Meet Author Kimmie Easley

Hi all! Huge thanks to Apryl for hosting Romance Blogfest! I’ve heard tale of previous blogfests and consider myself honored to take part. The romance community is a strong one, one I’ve come to call home. And because of this, it makes the journey all that much sweeter.

Romance, books, and a southern rock hero? Yeah, it doesn’t get much better than that.

Tasting Nashville was a fun one to write. Like any author, it’s both elating and nerve racking when the characters become so large they nearly jump right off the page to scream in your face, throwing your entire outline right out the window. Joselyn and Dean are no exceptions.

Excerpt:

A new Diesel bag had arrived at the motel. This time she found a short, red skirt with a red halter. It was definitely something she would never wear on her own. The bag was still heavy. She fumbled around inside and found a chilled bottle of vodka with a note.

“Enjoy. You’re only a newcomer for a short time. It’s all up from here.”

She looked at the outfit, and then back at the bottle of liquor and promptly poured herself a generous glass. The taste was a little bitter, but got easier with the second glass.

She dolled herself up and even applied darker makeup, trying to mimic the stylist.

When she heard the knock on the door, Joselyn quickly guzzled the remainder of the glass and checked her reflection in the mirror.

“Well, hello Joss,” she murmured to herself.

Not half bad.

The driver met her at the door. Steve was waiting inside the car and pouring her a glass of the same vodka.

“Hey, babe. I see our styling is paying off. Well done.”

The alcohol made her lightheaded, but it didn’t keep her from taking a large swig from the glass. She felt herself smiling, but wasn’t sure why. The car zipping down the interstate made her head fuzzy.

“Where are we going? The Skyline isn’t this far out.”

“No, babe. This is a private party. A lot of people are waiting to meet Joss. This is at the Carrington.”

“A hotel?” Her insides froze.

“Hey, don’t worry. It’s ok. This is just part of the process. It’s a way to get you in front of some big name people. This is where having an in pays off. It’s all part of the territory.”

She leaned her head back against the leather seat and closed her eyes. The liquid sloshed around in her stomach. She prayed she could make it through the night without throwing up or passing out.

“I don’t think I can sing tonight.” The words came out like a puff of air, all at once and garbled.

“Nonsense. You’ll be fine.” Steve rested his hand on her bare thigh. She didn’t have the mindset to push it away. He obviously took it as an invitation, because he started moving his hand up towards the hem of her skirt.

Just as he dipped underneath, the car came to a stop.

“Dammit,” he whispered. “Alright, babe. Here we are. Put your game face on and let’s get this show on the road.”

Joselyn allowed Steve to place his arm around her back and cradle her to his side. He was actually holding her up. Her wobbly legs were almost numb. She saw faces and heard voices, but couldn’t make out her surroundings. They must have been in an elevator because her stomach somersaulted and she had to brace herself against the handrail as the blood drained from her face.

“We’ll get you a drink and you’ll be good as new.”

The voice belonged to Steve, but she couldn’t see him since she had to squeeze her eyes shut to keep from vomiting.

He guided her down a long hallway and she heard the clicking of a door, followed by the roaring sound of voices. There were a lot of conversations and laughter. Her body went limp and she leaned back in a chair that she didn’t remember sitting in.

She didn’t know how long she had been left alone in the chair, but someone strolled by and handed her a drink. Somehow, she managed to put the glass to her lips and empty it in one swallow.

Her head felt as if it weighed a hundred pounds. The rest of her body was numb and the vodka lodged in her throat.

“Hey, babe. You’re on. Joss, come on now, get up.”

Steve pulled her by the arm and tried to help her to her feet. Once he let go, her body propelled backwards.

“I can’t,” she whimpered.

Steve got down on his knees. His cold voice filled her ear. “Like hell you can’t. You’re gonna get your pretty little ass out of that chair and sing for these gentlemen.”

Tears spilled from her eyes. She tried to swallow a few times to get rid of the excessive saliva filling her mouth. If she talked, she would definitely heave.

Steve’s fingertips gripped Joselyn’s tiny arm, pinching her, causing her to let out a cry. She tried to shove him backwards.

“You bitch!” The back of his hand landed against her rosy cheek with his ring, leaving a gash in her skin.

Just as he raised his hand to take a second swing, the room fell quiet. She didn’t know what happened, but Steve fell to the floor beside her. She tried to stifle a giggle. Even drunk, she knew it was inappropriate, but the sight of him in his fancy suit lying on the floor was too funny.

Joselyn felt her body in the air, supported by something hard and warm. She let her head collapse against the solid surface and closed her eyes, where she could replay the image of Steve face first on the ground. Karma’s a bitch and she didn’t want to be around when it struck that asshole.

Synopsis:

*STANDALONE in the Tasting Series*

When Joselyn Tillman finds herself alone, she decides to throw caution to the wind and shoot for the stars. After packing up everything she owns, Joselyn wrangles herself a job at The Bone Picker, which just happens to be the local hangout for the country music industry. When the stars align and fate places her in the path of the swoon worthy Steve Diesel, head of his own label, Joselyn believes she’s finally on her way to the big time.

Everything is on track until the handsome, Country Rock heartthrob, Dean Covington, derails her plan. With a gentleman’s heart to match his huge muscles, Dean invites Joselyn to move in until she can get on her feet. As they find themselves under the same roof, tension mounts, anger flares, and attraction is undeniable, leaving Joselyn with a choice to make.

Her contract and Steve? Or her heart and Dean?

Character Cast:

Joselyn: Julianne Hough

Dean: Hunky heartthrob

Steve: Tim McGraw

*SURPRISE* One of my favorite parts during this journey was writing the original lyrics for the song, I Waited My Whole Life, featured in Tasting Nashville.