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Debut/Indie Author Danielle A. Elwood “Take Me Out” Interview/Guest Blog/Casting

 

Harlie’s Book is pleased to introduce you to indie and debut author Danielle A. Elwood. Take Me Out is a NA romance novel that has one very important element that Harlie just goes nuts over…it has Baseball in it. Too bad it revolves around the Boston Red Sox, but hey at least its not the Yankees. Yuck! So without further ado, I give you Take Me Out and Danielle A. Elwood.

WHAT REVIEWERS AND READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT TAKE ME OUT:

 

“Take one wealthy and handsome misogynist, add an independent, mind-of-her-own rich girl, throw in a shot of good ol’ fashion UST for good measure, and the results are fireworks that rival Fourth of July over Fenway Park.

 

Bentley is a beautiful enigma. I loved him in Chapters One and Two, and was ready to send him to the dugout by Chapter Three. On the other hand, Charlotte (Charlie) is her own paradox. She wants independence, then she wants Bentley, then she’s not sure what she wants, and the crazy way Charlie deals with her confusion nearly drove me crazy in the process.

 

Take Me Out had me on the edge of my seat while shouting at the characters through my e-reader screen like a disgruntled Red Sox fan shouts at an umpire. Then, when I honestly had just about given up on Bentley and Charlie, believing I could hear the metaphorical “fat lady” singing for them, the author brings in a game changer, and my only response was much like Charlie’s — a soft, satisfied and triumphal sigh. Now, just as I’m sure it’s not hot dogs I smell, but the sweet victory of a happily-ever-after ending, the plot takes an unexpected twist, and I’m right back to angst-ville.

 

This book will relentlessly tap into your emotions bank, until you find yourself praying for the seventh inning stretch!

 

Danielle Elwood has hit a home run!”    – Cindy Meyer

 

 

 

“Bentley! Well hello Mr. Bad Boy! He is charming, sweet and romantic but still has that bad boy inside of him.

 

Bentley comes from the wrong side of the tracks. Growing up with an alcoholic mother that used to sleep around with any guy that came her way, he doesn’t have much respect for women. He is a ladies man that has one rule. Only sleep with them once. That is until he meets Charlie.

 

From the moment he sees her at Fenway Park he just knows that there is something different about this girl. He tries to stay away but he cannot help himself. He has a past reputation on loving and leaving girls but he cannot walk away from Charlie.

 

This is a fun fast read that keeps you guessing. Bentley is the bad boy turned good and has a special way about him. Sometimes he is a little too “good” for my taste but his past decisions keep coming back into play to keep you on your toes.

 

“I decided then and there to be open, but not be a doormat. There has to be more to life

than one-night stands, baseball and booze. I had to set limits for myself. This could easily get

out of control and I needed to be in control at all times.”

 

“I don’t want to have sex with you,” he stated bluntly. Even though I wasn’t ready to go

there with him, the words stung. “I want to make love to you. You are different from anyone I

have ever known.” Bentley whispered in my ear in the most sincere tone as he gently ran his

tongue down my earlobe and he ran his fingers through my hair.”

 

If you are looking for a fast fun read this summer then Bentley is your man ladies. I give Bentley 3 kisses”   – Kari from The Book Whores

 

 

 

Blurb:

Charlotte Windsor, the daughter of a popular historian and world class Doctor who just so happens to cross paths with the bad boy Bentley Young. But what kind of mysterious past are they both hiding?

Join Charlotte, Bentley, Drew, Shay, Jake and the rest of their motley crew in a thrilling romance for the ages. One chance baseball game will change both of their lives forever. But will their relationship stand the test of ex-lovers, arson, and Charlotte’s family?
Casting Call for Take Me Out

 

Excerpt:

“I think it is time we say goodnight,” I said with a frown as I got up off the black leather sectional and headed towards the door with Bentley. I was a little light-headed, but I attributed that to the six pack or Sam Adams we split during the game.

“Thank you for such a wonderful evening, Charlie. I would love to see you again if you would like,” he said, staring at the tips of his shoes and ran his fingers through his hair. He appeared worried that I would run after our deep conversation. He looked unsure of himself, self-conscious, completely unlike his usual domineering attitude.

He held my hand on the way to the front door. At his touch, all rational thought left me. I needed him to have his lips on me. I was aching to feel more of him against more of me.

What had gotten into me?

Once we reached our destination, he leaned down and planted a single soft kiss on my lips, just like he did that night at Fenway. His lips were so soft and the electricity between us was beyond belief. It left me wanting more. When he respectfully pulled away like most modest girls would hope for, I blurted out, “ That’s it?”

Guest Blog

 

The Indie community is nothing short of amazing. When I set out on my journey of writing an independently published novel I had virtually no damn idea what I was doing. Only a week into my new novel I met an indie novelist (turned New York Times Best Seller) Jamie McGuire. Yeah, I am sure most of you know who she is. When I say she provided me with a never-ending wealth of knowledge, I am not kidding. Facebook messages, information on her website… everything I needed to know getting into writing.
Fast forward almost a year later when I was finally finished writing and getting ready to actually unleash Take Me Out on the public. A friend I had met through the blogging community (because by trade, I am a Mom-Blogger) who had recently published two novels. HB Heinzer became my instant mentor. She introduced me to the groups, bloggers, circles… everything I needed to know to put out a romance novel. But the best part was the community.
I quickly learned the indie writer community is very similar to the blogging community. Supportive of each other in any way they possibly can be. Something I have felt eternally grateful for. I am not sure how I would have survived through my first release without this strong group of women and their encouragement!

 

Interview of Ms. Elwood

What sparked your interest in becoming a romance writer?   I am a complete romance novel junkie. I love everything about them, and for the longest time I found myself able to really call the twists and turns in a lot of books. I figured, why not give it a try? I love to write so just go for it!

What was the first romance novel you read that made an impression on you? HA!  Some may find it this completely cliché but it was Fifty Shades of Grey.  I think that book left a complete impression on everyone who read it. Good or bad.

Tell us 5 surprising things about yourself.

1)      I am only 4′ 10” tall.

2)      I had three children in less than four years.

3)      I have a ton of tattoos (one full sleeve, and then some)

4)      I have an addiction to Sweet Tea

 I could never live without my childhood teddy bear. (Whom I still sleep with)

What is your writing environment. Anyplace that is quiet. It could be Starbucks, my living room, bedroom… I really adapt as long as I don’t have children screaming in my ear.

One of your favorite quotes

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.   – Steve Jobs

Do you have a website recommendation for other writers? I haven’t come across any great author resources, yet. But would love to see what others enjoy!

Who is your perfect hero? And why? Perfect Hero? That is such a hard question. I think I would say Maya Angelou since she is such an inspirational pioneer in writing.

Which authors have caught your interest lately? Why? Lately I am loving Toni Aleo. The entire Assassin’s series is amazing. As a hockey lover, I just fell in love with all the storylines.

What type of book have you always wanted to write?  An erotic novel. I don’t know if I could bring myself to do it, but I hope to give it a try some day.

Who are your dream dinner party guests?  Marilyn Monroe, Johnny Cash, and Martin Luther King Jr.  Oh, and my grandparents on my father’s side of our family since I never got an opportunity to meet them.

What’s the last movie you watched and loved? Monsters University. I am such a sucker for Disney!

Most _____________ in high school. (popular, nerdy, sporty…) Why?  Most likely to fail. I had a rough time when I was in high school, and often found myself on the outskirts of everyone.

Top three things on your bucket list.  Travel to Europe, Get braces, and adopt.

How did you get the idea for this particular novel? Honestly, I was thinking about an amazing love story. Right after I finished one of the many I have read. I thought about the perfect meeting, and how I would want to be woo’ed.  While Take Me Out isn’t a perfect love, it is one of the closest based to reality.

What is your favorite scene in your new release? I would have to say the scene where Bentley and Charlotte meet. It truly sets the tone for the entire novel.

If you could be one of your characters – Who would you be? And why? Jake!  He is certain of himself, plus I always want to slap Charlotte and Bentley around.

Flirting Questions
Which actor or book character do you have a crush on?  Oh Jeez! Book crushes? Christian Grey, Travis Maddox, and Jesse Ward.  As for celebrity crushes Carey Hart, Adam Levine… oh there are just way too many to name!

What’s your favorite body part of the opposite sex? Eyes!

What does love feel like? I don’t think love is a feeling we can ever accurately depict with words. The feeling is something so once in a lifetime that there is nothing in the English language to describe the feeling.

Hey, baby! What’s your sign? Cancer!

When was your last kiss? About five minutes ago, from a beautiful two year old little girl.

What’s an absolute no-no in a relationship? Cheating. The cardinal sin!

How did you meet your significant other? We met in high school.

What’s your idea of a perfect date? Anything that involves the beach. Dinner on the beach, drinks on the beach, dancing in the moonlight on the beach. I am beach obsessed!

If you could take a romantic trip, where would it be? It would probably be to London or Paris. Something about those European cities just scream romance to me.

Do you believe in love at first sight? Absolutely.

Flirting Quickies:

Boxers or Briefs?  Neither. Boxer Briefs are the way to go. Not too loose, just right.

Facial hair or clean shaven? Clean shaven.

Alpha or Beta?  Alpha!

Planner or Panster? Panster!

White wine or red? White

Coffee or tea? Coffee

Vanilla or chocolate? Chocolate

Sweet or salty? Sweet

Sleep in or get up early? Sleep in all the way!

Laptop or desktop? Laptop

Beach or mountains? Beach!

Winter or summer? Summer

Cat or dog? Both!

Twilight or Fifty Shades? Fifty Shades

Spotlight or In the Shadows? Spotlight

City or Country? Country

Clubbing or candlelight dinner? Candlelight dinner

Backpacking or luxury hotel? Luxury Hotel

Morning or night person? Night

Christmas or Halloween? Christmas

Optimist or pessimist? Optimist!

 

 

About Danielle A. Elwood:

 

 

Danielle A. Elwood is a blogger by trade who started writing her first romance novel Take Me Out as a hobby in 2012. She is a avid romance novel lover herself,  which inspired her to take the leap into writing her own. She resides in Daytona Beach, Florida with her family. Some of her inspirations in writing include Abbi Glines, Colleen Hoover, Laura Kaye, Melony Anne, and Jamie McGuire.

So what do you think?

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