~The Playlists~
Music
is invaluable to me when I'm working on a book.
Though I don’t typically listen to music while
writing since it breaks my concentration, I find myself building a strong
play-list of songs for each love story I create—which I listen to whenever I’m not
writing. This playlist is made up of the
songs that most remind me of my central couple—so in effect, I stay in their
world even when I’m not at my computer.
Best times are usually when I'm driving or on the treadmill, or maybe
when I'm cooking. It's a head-space
thing. I want to stay immersed with my
central couple, from the beginning of their story, right up through to the HEA. By having my playlist for “off hours,” I'm
always able to keep the book in the forefront of my mind.
I'd like to share with you my playlist for my new book, Impulse,
as well as reveal the “signature song” for each of my books (every couple I've
written about has one! These are the
songs that most remind me of my hero + heroine).
Impulse Playlist:
Cady + Mick signature song:
“Marvin Gaye” (Charlie Puth/Meghan Trainor).
Whenever I hear this song, I always think of the scene in which Cady and
Mick dance...
Runner-up: “Let me Love you”
(Justin Bieber)
More songs on Impulse
love-playlist:
“Don't Let Me Down” (The
Chainsmokers)
“I Need Your Love” (Calvin
Harris/Ellie Goulding)
“Summer” (Calvin Harris)
“Cake By The Ocean” (DNCE)
“Never Say Never” (The Fray)
“Hold On We're Going Home”
(Drake)
“This is What You Came For”
(Calvin Harris/Rhianna)
“We Don't Talk Anymore”
(Charlie Puth/Selena Gomez)
“Sorry” (Justin Bieber)
“What It Takes” (Aerosmith)
“Santa Monica” (Everclear)
Constructing Us ~ Book 1 of
Attraction Series
Andy + Tragan signature song: Burn
by Ellie Goulding
Runner-up: “Ho Hey” (The
Lumineers)
A Hot Winter ~ Book 2 of
Attraction Series
Emma + Matt signature song:
“Am I Wrong” (Nico & Vinz)
Runner-up: “Waves” (Mr. Probz)
Sky High ~ Book 3 of Attraction Series
Sky + Jamie signature song:
“Riptide” (Vance Joy)
Runner-up: “Afterlife” (Ingrid
Michaelson)
I hope you will check out my
new book Impulse http://amzn.to/2eOCTor , and if you haven't already, read my “Attraction Series,”
starting with Constructing Us: http://amzn.to/2fssPTe
Thank you + happy holidays!!
~C.J. Lake
C.J. Lake
Genre: New Adult Romance
Date of Publication: 10/5/16
Number of pages: 360
Word Count: 86K
Book Description:
**Standalone novel, NO cliffhanger. Contains explicit/steamy content intended for mature readers.**
I couldn't believe my luck, seeing Cady Killoren at the bar and finding out she no longer had a boyfriend. Then ending up at her place later that night... She had her guard up, but there was no denying what was happening between us. I wasn't sure how to play this, I hadn't exactly been honest with her. I only knew I wanted more of her...and then things got complicated.
It was one impulsive night--totally unlike me! I can't even blame it on the drinks. That night with Mick was pure chemistry. I never would've guessed that the next time we met it would be in a crowded restaurant, being introduced by my dad! And I would find out that everything I thought I knew about Mick was a lie. There are a lot of reasons why I need to resist Mick Croft... Easier said than done.
Excerpt 1
About the Author:
“So
where does that leave us?”
“Wh—us?”
she repeated stupidly.
“You
and me,” he said softly and inched even closer—which only reminded her how good
he smelled.
“N-nowhere,”
she managed to eke out. Remember your resolve, she told herself. Distance,
not flirtation.
“C'mon,
Cady,” Mick murmured, “that's it?” For a moment, she just looked up at him.
“Don’t we deserve another night?” The husky strum of Mick’s voice nearly sent
shivers through her. “We could even make it ‘no strings’ since that’s what
you’re into?” he suggested playfully.
Please,
that was so not what she was into; in
fact, she’d tried it just once—with Mick—and look at her. Still wanting him, still thinking about
him.
“No,”
she said finally.
“No
to no strings?” he questioned.
Inhaling
sharply, Cady replied, “No to all of it.” Though his face was inscrutable, she
sensed that Mick was as unconvinced as she felt, so she doubled-down. “We can't
hook up again.”
“Why
not?” he asked simply, still not moving away. “We barely got started the first time.”
Her eyes widened for a second. Barely got started? God...
She
fought a sudden carnal reaction that sent her pulse leaping and made her cheeks
flush. For an insane, overheated second, she imagined what else they
could have done that night—
Abruptly,
she caught herself. What am I doing??
Was
she that weak? That hot for this guy? Where was her resolve?
To
regain a sense of control, Cady straightened her posture (always a pretty good
precursor to prissiness). “Mick, we’re
forgetting that night, remember?”
He
slanted her a look. “We are? When did I agree to that?”
“You
have no choice,” Cady replied crisply. “I’m still annoyed with you.”
He
grunted dismissively. “No, you’re not.”
“What! Why would you say that I’m not?”
“Because
I already apologized for misleading you that night. And because it really wasn’t that big of a
deal.”
Secretly
she knew he was right, but she had to keep some distance.
Obviously
Cady didn't have to be a Psych major to realize that most of her fury with Mick
at the moment was driven by suppressed desire.
Sure, if life were simple, things might be different and Cady could do
what she truly wanted—which was basically a repeat of everything they'd
done last weekend, and then more.
But
she could not let her guard down again with this guy; he affected her way too
much for that.
Crossing
her arms, Cady replied, “Wow, so you’re just off the hook then, huh? After you…”
“What?”
“...got
me into bed under false pretenses,” she managed.
Then
Mick had the nerve to laugh. “Got you into bed? C'mon, you must be kidding. Cady—we barely did anything!” His voice was
gruff as he leaned his face a fraction closer to hers, adding, “And if you want
to be accurate here, it was more like you
got me into bed.” When she didn't
immediately protest, Mick continued, almost glibly, “What could I do? You were pressing up close to me with those
big blue eyes…that mouth…waiting for me to kiss you, practically challenging me
to kiss you…”
“I
was not,” Cady protested weakly, her voice soft and almost cracking. Already her arms had relaxed, slipping out of
their defensive posture, falling back to her sides.
Somehow
their faces had drawn closer, and Mick's mouth was only a few inches from hers.
She could almost feel his breath on her lips. “You were,” he murmured thickly,
his deep voice making her burn. She felt
heat spreading through her body, as perspiration broke on the back of her neck.
It suddenly felt like it was 110 degrees in that kitchen. They were way too close to each other.
And
she panicked. “Oh, my God, you're trying to get to me again!” Cady whispered, hoping no onlookers had noticed how much
Mick was affecting her. A little
flustered, she took an abrupt step back—then one more, just to break the spell.
Straightening
up, Mick sighed. “All right, forget it.
Like I said earlier: let's not argue. Obviously you just want to stay
mad at me.”
“And
obviously you're impossible to reason with.”
“And
you're frustrating as hell.”
“Sorry
to interrupt.”
They
both looked over as Torie approached.
She acknowledged Mick with a cursory smile. “Hey—I remember you.”
Mick
nodded. “Donovan Shay's, right?”
“Yep. So, how's the private security business?” she
asked sarcastically. At least Mick had
the good shame to cast his eyes downward for a moment, as if to say he had no
defense. Finally, a shred of
humility! Smiling sweetly, Torie added,
“By the way, tell your friend, Quinn, that he's full of shit.”
With
an effacing half-grin, Mick replied, “Believe me, he knows that.”
Turning
her attention back to Cady, Torie said, “Listen, I just wanted to warn
you.” She offered a look of apology
before she told her: “Wes is here.”
About the Author:
C.J. Lake is a storyteller who is passionate about art, surfing, and skiing/snowboarding. She is the author of Constructing Us, A Hot Winter, Sky High, and Impulse. Residing near the coast of Massachusetts, C.J. is currently working on a new book.
Readers can get in touch via email writercjlake@gmail.com
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