* Jacquelyn Frank: Author Override | UTC Reviews
* Skye Warren: Author Override
* Narrator Lorelei King: Interview
* Stephanie Tyler: Interview
* Carolyn Crane: Author Override | UTC Review
* J.T. Geissinger: Interview | UTC Review
* Men and Women of the Military Giveaway Hop
* Keri Arthur: Interview | UTC Reviews

Friday 28 September 2012

Author Override: Kelly Jamieson

Author Override is the place where authors take the reins and take you on a journey into their world. Some may allow you into their private writing dens. Others may take you along with them on research trips or interviews. Whatever the case may be, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride because here you’ll get an in-depth look into an author’s musings.

KELLY JAMIESON

Undercover and under the covers

So here I am at Under the Covers Book Blog talking about going undercover…and under the covers! In fact that’s the “warning” for Hot Ride:

Warning: Features a badass biker hero and kickass heroine who go at it undercover -- and under the covers.

In researching for my book Hot Ride, I learned a lot about the incredible stress of being undercover. I wanted to portray this as realistically as I could for my characters, but I also wanted this to be a romance and in a romance there are a few rules you just can't break. I couldn't have my characters turn criminal, for example. I wanted to show the struggles they face, but I didn't want to destroy their lives, which can happen "in real life". And I had to have a happy ending (not just because it's a rule, but because *I* have to have a happy ending!).

There's the stress of constantly watching what you say, knowing your new identity and always staying in character. There's the daily exposure to drugs and the pressure to use them. There's the constant exposure to crime and danger and violence. Never being able to trust anyone, constant fear and paranoia. Undercover agents see things they can't do anything about, people getting beaten and at worse, killed. One mistake can cost you your life.

There's also the tension between the undercover operatives and their handlers and bureaucrats, who sometimes might think the operatives enjoy playing biker a little too much, who worry about how much financial and human resources are being spent on the mission. Something the leader of the undercover team is responsible for is making sure that the team is “separating” —not confusing their undercover lives with their real ones. It's all physically, emotionally and mentally exhausting. For many real life undercover agents, it can take a toll on their health.

What do you think about the portrayal of undercover agents in romances vs the real life struggles they have? How important is it to balance realism with "romance"?


About the Author

I'm a married mother of two who lives a very ordinary life outside of my imagination. When I'm not writing I'm usually reading. I also like to cook and that means I like to read cookbooks and cooking magazines. In the summer I enjoy spending time gardening and in the winter I like to read gardening magazines and seed catalogues. I love lying on the beach or on my deck with a glass of wine and a good book. I also love to travel. As you can see, pretty much all my activities involve reading somehow! Although I don't have as much time for it any more, I also love to shop, especially for clothes and shoes. Some think I'm obsessed with shoes but that is not true (although my husband would point out that there is no room left in our closet).

I love to hear from readers, so Tweet me on Twitter, leave me a comment on Goodreads or Amazon or my blog , or email me at info (at) kellyjamieson.com.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Nine Naughty Novelists | Pinterest

Release date: September 11, 2012
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: Novel
Buy Links: Samhain | Amazon | B&N

Courage is feeling the fear... then pouring on the throttle.

Abandoned or betrayed by everyone she ever loved, Sera Manning’s life spiraled out of control until a near death experience left her with a mission. Now a DEA agent, her sole focus -- and her first undercover assignment -- is to take down a drug cartel that’s manufacturing seductive, deadly angel sugar.

To do it, she needs access to Operation Black Abyss to establish a connection between the cartel and the Death Angels outlaw motorcycle gang. Which means she must pose as a couple with another agent who’s already deep undercover.

ATF agent Ryan Thomas desperately needs a female agent to maintain his cover in the gang, but the last thing he wants is a rookie agent jeopardizing his op. Especially one that is a sexy reminder why it’s a bad idea to get involved while on a case.

Living together, surrounded by crime, pretending their sizzling sexual tension is just for show is getting harder by the day. But as the mission comes to a head, the two fiercely independent warriors must decide which fear is worse. Losing their quarry... or losing each other.

Warning: Features a badass biker hero and kickass heroine who go at it undercover -- and under the covers.
More stops on the Book Tour

9/ 11 Caribbeam Accent Book Reviews
9/14 Sweet, Sexy, Scorching Blog Hop
9/16 Harlequin Book Blog
9/18 Book Whore
9/20 Ms. Romantic Reads
9/24 Book Obsessed Chicks
9/26 Cari Quinn
9/27 The Autumn Review
9/29 Under the Covers
9/30 Harlie’s Book Blog
10/1 Ana’s Attic


One winner will win a Kindle and two winners will get a Motorcycle USB drive loaded with a book or two.  
The contest will be active 9/11 - 10/3 
Rafflecopter will generate the winners.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

25 comments:

Christi said...

ooh this book sounds so good! I've added it to my wishlist. You gotta love guys on motorcycles...and being able to wrap around them while you ride along. Nothing better! smiles....

kelly said...

Thank you for having me here to talk about Hot Ride!

Christi, you are so right about wrapping your arms around a guy on a bike!

Jo said...

You asked: What do you think about the portrayal of undercover agents in romances vs the real life struggles they have?

I think that most books take a more light-hearted view of the real-life experiences of undercover agents, and think it would be interesting to read a book that follows their work more truthfully.

Jo said...

Um - as to the other question - what is sexy is I imagine they must have strong thighs in order to ride a motorcyle like that!

powerse said...

ok the motorcycle scene in grease 2 when she turns to face him on the bike yum!... oh and of course the cool rider song...cheesy as it is I love that movie : P


bnbhb@hotmail.com

Liss Martz said...

Is sexy as long he doesn't have a beard or a mustache, lol

Carin said...

yummy hot guys and motorcycles where do I sign up :0) Carin

elizabeth said...

Sounds great. Love new authors. And I haven't read many stories with biker dudes, and never one with a biker gang.

Thanks for the giveaway,

Elizabeth Gray
elizabethgr@sbcglobal.net

Sizzle C said...

The bad boy persona, what can I cay its hot! I personally have never ridden on a motorcycle, but damn if a hottie rode up on one and gave me 'that' look and said 'hop on' I def wouldn't hesitate! :) I read romance, I know what happens next... lol :) PLus you get to 'hug' him and 'feel' him, I mean what could be better? Maybe another ride...off the bike... ;)

Susan T. said...

I love alpha male who can ride a bike. Hot. Thanks.

Kidsue99@yahoo.com

Rhonda D said...

I love this book! It rocked. If you like a dominant as hell man that's smexy, this one is for you!

books4me said...

My FAVORITE kind of book...an alpha male and a strong woman! I love the banter and the tension between characters like this!

books4me67 at ymail dot com

andieleah said...

What's sexy about a man on a motorcycle is all the leather hopefully showcasing a smoking hot bod!!!
andieleah78@gmail.com

erin said...

Thanks for a great post and congrats to Kelly on the new release! This book sounds so sexy and hot! It was already on my want list :)

Lisa W said...

The balance is so difficult to maintain, but that's what makes it a great topic to read. So many possibilities!
modularmates(at)comcast(dot)net

Annwitch said...

Wow this book sounds soooo good. My husband was just talking about getting another motorcycle, maybe I should let him.

Anonymous said...

They are usually strong sexy and dominant. And they don't take crap from anyone.

Joanne said...

I think that most books kind of sugar coat undercover people. I mean readers don't want to get into heavy stuff, they want an escape from reality with some HEA.

e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

Anonymous said...

It sounds so good. Thanks for the chance.

Lori T said...

This sounds great and I would love to be entered for a chance to win!

hregtvedt said...

Totally going to read this book. And the cover is hot hot hot.

I have a friend who was an undercover agent for three years to break up a drug ring in Southern California. He is a detective now. It was successful but also hard on him and his family. His mother is my mother's BFF. It was hard on her to watch her son struggle to do the right thing while maintaining his sanity. I am thankful for what he accomplished and for his dedication but I'm not sure it is as easy as it looks. I am intrigued by undercover stories that push the boundaries of black and white or right and wrong. I'd read anything as long as it ends in a HEA.

Heather E
hregtvedt@aol.com

divavixenqueen said...

Definetely going on my wish list. It sounds really,really good.
Sexy guy on a motorcyle knows how to take command of anything and anyone at any given time.
divavixenqueen(at)gmail(dot)com

Ezinwanyi said...

This book sounds really intriguing. I am on a romance kick so this book would give me hot romance in addition to my other favorite thing--Riders!
I hope I win.

Linda said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Linda said...

Love this and can´t wait for my chance to read! I´m a sucker for a man on a bike, *rawr* don´t know why but .. .

Best wishes & Happy Monday!
//Linda