Silver Screen Romance
by AlTonya Washington

When business becomes pleasure!

Although they've never met, Davia Sands knows all about Kale Asante's reputation for doing whatever it takes to close a deal. Now a mysterious inheritance is about to turn the longtime business rivals into reluctant partners. The only thing more combustible than their fiercely competitive spirits is the sizzling attraction that ignites the minute Davia lays eyes on the irresistible industrialist.

Snapping up unique properties has made Kale a superstar in the world of international development. But he's driven by a sense of fairness when he and Davia discover that only one of them is the rightful owner of the Iowa movie theater they both covet. As they search for answers in the small town's quaint past, severe wintry conditions trap Kale and Davia in close quarters. Will giving in to their big-screen fantasies lead to real heartbreak? Or culminate in a lifetime of pleasure?

Silver Screen Romance (Kimani Romance)
By AlTonya Washington
Link: http://a.co/gEImyUH
 

Excerpt: Silver Screen Romance
by AlTonya Washington

Kale blinked away from where his gaze had drifted. He was pleased that he’d managed the response before Davia Sands grew suspicious of his quiet and turned to find that he was more focused on the way she moved beneath her clothes than on her offer for a drink.
            
Davia didn’t seem any the wiser and was showing Kale into her office suite a few moments later. The room had the remarkable ability to pull his eyes away from his hostess’ beckoning figure. He summoned a whistle while surveying the vast space of the corner digs.
            
“Tell me you don’t sleep here,” His rich voice held the distinct chord of wonder.
            
“Alright,” Davia allowed her quiet to do the talking then. When Kale laughed, she joined in.
            
“I put in a lot of long hours,” her slight shrug sent a ripple through the fabric of the olive
green shirt dress that drew the eye to the stunning length of her legs. “After a while, it got hard to focus, so it helped having my favorite things around to help me unwind.”
            
“Favorite things, huh?” Kale smiled over the phrase while running the back of his hand along one lever of the elliptical machine he stood closest to.
            
Davia proffered a knowing smile. “Necessary.”
            
Kale had to bite his tongue then before he found himself telling her that she must spend a great deal of time on that which she found ‘necessary’. Her body, though willowy, appeared toned with subtle yet tempting curves. His palms heated with the desire to see if his eyes were in any way deceiving him. Upon first glance, he’d wagered she’d break if he held her firmly enough.
            
Aside from the exercise equipment, the office boasted a cozy entertainment area. The spot was complete with floor to ceiling bookshelves which were filled to capacity with books and an array of DVDs and CDs. The overstuffed recliner in a far corner carried a pillow and fleece blanket and looked to be the perfect nook for a
lengthy snooze.
            
Davia Sands’ work digs were almost an exact replica of his own. Somehow, he didn’t think his meeting partner would appreciate knowing they had anything more in common.
            
“So… Mullins, Iowa,” he said.
            
“Mullins, Iowa,” Davia repeated. “Have you ever been there?” She asked.
            
“Not yet, I decided to drop in and meet you first.”
            
“Why’s that?” Davia asked, while heading to her desk where she set down the headset she’d used.
            
“A few reasons,” Kale followed her across the room.
            
“So...three?”
            
“At least.”
            
Davia took a seat along the front edge of her white oak desk. Raising her hands, she silently encouraged him to continue.
            
“I’ve been told that Mullins isn’t the sort of place that’d be suitable for one of my properties.” Kale eased a hand beneath his suitcoat in order to slide it into a
trouser pocket.
            
Davia gave a cool smile. “Lavish, expansive, expensive,” she said.
            
“My reputation precedes me,” Kale steeled himself from grimacing then. He’d immediately regretted his choice of words. He had hoped to save the discussion of his reputation, or rather, her perception of his reputation, for later.
            
Davia didn’t appear on edge. Moreover, she seemed amused as though she were enjoying a joke she wasn’t quite ready to share the punchline for.
            
“Yes, Mr. Asante your reputation has definitely preceded you.”
            
Kale acknowledged her thinly veiled insinuation with a faint nod. “I came to see you hoping we could’ve discussed plans for you to buy me out.”
            
“Could have?”
            
Kale nodded once more. That time, he shared with Davia an approving smile. “You’re a thoughtful listener,” he commended.
            
Davia tilted her head to acknowledge his accuracy. “It pays to hear what the other person is really trying to say. If people did more of that, maybe a lot of misunderstandings could be avoided.”
            
“I’ll have to remember that,” Kale watched Davia as if he’d discovered some additional facet to her appearance that had him newly intrigued.
            
Davia looked as though her intrigue had risen a notch as well. “So you were coming to discuss plans to sell your part of the property but you’ve… changed your mind?”
            
“I have.”
            
“Something I said?”
            
That time, Davia’s thinly veiled insinuation was met with a grin that consistently broadened even as he spoke.
            
“It is, actually,” Kale could see the wave of shock freeze her exquisite features.
            
There was no going back now. The conversation he’d just as soon put off until… well… never, would soon be underway. Before that, he thought a little clarification to his earlier comment was in order.
            
“It’s about what I overheard you say when you walked in earlier.”
            
Davia drew into herself, attempting to rewind her thoughts.
            
“You said you’d planned to be out of town for the next few days, maybe longer,” Kale supplied.
            
“Yeah… that- that’s right,” Davia silently admitted that she was stumped having no clue where the conversation was headed then.
            
“May I assume you meant out of town in Mullins?”
            
“You may,” Davia folded her arms over her chest. Her intrigue was through the roof by then.


( Continued... )

© 2016 All rights reserved.  Copyright 2016 Harlequin/Kimani Romance.  Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author,  AlTonya Washington.  Do not reproduce, copy or use without the author's written permission. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only.


Purchase Silver Screen Romance 
Genre: Contemporary Romance
https://www.amazon.com/Silver-Screen-Romance-Kimani/dp/0373864833
 

Intimate Conversation AlTonya Washington

AlTonya Washington has been a romance novelist for 14 years. She’s traditionally published with Harlequin’s Kimani Romance imprint, winner of the Romance Slam Jam EMMA Award and two time winner of The Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer's Choice Award. AlTonya is a mom and works as a College Reference Librarian. In 2015, she received scholarly publication for her article An Indie Author in a Library World which appeared in “Self-Publishing and Collection Development: Opportunities and Challenges for Libraries” published by Purdue University Press. She enjoys a successful indie author career and is best known for her Ramsey/Tesano romantic suspense series.

BPM:  What made you want to become a writer? How long have you been writing?
I penned my first story in the summer of 1994.  I decided to become a writer the summer after I graduated college. I attended the HBCU Winston Salem State University. I believe it was that experience that made me look at the romance novels I’d enjoyed since age 13, with a more critical eye. I still enjoyed the stories, but I craved seeing characters that looked like me.  As the great Toni Morrison says “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it”. These words have been a driving force behind so many of the stories I’ve created. 

BPM:  How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?
I believe I’ve learned how to write the story my characters are showing me instead of the ones I want them to act out. I listen to them more which has enabled me to create some pretty unforgettable people.

BPM:  Do you view writing as a kind of spiritual practice?
I don’t know if I’d say spiritual, but it is therapeutic. There’s a feeling I get when I’m writing that just soothes me. Whatever is going on around me or in my life, writing creates this…bubble that protects me from all the angst. Then, it rejuvenates and inspires to give me the strength to go and face the angst.

BPM:  How has writing impacted your life?
It’s made my house a cluttered mess! I write everything in longhand so you can imagine the notebooks I’ve got piled. Seriously, it’s not that bad-I try not to let my ‘hobby’ put my home in too much of an uproar. To be honest, writing has ‘impacted’ my life in beautiful ways. I continually evolve as a more thoughtful person, more observant, more detail-oriented and definitely more focused!

BPM:  What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
I’ve learned that my characters’ personalities deeply impact the way I craft a story. There are times when I need a scene to play out in such a way and I find that I have to have another character handle that issue because the character I intend to have in that scene just won’t fit because of who I’ve created them to be. A certain way of handling things just won’t work for a particular character unless I tweak the way the scene plays out to fit them.

BPM:   Where do you see yourself as a writer in five years?
Five years…Wow…lots of changes. I pray they will be wonderful ones. My best guy will be in college I hope. I’ll be a free woman with even more time to write-yaaaay!! My biggest personal goal though, is to be writing full time. I hope to make this a reality before 5 years, but definitely by then.

BPM:  How do you find or make time to write?
I HAVE to write. It’s like a vitamin. I don’t feel quite right until I have it in my system. Unless I’m out for the day with my best guy, there are few places I go without having work with me. I’m usually up by 5am, and start writing after my morning workout before I head off to the day job. On the weekends, I usually sit down to write 2-3 times a day and put in 2-3hrs per session.

BPM:  Are you a plotter or a pantster?
I’d say both terms relate to me. I rely heavily on plotting, though I wouldn’t consider my books to be plot driven but character driven. I begin each writing project by taking a wealth of notes and gathering tons of research about the places and topics I plan to cover in any given story. I create a “What Has To Happen” document that can run anywhere from 15-20 pages in length and can contain as much as 75-100 different items I want to cover in the story.

My title “A Lover’s Return” contained almost 200 notes in this document. Still, I enjoy the freedom that is associated with being a ‘pantster’. When it’s time to craft my rough draft some of this won’t make it into the story-the final decision always rests with my characters.

BPM:  How did you choose the genre you write in?
I think the romance genre chose me. I have been an avid reader all my life. From the children’s classics like The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Secret Garden and more to the teen dramas like the Sweet Valley High series and the Flowers in the Attic series by VC Andrews, I was a fan of them all. Romance however was the only one that sparked my desire to write.  

BPM:  Have you considered writing in another genre?
I would enjoy crafting a mystery novel and have already plotted out a crime fiction title that I hope to start on later next year.

BPM:  Tell us about your most recent work. Available on Nook and Kindle?
Silver Screen Romance is the story of two competitors who discover they’ve inherited an old movie theater in a quaint Midwestern town. It’s not long before they discover that only one of them has a real claim to it. Not only that, the theater has a history that aggravates a decades old wound that the town has tried hard to forget. As our couple delves deeper into this mystery, the competitive streak that exists between them shifts into something more alluring.    Yes, Silver Screen Romance is available in print and digitally. Available wherever books are sold.

BPM:  Give us some insight into your main characters or the speakers. What makes each one so special?
Silver Screen Romance features our hero Kale Asante and heroine Davia Sands. As I mentioned, the two are competitors in the world of theater design and construction. They approach their jobs in decidedly different ways however which accounts for a lot of the professional unrest that exists between them. Kale goes for scale and dazzle while Davia strives to bring a more at home feel to her projects. Whatever their motivations, they each have a sincere love for what they do and as the story unfolds you understand why.  At the onset of the story, Kale and Davia only know each other by reputation-they’ve never met, but do have a mutual friend in common. The circumstances regarding this friend are what make Davia hesitant to be at ease around Kale and what make Kale all the more determined to change our heroine’s views about him.

BPM:  What was your hardest scene to write, the opening or the close?
I think maybe the hardest decision for me was to not load the book with tons of movie references. Anyone who follows me on social media, knows I can talk movies all day. The book wasn’t exactly about movies, but movie theaters which were the passions of the main characters. I wanted this story to be about them-not me! Of course, movie theaters are the icing atop the cake-that atmosphere does something to make a movie even more magical. Until I started writing this book, I’m not sure how much time I spent thinking of what all goes into the design and craftsmanship behind such places or the people who have a hand in such creations.

BPM:  Share one specific point in your book that resonated with your present situation or journey.
Christmas (winter) is my favorite time of year. Next to libraries, movie theaters are my favorite places. I wrote the story during the holidays which is a time I treasure. My family knows me well and often gives me the gift of solitude. I’m a busy mom, always with a full schedule, working two demanding jobs- three if you count my son. The grandparents on both sides look forward to that time of year because they get to spend a lot of time with the guy so…that gives mommy a break. I have extended time off from my day job so; I not only get time to write at my leisure, I also have the chance to catch up on my movie going.

Silver Screen Romance takes place during this time and features heavily on the allure of movie theaters-so this was one of those few times where one of my stories was sort of running parallel to what was going on in my life.
 
BPM:  Is there a specific place/space/state that you find inspiration in?
I can write pretty much anywhere, but being at home on a rainy day continues to be my absolute favorite time, space, place to create. A gray, rainy day with the lamps on, a mug of hot tea and the kettle simmering on the stove means Tonya is somewhere in comfy clothes writing and smiling.

BPM: Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?
Well I just adore all the characters in my Ramsey/Tesano series and I’ll probably write stories featuring them for as long as I’m able to write. My Sleeping Giants characters are becoming especially satisfying as are a few others I’ve yet to introduce to the reading public. As for recurring themes, the ‘mad scientist’ element has been drawing me in deeper and deeper. I’m having quite a bit of fun exploring that in my romantic suspense titles lately.

BPM:  Do you want each book to stand on its own or do you prefer to write series?
I enjoy both. I make a conscious decision before starting a new project on whether I intend for it to be a standalone or a series. I enjoy series which allow me to plant those little seeds that I can watch spring up during the course of the books-as with the Ramsey/Tesano saga. I enjoy the standalones as well. Standalones give readers the closure they want without the fear of a cliffhanger. Now, I’m hooked on creating standalones within a series- which follow a particular theme. These are stories that a reader can pick up from anywhere in the lineup and not feel the need to read the other titles in order to enjoy the story in hand. I’m having great fun exploring this in my new Sleeping Giants interracial romantic suspense series.

BPM:  Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Writing energizes me all the way! I don’t write when I’m exhausted-I never try to push past it because I don’t feel it produces my best work. If I’m not feeling energized, I recognize that I need a fresh brain. I refuel (with sleep) before going back to the drawing board.

BPM:  Do you believe in writer’s block?
I believe in exhaustion. I really believe that’s what hinders so many writers and they misdiagnose it as a block. Not saying it doesn’t exist, only I think a writer should first examine their fuel gauge.

BPM:  Is there one subject you would never write about as an author?
I’m not so sure anymore.  What is it? I once said I’d never write about a couple having to deal with infidelity. I write romance and I don’t see how that could be crafted as romantic but I’ve been having some ideas lately that may require me to revisit the idea and we’ll see…

BPM:  Do you try to deliver to readers what they want or let the characters guide your writing?
I think what readers want is a good story. I try to provide one with every project. It doesn’t work for me not to listen to my characters-getting into their heads, discovering who they are and presenting those layers to my readers is one of the great joys I get out of writing. My readers expect a dynamic plot but they also want to experience that connection to the people (the characters) who live the story.

BPM:  Is there a certain type of scene that's harder for you to write than others? Love? Anger? Erotic?
Not really, but for me love scenes depend on the kind of scene it is. For instance, with an ‘almost’ love scene, I can pretty much write that anywhere-they’re fun, quick, sexy scenes in route to the rest of the plot and can be used to advance the story in an incidental way. For the ‘all the way’ love scenes, I prefer to write those at a time and place where I know I won’t be interrupted. If you’ve read my work, you know that sometimes those scenes can go on for a bit. I write from beginning to end with those and strive to make them as intense as a scene of dialogue. It’s important for writers to understand that love scenes are part of the plot as well and really begin from the first moment the characters meet in the story. They should not be written simply as sex tossed in for good measure, but have a true connection to the work.

BPM:  What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
Best money I ever spent as a writer was back in 2001 when I attended the Romance Slam Jam Literary Conference in Orlando, FL. I was a new mom, money was VERY tight and I even think I missed the registration deadline but I was living in Orlando and able to reach out to Mrs. Brenda Woodbury, who was the local contact person for the event. She worked magic to get me there. Aside from a few magazine short stories, I had nothing in the way of a major publication. Attending that event was like being admitted to another world -a fantastic one I had only dreamed about. Once I started writing, I pretty much shied away from reading romance-not wanting anyone else’s voice to intrude on my own.

So…until 2001, I had no idea African American Romance existed at such a level. One reason I started writing was because I couldn’t find the books I wanted. In SC of the 1980s & 90s, I could NOT find such stories on the shelves. The BEST part about Slam Jam, were the readers-energetic, intelligent, curious women with insatiable reading appetites. They made me believe that my voice had a place and an audience in this new and dynamic world.

BPM:  Have you written any other books that are not published?
Oh yeah! I’ve got two at the rough draft stage that I just haven’t pushed into final draft mode and several more that I’ve done outlines for, but haven’t had the time to move any further with.  We won’t discuss all the stuff still rattling around in my head.

BPM:  What projects are you working on at the present?
Now THAT’S a loaded question! I’m working on so much-or I should say so many things are coming down the pipeline. Folks tend to get on me about my work taking so long to release, but it’s hard for me to work on more than one book at a time. I admire people who can. I enjoy giving my all to one world at a time. I’d say it works pretty well for me, there’s a lot on the horizon. 2017 will see a new Harlequin Kimani entitled “Silver Screen Romance”.

Also, the second in my Sleeping Giants Series “Conquered” which follows “Intoxicated” that released in June 2016. There will be new T. Onyx erotica “Pleasure’s Possession” a spin off from the earlier “Pleasure’s Powerhouse”. “Tradition”- a  new family saga trilogy set in Charleston, SC.  I’ll wrap up the year with “Book of Scandal- The Tesano Elders”.

BPM:  What is your preferred method to have readers get in touch with or follow you?
I’m good with any method - FB, Twitter, Instagram. I absolutely LOVE emails from my readers, though many often drop me a line via FB Messenger when they have a quick question.  It’s a great pick-me-up when I see a message from a reader.

BPM:  How can readers discover more about you and your work?
http://www.lovealtonya.com
https://twitter.com/Ramseysgirl
https://www.instagram.com/novelally
https://altonyasblog.wordpress.com
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAltonyaWashingtonFanPage


 

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