Inside Look with Bethany-Kris author of Spray Paint Kisses

Posted on September 15, 2014 by S.J. Maylee

Thanks so much for having me on your blog today to share my latest release with Evernight Publishing, Spray Paint Kisses.

Before I tell you about the story, I thought I’d share ten facts about my hero and ten facts about my heroine to introduce them a little better.

The Hero: Gage Masselin

Age 22

Green eyes, dark hair, approximately 6 foot 1 inch tall

Popular graffiti/street artist

From a tiny town in Eastern Canada, but currently lives in the city

Mentors troubled youth at a teen center during his spare time, but otherwise his attention and drive is totally focused on his art

Spent time in a juvenile detention center for vandalism

His mother died while he was finishing out his sentence, something that weighs heavily on his mind often

Favorite colors are black and white—the two shades he always uses to begin any project

He might be somewhat of a city boy, now, but he’ll always be a small town country boy at heart

He’s never been in love … until he meets his one

The Heroine: Summer Davey

Age 21

Blue eyes, blonde hair, 5 foot 7 inches tall

From a small town in Saskatchewan, Canada

Loves to travel—mostly by car so she can drive to wherever she wants to go, and leave when she wants to leave

Her gypsy nature is often reflected in her style and attitude being very carefree and lighthearted

Favorite color is the blue like the sky, because it reminds her of what it feels to be nothing but open and free

Only travels back home a couple of times a year to visit her family—going more often makes her feel like she might end up getting stuck somewhere she doesn’t want to be

She’s a pretty simple girl with little troubles—she doesn’t need fancy things to impress her, just something or someone unique

She’s been from one side of Canada to the other, and back again twice

Nothing has ever felt like home … until she meets Gage

Thanks for letting me introduce my main stars to you! I hope you enjoy Spray Paint Kisses!

–Kris

Spray Paint Kisses by Bethany-Kris

Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance, New Adult

Publisher: Evernight Publishing

Release Date: August 20^th, 2014

Length: 26k – Short Story

Blurb:

He’s left his mark everywhere. She’s still trying to find a place to leave hers.

Gage Masselin is a graffiti artist whose life has revolved around his art, and focused entirely on his career. He’s never needed a muse to get his inspiration flowing, so when an unexpected blonde-haired beauty knocks him out of his zone, he knows he’s in trouble.

Summer Davey is just a traveling girl with a gypsy’s soul. The one constant she has is her need to keep moving on. She’s never stayed in one place long enough to plant roots, never mind finding a man with spray paint kissing the tips of his fingers to make her heart beat faster.

She inspires him. He’s the first thing to ever feel like home.

Sometimes the hardest things to find in love and life are the easiest to lose.

Excerpt:

“Isn’t that illegal?”

Gage Masselin nearly dropped the aerosol paint can when he heard the feminine voice. Whenever he was in the middle of creating a tag, he was in the zone. There were no sounds but the constant whoosh of the spray paint can’s nozzle and his rhythmic breathing. No distractions took him away from his art.

Well, usually.

Turning on his heel, Gage forgot about the black and white bandana he still wore around his lower face as a shield from the paint fumes. The material muffled his surprise as he came face to face with the prettiest damned thing he’d ever seen in his twenty-two years of life.

Long waves of golden hair were tied off to the side in a messy braid, falling over her front. There wasn’t a lick of makeup on her clear peaches and cream complexion. Standing in gladiator style sandals, ripped up jean shorts, and a faded band T-shirt, the girl could have been just about anyone.

Except she couldn’t. Gage’s tiny New Brunswick hometown was a blink and you’d miss it kind of place. Growing up in Plaster Rock gave him the ability to know everyone, even if he didn’t officially live there fulltime anymore. Thing was, people moved away, new people didn’t move there.

Everybody knew everyone else, or they thought they did. Gage didn’t know this girl.

“Uh …”

The girl smirked before waving in Gage’s direction. “Your face.”

His face?

What?

“My—”

Instantly, Gage realized what the girl meant. The bandana still covered the lower part of his face, including his mouth. He probably looked like some little hoodrat hiding in the alley, tagging the shit out of the high school library’s wall.

No wonder she thought he was doing something illegal.

Tugging down the bandana so it rested around his throat, Gage offered the girl a shrug in explanation. “Sorry, habit to wear it. I usually don’t have company when I’m painting, so no reason to have my mouth free to chat.”

“You mean an accomplice, right?”

“No, I mean company,” Gage replied with a smile.

“I didn’t realize graffiti had become legal.”

Oh, this girl had balls, or she just liked breaking them. Either way, Gage liked that.

“It’s not. That’s probably why I spent two years in juvenile hall.”

“Wouldn’t be juvie now, though.”

“No,” Gage said. “It’d be the pen. Good thing it’s legal. I’m not looking to spend any more time in a lockup.”

The girl still didn’t look convinced.

“Honest, sweetheart. See …” Gage pointed at the piece of official paper taped to the brick wall. If a cop happened to stop by, all he had to do was refer to that permit. “Gives me the right to be here slumming up this wall with my work. The school commissioned me to do the piece. It’s all on the legal side of things, promise.”

A small hand rested on her jutted out hip. The action caused Gage to let his eyes wander down the expanse of her creamy thighs and wonder if they felt as smooth and silky as they looked. They probably did. He bet she’d taste like salt, skin, and sin.

Shit, how short were those jean shorts of hers, anyway?

Short enough that they made Gage’s mouth a little dry just from staring.

Fucked, that’s what he was, and he didn’t even know her name.

“If you say so,” the girl mused.

Gage couldn’t help but tease. “What would you have done if I said it was illegal? Call the cops?”

“Nope.”

“That’s it?”

She smiled a blinding sight. “That’s it. It is pretty.”

“Uh, thanks?”

“You’re welcome.”

With one more glance at the bare bones of the mural just beginning to take form, the girl turned to leave. Gage was positive his heart leaped into his throat, creating a lump his words couldn’t make their way by.

“Wait!”

The darkened blue of her eyes glittered as she stared back. “Yeah?”

Gage forced himself to swallow the nerves beginning to form in his throat. Nervousness wasn’t like him at all. “You didn’t tell me your name.”

“You didn’t tell me yours, either.”

“Gage. It’s Gage.”

“Summer.”

Buy Links

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Spray-Paint-Kisses-Bethany-Kris-ebook/dp/B00MVA2D8O/

Evernight Publishing: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/spray-paint-kisses-by-bethany-kris/

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-spraypaintkisses-1601136-149.html

Bookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/spray-paint-kisses-mf

Add Spray Paint Kisses to Goodreads TBR

Author’s Bio

Bethany-Kris is a Canadian author, lover of much, and mother of two young sons, two cats, and two dogs. Between barking dogs, snuggling cats, playing children, and a spouse calling over his shoulder, she is nearly always writing something … when she can find the time.

Author Links

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bethanykriswrites

Twitter: www.twitter.com/BethanyKris

Blog: www.bethanykris.blogspot.com

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/bethanykris/

Evernight Publishing: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/bethany-kris/

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Bethany-Kris/e/B00FF78PVO/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Spotlight: Lynked by Bethany-Kris

Posted on February 3, 2014 by S.J. Maylee

Happy Release Day, Bethany-Kris! 😀

Lynked

by Bethany-Kris

He’d give up everything to keep her, in fact he did. But will she still be waiting on the other side when it’s over?

Genre: Contemporary erotic romance

Length: Full length – 93k

Publisher: Crimson Romance

Release Date: February 3^rd, 2014

Blurb: When a fighter’s path crosses with a beautiful woman, he’s positive the meeting will only end in her leaving his penthouse with sex hair and a smile—until life and the law steps in, inevitably linking their futures forever.

The accident that ended his fighting career wasn’t enough to keep former heavyweight mixed martial arts champion Devon Lynk out of the sport. His new business, Chaine Lynk, an exclusive fighting company, has made him millions through illegal gambling. Happy with his life, he never suspected it could be his downfall … until the morning after leads to something so much more than he expected, and he’s left with the weight of guilt and responsibility on his shoulders.

Veronica “Nic” Stacey made her way to Edmonton with the intention of starting life anew, but her first night in the city lands her in a stranger’s bed and things don’t quite go as planned. Waking up to find out her brother is in jail is one thing, but learning the man she slept with is also his boss is another matter altogether. With no knowledge of the city and nowhere to go, she’s left taking the only help offered: Devon’s.

With Chaine Lynk’s doors closed and Devon facing possible jail time for his involvement, reality takes a front row seat. Love and lust intermingle as he comes to learn what his business and choices have cost the girl he wants most—now he just has to fix it. But is it already too late?

Excerpt:

“What is your name, pretty girl?”

Something sinful crawled over every nerve Nic had in the best way at the voice in her ear. She couldn’t not respond to the hand suddenly holding tight to her waist. The heat of the man’s palm soaked straight through the fabric of her dress and seeped into her skin in the best way. She swore it travelled over her flesh with a tingling dance that had her burning hot instantly. Shooting him with a simpering grin, Nic turned her head just enough to check him out.

Tall and well dressed with broad shoulders, a muscled frame, and hazel eyes that seemed to pierce right into her soul, Nic was stunned for a second. The dark color of his skin stood out against the cream color of her dress and his fingers tightened, making her breath catch. Handsome was an understatement. This man was downright gorgeous in a way that made her pulse pick up and her sex ache.

There was a faint grin playing on his full lips and her gaze was drawn down to his hand still holding firm to her waist like it belonged there. No one had so blatantly approached her like he had throughout the night, not to mention physically touched her.

Actually, this man was the first to ever do that at all and not get an instant rejection.

Maybe it should have bothered Nic, but instead she found herself curious as to why he had approached her. After all, she hadn’t been actively trying to invite attention her way.

“Your name?” he asked again.

The roughness in his voice was almost mesmerizing. The flecks of green in his eyes seemed to dance under the lights, sparkling with suggestion and want.

“Nic.”

“What are your plans in the next five minutes?”

Nic turned to look back at the fight. The man did the same, watching as Jordan locked down hard to his opponent, pinning him to the mat with a chokehold that looked like it must have hurt. She’d thought seeing Jordan fight would turn her inside out with worry, but instead, Nic only found herself proud.

Maybe making the choice to come to Alberta had been the right one after all. Change was supposed to be a good thing, right?

“That depends,” she finally answered.

“On what?”

Once more, she met his gaze, feeling his hand gripping tightly to her waist and wanting to become lost in just the sensation of that action alone. Nic could feel her body wanting to press harder into his grip. Never had her insides reacted so strongly to another person. He didn’t let up a bit. Haze yielded behind them, tapping out hard against the mat. People started to cheer as their hands hit the cage. Jordan’s name rang out in the crowd louder and louder.

“On that.”

Her brother won.

The tuition was all but paid now.

Do something different. Those words rung in her mind like a toll bell.

What would it hurt to go home with this man? Nic wondered. Who would know what she had done? There wouldn’t be a soul to say anything bad. There would be no one judging her like they did back home. He clearly wasn’t a fighter if his clothing and attitude were any indication, so she was still following along with her brother’s only request.

What could it really hurt? Nothing. She was grown. Jordan would be celebrating his win. A single phone call to let him know she was fine would be enough until the morning.

“Come home with me,” he said, his eyes seeming to search hers for any sign of indecision.

Nic laughed an airy sound. “I don’t even know you.”

“I don’t bite.”

“Maybe I’d like that, though.”

“All right, I bite a little,” he teased.

She could easily say no, but she didn’t want to. That should have scared her. Whatever influence this man seemed to have on her was one she hadn’t experienced before. Nic was the rational one; a person who didn’t make irresponsible choices that would shine her in a bad light. Straight and narrow; white as a dove. Whoever this man was, he made her want to jump headfirst into the filth of sin without even thinking of possible consequences.

“Married?” he asked.

“Nope.”

“Escort?” The face she made must have given away how she felt about that comment. “Sorry,” he said.

Again, his mouth came dangerously close to her face, lips ghosting over the shell of her ear. Heat saturated Nic all over again and she shivered. Who was this man? She didn’t even care that his name had yet to be uttered. She wet her tongue with her lips.

“Come home with me,” he repeated, his voice turning down to a husky tone.

Nic bit her lip, her eyebrow rising in contemplation. “You’ll get me home in the morning?”

“In a private jet if you want, sweetheart; just say yes.”

“Yes.”

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lynked-Crimson-Romance-Bethany-Kris-ebook/dp/B00I2ZY6T6/

All Romance ebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-lynked-1407014-149.html

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lynked-bethany-kris/1118355494?ean=9781440579974

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/lynked/id807763869?mt=11

Author Bio: Bethany-Kris is a Canadian author, lover of much, and mother of two young sons, two cats, and two dogs. Between playing children, barking dogs, snuggling cats, and a hubby calling over his shoulder, she is nearly always writing something…when she can find the time.

Author Links:

Facebook | Twitter | Blog

Inside Look with Bethany-Kris author of A Mile High

Posted on October 7, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

>> Click here for my Evernight Birthday Bash Post <<

Please help me welcome Bethany-Kris. She’s here to celebrate her debut,

Here we go, first question: Picture your favorite place in the world. Now, can you tell us a little bit about the place you’ve pictured?

Yellow, orange skies. White sand. Crystal water. (Clearly I need a vacation)

Lol, so do I! Tell us about yourself: Who are you and why did you start writing?

My name is Bethany-Kris, and yep, I spell it just like that with no last name. I’m a Canadian author, lover of much, and mother to two young sons named Rohan and Lexan. One is almost four, the other is almost two. They keep me crazy busy. I love just about anything that’s bad for my health, work way too much, and don’t write nearly as often as I would like.

I started writing during an ordered best rest with my first pregnancy. I posted online for free under a different penname. All that is still there, also. I wasn’t the best at first, but who really is? I got better. I met great people. Betas with awesome talent were suddenly working with me. So, I continued. Nearly five years later, I’m still writing, except now it’s on a more professional level.

That’s awesome. My sons are just a little bit older and they keep me crazy busy too. Motherhood is hard work for sure. When you are not writing what are your favorite hobbies?

Wait…writing is my only hobby! Ha ha. No, really, it is. Between my fulltime job and the two boys, two cats, and two dogs, when I get to write, it is my time away.

I know what you mean. Writing is such a joy for me that I don’t need or want time away from it. Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

Well, my first, A Mile High, wasn’t the first book I put out there under a publisher’s scrutiny. A different manuscript was, and it was denied. That was a hard pill for me to swallow, but I did, and I continued. Three days later, my submission for A Mile High was accepted.

My story is very similar. Can you tell us about a criticism you’ve received that pushed you into a better writing place?

One of my stories from a long time ago was given a great deal of criticism, not because of the writing, the grammar, the editing, whatever…no, but because the readers didn’t agree with the choices I made in regards to the plot. Crit is one thing, bashing someone on a personal level is something entirely different. I made a choice then to turn cheek at bad comments, reviews, whatever. I’ll accept anyone who wants to help me be better, and by learning to overlook the ones who don’t have that to offer allowed me to enjoy my writing as I wanted it to be seen and heard. It made me happier with my own writing, honestly.

That’s awesome and a very important thing to learn. Which one of your characters would you most like to meet in real life?

Oh, Sal from A Mile High, definitely. He’s tall, dark, and handsome. He’s got the charm going on and the humor to boot. Not to mention his ability to convince a woman to sleep with him on a plane. Hands down, Sal.

He sounds like a fabulous book boyfriend. 🙂 What turns you on creatively?

Music, pictures, general circumstance. It can be anything that catches my mind’s eye for a moment. If I can plot something out in my head by the way the leaves turned color in a week’s time, I’ll do it. Inspiration hits everywhere for me.

What is your greatest fear?

Surprisingly, it’s not failure. Being a writer, I kind of figure there will be a time when something will be seen as a failure. No, my greatest fear kind of revolves around my beautiful children. I hope the lives I gave this world are proud of me for the accomplishments I’ve made. Every word I put to paper is for them, in one way or another.

That’s beautiful. I bet you’re a really wonderful mom. What is your greatest extravagance?

Heh—Phones. Seriously, I update mine at least once every six months. Something new comes out, and I gotta have it.

Oh, and books. I have a library in my house…no, really, an actual library. So, I pick up paperbacks and hardcovers by the handful every time new releases are out.

Wow, that’s so cool. I have books all over my house. I think when my kids are older, I’ll have to designate their playroom as my library. 😀 What is your favorite music (genre/artist/album/song)?

Lana Del Rey is a favorite artist. Anything by her makes it into my fave list.

The Civil Wars – Poison and Wine is also a song that haunts me forever.

Finally, Counting Stars by OneRepublic reminds me of A Mile High, so it gets a special mention.

I love The Civil Wars. They are uber talented. What is the one thing you do after finishing a story?

I celebrate, usually with coffee…and cigarettes (see, things that are bad for me). The manuscript can need hours of work, but I still stop to enjoy my moment of finishing something worth reading.

Yeah! I. Love. Coffee. It definitely helps me soak in a moment. (I’m not even going to mention the cigarettes. Nope. Promise.) Tell us a bit about the projects you are working on now?

I have two works in progress, A Love Unfinished. This is a paranormal/shifters romance that’s nearly finished, so I’m about to have a celebratory dance for that.

Another is The Scandal of Three, a ménage erotic romance that I have just begun.

But, right now, I’m working on promoting A Mile High. It’s a contemporary erotic romance published by Evernight Publishing. It’s brand new, and my first ever release.

Here’s the summary for it: Olivia wants a vacation, that’s all, but when the airline screws up her plans for a week getaway to the beautiful Barbados, instead putting her on a new path that intertwines with the handsome, funny, and charming Sal, she can’t say no to his offer of joining the mile high club. Their meeting is explosive, attraction intense, and when the flight ends, Olivia is unwilling to part ways but unable to voice her wants. Still, fate is at work with its own plan, and where it finishes just might not be where it ends up.