Into the Heat By Tamara Lush

Into the Heat

By Tamara Lush

There’s a small Island of the Coast of Florida. known as Palmira Island, where the handsome and sexy Leo Villeneue has returned from Afghanistan as a War Veteran, hoping to avoid the pain of his past.

There while Leo is enjoying the beautiful beach where the sun shines making the sand look like diamonds and the ocean like heaven; Leo runs into the one woman he’s never forgotten: Jessica Clarke. 

Leo and Jessica manage to rekindle their love and it was as hot and as steamy as the warm Florida sun. The only problem being is that sexy tattooed hunk, has a secret he can’t afford to give up. 

It’s not just dealing with his PTSD, but Leo doesn’t want to ruin what he finally has gotten back. And Jessica is tickled with the fact that Leo is not bothered with the fact that she has put on a little weight, thus proving her does see her for physical attributes. Together they see one another without their faults, but are afraid of making mistakes.

As I read this book, I could see the ties into her last book, “Hot Shade” because the books are both about the Florida coast and how the beach and sex just coincide. 

However, “Into the Heat” seemed quite a bit more eccentric to me, because I felt like the couple were more lifelike. People today aren’t shaped perfectly, and do come with problems such as PTSD, and therefore this gave the book a little more umph and made it much more plausible. I truly adored this book, and give it five stars without question. I love looking at it with a Military outlook, and second chances. This book is a true heart throb meant to happen. I am glad I able to read and review it! I most definitely enjoyed it!

Here are my questions for Tamara:

1. What led to this book and how long did it take to write?

My best friend and I were walking near Treasure Island, a Gulf Coast beach, one November. It was right around Thanksgiving and we ran into a giant sand sculpting competition. These weren't just kiddie sandcastles -- they were elaborate sculptures. Artistic, even. As we walked around, I noticed a very handsome man sculpting—he was kneeling in the sand wearing nothing but shorts and his hands were all dirty. I looked at my friend and said, "This would make a good scene in a novel." I've known my friend since we were little, and we immediately started planning and plotting the book. We do that often -- wait until we break out the Aussie firefighter ideas.


2. Did you do any research for this book?

I did research various combat-related disorders for Leo, the main character. He suffers not only from PTSD, but from something called "Moral Injury," which is when someone suffers harm to their moral conscience. This condition isn't spoken about much, and it emphasizes the psychological, cultural, and spiritual aspects of trauma.


3. Where is your favorite writing spot?

I write in three places: at my kitchen table, or on my treadmill desk. Generally all of the serious writing takes place at the table. It's a peaceful nook that I love. When I read my work or self-edit, I generally use the treadmill desk. I don't like to sit a lot and get restless if I do, so walking slowly and writing/reading is perfect for me. When I really have to focus, I head to a local cafe. Somehow I am best able to focus when there's chaos around me -- that's probably the years of being in a newsroom as a journalist. This can get awkward, though, if I'm writing a sex scene. Once I looked up and saw a former colleague. I think I blushed.


4. Do you have plans for another book?

I have plans for many books! I have more ideas than I know what to do with. Right now I'm working on another story for Boroughs. It's a third book set on the island of Palmira (where Into the Heat and Hot Shade were set). The third story is about Catalina, who is the best friend of the heroine in Into the Heat. This will also be a second chance trope. I can only say a few things: the hero is Italian-Puerto Rican. And he's a sexy geek.


5. What do you like best about writing?

I love writing about the rush of lust at the point it turns to love. It's such a heady, powerful emotion, those first stirrings of attraction. Trying to capture that again and again on the page is so much fun.


6. What do you suggest to anyone wanting to start a writing career?

Read, and then read some more. Read all different genres and read the classics. If you don't have money for school, there are free literature courses through Coursera that are taught by top university teachers. One I would recommend is The Fiction of Relationship -- it's a free class through Coursera and it's a rigorous, 12-week class that features many classic novels.


7. What keeps you inspired to write?

I write in my day job as a reporter. Those stories are interesting and inspiring because I meet all kinds of people who persevere against horrible odds. I also love being a journalist because I'm nosy. Fiction is a little different -- I have to be nosy within my own psyche to create stories. Fiction is also an excellent mental break from daily life.


8. Do you have any photos or descriptions of Leo and Jessica? (see attached photos)

Leo is from New Orleans, of Creole-Cajun-French Canadian descent. His mother's family were freed Haitian slaves, and his father's family was from Quebec. He's a Marine and is a big, strapping guy. He's got short hair, bronze skin and light eyes

Jessica is like the majority of women -- she's larger than she wants to be but is trying mightily to accept her body. She's tall and curvy, with long, curly blonde hair.

The kind of hair that people see on mermaids and on surfer girls -- the kind that makes other women jealous. Although she struggles with her body, Leo loves her curves. 

My favorite part of the book is when Leo and Jessica are kissing:

Leo brushed his lips against hers then looked into her eyes, which had darkened to emerald. Now was the time for his confession. “I’ve only ever been with one woman. And she’s right in front of me, wearing a Hello Kitty T-shirt with her legs wrapped around me. You know what size she is? Size sexy.”

9. Please provide for us your social media links and book links:

WEBSITE: www.tamaralush.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamaralushwrites/

Twitter: @tamaralush

AMAZON: http://amzn.to/1KpULyK

BARNES AND NOBLE: http://bit.ly/1NrCEIs

GOODREADS: http://bit.ly/1RyelQO

iBOOKS: http://apple.co/20hNdqW

KOBO: http://bit.ly/1ZOD5Jn

SMASHWORDS: http://bit.ly/1Peicm1

10. Anything to add:

I hope readers enjoy Into the Heat -- If they like books about first love and second chances, they should check it out! 

--

Find out more about my novel, HOT SHADE: https://booklaunch.io/tamaralush/hot-shade

                                                       www.BoroughsPublishing.com

 

Into the Heat by Tamara Lush
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There’s a small Island of the Coast of Florida. known as Palmira Island, where the handsome and sexy Leo Villeneue has returned from Afghanistan as a War Veteran, hoping to avoid the pain of his past.

There while Leo is enjoying the beautiful beach where the sun shines making the sand look like diamonds and the ocean like heaven; Leo runs into the one woman he’s never forgotten: Jessica Clarke.

Leo and Jessica manage to rekindle their love and it was as hot and as steamy as the warm Florida sun. The only problem being is that sexy tattooed hunk, has a secret he can’t afford to give up.

It’s not just dealing with his PTSD, but Leo doesn’t want to ruin what he finally has gotten back. And Jessica is tickled with the fact that Leo is not bothered with the fact that she has put on a little weight, thus proving her does see her for physical attributes. Together they see one another without their faults, but are afraid of making mistakes.

As I read this book, I could see the ties into her last book, “Hot Shade” because the books are both about the Florida coast and how the beach and sex just coincide.

However, “Into the Heat” seemed quite a bit more eccentric to me, because I felt like the couple were more lifelike. People today aren’t shaped perfectly, and do come with problems such as PTSD, and therefore this gave the book a little more umph and made it much more plausible. I truly adored this book, and give it five stars without question. I love looking at it with a Military outlook, and second chances. This book is a true heart throb meant to happen. I am glad I able to read and review it! I most definitely enjoyed it!

View all my reviews

Hot Shade by Tamara Lush

Hot Shade

Tamara Lush
 

Ah yes! A book that takes place on one of Florida’s own beautiful beaches! Well, you should just see the smile on my face, and I am only on page three. Call me prejudice, but I favor Florida and Ohio books, I just can’t figure out why. ::Smirk::  But…if you know me, than you are a step ahead of the game, because you know why!

Skylar Shaw is a journalist who ends up on a very interesting assignment. Said assignment ends up covering a plane crash with some details that end up requiring even further investigation. During this investigation, Skylar meets Luca Rossi a handsome Italian hunk, who has a big secret of his own. Luca has been in hiding for two years, he once was a journalist who had been working on an exposé about the Mafia, which destroyed his own life, and sent him into hiding.

After Skylar and Luca have discovered one another, they start dating, and having a magnificent relationship, building from friendship straight into love.  And Luca knows now that he has Skylar, he doesn’t want to let her go, not now, not ever. He has been alone far too long. 

As for Skylar, she has a story, and she refuses to let it go, and she thinks she can have love, and a story, and make them both work. When she reports on a murder in the swamp, things get a little more heated than she had anticipated. Now Luca and Skylar are both forced into hiding.

Their love life ends up being nothing like either of them had ever dreamed. Skylar and Luca feel unsafe on the Florida shores, least wise, once you uncover secrets that might not have been yours to tell….

I totally fell in love with this book, it kept me on the edge of my seat, not sure what was going to happen next. I was worried, and imagining everything so clearly. I was right there. I was certain I was watching a Movie. I positively give “Hot Shade” five huge stars. This is an extremely enjoyable book, more mysteriously and passionate than many other books I have read! If you haven’t bought this yet, I suggest you do, you will be glad you did!

Here are my questions for Tamara:

1. What made you write this book? 

I've loved romance novels since high school and thought about writing a romance for years, since my early twenties. I put the concept of writing a novel on the back burner while I concentrated on my journalism career. In 2012, I read a non-fiction book by an Italian journalist named Roberto Saviano. He wrote an expose on organized crime, and then went on the run under police protection because his life was in danger. (It still is). My imagination kicked in, wondering about his day-to-day life. Since he was a young journalist, I wondered if he had a girlfriend -- then started to consider what would happen if he fell in love with someone while evading the mafia. My hero Luca was inspired by this real-life hero.

2. How long did it take you to write this book?

It took me about three months to get a draft and then another few months to edit. It went through more editing with Boroughs Publishing Group editor Chris Keeslar. In all, it was fourteen months from when I started writing to publication.

3. What is your favorite scene in this book?

When Luca dances with Skylar at the Sloppy Iguana bar to the song 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' during 80s night. They both know they're in love with each other but are trying to take one last stand against falling too deep.

 

4. Of all the books you've ever read, even as a child- what is your favorite?

That is a tough question. Ooh. So tough. I would say Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier. Non-fiction, I think Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich. 

5. Who is/are your favorite Author(s)?

Lisa Kleypas, Molly O'Keefe, Tiffany Reisz.

6. What are your hobbies?

I'm currently into the adult coloring phase. You had some coloring books on your Facebook page that made me envious! I also walk a lot with my dogs and do yoga.

7. Have you ever had writers block?

No, not yet. It's not a luxury I have as a journalist. I try to write fiction every night, even if it's just a few words.

8. Do you ever imagine yourself as one of your characters? (Be honest now!)

I think it was easy to imagine myself as my heroine, Skylar Shaw, because I once was a rookie reporter at a small newspaper. I had to reach back in my fuzzy memory to recall what I felt as a new reporter, though, because my attitudes and approaches to stories are much different now.

9. Have you met any other writers?

I've been privileged to meet and work with lots of talented non-fiction writers, people that I look up to immensely. My favorite story about meeting a famous writer was when I was in college. I met journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson. I was nineteen and asked him what was the best thing I could do to become a journalist.  "Be a Playboy bunny," he said. I did not take his advice.

10. What are your future goals?

To continue to write news during the day and romance at night. To inform people of what's going on in the world and to entertain them, too.

11. Please share with us your social links and book links, etc:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/tamaralushwrites/

WEBSITE/NEWSLETTER: http://www.tamaralush.com/

AMAZON: http://amzn.to/1MENn1X

For all of the purchase links, I have them in one handy place: https://www.booklaunch.io/tamaralush/hot-shade

Thank you for reviewing my book and having me on your blog! Your questions were excellent!

Thank you for reviewing my book and having me on your blog! Your questions were excellent!

 

www.BoroughsPublishingGroup.com

of which I am a proud ARC member!

Hot Shade by Tamara Lush
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ah yes! A book that takes place on one of Florida’s own beautiful beaches! Well, you should just see the smile on my face, and I am only on page three. Call me prejudice, but I favor Florida and Ohio books, I just can’t figure out why. ::Smirk:: But…if you know me, than you are a step ahead of the game, because you know why!

Skylar Shaw is a journalist who ends up on a very interesting assignment. Said assignment ends up covering a plane crash with some details that end up requiring even further investigation. During this investigation, Skylar meets Luca Rossi a handsome Italian hunk, who has a big secret of his own. Luca has been in hiding for two years, he once was a journalist who had been working on an exposé about the Mafia, which destroyed his own life, and sent him into hiding.

After Skylar and Luca have discovered one another, they start dating, and having a magnificent relationship, building from friendship straight into love. And Luca knows now that he has Skylar, he doesn’t want to let her go, not now, not ever. He has been alone far too long.

As for Skylar, she has a story, and she refuses to let it go, and she thinks she can have love, and a story, and make them both work. When she reports on a murder in the swamp, things get a little more heated than she had anticipated. Now Luca and Skylar are both forced into hiding.

Their love life ends up being nothing like either of them had ever dreamed. Skylar and Luca feel unsafe on the Florida shores, least wise, once you uncover secrets that might not have been yours to tell….

I totally fell in love with this book, it kept me on the edge of my seat, not sure what was going to happen next. I was worried, and imagining everything so clearly. I was right there. I was certain I was watching a Movie. I positively give “Hot Shade” five huge stars. This is an extremely enjoyable book, more mysteriously and passionate than many other books I have read! If you haven’t bought this yet, I suggest you do, you will be glad you did!


View all my reviews