More Than Words is the second book in the Madison Falls series. Ben and Tracy, best friends of Reed and Sophie, get their turn for romance.
Tracy King, the cupcake queen, has given up on getting her prince charming to notice her. After over a year of coming to her bakery, Ben Carrington, tall, dark, and…quiet, has yet to ask her out. Little does she know that Ben likes sampling her cupcakes, but his real craving is for a taste of Tracy.
A leaky roof on a rainy night leaves Tracy swamped, literally. Ben brings her home with him, knowing that actions speak louder than words. Tempting Tracy into romance is easier said than done when secrets from her past come back to Madison Falls with a vengeance. Ben has a secret of his own but can’t let it keep him from protecting his lady love. Will he finally tell her his true feelings or will he be silenced for good?
We all know how important antagonists are to romance. They help readers relate to the hero and heroine, and they often help the hero and heroine grow and fall in love, even as they are usually working to keep them apart. All month, I’ve been featuring antagonists on my blog, affectionally nicknamed Mad May. Today is no exception. I’m interviewing Luke King, the antagonist from the second book in Susan Behon’s Madison Falls series.
TT: Tell us about yourself. Do you consider yourself your author’s muse or bane of her existence?
LK: (Takes a long drag from his cigarette and gives a smarmy grin) I’m Luke King. I’m Tracy’s dad. I’m out of prison and looking for my share of my daughter’s success. I’ll do whatever it takes (legal or not) to get my due. She owes me. I suppose I’m my author’s muse since she had fun writing my dialogue.
TT: What do you think readers will like best about you? Worst?
LK: Readers won’t like me much. There’s nothing to recommend me, except that I’m damn good at being bad. The readers will probably hate me, in fact, but so what? I’m getting my money from my daughter no matter what it takes. That girl will learn to respect her kin.
TT: Wow, that’s a, um, unique perspective coming from a parent. Let’s see if we can lighten this interview up a bit. What’s your favorite beverage?
LK: (Stubs out cigarette and lights another. Blows out a stream of smoke through yellow teeth) I got a fondness for Wild Turkey and Southern Comfort. Give me the hard stuff. Beer’s for pansies.
TT: How about food? Do you prefer vegetables or meat?
LK: (Leans back and leers) I like meat. How about you, honey?
TT: (Looks down at notes and dreads the next question.) Um, do you prefer to sleep in the nude or in your pajamas?
LK: Hell, I don’t know. Most times I pass out in my boxers. What kind of man wears pajamas?
TT: (Hesitates. I should have come up with different interview questions.) Lights on or lights out?
LK: They’re all the same in the dark, darlin’. I don’t need to look at them when I fu… (Clears throat, likely after my outraged look) when I’m knockin’ boots.
TT: (Folds paper with pre-written interview questions and pushes it to the side.) Okay, let’s take this in a different direction. Are you married?
LK: Nah, the bitch left me years ago. I got my eye on lots of women. (Gives me a once-over as he takes a drag of his cigarette.) Ain’t you a pretty little thing?
TT: Um, thanks. But I’m taken. And no offense, but I like a guy who’s more into seduction, treating a girl like she’s a queen.
LK: Seduce? I don’t need to seduce when they’re asking for it. A slut might say no, but she means yes. Not that I’m listening.
TT: Well, this interview is certainly veering far, far off track. Can we focus on Tracy, your daughter, for a moment? Do you want to talk about your relationship?
LK: I wish that selfish kid of mine would see that I need that money more than she does. A girl’s supposed to take care of her daddy.
TT: Especially one who clearly loves her like you do.
(Luke sneers. I can’t tell if he gets my sarcasm or if he just doesn’t care.)
TT: If you could rewrite one scene in the book, what would it be? How would you rewrite?
LK: Now that would spoil the surprise, baby girl. I would rewrite one scene, but you’ll know what I mean when you read it.
TT: Fair enough. Here’s another one. Has your author ever put you into an embarrassing situation?
LK: Embarrassing? I don’t get embarrassed. What do I care what uppity people think?
TT: How about this. Is there anything specific in this book of which you are particularly proud?
LK: I got a few spots I’m right proud of. I teach Tracy and Ben, that boyfriend of hers, what happens when you don’t show due respect.
TT: I have a real bad feeling that isn’t exactly something a normal person would be proud of. Well, I think maybe it’s time we bring this interview to a close. Do you want to add anything before we part ways?
LK: Buy the book and you’ll see just how far I’m willing to go to get what I want. Ben tries to stop me, but he can’t stick with Tracy all the time.
TT: (Shudder) Well, thank you for this enlightening interview. I have to say, I want to read this book just to ensure you get your come-upance, to tell you the truth. And that’s a wrap, readers. Thank you to Luke King for taking the time to meet with me today. I think. Anyway, if you’re as curious as I am, you can pick upLuke’s book, More Than Words, below, and you can check out Luke’s very talented author via her social media links as well.
Susan Behon Social Media Links:
Website: www.susanbehon.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/suebeehny
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1dD86dc
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1GFiuIg
Amazon Author: http://amzn.to/1zn8Igz
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1QaaQwA
Nook Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1QYuixA
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1GP4wpL
Google Play: http://bit.ly/1DKFOSY
iTunes: http://apple.co/1dD5uf7
Website Order Page: http://bit.ly/1FcO2IV
Thank you for joining us for another entertaining Mad May blog post! Keep checking back. There’s one more on May 27, before we move into Jello Shot June!
###
Great post!