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19 August 2013

Welcome special guest: author Tyler Robbins ( @Robin_Badillo @evernightpub #LGBT )

Today we have author Tyler Robbins visiting. :)
* Tyler Robbins is the pen name of author Robin Badillo, who lives in a small Texas town and is the mother of four nearly grown kids, two boys and two girls.
* Tyler enjoys stepping out of her comfort zone and pushes the envelope on the stories she writes every chance she gets. She hopes her readers are just as thrilled as she is with the chances she’s taking.
* Always the optimist, Tyler is a firm believer that grey hair is merely God’s graffiti!
(Tyler also writes under the name Robin Badillo (mainstream erotic romance and paranormal))

So, Tyler, what inspired you to become a writer?
* I have always written, but never thought to actually write a romance novel. I’ve always used writing as a way to express my feelings through poetry, love letters to my late husband, letters to my children through the years and sometimes keeping journals. Writing, with the intent of becoming published, probably surprised me as much as it did everyone else.

When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
* In 2004, I picked up a pen and a spiral notebook and just started writing a May/December romance. It was horrible, but I finished it. I then stuck it in a drawer where it still sits today.
* In 2009, I did it again, but that time I followed through. That was 16 books ago.

How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
* The hand-written story was technically my first, but the first paranormal book in 2009, Retribution, was the first one I wrote with the intention of submitting for publication. I’d already completed the sequel and had begun the third when I pitched it to eXtasy Books. Retribution was accepted on the first query, as well as the other two.

What genre(s) do you write in? What drew you to write in it/them? What’s your favorite genre of all to write in?
* My first few novels were vampire trilogies because that was what I mostly read and already loved. Most of my stories are paranormal in nature, but all of the stories written under my pseudonym, Tyler Robbins, are gay, M/M erotic romance. One is paranormal, two are military and one is a “best friend’s brother”, southern themed story.

What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
* When I was first ready to submit for publishing, eBook format was still pretty new, so other authors I had met looked down their noses at digital publication. It was almost a, “You’re not really published until you’re in print,” kind of thing. Now, some of them have even self-published. The truth is, I was just as happy being digitally published as I would have been in print, and I’m still pleased with my success.
* The best advice I’ve ever been given and try to share as often as I can, is to develop tough skin. There will always be critics and bad reviews, but you must keep on keepin’ on. Be true to your heart; if writing is as much a part of who you are as it is for me— then WRITE!!

How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
* Please don’t hate me, but I have been very fortunate in that area and have never been rejected. *Knock on wood.
* If it makes everyone feel better, I’ve been rejected in other aspects of my life so many times I’ve lost count.

In regard to the book you’re promoting, which actor and actress do you envision playing the roles of your hero and heroine? If there’s a villain or other characters who are pertinent to the story, who would play those parts?
* Ohh, this question is always fun.
* I’ve pictured Ryder’s character being played by a very sexy Australian model/rugby player named Daniel Conn.
* I’ve always pictured Kyle’s character being played by a model named Chad Buchannan.

The book you’re promoting, is it a stand-alone story or part of a series? If it’s part of a series, please list the order the books need to be read in for maximum reading enjoyment.
* If all goes as planned and my muse cooperates, Aftermath: Guts and Glory will be the first of a series. The second, which has yet to be written, will be an F/F story I’ve already titled, Aftermath: Camo and Lace.
* I have no set plans as to how many there might be, I just have to follow my muse.
* Guts and Glory was sparked by a country music video I saw a while back by Lee Brice titled, “I Drive Your Truck.” You should all check it out. It’s a beautiful testament of a brother’s love and grief.

*** Now for some fun info… ***
What’s your favorite color?
* My favorite color has always been green.

Are you a morning person or night owl?
* I am definitely a night owl. Early mornings give me a rash. :)

If you could live anywhere in the universe, where would it be and why?
* I would live in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado or Montana. Maybe even the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee or West Virginia.

*** About Tyler’s book… ***
* As I had said before, this book was inspired by a country music video. I was very touched by the song, “I Drive Your Truck”, when I first heard it, but when I saw the official video, I was reminded of my youth.
* I recalled some of the most cherished days of my adolescence when my friends and I used to drive around our small, country town, racing up and down back roads, and “doin’ donuts” in old, abandoned oil fields in east Texas.
* I also recalled times when things weren’t so happy, when racing up and down those same roads and driving recklessly through the oil field were the only way to release the anger and frustration that often times accompanies growing up.
* Had I have been Kyle, the brother in this story, I would have done exactly as he did.
* That part of the book is about as close to revealing a part of myself to the readers as it could get.
~ Blurb ~
They might have shipped the soldier home, but his demons have come with him.
* When the brother he idolized is killed in action in Afghanistan, Kyle Barrett is rocked to his core. With his only confidant gone, Kyle struggles to deal with the loss, while fighting to keep his hidden sexuality a secret from his parents.
* If only he didn’t have to face them alone.
* Army veteran, Ryder Bishop has returned from his final tour in Iraq, when severe PTSD forces him to seek help through a new counseling program back home in Texas.
* Just when Ryder thinks he’s reached the end of his rope, he meets Kyle, and their lives take a remarkable turn.
* Can the grieving brother and damaged soldier find the peace they so desperately need? Or will they become another statistic when the aftermath of war hits too close to home?
~ Excerpt ~
* Kyle gripped the base and used his hand to jack Ryder off as he continued to suck and lick, until Ryder abruptly pulled back, and stopped him.
* “What?” Kyle’s mind whirled, and he fought to take Ryder’s cock back into his mouth.
* Ryder’s stomach muscles rolled, and his breathing deepened. He inhaled deeply before speaking. “You’ve seriously never done this before?” Disbelief resonated in his tone.
* Was he serious? He’s asking this now? “Never.”
* “Shit.” Ryder licked his lips, his eyes glazed over. “So that means,” Ryder skimmed his thumb over Kyle’s tingling bottom lip, “nobody’s ever done it to you either.”
* Kyle drew in a deep breath, doing his best not to bust a nut just at the thought of it. “No.”
* A gleam sparked in Ryder’s eyes “Lie back.”
* Chills wreaked havoc across Kyle’s flesh. Oh shit.
* Ryder’s eyes danced back and forth as though searching Kyle’s for an answer to a question he hadn’t bothered to ask. His brow bunched, and he eased closer. “Just don’t forget to breathe.”

***Buy Tyler's book here***
Evernight Publishing | Amazon | All Romance eBooks | Bookstrand

***Find Tyler Robbins here***
Tyler’s Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Friend Robin on Facebook

Thank you for joining us here today, Tyler Robbins! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your work.

Contest! Tyler says, "I would like to offer an ebook copy of Aftermath: Guts and Glory to one lucky reader who leaves a comment about how a book, any book, has changed their lives or the way they now view the world. The winner will be randomly chosen on Wednesday, August 21st and I will personally notify them through a valid email address."

1 comment:

High Five Bakeshop said...

Thank you so much for hosting me, CR!!
Good luck to anyone who leaves a comment answering my question!!

Have a great week and HAPPY READING!!
Tyler/Robin