Portals to New Worlds: Book Blast, Giveaway & Interview: Dating In The Dark by Tracy Rogers

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Dating in the Dark - Sweet Delights Series #1

by Tracey Rogers

Audience: Adult - Genre: Contemporary Romance - Formats: E-book - Publisher: Beachwalk Press - Cover by: Fantasia Frog Designs - Editor: Kelly Anderson - Pages: 150 (50K words) - ASIN: B00QYB19M2 - Date Published: Dec 15th 2014

Can you find what you need hidden within the dark? Hiding out in his sister's bakery to recover from a recent injury isn't an ideal solution for newly unemployed meteorologist Damian Trent. Especially since he doesn't like cake. But hiding anywhere is preferable to facing the media frenzy revolving around his life. He has no intention of being seen by anyone. That is, until he hears a honey-toned voice over the phone. Public relations agent Sophie Rose has a boss who makes her working week a hellish one. He drives her to her need for sugar, so the recently opened Sweet Delights Bakery is perfect for her much needed Friday treat. But one day when she calls to place an order, she gets an unexpected surprise. Sophie's keen to dump her V-plates, though only the right man will do. Damian, with his sexy, yet familiar sounding voice, seems the ideal person for her to gain some much needed experience with. But why do they need to date in the dark? Content Warning: contains sensual sex.

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Damian rested his arm across his forehead and sighed, trying to blot out the ringing sound and failing. Sleep wasn’t happening. He ached from his walk after pushing it to a run. With each step he’d remembered Sophie’s voice. He had very little else to occupy his mind, so she was an easy focus. Every stride had gathered pace, and before he knew it a walk had become a jog; a jog becoming a run. And her voice was still inside his head. Stretching out on the creaky sofa bed, he winced at the movement. Irritated, he tugged the sheet down from his bare chest to lean over and grab the phone. He placed it to his ear and muttered something unintelligible. “Hi, sorry—did I wake you?” “Sophie?” Or was he asleep and dreaming? “Oh, crap. I did, didn’t I? I’m so sorry. I couldn’t sleep, so I thought… Anyway, my apologies. Pretend I never happened, and goodnight,” she said speeding over her words. “Sophie, wait!” he called out, wanting to stop her before she hung up, needing to listen to her voice for a little while longer. “I couldn’t sleep either,” he reassured her as he heard her soft breaths. He shuffled higher against his pillow and propped one hand behind his head. Why couldn’t she sleep? Because of him? And how had she gotten his number? “Really?” Her relieved sigh made him smile. If he wasn’t careful smiling could become a habit of his. “When you left your number in the box, I thought…” Left his number? He had no idea what his number was. “What did you think?” “I thought you might want me to call?” she asked hesitantly, as if she was worried about his response. She wouldn’t be worried if she could see the stirring going on beneath the sheet. Or maybe she would be? Though she seemed confident, he still detected a shyness behind her words. “And did you want to call?” “I did.” His jaw clenched at her immediate response, a muscle flickering in his cheek. Interesting. Her honesty was evoking things inside that he was starting to like. A lot. “I like hearing your voice.” Christ, what was she doing to him? “What do you look like?” he asked, without thinking about the repercussions of his question. Silence. “Does that matter?” she said quietly, the warmth in her tone dropping a degree or two. “No, no it doesn’t.” He frowned, the admission taking him by surprise. “Tell me what you’re wearing instead.” “Why?” “Because if you don’t tell me you’re wearing something hideous, I won’t be sleeping for the rest of the night either.” She laughed then, the sound not helping his libido whatsoever. “Damian.” “Yeah.” “I’m not wearing anything hideous.” He groaned then, obviously out loud because Sophie was laughing again. “I’m not wearing anything.” Oh, hell. A sudden spike of desire sliced through his veins, making him regret his impulsive words. “Then I’m now very grateful I don’t know what you look like.” “You could. Know what I look like I mean.” “You want to tell me now?” “No. I want to show you. On a…date?” Damian lifted a hand to his face, massaging his fingers above his brow, then lower to scrub over his jaw. His breath felt restricted by his tightening lungs. As much as he wanted to see her, to touch her, to have someone touch him in a way that wasn’t clinical or trying to fix him—he couldn’t do it. How could he see her, without her seeing him?

Supermassive Black Hole by Muse

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Starlight by Muse

No light, no light by Florence and the Machine

Video Games by Lana Del Ray

Cosmic Love by Florence and the Machine

Beneath Your Beautiful by Labrinth

Wires by Athlete

Fix You by Coldplay

Gravity by Embrace

Did you always wanted to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?

I declared I wanted to be a writer at the age of eight. Though I figured it was more of a dream thing so in ‘real life’ I wanted to be a librarian. I didn’t become one though, instead I fulfil my urge by tidying the shelves when I visit. I’m a bit precious about books.

How long did it take to get your first book published?

My first book started out as a chapter written for a competition, so from that and on to consideration and then submitting it elsewhere, it seemed to be around for a long time. Though in reality it was over eighteen months until release day.

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say?

Dating in the Dark is my latest release and is book one of the Sweet Delights Series. It’s a sexy romance combined with dates in the dark, the sweetness of cake and a sprinkling of humour.

Who is your publisher? Or do you self-publish?

I’m published by Beachwalk Press.

How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?

I’d say on average it takes four months. Depending on a clash with school holidays. My youngest reads very well now so a lot of secret writing goes on during holiday time.

What can we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?

I have more contemporary romance planned but they say write what you love and I love paranormal too, so I’m flexing my pen in that direction in the future.

What genre would you place your books into?

I write contemporary romance. I think my genre would always be romance.

What made you decide to write that genre of book?

Contemporary romance has always been my preferred reading genre. I love fresh stories with a hint of humour.

How long have you been writing?, and who or what inspired you to write?

I have written for pleasure for years, but only considered the prospect of publication three years ago. I get inspired by the books I read and my close friends and family who have always supported my need to write.

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?

I do! I’m so grateful that people take the time to read my work and then to review them that I always read them. The feedback is a useful tool to have as an author, it can help you develop and grow. Plus there’s the happy glow you get from them.

Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?

Even if I have the story all mapped out inside my head I can’t write a word of it unless I have a title to start with. It’s an annoying quirk I have.

How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?

My main character names generally come from the names lists I’d written to help select baby names during my last pregnancy. I guess they are kind of like my children too. Place names are a random selection from google maps.

Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?

I decide on traits before I start, but as the story develops they tend to change that for themselves. I love to see a character grow, or even accept who they are.

Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story is..")

I think every book has a message of some kind. In Dating in the Dark there’s a message of how you shouldn’t judge by what you can see.

Which format of book do you prefer, eBook, hardback, or paperback?

I only read hardback if I can’t wait for paperback or ebook. I read mainly ebook but my preference is paperback.

Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favorite/worst book to movie transfer?

My worst transfer is My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult. A good movie but it lost a lot of emotion in comparison to the book. My absolute favourite is The Lord Of The Rings trilogy.

Your favorite singer/group is?

Coldplay.

Your favorite color is?

Red.

Your favorite Author is?

I have too many to choose. I’m always hunting for more!

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Usually found with a pen in my hand, or my head in a book, I’m a contemporary romance author who also thinks fangs and wings are a very attractive accessory. A devourer of books from an early age, imagination was my best discovery. I spent much of my childhood stepping into wardrobes, searching for that magical snowy world where conversing with animals would be expected. When I wasn’t searching for those worlds, I wrote about them instead. My first step into the world of romance was when I stole sneak peeks into my nana’s books. I’m still in that world and I refuse to leave. I live in Staffordshire, UK, with my husband and three wonderful children. An avid reader and writer of romance, I strongly believe that words make the world go around. I like nothing more than to be swept away by the words on a page. I hope I can sweep you away too.