Today I am so pleased to welcome Kenzie Cade to Joyfully Jay (aka our fabulous Crissy!). Kenzie has come to talk to us about her latest release with Piper Vaughn, Prickly By Nature. She has also brought along a copy of the first book in the series to give away! Please join me in giving Kenzie a big welcome!
For the Fun of Established Couples by Kenzie Cade
Hey y’all! Thanks Jay for having me! This is Kenzie and it’s release day!
I’ll admit, I love the bloom of a new romance. I love the meet cute (or the fiery, stubborn butting of heads). I love the getting to know each other stage, which again often involves stubbornness. I love the give in that’s so passionate and sweet. And l love, love, love the happily ever after.
These things are sometimes easy to map out as you begin reading a story, but what I’ve come to realize is that in a way I love storylines that are a continuation of an already established relationship. So when Piper and I began writing Prickly By Nature we knew we had our hands full. There is a fine art, I believe, to keeping an already established relationship interesting and captivating enough for a reader to divest time and emotion into.
There are merits to writing the newness of a relationship and the settled down portion. I’ve come to realize that while the beginning of any relationship is fun. So are the ups and downs of the established one. Sometimes more so because we already know and love those characters and, as readers (and authors) we’re already rooting for them to make it to the end together, side-by-side, with hearts and flowers and rainbows. But it’s the journey that makes that ending so much fun.
This being said, all things cannot and will not be easy for the established couple. It was one of the more fun aspects of writing this book. Dylan and Avery went through hell in Prickly Business and while everything came at them from all sides. In Prickly By Nature, their relationship is the key. And man does it take some hits, but again, that’s the important part. To me, it’s about what those hits add to a relationship. It’s about how the couple handles their obstacles and whether they grow or not.
Like I said earlier, I love new romance, but the burn of a growing relationship can be just as fabulous and all the more passionate.
So while we’re at it, I thought I’d give you a list of some of my favorite established couples (who have a recurring role in a series), and even though Dylan and Avery would totes be on this list, I’ll just leave that as a given.
- Sloan Brody and Dexter J. Daley—THIRDS series by Charlie Cochet
- Sam Kage & Jory Harcourt—A Matter of Time series by Mary Calmes
- Tristan & Ushna—Sumeria’s Sons series by Lexi Ander
- Gaige Rizik & Kieran Hareldson—The Draegan Lords series by M.L. Rhodes
- Ty Grady & Zane Garrett—Cut & Run series by Abigail Roux
- Taylor Hatfield & Corentin Devereaux—Fairy Tales of the Open Road series by Lex Chase
Tell me some of your favorite established couples.
Blurb
In the four months since hedgehog shifter Avery Babineaux started investigating the disappearance of a young female werewolf from the Portland Pack, he’s discovered his life’s passion. Now he’s apprenticing under established PI Corbin Reid. Avery hopes his training with Reid will help him finally bring Lacey home, but detective work isn’t without its perils, and the potential dangers strain his relationship with his new mate, Dylan.
Dylan Green would be perfectly content with his mating and his motorcycle shop if it wasn’t for his constant worry about Avery’s safety and the fact that Avery’s never home. Proud as he might be of Avery’s determination to prove his worth and fulfill his promise to Lacey’s father, Dylan can’t stand the thought of Avery being hurt. Yet what right does he have to demand Avery give up his job when it’s clear Avery’s found his true purpose? Still, Dylan wishes he could, and the appearance of a new police detective who sets his sights on Avery only adds to the tension.
Something has to give, but stubbornness runs in both their veins, and it might take a catastrophe for them to find a compromise they can live with.
Bio
Kenzie Cade was born and raised in the South where she spends her days in the field of private medicine observing interesting people and committing them to memory for later use. When she isn’t reading, experimenting with recipes, or being distracted by social media, Kenzie spends time with her family, friends, and fur-babies who likes to keep her company while she writes. Writing to keep the fictional voices at bay, Kenzie enjoys the journeys her characters travel to find their happy endings, and she loves the challenge of writing a great love story.
- E-mail: kenziecade.author@gmail.com
- Blog: http://kenziecade.wordpress.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/kenziecade.author
- Twitter: @thekenziecade
Giveaway
Kenzie has brought a copy of Prickly Business, the first book in the series, to give away to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment at the end of the post to enter. The contest ends on Thursday, November 19th at 11:59 pm EST.
- 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.
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- 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.
- All book prizes are in electronic format unless otherwise specified.
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congratulations on the new release, Kenzie. I see we share some of the couples we love (like Sloan and Dex or Ty and Zane… They were my first!). The others I have to check. Thank you for the recommendations!
Thank you for the chance! ! We share a lot of the same books! Love Ty an Zane an the Thirds.
I also like Ty and Zane as an established couple. Lucien and Stephen, from author K. J. Charles’ Magpie series, are another couple whose story I enjoy reading. In m/f romance, there is Eve and Roarke from J.D. Robb’s … in Death series. Congratulations on your new book!
Oh yes, I love Lucien and Stephen too!
Ty and Zane, Sam and Jory, Ian and Miro, Dex and Kane, as well as, Tommy and Chase from Amy Lane’s Johnnies Series…more that i am drawing a blank on…
three of my favorite couples were on that list! Dylan and Avery are definitely on the list!!!!
I like Amber Kell’s Moon Pack couples, especially Silver & Anthony. Look forward to trying this series, you had me at “hedgehog shifter”.
I do like Jonty and Orlando as well. I am ready to read about this one.
From your list, I’m only familiar with Ty & Zane. It gives me some new books to look up. Your “Prickly” books sound interesting. I’ve really never even thought of a hedgehog shifter. 🙂
Joe said he believed it was possible to do so, by your logic then is he also saying God is stupid?
I love this series and these characters! And completely agree with your list of established couples! Can’t wait to read Avery and Dylan’s follow up, just love these two!!
Congrats on the new release! You name quite a few of my favorite established couples too >.< Love Sam and Jory, Sloane and Dex, and Ty and Zane. I'll like to add Kelly and Nick (Sidewinder), Logan and Jin (Change of Heart), Victor and Jacob (Psycop), and Kit and J.X. (Holmes & Moriarity).
Ah yes! Victor and Jacob!!!!
I love established couples. I never want them to leave after I’ve fallen in love too! <3 Taylor and Corentin. 😀
One favorite couple is Ethan and Matt from Faith and Fidelity.
A few more favourite established couples: Charlie & Travis from Red Dirt Heart by NR Walker, Riley & Jack from the Texas series by RJ Scott, Caine & Mack from the Lang Downs series by Ariel Tachna, Dakota & Wally from Andrew Grey’s Range series, Luke & Simon from Sue Brown’s Morning Report series and Gunny & Mac from SJD Peterson’s Beyond Duty.