GUEST POST - S.C. Stephens on Writing Relationships

Furious Rush is the newly-released novel from New York Times bestselling author S.C. Stephens, who also wrote 2015 novel Thoughtful. When it comes to writing relationships, S.C. Stephens certainly knows how, and today she's joined us to share some tips!

Writing relationships: how to make readers invested

Readers connect with characters they understand. If you make the characters as real as possible, and give them understandable, sympathetic reasons for everything they do, then fans will connect with them and cheer them on. They'll become more than characters to readers, they'll become friends, and everyone loves to see their friends overcome obstacles and succeed.

That goes back to my point about my characters becoming real to me. I invest so much in creating them to resemble what could be real people with real problems. It means so much to me when readers tell me that they love them, that they feel like they know them or they see a piece of themselves in them. Or even better—that they once dated someone like Kellan or Hayden. As an author, the most satisfying feeling I have is when a reader relates to my characters. It’s what drives me to continue dreaming and writing.

FURIOUS RUSH by S.C. Stephens 

For Mackenzie Cox, racing motorcycles is in her blood. Born into a family legacy, she's determined to show the world that she has inherited her father's talent in this male-dominated sport. The last thing Kenzie needs is to be antagonised by her rival team's newest rider, Hayden Hayes. Hayden, exceedingly arrogant and outrageously attractive, immediately gets under Kenzie's skin and she can't help but be distracted.

As Kenzie and Hayden push each other on the track, the electric energy between them off the track shifts into an intense - and strictly forbidden - attraction. The only rule between their two ultra-competitive teams is zero contact. Kenzie needs a win, and she also needs to stay away from Hayden. Unfortunately for her though, one thing has become all too clear: she can't.

Fuelled by passion, driven by desire, Hayden and Mackenzie both want to win more than anything else. Except for, maybe, each other. But anger, jealousy and extreme competitiveness aren't their only obstacles...

BLOG TOUR: Thoughtful by S.C Stephens - Book Review

Over the past two weeks, the Thoughtful blog tour has taken place over quite a few bookish sites, and it's great to be joining them. Thoughtful is the new novel from bestselling author S.C. Stephens, who has also penned Thoughtless (the first book in the series), Effortless and Reckless.

Every story has two sides, and in this new book, the epic love story between Kiera and Kellan is shown through his eyes. 

All Kellan Kyle needs is his guitar, and some clean sheets of paper. Growing up in a house that was far from a home, he learned a hard lesson: You're worthless. Now his life is comfortably filled with passionate music, loyal band mates, and fast women...until he meets her. 

Kiera makes him ache for more. Makes him feel for the first time that he's worth more. But there's one problem - she's his best friend's girl. 

Just when Kellan thought his emotional defenses were rock solid, Kiera's indecisive heart wreaks havoc on his soul, changing him forever. Losing Kiera is not an option.

Admittedly, I hadn't heard of the Thoughtless series until I was contacted about this novel, though I'm rather happy that it was brought to my attention! Having not read first novel Thoughtful, I did wonder if I would be able to follow the story; after all, the first novel focuses on Keira. However, Thoughtful can be read as a standalone novel, though if you haven't read Keira's tale, it might shortly be a new addition to your reading list, as Kellan's story is a good one.

Upcoming rock star Kellan Kyle is on his way to living the dream. A burden on his parents, teenage Kellan spent his years hiding in his room and learning the guitar. His honed talent has provided him with a life of gigs, great bandmates, and of course, plenty of women to choose from. Though after yet another one night stand, something that's starting to become a normality, Kellan begins to wonder just what he's missing. Until he finally begins to fall in love. The downside? Keira is already with his best friend Denny...

I loved Thoughtful; it was a highly enjoyable book that I just had to keep reading - with the complicated circumstances, will the talented musician Kellan Kyle get the girl he desperately wants? - that's made me curious about the other novels in the series. To find out more about S.C. Stephens, head on over to her website - and do check out the great blogs in the Thoughtful blog tour for more reviews and interviews!

Rating: 4/5

IN THE MAIL: Don't Tell The Brides-to-Be / Thoughtful / Once and Always

This week has been rather nice - not only was it this very blog's first birthday (Or 'blogiversary'? Hmm. Anyway, celebratory beverages all round!) but I also received some great new books in the post. One being the next novel in Anna Bell's Don't Tell series, which I couldn't wait to get my hands on! So, on with the newest reading-pile additions...

Don't Tell the Brides-to-Be by Anna Bell
Things are looking up for Penny Robinson. She's kicked her gambling addiction and even started her own business: Princess on a Shoestring, an all-inclusive service for brides-to-be looking to pinch pennies on their big day.

Between family rows and wardrobe calamities, wedding planning is no piece of cake... but Penny's got it all under control. That is, until a rival planner decides to take her down - one hard-won bride at a time.

Now Penny must fight to save her reputation and her livelihood before its too late. But when a romantic weekend away has some unexpected consequences, Penny's expectations for her career are brought back down to earth with a bump.

Thoughtful by S.C. Stephens
The only place Kellan has ever felt at home is on stage. Gripping his guitar in a darkened bar, he can forget his painful past. These days his life revolves around his music and his band mates, and that's the way he likes it. And then one woman changes everything...

Kiera is the kind of girl Kellan has no business wanting - she's smart, sweet, and dating his best friend. Certain he could never be worthy of her love, he hides his growing attraction...until Kiera's own tormented heart hints that his feelings might not be one-sided. Now, no matter the consequences, 

Kellan is sure of one thing: he won't let Kiera go without a fight.

Once and Always by Elizabeth Hoyt
Small town cop Sam West certainly doesn't mind a routine traffic stop: speeding ticket, stern warning, and sayonara. With a whopper of a blizzard closing in, that's all he has time for. But the lawbreaker he pulls over is anything but typical. From her mile-long legs to her razor-sharp wit, Maisa Bradley is like nothing Coot Lake, Minnesota, has ever seen . . . and she's about to take Sam on the ride of his life.

Whoever said blood is thicker than water probably wasn't related to a former Russian mobster. But an innocent mix-up and rumours of stolen diamonds soon have the Russian mob taking an unusual interest in the sleepy little town-and Maisa facing heated scrutiny from a certain tall, dark, and handsome deputy. Sam's dazzling blue eyes beg her to reveal all her secrets, but how much should she tell? Getting snowed in with the sexiest cop in the frozen north may not be the worst way to decide...