Blog Tour, Author interview, and review; Kiru Taye's A Valentine Challenge!!!

Please tell us a little about yourself

Hi, everyone. My name is Kiru. I'm an author of multicultural romances, entrepreneur of a small run-from-home business, wife to a lovely man, mother to 3 beautiful kids, sister to 4 sometimes hilarious siblings, daughter to patient parents and hopefully friend to the lovely Dee as well as others.

Okay, I ran out of labels. LOL

How did you come up with the idea for your book?

Actually, the original idea came when I read a submission call for a Valentine anthology about 2 years ago. But when I started writing it didn't quite fit into the specifics so I decided to run with the story as a standalone.

When did the characters first pop into your head?

My characters tend to be quite visual and vocal when they want to be. The first to show up was Michael. In my mind, he was leaning against an SUV type car in the parking lot to a hotel. I started wondering what he was doing there and that's how the rest of the story developed.

Without giving away any spoilers, was the story always straight forward for you to write, or did it pop up any surprises along the way?

Well, you may not know this but I'm a pantser when it comes to writing stories. Planning totally stifles my creativity. I simply sit in front of my laptop with a blank page and type out the images I see in my head and what the characters say to each other.

So to answer your question, everything ends up being a surprise as I don't know what's going to happen until I type it.

Where do you like to write?

I like writing at the dining table in my kitchen, mostly. Otherwise, sometimes I have my laptop on my laps as I sit in my armchair in the bedroom.

Do you read a lot?

Yes! I love reading. I know some authors don't read when they are writing. I read every opportunity I get which isn't often enough sometimes.

Who are some of your favourite authors?

Tough one cause I'm discovering new authors I like every day.

If I have to think about authors that inspired me to write then Buchi Emecheta, a female Nigerian author inspired me as well as authors like Penny Jordan and Sandra Marton.

These days stories from Sylvia Day and Doris O'Connor among others, take my breath away sometimes.

And last but not least, have you any words of wisdom for aspiring writers out there?

I have four words for aspiring writers. 

Read. Learn. Write. Revise.

Thank you for hosting me and my book on your blog today.

Challenge Series – Three friends. Three challenges.
Are they willing to risk everything for love? 

Book 1 – A Valentine Challenge

Life is good for ex-soldier turned entrepreneur Michael Ede. Or so he thinks. When his friends set him a challenge to exorcise the memory of a woman from his past, he expects it to be a walk in the park.

Socialite Kasie Bosa is spitting fire at men. Her long-term boyfriend has asked for a break via text message of all things. Fuming, she’s told him to go take a dive off the nearest bridge. So the next man who crosses her path is at risk of being shredded with her spa manicured nails.

Bad news for Michael who has chosen her as the object of his challenge. But neither of them can deny the sizzling chemistry between them nor control their responses, it seems. It’s the season of love. Will they escape unscathed?
 just for fun. I love the dance moves. Enjoy

You reach her via her blog, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or Pinterest

Follow her blog for latest news and giveaways: http://kirutayewrites.blogspot.com

Read book excerpts and free short stories on her website: http://www.kirutaye.com

Amazon US | Amazon UK | All Romance eBooks | Barnes and Noble

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 This is my review from a while back of the old version of the book, I haven't gotten round to reading the new updated version yet.

 

I received a copy of this from the author in return for an honest review.

I read this over 2 days, and I really liked it! 

I have to say (and apologise greatly to Ms Taye), this is the first of her books I have read! And it certainly won't be the last. 

I loved the story behind this, it reminded me of a great movie I love, 'She's All That' starring Freddie Prinze Jr and Rachel Leigh Cook. Michael is out with friends at a club, when Kasie walks in. Michael being the gorgeous woman eater that he is, is challenged by his friends to prove he can 'get' her. Off starts the challenge of wooing Kasie, but the catch? Well, Michael who owns his own car company and more, (and is rather rich by the way), is not allowed to let Kasie know who he is. Therefore he sets off and becomes her driver while she's in town. 

Kiru has written this really well, and the chemistry between the 2 characters is unmistakable right from the start. His gorgeous eyes piercing into her through the rear view mirror, her heart beat getting faster every time she sees him. So I was really excited to see what this story would bring for them.

Michael sounded absolutely delicious! And I can imagine Kasie to be a very attractive lady too.  I liked the back stories that popped up from time to time to, but I won't spoil things for you by telling!

I really enjoyed this story, and I'm eager to get onto book 2 in the Challenge series!