Author Interview
Welcome to Jersey Girl Book Reviews, A.J.!
Before we get to the interview, can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself.
First, thank you for signing on for the tour! Now about me…let’s see. A.J. Sand is just my pen name. I’m an East Coast girl, but I’ve lived in California (both Northern and Southern), and it is by far my favorite place in the country. I may have a tattoo addiction. And I’m far too sarcastic for my own good; it’s like a second language I speak or something.
How long have you been a writer?
Probably the minute I realized pen and paper went together. My parents actually have a hardcover book I wrote in first grade.
Do you have a day job, or is being an author your career?
Being a writer is my job now.
What inspired you to become a writer? Describe your journey as a writer.
It was just always there in the back of my mind. I just always knew I would get here. That’s pretty boring, but it’s the truth. =)
Please give a brief description/storyline about Recklessly.
Recklessly is the story of two very similar people whose relationship begins one way, as something casual and temporary, and then they make a very rocky transition to something else.
What was the inspiration for this story?
Three years ago, I attended the movie premiere for a surfer’s movie about his life and absolutely fell in love with the surfing industry. Oh, and the guys are all incredibly hot LOL. But I also wanted to write a story that wasn’t a traditional boy meets girl romance and show them acting like human beings, maybe in a way you don’t see in romance a lot, no matter how terrible. This particular story—the ‘skeleton’ of it—was sort of living in my head even before the characters came to be.
How did it feel to have your first book published?
Satisfying.
Do you write books for a specific genre?
I try not to. My interests and tastes vary so much, so I don’t personally like to classify myself, but because I write about young people doing sexy things I’d probably fall into New Adult.
What genres are your favorites?
Thrillers and Suspense, Horror, Romantic Suspense, New Adult Contemporary Romance and Adult Contemporary Romance.
What are some of your favorite books that you have read and why?
Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld (I’m a prep school grad and it’s more or less my experience, and it’s completely surreal that way), Lord of the Flies by William Golding and The Beach by Alex Garland (I adore stories about human nature at its worst), and Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire (because how can it not be).
Do you have a special spot/area where you like to do your writing?
Anywhere where I can observe people. I like watching human beings in real life while I’m writing about them. Kinda creepy but it helps me capture mannerisms in a story. I’m a very visual person.
How do you come up with the ideas that become the storyline for your books?
Most of the time they’re based on real life situations with a few fictional adjustments.
When you write, do you adhere to a strict work schedule, or do you work whenever the inspiration strikes?
I tried to do the work schedule thing, but I usually just write whenever the inspiration comes. Either way, I can put in about six or seven hours straight.
What aspects of storytelling do you like the best, and what aspects do you struggle with the most?
I love character development the most. I struggle with cutting myself off when it’s time to end a scene or the story period. But I don’t really see it as a “struggle” though because I usually indulge myself anyway.
What are your favorite things to do when you are not writing?
Too many to name, but if I have to pick, I’d say, reading, going to happy hours and traveling.
What is/was the best piece of writing advice that you have received?
Write what you want to read.
What is the most gratifying thing you feel or get as a writer?
Getting emails from readers.
How do you usually communicate with your readers/fans?
Social media and email.
Is there anything in your book based on real life experiences or are they purely all from your imagination?
95% of the characters are based on people I know, and real events and experiences often inspire storylines.
What authors have been your inspiration or influenced you to become a writer?
Stephen King the most.
What is your definition of success as a writer?
Finishing the book.
Are you currently writing a new book?
Not right at the moment.
Thank you A.J. for visiting Jersey Girl Book Reviews and sharing a bit about yourself with us!
About The Author
AUTHOR BLOG SITE
GOODREADS
Recklessly by A.J. Sand ~ Virtual Book Tour Page: Reading Addiction Blog Tours
Book Review
Recklessly by A.J. Sand
Book 3: Documentary Series
Publisher: Independent Self Publishing
Publication Date: August 27, 2013
Format: eBook - 290 pages / Kindle - 589 KB / Nook - 474 KB
ASIN: B00EUCKK9U
Genre: Contemporary Romance
BUY THE BOOK: Recklessly
BUY THE SERIES: Documentary
Book 1: Documentary
Book 2: Remake
Book 3: Recklessly
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Reading Addiction Blog Tours.
Book Description:
Except…turns out she’s only in it for the thrills, too. She's always only in it for the thrills: life in the literal fast lane on her motorcycle, and the hot nights in forbidden places without the awkward talks in the mornings after. She's Wes Elliott in way tighter jeans.
So, this should be perfect, right?
But the more time Wes spends with her, the more he wants the nights to turn into mornings.
And maybe even longer. Suddenly, it isn't so perfect for him anymore.And the things he thought were buried are digging themselves up.
Now Wes is in a lot of trouble.
He’s falling in love with the one girl who might be a bigger risk than even a guy who gets barreled by the most dangerous waves in the world is willing to take on.
Can Wes and Lana figure out a way to make it work? Or is he headed for something far more reckless?
Due to the sexual content, language and violence, this work is not recommended for readers under 18.
Book Excerpt:
She kept a tiny smile on her face as her gaze wandered over the length of his frame, but she paused on specific areas: his eyes, his chest and his mid-section. Wes loved that she was checking him out, and doing it so openly. No doubt, it excited him and he gladly let her indulge; he had nothing to be insecure about. The cordial sibling rivalry between him and Abel kept him in a gym or pool at least four days a week, women seemed to dig his single tattoo sleeve (Abel had covered both arms), and his looking like the stereotypical tall, blue-eyed, dirty-blond surfer didn’t hurt, either. He let Abel have the longer hair though, opting to keep his short but enough to still let women run their fingers through, and a constant shade of five o’clock shadow.
“What are you doing tonight?” she asked.
Wes grinned. He really liked how forward she was. “We are going up to Malibu in a few hours actually. Waves are better than usual.”
“You surf?” Lana reached down to fiddle with something on her bike, and the leather material stretched and moved over her butt, so Wes tilted his head to stare at it again. “I was up in Santa Cruz last weekend and it was five-to-six feet on Saturday…”
“That’s not the back you’re supposed to be looking at,” Abel whispered, and Wes gave him the finger. Lana had her phone in her hands once she was upright again, so he pulled his out. She recited her number and he called it so that she could have his, too.
“Oh, wow, really? Water’s too cold for me up there. Anyway, yeah, we both surf. Professionally.”
Lana dropped her hand to her hip. “Of course, sexy, tattooed blondie surfs.”
“You think I’m sexy?” Wes cocked a half-grin. He was but he liked hearing her say it. He leaned against his SUV and crossed his arms over his chest.
“I think you think you’re sexy!”
“You’re thinking it, too, though,” he declared.
“What are you doing tonight?” she asked.
Wes grinned. He really liked how forward she was. “We are going up to Malibu in a few hours actually. Waves are better than usual.”
“You surf?” Lana reached down to fiddle with something on her bike, and the leather material stretched and moved over her butt, so Wes tilted his head to stare at it again. “I was up in Santa Cruz last weekend and it was five-to-six feet on Saturday…”
“That’s not the back you’re supposed to be looking at,” Abel whispered, and Wes gave him the finger. Lana had her phone in her hands once she was upright again, so he pulled his out. She recited her number and he called it so that she could have his, too.
“Oh, wow, really? Water’s too cold for me up there. Anyway, yeah, we both surf. Professionally.”
Lana dropped her hand to her hip. “Of course, sexy, tattooed blondie surfs.”
“You think I’m sexy?” Wes cocked a half-grin. He was but he liked hearing her say it. He leaned against his SUV and crossed his arms over his chest.
“I think you think you’re sexy!”
“You’re thinking it, too, though,” he declared.
My Book Review:
Holy Hotness! In Recklessly, the third book in the Documentary Series, author A.J. Sand weaves an entertaining romantic story that follows hottie pro surfer Wes Elliott and biker girl Lana Langston's casual sexual relationship develop from instant sizzling attraction to one of weaving through the waves towards love.
Written in the third person narrative through the point of view of Wes, the reader follows the two free spirits' journey from a no-strings attached sexual relationship to discovering that they can still have their freedom while falling in love and being in a permanent relationship. Filled with humor, drama, sizzling sexual chemistry, romance, surfing and motorcycles, this sexy little novel keeps the reader captivated and turning the pages. I loved Wes and Lana's free spirited and independent nature, there is just something about characters who are larger than life that simply draws me into their world and makes me connect with them. I am a sucker for romance stories that features a couple's complex relationship and their journey to finding true love, and this is exactly what makes Recklessly an enjoyable story to read.
Since this is the first book that I have read from author A.J. Sand, I didn't have the pleasure of meeting the cast of characters from the first two books in the series, but I really did enjoy meeting them in this book. Lana is a bad-ass girl after my own heart, I loved that she has a fun personality and a soft side. I fell in love with Wes, twin brother Abel, Kai and Dylan, and I plan to go back and read their stories in Documentary and Remake! I also look forward to reading Abel's story in the upcoming fourth book in the series.
If you are looking for a contemporary romance novel that has a nice mixture of humor, wit, drama, and smoking hot romance with a HEA ending to the love story, then Recklessly is the book for you!
RATING: 4 STARS ****
Virtual Book Tour Contest Giveaway
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts, and for participating in the tour!
ReplyDeleteHi AJ! Loved reading Recklessly, going back to read the 1st two books in the series. Thank you for the opportunity to host your virtual book tour event. :)
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