Spotlight & Giveaway: Crash by Evelyn Sola

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Evelyn Sola to HJ!

Hi Evelyn and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, Crash!

 
Welcome!
 

To start off, can you please tell us a little bit about this book?:

This book is the third in the Clark Family Series. The couple originally met in book 1, and let’s just say the meeting was a bit on the combative side. These are two very stubborn people who refuse to give in to their attraction to each other.
 

Please share your favorite lines or quote(s) from this book:

“This is another reason to avoid marriage. The in-laws,
Are you trying to mansplain a period to me?
What are you going to do, Smurfette? Looks like a man’s got you completely at his mercy. The patriarchy has you, ready to bend you to its will.
It was the best night of my life.
What we have is the real deal. It’s not always pretty, but it’s always beautiful.

What inspired this book?

Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes in the romance genre. As a reader, it’s sometimes frustrating when they go from enemies to lovers without any buildup or transition. I wanted the readers to see the change in the characters. It was a journey that I wanted to take as a writer. I hope the readers will come along for the ride.

How did you ‘get to know’ your main characters? Did they ever surprise you?

These characters were side characters in two previous books. I’ve gotten to know them over time, but both the hero and the heroine surprised me in so many ways. Luke, the hero, was a jerk for most of the first book, and the heroine, Vivi, was only in the book briefly. It was a challenge delving into them, figuring them out, and making them vulnerable. I fell in love with both of them. The heroine for her strength and resilience, and the hero for his devotion and unwavering support.

What was your favorite scene to write?

I loved the early scenes when they would argue and insult each other. The prologue is nothing but one-upmanship. That was fun to write, but during all of the fights, I had to find ways to show their attraction to each other.

Here’s a brief snippet of what we’re dealing with when it comes to those two:

As I look around the room, my eyes land on the only hateful member of Jake’s family. As if sensing my eyes on him, he turns around, eyeing me up and down before meeting my gaze. He takes a sip of his champagne, never breaking our gaze. His pink tongue pokes out as he licks his bottom lip, and I reluctantly admit that the bastard is handsome. He’s tall and muscular with beautiful green eyes. Like everyone else, he’s in a white linen outfit. The top two buttons of his shirt are undone and even from across the room, I can see his smooth, tanned skin. His Adam’s apple bobs as he looks me over. Because this is my cousin’s wedding and because I’m determined to have an incredible few days, I decide to be an adult and smile at him, but before I can do that, he sticks out his middle finger and pretends to rub the side of his nose. God, I hate that bastard! I make an L with my thumb and index finger and put it on my forehead. He snorts and turns his back to me.

What was the most difficult scene to write?

The transitional scenes were the hardest. Taking them from enemies, to friends, to lovers. There was a lot of emotion that needed to be shown. The ice was thawing and I’m hoping readers will be able to see that.

Would you say this book showcases your writing style or is it a departure for you?

I think it showcases it. You won’t find car chases, kidnappings or explosions in my stories. I’m all about the human connection. I think that’s something we can all relate too. I love when readers reach out to tell me that my story touched them, or that they experienced something similar to what I’ve written about. I try to show a lot of human emotions in my writing, including humor. I incorporate family in all of my stories because in most cases, your family dynamics play a huge role in who you are.

What do you want people to take away from reading this book?

That not everything is how it appears. People have layers, and it’s up to us to dig deep. Forgiveness can free you of toxic energy. Having a conversation can clear up years of misunderstanding and doubt, and the best revenge is to live well.

What are you currently working on? What other releases do you have planned?

I just submitted a fun holiday story, which I’m hoping to release this coming November. I’m currently writing a second chance romance, and that’s challenging as well. I have two characters who were so in love at one point, and I have to convince the readers that something terrible came between them. No, there won’t be any cheating.

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

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Excerpt from Crash:

With nothing left for me to do but put on my dress, I enjoy a glass of champagne and nibble on the fruit platter the staff has put out. Thankful to have been the first to finish with my hair and makeup, I can enjoy some peace before we dress and leave.
I don’t even pretend to be surprised when the front door opens and slams. I knew he’d be here, and I smile in victory. The oldest Clark sibling, Troy, is right behind him, looking frazzled.
First thing this morning, I grabbed Tash’s keys and snuck out to a local shop that sells gag gifts. I only felt a little guilty for using the spending money Tash had given me on this, but Luke Clark deserves it. He reached a new low last night when I saw him talking with the wedding planner. It’s not like I wanted to be paired up with him for the wedding either, but the way he went about it hurt.
“You,” he says, pointing at me. He starts to approach, but when he sees me, his steps falter and he comes to a stop. He eyes me in my short silk robe, and for the first time, I’m aware that I have nothing on under this robe. His Adam’s apple bobs. To appear unaffected by his intense gaze, I pop a grape in my mouth and refuse to flinch as he approaches. He looks a mess. His hair is all over his head and his face has gone completely red. I pinch my nose closed when he’s close enough to smell.
“You smell like shit,” I say with a snicker.
“Not only do you sneak into my room and put a stink bomb in there, you spray some disgusting smelling cologne on all my clothes. And you stole my tux. Give it to me or I swear I will pick you up and throw you in the pool.” He reaches for me, but I scream and run behind Troy, using him as a shield.
“Luke, just go to your room and look for your shit so we can get out of here. You better hope you can wash that smell off.”
He growls and reaches for me again, but I push his mammoth paw away from me.
“I don’t want your stench on me, rich boy. Get your paw off me. And how the hell did I get into your room, idiot?” I stole his room key right after breakfast, that’s how. He was dumb enough to leave it on his table inside the little card with the room number written on it. The big oaf gave me the perfect opportunity when he took the kids, stripped out of his shirt, revealing his perfect body, and jumped in the pool. I swiped his key and was in and out of his room in under five minutes with no one the wiser.
“You little thief! If I can’t find my tux, you’re dead.” He storms off and runs up the stairs. I laugh loud and deep when I hear his mother chastise him for his smell.
Troy just looks at me and shakes his head, but I don’t say a word. I’ve won this round, and that is good enough for me.
“Is Jake nervous?” I ask Troy as I eat more grapes.
“He’s anxious, not nervous. He’s pacing his suite like a caged lion. I had to take his phone so he wouldn’t FaceTime her.”
“Aww, that’s so sweet,” I say. “I don’t understand how Luke can be related to the two of you. Are you sure he wasn’t adopted? Or maybe his real mother took one look at his ugly face and left him on your doorstep or something. Your parents are nice people and took him in.”
“We’re sure he’s ours biologically,” Troy says with a loud laugh.
“Really?” I ask, feigning surprise. “I think you should check and make sure. You and Jake are fairly intelligent human beings, but Luke has the IQ of a slug, the looks of the Elephant Man, and the manners of a baby monkey.”
“How do you know what the IQ of a slug is?” he asks as he reaches for the grapes.
While I think of a smart response, the oaf comes stomping down the stairs with his garment bag thrown over his shoulder.
“Let’s go,” he says to Troy. “We need to stop off at a store so I can buy some clothes and new underwear. This criminal ruined all my shit.”
“You certainly smell like it,” I say back. “And have you always been such a whiny baby? Maybe Troy should check your diaper before you leave.”
He growls and shoves his tux into Troy’s arms before reaching for me.
I let out a loud scream and hide behind Troy, holding on to him as my shield. “Go away, Elephant Man!”
“I’m going to wring your skinny little neck for what you did in my room.” He grabs my forearm with one giant paw, and I scream again. I try to move Troy to block me, and with both of us sandwiching him in the middle he nearly loses his balance.
“Will you two stop acting like a couple of toddlers?” he yells. He manages to shove Luke away, but I don’t let him go.
“You think I went into your room? Prove it,” I taunt.
He turns towards me, and instead of continuing to use Troy as a shield, I walk around him and look him right in the eye. He points his index finger in my face, and I push it away.
“You don’t stick your finger in my face ever, unless you want to lose it.”
“You’re just a ray of sunshine aren’t you, you little thief? My finger in your face is the least of your problems. I’m going to prove it, alright. I’ll ask the hotel to look at their cameras, and when I see you go in my room, I’m pressing charges.”
I hadn’t thought of that when I decided to break into his room. I swallow nervously, and he gives me an evil grin, baring his teeth like the wild animal that he is.
“Let’s go, Luke. You have no proof. All Vivi has to say is that you gave her the key and she brought your tux here for you at your request. You admitted there was nothing else missing. You have no evidence she actually put a stink bomb in your room or ruined your clothes.”
Luke stares at his brother, irritation marring his stupid face.
“Thanks, Troy. Thanks a lot for telling her all of that. You’re aiding and abetting a criminal. Let’s get the hell out of here. And you,” he says turning his green eyes back on me, “stay away from me.”
“That won’t be a problem,” I shoot back. “You’re a human female repellant, and you’re ugly, so staying away from you is not exactly a hardship.”
“But you’re not a female, so I’m a little worried about it, Medusa.”
“She was female, you idiot!” I yell at his retreating back.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

VIVI
For the first time in my life, I’m with the family I choose.
Living with my cousin, who happens to be a newlywed, is the best thing ever.
There is one pesky downside, and his name is Lucas Clark.
He’s a spoiled rich boy who was put on this Earth to torture me.
He thinks he can intimidate me, keep me in my place, but I have news for him. No way is he man enough.
And it’s annoying. Like, why do his eyes follow me everywhere? Why do I lose all self-control, seeking him out whenever we share the same space?
I should be running in the opposite direction, right?
His words are harsh, hostile. Until one night, the hostility is replaced by a kiss that almost set us on fire.

Luke

She’s a tiny ball of energy. Every bitter and combative word out of her mouth is aimed at me.
My family thinks I walk on water, so I could use any excuse to stay away from her.
She’s nothing more than a man-hating shrew wrapped up in a beautiful package.
Those dark eyes of hers? I see them everywhere.
Her red lips? They beg to be kissed.
And one night, I do. I finally get a taste, but it’s not enough. I want more.
She says she hates me.
I’m used to getting what I want, and what I want is to prove to Vivi that hate is the last thing on her mind when it comes to me.

Book Links: Amazon |
 
 

Meet the Author:

A Boston native, wife, mother, and wine enthusiast. If she’s not writing, thinking about writing, you will find Evelyn with a book in her hands. While a new publisher, she’s been writing for years, and she will continue to write for many years to come.
Evelyn is obsessed with assertive and confident men who will stop at nothing to get their woman. Her stories are filled with love, passion, and humor.
She currently lives in Washington, DC with her husband and two daughters.
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