We’re so pleased to have author Skylar M. Cates joining us today on the tour to celebrate her latest release, Rocking the Cowboy, a new addition to Dreamspinner’s Dreamspun Desires line. She’s here to chat with us about our fave pastime…reading, of course. And there’s a giveaway too, so be sure to check out the entry details below.

Welcome, Skylar!

Skylar, here. Thanks so much for hosting me today!

I’m thrilled to share my latest writing news and my thoughts on Rocking the Cowboy. I’m also sharing an excerpt and giveaway.

My writing news: I’m excited to be self-publishing a Christmas book. It’s about two neighbors who feud over a Christmas lights competition (look for it on Amazon in December 2018)! My Newsletter is releasing in late August/early September with some great giveaways and exclusive content. If interested, you can sign up for it HERE.

On Reading

In my yoga class recently, the instructor asked us “what keeps your soul safe?” My first thought was reading. For as long as I can recall, reading has made me feel safe, especially reading in libraries.

In my upcoming release, Rocking the Cowboy, neither character feels particularly safe in the opening chapters. Pop star Remy is being dogged by the press and a troublesome past performance, while Jed is unsure about the future of his ranch. Just as a reader must open that first page and trust the author to “get this”, the two main characters must learn to trust before they can feel safe enough to love each other.

As a reader, I love the character who is willing to be vulnerable. Don’t you? I’m immediately drawn to the wounded character. Or ones who see themselves as a flawed mess, even when the reader can see beyond those flaws.  When I write new characters, I ask myself how I can poke at their underbelly. How can I allow a reader to see and connect with what they might be denying to the outside world? For example,  Remy is famous and wealthy, but he is also incredibly vulnerable.

Maybe reading is such a cathartic experience because being vulnerable in our real world is so very difficult. People might betray us or disappoint us. The world can be hard and lonely. I adored writing Jed and Remy in Rocking the Cowboy because they were stronger together.

About the Book

Opposites who go together like country and rock ’n’ roll.

Long before he was a superstar, Remy Sean had a secret crush on Jed Riley. But Jed sees Remy as a spoiled pop rocker and an extension of his father’s control. Still, Jed is willing to let Remy hide from the press on his ranch—but only as a way to get his father out of his life and business for good.

Used to being admired and fawned over, Remy keenly feels the sting of Jed’s dismissal. Can he make Jed see him as more than a pain in the ass? Or is Jed too tangled up in his ranch to see past his old hurt?

Jed doesn’t believe someone desired by so many fans could want him, a simple cowboy. But Remy is determined to change Jed’s mind and steal his heart….

Buy Links: Dreamspinner Press || Amazon

The Excerpt

Here is an excerpt where Jed and Remy are feeling vulnerable. Hope that you enjoy it!

The knock on his door made both Oscar and Remy jump. His big baby of a cat went for the safety of his bed, and Remy answered his door.

Jed must have taken a shower, because his hair looked slightly damp and it curled at the ends. Dressed in worn sweats, his tall frame filled the doorway.

Jed rubbed the back of his neck. “Just, um, want to say good night.”

“Yeah, good night. And hey, thanks for the bonfire. You made it fun.”

“Not too many people ever say I’m fun.”

“Maybe you’ve been hanging out with the wrong people.”

“Maybe.” Jed stared at him a moment. “So I was thinking, after I finish some work, do you want to go on a ride?”

“A ride? Like… on horses?”

“No, on my big fancy yacht. Yeah, on horses, dumbass.”

Strange how an insulting nickname made Remy go all warm inside.

“I’d like that.”

“Okay, then, tomorrow.” Jed gave a lopsided smile.

What was happening here? Bemused, Remy found himself smiling and nodding. It was only after Jed left that Remy realized he forgot to make a move.

Again.

About the Author

Skylar M. Cates loves a good romance, especially ones that are both steamy and emotionally satisfying. She is quite happy to drink coffee, curl up with a good book, and not move all day. Her best-selling novels feature strong, passionate men. Skylar loves to craft stories where realistic men are challenged with emotional situations. Skylar’s character-driven series will often feature close-knit families, animals, and loyal friendships being tested.

Skylar dreams about spending her days writing novels, walking along the beach, and listening to good live music. She also dreams of eating dessert without weight gain and robots cleaning her house. But she knows she can’t have it all… yet. Although lately the laundry room is the farthest place she has visited, Skylar still loves to chat with people from all around the globe.

Skylar can be found on Facebook, Twitter, or on her Blog.

The Giveaway

Question: Reading is my safe place. What does reading mean to you?

One lucky commenter will get a copy of any eBook from my backlist