VBT: Lilah Suzanne’s Pivot and Slip Tour, Interview and Contest!

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Lilah Suzanne has stopped by today on her Pivot and Slip Book Tour to take a moment to answer some questions and talk a little about her latest release, Pivot and Slip.  Along with a terrific contest with multiple winners outlined below, there’s an excerpt to read to pull you into the story!  Read on……

Contest: Lilah will be awarding a $25 Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a $25 Barnes and Noble GC and a print edition of Pivot and Slip (US ONLY) to a randomly drawn host. A free download of an Interlude Press eBook title or an author/book swag pack (US ONLY) will be awarded to one randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter at each stop during the tour. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter,  To enter the contest and for more details, use this Rafflecopter link!

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Now on to my interview with Lilah Suzanne…

STRW:  What was your inspiration for the story?

Lilah: I was intrigued by the sort of opposites attract idea of a boxer falling for a yoga instructor, but as I wrote it I really wanted to explore this idea of dreams and failure and what that means, as well as finding someone who wants to stick by you during the hard stuff.

STRW:  Do you have a muse?

Lilah:  I don’t think so, but I usually have a cat or two hanging out at my desk so maybe they’re my muses and I just don’t know it.

STRW:  Do you work on one project at a time or many?

Lilah:  I do tend to have a few things going at once, I guess I’ve gotten used to juggling multiple things and now I can’t stop!

STRW:  Hero or Antihero?  Who would you chose and why?

Lilah:  Hero. I like writing about people making difficult choices and doing the right thing even when it’s not easy. Though there is something to be said for trying to figure out why someone would do the wrong thing and how it may not seem that way to them.

STRW:  People say write what you know.  Do you think that is right or even important?

Lilah:  I think there will always be parts a writer in a story, even if they try to make it the total opposite of what they know. So in that sense, yes it’s important because it lends itself to authenticity. But only sticking to characters who are like you and to experiences like yours is boring and won’t get you very far. As long as I can find the core of a character and a sense of understanding I feel like I can go a lot places. I may not know what it’s like to be a boxer, for example, but I do know what it’s like to watch a dream slip from my fingers.

STRW:  What is the first book you read that really meant something to you?

Lilah:  “A Wrinkle In Time” is probably the first book that I remember just being really astounded by and I felt changed after I’d finished it.

STRW:  What do you find sexy in a person?

Lilah:  It’s a cliche, but in a man or a woman I really find a sense of humor and kindness and the type of confidence where someone is just genuine and honest about who they are really attractive. Physically I’m a sucker for tattoos and pretty eyes.

STRW:  What’s next up for you?

Lilah:  I’m actually just starting the process of editing my second book, “Spice” a romantic comedy about a sex advice columnist who is struggling a bit with his own love life and searching for his happy ending. That will be coming out early next year so stay tuned!

Pivot and Slip
by Lilah Suzanne
Publisher:  Interlude Press
Buy Link:   Interlude Press

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Blurb:

Former Olympic hopeful Jack Douglas traded competitive swimming for professional yoga and never looked back. When handsome pro boxer Felix Montero mistakenly registers for his Yoga for Seniors class, Jack takes an active interest both in Felix’s struggles to manage stress and in his heart, and discovers along the way that he may have healing of his own to do.

Faced with the ghosts of his athletic aspirations, can Jack return to his old dream or carve out a new path, and will their budding romance survive the test of Felix’s next bout in the ring?

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Excerpt:

Felix settled his hands on Jack’s shoulders, positioning him directly in front of the punching bag. “Now, plant your feet, like that, yeah. And bend your knees.” Felix’s hands slid from Jack’s shoulders and down his arms as he moved in closer, speaking into Jack’s ear from behind. “Keep your arms tucked in. You always want to remember to be defensive and not just go in for the attack. Keep your guard up.”

Jack bent his arms in front of his face and tried bouncing on his toes, though he imagined the effect was more Tigger than Tyson. Felix chuckled, his warm breath puffing against Jack’s neck and spreading heat across his skin.

“Focus on using your shoulders and legs for strength.” Felix’s hands trailed back up, from shoulder to shoulder, then fleetingly touched Jack’s thighs. “You have really strong shoulders. I always admired that about swimmers.” He lips brushed Jack’s ear. “Always had a thing for blonds, too.”

Jack shivered with the touch but narrowed his eyes and tried to focus on sending energy to his core, on breathing deeply, on trying not to think about the heat of Felix’s body; the tremors left in the wake of his hands; the heady scent of him, inviting and inebriating; his voice murmuring low in Jack’s ear, breath hot against the shell. “Excellent focus. Now, Jack.”

He hit the bag one-two, one-two, one-two, the blows reverberating through the gloves and his skin and humming in his bones.

“Good, right?”

Jack turned, his eyes finding Felix’s hopeful and searching.

“Yeah,” Jack replied. “That was… pretty intense.”

Felix circled around him and reached out to remove the gloves from Jack’s tingling hands.

“That was power. Strength. The only time I ever felt safe was when I was fighting, as strange as that sounds.” Felix tucked the gloves under one arm, opening and closing one dangling strap with a harsh rip of velcro.

“It makes sense,” Jack shrugged. “Like you said, you have to keep your guard up.”

Felix offered a half-smile. “Maybe I could try letting it down a little.”

Jack’s heart gave a little flutter in his chest. “Well in that case, I solemnly swear that I will not knock you out.”

Felix tipped his head, eyes low, lips softly curved.

“I think it may be a little too late for that, Jack.”

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Lilah Suzanne has been writing actively since the sixth grade, when a literary magazine published her essay about an uncle who lost his life to AIDS. A freelance writer, she has also authored a children’s book and has a devoted following in the fan fiction community.
lilahsuzanne.com

Contact Lilah Suzanne at:

• Website : lilahsuzanne.com
• Twitter: @lilahsuzanne
• Pinterest: pinterest.com/lilahsuzanne
• Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Lilah-Suzanne/653282624749516
• Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/8281044.Lilah_Suzanne