HUSTLIN’ TEXAS, by KC Klein

K.C. Klein’s new novel, HUSTLIN’ TEXAS, just released today! It’s the follow-up to TEXAS WIDE OPEN, which I featured here along with her book DARK FUTURE, which won a Prism award. Here’s more about HUSTLIN’ TEXAS:

Only one person in Oak Groves is happy to see bad girl Nikki Logan back in town…Oak Groves’ most beloved bachelor, Jett Avery, lives by a simple set of rules. Getting involved with a complicated woman isn’t one of them. He learned that the hard way two years ago when he spent one of the most incredible nights of his life with Nikki Logan. But then she hightailed it out of town, never to be seen again-until now. It might be time to break one of those rules…

Picking up the pieces of her life, Nikki is back in Oak Groves, face to face with the one man she’s done her best to forget. But she has her reasons for being here-and they don’t include winding up in bed with Jett. Especially since he’ll never forgive her once he finds out the truth about why she’s back…

I also did a follow-up interview with K.C. Here are her answers to my questions:

Your mentioned your debut novel, DARK FUTURE, in our last interview. What about the book makes you must proud? 

A few years ago DARK FUTURE placed in the FF&P Prism contest, and I was thrilled. Every time someone says they like my books it’s as good as my first trip to the backseat of my boyfriend’s car. Well, actually better, but that’s a whole other blog post.

DARK FUTURE was a labor of love for me. I started writing it when my, now 11 year old, daughter was still a baby. I found myself isolated from friends and family while I was stuck at home caring for a colicky infant. I still remember finding spare moments where I could lose myself in a world of hot to-die-for heroes and snarky, exciting heroines. I feel like those moments saved my sanity.

Your upcoming book, HUSTLIN’ TEXAS, is the second in the Texas Fever series. I read the excerpt on your website and loved the voice in it. How did you develop Katie’s character, and what do you love most about her?

Katie and Cole’s story came to me in one of those funny writer’s dreams that everyone wishes they had. I had just finished up DARK FUTURE and there were literally no prospects for the manuscript to get published. I really needed a break from the grit and intensity of DARK FUTURE, and I dreamt up a little cute story about a girl, a horse, and this desperate love between her and the older cowboy next door. The book turned into much more, as books often do, with a lot of comments from people saying how surprised they were at the intensity between Katie and Cole.

I think Katie was loosely based on a much, much older version of my daughter. It was fun writing from a young person’s point of view. They are so fearless with nothing to hide. It was very freeing and easy to fall into Katie’s character.

 It definitely shows! I’ve heard writing sequels can be difficult. What advice to you have for authors plotting out a series?

My only advice is, don’t take my advice. Right now, I am about ready to slit my wrists writing the next book in the series. As far as plotting goes maybe some of your viewers can give me some tips. I would love to plot. I admire authors who can plot and have the whole thing laid out in some beautiful written synopsis somewhere. I am not that writer. Unfortunately, my story depends on the characters, and when they aren’t talking I am so screwed.

I think stories really jump off the page when characters drive the plot–so your method sounds good to me! What other projects are you currently working on?

The next book in the Texas Fever series. But when that is done I have plans to go back and write the second book to DARK FUTURE. That book has been burning a hole in my brain, and I think its time has come.

Looking forward to it! If you were stranded on an island with five books, which ones would you choose?

Gone With the Wind
Whatever book I left off on in the Diana Gabaldon series. ( Once you start writing, you have less and less time to spend on in-depth series.) I think I barely made it through The Fiery Cross and it looks like there are two more.
The next two books in the Game of Thrones series. I think I left off on A Feast For Crows (see reason above)

Two plus two plus one makes five, so I think I’m good. That should at least get me through a few weeks stranded in paradise.

Thanks for the fun questions, Karen! And thanks for an excellent interview, K.C.!

To snag K.C. Klein’s books for yourself, be sure to click the links below:

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