Being Jamie Baker (Jamie Baker #1) – Official Book Trailer

So far, I’ve only got one book trailer, but it is a FUN one. Enjoy! And a special thanks to Bluefields Productions for the SUPERcute trailer!

A few years ago the lovely Girls With Glasses interviewed me. These are the clips from that interview. Enjoy!

JONI, UNDERWAY – CAST LIST

This is the first book I ever co-authored. I actually wrote it with my husband. Be sure to check out our interview on the co-authoring process. Joni, Underway is available for $2.99 on Amazon or FREE with Kindle Unlimited.

This is our cast for the book. (THe post is actually written by Jonathan, though, not me. Have fun!

Hey, Jonathan here. One of the benefits of working together with Kelly on Joni, Underway was that we needed to establish a definite look for the main characters BEFORE any writing could start. When working alone, you can have a visual in your mind without worrying about how to make sure that others see the character the same way you do. When writing with a partner, however, there needs to be a certain level of agreement about what a character or location looks like. The simple solution to that? Casting! So we actually had most of these casting choices set before we even began writing. If Joni, Underway were made into a movie today, this would be our dream cast for the crew of sailing vessel Lady Marguerite…

JONI MONDAY – Brit Robertson

This was the easiest choice to make. In our minds, Brit IS Joni, and we wrote the character with Brit in mind. Her personality is the perfect fit, as she is down to earth and smart, but can be fun and quirky at the same time. Most importantly, she’s great at portraying quiet strength in the face of overwhelming odds. As for her look, she can be a stunner, but usually goes for the “girl next door” look, which is Joni all the way.

CAPTAIN REID – Jamie Dornan

This was a harder choice—not because of Jamie’s look, which is perfect for Reid—but because Jamie has mostly been seen in more brooding, dark roles, not to mention the fact that now everybody instantly associates his name with 50 Shades of Grey, so it can be hard to shake that off. In the end, he won the role for us because 1. He’s gorgeous, obviously, but in a way that seems European, if that makes any sense. As a bonus, he could totally pull off Reid’s “golden boy” look, with honey hair and brown eyes. 2. He’s got a natural accent, so again, easy to buy into the “hot foreigner” aspect. 3. Despite always playing darker roles, Jamie seems to be a great guy in real life, married with a kid. He’s a dad! We’d love to see Jamie finally play something light and fun, like Reid’s easy-going-beach-bum-with-a-heart-of-gold.

MURRAY AND GORDON – Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon

I know, this is cheating! Unfortunately, both of these actors have passed away, so we couldn’t really get them, but this is a DREAM cast, remember. Just watch “Grumpy Old Men” and you’ll have an easy time imagining Murray and Gordon. Murray is Walter Matthau, of course—the grumpier, more opinionated of the two. Matthau was great at playing a guy who was jaded and crabby, but in the quieter moments could really be a big softy. Perfect for Murray. And hey, if we really had to cast LIVING actors, we’d love to see Bill Murray play Murray!

JIM AND YVONNE – Bryan Cranston and Viola Davis

Viola Davis is another no-brainer. Beautiful (maybe a bit young for Yvonne) and authoritative and strong—easy to picture her being TOO strong, which is something that becomes an issue for Yvonne in the story. Cranston, of course, has proven that he is a master at playing the unassuming “normal guy” with deeper issues just waiting to surface. And we know he can do funny, so these two together would make the perfect mix of strong and tender.

STAR – Hayley Kiyoko

Another one that is not quite the right age anymore (Hayley is 24 now), but if we could go back in time and snatch her from “Lemonade Mouth”, we’d have our Star, the quiet anime artist and video game geek with parental issues.

Joni, Underway guest post with Jelly Oram & Jonathan Harrow

This is the first book I ever co-authored. I actually wrote it with my husband. Be sure to check out our interview on the co-authoring process. Joni, Underway is available for $2.99 on Amazon or FREE with Kindle Unlimited.

Here’s a fun blog post we did about our top ten dream destinations, just so you can get a feel for the two of us together.

In Joni, Underway we are taken on a sailboat cruise from Maine, USA, across the Atlantic to Norway. For Joni’s brother, this trip was #1 on his bucket list. What are your top 10 destinations around the world?

Jonathan: since there are two of us, we’ll each give five, and if some of them don’t match (they won’t!) then I guess we’ll have to go on separate vacations!

Kelly: Fair enough. You go ahead and start.

#1 (Jonathan):

The next FIFA World Cup! That would be Russia, 2018. Russia might not have made my top five on its own, but since the World Cup is there, then it makes the list. I’m a recent convert to watching pro soccer, so I’m not the biggest fan ever (like I probably won’t paint my face or cry or anything), but the overall experience would be a huge draw for me. All the other people visiting from the USA, supporting our team; watching soccer; experiencing a foreign country; and just soaking up the amazing festive vibe that a World Cup brings. Awesome.

#1 (Kelly): Okay, I can agree with Jonathan on this one. When Jonathan fell in love with soccer, he brought me along for the ride. We may support different clubs, but we could wear red, white, and blue together for the World Cup. Russia would be fun to see, and the World Cup would be an amazing experience, so this hits my top destinations list as well as my bucket list!

#2 (Jonathan):

The second stop on my tour of top 5 destinations would be England. Now, that’s pretty broad—you could have all kinds of experiences in England. The specific type of experience I would like to have is to immerse myself in 19^th century England. Not the history (don’t care!), but the lifestyle. I want to live there for a month or whatever, and try to recreate life from the regency era, or even later victorian. I mean, it doesn’t have to go so far as dressing up (like that movie “Austenland”, although I wouldn’t be opposed), but I would prefer to not stay in any modern hotel or anything. I want to just live in some secluded country manor and feel like a local (a rich one). And I would definitely have to visit all the Charlotte Bronte sites.

#2 (Kelly):

I suppose that could be a fun trip, but if I only get five, I think this is where our vacation together would come to an end. I’d stop in England long enough to watch a soccer game (football match!) in a local pub with the rowdy supporters and then I’d be off to my real #2 destination…

I want to take a road trip across the United States. I want to hit all the continental states, every major city, and all the fun attractions in between. I’ve done mini versions of this and driven coast-to-coast and back again, but I wasn’t able to go everywhere and really take the time I wanted in each place. Give me two or three months, a smooth ride, an iPod full of my favorite tunes and the open road baby! I’d be in heaven. (Also, I vow right now, that I will do this before I die, so I guess this is on my bucket list too, lol)

#3 (Jonathan):

Okay, here’s a dream vacation I call “The James Bond Experience.” No, I don’t pretend to be a secret spy (but if there were such a vacation package, I’d totally do it). What I do is basically experience the ultimate in luxury and sophistication (like Bond). This includes cruising the Mediterranean in a private megayacht, and making stops along the coast to eat at private homes of cool people (no restaurants). Of course, we would have to stop in Montenegro, which is the location of the casino in “Casino Royale.” Although I don’t know what I’d do there, since I don’t gamble or drink or seduce women or thwart international terrorists. But I would wear a tuxedo.

#3 (Kelly): While Jonathan’s pulling out his tux and living the life of luxury in the Mediterranean, I’ll be busting out the hiking boots and backpack and heading to Mount Kilauea, Hawaii. Why? Because volcanoes are awesome. Duh.

I would love to get up close and personal with a live fire-spewing mountain. (Well, not too close, I guess…) And the fact that this particular volcano happens to be in the Hawaiian Islands, where I can enjoy a pig-roasting feast, learn to hula, and have a local hottie give me surfing lessons? (While I watch him from shore of course because getting in the ocean scares me.) Sign me up!

#4 (Jonathan):

Since Jurassic Park isn’t real, then I would have to fall back on the next best amusement park, Disneyland. The original Disneyland in LA, not any of the other parks in the world (don’t care!). Kelly, I already know what you’ll say: “But we live six hours from there, we go all the time.” That’s true, but I’m talking about doing Disneyland the RIGHT way, not the way we’re forced to do it because money is limited and we have four kids who would scratch their eyes out if we did it my way. MY way would be to take a full week, and we stay at the Grand Californian Hotel, of course. And we have a representative from Disney—like a Disney historian guru—who takes us all over the park, a little bit each day, explaining the history, pointing out little-known facts and quirks, giving us the whole VIP experience. We try all the different places to eat, and we get screenings at their theatre of various Disney animated films that inspired the rides. So basically, it becomes a nostalgic celebration of all things Disney, rather than just a mad rush to wait in lines for roller coasters.

#4 (Kelly): Jonathan is going to divorce me for saying this, but Disneyland isn’t my favorite amusement park. Give me rollercoasters, and lots of them! (Yeah, I’d definitely hit a few Six Flags on my cross-country road trip.) So, maybe I’d meet up with him in LA for lunch as I fly from Hawaii to my number 4 destination:

I would love to visit Rio de Janeiro! Well, I’d love to visit a lot of South America, but if I had to pick just one place, point me to Rio! Especially if it’s Carnival. It sounds intimidating and exciting all at the same time. This city is so rich in culture but it’s also surrounded by the Amazon rainforest, which is the main draw for me. I want to tour the Amazon and zipline through the jungle. (I‘ll just have to bring a bunch of valium with me because I have a serious phobia of bugs and, well, I hear the jungle is full of giant ones. But after my day excursions exploring the jungle I can come back to my nice cushy hotel, read a book on the beach for a while, eat some authentic Brazilian food, (YUM!), and scope out the local soccer team. (Also yum!)

#5 (Jonathan):

The circumlunar flight by Space Adventures. This is a real thing—Space Adventures is offering private flights around the moon, passing within 100 kms of the moon’s “dark side” and then watching the earth rise as you come out from behind the moon. They also offer programs for private citizens to train as an astronaut and live on the ISS (International Space Station), which would be an amazing package. This is all still a few years off and would cost millions, but I’m just sayin’…if I could, I would. In fact, if space travel were more practical and available, it would be my #1.

#5 (Kelly): Wow. The moon? That might be a little too adventurous for me. Though the idea of liftoff sounds like a hell of a ride, the thought of being in deep space gives me the creeps. (Much like scuba diving and being under the water.) Have fun with that one Jonathan, and make sure to take a selfie with the Earth in the background. While he’s off jet setting (rocket setting?) to the MOON, I think I’ll settle for South Africa.

Maybe it was my obsession with The Lion King when I was younger, or my love of animals, but I would LOVE to see Africa. I want to go on a guided safari. It’s like the zoo without all the cages! But don’t worry, I’d follow the rules and keep my windows rolled up so I don’t get eaten by Simba. Better yet, I want to hot air balloon over the savannah. That would be AMAZING. Hey Jonathan, our fifteenth anniversary is coming up next year. What do you think? Can we? I promise I’ll let you stay in the hotel that Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore stayed in in the movie Blended. (I’ll just get some ruggedly handsome safari guide with a five o’clock shadow and an elephant gun to take me out while you stay poolside.)

Jonathan: So there you go, our top ten destinations, which reveals a lot about ourselves. Most of Kelly’s are way too adventurous for me, and most of mine don’t involve hot male tour guides, so I guess we’re both on our own, lol. But hey, we’ll always have the World Cup!

Serial Hottie – Bonus short story

This is a fun essay Ellie wrote when she got detention for using inappropriate language in her English class last year. The assignment was to write a standard 5oo word five paragraph persuasive essay on a topic she felt strongly about. She got points for creativity. She didn’t get out of detention early.

I Have The Lamest Birthday Ever

An essay by Ellie Westley

There are a million, bazillion, gagillion reasons why it sucks to be born on the 4^th of July. I know because I’ve been suffering from such a lame birthday for sixteen years now. Sixteen long years of craptastic birthdays. I could write a novel on this subject, however, since this essay is only supposed to be 500 words, I’ll only give you the top three reasons why July fourth is the lamest birthday ever.

The first reason why my birthday sucks is the obvious: it’s in the middle of the summer. This blows because your friends are never around. Not that I’d ever want to be one of those pathetic suckers that have to carry a giant heap of balloons around school all day, but when all of your friends are off on cool vacations or at hockey camp, you’re forced to celebrate your birthdays with people like your parents and older sister. LAME. Also, because it’s a holiday, it’s the same thing every year—dinner and fireworks. Yippee.

The next bit of proof—and much more horrific than the first—that being born on Independence Day sucks, is that in honor of our blessed nation’s birthday you get named after prominent US patriots or leaders. I was named after the 34^th First Lady of the United States, Eleanor Roosevelt. While I am grateful my parents weren’t cruel enough to name me George Washington Westley, and being named after Betsy Ross would have sucked harder, Eleanor is still a complete grandma name. Not cool. Plus, my friends all know who I was named after and like to call me Eleanor Roosevelt because it pisses me off. For this reason, I learned how to throw a proper punch by the time I was six.

The last—and by far the worst—reason my birthday is stupid, is that for some reason people think that because it’s the Fourth of July it’s cool to use sparklers in place of candles on your birthday cake. This is so not true. Aside from the fact that they leave behind a funky taste on the frosting—which is my favorite part of the cake—you cannot blow them out. Ever. If you don’t blow out all the candles, your wish doesn’t come true. That’s the rule. Do you realize what this means? It means that for as long as I can remember I’ve been gypped out of my birthday wishes! I so call BS on that crap! I’d better get some freaking real candles this year—sixteen of them—or I’m going postal on the world. I need my freaking wishes!

As you can see, my lack of birthday wishes, total grandma name, and absentee friends are all proof of how much my birthday sucks. Therefore it is only logical that I come to this one simple conclusion: I have the lamest birthday ever.

Serial Hottie – top ten list

Because why not?

Ellie’s Top 10 Tips for Stalking Your Hot Neighbor

10. Decorate a keepsake box and put stuff that reminds you of him in it. Pictures ofhim. Pencils he loaned you that you never returned… whatever you want.

9. Enlist a partner. You need someone who can run interference, keep a lookout, and stay up late obsessing with you.

8. If he has a sister, she is now your best friend.

7. Learn his schedule. School. Work. Sports games. Then find reasons to be in those places at the same time.

6. Dress to the occasion. If you’re following him secretly, wear a disguise. If you want him to notice you, learn his tastes and dress accordingly.

5. Join his extra curricular activities. He’s in the marching band? Learn the clarinet. He need’s a French tutor? Learn French.

4. The internet is your friend. Social networks, personal blogs, chat forums… Chances are he’s already helping you learn everything about his personal life.

3. Keep your camera phone ready at all times. You never know when you’ll need to snap a picture for evidence. (Or just one for your personal collection.)

2. Have an excuse ready. If he catches you someplace he thinks you shouldn’t be, (like in his garage going through his stuff…) you have to be ready to explain yourself.

And the #1 tip for stalking your hot neighbor:

If (and only if) you discover he is a psycho killer, call the cops and find a new crush!

For some reason when I really had to think about Dave, Zeke from High School Musical kept coming to mind. He’s bulked up a bit since then, but it still works. Chris Warren Jr. could definitely play the cool, athletic, laid-back nice guy!

Travis was probably the easiest for me. Someone hot with muscles that could play that cocky, dumb-jock, scary, d-bag type. Paul Wesley seemed an obvious choice. I’ve never seen the Vampire Diaries and didn’t realize he was in them until I googled pictures of him. I was thinking of his role as Lucas Luther on Smallville.

So there you have it. Kelly’s Serial Hottie dream cast. Now I’d LOVE to see all of your picks!

Serial Hottie – Character Profile/Interview – Ellie Westley

Serial Hottie is available for $4.99 on Amazon or FREE with Kindle Unlimited.

Meet Ellie Westley

Name: Eleanor Elizabeth Westley. “Ellie” to my family. “Westley” to my friends.

Birthday: I turned 16 on good ol’ July 4th (lamest birthday ever.)

Interests: Hockey, video games, UFC, music, movies, ice cream, Seth Bishop, and hockey.

Canton High Sophomore Class Poll: Most likely to get tear gassed during a riot.

Vanilla or chocolate? Hmm… Chocolate. Unless the vanilla has lots of candy in it.

Edward or Jacob? I don’t see why anybody would prefer Sir Frowns-A-Lot to Jacob’s abs. My sister says I’d have to read the book to understand the whole “Team Edward” thing, but, yeah, like that’s gnonna happen.

Hockey or soccer? * snort * I’m insulted that you have to ask.

Ebook or paper? The closest I get to reading is the occasional comic book so, I guess, um… paper?

Salty or sweet? Sweet! I’m a sugarholic. The more processed the better. Ice cream, Twizzlers, Dr. Pepper, Little Debbies, and chocolate-peanut butter anything. Oh! And those cherry turnover things from Arby’s. Mmm.

Beach or mountains? I’ve never actually been to the mountains. In Michigan we have to ski on the old landfill. No joke. I bet skiing in the Rockies would be awesome though. Plus, the beach = water and swimsuits. Two things I’d rather have to stab myself in the eyeball with a fork than be involved with.

Phone call or email? Neither if I can help it. Anyone I need to talk to just shows up at my house or vice versa.

Early bird or night owl? Early bird. Awesome things that happen in the morning: cartoons, neighborhood street hockey games, and Seth’s uber-delicious workouts. Things that happen late at night: serial killers kidnap and stab you to death.

Dog or cat? Dog. The bigger and dumber the better.

Messy or neat? My room could be worse, despite what my mother says. But organization is definitely overrated.

Ninjas or pirates? Ninjas. DUH. 

Character Interview I did a while back for Cat @ Reading & Things blog.

(Featuring Jamie and Ryan from Being Jamie Baker & Seth and Ellie from Serial Hottie)

****

Cat: hi everyone! I’m excited to welcome Seth and Ellie from Serial Hottie and Ryan and Jamie from Being Jamie Baker! *hugs everyone* Hi y’all! How are y’all doing today?

Ryan: We’re fantastic. Thanks for having us. *pokes Jamie* Right, babe?  

Jamie: Sure. Thrilled.

Ellie: *scoffs* Speak for yourselves. I’m sick of interviews. It’s always the same stupid questions over and over.

Seth: *chucks his arm over Ellie’s shoulder* What my girlfriend means to say is, We’re great and it’s a pleasure to be here.

Ellie: *glares at seth* Do you have to use the G word in every sentence?

Seth: Yes. Until it stops bothering you to hear me call you my girlfriend.

Ryan: *laughs* Good to see I’m not the only one with a difficult girlfriend.

Seth: *grins* *pulls Ellie close* The difficult ones are the best kind.

Ryan: *laughs* Very true.

Cat: Haha ok. *turns to Jamie and Ryan* Would y’all mind giving us a rundown on y’all’s story for the readers that haven’t had the chance to read it?

Ryan: *leans forward and rubs his hands together with excitement* Well. You see, it all started when I made a bet with my friend that I could get Jamie–we called her the Ice Queen because she was the school’s stone-cold outcast–to kiss me. The rest of the story is basically about how she fell madly in love with me because I’m completely irresistible.

Ellie: *snorts*

Jamie: *heaves a sigh* Forgive Ryan. He’s delusional. I think that first kiss fried his brain and gave him permanent damage. The story’s not about me falling in love with him. It’s more like a superhero origin story.

Ryan: It’s a romance, babe. Accept it.

Jamie: *ignores Ryan* I was in an accident that gave me a bunch of freaky superpowers. They’re dangerous and they’re tied to my emotions, so I’d lose control a lot.

Seth: *chokes on a laugh*

Jamie: *glares at Seth* You think that’s funny?

Seth: *holds his hands up in surrender* No. Sorry. I was just thinking that if Ellie had dangerous powers tied to her emotions, the whole world would be screwed.

Ellie: *scoffs* I am not emotional.

Seth: Anger is an emotion, Ellie.

Ellie: *huffs* *slumps back in her chair and glares at the ground*

Seth: I rest my case.

Ellie: *punches Seth in the arm*

Seth: *laughs* *looks at Jamie* Sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt. So it’s about you learning to control your powers? That sounds cool.

Jamie: Well, it’s more complicated than that, of course. There was a reporter and a mad scientist and a super irritating guy at school that was so desperately infatuated with me he couldn’t take a hint no matter how many times I told him I wasn’t interested.

Ryan: Irresistible guy. And desperately infatuated or not, you were interested. Which is why I refused to take all your false hints. *leans over and kisses Jamie just below her ear along her jaw line.* *whispers* You know you’re glad I wouldn’t give up.

Jamie: *shivers* *sighs* Whatever.

Cat: Well *turns to Ellie and Seth* y’all’s turn. Can you give the readers who haven’t had the chance to read your story a rundown of it?

Ellie: Sure. It’s a serial killer mystery.

Seth: Really, it’s more of a romance.

Ellie: Actually, it’s kind of a comedy too.

Seth: And it’s a coming of age. It’s different.

Ellie: *snorts* Yeah, it’s definitely different.

Ryan: Sounds fun.

Seth: It was. Very, very fun.

Ellie: I don’t know that I’d call being stalked by a psycho killer fun.

Jamie: *confused* So it’s about how you were stalked by a psycho killer? But it’s a romance?

Seth: *grins* I told you it’s different.

Cat: Ok guys its time for y’all to get out of here, I want some girl talk. Can y’all go get us some drinks?

Cat: Sorry Ellie but I’ve got ask this for the readers. What were each of your first thoughts when you saw your guy?

Ellie: My very first thought? I believe I wondered if I’d died and gone to the O.C. I mean, seriously, who looks that good when they aren’t on TV? Seth is too hot for his own good. He’s like an Abercrombie & Fitch model. I didn’t think people like him existed in real life. Don’t get me wrong, I was happy to be proved wrong, but just… for real. He’s disgustingly attractive. And I’m like this tall skinny freckled mess… Sometimes I’m temped to break his nose just so his face wont be so perfect anymore and I don’t have to worry about people wondering what he’s doing with me.

Jamie: *laughs* You’re funny. But I know the feeling. I don’t really care what anyone else thinks, but I wonder why Ryan dates me all the time. I don’t really remember the first time I saw Ryan. When I moved to California I was pretty messed up. I was going through so much that I didn’t pay attention to people around me. The first time I really remember thinking about Ryan was the day we met. I’d overheard him make a bet with his best friend that he could get me to kiss him, and my first thoughts then were that I was going to have a lot of fun when he attempted it. But I’d known who he was then, and yeah, he was good looking, but not anything special enough for me to really take notice of. Not until we spoke for the first time anyway.

Cat: Jamie, other than the obvious, how has Ryan helped you become a better person?

Ellie same question.

Jamie: Mr. Optimism? Are you kidding? Ryan has done so much for me in helping me see the good in life—which believe me, I needed. He gives me courage and strength every day just by being there for me. He does wonders for my pessimism. And no one settles my temper the way he does.

Ellie: *snorts* Must be nice. I’m pretty sure Seth makes my temper worse.

Jamie: *laughs* From what I’ve heard about you, I’m not surprised.

Ellie: He does do wonders for my self-confidence, though. In the girl department, I mean. I’ve never been good at being a girl. I’ve never considered myself pretty, or the kind of girl boys want to date, but the way Seth treats me—

Cat: You mean how he worships the ground you walk on?

Ellie: *smirks* Basically, yeah. He makes me feel special. He’s helped me discover this whole other side of myself that I didn’t know existed. He also makes a good buffer between my sister and me, so there’s a lot more peace in my house.

Cat: One final question before the boys get back, what is one thing we don’t know about each of your guys?

Ellie: Seth is an amazing artist.

Cat: Really?

Ellie: It surprised me when I discovered it too. He loves to sketch. Mostly he just uses pencils, but his sketches are incredible. He spends so much time watching and studying people that he doesn’t just draw them well, he as a way of capturing their emotion. I learned this about him last Valentine’s Day when I found a picture of myself playing street hockey. He’d sketched it one afternoon while watching me play and then left it on my dresser with a vase of roses Valentine’s Day morning.

Jamie: Oh, how romantic!

Cat: Yeah, that’s so sweet. But then, we already knew Seth was a romantic guy. How about you, Jamie?

Jamie: Hmm… well… Ryan’s a pretty straightforward guy. There’s not really a lot about him that he doesn’t openly share. Oh, I know. He loves kids. He’s an only child like me, but he’s always wished he had brothers and sisters. He loves babies especially. He said he always wanted to babysit in high school but that was a “girl” thing to do, so he never did. I keep telling him he’d make an excellent kindergarten teacher. He’s never laughed at the idea. I think he might actually be considering going into elementary education.

Ellie: I could see that.

Cat: Definitely! Though, He’d be trouble for all those kinder moms. He’d never have a hard time getting classroom volunteers!

Jamie: *growling slightly* You mean I’d be trouble for those women. Trust me, they’d learn very quickly that my man is off limits.

*Ryan and Seth return with drinks*

Ryan: *grins* Threatening people again, babe?

Jamie: *grumbles* If you weren’t so loveable, I wouldn’t have to do it so often.

Everyone: *laughs*

Cat: Welcome back boys, girls your turn. Can y’all bring us some snacks, and Jamie no super speed or spying with your super hearing.

Jamie: *snorts as if there’s a fat chance she won’t*

Ryan: *also snorts as if there’s no way Jamie won’t listen in*

Cat: Ok guys, what were each of your first thoughts when you saw your girl?

Seth: Easy. That there is a God, and he doesn’t hate me.

Cat: *giggles* That’s an interesting thought. Care to explain?

Seth: My aunt moved us from our amazing house in Beverly Hills because she wanted to research what it was like to live in the suburbs. It was a major downgrade, and I was pissed about having to leave. But when I was checking out the crappy house I was supposed to live in, Ellie was across the street, doing her homework on her roof, eating ice cream and blaring Social Distortion. She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen and she lived directly across the street. Suddenly the suburbs didn’t seem so bad.

Cat: Aww. Seth, you are so romantic. Ellie’s a lucky girl.

Seth: *laughs* You should tell her that.

Cat: I think she knows. Even if she’s too stubborn to admit it.

Ryan: Your girl is stubborn, huh? I feel your pain, man. It took me months to win Jamie’s heart, and it took me even longer to get her to admit it. But I always knew she’d be mine someday. The first time I ever saw her, it was her first day of school our junior year and my best friend put the moves on her. She shot him down faster than I’d ever seen anyone get rejected. I was shocked. I genuinely didn’t understand why she’d done it. She baffled me when usually girls were so easy to figure out. She was a mystery, and I knew from that very first day that I wanted to solve the mystery. I wanted to get to know Jamie Baker. I had to get to know her.

Cat: *sighs* You guys are seriously killing me. Can each of y’all tell the readers how your girl has made you a better person?

Ryan: *with a big cheesy grin* Jamie completes me.

Seth: *snorts*

Ryan: Seriously. Jamie is my better half. I was just breezing through life before she came along. It was great, but it was really bubblegum if that makes sense. I did what everyone expected of me, I was friends with everyone, got good grades, stayed out of trouble…but I never really did anything just for myself. I was letting life steer the car and I was simply along for the ride. When Jamie came into the picture, that changed in a major way. I’d never wanted anything so badly in my life, and since I had to work so hard to get it, everything has so much more meaning now. Jamie brings depth to my life. She gives it meaning. She’s literally my everything.

Seth: *looks at Cat* And you said I’m the romantic. I’m not really sure how to follow that speech.

Cat: I doubt you’ll have a problem.

Seth: Well…what can I say? Ellie does so much to make me a better person that I don’t even realize she’s doing it a lot of the time. I’m not exactly a normal guy, you know? I’ve been diagnosed with a personality disorder. I struggle a lot with my social skills and stuff like that. I’ve never had close friends because of it. I’ve never had any real relationships with anyone except my aunt. I freak people out. But Ellie loves me anyway, and she’s the kind of person that has no problem telling me when I’m stepping over a line or acting weird. She’s really helped me learn a lot about myself and overcome some of my flaws. She makes me stronger. I’ve been through a lot of trauma in my life, and Ellie makes it all okay. She gives me something to focus on other than the pain and nightmares of my past. She’s healed me. I owe her everything.

Cat: *sighs* See? No problem at all. Will y’all tell the readers one thing they don’t know about Ellie or Jamie? Something only y’all would know.

Seth: Hmm. Okay, you know how Ellie is so coordinated? Hand-eye coordination especially. She kills at video games and is so good at all sports—not just hockey. But for some reason she cannot play ping-pong. It drives her crazy that she can’t get it because she’s so competitive. She gets mad at me any time I ask her to play because she knows she can’t beat me. *grins* She can be a bit of an ungraceful loser, but she’s so adorable when she’s frustrated that I actually asked my aunt for a ping-pong table for Christmas so I’d have more opportunities to get her riled up.

Ryan: *laughs* Ha! If I ever tried something like that with Jamie, she’d end up burning the house down or something. As entertaining as my girl is, she’s a bit of a menace when she’s pissed off.

Cat: I can imagine. So what about you? What can you tell us about Jamie?

Ryan: *thinks for a long moment then snaps* Oh, I’ve got one! Jamie loves country music even though she’ll never admit it.

Jamie: *shouting from another room* I DO NOT! THAT IS A LIE!

Ryan: *nods his head* She totally does. She sings country songs all the time when she thinks no one is listening.

Jamie: *comes storming back into the room* He’s full of it. I don’t like country music. My mother listens to it. I can’t help it if the songs are so annoying they get stuck in my head!

Ryan: *grins* Whatever you say, babe. But, hey, it’s okay, Jamie. Country’s not so bad. You can like it if you want to.

Jamie: *rolls her eyes as she plops back down in her chair*

Cat: Hi girls. *waits as everyone settles in* What did y’all bring back?

Ellie: *tosses Cat a bag of Twizzlers after snagging a handful*

Jamie: *Opens a can of Sour Cream and Onion Pringles and passes it around*

Cat: Ellie and Seth, will the readers ever get another story from y’all?

Seth: I hope so. I plan to have many adventures with Ellie. I’m sure all of them would be novel worthy.

Ellie: *shakes her head* I don’t think so. Our last adventure nearly got me killed. And it hurt like a son-of-a-you-know-what. I’m all adventured out, thanks.

Cat: Ryan I gotta ask, you always seem so easy going but how do you really feel about Teddy?

Jamie: *laughs*

Ryan: *takes a deep breath and exhales slowly* I always believed that everyone had at least one good thing about them. I thought you could always find something positive about a person no matter how much you disliked them. *smiles and shrugs* Apparently I was wrong.

Ellie: *bursts into laughter* Nice. The guy sounds like Travis.

Cat: Jamie and Ryan, y’all left us with a doozy of a cliffhanger in More than Jamie Baker. Seriously it pretty much ripped my heart out. Can y’all give us any hints on what to expect in Remember Jamie Baker?

Jamie: Honestly, I have no idea what to expect. I mean where the heck was Kelly going with that plotline anyway? And why? Why would she do that? It was cruel! Not just for Ryan and me, but for all of the readers too.

Ryan: *slips his arm around Jamie’s shoulder and squeezes her tightly* Babe, settle down. You know Kelly tried her best to find a way to end it without a cliffhanger and just couldn’t manage it. And the first ending she had for us was even worse, if you remember correctly. So have a little faith. I trust Kelly. She hasn’t let us down so far. *grins at Cat* I’m not sure what Kelly has in store for us with Remember Jamie Baker, but I know it’s going to be awesome. Aside from Jamie, I know for a fact that Kelly happens to be my biggest fan. So I’m sure the book is going to have a plethora of awesome swoony Ryan-Miller-Steals-Your-Heart scenes. And come on, do you really think Kelly’s capable of finishing something without a happy ending? I mean, we’re talking about the woman who wrote Cinder & Ella for crying’ out loud. Whatever she has planned for us, I personally can’t wait!

Cat: Aw, I like your attitude Ryan. And I think you’re right. I’m sure whatever she comes up with will be great. Well unfortunately that’s all the time we have for today. *Gives everyone a hug* Is there anything y’all want to say to your fans or just in general before you leave?

Ellie: Can you pass the Pringles?

Cinder & Ella is a contemporary spin on the classic fairy tale Cinderella wherein my “Prince” is a famous movie star. I will admit it: I like books about celebrities. A couple of my favorites off the top of my head would be, Unmaking Hunter Kennedy by Anne Eliot, This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith, and Teen Idol by Meg Cabot. Call it a guilty pleasure if you must, but I love these types of books and will read every one I come across. It’s not a surprise to me that I’ve written a few myself.

Cinder & Ella is my third book that stars a male celebrity as the lead love interest, the first two being my V is for Virgin series, which features my infamous rock star Kyle Hamilton. (My latest book If We Were a Movie is also set in the same universe and features a rockstar in the making.) But that doesn’t mean that if you’ve already read the V is for Virgin books, you don’t need to read Cinder & Ella or vice versa. The books are completely different. Kyle and Brian may both be celebrities, but they are two very different characters with two very different stories.

Yes, they’re both charming, passionate, creative guys with slightly inflated egos, but that’s really where the similarities stop. Kyle is a larger-than-life attention hog. He loves the spotlight and is a natural-born performer. Brian just wants to do what he loves best—act. The rest of it—the fame, the women, the parties—he could go without. Okay, well he does have a fondness for his Ferrari, but other than that he likes to keep things low key.

I thought it would be fun to do a little comparison between my two Hollywood Divas to give you a feel for just how different these two guys are. I think Brian and Kyle could probably tell you better than me, so I’ll let them do it by pulling a few short excerpts from their respective books.

Kyle and Brian On Fame:

~Kyle Hamilton, A is for Abstinence

A lot of celebrities grumble about the inconvenience of fame—the lack of privacy, people only loving you for your money and connections, the constant hounding by fans and the paparazzi. I can’t say I agree with them. If ever someone was meant to live the life of a celebrity, it was me.

I got my first taste of fame when I was eighteen and my band, Tralse, got our big break. Our song “Broken Passion” topped out at number one on the charts and our debut album went platinum. Our follow-up album, S is for Sex, went triple platinum, won six Grammys, and turned me into an international superstar.

For the last three years people have worshipped at my feet, and I’ve yet to tire of the attention. I’m never without friends or something to do, I always get everything I want, and I’m treated like a king wherever I go. I’m not ashamed to admit that I love it.

~Brian Oliver, Cinder & Ella

I hadn’t had a say about anything since my first teen movie hit number one in the box office. Agents, managers, publicists, lawyers, image consultants, personal trainers, a million others… They controlled my life now—what I could and couldn’t wear, what I could and couldn’t eat, what functions I could and couldn’t attend, what I could and couldn’t say. Hell, they’d scheduled this entire publicity tour without once consulting me.

Before I could storm out of the meeting, Lisa, the executive producer of the film, and the only person in the room besides Scott I could actually stand, met me at the door and blocked my way. “Brian,” she said, taking my hand. Her smile was completely patronizing, but I still softened to it. “We know you’re frustrated. You’ve had some bad luck with the paparazzi over the last year, but this press tour is important.”

Some bad luck? Ever since I was cast to play Cinder, I’d become the paparazzi’s new golden boy for the entire female market. They’d stuck to me constantly in order to sell millions of magazines to every woman in the country between the ages of twelve and sixty. They followed me everywhere. I couldn’t wipe my ass anymore without having it plastered on every magazine cover in America. I hadn’t had a moment’s peace in over a year.

Kyle and Brian On Education:

~Kyle Hamilton, V is for Virgin:

“What about you? Do you ever think about going back to school?”

Kyle shrugged. “Not really. I already get to do what I love, so I don’t see the point in a college degree.”

“But what about high school? It doesn’t bother you that you dropped out?”

“Can you keep a secret?” Kyle asked giving me a sly look. When I nodded he grinned. “I didn’t drop out. When the band got the record deal I transferred to an online high school so I could finish my education while I traveled. I’ve even taken a few random college courses in things like accounting and basic entertainment law—stuff that’s helped me keep up with the business end of my industry.”

I stopped walking to stare at Kyle in astonishment. He laughed at my shock then linked his arm through mine and started pulling me forward. “Ignorance is dangerous in my line of work,” he explained.

“Then why do you tell people you’re a high school dropout? Is it really that important to have the bad boy, rebel, rock star image?”

Kyle sighed. “The image is almost as important as the talent, sadly. When ‘Broken Passion’ made the radio, and it looked like Tralse had a real shot at becoming successful, my managers suggested the dropout thing. They made me break up with my girlfriend too.”

“Really?”

Kyle shrugged like it was no big deal.

“That’s appalling.”

“That’s fame. Gotta be sexy. Three point six GPA and faithful devoted boyfriend don’t exactly spell sexy rock star.”

~Brian Oliver, Cinder & Ella:

“How about enrolling him in college?” another person suggested.

Yes! I could get on board with that. I’d always wanted to go to college. I’d been homeschooled with a private tutor my whole life. The closest thing I’d ever gotten to a real school was playing a high school student in the movies.

“Hey, yeah, I could do that. I could go to UCLA—go Bruins! I’d like to study English Literature.”

Joseph shook his head, sending me a sympathetic smile. “That’s a really good idea, but you wouldn’t have the time.”

“But we’ve wrapped on The Druid Prince,” I argued. “I don’t have anything going on right now. I could totally do it. I can take a couple years off and go to school. It’d keep me out of trouble.”

Everyone in the room collectively shook their heads.

“Why not?” It pissed me off that they were so quickly dismissing the idea. “What would prove that I’m responsible more than getting a college degree? I’m plenty smart enough. I’d get good grades.”

Lisa smiled, but it was full of pity. “Of course you would, but there are five books in The Cinder Chronicles series. When The Druid Prince hits theaters and breaks box-office records—which it will—the studio will green light the other four movies. They’re already working on the next script. You’ll be filming again by spring.”

My heart sank. I should have known I wouldn’t be allowed to do something as normal as go to college.

Kyle and Brian On Temptation:

~Kyle Hamilton, V is for Virgin

“Is sex really that vital? Am I really not worth waiting for?”

Kyle swallowed hard. “If ever a girl was, Val, it’d be you, but I can’t promise that. You have no idea what my life is like. There are always too many beautiful and willing women. There’s too much temptation. Too much expectation. If I wasn’t getting it from you I’d probably stray. I know how that sounds, but I’m just being honest. I’m only human, Val. A weak one who’s been indulged way too long. I can’t give you what you’re asking for because I’m afraid of breaking your heart.”

~Brian Oliver, Cinder & Ella

Kaylee stood there, staring completely dumbfounded, as she finally realized she’d lost this argument. In one last desperate attempt to get what she wanted, she crossed the room and placed her hands delicately on my chest. “Brian…” She gazed up at me with lust-filled eyes as she slid her arms up over my shoulders and pressed her body against me. “Baby, please don’t go.”

As Kaylee brushed her lips over my freshly-shaven jaw, I wondered how I’d ever found her tempting. I grabbed her arms off my shoulders and untwined myself from her grip. “Sorry, Kay. There’s only one woman for me now, and you aren’t her. You don’t even come close.”

As you can see, Brian and Kyle live very similar lives, and are put in a lot of the same situations, but they react to things very differently. They feel like very different people when you read them, and their stories are completely different. Thanks for taking the time to get to know them a little bit better!

This is the Story Behind V is for Virgin and How Kyle Hamilton Came To Be. (It’s a funny story.)

If you’ve read V is for Virgin, you may have noticed that the book is dedicated to Kyle. No, I did not dedicate this book to my fictional rock star. (Though, if Kyle were to ever come to life and ask me, I’d totally tell him I did!) This book was dedicated to my baby brother. AKA Kyle Hamilton.

The story of V is for Virgin all began one random weekday afternoon when my brother stopped by my house to make himself a sandwich. No, I am not kidding. Also, this may have something to do with why Fictional Kyle loves food so much.

My little brother used to work for a pest control company in my town. He was the guy who drove the truck to people’s houses and sprayed so that they didn’t get bugs. (Honestly, considering I have a major phobia of bugs, these guys are my heroes.) Anyway, the job kept my brother driving all around the city all day so every now and then if he was in my neighborhood he would stop by my house for a minute to use the bathroom and raid my fridge. On this particular day where my story starts, it was his need for a turkey sandwich that made him stop by. I have a soft spot for my kid brother, so I gave him full access to my kitchen.

As Kye stood there smearing mayonnaise on bread I was sitting on my couch with my laptop. I was in between story ideas, so I asked him, “Hey, Kyle, I’m going to write another book. What should I write about?”

His response was immediate and completely serious. “Me.”

I raised a questioning brow at him but he wasn’t fazed. He simply continued on. “You should write a book about me. And I want to be a rich, famous, rock star who gets all the chicks. Oh, and my band’s name is Tralse.”

Yes, he was still completely serious.

Some shoving of a turkey sandwich into his face commenced. (And probable some drinking of my last soda, but I can’t quite remember for sure.) But while he ate I actually considered the idea. A “rich, famous, rock star who gets all the chicks” could make a very fun character. But I still needed a story. Well, me, never being one to think much beyond romance, thought, “What if I write a story about the one girl a guy like that couldn’t get? Now, that could be really fun.”

But why couldn’t he get her? What was different about this girl, that she would be immune to the guy who can get anyone?

Because she’s a virgin. And she’s waiting until marriage.

BINGO.

From there my brain started spinning like mad, coming up with this whole plot. I swear I had half the book planned out before my brother left my house. And that’s saying something considering how fast he can eat a sandwich. So… Kyle asked, and he received. Hence the dedication of the book. (Thank you Ky! Love you and your random brilliance!)

While Kyle Hamilton the fictional rock star is named after my brother and is, in a way, his brainchild, the two are still completely different people. Fictional Kyle got his name, his charm, his appetite, and his random band name from my brother, but that’s really where the similarities end. And it’s a good thing too because it didn’t take me long to realize I can’t write a romance story about my little brother! Um, ewe!

It took me a long time developing Kyle’s character before he was completely mine and I didn’t think about my brother and get grossed out every time Val thought he was sexy. It was weird. I will admit it. And it made it a little difficult to write the story at first. But, eventually I made Fictional Kyle so different from Real Kyle that he became my own and now it’s just a funny story that we all joke about.

Now, I am one of five kids. When my other siblings found out that I was writing a book “for Kyle”… well lets just say there were some “you love him the best” comments.  So, I ended up putting all of my siblings and their spouses in the book somewhere. Robin and Cara are my two bestest sisters anyone could ever ask for so naturally they had to be the two best friends. My other brother Jeff and all my brothers and sisters in law got to make appearances as well. Love you too Jeff, Alan, Bethany, Shane and Ani!

My baby sister Cara is really a music junkie in real life, and also, she’s brilliant and talented and wrote the lyrics to “Cryin Shame” for me. (While I may be able to write a book, I CANNOT write songs. I’ve tried. It’s very scary!)  So Cara wrote Val’s song for me because she’s the best!  Love you Cara! Miss your face! Thank you! People love your song! Also, fun fact, Cara and Shane are really married in real life. Shane really does play the guitar in a band and Cara really is his groupie, and they really are sickly shmoopy kissy-face in love.

ANYWAY…

Since this is the Battle of the Book Boyfriends, and we’re getting to know Kyle Hamilton today, I thought it would be fun to hear from the real Kyle Hamilton as well!

Name: Kyle Hamilton

Hair: Aubern

Eyes: Hazel

School activities: Dropped out to make it Big

Likes: Food, Family, Outdoors, Music, Sports

Favorite Food: Carbs and Diet Dr. Pepper

Favorite Music: Todays hits, Any thing on the radio Specifically Katy Perry

Favorite Movie: Die Hard Trilogy, Out Cold and all J-Lo movies

Favorite Phrase: No regrets, That and everybody wang chung tonight!

Kelly: And without further adieu, please welcome to the Battle of the Book Boyfriends, the real Kyle Hamilton! Say Hi, Kyle!

Kyle: Hello!

Kelly: So, what’s it like to be related to the coolest, funniest, most brilliant, talented genius on Earth? HA! Kidding. What I meant to ask is, what’s it like to be immortalized as a rich, famous, rock star who gets all the chicks?

Kyle: Not much different, Although I am not rich yet, I am rather famous, I have 80 followers on Instagram and 230 friends on Facebook, Needless to say people know me. I still get all the chicks, I have a wife three daughters and a girl dog. I am definitely popular with the ladies!

Kelly: Do you have groupies yet? Any crazy stalkers?

Kyle: The closest I come to that is my 18 month old daughter follows me around the house most of the time. Usually cause she wants something to eat. 

Kelly: What did you think of Fictional Kyle? Was he everything you were hoping for?

Kyle: He was pretty legit, exactly How I envisioned Him.

Kelly: Wait a minute. Did you even read the book?

Kyle: Totally……

Kelly: Have you ever even read any of my books? (And, no, watching the Being Jamie Baker book trailer doesn’t count as reading the book!)

Kyle: I totally read Jamie Baker!

Kelly: Don’t lie.

Kyle: Okay I read the first chapter, I am a horrible Brother. I am proud of you though and what you have accomplished. I just figured if Edward didn’t have to read twilight to get the part than I should be good. 

Kelly: It’s okay. I still love you anyway. Maybe I just love my other siblings a little more now. You know, Robin has read ALL of my books. Even the ones not published yet. Even DAD has read my books… I’m just saying…

Kyle: I love you sis!!

Kelly: Who’s better looking: you or the fictional Kyle?

Kyle: Me hands down, we probably have similar dressing styles you with eye liner and all, but My body is way better.

Kelly: Yeah, and who’s more conceited?

Kyle: I think we just established that!

Kelly: If you could cast someone to play you in the movie, who would it be?

Kyle: Probably Ryan Reynolds, Ryan Gosling, Ben Osmond (look him up on FB) or that guy who plays Arrow in the new TV series. We all have very similar Body type!

Kelly: *snort*. Sure you do. Anyway, I think the question we’re all wondering… Why Tralse? What does it mean? Where did you come up with it? And would you really name your band that if you were in a band? Wait… are you in a band?

Kyle: Tralse is the combination of True and False, I think we have all put that on a test at some point in time or maybe a capital T with that little extra line so it could be considered either one at first glance.  It was created when me and my friend Dustin Morden started a band right after high school, we decided on the name because we were going to be sell outs from the beginning and just play the music people wanted to hear, even if we didn’t like it. Thus we gave the impression of truly loving the music when we were just in it for the money. We broke up 3 months later. 

Kelly: And last but not least, why should we vote for Kyle Hamilton in the Battle of the Book Boyfriends?

Kyle: Because this is every woman’s dream, we all know that girls love the “Bad boy” and the idea of fixing someone is all they dream about. This story gives women hope everywhere that they can change that rugged, daring, egotistical man into someone that is capable of loving. Plus, any man that can change that much for love, deserves a reward. 

Kelly: Thanks so much for stopping by today Kyle! I’m sure your fans appreciate it! Any parting words? Now may be your only opportunity to spill embarrassing secrets about your sister. (Though, I know where you live, so… just saying…)

Kyle: Nope just thank you for the opportunity to be in your books. I am grateful you took my suggestions into consideration as you wrote another book, you’ve always been a good sister, best of luck with your future books. 

Kelly: Aww. You see? That’s why I love you the best. Thanks for stopping by today!

Today I’d like to share Kyle’s songs with you and tell you a little about the inspiration behind his band Tralse.

First of all, if you haven’t yet heard where the idea for the book V is for Virgin came from, and how Tralse actually came to be, you can get the whole story (and trust me, it’s a good one) in my post about The History of V is For Virgin. There’s even an interview with the REAL Kyle Hamilton. (Yes, there’s a real Kyle Hamilton–go read the post…)

But today I want to talk a little about the music. When I first started writing V is for Virgin, I knew I was going to have to have a song in it. The plot relies heavily on the song that Kyle writes for Val, that makes her famous and him even more famous, and I always knew I would have to have actual lyrics for it. The problem was, I am sooooooo not a songwriter. I completely freaked out at the idea of having to write a song for this book. So what did I do? I went to my amazingly talented, songwriting little sister and made her write it for me, of course.

My baby sister Cara used to be the singer in a local band here in Phoenix called Science of Sydney, and her husband was the lead guitarist. (Yup, the Cara in the book is totally named after my little sis, and Shane is named after her rocker husband.) Just for fun, here’s a picture of the real Cara and Shane, who totally inspired the fictional Cara and Shane. (Though the real Cara is such a sweetheart and totally not self-centered at all like the fictional Cara in the book. LOVE YOU SIS!)

Cara and Shane started their band, wrote all their own music, and even had a producer pick them up and help them record a demo at one point. But, as life will do to people sometimes, they were forced to move away to Seattle and the band had to break up. You can still listen to a few of their songs HERE.

So, Cara wrote the song that started it all, Kyle’s song for Val, Cryin’ Shame. When I spoke to her about writing the song for me, I had to tell her a lot about Kyle, and the kind of guy he is, and the type of sound I was going for. I even made her read the book (what I’d had written so far) so that she’d know what I was trying to accomplish.I fell in love with it instantly, and thought she did a perfect job getting the angry, obnoxious, yet sexy and sweet tone of Kyle Hamilton down. Really, she nailed it!  (I understand I could be biased I this, but still…)

Cryin’ Shame

She’s smokin’ hearts with a burnin’ flame

She’s got a wild side without a name

And when she’s riled it’s a cryin’ shame

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! I’ve got it bad

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! I’m goin’ mad

Cause in your head you’ve got it right

Won’t go to bed without a fight

You think you’re wise, you think it shows

So show me wise without those clothes

She’s playin’ hardball and it’s nothin’ new

Short skirts so enjoy the view

She’s a coldblooded tease baby through and through

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! I’ve got it bad

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! I’m goin’ ma

Cause in your head you’ve got it right

Won’t go to bed without a fight

You think you’re wise, you think it shows

So show me wise without those clothes

Come on Legs don’t go to waste

I could be your only savin’ grace

Put those morals on the back burner

Something tells me you’re a fast fast learner

Cause in your head you’ve got it right

Won’t go to bed without a fight

You think you’re wise, you think it shows

So show me wise without those clothes

Fun, right? I can totally picture him up on stage singing this song. I love it! Well, when Cara gave me these lyrics, she also introduced me to an indie rock band that she said inspired her. It is a testament to how well my baby sister knows me, because as soon as I heard them I knew they were exactly the type of band I’d always imagined Kyle’s band Tralse sounding like. It was as if she read my mind and conjured up Tralse in real life for me.

So, the sound behind Tralse, the inspiration for Kyle, and what I always imagine him/them to sound like is based on the indie rock band Head Automatica. Check them out on their official Facebook page. More than just having the right sound, they also had a song that was just so perfectly Kyle and Val in my mind, that it became their theme song. So… everyone… please enjoy Beating Heart Baby, and imagine Kyle singing it to Val…

Again, I love it. Head Automatica, I’m a fan. And to me that song is just so Kyle and Val. Dream cone true? I would LOVE one day to have these guys put a Melody to Kyle’s songs and perform them for me. Wouldn’t that be the most amazing awesome thing ever? I’ll keep dreaming, but hey, as Kyle always says, Dream Big!

Now, moving on to A is for Abstinence… When I eventually wrote a sequel to the book and knew that Kyle and Val would get their second chance, there was never any doubt that there would be another song. However, my little sis was super busy with life and whatnot, and I didn’t want to bug her to write me another song, so I pulled up my big girl panties and wrote one myself. That’s right, Worth Waiting For was all me. (Hopefully that’s not a bad thing.)

I figured I knew Kyle well enough, and knew exactly what he sounded like, and what kind of song I wanted, so I tried really hard to come up with something that sort of matched the first song, and yet shifted tone just a tiny bit. I wanted the second song to still have a hint of the old sassy obnoxious Kyle, and I still wanted it to be sexy, but I also wanted it to be much sweeter and more romantic at the same time, since Kyle had done a lot of growing up, and had learned a little. So, who knows if I accomplished it, but by the end I was pretty happy with the results, (if not still a little self-conscious, ’cause, again, NOT a songwriter…)

Anyway, here’s the lyrics for Worth Waiting For. Hope you enjoy them, and I hope this post helped you get a better feel for Kyle and Tralse.

Worth Waiting For

Thoughts of you runnin’ through my head.

Heart’s pumpin’ full speed ahead

Body’s screaming to get you in bed.

Need you, want you, Baby gotta be mine.

Come to me girl, I’m done wastin’ time.

You ask me to wait, don’t know if I can

Too scared to lose, I’m only a man

But I can’t let you go, can’t shut the door

Heart’s telling me you’re worth waiting for

The feel of your lips, hot breath on my skin

Touching you, touching me, I’d relish the sin

Lets find a way for us both to win.

Need you, want you, Baby gotta be mine.

Come to me girl, I’m done wastin’ time.

You ask me to wait, don’t know if I can

Too scared to lose, I’m only a man

But I can’t let you go, can’t shut the door

Heart’s telling me you’re worth waiting for

Forever I’ll wait, it’s drivin’ me mad

Driven by memories I’ve not yet had

Hanging on a promise of you and me

Hope springs eternal for things that could be

You ask me to wait, don’t know if I can

Too scared to lose, I’m only a man

Bring on the torture, forever and more

’Cause girl it’s true, you’re worth waiting for

In Cinder & Ella, Brian and Ella share a passion for all things reading and fantasy. Ella has a book and movie review blog, and “met” Brian the day he wrote her an email about a post she’d written on his favorite book series. While they agreed that The Cinder Chronicles was the best set of books ever to be penned, and that the author was a genius, that was pretty much where their mutual understanding stopped. Brian’s bold letter about Ella’s post, and Ella’s heated reply, sparked a strong Internet friendship that carried them both through some difficult times.

Excerpt from the book:

“I met Ella through her blog over three years ago, after I came across a post she’d written about my favorite book series.” He flashed the audience a devastating smile. “You guys might have heard of it—The Cinder Chronicles by L.P. Morgan.”

Cheers erupted, and after the noise died down Brian continued on. “She had this insane theory that Prince Cinder should have chosen Ellamara instead of Princess Ratana, which of course I absolutely had to argue with. I wrote a very nice and polite Letter To The Editor explaining how completely misguided her theory was.”

Brian chuckled, but I scoffed. “Nice and polite? He called me a pig-headed, naïve feminist romanticist!”

Everyone in the room laughed, and even I had to smile because a secretive smirk crept over Brian’s face. No doubt he was thinking about the exact same thing I was.

“When she wrote me back, it was love at first fight.”

I thought it would be fun to share with you guys, the actual letter that Brian wrote to Ella, which you won’t find in the book. Enjoy!

Brian’s Letter To The Editor

To: EllaTheRealHero@yahoo.com

From: Cinder458@gmail.com

Subject: Words of wisdom…?

More like the absurd ramblings of a pig-headed, naïve, feminist romanticist. As much as I respect your love for the greatest book series of all time, I simply cannot let your backwards ideas stand without argument. Ella, the real hero of The Cinder Chronicles? In what reality? Was Obi-Wan the hero of Star Wars? Or Mr. Miyagi the hero of Karate Kid? I don’t think so. If Ellamara were the hero of the story, they’d have to change the title of The Druid Prince to The Boring Book About That Weird Chick No One Cares About.

And you think Cinder should have chosen her over Princess Ratana? ARE YOU CRAZY? Ellamara was a too-good-for-everyone, cryptic-just-to-be-difficult man-hater. All she ever did was give a bunch of vague, unhelpful advice and constantly harp on Cinder and try to change him. So typical of a woman. And she was way too stubborn—always thought she knew best, and always had to be right about everything. (Kind of reminds me of someone…)

Ratana was so much better for Cinder. I mean, come on. She was as fierce a warrior as he was. She was always up for an adventure, supported Cinder when he had risky ideas, and believed in him when no one else did. Plus, she was a princess. She understood the kinds of responsibilities Cinder had as the leader of his people. She was raised to be a queen. She could help Cinder run the kingdom after he took the throne. If Cinder had chosen Ella, it would have ruined the book.

I hate to say it but, as entertaining as your blog post was, it sounded a bit defensive. Are you sure you didn’t just hate the fact that Cinder chose the beautiful, fun, popular, rich chick instead of the quiet, shy outcast? Hit a little too close to home maybe? You know, they say our favorite characters are often the ones we can most relate to. Hence the reason Cinder is my favorite character ever written. He’s awesome. He’s impulsive and passionate. I’m awesome. I’m impulsive and passionate. He’s under a lot of pressure. I’m under a lot of pressure. He’s good looking. I’m good looking… You see what I’m saying?

You’re probably just like Ellamara, aren’t you? Only you’re much more capable of stringing together coherent thoughts. I bet you’re shy and awkward in real life, but you come alive online. You should stop hiding behind your blog. I’ve read a few of your posts. You’re funny, and though your opinions are severely misguided, you show a great amount of intelligence in your writing. Your wit and sarcasm are totally awesome. You’re pretty, too. I mean, the braces are a little unfortunate (been there, done that, hated it), but you still have a beautiful smile and your eyes are stunning. I bet if you borrowed a little of Cinder’s confidence you’d have the guys flocking to you like crazy.

From one die-hard fan to another, I sincerely hope this letter will help you realize how wrong you are, and that the book is absolutely perfect the way it is. But considering how obstinate you seem, it’s more likely we’ll have to agree to disagree. Still, your blog is pretty cool. Keep up the good work.

Sincerely,

Your newest follower,

Cinder458

I get asked the casting question with every book I write and it’s always the hardest one for me to answer. By the time I’ve written a book, I know the characters so well that they are their own people in my mind. It’s hard for me to put an actor to them. But alas, I shall try to get as close to my idea of them as I can, because hey, who doesn’t like to gossip about celebrities? CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT CINDER & ELLA ON IFLIST

Starting with our stars…

Ariana Grande as Ella 

Ella was hard because she’s half Latina, which cuts my options down significantly. Add to that her bright blue eyes and well… impossible. I couldn’t find anyone with the blue eyes, but I did find someone who I think looks like she could play Ella. Ella needs to be someone who can pull off shy and with a guy she likes but also stubborn, outspoken witty and feisty at the same time. She needs to be someone who could play beautiful but doesn’t know it. The only girl that kept coming to mind for me was Ariana Grande.

Zac Efron as Brian/Cinder

This almost seems cliché but really, can we go wrong with Zac? He’s sort of the poster child for gorgeous Hollywood playboy. He’s charming charismatic, and can do both pretty and bad boy. Nice and jerky. Sensitive and arrogant. He’s very “Hollywood Actor,” you know?

And now for the stepfamily…

Patrick Dempsey and Charlize Tharon as Richard and Jennifer Coleman 

Ella’s dad is actually her real dad in the book, but she hasn’t seen him since she was eight when he left her and her mom for another woman and never looked back. Richard Coleman is a U.S. Attourney. He’s powerful and intimidating, but in a knight-in-shining-armor kind of way. He’s made mistakes, but deep down he’s a good guy and tries hard to be a good father. I can definitely see Patrick fitting into this role of trying to do his best in a difficult situation, sometimes making the wrong choices, and being overwhelmed. (Yet you can’t help but want him to win.)

Jennifer Coleman is “the other woman.” She plays the role of the “evil stepmom,” though I’ve taken my own “Hollywood” spin on her. She’s a professional model and is a little clueless and tactless but not inherently evil. But she’s absolutely gorgeous and the perfect trophy wife for Richard. Charlize is the perfect look in my mind and with her acting capabilities, I know she could accomplish the personality I was trying to create with Jennifer.

The Ugly/Evil Stepsisters

Annasophia Robb & Brittany Snow as Anastasia and Juliette

The Ugly/Evil Stepsisters. Obviously not ugly. Evil… Well…  Anastasia and Juliette (Yes, Anastasia is a nod to the Disney film but I couldn’t bring myself to use Drisella, so Juliette it was…) are your quintessential popular girls. They’re gorgeous, popular, spoiled and self-centered. They are two girls who are used to their perfect looks, and their perfect lives, in their perfect home, with their perfect family. Until Ella shows up and shatters that perfect world. The two have a lot in common, and you could probably use Annaspohia or Brittany for either sister, but I chose Annaspohia for Anastasia because, of the two sisters, Anastasia is definitely the more viscous of them. I would love to see Annasophia play up the Evil Stepsister.

And last but not least the supporting BFFs

Bella Thorne as Vivan 

Vivian was easy for me. As our resident fairy Godmother, she’s quirky, fun, and very confident in herself. She has her own unique sense of style and flaire. Bella Thorne is perfect!

Jesse Metcalfe as Rob

Rob was harder like Ella. His character is a lot more subtle. I love him, and have big plans for him, so I couldn’t just pick any old face. In this story I suppose Rob would play the role of the mice in the Disney film—Jaque and Gus. Or in the Hillary Duff movie A Cinderella Story—which is totally my favorite, by the way—he’d be Carter, the lovable, sidekick the BFF. He’s there to support Ella and be her friend when no one else is. This star athlete is hot and confident, but he’s also very quiet and modest. He doesn’t mind letting others take the spotlight. He has an element of mysterious and sexy to him. Does Jesse not look like he could fill that role? Mmm. I’m a fan!

Anyway, those are my picks. I’d love to hear yours. And, Hollywood, if you’re listening, take notes! This movie could be EPIC!

How about we add just one more picture of Jesse because… well just because.😀

Want to see this movie?

As an author I have ZERO control whether my books get made into films. But Until the day Hollywood wises up and comes knocking on my door, for now, you can support the cause by voting for it on the IfList and picking your very own casting choices!

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT CINDER & ELLA ON IFLIST

With only 4 days until the release of Remember Jamie Baker, we have mucho exciting things going on in Jamie Baker Land!! If you haven’t checked out this series yet, now is the time to do it!! Because now you can read the entire trilogy from start to finish for just $6!

The Jamie Baker series is an electrifying superhero origin story about a girl with extraordinary powers and the irresistible guy who helps her learn to control them. Reading Order: Being Jamie Baker, More Than Jamie Baker, Remember Jamie Baker

“Most superhero stories start with a meteor shower or a nasty insect bite, but mine actually starts with a kiss.”

For a limited time Being Jamie Baker is absolutely FREE. 
Amazon * iBooks * Nook * Kobo

“Hello, my name is Jamie Bake-and I am not a superhero. I repeat: I am not a superhero.”

More Than Jamie Baker is on sale for just $0.99.
Amazon * iBooks * Nook * Kobo

“I woke up in the Nevada desert with absolutely no memory-no idea of what happened or who I was. Age, birthday, likes, dislikes…nothing. It was all gone.”

Pre order now or download THIS FRIDAY!!
Amazon * iBooks * Nook * Kobo

Jamie Baker returns one last time for the electrifying conclusion to the Jamie Baker trilogy!

Plagued by memory loss, Jamie Baker searches high and low for the answers to who she is, where she comes from, and why she’s able to do things other humans can’t. A not-so-simple task when she’s hiding from the people responsible for her amnesia—an evil scientific research company that wants to capture her at any cost.

When Jamie’s quest for the truth reveals a devastating betrayal from the one person she thought she could trust, she’s forced to team up with a secret military organization in order to ensure her safety and stop Visticorp’s horrific human experimenting once and for all.

What readers are saying about Remember Jamie Baker

Jamie #3 was everything I had been hoping and waiting for. It brought all the feels. Jamie has the right amount of spunk, bravery and intelligence to make her an extremely likeable and relate-able heroine. I kinda want to be her BFF. And Ryan Miller … swoon. He is everything. He made Jamie love him again and again, and he did it with me also. Every single book I have fallen in love with Ryan, and every time I reread I will love him even more. Great job, Kelly! It was a journey worth waiting for.  ~ Jaymin Eve, Author of The Walker Saga & Supernatural Prison series.

“Full of great one-liners and intense longing, Remember Jamie Baker is a satisfying conclusion to a fantastic trilogy. Readers will appreciate the new friends Jamie makes, the measures she takes to restore her memory, and the return of Ryan Miller. OH YES. That charming combination of ego and sunshine does show up. I promise. And it’s epic.” ~ The Dragon’s Nook book reviews

“Kelly Oram’s back with a new Jamie Baker adventure that’s as action-packed as it is hilarious, with all new characters to love and some old favorites that you’ll find yourself falling for, all over again! Remember Jamie Baker is an unforgettable end to a truly amazing series!” ~ Jena Leigh author of the Variant series

“This is the best book of the trilogy. Remember Jamie gives us the steamiest Ryan & Jamie yet with beach fantasies (oh, Kelly went there!) and more curl-your-toes “awwww” scenes where once again pretty boy Ryan Miller steals your heart (and Jamie’s) as he tries to help her remember exactly who she was. Oh? And did I mention your favorite sidekicks (and who doesn’t love our favorite reporter and BFF?) are back? Or how about all of the kickass superhero action we’ve been dying for with Visticorp? Yea, it finally happens and it does not disappoint (be ready for some twists!)…. But the real reason you’ll keep reading? Because Jamie needs to remember! This whole series has honestly been a whirlwind and finally getting the epic conclusion we hoped for is the best gift Kelly could possibly give her readers. Fans of Meg Cabot’s quick wit and normal girl-hero complex (a la 1-800-Where-R-U), the tv show Smallville, or superhero tropes in general will dive right into this one. And who can forget fans of Ryan Miller? You will definitely need your fix.” ~ Rachel E. Carter, author of the Black Mage series

TEASER!

“Why do you call me Sunshine?”

Ryan, seeing that I’d become overwhelmed, sat back just enough to let the tension break. I reached for the tiny charm resting just beneath the neckline of my shirt. Ryan’s eyes fell to the necklace, making him smile. “Because that’s what you are to me. You are my sunshine. My only sunshine…”

He paused, his eyebrows raised as if waiting for me to say something. It sounded like he was quoting something, but if he was I didn’t recognize it.

“You make me happy when skies are gray…?”

Still nothing. Since I didn’t understand the reference, I struggled for the right words to respond.

“It’s a children’s lullaby.”

“That’s kind of…”

Ryan grinned. “Endearing? Romantic? Amazing?”

“Corny,” I decided. “Has anyone ever told you you’re a bit cheesy?”

Ryan burst into laughter. “You. Many, many times. But you secretly love that about me.”

For today as part of the Remember Jamie Baker release party, let’s take listen to the book shall we? So, soundtracks or book playlists… I generally have a soundtrack or playlist for all of my books that I will listen to over and over again as I work on a project. I need quiet when I’m doing the actual writing part, but I still wear my playlists out all other hours of the day. It’s usually a combination of things that will draw a certain song to a book playlist. Whether it’s a sound, or a line of lyrics, or it reminds me of a certain scene or character.

For some reason, though, I’ve never had more than just a couple of songs that made me think Jamie Baker. Originally I only had three songs on my personal Being Jamie Baker soundtrack. Those songs were Brooklyn is Burning by Head Automatica, Girlfriend by NSync, and Miracle by Paramore. So after the book came out I asked my readers to help me out and then chose some songs from those that I think really fit the book best. They didn’t let me down. I can’t find the entire original playlist so I can only tell you the ones I remember-the ones that really stuck with me. And here they are…

Being Jamie Baker & More Than Jamie Baker playlist

BSB What Makes You Different (Makes You Beautiful) – Backstreet Boys
Brooklyn Is Burning – Head Automatica (totally Jamie’s theme song!)
Your Love Is My Drug – Ke$ha
My Life Would Suck Without You – Kelly Clarkson
Cooler Than Me – Michael Posner
Kissin U – Miranda Cosgrove
Girlfriend – *NSync
Miracle – Paramore

For More Than Jamie Baker I just listened to the Jamie 1 soundtrack over again, and never really added any new songs. It still felt perfect. But For Jamie 3 I had a few to add to that list. Still, I liked having fan pics on the first list, so I opened it up to my Reader Squad to submit suggestions to add to the list, and again, they totally nailed it. It was hard to narrow the choices down!  (I used 4 of my personal picks. When Did Your Heart Go Missing by Rooney, It Girl by Jason Derulo, Can’t Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake, and You Are My Sunshine by Elizabeth Mitchell.)

Remember Jamie Baker Playlist! 

When Did Your Heart Go Missing – Rooney
It Girl – Jason Derulo (Definitely Ryan’s theme song to Jamie!)
Cardiac Arrest – The Bad Suns
Ain’t No Sunshine (when she’s gone) – Lighthouse Family (Or you could go with the original Bill Withers version but I like this version a little better.)
Everybody Talks – The Neon Trees
Shine a Light – McFly
Ultraviolet – The Stiff Dylans
Stand by You – Rachel Platten
Unstoppable – Rascal Flatts.
Brighter Than the Sun – Colbie Caillat
Happy Ever After – He is We
Steal My Girl – One Direction
Can’t Stop the Feeling – Justin Timberlake
You Are My Sunshine – Elizabeth Mitchell

DELETED SCENES FROM JAMIE 3

Hope you’re all enjoying the Jamie 3 release party!! If you’re catching this post via my blog or one of my other social media channels, there’s still time to join the fun and enter some of the giveaways! The party’s on Facebook so skip on over and check it out. CLICK HERE TO PARTY!

As you know, as I’ve explained many times before, Jamie 3 gave me so many headaches. I have 11 different versions of the first third of the book on my computer. Some are completely different from the others, while some are slight variations. But in all, this is by far the most rewritten book I’ve ever done.

What happened was, I always knew where the story would end, but there were so many different ways I could have my characters reach that ending and I wasn’t sure which way I liked best. In some versions, Jamie teams up with Mr. E. to try and get her memories back. In some versions she teams up with the government. In other versions she’s on her own, and still, in some she finds the other Visticorp subjects and teams up with them.

I’d start out writing the story one way and I’d get about 100 to 150 pages in and then decide I didn’t like it, or it wasn’t working, or that a different way would be better. So I’d scrap the pages I’d written so far and start over. I’ve got more deleted scenes for this book than any book I’ve ever written. In fact, if I were to compile them all into their own book, it would be longer than the book itself. (Now do you see why it took me 4 years to finish this one? lol)

Anyway, I figured it would be fun to sort of show you some of the different deleted scenes, but it was hard to find some that wouldn’t confuse the heck out of you or give away spoilers. I finally decided on a cute scene where Jamie and Ryan meet up. Then I realized I had like eight different versions of this scene. I’m going to post three of them just for fun so that you can see some of the different ways this novel could have gone. You’ll see some similarities through them all and some vast differences. And if you try to figure out all the plot things in each scene you may just give yourself a headache, so don’t try. lol.

As for which version of this scene is closest to the one that actually ended up in the final draft…you’ll just have to read the book to find out!

Enjoy!

Version A: From a draft of the manuscript where Jamie teams up with Mr. E. (AKA Blake Edwards) at first to try and find answers.

My list of superpowers doesn’t end with the ability to manipulate electricity. Along with the superspeed I used to break Blake out of prison, all of my physical senses are amped up—sight, sound, smell, taste, strength, and agility. Basically, I’m somewhere in between Captain America and Superman.

Most of the time its awesome being me, but sometimes my powers can overwhelm me. I’m used to the world coming at me in epic proportions, and I’ve got some control over my powers when I focus, but I can’t ever completely shut them off. Sometimes I get headaches or bouts of nausea when the world around me is too stimulating.

With all of its sights, sounds, and smells, New York City is the most over-stimulating place I’ve ever been, but it’s so worth it. On my list of likes, shopping and clothes are both near the top. I love fashion and appreciate beauty.

Blake was right about me when he said I was a sucker for the clean-cut pretty type. I definitely have a weakness for good-looking, groomed, well-dressed men. Maybe that’s why I’ve never been able to develop any romantic feelings for Tony. He’s cute enough that he could pull off the geek-chic look if he tried, but his idea of “well-dressed” is jeans and Ed Hardy t-shirts.

Blake, I was happy to learn, had a fashion sense worthy of his handsome features. He happily let me drag him into some of the nicest men’s clothing stores in the city and never complained when I piled outfit after outfit into his arms. Maybe he was just enjoying his first day of freedom in over two years, or maybe he liked shopping as much as I did.

We were in our third store and Blake was in a dressing room with enough clothes to keep him busy for half an hour. I was on the hunt for a good blazer to go with these killer jeans we’d found him when the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. I’m not sure if it was some kind of girl-with-a-secret sixth sense, or just Tony’s paranoia rubbing off on me, but I knew I was being watched.

Could Visticorp have found us already? But how?

Pulse pounding, and my electricity on standby, I glanced across the store at the dressing rooms and took a breath. Blake was fine.

I scanned the room while listening for anything out of the ordinary with my superhearing. The only thing I found was a boy, maybe about sixteen or so, watching me as he pretended to peruse a display of pants. I startled him when I caught him looking at me, but he quickly flashed me a guilty smile. The kid was just checking me out.

I laughed at myself. I was going to lose my mind.

The boy picked up the first pair of pants he could get his hands on and held them up against his body. “What do you think?” he called out to me. “Sexy?”

I raised an eyebrow at him and took a moment to look him up and down. He wasn’t a bad looking kid. Average, I’d say. He had brown hair, brown eyes, a light dusting of freckles on his arms. I bet he did just fine with girls his age. The confident smile and the Australian accent worked for him. The pants he was holding however…

“I’ve never been a fan of skinny jeans, personally.”

“Now that is a real shame,” a smooth voice behind me said with a chuckle, “because you would look amazing in a pair of tight jeans and some tall boots.”

I whirled around, startled by the nearness of the voice, and almost bumped into the broad chest of a guy around my own age. All I could do was blink up at him.

Move over Matt Damon. I’d just found my new poster child for gorgeous! The guy was around six feet tall, with golden blond hair and big, beautiful eyes that I instantly found myself lost in. It wasn’t just that they were the color of a clear blue sky; it was the way they drank in the sight of me as if they’d never seen anything more beautiful.

My mystery flirt was looking at me as if I was the goddess Aphrodite and had majestically enslaved his heart for all eternity. The longing in his expression was truly startling.

“Hi,” he breathed. He sounded as if he’d had the air knocked out of his lungs.

I took a step back, unnerved by this guy’s reaction to me. He may have been hot, but he was clearly insane too. “You shouldn’t sneak up on people like that,” I warned him. “I could have killed you.”

The guy snapped out of his trance and surprised me with a cocky smirk. “I’m pretty sure you could never hurt me.”

It was playful banter, not an insult, and it made me smile despite all my efforts to keep the scowl on my face. “Don’t think so?”

“Nope. You’re too attracted to me. You’d rather kiss me than kill me.”

Was this guy for real? His ego was the size of Manhattan, and yet I was drawn to him. Before I realized what I was doing, I leaned in close to him and looked up at him through my lashes. We weren’t touching, but our faces were only inches apart. “And what if I could do both at the same time?” I whispered.

Mr. Ego gulped, and then licked his lips as he stared down at my mouth. “Pretty sure it would be worth it,” he mumbled.

I almost kissed him. The guy was a total stranger and I was seconds away from jumping him right there in the store. What was wrong with me? Never in all my life—or in the year I could remember of it at least—had anyone had such an affect on me.

Version B: From a draft where Ryan had teamed up with the other Visticorp subjects in order to track down Jamie.

“Don’t do it!”

I whirled around at the sound of the unfamiliar voice. Blake spun too, confirming that I hadn’t imagined it, but there was no one there.

“Who said that?” I demanded. I didn’t think anyone would answer, but I still felt compelled to ask. “Who’s there?”

“A friend,” the voice said. “Don’t destroy that equipment if it can really help us find others like us.”

Blake and I glanced at each other. The voice had come from somewhere near the back door of the house, but there wasn’t anyone standing there. That’s when I realized that the voice had said others like us.”

There was someone else like me here! Someone who could make himself invisible! He sounded like Hugh Jackman—or rather Hugh Jackman if the Wolverine were going through puberty. He didn’t seem like a threat. I was dying to know who he was, where he came from, and how he found me, but the only way he could know I was here was if he worked with Visticorp.

My body responded to the threat automatically. My energy has always responded to my emotions. When I feel threatened or angry, it kicks into high gear. It rises to the surface of my skin essentially giving me a whole lot in common with a live electrical fence. Anyone who touches me when I’m amped up like that is in for a nasty surprise. The weirdest thing about it though, is that my hair goes crazy and my eyes start to glow. Neon green tornado hair and glowing yellow eyes…it’s really freaky looking.

Going into super mode gave me a burst of energy despite my concussion.

“Show yourself!” I demanded.

I could hear the smirk in the boy’s reply. “Turn off the psycho supergirl stuff and I will.”

Yeah, right. That was so not happening.

I concentrated on the spot where I’d heard the voice. I couldn’t see anyone, but there was definitely someone there. I pushed past the ache in my head and concentrated on my other senses besides sight. I could hear his heartbeat and whoever he was, he was wearing enough cologne to drown a cat.

Trusting my instincts, I moved without warning. I tackled the open air and felt a thick body crash to the ground with me. He still hadn’t shown himself, so I gave him a friendly nice-to-meet-you jolt of electricity.

“Jamie, no! Stop! He’s a friend!” a new voice shouted.

Startled, I looked toward the sound…and nearly swooned, but not from my head injury.

Move over Matt Damon, I’d just found my new poster child for gorgeous! The guy who’d shouted at me was about my own age, around six feet tall, with big broad shoulders. He had golden blond hair and big, beautiful eyes that I instantly found myself lost in. It wasn’t just that they were the color of a clear blue sky; it was the way they drank in the sight of me as if they’d never seen anything more beautiful.

I let go of the invisible boy, who had already materialized beneath me, and sat back to catch my breath. My gaze immediately went back to the drool-worthy stranger. When we made eye contact, the look on his face changed from concern to one that turned my stomach inside out. He was looking at me as if I was the goddess Aphrodite and I had just magically enslaved his heart for all eternity. The longing in his expression was truly startling.

“Hi,” he breathed. He sounded as if he’d had the air knocked out of his lungs.

He took a step toward me and I quickly scrambled back. Hot or not, I was unnerved by this guy’s reaction to me.

For a brief second Mr. Beautiful’s smile faltered, but he recovered quickly and grinned down at the kid I’d fried who was still lying on the ground. I say kid, because that’s what he was. Sort of. He looked that way standing next to Mr. Beautiful anyway. He couldn’t be more than sixteen. He was a little stocky with brown hair, brown eyes, and a light dusting of freckles.

The boy groaned as McDreamy helped him to his feet. The hottie chuckled. “Stings, doesn’t it?” he asked the kid. “I told you she wouldn’t hesitate.”

I gasped when I realized these people knew me. Or, at least Blondie spoke like he was familiar with me. I’d already decided they couldn’t be with Visticorp because they would have just shot me with tranquilizers by now like they had Tony. But how could anyone else know me?

My defenses came back up. “Who are you people?”

They both flinched in surprise. “Amnesia?” the boy guessed while the hot one gasped.

“Of course! Why didn’t I think of that?”

The news seemed to make as much sense to him as it had to Blake. That meant this guy must have known more than just my identity. He knew me on a personal level. I hated that I had no idea who he was. I glared at him and asked again, “Who. Are. You?”

It was Blake who answered. “They’re friends, Jamie.”

I cut Blake a sharp glance. His voice sounded defeated and his face was grim. “You don’t sound too excited to see them,” I pointed out.

He sighed again and gestured his head toward the hot stranger. “Say hello to Ryan Miller.”

“Ryan Miller…”

I had to think a minute before I placed the name. The guy met my eyes again with that disconcerting intensity he’d first looked at me with and I finally got it. The emotion I saw in his eyes now made sense. This hottie was in love with me.

I gasped. “You mean this Ryan Miller?” I asked, holding up the engagement ring on my right hand.

Ryan flashed me a smile so bright it was nearly blinding. “The one and only.”

As I sat there gaping at him like an idiot, he closed the distance between us and grabbed onto my hand as if to help me up. A surprising surge of pleasure rocked through me when our hands touched. I nearly gasped from the warm tingly sensation. It was shocking! I mean, not, like, actual sparks. I hadn’t literally shocked him, I didn’t think, but I was stunned by my reaction to him. Yeah, he was the hottest guy I’d ever seen, and yeah, I knew he had a major thing for me which both terrified and thrilled me, but even still. I was not the kind of girl to go completely gaga over a guy.

I swear!

I know I didn’t make any kind of face as I climbed to my feet, but Ryan smiled at me like he knew exactly how fast he’d made my heart was flutter. I tried to pull my hand out of Ryan’s and step back but Ryan wouldn’t let me go. He brought my hand up between us and gently pulled off the engagement ring I was wearing. “You’ve got this on the wrong finger, Sunshine,” he said and slipped it on the ring finger on my left hand.

Version C: From a draft Where Jamie is completely on her own and Ryan has teamed up with Carter in order to find her.

I fled to New York City. The reporter who claimed he’d been kidnapped by Visticorp and rescued Chelsea’s Angel worked for CNN in New York City. The men who’d attacked me at Gran’s had called me Angel. If I was Chelsea’s Angel, and I’d really saved this reporter’s life, then hopefully that meant I could trust him. It was a huge risk, and probably a mistake, but I needed help and was out of options.

I felt on the verge of collapse by the time I got to New York. My head had stopped bleeding, but I was seeing double, my mind was sluggish, and I’d thrown up several times since escaping Coyote Falls.

I crashed onto a bench outside CNN’s New York office and dialed the number I found on the Internet for CNN.

“CNN New York. How may I direct your call?”

“I’m looking for one of your reporters. Dave Carter.”

“One moment please.”

There was a click and a ring and then, “Carter.”

He was in the office. There is a God. “Is this the man that was rescued by Chelsea’s Angel during the Visticorp explosion?”

When he answered, his voice was hard, suspicious. “Who is this?”

“Was that you?” I demanded. I didn’t have time to divulge my life story.

“Yes.”

“In that case, you owe me a favor.”

I heard a gasp. “Who is this?” Carter asked again.

“I’m hoping you can tell me.” Big black spots started clouding my vision. I had to lie down. “Outside in the plaza,” I mumbled as my eyes fluttered shut against my will. “Bench next to the hotdog stand. I’ll be the unconscious one.”

…

Hushed voices pulled me from a dreamless sleep. “Ryan, your dinner’s getting cold, man.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“She’ll be okay.”

“It’s been nine hours. We should take her to a hospital.”

“You know we can’t. Whoever did this to her will be looking for her there.”

“No hospitals,” I croaked.

“Jamie?” Someone squeezed my hand and brushed the hair off my forehead. “You awake, Sunshine?” Whoever it was, there was a hitch in his voice as he whispered, “Come on babe, open your eyes for me.”

Maybe I wasn’t awake. Maybe I was dreaming.

I forced my eyelids up and had to blink several times to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating.

Move over Thor, I’d just found my new poster child for gorgeous! The guy was about my own age, with big broad shoulders, golden blond hair, and big, beautiful blue eyes that I instantly found myself lost in. It wasn’t just that they were the color of a clear sky; it was the way they drank in the sight of me as if they’d never seen anything more beautiful.

When we made eye contact, the look on his face changed from concern to one that turned my stomach inside out. The stranger was staring at me as if I was the goddess Aphrodite and I had just magically enslaved his heart for all eternity. The longing in his expression was truly startling.

“Hi,” he breathed. He sounded as if he’d had the air knocked out of his lungs.

I had no idea how to respond to him—his intensity was unnerving—so I didn’t say anything. I sat up very slowly, taking inventory of my body one limb at a time. I felt stiff, my throat was dry, and I had a massive headache, but I felt stronger than I had before. The nausea was gone too, which was a plus.

Another guy sat in a wheelchair near the foot of the bed. He was kind of cute I supposed, though nowhere near as good-looking as the guy sitting next to me. He had a decent enough face but he was a little too meaty for my taste. His neck was thick and his biceps were huge. I guess since he couldn’t use his legs he felt the need to work out his arms twice as much.

“Hey,” he said, staring at me like he couldn’t quite believe I was really there. “How are you feeling?”

I glanced back and forth between the two strangers then finally took in my surroundings and gasped. The room I was in was Zen paradise. It made me feel like I was back at the really expensive day spa Teddy took me to once when he decided we needed to get couples massages. The furniture was streamline, the bed low to the ground and covered in a tasteful sage bedspread. There were potted plants everywhere, and a modern-looking fountain in one corner that looked like a rock stream and actually had a few goldfish swimming in the pool at the bottom. One entire wall was made of all windows that let in a ton of natural light. The rich, warm green and beige tones of the room made it feel earthy, homey. It was more than beautiful. It was breathtaking.

I looked from the perfect room to the gorgeous guy sitting on the bed beside me, staring at me as if I were the sun and the moon, and finally put the pieces together. “I’m dreaming.”

There was no other way to explain it.

Mr. Beautiful laughed. “I promise you you’re not,” he said then leaned in like he planned to kiss me.

I scrambled out of the bed before he could touch me. “Whoa, okay, asleep or not, there’s this thing called personal space, buddy, and you’re totally abusing it. Touch me again and you’ll learn what a TV dinner feels like.”

Shock flashed across the guy’s face, followed by a look of hurt. “Jamie?” he asked.

This wasn’t fun anymore. I felt my panic start to rise again. “Why are you calling me that? Who are you? Where am I, and where the hell is Dave Carter? I called Dave Carter.”

Ahh, casting. The absolute hardest part of my job. No joke, I have such a hard time picking actors to go with my characters. They’re like real people in my head, so how do you put someone else’s face on them? But, it never fails that this question comes up with every book I write, so I try to do the best I can. Also, I just don’t watch enough TV. There are probably a lot more actors out there than I’m aware of that would be better for the role. If you have any suggestions, by all means, let’s here them. I love seeing who you guys would pick!

First up, JAMIE BAKER.

How in the world does one cast Jamie Baker??? She’s got to be the most emotional character on the planet, hitting every feeling on the spectrum at least once in every chapter. So I need someone who not only looks the part, but can pull off her badass/snarky/moody/scary supergirl and still be vulnerable and likeable all at the same time. Plus she has to be super hot. So, that said, I’ve got two choices and both of them aren’t exactly right in my mind, but they’re kind of close. (Also, with all of these picks, we’re totally going to ignore the age thing because I couldn’t choose from actual teenagers. I couldn’t find any.) I’m going with Emma Stone or Victoria Justice. Emma has the right Sass, and Victoria has the right look. I think either of them could do a decent job.

Emma Stone:

Victoria Justice:

Next, we have RYAN MILLER.

Come on, ladies, let’s be honest, there’s really only one, and he’s on the pages. BUT, if I must…again I have two choices. And this is because I think they’re both perfect for the role in different ways.

One of my choices for Ryan is Bradley James. This cutie pie won my heart on the TV show Merlin. I’m really casting Prince Arthur more than I’m casting Bradley James. Seriously, watch the show. He’s got the ego and the charm down. He could totally pull off Ryan Miller.

My other choice (and I say other because it’s not second; they’re tied for first) is Chris Evans. Be still, my beating heart. When did this guy win my heat? I don’t know, the second he was born? Seriously, though it had to be either the movie Push or Fantastic 4 that made me loose my senses and go gaga for him. Chris could TOTALLY do Ryan Miller. (Of course, I think he could do anything…)

See? Perfect! Right? (And you’re welcome!)

Now, for Teddy…

He’s the guy you love to hate. He’s Geek Chic. He’s lovable and too smart for his own good, and throws a hell of a temper tantrum. I needed someone who could pull off the look and the innocence and the diabolical psycho act. So… my two options for Teodoro Vivenzio AKA Teddy AKA Tony are Milo Ventimigla or Callan Mcauliffe.

Milo is my first choice. He fits the Italian I’m-cute-enough-that-I-could-fool-you-into-thinking-I’m-not-evil look perfectly.

If I had to have an understudy, though, Sam from I Am Number Four could play the role well. Callan’s a cutie too. And he does a great computer geek genius!

Dave Carter: Tabloid king turned hard-hitting Journalist

Since the very beginning, I’ve always only had one man in mind for Carter, so I’ve only got one choice for him. I think he’s perfect for this role. He’s exactly what I see in my head and he’s got that dry grumpy sarcastic attitude that Carter always has. I’m going with Nicolas Cage.

Blake “Mr. E.” Edwards

This one was hard for me, like Jamie. I think Mr. E. is a hard character to really nail down. He’s that young, fun, cool, charming teacher that all the high school girls crush on. (Like what’s his name in Never Been Kissed). But he’s also an ex-Visticorp scientist who needs to be able to do a little creepy. So, I’ve only got once person I can think of who could fit this role for me. I’m going to go with Captain America’s BFF Bucky. I’ve seen Sebastian Stan do both charming and dark. He could be my charming, intelligent, slightly psycho Mr. E. Plus, he’s just pretty to look at, and I always say, when it comes to the movies, the more eye candy the better!!!

James Donovan

Ah, Mr. Donovan. The Mastermind. The man behind the curtain. The Billionaire philanthropist with too much vision and not enough scruples. I have a couple of guys I really like for this roll. First is Daniel Day-Lewis, and second Hugh Laurie. They both have that sophisticated, come-from-money, air of self importance look. Plus, I could totally see them both having a seriously creepy sociopathic dark side. Haha.

Daniel Day-Lewis:

Hugh Laurie:

Stan and Linda Baker (AKA Jamie’s Mom & Dad)

Okay, Leslie Mann and Jeffery Dean Morgan fit the idea I have of Jamie’s parents perfectly. Jamie’s bear of a dad who can be stern but is also a big old softie and a sucker for his girls. Jamie is such a Daddy’s girl and I can just picture Jeffery Dean Morgan not being able to say no to her.

Leslie Mann is the perfect Jamie’s mom. She’s such a girly girl and so cute and bubbly. Plus she can do the emotional thing like Jamie. I can definitely see Leslie as an ex small-town girl beauty queen cheerleader.

Becky Eastman and  Mike Driscoll

So Becky are only side characters too, and they aren’t really big players at all in the final book, but they’ve been with us from the beginning so I decided to cast them as well.

For Becky I’m choosing Dove Cameron. Becky is Jamie’s bubbly sweet cheerleader BFF. She’s grown up being besties with Ryan Miller, so you know she’s got to be darn near perfect. She’s beautiful and genuine a lot like Ryan. She’s cute and total sorority material, but she’s also fun and spunky enough that she can also be snarky Jamie’s best friend. Dove, to me, is perfect for the role.

For Mike, I pick Marshall Williams. Mike isn’t as clean cut nice guy as Ryan. He’s a more typical popular high school jock. As the Captain of the high school football team, and a linebacker, I was looking for someone who could be the hot guy but also play the full of himself bully. I needed a guy that I thought could play the meathead type. (I’m not saying you’re a meathead, Marshall, I promise!! I just think you fit the picture in my mind for Mike Driscoll and I think you’ve got the acting skills to pull him off.)

The Visticorp “Subjects” (AKA the other super humans!)

We vaguely meet these guys in Jamie 2, and we get to see them a little bit more in Jamie 3. (Supernames and superpowers are top secret till you read the book!) I’ve had Tyler and Abiodun in my head from the beginning but had to think hard on the other two.

Tyson

He’s a fun kid with a bright disposition who’s always trying to be older than he is. He wants to be a trouble maker and a kickbutt superhero. He’s got a sense of innocence in him because he’s young but at the same time he needed to be someone who had a serious side to him as well because the time he spend in the Visticorp labs has taken it’s toll on him. For me it’s always been Nick Robinson. He’s such a cutie, and he could totally pull off the different sides of Tyson!

Abiodun

He’s the father figure of the subjects. Very serious, quiet, and reserved. He can be terrifying by outward appearance, and tough as nails, but inside he’s kind hearted and loves fiercely. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje has always from day one been my Abiodun!

Natalia

Natalia is hard because she’s so young. She’s eight in the book and a pale and sickly little Russian girl. She’s sweet and childlike, but has been stripped of her childhood and knows the big bad monsters of the world exist thanks to James Donovan and his experiments. She longs for a normal, safe life, but is broken in a way. Emily Alyn Lind is suck a cute little actress. I think she fits. I’d love to see her play Natalia. Of course, she’s already too old, but this gives you an idea of what I have in mind for the character.

Betty

I like Judi Dench for the role of Betty because she could pull off that grandmother thing and be sweet to Natalia and Tyson. But she can also be stern and fierce. Betty’s one tough old lady, and though she’s been held prisoner as a Visticorp subject. she’s still got some fight in her. Anyone who can handle James Bond is cool enough to be in my superpowered family!

That’s all I’ve got for you today! In the book you’ll meet a group of military soldiers and I’m sure you’ll love them too, but I’m not going to cast them now since you haven’t met them yet, and this post is already as long as the book itself. Maybe someday I’ll cast the ACEs. Then again, wouldn’t it be awesome if Hollywood cast them someday?

As an author I have ZERO control whether my books get made into films. But Until the day Hollywood wises up and comes knocking on my door, for now, you can support the cause by voting for it on the IfList and picking your very own casting choices!

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT JAMIE BAKER ON IFLIST

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What’s this???? A NEW CINDER & ELLA STORY????  OMG!!!!

I’ll also be re-releasing Cinder & Ella with a new cover on October 1st in honor of the book’s 2-year anniversary, and am having a read-along with the fans.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE READ-ALONG