Spotlight & Giveaway: In Rhythm by JN Welsh

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author JN Welsh to HJ!

Hi JN Welsh and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, In Rhythm!

 
Hi there! Thanks for having me. I’m so happy to be here to share my new release with you!
 

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

In Rhythm is a romance set in the Electronic Dance Music (EDM) scene. It’s an intense love story between, DJs, Asha “Velvet Kendall and Isaak “Zazzle” Van Sandt. Velvet is going after her career with blind ambition. So much so that she never sees Zazzle coming. Their careers are about to converge, hers on the way up and his on the way down. When their paths cross things get very interesting. Though the novel tackles some challenging issues like drug addiction and recovery, the story’s themes are ultimately about hope, friendship, and second chances on many levels.
 

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

“Come back to my place.”
If he thought she was that easy, he was absolutely right. At least this time. She wasn’t in the habit of banging dudes she just met but she struggled to summon the morals required for the present situation.
“I don’t sleep around.”
“I’m not asking you to sleep around. Just with me.”

What inspired this book?

In the early stages of the series I knew that this book would be written. Being a wanderlust-er myself, one of the things that drew me to the contemporary DJ, in addition to the music, was the global appeal and all the places they travel just to perform. It’s a widespread playground, which opens it up to many decadent possibilities. When I happily inserted myself into the dance music scene, I couldn’t get away from the fact that drugs were present. To not incorporate it in some way would be irresponsible and make that world inauthentic. Even if a person attending the different events isn’t doing drugs, their friends or their friends’ friends or other people around might be. Drugs changes the dynamics of the relationship between Velvet and Zazzle because they have differing philosophies based on their experiences. I thought this would be especially interesting to explore.

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

I spend a lot of time looking at many DJs. Seeing them on stage is pretty awesome and they really have become today’s rock stars. While writing IN RHYTHM, Swedish DJ Salvatore Ganacci, whose on stage persona is very antic oriented drew my attention. When he does something wild I think…”Zazzle would do that!” He sort of became the foundation for Zazzle the performer. As I looked at Velvet, I wanted her and Zazzle to connect and fall for each other fast because sometimes you just know from the start that you have an overwhelming pull to a person that’s worth exploring at a quicker pace. Once that happened I’d talk them out on voice recordings (looking strange in my car where I do most of these talk-throughs) and get detailed about their history. Velvet is spunky and gutsy. She’s a low-key educator and wicked smart. I love her. When the characters start to write themselves and their dialogue and story comes to life, I get so excited! That always surprises me.

What was your favorite scene to write?

My favorite scenes in the book are when everyone is at a festival in Ibiza. It’s the midpoint of the book when we see the potential of these characters and the possibilities of what can be. It feels good and is reminiscent of some of the fun times I’d either witness or experienced at dance music festivals. It’s euphoric…communal. It’s also where the sexual tension between Velvet and Zazzle bursts in spectacular fashion. In the snippet below Velvet and friends are working on finishing Bedazzled Beats (Velvet and her friend Candy’s are a DJ duo) first album and Zazzle has been called upon to help.

Velvet smelled lavender and upon entering the room, the visual of him lounging in a chair with a to-go cup of tea resting on his belly greeted her. He had a day of scruff on his cheeks and chin and though Velvet liked him clean-shaven, she could get used to this look, too. He climbed to his feet when their group piled into the room.
“I hear you have a track you think I might be able to help with.”
“Hey, man.” Tekko gave him a hug.
Rob followed. “Lookin’ good, man.”
“Ladies, glad to see you arrived in Ibiza okay.” Zazzle addressed both her and Candy.
“Thanks.” Candy waved and grabbed her computer.
Zazzle moved over to Velvet. “How are you?”
His fragrance worked magic on her, like it had countless times. “I’m good. You?”
“Happy to be useful.” He scratched his chin. “You okay with me being here? I would have texted you but I still don’t have your number.”
She handed him her phone. He punched in his number and called himself.
“Problem solved,” she said. “And yes. I’m okay with you being here.”

What was the most difficult scene to write?

The therapy scenes were tough! I’m not a mental health profession, but when I decided to incorporate drug dependency and recovery in IN RHYTHM, I wanted to do it right. Thankfully I was able to talk with real life psychologists and clinicians who helped me loads. One of the clinicians I spoke to actually took Zazzle on as a client and would ask how he was doing. It got real and I hope that it translates on the page. Due to therapist-client confidentiality you’ll have to read the book to sit in on Zazzle’s therapy sessions. 😉

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

IN RHYTHM definitely showcases my voice, but the book takes a slight departure from the slow burn style that I normally write. Given the contemporary and fast moving pace of the dance music scene, and because the book explores the DJ lifestyle on both sides, my style accommodated that. Still, I would say that if you read this book and read some of my other work, you’d definitely know you’re reading a JN Welsh book.

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

I want readers to escape in this world and feel like they are part of it, but mostly I want people to believe second chances are possible and having ambition is okay. You don’t always need to choose one thing over the other. You can open up and make space for the love, friendships and the career you want in your life. There’s not only on way to “have it all.” It looks different to us as individuals and it’s up for us to decide what we want.

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

I am currently working on Book III in the BACK ON TOP series, which should be released sometime in 2020 and hopefully some new projects as well, so connect with me and stay tuned for updates.

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

Giveaway: 1 eBook copy of IN RHTYHM by JN Welsh (open internationally)

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Excerpt from In Rhythm:

His swag enveloped every step, snaring Velvet in a trance. Her body swayed as Candy wiggled her arm, bumping her out of his spell. Velvet blinked and wid¬ened her eyes to regain her bearings.
“Hey, man.” Zazzle came over and took a shot glass from LED.
Zazzle’s gaze lingered long enough for Velvet to no¬tice and the heat from her center shot up and traveled throughout her entire body.
What the hell? This is the same guy I nearly ran over?
Her novel reaction to him was more than she could endure. Candy again touched her arm. Pulling her at¬tention away from Zazzle’s honey brown eyes required a level of difficulty that made Velvet’s pits sweat. She fixed her gaze on Candy’s brimming smile, which in¬formed her that any poker face she thought she had was a false facade.
“Zaz man, meet Candy and Velvet, the powerhouse ladies murdering the scene right now. Ladies, meet Zazzle from Tres Armadas.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” Zazzle said to Candy.
Candy waved so fast her hand blurred. “Nice to meet you, too.”
Zazzle then turned to Velvet. “You grabbed my ass.” He flashed her a smile that somehow discovered a new erogenous zone she didn’t even know she had.
“What?” Candy asked.
“I didn’t.” Velvet’s face flamed. “It was an acci¬dent—”
“Way to go, Velvet,” LED teased her, then addressed Zazzle. “What are you wearing, man?”
“I don’t get recognized if I’m not wearing black.” Zazzle and the men of Tres Armadas always wore a uniform of signature black in photos and when they performed. Another reason, perhaps, why she hadn’t recognized him when she nearly ran him over.
“Where are the rest of the guys?” LED asked.
“They’re doing their thing.” Zazzle seemed to lack interest in the whereabouts of his bandmates but Velvet had only just met him. Maybe that was his version of resting bitch face. “I saw your set earlier on the Sugar Plum stage. It was great,” he said.
“You saw our set?” Candy’s eyes bulged.
“Yeah. I like to scope out the new DJ/producers join¬ing the party.” Zazzle’s melodic voice lulled her like a magical harpsichord.
“We love your stuff. Right, Velvet?” Candy tried to help her recover.
Velvet still worked to resist getting drawn into the magnetic pull of Zazzle’s vibe. Am I dreaming this up? Did he feel it, too? “Yeah.”
Candy stifled a laugh.
“Since when are you a woman of so few words?”
LED frowned at Velvet. “I bet if he asked you about the origins of dance music, you’d have something to say.”
Candy elbowed LED in the ribs before raising her brows.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Zazzle tipped his hat at her. “Just don’t run me over if I disagree with you.”
“That would be a mistake.” Velvet rejoiced at the return of her voice.
Zazzle raised an eyebrow. “Would it, now?”
“She’s like Obi-Wan Kenobi with the history,” LED said. “Fuck that. Yoda.”
“I study, as well. I’m sure the conversation would be lively.” Zazzle cocked his head.
“You have no idea,” Candy mumbled.
“And here, I thought we were friends.” Velvet shook her head. “I’m not that bad. I mean, I’m good with the history but I think they’re exaggerating a bit.”
Both Candy and LED burst out laughing.
“Whatever.” Velvet waved her hand to dismiss the cackling couple. “I’m high-pitch offended right now.”
“Don’t be. I’m sure it’s a compliment,” Zazzle sug¬gested, which only sent Candy and LED into more fits of laughter.
“All right.” LED wiped tears from his eyes and col¬lected himself. He passed the shots around. “These shots aren’t gonna drink themselves. On three… One. Two. Three.”
They all swung back the shots. The alcoholic ver¬sion of a red fireball jawbreaker candy, that always took forever to suck down to a chewable form, slid down her throat.
“Ow. Hot.” Candy stuck out her tongue and fanned her mouth.
With her visual connection to her new heartthrob still intact, Velvet licked her thumb and index finger. “Yum.” She coughed a bit from the burning sensation trailing down her esophagus.
Zazzle’s eyes followed her like deer tracks. She plugged into every inch of him. He was taller than he appeared in any image she had seen of him. His Oxford blue jeans formed to every inch of his lower body. His dark brown hair was cut to perfection and long enough that he needed to push it out of his face every once in a while for an “I’m so cool” effect. As far as cool was concerned, he had that down pat.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

Superstar or Supernova?

Asha “Velvet” Kendall is this close to achieving her dream of headlining the legendary Temptation Festival as half of the DJ duo Bedazzled Beats. The EDM scene could use a powerful female presence, and Velvet and her bestie Candy are ready for their moment in the spotlight. A chance encounter with sexy-as-sin industry icon Isaak “Zazzle” Van Sandt is the cherry on top.

With a shared passion for music and an intense mutual attraction, the pair should be totally in sync. Instead, Zazzle’s reputation for hard partying has Velvet hitting Pause.

Zazzle knows both the high of superstardom and the darker side of the life. But six months after rock bottom, he’s got his feet firmly planted on a new, less destructive path. Next stop: wooing the curvaceous and tenacious “one that got away.”

But Velvet’s been there, done that, and she’s wary of risking her heart—not to mention her career—on someone in recovery. Earning her trust won’t be easy. If Zazzle can manage it, off-the-charts chemistry might just turn into once-in-a-lifetime love…

This book is approximately 83,000 words

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

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Meet the Author:

JN Welsh is a native New Yorker and natural storyteller. As a child in school, she was a voracious reader who stole her older sister’s romance novels. She graduated to writing entertaining love stories for her friends and the writer was born.

Her love for romance continued to grow and she published her first novel in 2005. Her stories are entertaining and provocative, leaving her readers breathless and coming back for more.

For recent releases, updates and to connect with her on social media visit: www.JNWelshAuthor.com.
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