Spotlight & Giveaway: Ruin the Friendship by S.A. Clayton

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author S.A. Clayton to HJ!

Hi S.A. Clayton and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, Ruin the Friendship!

 
Hello! Thank you for having me!
 

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

Ruin the Friendship is a best friend’s brother romance that I have been dying to write for quite some time. It follows Ashley, whose best friend forces her to go on this single cruise with her. Ashley doesn’t know that her best friend’s brother works on that cruise ship and will stop at nothing to ensure she knows how much he wants her.
 

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

1. With every pass of his fingers, every breath against my skin, I’m left wondering why I’m resisting the obvious pull between us.
2. “You have no idea how hard it’s been not being this close to you. You have no idea how many times I’ve stopped myself from touching you, kissing you, hell, fucking you until you can’t walk properly.”
3. “Do you know how many times I’ve had to remind myself that you’re my sister’s best friend?”
4. “I can’t fight this anymore Ash. I tried, but after tasting you earlier, I can’t stay away.”

What inspired this book?

I am a huge lover of forbidden romance, especially best friend’s brother. Something about the tension, the high stakes, and the risk involved just makes the romance that much more intense. But I do draw a lot of my inspiration from movies and one of my all-time favorites is Titanic. Now I know it’s not best friends brother but it’s still a forbidden romance so my love for Jack comes through in this book for sure.
I am also a lover of all things Johns Hughes, and although this is definitely not a high school setting, I think his influence is definitely in my writing.

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

My characters always surprise me, no matter how much I plan ahead, they always end up having a mind of their own. For example, when I started planning this book in my head I wanted the crush to be one-sided. But once I started writing, the chemistry between Kacey and Ahsley just seared through and I knew I had to have a steamy scene right at the beginning because these characters were not going to wait.

What was your favorite scene to write?

One of my favorite scenes to write was the speed dating scene from Kacey’s perspective. It allowed me to show his feeling for her, while also showing some of the great side characters that ship has through not just my book, but others in the series as well.

It doesn’t take me long to find the event. I follow the sounds of squealing women and grumbling men, and voila! My worst nightmare. I make my way through the room, staying on the outskirts since I definitely don’t want to participate. Once I set eyes on my girl, I stop, crossing my arms and leaning against the wall. I don’t know how long I stand there and stare, but eventually, I feel a presence beside me and look over to see a very old woman smiling up at me. Her grey hair is cut short, her makeup done as if she’s never seen a mirror before and I swear I can see lipstick on her teeth when she gives me her best smile.
“Hello, there young man,” I smile, my eyes flicking from her to Ashley who is still talking to my sister, not noticing my presence. “You seem a bit out of place,” she admits, my gaze snapping to hers as a smile creeps over my features.
“And what makes you say that?” I ask, curious. My eyes cast down to her cane and do a double take. Is it shaped like a dick?
“Well, you’re too good-looking to be in a room full of this many unsightly men.” My eyes widen as I hold in a laugh. “But also, from the way your eyes keep going to that stunner of a woman over there,” she nods in Ashley’s direction, “I assume you’re already taken.” God, I wish.
“It’s more complicated than that,” I admit, not knowing why I’m telling her this, but feeling a sense of calm wash over me as she leans against the wall with me.
“It always is,” she whispers, putting her hand on mine. “Can I give you a bit of advice from an old woman?” I smile, nodding as I take my eyes off Ashley and flick them down to meet hers. “Don’t waste your time.” I narrow my eyes, tilting my head to the side wondering what she means. “I waited too long and didn’t get nearly as much time with my husband as I wanted. Now he’s gone and I’m here waiting for God to take me back to him.” I open my mouth to say my condolences, but she shakes her head. “It’s been a long time sweetie, so no need for that shit.” My eyes widen at the curse leaving her lips.
“I’m still sorry.” She nods, patting my leg before taking hold of her cane that I swear looks like a dick, and stands straight up.
“That’s sweet. What’s your name?”
“Kacey.” She grins, holding out her hand for me to take.
“Gertrude. It’s nice to meet you, Kacey.” Before I can even utter a response, she’s off, making her way further into the room and I’m back to watching Ashley as she and my sister take their seats, that pit in my stomach growing as Gertrude’s words ring in my ears.

What was the most difficult scene to write?

Definitely the first rejection scene. I wanted Ashley to spend the night with Kacey and then regret it, the guilt of sleeping with her best friend’s brother was a little too much for her to handle and so writing that emotion on her was something I struggled with.

“Shit,” I mutter, hauling the sheet up under my arms and frantically searching the room, trying to find my clothes. “Shit, shit, shit.”
“Ash, what the fuck is going on?” My eyes snap to his worried ones and for the first time since everything happened, I realize how badly I’ve fucked up. Being with Kacey was everything I ever wanted, but the reality of what we just did and how it will affect every aspect of my life weighs heavy on my shoulders.
“I need to get out of here,” I say, my eyes traveling along the floor until I catch a glimpse of my dress and snatch it up, turning away from him as I pull it over my head. At this point I don’t care about anything else, I just need to get out of this room and figure out what I’m going to say to Kelsey when she sees me do the walk of shame.
“Hold on, you’re not going anywhere,” Kace demands, flipping the covers off his legs as he stands, my eyes taking him in and wondering why this had to happen when I literally have nowhere to go.
“Kacey, I don’t have time for this right now. I need to get to my room and figure out what the fuck I’m going to tell your sister.” His eyes widen, his shock an obvious sign that he didn’t expect those words to come out of my mouth.
“What do you mean? She’s been pushing us together for years. I’m pretty sure she’ll want to throw us a fucking party.” I can’t help the chuckle that escapes but I shake my head, smothering that laughter down deep, knowing this is all a terrible idea.
“That’s the problem Kace, I can’t let her find out.” His eyes narrow as he picks up a pair of gray sweatpants and puts them on, giving me a visual I never wanted but will store in my memory forever.
“What do you mean she can’t find out? Are you ashamed of me or something?” The hurt in his voice gives me pause and I drop the purse I had picked up from the floor and make my way to where he’s standing. I grab the sides of his face, meeting his eyes.

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

A little of both. My writing is always filled with lots of heart, humor, and lots of sexy times but for me, writing as part of a collaboration like this was something I have never done before. Each of these books is set in the same place, contains the same side characters, and features each other’s main characters. That for me was a big departure but it was so much fun and I hope readers will be able to spot all of our characters in each other’s books!

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

That love is always right.
No matter who they are, no matter who they connect to you, love will always make life better.

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

I am currently writing a short Christmas novella called The Christmas Clause about a young woman who falls in love with her father’s best friend. Very scandalous but I’m loving getting to know these characters so much!

I have a few releases coming up in the next few weeks. In Plain Sight is coming out in November and is a re-release from a previous publisher that I’ve re-vamped. I’m really excited for readers to get to know that story. I also have some short stories coming in some anthologies including my very first Paranormal Romance in the Lunar Rising Anthology. This is my first time writing that genre so I am very excited for readers to get their hands on it!

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

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Excerpt from Ruin the Friendship:

“I’ll be right back,” I say. Kelsey is too busy making eyes at the lifeguard to pay any attention to me. I know I should be pissed at her for dragging me onto this ship and ignoring me but to be honest, I’m kind of glad. With Kacey lurking, the less she notices the better.
“So, you’re really doing this?” Kacey’s voice lingers against my skin as I pick up the glass the bartender just filled with rum and coke. I don’t acknowledge him, leaning back against the bar and staring straight ahead, wishing my heart wasn’t beating so hard inside my chest. “Ash come on, talk to me.” I chuckle, smirking as I shake my head.
“Talk to you about what Kace? The fact that we kissed or the fact that you’re following me?” He has the good sense to look guilty when I say the last part, but I continue, “Kacey I know we have some shit to deal with and we will, but right now I have to get back before your sister knows I’m missing.” I take a step away from the bar when strong fingers grip my wrist.
“Ash,” I stop, peer over my shoulder, and shake my head before twisting myself out of his hold and heading back toward his sister.
I’m in hell. Literal hell and I have no way of getting out.
I’ve been rotating around these tables for the last half hour, and I swear if I hear one more guy talk about bitcoin or who’s going to win the Stanley cup, I’m going to throw the rest of my drink in their face. I peer over at Kelsey, who looks just as miserable, and silently curse her for doing this to me. Her eyes meet mine and plead with me to stick it out, but I can’t do it.
“Sorry…” I look at the guy in front of me, struggling to remember his name.
“Jason.” I give him a sad smile before standing.
“Sorry Jason, but I need to leave. It was nice meeting you.” Just as he goes to say something, I’m out of my chair and heading toward the exit.
“Ash wait!” Kelsey yells from behind me, stopping me right before I hit the doors. “You’re really leaving?” I nod, feeling the same eyes on me that I’ve felt all night and knowing I won’t be able to take it anymore. With every guy I talked to, I felt his anger radiating toward me. With every smile I gave, every laugh I faked, I knew he was seething in the corner. “Where are you going?” I shrug.
“Our room probably. I just need to get out of here, this isn’t my scene.” Guilt floods her eyes and I smile, taking both her shoulders in my hands and squeezing. “I know you meant well. This just isn’t for me.” She nods, the look of guilt still lingering, so I continue, “But I want you to go back and mingle, okay?” She shakes her head, ready to follow me. “Hey, I want you to mingle then go hang out with that lifeguard who hasn’t been able to take his eyes off you since this afternoon.” Kelsey blushes, her eyes falling to the floor.
“I really like him,” she admits, her eyes softening.
“I know you do. So go have a good time.” She hesitates for a second before hugging me and then making her way back toward the table. I watch her for a second, making sure she’s okay before I push through the door and take the first deep breath I’ve taken in what feels like hours.
I slowly make my way down the hall, passing a few crew members as they give me a slight smile. Just as I’m about to push onto the outer deck I’m pulled back, spun around, and slammed against the nearest wall. My mouth opens on a silent scream but when I see Kacey’s rapidly darkening eyes I moan, knowing I need this, want this, more than I even know.
“Do you know how fucking hard it is to watch you talk to other men for half an hour?” I shake my head, loving the way his hands grip my hips as he pulls me flush against him. “Do you have any idea how fucking much I wanted to pick you up and take you out of that room?” I shake my head again right before his palm cups the side of my face and his forehead rests against mine. “I can’t fight this anymore Ash. I tried, but after tasting you earlier, I can’t stay away.” He pulls back, those words ringing in my ears as I give him a slight nod, knowing I’m going to regret this but not giving a shit right now. I’m taking what I’ve wanted for the first time in years, and I want him.
“Kiss me,” I demand, his eyes widening as his fingers dig into my scalp. I open my mouth to beg him, but he smirks, gripping my hair in his fist and slamming his mouth to mine.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

Ashley

I’ve had a thing for my best friend’s brother, Kacey, for as long as I could remember.

I mean, what’s not to love?

He’s smart, sexy as hell, and everything I ever wanted in a man — except for the part where he’s totally unreliable.

Being stuck on a seven day cruise with my favorite friend-emy?

Well, that may be more than enough to drive me insane, in more ways than one.

Kacey

I’ve wanted Ashley my whole life.

Sure, she’s my sister’s very best friend but she’s the most amazing girl I’ve ever known.

But, not all that long ago she told me to move on. To forget her.

Except there is no forgetting Ashley and I’m going to spend the next seven days trying to prove that I’ve changed and we deserve a shot at this forever thing.

No matter what happens, one thing is certain — I’m ready to ruin our friendship.

Ruin the friendship is a best friend’s sibling romance, part of the Love at Sea multi-author series. Get ready to set sail through the Caribbean on Festival Cruises’ most alluring voyage with eight of your favorite authors – happily ever after guaranteed!

Experience everything the Love at Sea series has to offer. From speed dating to masquerades, guests are sure to enjoy the hot days and steamy nights. Explore hidden waterfalls, swim with dolphins, and watch as eight couples find their forever on the open ocean.

Book Links: Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | Google |
 
 

Meet the Author:

S.A. Clayton lives in a small town outside of Toronto, Canada with her husband and her scary large collection of books that seem to take over every room.
She has worked on both sides of the publishing industry, both in a bookstore and for actual publishing companies. Although she loved both for different reasons, she found that writing was her true passion and has spent the last few years breaking into the industry as best she can.
She is a lover of all things romance and began her writing journey in her late twenties. Since then, she has immersed herself in the romance genre and couldn’t be happier.
When she’s not writing or reading, she enjoys binging a great Netflix show (Stranger Things anyone?), baking (because who doesn’t love cookies!) and spending time with her family.
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