Hello CJ! Thank you so much for visiting Written
Butterfly with me today! It’s such a
pleasure to chat with you. So tell me…
Q) Is this book part
of a series? If so, can you tell us
about it?
Icing
the Competition is book two of my three-book series, Caked with Pleasure, after
On Track with Icing. In this story Jacqui’s best friend Persephone Williams has
a secret crush on Jacqui’s fiancé Nick Barrister’s best friend, Shawn Sheldon.
They meet at the beginning of On Track, when Nick and Shawn go into Jacqui’s
corporate suite at the Charlotte Motor Speedway to thank Jacqui for the bachelor
party cake Nick orders from her.
Shawn’s
marriage doesn’t work out and he meets up with Persephone at an art gallery
showing six weeks after his divorce is final, but he doesn’t get her name.
Their paths cross again at Nick and Jacqui’s party, where they are finally
properly introduced.
Q) Can you give a
fun or interesting fact about your book?
This book is dedicated to three
amazingly talented cake artists, Richard Ruskell, Elisa Strauss and Collette
Peters, who have all competed on the Food Network Challenge cake decorating
competition. Richard has competed eighteen times, and has won six gold medals.
I have also included homage to a
long-time racing broadcaster who lost his battle to cancer in April 2015, Steve
Byrnes. His commentary always made the races fun to watch, because one never
knew what interesting tidbit he’d discover or crazy antic he’d catch on camera.
Q) What gave you the inspiration for
your book?
This book came about because after I finished On Track
with Icing Jacqui’s best friends decided they needed their own story. I
actually started writing Camille’s story first, which starts out with Jacqui
and Nick’s wedding.
I knew Nick wanted Shawn as his best man, but Jacqui
would never have had asked Lisa to be maid of honor. That’s pretty much when I
decided that she had to go (and how her character evolved from airhead, bimbo,
trophy wife to scheming gold-digger). It
turns out that Persephone was a much better match for him. He had to work hard
for her affections, which was something he hadn’t had to do since he was in
high school.
Q) Do you have any
habits that get you in the writing frame of mind?
I just try to clear my thoughts and focus on the voice of
the character I’m trying to work with at that time. I also try to make my
environment as distraction-free as I possibly can, though I do need to have
some kind of noise in the background, whether it’s music or television.
Q) Do you plan all
your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?
I’m a
pantser. The characters seem to just leap to life on the page as my fingers fly
across the keyboard.
However,
I did have to do some planning as On Track with Icing evolved from a one-off
into a three-book series. I created a mini bio for every character name that
appears in the series. At last count there were 65 characters in the series,
and about a third of them appear in all three books.
Peri’s
story was pretty much inspiration and writing as the story carried me away.
Q) How much real life do you put into or
influences your books?
Tons! My three main heroines,
Jacqui, Peri and Cami, all took on several of my own characteristics, and
Jacqui ended up with my medical history (though my story ends happier than hers).
I spent 4 years working in my family’s bakery in Western Wisconsin, so they all
have my work and creative experience.
I’ve also infused personality
traits of my best friends into several of the other characters. And I’ve told
anyone who spends any length of time in my company that anything they say or do
may be used as book fodder, which has seriously worried one of my aunts. J She’s concerned that I’ll include family
squabbles among my characters.
Q) What are your
upcoming projects?
I’m
currently working on book three of the series, Knotted Up with Passion, which
is Camille’s story. I haven’t officially revealed who her love interest is yet,
but there are small clues in the first two books. I have a positive feeling
that the readers are going to love who she ends up with. Let’s just say that sparks
have already flown, and the flame is threatening to burst into an inferno. I’m
surprised their heat hasn’t made my laptop spontaneously combust! J
I also
have another major project in the works, which is at minimum a 5-year project.
It involves 50 stories, one for each state in the country. Two stories have
already been completed, and I’m working on three more.
In
addition to those projects, I’m also polishing up an erotic fantasy piece about
a woman whose husband surprises her on their 10-year-anniversary by making one
of her sexual fantasies come to life. It’s hotter than anything I’ve ever
written before.
ON TRACK WITH ICING
NASCAR driver Nicholas Barrister thinks he's going into Jacqui's Bakery to order a cake for his friend's bachelor party. He didn't count on falling for the woman behind the counter.
Nook: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/on-track-with-icing-cj-bower
Beachwalk Press: www.beachwalkpress.com/on-track-with-icing/
Beachwalk Press: www.beachwalkpress.com/on-track-with-icing/
BLURB:
She's everything he
wanted in a woman…except for one thing.
Plus-sized bakery owner Jacqui Jacobson's confidence is at an all-time low after her public divorce and her ex-husband's despicable accusations. So the last person she expects to show interest in her is racing hot-shot Nick Barrister. But when the two click over her risqué cake designs, it seems like icing on the cake.
However, Jacqui hasn't told him that not being able to have children was the main cause for her marriage ending. As her relationship with Nick turns from casual to serious he expresses his desire for children, and now time is running out. Can she tell him first before her ex-husband, who has reared his ugly head and is determined to destroy her new-found happiness, beats her to it? And will Nick still want her once he finds out?
Content Warning: contains lots of steamy sexual content and exciting racing action
Plus-sized bakery owner Jacqui Jacobson's confidence is at an all-time low after her public divorce and her ex-husband's despicable accusations. So the last person she expects to show interest in her is racing hot-shot Nick Barrister. But when the two click over her risqué cake designs, it seems like icing on the cake.
However, Jacqui hasn't told him that not being able to have children was the main cause for her marriage ending. As her relationship with Nick turns from casual to serious he expresses his desire for children, and now time is running out. Can she tell him first before her ex-husband, who has reared his ugly head and is determined to destroy her new-found happiness, beats her to it? And will Nick still want her once he finds out?
Content Warning: contains lots of steamy sexual content and exciting racing action
ICING THE COMPETITION
While recovering from his divorce, NASCAR driver Shawn Sheldon focuses his energy on his racing career. However, a chance encounter with the innocent Persephone has him thinking about trying again. But can Peri handle Shawn’s high-profile life and the media circus that goes with it?
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/icing-the-competition-cj-bower/1125160809?ean=2940157080822
BLURB:
Can
the innocent beauty heal the arrogant stock car driver’s heart?
Shawn Sheldon comes home early from Daytona and
discovers his wife Lisa in their bed with two men. He immediately kicks her out
and files for divorce, but the hits keep blindsiding him like a high-speed
crash at Talladega. Shattered by Lisa’s betrayal, Shawn takes a self-imposed
sabbatical to let his heart heal. However, a chance encounter with the
beautiful Persephone encourages him to try again.
Persephone Williams has harbored a secret crush on
Shawn since their introduction a year ago. While she’s dated in the past, she’s
never had a steady boyfriend, and none of them inspired her to punch her
V-card. After one hot, steamy kiss with Shawn, she finds herself giving in to
the desires of her heart. He is arrogant—cocky, even—but he proves that he has
a soft side too.
When Shawn’s ex-wife resurfaces and tries digging
her red-lacquered talons into him again, he shows Peri that she’s the one he
wants. But can Peri handle his high-profile career and the media circus that goes
with it?
Content Warning: contains steamy sex and hot racing
action
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
COMING SOON...
KNOTTED UP WITH
PASSION:
TEASER BLURB:
Despite the fact that her
parents remind her of a 50's-sitcom, Camille Coulson didn't have an easy life.
She spends the first three years of her adult life as a sub for a man she
thought she knew.
When the relationship takes a
turn for the worse, she gets out and moves back in with her parents and younger
brother. To get back on her feet, she obtains her degree in marketing and takes
over the bookkeeping and promotions management
position for her best friend.
However, the one thing Cami
didn't count on when she started working at Jacqui's Bakery is the undeniably
strong attraction for the one man who is completely off-limits to her...
IN IT TO WIN IT – A
SPORTS ANTHOLOGY
SIX
STEAMY STORIES TO TAKE BETWEEN THE SHEETS!
Barnes
& Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-it-to-win-it-ella-jade/1124115042?ean=9781944270346
HITTING
IT OUT OF THE PARK – ELLA JADE
Francesca “Frankie” Cuttino
relocated to the baseball-obsessed town of Kingston, Rhode Island to start a
new life. She’s been taking refuge in her teaching job and indulging in binge
watching TV. Welcoming the break from her three-time ex-fiancé, she takes
comfort in the much needed alone time. But her sexy new neighbor has her
rethinking the single life.
Professional baseball player Jed
Silver is on the hitting streak of his career. He’s the newest member of the
Kingston Crushers and the town’s latest obsession. He’s enjoying his rookie
status and all the attention it earns him with the women. That all changes when
he stumbles onto his gorgeous next-door neighbor, who doesn’t have a clue who
he is.
As baseball fever overtakes the town
these two heat up the sheets, making for one explosive summer, until Frankie’s
past catches up with her.
JAB
– AK LAYTON
Sabrina Aleninis a self-assured
young woman who has a clear plan for her future. As a YouTube blogger who is
gaining momentum, she needs the right type of man to help her reach her goal of
creating her own empire. A wealthy older man who likes hot blondes. Mixed
Martial Arts fighter Silvio Almeida does not fit the bill, no matter how
infuriatingly irresistible she finds him.
In Training for his upcoming MMA
fight, women aren’t on Silvio’s radar. Seeing firsthand how easily life can
change in a single moment, he’s decided to live life not looking too far into
the future. But his path keeps crossing with Sabrina’s, and he can’t get the
beautiful blonde off his mind.
When love throws them from their
determined paths they will have to discover if the best future is the one
unplanned.
SOCCER
MUM – LISA KNIGHT
When Maggie’s ten-year-old son joins
a soccer team she hopes it will be an opportunity to meet new people and move
forward from the disastrous past months. After all, a broken marriage and
returning home to live with her parents wasn’t quite how she envisioned her
thirties.
Agreeing to play soccer herself as a
part of the parents’ team, Maggie’s lack of skill requires a little extra
coaching. Leo is happy to assist, and Maggie becomes captivated by the former
professional player, who ignites feelings she thought had disappeared forever.
But as Maggie’s ex-husband pressures
her to rekindle their relationship, Maggie’s guilt reaches overdrive. How can
she possibly consider a future with Leo when there’s a chance of putting her
family back together?
SECOND
TIME AROUND – OLIVIA STARKE
Kelly Atkins has dedicated her life to
caring for the horses at her off-track Thoroughbred rescue. When she’s forced
to sell part of her land to cover mounting expenses, she’s shocked by who steps
in to buy it – her high school sweetheart, Dustin. She didn’t even know the man
had moved back to town. Seeing him brings back memories of the most painful
time of her life. Not only had she lost the man she thought she’d spend forever
with, she also lost her twin brother. And for years she held Dustin responsible
for his death.
Dustin, a former rodeo bronc rider, has
plans to start a retired rodeo horse rescue. As he and Kelly start to rekindle
the love they once shared, he fears what will happen when she learns his
secret. A secret that could drive her away forever.
ALL
YOU WANTED – LISA HUFFMAN
Football superstar Wade McKinney is
crushed when he’s cut from the team. How did this happen? In order to make a
comeback, he needs to focus on becoming the best player he can possibly be.
Leaving town for a fresh start, he takes a job as a sports reporter for a local
news station. With no room for anything else in his life, Wade denies his
attraction to co-anchor Rebecca Ryan.
Since tragedy struck mere ten months
ago, Rebecca has become the rock holding her family together, leaving her no
time for a personal life. But there’s something about Wade McKinney that has
her wondering what his story is.
Wade only sees a future in football
and Rebecca hasn’t the time for a relationship. But when fate steps in, Wade
and Rebecca find something they weren’t looking for in each other.
LOVE
IN VICTORY LANE – CJ BOWER
Racing is all Catalina Bryant ever
wanted to do. She’s spent the past fifteen years climbing the ranks and paying
her dues, which included fighting off slurs and innuendoes regarding her
gender. Overcoming many setbacks, she has finally made it to the highest level
in NASCAR and is on the eve of starting her rookie season.
Her new crew chief, Chad Kiesgen, is
incredible. He has a strong work ethic and amazing integrity. Just the guy to
help her achieve her goal. However, she hits a speed bump when the sizzling
chemistry between them carries over to their personal lives, which could damage
both of their careers.
There’s another man lurking in the
background who wants Cat for himself and will stop at nothing to claim her.
Will Cat find love in Victory Lane, or will her career crash and burn before
she leaves the starting line?
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