Meet Me Mondays with C.A. Szarek

 

 Author of fantasy, paranormal, romantic suspense and the occasional YA. Sword's Call (King's Riders Book One) AVAILABLE NOW from Gypsy Shadow Publishing! Collision Force (Crossing Forces Book One) releases June 28, 2013 from Total-E-Bound Publishing!

C.A. is originally from Ohio, but got to Texas as soon as she could. She is married and has a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice.
She works with kids when she’s not writing.
She’s always wanted to be a writer and is overjoyed to share her stories with the world. 

My interview with C.A. Szarek:

Q. If you weren’t a writer what do you think you would be doing instead?

Well, I actually wear many hats. I am new published, so I am not writing full time, I would love if I get there someday. I work in a court and I work at a shelter for teens. Good thing is, I adore all my jobs. If you include writing, I have 3.

2    Q. When it comes to planning out your stories, are you a plotter or a pantser? 

I am a pantser, but lately I have planned a little. Sometimes when I sit down I have no idea where a scene is going, sometimes I do. I am character driven, so at least I know the “who’s” of things.

3.   Q. What’s the hardest part about being a writer? What’s the best part?

Hmmm, a hard one. The most difficult part for me is telling my inner critic to be quiet so I can just write. Sometimes I question too much: The story, myself, where the scene is going. I think the best part is making up stuff. Hehehe. Bringing life to characters, making them real people. Making them have feelings and emotions and making them real.

4.   Q. What advice do you have for someone who wants a career in writing?

Don’t ever give up. Rejection happens. If you want it bad enough, you keep going. Always.

5.   Q. It’s been said that to be a good writer, one needs to be a voracious reader, what’s your favorite genre and what are you currently reading?

I LOVE to read. But I tend to go in stages. Binge read, if you will. I read read read read, then nothing for weeks at a time. I love paranormal and historical, but honestly I will read anything that peaks my interest. I don’t care about genre or intended audience. If it looks good, I will read it. I am reading “Strings" (Hard Rock Harlots) by Kendall Grey. As proclaimed in the warning, it's raunchy and hilarious.

Q. The opportunity to go on a surprise vacation arises. You have 90 minutes to pack and get to the airport. Where will you go and what will you pack?

I am going to Scotland! WOOO HOOOO! I’ve always wanted to. Hope I became suddenly rich. Hope I have clean clothes, cuz I tend to procrastinate laundry. I would make sure to pack jeans and long sleeves. I hear it’s a bit nippy there. I would love to go to the Highlands and look around. I would bring my camera, for sure!

Q. Are you more likely to be spotlighted on the TV show Hoarders or Fashion Police?

Probably Fashion Police. I’m a comfort dresser. That is all. ;)

Here is the blurb for C.A. Szarek's newest upcoming release, Collision Force:

***AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER***

 

http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2180

Blurb:

Book one in the Crossing Forces series

Bad boy FBI agent and feisty widowed police detective collide pursuing a human trafficker in small town Texas on their way to true love.

Bad boy, married to his job FBI agent Cole Lucas always gets his man. So when the unthinkable happens and one gets away, Cole grits his teeth and hunts human trafficker Carlo Maldonado all the way to Antioch, Texas, where he collides with Detective Andi MacLaren.

Cole doesn’t do small towns and doesn’t get involved with women he works with, but Andi tempts him in ways he doesn’t want to acknowledge.

Two murders, her partner shot and leading the investigation on her own, the last thing Andi needs is a cocky FBI agent who sees her as no more than a tagalong.

Widow and single mother Andi is used to being on her own. When Cole gets stuck without a place to stay, crashing on her couch puts them in dangerous territory.

Attraction and passion bring Andi to a place she’d left behind when her husband died. Her three-year-old son quickly wiggles his way into Cole’s heart, and he starts contemplating things—family, love—that he’d never planned for himself.

Can being forced to work together make them stronger or will their differences jeopardise their case and their hearts?

Excerpt:

“Goodnight, Cole.” Obviously, she didn’t want to talk to him about anything, let alone his overdue apology.

“So, that’s it? You’re not going to accept my apology?”

“Not tonight. I’m tired, and we have a long day tomorrow.” She turned to go.

“Andi, wait.” Why was he calling her back? He could respect that she was still upset with him—she had every right to be. He’d gone a bit overboard with some of the things he’d said.

Keeping Cass’ phone call from her had been unnecessary from the start. He hadn’t needed to carry it on in the car after they’d left the warehouse. It’d only served to get her so pissed off at him she’d barely uttered a word all day. So much for getting somewhere on the case.

Andi glanced over her shoulder and Cole grabbed her wrist. He yanked her into his arms and covered her mouth with his.

He hadn’t intended to kiss her but as her soft, warm lips caressed his, Cole couldn’t have changed his mind even if he’d wanted to. Her curves hit his chest with enough impact that should have jarred him back into his head, but he was lost and overheated immediately. He wrapped her in a tight embrace and kissed her harder.

She fought him, but his mouth was demanding over hers, and Andi opened for him, melting against him, surrendering to him. She slipped her arms around his neck and Cole bit back a groan. Her taste, sweeter than he’d imagined, was like ripe berries. He needed more.

Andi whimpered against his mouth, her tongue dancing with his. His cock stood at attention, straining against his zipper. He moaned as her body melded to his, breasts to chest, hips to hips. Cole had to have her.

As he walked them back towards the couch, she pushed hard against his chest, breaking the kiss and shoving him away from her. They both panted hard.

“Don’t…don’t ever do that…again,” she stammered, the gorgeous swell of her breasts lifting and pulling her shirt taut as her chest heaved. He could see peaked nipples. His erection throbbed and he struggled for coherent thought.

Cole dragged his gaze to her face. Blue eyes wide, cheeks rosy, freckles noticeable, her lips swollen from his. Though she’d been appealing before, how she stood before him now blew that out of the water. She was gorgeous.

He needed to say something. Anything. Apologise? He wasn’t sorry in the least. Speechless just about covered it.

She trembled and rubbed her arm. It took all he was made of not to pull her back to him and kiss her again.

There was no chance to answer. Andi turned on her heel and fled down the hall, slipping into the room farthest away from the living room. She didn’t even pause to look at him as she slammed the door.

He winced. What the hell should he make of what had happened? He stared down the hallway for a moment, his heart pounding. Never in his life, not even when he was a teenager, had one kiss stirred him to the point that Andi’s had. Then she’d run from him. His body shook with unfulfilled need.

Cole couldn’t blame her, really. No way should he have given in to the urge to kiss her. But he had the sinking suspicion he would have to do it again—and more. He wouldn’t be able not to. And hell, she’d kissed him back.

The voice of reason chided that he didn’t get involved with women he worked with, but his cock certainly disagreed. He ignored them both and dragged his hand over his face. The morning would bring complications.

Cole sighed and glanced at the couch. It looked comfortable, but would he be able to sleep?

Where to find C.A. Szarek:

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5815085.C_A_Szarek

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caszarek

Twitter: https://twitter.com/caszarek

Website: http://www.caszarek.com/

Blog: http://caszarekwriter.blogspot.ca/