeah, that. And he knows how could he looks in leather and biker boots.

Frank: Can't help what God gave me.

Becky: Pfft. Answer the rest of her question, Mr. Universe.

Frank: **hooks an arm around Becky's neck, pulling her over for a loud, smacking kiss**

Becky: ** laughs happily**

Frank: As for my dream bike. It's sitting right outside. If you stroll over to the window, you'll see Boss Hog parked by the curb. I came up with the general theme, pearlescent white paint, lots of chrome... but Becky's the one who put all the extras on that really make it stand out. That intricate dual exhaust was her, the chrome studs in the leather on the seat was her. Basically, she took my simple idea and ran wild with it. It's a gorgeous bike. All her bikes are gorgeous bikes.

Becky: Aw, thanks, babe.

Frank: **winks, looking well-satisfied and proud**



CS: Becky, have the dynamics in your relationship with the men of Black Knights changed since your involvement with Frank? Do the men constantly tease Frank about being “chained down” by a woman?

Frank: **growls**

Becky: **fights a grin** Oh, the Knights like to give both of us a hard time. If we kiss? Guaranteed someone's making a gagging noise. And, I swear, they absolutely delight in banging on our bedroom door in the morning, yelling, "If the bed's not rockin', you best bet we come knockin'!" It's like living in a fraternity house sometimes. But I wouldn't change it.



CS: Frank, tell us a little bit more about Zoelner. Do you think he’ll ever join you guys in the future as a member of Black Knights?

Frank: **face suddenly wiped clean like a chalkboard** I've asked him. Now, it's up to him.

Becky: He'll join us. I just have a feeling...



CS: Either one of you can answer this next one. In book one, Dan loses his wife and he is obviously having a hard time dealing with his grief. How far do you think you’ll let this go (his drinking) before you step in and help him. Or will you step in?

Becky: **glances at Frank, expression sad**

Frank: **shakes head** Dan's wrestling with a lot of demons right now. And I'm of the school of thought that a man has to work through his own shit... er... his own stuff in his own way and time. But that being said, if he doesn't pull himself up by the bootstraps soon, we're going to have to do something."

Becky: He just needs a little more time.

Frank: **nods** Maybe...



CS: Okay, let’s get a little less serious folks and have some fun. Becky, you go first. Describe your co-worker Ozzie in three words.

Becky: **chuckles** Brilliant, Irreverent, and Total-Pain-In-The-Ass. I know that was more than three words, but that last description should count as one. A big one. The most accurate one. Ha!

Frank: **nods** She's right.



CS: Frank, what would you do if Snake, aka Jake, were to get involved again with your sister? What would say to him?

Frank: Depending on what his intentions were... ** eyes narrowing** I'd either welcome him with open arms, or make sure he doesn't walk right for a month.

Becky: He's very protective of Shell.

Frank: The woman needs protecting. She's had a hell of a lot of knocks on the chin in her life.

Becky: Yeah, and I'll say it again, you're very protective of Shell.

Frank: **shrugs** Comes with the territory. Big brother and all...



CS: Who would you say is the most serious of the group. Besides you, Frank. **eyes the man with a big smile*

Frank: Mac.

Becky: He means Bryan "Mac" McMillan. He's our resident ex-FBI agent, and I don't think I've ever seen the man smile.

Frank: Still waters run deep.

Becky: **glances at Frank, frowning** You know something about the guy that I don't?

Frank: **shrugs**

Becky: Ugh. **rolls eyes** Always with the boys' club.



CS: And this is for the both of you. Describe Julie Ann in just 5 words.

Frank: **crosses arms** Slave-driver.

Becky: **socks him in shoulder again** She's just driven. She wants to get all of our stories told.

Frank: That's what I just said, the woman's a slave-driver. Constantly at the keyboard.

Becky: **sighs** Julie Ann Walker is driven, ambitious, and because of that, a probably bit over-caffeinated.

Frank: Now, that last one I'll agree with.



CS: Is she difficult to work with? And tell me one thing about Julie Ann that nobody knows about.

Frank: She asks too many damn questions. Always trying to pick apart our motivations for doing things.

Becky: **shakes head** In case it's not obvious, those two have a love/hate relationship. Julie Ann loves to put us in angst-y situations, and Frank hates that. But as for something you don't know about her? Well... **slides Frank a sly look** She once told me she wrote a sex scene that involved me and Frank and a lollipop, but her editor cut it out.

CS: Double Damn…that shit, er…that scene needs to be written on her web page. Or even better, mailed to me. She knows my email now, so I better **ahem** see something soon, Jules…and I know you are listening to every word outside the door there. We.Will. Talk. ***crosses arms over breasts and scowls at door***


Frank: **perks up** She did?

Becky: **wiggles eyebrows**

Frank: Well, maybe she's not so bad after all.



CS: Lastly, Frank—have you forgiven or had words with Angel about his behavior toward Becky in In Rides Trouble. He seemed to love pushing your buttons.

Frank: Nah. He was just trying to look out for my girl. So I've forgiven him.

Becky: Oh, how magnanimous of you, Frank. **laughs exasperatedly**


CS: Thank you so much for showing up today. I hope you had fun. Please come by soon and visit whenever you want. Just, next time, bring Rock with you. His little sexy Cajun self is so cute.

Becky: Ha! I'll tell him you said that.

Frank: Thanks for having us here, ma'am. **pushes significant bulk up from chair and extends hand to Becky** Come on, woman. I've got plans for you.

Becky: **wiggles eyebrows at CS and follows Frank from room**


CS:  Sigh, yet another scene that I must read. That Frank has moves like Jagger. **Glances up to see if Becky is indeed out of earshot. That woman would sooooo kick my ass if she heard that.


Links for author:



  Links to purchase book   Amazon / B & N    
  For a chance to win a copy of Julie Ann Walker's book--just leave a comment (along with your email address) and let me know what you are currently reading. Also, are you loving it/hating it...I need some good book recs, people!    Rules of Giveaway   *Open to US Residents Only. *Must leave a comment along with email address *Follow CS Maxwell ~ Where's My Muse *Winner will be picked via Random.org and selection will be Saturday, September 29th.  

18 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for having Frank and Becky on today! It was a blast! Cheers!

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    Replies
    1. Julie ~ It was a blast having them here :) They are welcome any time. Good luck with your blog tour!

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  2. Hi Julie Ann--wonderful character interview, I loved getting to know the h/hr. I can't wait to read your books! Oh, and I'm going to second that--lollipop scene should be told. :D

    Let's see..Right now I'm finishing up Double Down by Katie Porter, hopefully in time for the book club chat tonight. I like it, but so far it's not a favorite of mine--it's sexy though, tons of fantasy role play and whatnot. ;) After this, not sure what I'll be reading. Must decide between review and 'just-because' book. Hm...

    Enjoy!
    TBQ
    The_Book_Queen(at)yahoo.com

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    Replies
    1. TBQ~ Thank you for stopping here to read my character interview...and I totes agree with the Dum Dum scene. I am dying to see what Julie does in box 3 which is sitting pretty in my kindle :)
      Double Down is delish and now I need book 3 by Katie Porter :)

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  3. Julie knows I have a mad love for Ozzie. Damn man made me raid my ipod for REO Speedwagon. Do I get kudos for even HAVING it?

    Though still waiting patiently to see Ozzie's rendition of Paradise by the Dashboard Light. Oh I'd be GIGGLING!

    I have In Rides Trouble in my to be read pile. I just HAD HAD to have it. Haven't read it yet. Damn writing taking up my time! But it's after Immortally Yours by Angie fox and before Mercedes Lackey's Changes. You should be privelged I put Frank and Becky's book before Lackey. She's my idol!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, there will be Paradise by the Dashboard Light. Don't you worry. That's just too good NOT to use. And right up Ozzie's alley. :-)

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    2. RAo---LOL, you always put a smile on my face woman. And why is it that we seem to fight over the same men? Ozzie is mine, I tell ya! :)
      And Paradise by the Dash Board Lights is my fave Meatloaf song. You can't NOT listen to it and sing your head off...

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    3. Lol!! Noo, Ozzie is MINE damnit! Gotta have some hawt nerd hottie! LOL. I had to comment to Julie that Ozzie made me raid my ipod for Take it on the Run..

      Then I told her she needed him to do either Paradise by the Dashboard light and or a Blondie. She liked the Meatloaf

      But yes that is one damn good song. I always have to sing along with it!! Gotta love Meatloaf.

      Damn writing has been getting in the way of my reading...

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  4. That was so much fun!!! Loved the character interview. I cannot wait to get started on this series, it sounds amazing. I am currently reading Blood Fever by Veronica Wolff. It's the third in her The Watcher's YA series. I am loving it so far


    june111(at)att(dot)net

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    1. Jolene ~ Glad you liked the interview. It was fun! I have to check out Blood Fever--I read YA books as well, when I need a change of pace.
      Thanks for stopping and commenting!

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  5. I am about to start the first book in the series and simply cannot wait! The series sounds so good and from the reviews I know I am going to enjoy it:) Love character interviews too!

    I am currently reading Killer Kisses by Chastity Bush and although it is kinda short I am really enjoying it! It's got vampires and a hot immortal detective named Alex who also happens to like riding bikes:)

    yadkny@hotmail.com

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    Replies
    1. yadkny~ I have only done three character interviews...and sometimes they can be rather difficult.Although this one was a blast!
      Thanks for the rec-I'll have to check it out.

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  6. That was fun! These books sound like fun reads!

    I just finished Pushing the Limits which I really liked and am about to start Rapture by JR Ward which should be great. She rarely disappoints.

    Thanks so much!
    GFC: Texas Book Lover
    mmafsmith AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Texas Book Lover--
      I've recently read Pushing the Limits and liked it, too! I cried hard when Noah realizes that it was best to leave his brothers with his foster parents--GAH! Painful.
      I am reading Rapture right now...seems like we have very similar tastes :)

      Delete
  7. I am reading Devoured By Darkness by Alexandra Ivy and its great.

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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    1. donnas~ I am waaaaay behind in Ivy's series. Maybe one day I'll be able to catch up.
      Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!

      Delete
  8. I've been wanting to read these books, fun interview! I'm getting caught up with the Night Huntress series, reading First Drop of Crimson, I like it!
    lfacchini(at)tampabay(dot)rr(dot)com

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    1. Laurie~
      Loved the Night Huntress series and the spin-off. Spade and Vlad were my fave secondary characters :)

      Delete

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