Shacking Up by Helena Hunting- Release Blitz Q&A

Shacking Up Blog Tour: Author Q&A

1.     Describe Shacking Up using no more than 140 characters (a la Twitter).

Sexy, quirky, with enough sexual tension to light your underwear on fire.

2.     Where did you get inspiration for the character’s names, particularly Bancroft aka Bane?

Once I met a police officer (I wasn’t doing anything illegal) who introduced himself as Bancroft. I thought that was his last name, so I sassily introduced myself by my last name as well. Then he corrected me, telling me that his first name was Bancroft, and I felt obviously ridiculous. He was a mammoth man. He practically had to duck through doorways, so I put that one in the name bank for a rainy day. I also thought it was rather hilarious that it could be shortened to Bane—as in the bane of my existence, which we know Bancroft certainly is not. Ruby is a spunky name and I thought reflected the heroine’s fiery personality.

3.     Shacking Up is hilarious! How easily does the banter between the characters come for you? Do you ever struggle writing the humor in your books?

With Ruby and Bane the banter came easily because there weren’t a lot of social constraints or limitations for them. At the beginning they’re working under the premise of a business arrangement, so the pressure is off and Ruby isn’t really one to hold back,. Neither is Bane for that matter. I have such a fun time creating off the wall, sometimes sexually tense scenes, especially with these two.

4.     Do you ever make yourself laugh when writing a scene?

Yes. I feel weird saying that, but there are times when I’m imagining what is happening as I’m writing and thinking “this is just ridiculous”. My hope is that if I think it’s ridiculous, so will other people, and it will inspire the same reaction. Francesca certainly helped make it a lot easier to fit in fun, light-hearted situations.

5.     What inspired Bane’s exotic choice in pets?

Ferrets are freaking adorable, but they are menaces if they’re left to their own devices. They’re also a lot like dogs and cats, but they require a different kind of care, the fact that they’re illegal in NYC also helped. As for Tiny—I think a lot of people would be reluctant to take care of a giant spider, no matter how cool they are as pets. I felt like both of them would be lend for some funny situations.

6.     The heroes in your Pucked series are all hockey stars, and Bane in Shacking Up is an ex-rugby player. Is it safe to say you have a thing for athletes?

I guess you could say I have a fascination with athletes. That level of physical fitness takes an extraordinary amount of discipline, plus STAMINA!!! More than just being an athlete, I have an affinity for heroes who show loyalty and determination and who are just as much about brain as brawn.

7.     Ruby is a bit of a rebel, defying her family to go after her dreams. What do you love most about her?

I love that despite things not always going her way, she refuses to take the easy way out. Our paths are not always linear and Ruby is very willing to make concessions where she needs to in order to prove to herself and her family that she can attain her goals.

8.     Why are Bane and Ruby so perfect for each other?

They’re both very goal oriented people with the same core values. Ruby is a firecracker and Bane needs someone with that level of sass to challenge him. For Ruby, Bane is an inherent caretaker, BUT he tries not to force that care on her which is something she can appreciate.

9.     Are there any books or authors you’re really excited about right now?

I’m excited for Ann Marie Walkers BLACK TIE OPTIONAL. I recently devoured Jana Aston’s Grind Me Series and Debra Anastasia is writing the most awesome book right now, and I can’t wait until it’s ready for public consumption.

 

SHACKING UP by Helena Hunting

SMP Swerve

Publication Date: May 30, 2017

eBook ISBN: 9781250133328; Price: $3.99

Paperback ISBN: 9781250150479; Price: $15.99

Audio ISBN: 9781427292797; Price: $23.99

Description

Ruby Scott is months behind on rent and can’t seem to land a steady job. She has one chance to turn things around with a big audition. But instead of getting her big break, she gets sick as a dog and completely bombs it in the most humiliating fashion. All thanks to a mysterious, gorgeous guy who kissed—and then coughed on—her at a party the night before.

Luckily, her best friend might have found the perfect opportunity; a job staying at the lavish penthouse apartment of hotel magnate Bancroft Mills while he’s out of town, taking care of his exotic pets. But when the newly-evicted Ruby arrives to meet her new employer, it turns out Bane is the same guy who got her sick.

Seeing his role in Ruby’s dilemma, Bane offers her a permanent job as his live-in pet sitter until she can get back on her feet. Filled with hilariously awkward encounters and enough sexual tension to heat a New York City block, Shacking Up, from NYT and USA Today bestselling author Helena Hunting, is sure to keep you laughing and swooning all night long.

Buy Links

Amazon: www.amazon.com/Shacking-Up-Helena-Hunting-ebook/dp/B01N0Z4VSD

B&N: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shacking-up-helena-hunting/1125454600?ean=9781250133328

iBooks: itunes.apple.com/us/book/shacking-up/id1193305884

Kobo: www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/shacking-up-3

Google Play: play.google.com/store/books/details?id=KATdDQAAQBAJ

Audible: www.audible.com/pd/Romance/Shacking-Up-Audiobook/B0722D5HF2

Author Bio

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She's writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.

Author Links

Website: helenahunting.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/helena.hunting69

Twitter: @HelenaHunting

Instagram: www.instagram.com/helenahunting

Blog Tour: Shadow of the Drill by Rhani D'Chae

Synopsis

A brutal experience transforms an unproven young tough into a ruthless killing machine.  For fifteen years he waited, patiently biding his time while building his body into a n unstoppable weapon of destruction so that vengeance would be had through the strength of his will and the power of his hands.  

On the bloodstained streets of a northwestern city the enforcer known as "The Drill" stalks his prey.  Judge, jury and executioner, he seeks out those who target the weak and the vulnerable, condemning them to the kind of justice that only he can provide. 

 

Author Bio

Rhani D’Chae has always been an avid reader and began writing in her early teens.   Her first ‘novel’ was a Star Trek adventure that she freely admits was a disaster but she learned from it and never stopped writing.

Shadow of the Drill is her first published novel, and is the first in a series that revolves around an unrepentant enforcer and the violent life that he leads.

She enjoys chatting with readers and fellow writers via Social Networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and loves getting comments and other input from those who have read her work.

Ms D’Chae is currently working on Winter of the Drill and hopes to have it completed by spring of 2014.

Q&A with Rhani D'Chae 

(provided by CTC Virtual Book Tours)

1. What are your ambitions for your writing career? 

My writing career will probably be fairly short, as I am losing my sight. I have close to sixty books in various stages of completion, and I just want to write as much as I can before the lights go out. Writing makes me happy, and allows me to lose myself in the worlds that I create. Worlds that I want to share with the readers who like my work.

2. Give us an insight into your main character. Why is he/she special? 

Decker is an enforcer of great physical size and strength who is almost more machine than man. Ruled by logic, he generally keeps his emotions under tight control so that they do not influence his actions or decisions. He keeps his heart tightly guarded, but loves the few allowed in with complete and unflinching devotion. 

3. If this book is part of a series, tell us a little about it? 

Shadow is the first book in the Drill series, and reveals why he became the enforcer known as the Drill. The subsequent books in the series deal with various assignments, as well as personal situations that affect his inner circle.   

4. What are your thoughts on writing a book series? 

I think writing a series allows for greater plot/chaaracter development because there isn't the need to tie everything up between the covers of a single book. 

5. Characters often find themselves in situations they aren't sure they can get themselves out of.  When was the last time you found yourself in a situation that was hard to get out of and what did you do?  

It was when I was young and hitchhiking cross country. I was a semi-nubile teen, and ran into a few men who wanted more then what I as willing to give. But I always carried a long, hollow needle taped to the underside of my arm and it helped me get out of some pretty sticky situations.