Since this is the first time you are stopping by our blog, we would love to get to know you a little better. Tell us five things about you that may surprise us.
- I have a Brown-Black belt in Shito-Ryu Karate. I first became interested in Karate when I tried a Judo class at the age of nine years old. The instructor picked up a 250lb man and spun him round and round, like he was trying out for the hammer toss in the Olympics. Then he let him go. Guess where he landed? The next week I signed up for Karate.
- I have been forced to collect owls. Many years ago when I was out running at dusk, I was attacked by an owl. Yes, you read that right. Claws in scalp. Wings in face. Eventual escape. Instead of being sympathetic, my family thought it was hilarious and now they give me owl paraphernalia at every opportunity. Ha ha. They think they’re so funny.
- I need quiet to write. Ironically, we share an acreage with a family of owls. Life is funny that way. What is not funny is how the owlets (usually three each year) like to screech for food and thump all over the roof when I’m trying to write. A normal person might go out and chase them away. Cowards who have been attacked by an owl stay inside and curse. But quietly. Owls have very good hearing.
- Secretly, I like the owls. But don’t tell them that. And don’t tell my family. Please.
- Amongst the clutter of owl paraphernalia on my desk is the one thing I cannot write without, given to me by Munchkin#2: a “Coopon for a tausin hugs and kisis.”
How did the story of Makayla and Torment come to be?
One night, I got lost driving home through my own city (as you do) and was low on gas (of course) and my phone had died (always convenient when lost). I wound up in an industrial estate. The only building with lights on turned out to be an MMA gym. Yay!
I stepped inside and said I was lost. This triggered some kind of alpha male frenzy. Woman. Lost. Must. Help. Lost. Woman. Suddenly, I was swarmed by sweaty, half-naked men in tight shorts all desperate to help me (oh, the horror). Within a short time, my car was refueled, my phone was charged, my GPS was fixed, and I had an idea for a story. A naive innocent young woman (**waves**) finds herself in an underground fight club and is seduced by the enigmatic owner (oh, yes, there was a real Torment there and he was “all alpha all the time”) only to discover she isn’t the only one with a secret to hide.
Many authors get their ideas from everyday life. Do you have a story to share where your real-life experience has influenced your writing?
In one scene in Against the Ropes, Max takes Makayla to a fancy restaurant. A struggling college student, she isn’t used to fine dining and she tries to hide her discomfort with humor. However, at one point she takes it too far and accidentally launches a beet off her fork, causing the waiter to slip and fall. Cue: humiliation. And yes, it happened to me. Although it wasn’t a beet. And the restaurant wasn’t quite as fancy. Nor was my boyfriend at the time as accommodating as Max. In fact, I never saw him again.
What would you say is your favorite thing about Torment?
He is a man of action. He takes control of the situation, acts first, thinks later. This, of course, gets him into trouble with Makayla because her innocence means she requires a gentler touch. I enjoyed tormenting poor Torment, but in the end he gets his HEA!
Is there anything that you find challenging in your writing?
Everything is a challenge. If it wasn’t challenging, it wouldn’t be fun. Every book requires research into something new, whether it is how underground fight clubs work or what fighters wear under their shorts (ahem), or how long owlets take to grow up and fly away never to return to my house again.
And there is always something to learn about the craft of writing. It may be something as small as changing the meaning of a sentence with comma placement, or something more substantial like character development. A character may start out being afraid of owls, for example, but in the end, she grows to love them after all.
Please fill in the blanks:
Scene in your book that you love the most and would never cut:
Scene from Chapter Ten when Max is dancing with Makayla and tries to persuade her to engage is some very naughty talking (Excerpt is on my website at http://sarahcastille.com/books/against-the-ropes/)
Celebrity most similar to your hero:
Stuart Reardon
Celebrity most similar to your heroine:
Nina Dobrev
Thanks very much to Under the Covers Book Blog for hosting me today. I wish you all safe from owls.
Sarah Castille
He scared me. He thrilled me. And after one touch, all I could think about was getting more…
Makayla never thought she’d set foot in an elite mixed martial arts club. But if anyone needs a medic on hand, it’s these guys. Then again, at her first sight of the club’s owner, she’s the one feeling breathless.
The man they call Torment is all sleek muscle and restrained power. Whether it’s in the ring or in the bedroom, he knows exactly when a soft touch is required and when to launch a full-on assault. He always knows just how far he can push. And he’s about to tempt Makayla in ways she never imagined…
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EXCERPT
Run. I should run. But all I can do is stare.
His fight shorts are slung deliciously low on his narrow hips, hugging his powerful thighs. Hard, thick muscles ripple across the broad expanse of his chest, tapering down to a taut, corrugated abdomen. But most striking are the tattoos covering over half of his upper body—a hypnotizing cocktail of curving, flowing tribal designs that just beg to be touched.
He stops only a foot away and I crane my neck up to look at his face.
God is he gorgeous.
His high cheekbones are sharply cut, his jaw square, and his eyes dark brown and flecked with gold. His aquiline nose is slightly off-center, as if it had been broken and not properly reset, but instead of detracting from his breathtaking good looks, it gives him a dangerous appeal. His hair is hidden beneath a black bandana, but a few tawny, brown tufts have escaped from the edges and curl down past the base of his neck.
A smile ghosts his full lips as he studies me. A lithe and powerful animal assessing its prey.
My finely tuned instinct of self-preservation forces me back against the ropes and away from his intoxicating scent of soap and leather and the faintest kiss of the ocean.
“Excuse me…Torment. I…thought you forgot to buy a ticket, but…um…I don’t think you really need one. Do you?”
“A ticket?” His low-pitched, husky, sensual voice could seduce a saint. Or a young college grad trying to supplement her meager salary by selling tickets at a fight club.
My heart thunders in my chest and I lick my lips. His eyes lock on my mouth, and my tongue freezes mid-stroke before beating a hasty retreat behind my Pink Innocence glossed lips.
He steps forward and I press myself harder against the springy ropes, wincing as they bite into my skin through my thin T-shirt.
“Are you Amanda?”
With herculean effort, I manage to pry my tongue off the roof of my mouth. “I’m the best friend.”
He lifts an eyebrow. “Does the best friend have a name?”
“Mac.”
“Doesn’t suit you. Do you have a different name?”
“What do you mean a different name? That’s my name. Well, it’s my nickname. But that’s what people call me. I’m not going to choose another name just because you don’t like it.” My hands find my hips, and I give him my second-best scowl—my best scowl being reserved for less handsome irritating men.
His gaze drifts down to the bright white “FCUK Me” lettering now stretched tight across my overly generous breasts. With my every breath, the letters expand and retract like a flashing neon sign. I hate my sister.
He leans so close I can see every contour of bone and sinew in his chest and the more intricate patterns in his tribal tattoos. The flexible ropes accommodate my last retreat, and I brace myself, trembling, against them.
“What’s your real name?” he rumbles.
“Makayla.” Oh, betraying lips.
He smiles and his eyes crinkle at the corners. “Makayla is a beautiful name. I’ll call you Makayla.”
Heat roars through me like a tidal wave. He likes my name. “So…about that ticket—”
About the Author
Recovering lawyer, karate practitioner, and caffeine addict, Sarah Castille worked and traveled abroad before trading her briefcase and stilettos for a handful of magic beans and a home near the Canadian Rockies. Her steamy, contemporary romantic tales feature blazingly hot alpha heroes and the women who tame them.
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Sourcebooks is giving away a copy of AGAINST THE ROPES to one lucky US/Canada winner
Thanks for the post and the excerpt. Owls are so cute, I can see why you love them. =D Also I have to go to your site to read excerpt from chapter 10! Thank you for spending so much time with MMA fighters so we can enjoy your book, I am excited to read it!
This book sound sooo good! I just added it to my Goodreads list. I also added Legal heat #1 & #2 to my list. they also sound good
the book sounds really good i hope i win this one thanks so much
Thanks for your comments! Owls are cute…except when they’ve got their claws on your head 🙂 Good luck with the giveaway and thanks to Under the Covers for hosting me today!
COOL GIVEAWAY!!! this books has been on most of the blogs i follow with great reviews. Thx for the chance!
I just started this book last night, and I’m already loving it. It’s my first by Sarah Castille.
I like your celebrity picks. Thanks for sharing the excerpt and giveaway.
Enjoyed the interview.
I can’t wait to read this!
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
Love the excerpt! Can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway!
Enjoyed the interview. Can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway.
I empathize with Ms. Castille’s dislike for the screeching owls. We have a few that took up residence near our home & insist on calling back and forth to each other all night long…always when I have something important to do the next morning.
Enjoyed the excerpt…okay, loved it. I can’t wait to read more about Torment (gotta admit that the name alone makes me swoon) and Makayla.
Awesome interview! I know what you mean about being attacked by birds. I work close to the courthouse and there are some starlings that get very protective of their nests at certain times of the year. You should see the poor people fending off the dive bomb attacks to and from the courthouse. It’s a busy place believe me and those are some protective birds!
I enjoyed your interview and the excerpt. I’ve got to download your book next :-). Love the humor
I enjoyed your interview you have a wonderful sense of humor. I kept giggling and my elderly mother kept giving me funny looks I guess she must have thought I had lost it (my mind). Against The Ropes sounds like an A+ read I’ve added it to my book wish list.
Loved this post. I have the book on my tbr list. Thank you for the giveaway chance as well.
Thanks everyone. Glad I’m not the only with with “Angry Bird” issues LOL!
Great interview!!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Sounds like a great read!!
I’m still laughing over the owl story and how this book came into being. It sounds great. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
great interview! I am jealous because I have never been so lucky when I’ve gotten lost …so looking forward to reading this book!
Thanks for the great interview and giveaway.
Great interview! I am so looking forward to reading this book!
Awesome interview! Sounds like a great read. I’m glad I can picture Stuart Reardon while I read it. Lol. Thanks for the giveaway. 🙂
Love the interview and very excited to read this book. If the synopsis hadn’t convinced me the excerpt definitely did. 🙂
Love the cover. I love how you came up with the characters front your own personal experience. Thanks for the giveaway.
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I am so looking forward to this book! It sounds fantastic! Congrats to Sarah on the new release 🙂
What a great interview, would not mind reading it!
I’ve never made a waiter trip but I have managed to turn quite red on a few dates due to things beyond my control! >.<
Kassandra
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oooo, I am so intrigued by the excerpt Sarah linked. LOVE.
book sounds GREAT!!!
this book is on my wish list! Can’t wait to read it!
Well, this interview will certainly stick with me! Thanks for the laughs and giveaway.
Great interview. I love how you got the idea for this story. You are a brave woman.
Mel
I would love to find myself helpless in such a setting… sweaty men.. tight shorts.. yummy. Thanks for the giveaway.
Great interview! I loved the story about getting lost. Sounds like a really good book. Thanks for the giveaway!
Yowza! I like your choice for your cover:). This book sounds amazing!!
Enjoyed the interview. Thanks for the giveaway.
I’ve been following the blog tour! Super excited for this book 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway too 😀
Keep hearing so many great things about this. Love all the excerpts!
Thanks everyone for your comments! And thanks again to Under the Covers for hosting me!
Great interview! I love stories with sweaty men in them 😉 I seriously cannot wait to read this book. Thank you for the giveaway!
Love the sound of this book!
Your family sounds like mine. Had I been tramautized by owls, they would have probably gotten me a pet owl just for kicks!!
Can’t wait to read this book!!
It’s funny, but I collect and LOVE owls! Jewelry, notebooks, clothes, figures… Love me some owls! I’m really honestly sorry to hear about your attack though. What an anomaly you are.
I’ve been so waiting for this book! I love how you get inspiration for it…wonder how much luck I’d have finding an MMA gym when I run out of fuel lol Good luck with all the owlets!
I have seen Against the Ropes mentioned on a few sites. Looks like a read I would enjoy. I visited Sarah’s site and look forward to finding and reading her books. Have a wonderful day!
I have been waiting for this book forever!! I can’t wait to read it!!! And awesome interview!! Thanks for the giveaway!!!
I have never heard of someone being attacked by an owl. We had just moved into our new house and we were only the 3rd house on the street. We had just gotten home on Christmas Day…got the kids in bed and climbed in bed ourselves. One hour later we are woken up by this loud bang. We thought a deer ran into the house. Then we see a dead bird on our front porch. It must have seen its reflection in our window above the door and flew into it so hard it killed itself. Scared the crap out of us. The thing was huge!
Great interview!
loved the interview and the excerpt. I’m a new fan. 🙂
Thanks for this opportunity. That cover is delicious looking.
Carol L
I loved the story about how the characters and their story came to be. I wish I’d been lost in same place!! RAWR!!
sounds like fate has paid a big part in Sarah’s life!
Nice interview
I can’t wait to read this book. I have enjoyed opening my mail for your interview. Great! Great! Blurb
I really enjoyed the part in the interview where the story idea came from.
Great interview! I am so looking forward to reading this book!