Today I am so pleased to welcome Skylar M. Cates to Joyfully Jay. Skylar has come as part of the Beach Read Bonanza event to talk to us about her release, Exposed. She has also brought along some great giveaways! Please join me in giving her a big welcome!
Romance on a Yacht
It sounds perfect, right? In many ways Exposed took the reader on a journey of places I always enjoyed: Miami pools, Key West, and the deep-blue waters of the Caribbean. This book had a fun and breezy setting that was perfect for a juicy, beach romance.
But behind the gorgeous setting, there was a whole lot of betrayal going on. As Daniel, a profession athlete, begins a steamy affair with Rafe, a crew member, all is not as it appears. Rafe is hiding his true identity, and as he genuinely falls for Daniel, Rafe wonders how to escape the very trap he set.
Exposed was a fun book to write. When I decided to place the guys on a yacht, I really loved the idea. However I underestimated some of the issues this type of setting would have for me, the naïve writer. While I have been to all the locations in the book, I have never known a billionaire with a luxury yacht. I wish! As a result, I spent hours looking at pictures of yachts, studying the yachts security systems, and plotting scenes that would not get too repetitive given the limited space on a yacht, even a luxurious one.
However, after writing scenes to demonstrate my careful research, my trusted beta reader told me it was too much. Readers wanted the action and the characters. Forget the details of the various rooms on the yacht, she advised me. For the most part, I listened to her and cut it down, but I worried some reader out there would criticize the book for lacking these details. There were other things to consider. For instance, I studied all the proper names for the yacht, but just because they were “right,” would my character actually use those terms? These were setting decisions that I hadn’t anticipated and struggled with during the drafting process.
Do I regret the exotic setting? Not at all. The yacht was still the perfect place for the two men to get all down and dirty together. It kept them isolated from the greater world, especially the press, and it kept them with nowhere to hide—nowhere to avoid the giant sexual tension between them.
For me, I like a summer read that takes me places I would love to visit in heat. Key West, for example, is a blast to write about. Other places the yacht traveled, such as the Grand Caymans, gave the reader a glimpse into lesser known areas. Most people think of the sandy white beaches of the Cayman Islands, and do not know of the section called “Hell.” So it was fun for me to take readers to some of these locations.
Exposed still has a warm and fussy place in my heart. Partly because it was my first work with Dreamspinner, and partly because of the beautiful locations among the treachery. I enjoyed the contrast with external setting and internal strife as Rafe struggled with his deception. Would I ever set another book on a yacht? I don’t know. Exposed was so much fun to write and I love a good beach setting, but when it comes to writing more yacht scenes—–that ship might have sailed.
Thanks for hosting me today. I appreciate it. Have a great summer!
Excerpt
Blurb
After years of running from a traumatic secret, young journalist Rafe Quintero is making his way in the world alone. Now that he’s landed a job at a Miami newspaper, he’s hungry for success. His goal? A blistering expose on a closeted PGA golfer Daniel Andrews. Rafe will stop at nothing to get the scoop—even if it means going undercover on Daniel’s private yacht.
Bio
Skylar M. Cates loves a good romance. She is happy to drink some coffee, curl up with a good book, and not move all day. Skylar can be found on Facebook or Twitter. She loves to hear from her readers.
Giveaway
Skylar has brought a copy of Exposed to give away to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment at the end of the post to enter. The contest ends on Thursday, June 25th at 11:59 pm EST. This post is also part of our Beach Read Bonanza. You can enter here and at the 11 others stops for a chance to win a beach bag full of goodies, including a Kindle!
- By entering the giveaway, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
- Winners will be selected by random number. No purchase necessary to win. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
- If you win, you must respond to my email within 48 hours or another winner may be chosen. Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from Joyfully Jay.
- Winners may be announced on the blog following the contest. By entering the contest you are agreeing to allow your name to be posted and promoted as the contest winner by Joyfully Jay.
- Prizes will be distributed following the giveaway either by Joyfully Jay or the person/organization donating the prize.
- By entering you are agreeing to hold Joyfully Jay harmless if the prize or giveaway in some way negatively impacts the winner.
- Readers may only enter once for each contest. Duplicate entries for the same giveaway will be ignored. In the event of technical problems with the blog during the contest, every effort will be made to extend the contest deadline to allow for additional entries.
- Void where prohibited by law.
Great post! I understand it is difficult to find a balance between Too much and too little information. I, as a reader, normaly enjoy the story, but I need a bit of accuracy to helt me believe it. I’m sure you’ve achieved a balance. I’m looking forward to reading Exposed. Thank you for the chance 😉
I know nothing about yachts, or any boats whatever size and level of luxury. But I can see why it would be a good place to set a story, especially if the yacht is in the middle of the ocean it will keep its passengers tied to the scene, just as effectively an deserted island or a haunted house during a storm and no electricity … but with out the lack of such necessities. And I don’t think I have ever read a story set on one either. Thanks for sharing the background research story behind the novel!
I think on a private yacht setting you can probably get away with a bit of artistic license – most of us wont ever be on one!!! And in situations like this, I think making one character learning just like the reader makes mistakes forgivable.
I am looking forward to reading all about my lottery win dream vacation spots as this book sounds like it hits all the key ones!
This sounds like a great beach read! I have always thought yachts looked romantic, but sadly the rocking ocean and I are not friends. Looking forward to this one 🙂
Great post! Skylar is one of my favorite authors. I love her The Guy serie 🙂
I’ve never been on a yacht before. Definitely sounds like an interesting setting!
Interesting backstory. Thanks for the post and giveaway.
Great post! Would love to travel on a yacht. Thanks for the chance!
I’ve been on big cruise ships and while a yacht seems glamorous and romantic, I think it would be too scary in rough water.
I’ve never been on a yacht just ferries and I really don’t like to travel by sea if I can help it. But being on a yacht always seems so romantic and of course all the wonderful places you could sail to and visit.
I am going to like this book. Sometimes I just like to read a sunny and fun book. Mixing up up the heart-breakers to laughing my ass off. That way it gives me a chance to dry my eyes off. I will like reading Exposed.
Finding that balance between not enough details and to many is so hard. And the things as writer we research, oh boy! Now off to grab this book!
As yet another person who has never had the chance to go on a luxury yacht (seriously, so jealous of people who have!) this sounds like a fun and different setting for sure! Perfect for the summer.
This sounds like a great summer read. I’m adding to my wishlist. Thanks for the post & giveaway!
I love visiting Key West (in person and books) plus the other stops in your tale sound great to visit as well. I have only been on a yacht once and just for a few hours, but it was awesome.
Thanks for the post and chance to win Exposed.
I have this one, and it is pretty fun! I don’t think a yacht is for me, though, since seasickness is still a possibility…
I firmly believe that all that research does show in the book, even if not all the details make it in. And I certainly wouldn’t mind taking a trip on a yacht, just to verify accuracy. 😉
I would love to take a trip on a yacht at some point. It would be fun. I’ve been on a catamaran in Hawaii and it was a blast! Thank you for the great post and giveaway!
I’d love to take a vacation on a yacht, truly getting away from everything. Sounds like a great book. Thanks for a chance to give this a read.
Love your books. Thanks for post!
Sounds exciting. Secrets do have a way of returning.
Sounds like a great book. I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the contest.
Sounds like a lot of fun research. Love the post.
I loved the post. Thank you for the chance at the giveaway.
Never been on a yacht but have been on a boat. I got sea sick. Being sick is not my idea of romantic. Thanks for the chance
Thanks for sharing the extensive research you did. I haven’t been on a yacht but I have been on a boat and it doesn’t seem to be too different?? Please don’t count me in for the giveaway of Exposed since I already own a copy. Thanks for the post =)
I know it’s a fine line between” too much” and ” just right”. Sounds like you did your best to get it “just right”.
I enjoyed the post. 🙂
This sounds like a good read. I like Skylar M Gates’ books so I would love to win this one.
Love Skylar’s books 🙂
Please count me in. Thanks.
I’ve been on a boat, not a luxurious yacht. I look forward to reading Exposed. Thanks for the chance at the giveaway.
It really is hard to decide how much detail is really needed for a story. It’s easy to have too much or too little.
We have family friends who sailed around the world on a catamaran, a couple and two children, but sadly their marriage did not last much after the expedition ended but the children enjoyed home schooling (sailing) and had a wonderful year or two living on different islands and countries.
Sometimes it’s really great how many details authors add to a story. I know that’s not the main focus, but when done well, I really learn a lot. I tell people all the time, romances can be really educational, too! 😉