RELEASE BLITZ - Interview with Author AND Characters, PLUS an Excerpt and GIVEAWAY: 'Undercover
KEBB is so excited to have Jackie Keswick stop by the blog today to mark the release of her brand new title, Undercover Star! To celebrate she's sitting down for an interview with us so our readers can get to know a little bit about her, as well as the book...and she brought the men of Undercover Star, Josh and Matisse, who both graciously agreed to answer some personal questions.
That's not all! Jackie is sharing an excerpt that discloses the meddlers who brought Josh and Matisse together and she's got a special giveaway. But before we get started why don't we learn a little bit about Undercover Star.
Title: Undercover Star
Author: Jackie Keswick
Published: November 22, 2017
Publisher: Self-Published
Cover Artist: Emma Griffin
Genre: Contemporary Romance; Adventure Romance
Length: 130 Pages
Tags: Gay; M/M; Crime; Cops; Rock Star/Musician; OFY; HEA; Novella; CW: Violence
About Undercover Star
It sounds like the stupidest idea in the history of stupid ideas. Detective Inspector Josh Ingram wants to find a deadly medieval locket and through it, a murderer. So why does his boss decide to team him up with Matisse Vervein, a pop idol many consider just a pretty face... and expect the two of them to hunt down an art thief? Marissa Godwin, Matisse's no-nonsense manager, isn't stupid. Neither is her brother-in-law, Detective Superintendent Tim Montgomery. Each is looking out for a lonely man on the verge of quitting what he does best, and both believe that their charges would make a great team. The attraction sizzling between Josh and Matisse is hard to miss, but there's plenty of resentment, too. Focused on pushing Josh and Matisse towards each other, Marissa and Tim haven't imagined the kind of trouble a music star and a detective can find when they ditch their prejudices and accept that the attraction between them is mutual. Or how far each is prepared to go to prove it to the other. A feel-good, action adventure romance set in England and Scotland, featuring a reluctant pop star who's not out, a detective trying his hand at being a bodyguard, plenty of adventure, and a happy ending.
MEDDLERS
"Did he buy it? Matisse. Did he buy it?"
"Yes." The screech coming from the other end of the phone was of the ear-splitting variety. Tim Montgomery held the receiver a foot away so the noise wouldn't deafen him. It was a good thing he knew his sister-in-law and had prepared for the assault on his hearing. How Marissa could be one of the most sought-after managers in the entertainment industry while impersonating a card-carrying fangirl for large parts of the day escaped him, but she did it in style and six-inch heels.
"What did he say? Tell me all," she requested, almost breathless with excitement.
Tim obliged. Matisse Vervein had surprised him. He'd never met any of the artists Marissa had represented over the years. Not even Matisse who, given his ticketing power, record sales, and the crowds of fans he could mobilise, moved in serious star territory. Tim had no yardstick to measure star behaviour, but except for his incredulity, Matisse had been quiet, serious, and attentive.
He'd also been rather taken with Josh Ingram. Tim hadn't missed Matisse's widened eyes, or the way he'd dried his clammy palms on his thighs before he'd returned Josh's handshake.
"Josh made an impression." He concluded his recital and smiled at the relieved sigh coming over the line.
"Oh, thank God. What about Josh?"
"He's appalled I've landed him with a partner, of course. I'm not sure it has quite sunk in yet who that partner is. Or what this will mean for his investigation."
"You're still sure it will help him, too?"
If he'd not already had a soft spot for Marissa, the uncertainty in her voice would have endeared her to him in any case. When she donned her armour of six-inch stilettos and power suits, Marissa turned into the queen bitch from hell. Outside of her job, she had the kindest heart of anyone Tim Montgomery had ever met. She'd never gotten over seeing Josh fall apart when he'd learned of his best friend's death.
It wasn't a day Tim would ever forget, either. They'd been gathered in the back garden of his Sutton home: his family and everyone from his department not on holiday or on duty. Barbecue and beer, music and laughter, and then a phone call and Josh, linen pale from one heartbeat to the next, his movements frantic, and his eyes empty.
There'd never been any romantic feelings between Josh and Paul Galbraith. The two had been friends since their school days, were partners at work, and they'd never come across a man they couldn't cheer or a case they couldn't solve.
Until Paul had died while on holiday with his wife, looking at a medieval locket in a Roman market.
Josh might as well have died with his partner, because his infectious smile had disappeared that day. They'd all had to get used to a stern-faced, driven Josh Ingram, who turned all his skill and dedication to tracking down the piece of jewellery stolen from the Vatican, and the thief, both in the hope of eventually finding the collector who'd ordered the theft and had wielded the knife that had killed Paul. He'd come close on two occasions, only for the thief to slip through his fingers. Now it seemed that Josh's persistence had bought them another chance.
Tim Montgomery hoped with all his heart that, this time, he'd be lucky. And if it needed the help of a pop idol, then he'd barter with the devil for it.
So, Jackie, now that our readers have gotten a glimpse at Undercover Star how about sharing just a few more details and a little bit about yourself before we turn it over to the guys? Absolutely, sounds great!
Thus far your works have concentrated on two series, The Power of Zero and FireWorks Security. How is Undercover Star different from these?
Undercover Star is a lot fluffier and more romance-focused than I usually write. There's still plenty of action, but not as many layers and the suspense element is a lot lighter. There's also less social justice and angst than in The Power of Zero. It's meant to be more of a cheer-me-up kind of romance, really.
I think we could all go for a little cheer. What lead you to write Undercover Star?
The initial idea is about a year old. I was reading the spec for Dreamspinner Press' house line, Dreamspun Undercover, when the idea of a music star roped in to help out a detective was just there. I wrote the first scene, then decided I couldn't possibly write 50k of fluffy romance, and shoved the file into my fiction directory, to sit there and be forgotten.Then this summer, my husband came home one night and asked me whether I'd ever considered buying a Scottish island. We poured over the particulars, sat there working out the logistics of living on an island…until I suddenly knew who WOULD live on said island. The whole thing came together from there.
Oh wow, so did you by the island?
We seriously considered buying it...until we got to the bit in the brochure that said boat or helicopter essential. *winks*
*giggles* That might be a problem. Okay, I love trying to find one song that describes a book I’ve read. What one song would you pick to reflect the dynamic in Undercover Star?
Break Yer Bass Drone Again or The List, both from Wolfstone. Definitely glad I asked that question, those are some hot tunes and peaked the interest of the hubs who enjoys Celtic. For our readers who may not yet be familiar with you can you give us a little background?
There's nothing remotely interesting about me, apart from the fact that I like telling stories, but if you must know: I'm a geologist by training, and because oil supplies are as limited as earthquakes, I've spent years working in engineering and marketing. Fortunately, not at the same time. I've also worked in a hospital, on an oil rig, and - during one fantastic summer - in a brewery. I love holidays in places without people, except when the place is Tokyo. I blog about English history and food, and love unexpected reunions and second chances, and men who have the conviction to step outside of the rules. I disagree, you are very interesting. In fact, that you were the only girl with 52 men on an oil rig intrigues me. My mind drifts thinking of all you must have seen. Is there any fun story you can share with us that would not give someone’s identity away?
Being the girl on the rig, I couldn’t help pick up a bit about the guys' home life. I knew when a relationship had trouble, or when plans were being made for proposals. Going Christmas shopping with the shift was a riot in the "can you try this on so I can see what it looks like?" category. It's hilarious when you're an eighteen-year-old without a real family and you know what all your work colleagues' wives and girlfriends get for Christmas! I also loved how protective the guys were. While I was out with them, nothing could happen to me, and that was something I truly cherished. Sounds fun. Let's do one last one. Tell us something about yourself that your readers may not know.
I'm not sure anyone's gonna love me for it…but I adore cliffhangers. Both as a reader and a writer.
On that note...let's bring the men in. Josh. Matisse! *laughter*
Thanks for agreeing to this guys I know you're very busy. Are you kidding, Josh and I wouldn't miss this for the world. A little time for readers to get to know us? What more could we ask for! Happy to hear you say that, Mat, because we have several questions for you both. Who wants to start? Shoot! Okay, Mat I've got to ask, it seemed like you really enjoyed working with Josh on the case, and you were great at it. Would you consider joining forces with him again?
Gods, no. His job's, you know, actually important. And I made a right hash of it when the guy took the locket. I'll drive Josh's getaway car, though. Or the boat, of course.
While we are on the topic of importance, Josh, it seems like you relished your time being a bodyguard for Matisse, would you consider retiring so you can do that full time?
Definitely not. Mat has Oats and Rigger and a whole crew, who know what they're doing. I don't mind looking out for him when we go places, but if it were my job, I think I'd go overprotective, and Mat would hate it if I kept bossing him about all the time. And frustrating as it can be, I love my job. I could see that. What made you think about combining your degree in Art History with law enforcement?
When you study art, you can't help hearing about fakes, and repro, and theft. It comes with the territory. Unique pieces disappear all the time and it's awful, because once they're gone, nobody will be able to study them. So much art disappears, it's...well, criminal. Then, one year, our favourite professor was giving the department Christmas lecture and it was all about art theft. He dissected famous cases, including the one of the thief who went to extraordinary lengths to steal a painting, not realising it was a reproduction and the original was hanging in a museum. He meant to exhort us to do our research properly, of course, but Paul and I got bitten by the idea of chasing down abstracted artworks. Sounds fascinating. Mat I'm sure you have some great stories given your stardom. You mention in the book how you feel locked into writing and performing pop music out of loyalty to your fans after your first big hit. Do you see a rock album in your future?
Oh, always. For a long time I just didn't have the guts to go after what I really wanted. Turns out my fans are a lot more open-minded than I gave them credit for. We usually are. *wink* You must be a fan too, who is your favorite musician?
That's one question I can never answer. There's so much I like. And it changes. Music is...just there. If I asked you at the end of a day to name your favourite breath, you probably couldn't say, right? Music's like that for me. I couldn't have said it better! If you don't mind I think I want to ask this last one of Josh. Go right ahead.
Josh, having such a famous boyfriend must have its challenges, are you two ever able to just go out incognito to enjoy some time in London?
You know, I'm still coming to grips with that. What it means to be Mat. And what can happen if he's recognised at the wrong time. It's infinitely easier in Scotland, where people know who he is and they wave at him and then leave him alone. But yes, we can go out to dinner, or even a concert or a gallery. We just need to plan ahead a little. Well, we certainly wish you both the best of luck personally and professionally and thanks for taking the time to let our readers get to know you. Jackie, thank you for sharing yourself and your men with us. Congrats to all of you on your release. I think I speak for all of us when I say thank you for allowing us the time, Kimmers, and I hope your readers enjoy Undercover Star and take a moment to sign up for the chance at a $25.00 Amazon gift card.
Meet the Author
Jackie Keswick was born behind the Iron Curtain with itchy feet, a bent for rocks and a recurring dream of stepping off a bus in the middle of nowhere to go home. She's worked in a hospital and as the only girl with 52 men on an oil rig, spent a winter in Moscow and a summer in Iceland and finally settled in the country of her dreams with her dream team: a husband, a cat, a tandem, a hammer and a laptop.
Jackie loves unexpected reunions and second chances, and men who don't follow the rules when those rules are stupid. She blogs about English history and food, has a thing for green eyes, and is a great believer in making up soundtracks for everything, including her characters and the cat. And she still hasn't found the place where the bus stops. For questions and comments, not restricted to green eyes, bus stops or recipes for traditional English food, you can find Jackie Keswick in all the usual places:
For more from Jackie visit her website.
