Spotlight & Giveaway: What Matters More by Liora Blake

Posted May 23rd, 2019 by in Blog, Spotlight / 58 comments

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Liora Blake to HJ!
Spotlight&Giveaway

Hi Liora and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, What Matters More!

 
Thank you so much! I’m excited to share my new release with HJ readers!
 

Please summarize the book for the readers here:

WHAT MATTERS MORE is a sexy standalone romance about what happens when fate turns a casual one-night stand into something that’s anything but casual. When one night turns into another and another, things become intense for JT and Anya . . . and neither of them is sure they’re ready for it.
 

Please share the opening lines of this book:

At this point in his life, JT Maxwell didn’t ask for much.
With all that had happened over the last year, he knew better. Turned out that striving to have it all, and then actually having it, wasn’t nearly as good as he’d imagined it would be.

 

Please share a few Fun facts about this book…

WHAT MATTERS MORE is my first venture into the world of self-publishing and so far, I love the freedom that indie publishing offers! For this book I was able to write a super sexy, category-length romance that explores one of my favorite tropes: the one-night stand that leads to more. I was also able to write the book in third person, which I hadn’t done in a very long time and it was fun to change things up a bit!

 

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

I write hero-centric romances, so I adored being able to tell JT’s story, who has all the makings of an alpha hero on the outside, yet he’s a beta hero at heart (except behind closed doors, where he’s definitely pretty alpha)! When writing JT’s more heartfelt scenes, Jimmie Allen’s “Best Shot” became my soundtrack. That song is everything I wanted to embody when writing JT’s character.

 

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

In this scene, JT has (unintentionally) crashed a paint-and-sip art class that Anya is teaching. I love the sweet, private moment they share, coupled with JT’s intense awkwardness at being trapped in a roomful of tipsy women!

Anya switched off her mic and gave JT a wave, gesturing for him to follow her over to the side of the platform. He blinked and then scanned the room, as if he had just now realized there were thirty other women in the room, all of whom were staring at him. JT’s face paled a little as he made his way to Anya’s side.
He tipped his head and lowered his voice to a stage whisper. “Am I early? I thought you said six.”
“I said the class starts at six. We won’t be done until around seven thirty, and then I need to close up. I probably won’t be out of here until eight.”
JT sighed. “Remind me never to make plans with you when you’re naked. It’s too distracting.” He cast a quick look around the room. “I guess I’ll run home and change clothes. I testified in a court case today and it ran long, so I didn’t think I’d have time, but now I do. I’ll just shower, change, then come back and pick you up.”
Anya immediately reached up and grabbed one of his lapels, giving it a gentle tug as she locked her eyes on his. “Don’t you dare.”
His eyes dropped to her possessive grip. One side of his mouth hitched up into a lazy smirk. “You like?”
“I like,” she breathed. “A lot. As does every woman in this room.”
JT grimaced. “Okay, so I’m not imagining things? Because I feel a little like . . .” His words trailed off and Anya snorted.
“Like you’re being pictured naked? Naked, but slathered in chocolate frosting while holding a DVD of The Notebook in one hand, a bottle of wine in the other, and a red rose between your teeth?”
Anya stifled a laugh at the immediate look of horror on his face, along with the pink bloom that flushed his cheeks.
“I swear, women have the filthiest minds,” he muttered before running a hand through his hair. “There’s a Home Depot around here somewhere, right? I’ll just go wander around in there until you text me saying it’s safe for me to come back. There are tools there. And lawn mowers. All sorts of things that I can’t afford and don’t need, but—”
A plan was quickly forming in Anya’s mind as he talked. A slightly devious plan, but one that would be good for JT’s overactive mind. She cut off his Home Depot speech by gently tapping her index finger against his mouth. Her eyes fixed on his as she flipped her mic back on.
“Ladies, I’d like to introduce JT,” Anya announced, watching as JT’s eyes widened to saucers. She took his hand in hers and turned them to face the group . . .

 

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

As with all my books, I hope readers simply enjoy themselves for a few hours! My goal is to create a story that’s equal parts sexy and swoony, while also offering a little heartfelt humor along the way.

 

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

I’ve just started work on a new contemporary romance featuring a charming playboy who’s been tasked with buying a rundown race track in Colorado, in hopes of redeveloping the land into a retail mecca. Unfortunately, he’ll have to win over the track owner’s prickly daughter in order to do that . . . and she’s not the least bit interested in being charmed by our hero. Banter and angst follow (but you know they find their HEA . . . eventually).
 

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

 

Giveaway: $25.00 Amazon gift card and paperback copies of Liora Blake’s Grand Valley Series (US only please)

 

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: What is your favorite romance trope?

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Excerpt from What Matters More:

After knocking back a huge glass of water and sharing a warm shower with Anya, JT had managed to regain his equilibrium. Wrapping a towel around his waist, he went outside and grabbed his clothes off the lounge chair, discovering Anya snuggled down in bed when he came back inside, the bed coverings gathered into a big fluffy pile around her. Her damp hair was braided into a length that hung over one shoulder, and she was wearing an oversized tank top that dipped low enough to show off her honey-toned skin. JT slipped his pants on and then pulled on his shirt, watching her expression turn more tentative with every button he worked closed.
“You okay?”
Anya nodded, then shifted her attention to the bed coverings and began smoothing the fabric absentmindedly. JT stopped buttoning his shirt, dropping his hands to his sides. Her eyes flicked up, and when she saw how he was just standing there, waiting, she drew in a long breath.
“When we were talking about my art earlier, you said something about wanting things,” she said faintly, drawing the comforter up so it was bunched around her shoulders. “About how it was a good thing to want success and how I can’t shy away from it if I really want something.”
JT nodded, resisting the intense urge to reach for her. The bed and its coverings were clearly acting as her cocoon right now, and until he was sure she wanted him to breach that safe zone, he needed to stay put.
“This artist-in-residence program I applied for?” She let out a surrendering exhale. “I want that, JT. So much. I want them to pick me. I want it so much I can’t think about it too much. If I do, it will make me crazy.” Her eyes glazed with what might become tears if she allowed it. “I’ve never wanted anything in my career like I want this. Never.”
JT’s chest swelled, almost pained by what it felt like Anya was handing him right now.
Her trust.
She was trusting him to treat her goals and aspirations with care, to hold on to them in those moments when she believed she couldn’t, and to hand them back to her whenever she was ready.
And JT was damn sure that not only did he want to rise to that challenge, he was ready for it. JT crawled up on the bed, sitting down in front of her so he could cage her in with his legs. He took her face in his hands.
“Then I hope you get it. That’s what I want for you.” She lost the battle with the tears brimming in her eyes. JT caught a lone teardrop with the sweep of one thumb across her cheek. “I hope they see how passionate you are, how no one deserves this more. If I could make it happen for you, I would. I’d do anything, even move a mountain, if that’s what made you happy.”
A wobbly smile lit her face, followed by a shaky-sounding thank you. JT felt his heart start to ache so intensely it made him light-headed, in the same way the adrenaline rush from capturing a fugitive did. This, though, was all because he’d made Anya feel safe and happy—and not by way of anything that came with a price tag.
He’d done it by being there for her when her heart was full of doubt, reminding her, when it mattered most, that she was everything to him.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

A steamy contemporary romance about what happens when a casual one-night stand becomes anything but casual.
JT Maxwell has it all . . . well, almost. He’s a US Marshal, looks like he belongs in an aftershave commercial, and he has tattoos—lots of tattoos.
Unfortunately, he’s also in debt up to his pretty blue eyeballs. Between that and his recent divorce, his sex life is nonexistent these days. But when free-spirited artist Anya Alves approaches him for a no-strings-attached night together, things suddenly start looking up.
He never expects to see his sexy one-night stand again, and he definitely doesn’t expect to discover she’s spending the summer in his neighborhood . . . living right across the street.
Warning: This short and sexy standalone features an alpha hero who isn’t afraid of commitment and doesn’t hesitate when it’s time to put his heart on the line. Now all he has to do is convince his hot hookup that they deserve more than just one night together . . . they deserve forever.

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

Meet the Author:

Liora Blake is a romance author living in Colorado. She writes because it’s what she always wanted to do, she writes novels because she likes to tell the whole story, and she writes romance because a happily ever after is the best kind of story to tell.
While you won’t find Liora active on any social media sites, she loves hearing from readers via her website.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | GoodReads |
 
 
 

«
»

58 Responses to “Spotlight & Giveaway: What Matters More by Liora Blake”

  1. Tammy Cordell Hudson

    My favorite troupe is paranormal and romance. Thanks for the chance

    Tighefan42atgmaildotcom

  6. John Smith

    “What is your favorite romance trope?” Dukes and young women from “lesser” backgrounds!

  12. laurieg72

    I like marriage of convenience stories. People are thrown together for various reasons. Over time being forced to be together and working together they come to like each other. Eventually the spark of attraction ignites and then there’s no looking back as feelings grow and they find their HEA.

  15. janinecatmom

    It’s hard for me to pick a favorite. It changes from one day to the next. It depends on the author, the book and the mood I am in.

  16. Jennifer Beyer

    I read a lot of contemporary romance but I read all different types of tropes. I don’t think it’s a trope but I like full grown adults having an adult relationship. I’m not a fan of the angsty teen thing.

  32. erinf1

    enemies to lovers – i love the dawning horror that they like each other 🙂 thanks for sharing!

    • Felicia Fallon

      I agree. It’s so much fun reading the disbelief then the struggle to come to terms with their feelings.

  40. Janie McGaugh

    My favorite tropes are enemies to lovers and variations on Beauty and the Beast.

  43. Christina Gould

    My favorite romance trope is child sweethearts reunite late in life. Thanks for the giveaway!

  47. Pamela Conway

    I read most romance troupes, have favorite authors for contemporary, paranormal, action/ suspense, military.

  51. Celeste HERRIN

    I also have to say enemies to lovers, although friends to lovers run a close first for me.