Spotlight & Giveaway: Fall by Kristen Callihan

Posted October 23rd, 2018 by in Blog, Spotlight / 42 comments

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Kristen Callihan to HJ!
Spotlight&Giveaway

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

 

Please summarize the book for the readers here:

John Blackwood—the world knows him as Jax, singer/guitarist for Kill John—is comfortably numb. He’s had a rough two years and is dealing with recurring bouts of depression. The last thing he expected was that a quirky redhead would continue to pop into his life at unexpected times and challenge him at every turn. Stella is alone in the world. She’s built up walls to protect herself from emotional hurt. She never thought she’d fall for a rock star, but the more she gets to know John, the more she realizes he’s her other half, and the one person she’d risk everything for. Neither of them knows much about love and relationships, but they soon become each other’s everything. All they have to do is trust each other enough to fall.
 

Please share the opening lines of this book:

There is a man following me. I’m 99.5 percent sure of it. Though it should be freaking me out, I’m more intrigued at this point. I slide a glance over the organic apple bin at the stalker in question. Tall, lean, fit—at least judging by the way his coat hugs his broad shoulders—even features, good jawline. Chocolate-brown hair and tan skin. Chocolate and peanut butter. Yum.

 

Please share a few Fun facts about this book…

  • When I was sixteen, I started taking flying lessons; it was the ultimate escape for me. I decided to give this hobby to Stella because I felt she needed something special that was just for her.
  • There is a scene with Jax playing Jimi Hendrix’s guitar naked. The guitar is real and was available for sale online when I wrote the scene. Jax/John, unfortunately, is not—though I’m sure there are some who wish he was.
  • The little story of John vs. the gnat is based on something that happened to my sister. You’ll have to read the book to find out who won, though.

 

Please tell us a little about the characters in your book. As you wrote your protagonist was there anything about them that surprised you?

John hides his pain and feelings behind smarmy comments, jokes, or by simply withdrawing from the world. But he’s also fiercely loyal and protective. It soon became clear to me that John is the one in his group of friends who makes sure everyone is okay. He’s a fixer.

Stella is outwardly sunny and happy. She wants to make everyone comfortable and feel safe. But underneath it all, it hurts her to realize that while she makes time for everyone, no one has ever taken care of her. So while she appears to be John’s opposite, they’re actually very much alike.

They’re also both total sensualists—loving good food, cozy homes, find joy in simple things. I didn’t see that coming.

 

If your book was optioned for a movie, what scene would you use for the audition of the main characters and why?

You know, I think it’s better to leave casting open to the readers. Let them decide who would make a perfect John and Stella. But I do know what scene I’d use:

“John?” I whisper, our lips close enough that his soft breath tickles mine.
His voice is just as soft when he answers. “Yeah, babe?”
“May I kiss you?”
A tremor goes through him, and he swallows hard. “You’re asking me?” The disbelief in his voice is faint but there all the same. His grip on my hips tightens and tugs.
I adjust my seat, my sex pressing more firmly into his swelling cock. “Anyone ever ask you before?”
Up close, his eyes are pure green, his lashes thick and soft; he’s almost too beautiful to look at. He blinks, those lashes sweeping. “No. Can’t say it’s ever mattered before.”
Before.
It matters now. Because he’s been sitting here believing he’s tarnished, thinking I didn’t want him.
My fingers trace the strong column of his throat. “Thing is, I think about kissing you too. Ever since I stole that first one, I’ve wanted more.” John’s hand slides up my back as I talk, his fingers tangling into the damp heat of my hair. I shiver with pleasure, my confession coming out in a breathless rush. “Whenever I open my mouth to talk to you, I’m afraid I’ll beg for another kiss, just a little taste of you—”
“Stella?” he cuts in, his gaze hot on mine.
“Yeah?”
“Kiss me.”

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 

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

So many people suffer from mental health issues. Yet people who suffer from mental health problems aren’t all gloom and doom. They are often funny, intelligent, and charismatic with richly layered lives. Fall isn’t a depressing book. It is a hopeful book about love, acceptance, and the joy of finding your other half in the dark.

 

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

Exposed is the fourth book in the VIP series and features bassist Rye Peterson and PR manager Brenna James.

Between Us is a standalone and not part of any of my current series. It’s about childhood nemeses who meet up again as adults and are forced to spend time together.
 

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

 

Giveaway: Signed copy of FALL (VIP Book 3) by Kristen Callihan

 

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: In FALL John plays guitar and runs to tackle his blue days. What do you do when you’re feeling down?

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
 

Book Info:

The first time I met Jax Blackwood things went a little sideways.

In my defense, I didn’t know he was Jax Blackwood—who expects a legendary rock star to be shopping for groceries? More importantly, a blizzard was coming and he was about to grab the last carton of mint-chocolate chip.

Still, I might have walked away, but then he smugly dared me to try and take the coveted ice cream. So I kissed him. And distracted that mint-chip right out of his hands.

Okay, it was a dirty move, but desperate times and all that. Besides, I never expected he’d be my new neighbor.

An annoying neighbor who takes great pleasure in reminding me that I owe him ice cream but would happily accept more kisses as payment. An irresistible neighbor who keeps me up while playing guitar naked–spectacularly naked–in his living room.

Clearly, avoidance is key. Except nothing about Jax is easy to ignore—not the way he makes me laugh, or that his particular brand of darkness matches mine, or how one look from him melts me faster than butter under a hot sun.

Neither of us believes in love or forever. Yet we’re quickly becoming each other’s addiction. But we could be more. We could be everything.

All we have to do is trust enough to fall.

Book Links: Amazon | B&N | iTunes |
 
 
 

Meet the Author:

Kristen Callihan is an author because there is nothing else she’d rather be. She is a three-time RITA nominee and winner of two RT Reviewer’s Choice awards. Her novels have garnered starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and the Library Journal, as well as being awarded top picks by many reviewers. Her debut book FIRELIGHT received RT Magazine’s Seal of Excellence, was named a best book of the year by Library Journal, best book of Spring 2012 by Publisher’s Weekly, and was named the best romance book of 2012 by ALA RUSA. When she is not writing, she is reading.

WEBSITE / FACEBOOK / TWITTER / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE
 
 
 

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42 Responses to “Spotlight & Giveaway: Fall by Kristen Callihan”

  11. Tammy V

    I like doing puzzles when I’m down or anxious. Reading and tv watching are typical every night activities. Sometimes I’ll make our favorite cookies and take to my kids/grandkids.

  13. laurieg72

    When I’m feeling down I like to swim. I zone out and feel better when I’m done. I like to hike in the woods or walk along the beach. My worries melt away when I’m distracted by the beautiful scenery..

  23. Marsha Bachmeier

    I’m lucky enough to not have many blue days, but when I do I usually listen to music (and sing along off key) or read! 🙂

  35. Terrill R.

    When I feel down, I try to spend more time with my family or make time with a good friend that I haven’t connected with in awhile.

  40. Barbara Bates

    Read a good book,spend time with family and go outside for some fresh air!