Spotlight & Giveaway: GREEN JEWEL by LJ Evans

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author LJ Evans to HJ!

Hi LJ Evans and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, GREEN JEWEL!

 
Thank you so much for having me here today to talk about the second book in my brand-new series. I can’t wait for people to fall head over heels for the heroine and hero in this story.
 

Tell us about the book with this fun little challenge using the title of the book:

G is for a Girl-band, fiery heroine.
R is for a Reserved and icy hero.
E is for Enemies-to-lovers with chemistry off the charts.
E is for Exposing each other’s secrets.
N is for “No Body, No Crime” Taylor Swift’s song inspiration.

J is for Jarring shadows that reach out with murderous intent.
E is for the nor’Easter (blizzard) that locks them together in his home.
W is for Wren, his little girl, who is the only female he’ll let in his heart again.
E is for Emotional, slow-burn HEA that will steal your heart.
L is for the Loving found family that surrounds Fiadh when she needs it most.

Please share the opening lines of this book:

Fiadh ran down the hotel hallway with her heart pounding as loud as her feet in her clunky Doc Martens. Fear, anger, and guilt blended together into a swell of emotions so large they compressed the air in her lungs until she was gasping.

Her bodyguard had barely said the awful words before she’d fled the room, desperate for one thing―to get to Paisley.

Please tell us a little about the characters in your book.

Fiadh (fee-uh) Kane created the band, The Painted Daisies, in an art class with her best friend. She covers the wounds she carries from being abandoned by her family with a smart wit and a flashy smile. The fans call her “the fiery entertainer” of the group, but her bandmates see her as both their defender and their comic relief. She plays over a dozen different instruments, many exclusive to her homeland of Ireland. What Fee refuses to do is give up on finding her best friend’s killer. She’ll find him and then destroy him, or die trying.

As the President and co-owner of Ridgeway Media Industries, Asher Riggs threw his family’s company into the music business by buying two labels, including the one The Painted Daisies are signed to. This icy, no-nonsense businessman is known for turning the companies he picks up into instant success stories, but when asked what he’s most proud of creating, he doesn’t bat an eye when he says it’s his daughter. Asher refuses to ever give his heart again to any woman other than his little girl, so the temptation that Fiadh Kane presents is something he’ll deny until he takes his last breath.

Please share a few Fun facts about this book…

• The off-the-the chart chemistry between this opposites-attract couple was addicting to write. They both think they know everything there is to know about the other person, and they can’t stand it. But when they’re forced to shelter in place in his Gothic mansion, it quickly becomes clear that they knew nothing at all.
• There’s a snowball fight in this book that brings levity after a very serious moment, but it also allows both characters to show their soft underbellies to the other. It pushes their walls down farther. I mean, who doesn’t love a good fall in the snow with those steamy looks melting the ice around them?
• Most people who’ve read my books know how important music is to my stories. Each chapter has a song that goes with it, so the playlists are pretty extensive. When I was looking for artists for this book, I was determined to represent Ireland in the music. One of my favorite singers on the playlist is Imelda May. She’s an Irish rock musician with a mix of folk songs. Plus, her voice is out of this world. Check out the playlist to hear more: https://spoti.fi/3fylO6M

What first attracts your Hero to the Heroine and vice versa?

Because this is an enemies-to-lovers story, the things they think they hate about each other end up being some of the things they love most, but they won’t admit it until later.

For Fiadh, what finally tips her over the edge from the physical attraction she feels around Asher to something more is the tender look he shares for his daughter and the way he treats his staff like family. It’s also because of how, in her weakest moment, he shows her tenderness instead of rubbing her face in her wounds.

For Asher, what first catches his interest is noticing Fiadh’s real smile isn’t the full wattage one she gives the world onstage, but the smaller, one holding back secrets and heartbreak. He wants to know exactly what forced her into hiding behind the bold mask… and yet he hates that he does.

The First Kiss…

Fiadh was teaching Asher’s daughter to play the piano with a silly little game. After the little girl leaves the room, he asks Fiadh to teach him it so he can play with Wren if she asks. But, he slowly changes the game into something sensual…

“I win,” he said.

And she laughed. “You cheated. That isn’t a win.”

She was up off the bench in a flash, and he followed, catching her arm before she’d gotten much farther than the end of the piano and pulling her back until their chests collided. Her breath was choppier, breasts rising and falling underneath his sweatshirt, pulse fluttering beneath his fingertips.

“Next time, set better rules, Fiadh. The only condition was to reach the C note first. I did. I won.”

“Is this the role model you set for Wren? A cheater?” She lifted her chin again, eyes flashing as she glared up at him, and he swore he could see actual flames beneath the brown. Flickers of fire and brimstone.

“Wren isn’t here. Only you. Don’t get pissed because I saw through your loopholes. I’m a lawyer. It’s what I do.”

“Fine, cheater, you win. What question do you have for me?”

She wasn’t fighting his hold. In fact, he was certain her weight was now leaning into him ever so slightly, and her gaze had fallen to his mouth several times. He released her arm only to slide one hand to her lower back, pushing her closer while the other circled her neck, a finger caressing her jaw, his thumb sliding over her lower lip. She exhaled, a shaky breath that he needed to be his.

“Can I kiss you?” he asked.

One of her hands rested on his chest, fingers gripping his shirt. The other was on his bicep, as if debating pushing his arm away.

“You said I had to reply,” her voice hitched as she said the words.

“An answer. It doesn’t have to be yes. I’ve never taken what wasn’t freely given, and I don’t plan to start now.” His heart was pounding almost as furiously as hers. If she said no, he’d let her go, but then he’d dream for weeks of what it would have been like if she’d said yes.

Her eyes flickered with heat, and then she nodded.

That was all it took. His mouth was on hers before she could change her mind. Before she could even take another breath. It was a light touch meant to familiarize themselves with the feel of the other. But as soon as he tasted her, the rich, heady scent combined with her sweetness ignited his body, snapping his control until he was devouring her, pushing his way past her pretty pink lips and gorging himself with long, slow licks that barely hid the wild frenzy building in him as he attempted to uncover every single secret place inside her. It was wet and raw and left him hungry for more even while he was still indulging.

She moaned a melodious little sound that tightened his chest and his balls all at the same time. He spread his fingers along her back, pressing her to him, fusing them together. His other hand tangled in her thick hair, forcing her head backward so he had better access to her mouth, her jaw, and her neck. He took it all, licking and nipping and marking before landing again on her lips and taking the air she’d just inhaled and making it his.

The harsh, desperate truth burned through him. A truth that couldn’t be denied. He didn’t just desire her. He wanted every last piece of Fiadh Kane to belong to him, even if it left him cracked and bleeding in the end.

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

The intensity of the connection between Asher and Fiadh in this story is absolutely what drives it, so I’d definitely want to see that chemistry between the actors.

Here’s a snippet:

Her pulse raced, and he moved a hand to surround her neck, thumb flickering over the pulse point.

“I wish I hadn’t wanted you since the moment I saw you send the softest, most real, most open smile to your goddamn phone backstage in Korea.”

Her mind tried to keep up with his words, but his touch was sending her thoughts spiraling away, leaving only the natural instinct to blend their bodies together.

“Do you always deny yourself any sort of pleasure? What are you punishing yourself for?” she demanded, fingers embedding into the soft knit of his sweater, pulling him closer instead of pushing him away. Their mouths were barely a breath apart. With a mere whisper, they’d be touching. She wanted it. She wanted him. She wanted to feel every scorching flame, and then, hopefully, she could douse it out. She could leave it behind.

But her question had hit home, because his eyes narrowed.

“Not punishment. Protection. Because you’ll ruin me. You’ll ruin me and leave me just like every woman before you.” His ripped confession was guttural and pained. “Like every woman has left every Riggs for centuries. We’re cursed. We’re cursed, and you have the ability to cast that same damn spell over me again.”

Her breath caught at the trauma those words revealed. The heartache. But it matched the ones written on her veins. Her family. Lars. Landry. They’d all loved her and left her.

“Maybe we’ll break it together. The curse. The heartache,” she said, and she pushed her lips against his so softly it was agonizing because it wasn’t enough. She murmured against them, “Or maybe we’ll ruin each other a little bit more. Just watching the flames will be worth it.”

If your hero had a sexy-times play list, what song(s) would have to be on it?

As I mentioned earlier, music is absolutely entwined with my stories, so there would be some dang good ones on Asher’s sexy-times playlist.

The first would be “The Longing” by Imelda May because it’s exactly the temptation for Fiadh that Asher is trying to deny himself.

“Fever” by Peggy Lee would set the fire brewing between them some more.

Here are a couple more songs that would be on the list:

• “Don’t Let Go” by Bryan Adams w/ Sarah McLachlan
• “Help Me Make It Through the Night” by Bryan Adams
• “Love is Alive” by Lea Michele
• “Yours Alone” by The Brothers Bright with Valerie Miller
• “Loving You Is Easy” by Sarah McLachlan

If you could have given your characters one piece of advice before the opening pages of the book, what – would it be and why?

The number one piece of advice I’d give my characters would be “Not everything is as it seems.” This is not only because of the misunderstandings that lie between Fiadh and Asher themselves about who they are at their core but also because Asher has blinders on for many of the people in his life. And Fiadh learns she was trusting the wrong people all along. Of course, if they listened to my advice, then we wouldn’t have any of the juicy tension and action that travels through the book, so it’s pretty darn good I never had a chance to give it to them.

What are you currently working on? What are your up-coming releases?*

Right now, I’m taking a break as I just finished the last book in the series, and my fingers, wrists, and creativity are demanding a respite. But, holy snack cakes, do I love the adventure I created with this series! It’s a heart-wrenching journey I hope readers will never forget.

The best thing about this series? You get all five HEAs in five months!

LIVE NOW – SWEET MEMORY, is a second-chance, opposite-sides-of-the-track story. The world’s sweetest rock star falls for a troubled music producer whose past comes back to haunt them.

LIVE NOW – GREEN JEWEL is an enemies-to-lovers, single-dad romance. He did it. She’ll prove it. Her body’s reaction to him be damned.

May 17th – CHERRY BRANDY is an opposites-attract, forbidden romance. Being on the run with only one bed is no excuse to touch her…until touching is the only choice.

June 14th – BLUE MARGUERITE, a frenemy, second-chance, celebrity romance. She’ll never forgive him for humiliating her. Not even when he offers the answers her family desperately seeks.

July 12th – ROYAL HAZE, is the stunning conclusion to the series. It’s an antihero, secret society romance. He was ready to torture, steal, and kill to defend the world he believed in. What he wasn’t prepared for…was her.

I hope you’ll get swept away in the adventure!

Each full-length novel has a different HEA couple and a completed suspense plot, but the series is best read from book one to keep track of the overarching murder mystery.

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

Giveaway: Signed paperback of Green Jewel and 12-pack of The Painted Daisies Character Cards.
U.S. only, sorry!

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: What’s a song you can’t stop listening to right now?

 
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Excerpt from GREEN JEWEL:

The snowballs were lobbed. Wren’s ball went wild, hitting Jay on his shoulder, but Fee’s hit her mark perfectly, snow dripping from Asher’s face.

His shocked expression had her laughing, a full-bellied laugh she couldn’t keep back and that gave away their hiding spot.

“Hurry, hit them again before they can retaliate,” Fee said through her laughter.

Wren launched more, sometimes hitting the men softly, sometimes missing altogether. Fiadh, on the other hand, hit her mark every single time. Chest. Face. Pants. Back to his chest. All on Asher. An onslaught. She didn’t even give a thought to Jay.

Both men were plowing through the snow toward them. There was a smile on Jay’s face and determination on Asher’s, but his firm lips were tilted upward.

“Retreat!” Fee screamed as they got closer.

She grabbed Wren’s hand, and they tried to move through the snow to another block of trees, but it was so deep and Wren’s legs were so small it made them too slow.

A snowball hit her in the back of the head—hard. It splashed over her shoulders and back, and she laughed. She bent at her knees. “Hop on,” she told Wren.

“Using my daughter as a shield, Fiadh? That’s hardly fair. And don’t think I won’t get even just because she’s my little girl,” Asher’s voice rang out.

A snowball hit her shoulder and burst over Wren’s legs.

Fee took off again, leaping and trudging, but Wren’s little body was heavier than it looked. Packed balls of snow kept hitting them. Wren was giggling and wiggling, making it hard to carry her.

“Take that, you fair ice maidens,” Jay hollered at them as more snow came their way.

They finally reached the next bank of trees, and Fee ducked behind them. Wren slid off, and they grabbed more snow, trying desperately to throw it back at the approaching men.

“You are not very good at this,” Wren laughed.

Fee looked down with an enormous smile. “No?”

“Absolutely not. We do not have enough snowballs or shelter, and they are both bigger and faster than us.”

“It’s still fun though.”

“Seeing Father’s face when you hit him with the first one was delightful.” Wren continued to laugh. Her smile was as stunning as her father’s, and it banged away inside Fee’s chest, building her ache to an almost overwhelming wave, but she wouldn’t give in to it. Not amid the fun and havoc they were having that she was sure Wren rarely experienced.

And then, the men were there. Jay swung Wren up in the air. “A snow barrel as punishment for you, dear girl.” He buried them both in the snow, gently twirling under the soft powder as Wren continued to giggle.

Asher was not gentle at all. He took Fee down with a shoulder to her stomach. Before she could even breathe, he was on top of her, shoving snow in her face. She blustered and laughed as the full weight of him pushed her farther into the icy piles.

“Give?” Asher’s deep voice demanded, a rumble of laughter there, but also stubborn resolve.

Her gaze met his, and their eyes locked. The look they shared could melt every inch of the snow from their bodies. Burning, flaming, combusting. His wet, gloved hand landed on her smiling lips with a look of awe Fee couldn’t remember anyone ever sending her way.

“Give,” he repeated, and this time, it was deep with a tone that was all command.

She laughed again, shook her head, and cried out, “Wren, save yourself!”

To her and Asher’s surprise, Wren’s little body landed on his back, tugging at his shoulders. Her giggles sounded like jingle bells in the frigid air.

“I will save you, Fiadh!”

“Save her! Why you little traitor, Birdie.” Asher’s body left Fee’s, and she felt the loss deep in her soul. Asher easily climbed to his feet even with his daughter hanging on his back. He swung Wren around so he had her in his arms, and then he landed on the ground with her next to Jay. He flung loose snow at her, nothing that would hurt her. His face was a glorious smile, large and full and showing teeth the same color as the powder around them. Seeing them like that, side by side, emphasized just how much Wren had his smile. His smile and his eyes.

Jay looked over at Fee from where he still lay on the snow, a grin on his face as well, and he mouthed, “Thank you.”

She didn’t quite understand everything he meant by it, but she had a feeling neither father nor daughter engaged in much roughhousing.

She slowly stood up, already cold and wet, knowing they wouldn’t last long like this in the freezing air.

“Didn’t someone say something about a snowperson competition? I can’t believe you two juvenile delinquents started a snowball fight, trying to distract us women from winning,” Fee tossed out.

Jay laughed. Asher growled, reaching out to grab her pant leg as she went to go by him. She lost her balance, tumbling down next to him and Wren on the ground. Her eyes met Asher’s again. His were crinkled up at the corners, true joy busting through. He pushed another handful of snow in her face, and she couldn’t help the carefree chortle that burst free.

Excerpts. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

He did it. She’ll prove it.
A fiery rock star and a ruthless businessman battle to expose each other’s secrets.

The only family The Painted Daisies singer and harpist Fiadh Kane has left in this world is her band. When their leader―her best friend who stood by her through the worst―is killed, she’s determined to find who did it and make him pay.

Fiadh is convinced the band’s new label owner knows more about the murder than he’s shared. She plans to reveal Asher’s skeletons by any means possible, even if it means using the magnetic lure blooming between them in ways she never expected.

Asher Riggs is paying penance for the sins of his youth. Raising his daughter and securing his company’s future are his only priorities. He certainly won’t be giving in to the wild temptress of a musician who lights a fire in his blood that’s a convoluted mix of lust and fury.

When a freak snowstorm forces Asher to take the brazen rock star to his home, the ice outside can’t tame the heat that ignites…or the shadows that come lurking.

But if they can’t find a way to trust each other with their secrets and their hearts, they’ll only be left with misery when the blizzard passes.
Book Links: Amazon | B& N | iTunes | Google |
 
 

Meet the Author:

Award-winning author, LJ Evans, lives in Northern California with her husband, child, and the three terrors called cats. She’s been writing, almost as a compulsion, since she was a little girl and will often pull the car over to write when a song lyric strikes her. A former first-grade teacher, she now spends her free time reading and writing, as well as binge-watching original shows like Ted Lasso, Wednesday, Veronica Mars, and Stranger Things.

If you ask her the one thing she won’t do, it’s pretty much anything that involves dirt—sports, gardening, or otherwise. But she loves to write about all of those things, and her first published heroine was pretty much involved with dirt on a daily basis, which is exactly why LJ loves fiction novels—the characters can be everything you’re not and still make their way into your heart.

Her novels have won multiple awards including CHARMING AND THE CHERRY BLOSSOM, which was Writer’s Digest’s Self-Published E-book Romance of the Year in 2021.
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