Welcome Kacey Hammell!

Hello!  Thank you so much for visiting Written Butterfly with me today! 

Thanks for having me here today, Beth! And congrats on your current release as well!

Q) Do you have any habits that get you in the writing frame of mind?

Music. I love being inspired by music. In fact, Guarding Midnight came to life within a few days of driving and listening to Nickelback in my car as I drive my kids all over the city! Their song, Midnight Queen was a huge inspiration for the story, and while the story evolved a lot, the foundation is there from the song. Read the Lyrics
 For me, I need days of envisioning a story before I will start writing it. I need it to play across my mind like a movie, or movie stills. I don’t usually plot the stories, and wait for images/scenes to follow me for a few days, and then start writing bits of dialogue, full scenes, character traits and such, then put it all together when I’m ready to sit and write the whole thing.

And I need sound in the background in order to write. I can’t have complete silence.

Q) Is this part of a series?  If so, tell us about it!

Yes it is! Guarding Midnight is the first of the “Canadian Muscle” Series. In books 2 and 3, we’ll revisit characters we meet in book 1, and the foundation is laid for their own stories. Set in Canada, these hunky “muscle” men are hell bent on one thing … protecting what they desire most. Gavin really cemented himself as my favorite hero to-date, and his pals from Guarding Midnight are coming in strong second and third!* g*

Q) How much real life do you put into or influences your books?

I have a story out now that is based very much on real life events. It wasn’t a planned project but the heroine it is told about, I felt a need that her story had to be told.

I also like to use friends’ first names, or nicknames in my stories. Sometimes I’ll pull from headline news stories, and also listing actual places in my locations (ie: bars, streets)

Q) If you could choose, which published author would you like to brainstorm with and why?

Nora Roberts/JD Robb. She’s a legend in this business, her knowledge of it would be wonderful to discuss. Plus how she continually keeps ideas fresh and vivid, especially in the large number of authors/stories being released these days, would be some info I would love to know.

Guarding Midnight by Kacey Hammell
Canadian Muscle 1
Contemporary/Suspense/Erotic/Romance

ISBN: 978-1-77233-292-6

Now available with Evernight Publishing

Reviews:

“…doesn’t disappoint…characters, plot and storyline was amazing, overall this was an easy contemporary romance that will have some enjoying on how the story unfolds.” ~ 5 Stars from Beckey, In the Pages of a Good Book

“… an amazing book…background story was amazing and the main character and background characters, I fell in love with them right away. I couldn't put this book down.” ~ 5 Stars from Stephanie, Goodreads

Blurb:

Canadian Muscle …

When Desires Need Protecting.

No one knows sacrifice better than former Army Sergeant Gavin Bennett. He’s witnessed firsthand the emotional, physical and mental toll of being caught in the crossfire. Being a bouncer-slash-bodyguard may not be Gavin’s dream job, but he’s willing to do just about anything to help out family. When Gavin reports for his first day of work, he quickly discovers a woman who threatens to crack his legendary cool.

Shree Walker is on the run from a dark past she tried to shut away. Battered and broken, a happily ever after doesn’t exist for her. Ready to start fresh with a new life in a new city, she is happy dancing at the Vixen Club. She’d be even happier without the presence of the prickly new bouncer who won’t let anyone or anything get past his carefully guarded defenses. He’s a distraction she doesn’t need. And a temptation she can’t resist. 

When Shree is kidnapped by the criminal mastermind hell-bent on taking the club at any cost, Gavin has to make a decision. Hold tight and continue to keep Shree at arm’s length. Or break down his walls and take a chance on something more powerful than them both: Love.

Guarding Midnight Book Page

Evernight Publishing

Kacey’s Amazon.com Page

Kacey’s Kobo Page

aRe
Bookstrand

“You women are so pigheaded.” He inched a step closer. “You never know when to shut up and just listen. I’m trying to take care of all of you here.”

“Then go tell some of the other girls. You’ve given me my orders. Fine. You’re done. We’re done.” Chin up, Shree turned away.

He grabbed her arm, startling her. She spun back, legs unsteady, and reached out blindly as she began to fall.

The world spun around her, and she braced to hit the floor.

Warmth wrapped her waist, and then darkness smashed into her.

A deep groan brought her back. Scanning the room, the realization hit her. She was atop Gavin. She gasped. His strong body had broken her fall, though she’d probably end up with some bruises. He gazed at her with his beautiful cognac eyes.

Getting involved with him would be a very bad idea. She had to study, work hard to finish school and get away from clubs for good. She searched his gaze, searching for what she didn’t know. Maybe some sign that her heart wouldn’t be bruised after he was done with it.

“Shree.” Jesus. Her name rolled off his lips almost like a growl. The rasp put her body into overdrive. Her pussy clenched and pricks of electricity tingled along her back.

This man wasn’t right for her. She was going to get hurt. Deep in her gut, she knew it. And she always listened to her gut. Always.

Not this time.

No, she couldn’t—wouldn’t—miss out on taking what she could. For herself. To forget school, the job, and the past, she’d jump in with both feet and screw what might happen.

She captured his mouth with hers. A deep moan of delight escaped her.

His palms skimmed up her back, his mouth opening wide and allowing her entrance into the deep recesses of him. Stale coffee and mint coated her tongue.

Her palms skimmed over his bald head, caressing with her fingertips, acquainting herself with the feel of him. She lingered at each bump and scar, over his ears to his cheekbones.

Never before had she tasted anything as delicious or been so engrossed in the textures of a man’s roughened skin before. Tight, tough skin that was from hard living, rough times, and that of a man’s man. He was glorious. An Alpha man who was allowing his woman to take the lead.

No. No, dammit, not his woman.

Shree pushed the annoying voice aside and pulled back. Staring at him, his eyes blazed with desire…no, there would be no going back now. For now, in this moment, she would be his woman. He could brand her, claim her as his, but only this once. And she’d walk away knowing the decision was all hers.

Sitting up, astride his hips, she held his gaze and tossed the towel from around her neck aside. Her palms skimmed over his chest. The blue button-down shirt he wore did little to hide the feel of his tight muscles. His warm palms sat on her thighs, as if waiting for her permission to touch.

She leered at him, certain he was anxious to take over, loving the feel of tension in his arms and pecs as he held himself in check. How he understood that she needed this, she didn’t know. Nor did she care.

Silence filled the small room as she opened the buttons of his shirt to the waist. There was a heaven, and she was looking at it. Naked golden skin and tight ridges took her breath away. He worked hard to stay in this shape. Who was she not to admire it?

“Keep looking at me like that and I’ll have you under me in five seconds.” His gravelly voice cut through her thoughts.

Empowered by the passion in his eyes, she grinned at him then shrugged. “Nothing wrong with that, but I like to be on top.” She shifted on his hips, her breath catching as she felt his hard shaft against her ass.

Oh yes, this man had been blessed very well. His length pushed against her, and fire spread from her pussy straight to her toes. Her nipples pebbled tight, aching and throbbing.

Her body rocked against his, friction from his jeans and the spandex covering her was delicious. It was crazy to be so into a man like Gavin so soon after meeting him. But her body led the way. It wanted the connection to him, needed to feel him inside and around her.

These tumultuous emotions were foreign to her.

“Shree.”

“Shh, just hush,” she whispered, shifting her hips against his. She shoved the hem of her bra up over her breasts.

“Fuck, you’re gorgeous.” A growl erupted from his throat.

Gaze locked on his, she lifted his hands and pressed them against her aching nipples. She gasped. The heat of his touch swirled through her body. Shifting her hips down, her pussy lips cradled his shaft through their clothes.

Delirious. Out of control.

Her mind spun with images of how she wanted to ride him. The powerful friction from their clothing and his skin set her on fire. Adrenaline rushed through her, wanting him, and to satisfy the hunger racing over her.

Desperation this strong had never hit her so hard.

Her hands went to his belt, unbuckling it, and drew it apart.

He stilled her movements. “Are you sure?”

Shree withdrew from under his hold, yanked open the button, and parted the zipper. “Going to back out on me?” she challenged, fearing he’d leave her needy.

He chuckled. It was light and relaxed to her. “Not bloody likely.” His fingers pushed beneath the leg of her shorts, pulling it all into each hand.

Frowning, she gaped at him. “What are you do—” She screamed, body jerking as he pulled her shorts apart. Staring at the mess of spandex he held, her jaw dropped. It was like sitting atop the Incredible Hulk whose strength was feared while admired.

The garment lay in tatters, the waistband the only thing keeping the material around her. Gavin tossed the bits that remained in his palms over his head.

His touch eased over her bare mound, reawakening the arousal coursing through her. Thankful she hadn’t worn any underwear, she lifted a bit, allowing his fingers to slide between their bodies and find her clit.

Giving herself up to his touch, she sucked in a deep breath and tilted her head back.

Moisture coated her channel, filling her, making it easier for him to glide his fingers back and forth. Electric currents of heat surrounded her clit and her pussy tightened. Two digits slipped inside her, and the breath rushed out of her. His guttural moan cut through the air.

Her eyelids lifted. She needed to regain control. It was best for her to lead this brief interlude, and remind herself just how strong she could be, realize how much she could still love her body and the needs that couldn’t always be denied.

Adjusting up on her knees, she pushed his touch away. She lowered his jeans and underwear to the floor and off his feet. The gorgeous sight of his hard cock caught her breath and saliva filled her mouth.

She’d never given a man head before, and didn’t know if she could ever bring herself to do so, but in this moment, having him inside her cunt was way more important than anything.