The Author Spotlight is shinning on K.L. Shandwick today. Shandwick is the author of the Everything Trilogy, Love with Every Beat and the upcoming Gibson's Legacy. Shandwick's books have received rave reviews on Goodreads and Amazon. Writing wasn't something Shandwick thought about because of her dyslexia, but with technology she was able to write. When a friend challenged her to write a story, she came up with the Everything Trilogy. In my interview with her, Shandwick talks about the reception her books have received and gives us a little peak into her upcoming release, Gibson's Legacy. I'm excited to introduce to you today's Jazzy World of E's Bookshelf Author Spotlight on K.L. Shandwick.
K.L. Shandwick's Biography
I
have lived my whole life with comments from both, relative strangers
and close friends telling me I should write a book. People continually
tell me I have an ability to tell a story and make even the mundane
sound interesting. (I’m personally not aware of that.)
The
thought of doing this, was something I never thought I would entertain,
because being dyslexic, during my childhood and adolescence, I found it
very difficult to get past how to spell something, never mind how
coherent the sentence sounded. So writing a few paragraphs usually made
me sweat.
As
a child I discovered coping strategies and developed my own ways of
getting by, I wasn’t stupid by any stretch of the imagination, but left
school at fifteen without any academic qualifications. I wasn't
diagnosed with dyslexia until I attended university at the age of
thirty.
(Both
of my children were diagnosed with dyslexia, one at the age of seven
and one much later, although, I could see my traits present in him, and
both have excelled academically in their chosen professions.)
Thanks
to the invention of the computer and information technology, my world
changed. I learned how to communicate in written form effectively, not
afraid to use language present in my oral skills that were lacking in my
written work, for fear of spelling them wrongly, which gave me the
confidence to write the books. Had I, had to write a book on paper, I
know I would never have finished the first page.
I
recently discovered the joy of writing after a challenge by a friend,
which turned into three books. As I am constantly challenging others to
face their demons, I decided, after some persuasion, to brave it out and
share the books with others. I don’t have any expectations for them
other than to tell the story.
This
was a huge step for me, and took courage because there are so many
fabulous clever people out there, writing amazing pieces of work that
sadly, very few people ever see.
My
work: I have had the pleasure (and the drama) of working in The
National Health Service and in an independent capacity for Social
Services in the UK for many years. My work has been supporting many
women, children, young people, and families during this time. Sometimes,
this has been at some of the toughest or most vulnerable times in their
lives.
During
this time I have observed the communications of all parties involved
both, in their relationships with others and how their decisions affect
the subsequent outcomes for them and others. I have shared in the births
and in the deaths of some of these people, and I never take advantage
of the privilege my position brings me.
People
ask what does the K.L. stand for K.L. Shandwick is a pseudonym. This
isn’t to ‘hide’ behind, (I am not ashamed of what I’ve written), but to
afford my clients the appropriate level of confidentiality by
association. So, K L stands for KL. I am an independent author, who
presently self publishes through kindle, but I hope to have a print copy
of my books shortly.
An Interview with K.L. Shandwick
Thank you for the interview. You recently released Love with Every Beat, which is Alfies point of view of the Everything Trilogy. What made you decide to write the story from Alfie’s side?
The readers asked for it after reading The Everything Trilogy, people read the Everything trilogy and that was from Lily's perspective. People then naturally wanted to know something about Alfie, and why certain things happened.
As I mentioned before Love with Every Beat is tied to the Everything Trilogy, what was the inspiration for the story of Lily and her love life?
The inspiration was that I was given a challenge by my friend. The only information i was given to write was three things. An English girl, goes to study music in America. I just began to write about this girl who thought she was mature but was really quite vulnerable with her usual support network when she was away at college. Like it would be for hundreds of girls every year who went off to college.
You have a new book coming out Dec. 19, called Gibson’s Legacy. What can you tell us about this new book, if anything?
Gibson is a rockstar, but unlike Alfie he's overt in his dealings with women. He's used to getting is own way, but fate intervenes and he's thrown a curve ball or two. It's isn't all about him, it is dual
perspective so Chloe has her share of the story as well, but Gibson's Legacy is apparent during the story.
Of the books that you’ve written so far, do you have a favorite?
I'm torn with that one because with each book i felt a grew as a writer. Probably book three Everything I Want because that was the conclusion to the trilogy, but also Love With Every Beat, because it was the whole trilogy and Alfie's story so a sense of the entire series being complete.
I read that you started writing as a challenge from a friend, do you ever think it would lead to writing four books with another on the way?
Absolutely not! To be honest, I am still wondering how this has happened. I am dyslexic,and where i can spell through repetition, my vocabulary is somewhat limited through habit of writing what i can
spell, but issues come out in other ways, especially when I am tired or not concentrating. Sentences written in the wrong order, which i see when i read back but when I'm writing them it looks fine at the time. I read what i think i've said rather than what I've actually written and I write words that are similar to the words i want and that can give me a chuckle at times as well. Computers have made a
massive difference, as well as overlays and a blue screen that helps me.
How do you feel about the reception your books have received so far?
I'm blown away by the reception of my work. I sometimes look at think were they reading MY book? Any feedback is welcomed and I am not an expert by any stretch of the imagination. i just wanted to tell this story, initially for myself and my friend and found the confidence to put it out there. I am so thankful for the people who've read my book and reviewed. Even the one star review I had, because someone took the time to write what they thought, and even with that person, I am glad
she tried even if my work wasn't to her taste.
What has been your favorite part of writing and publishing books?
Without a doubt the fantastic people I have met. Some of the readers who now support me are amazing. Doing some takeovers and introducing others to my work and just getting to interact with them and other author's has been awesome.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
SC Stephens and Silvia Day are my two favorite authors.
When you’re not writing what do you like to do?
When I'm not writing, I'm trying to get my work out there and I'm doing my day job. For relaxation it's music. Music is a big part of who I am. I love going to live concerts and listening/discussing music with my friends. I use playlists to support my work as well because it is great for enhancing the emotional content of a scene.
In 10 words or less can you tell readers why they should read your books?
Storyline, steamy, relationships, rock star romance, music, emotional, alpha men.
Is there anything you would like to say your fans and/or readers new to you?
Check out the amazon reviews, check out my author page and come say hi, find me on twitter, I'm approachable and will try to answer anything anyone wants to ask me about my work. The books are complex romance stories, and the whole story evolves around the series. Ask others who have read the books what they think. Also if you see me doing a takeover come and find out more.
Books by K.L. Shandwick
Love with Every Beat
Alfie Black has everything he needs to pass scrutiny as a rock star.He’s a drop dead gorgeous specimen of a man. Rough around the edges yet still flawless to look at. Alfie is a jaw dropping, pantie melting, tattooed bad boy, add to that tall and athletically toned with a fabulous face, eyes and smile, and it’s easy to see he’d be going places. Ticking most of the boxes that is required to be the
lead singer in a band, the last part of the equation may not have mattered much. However, Alfie is an incredibly talented singer and musician. Women want Alfie. Men want to be Alfie.
So gifted, Alfie is given opportunities to progress both as an artiste, with his band Crakt Soundzz, but also share his passion and pass his knowledge on to others at music college. Alfie’s journey in life should be going in one direction, but his sole focus is on taking care of his responsibilities. Unforeseen Circumstances dictate what he needs. And what he is willing to accept. This is something he isn’t willing to compromise on. Focused and determined, the last thing Alfie needs is a distraction. What Alfie wants and what is happening in his life couldn’t be more opposite, but he is determined to keep going no matter what.( For now, it he thinks it’s enough). That is, until he meets Lily, the English girl who arrives to Miami in order to attend college and study music.
Lily is Alfie’s equal in many ways, musically gifted, stunning and in a different league to any girl Alfie has ever known. She is focused and driven. Single minded about her one passion in life, Music. The only thing Lily has ever wanted in life is to play music and do it well. When Lily’s journey crosses Alfie’s life path, what ensues for the both of them is a complex ride of emotions and feelings that neither of them, despite all of their combined attributes are equipped to deal with. Alfie is emotionally locked down, both from past experiences and his current situation. Lily is sexually naive and inexperienced. When their world’s collide there are far reaching consequences for the both of them, which neither expected. How can Alfie and Lily be together? Discover it in Alfie’s story as he shares his thoughts, feelings and his emotional conflict.
Enough Isn't Everything
Miami. She regards herself as worldly, having lived the London life and travelled to Mumbai to work in an orphanage in the past, so felt more than able to cope with living and studying abroad.
On arrival in Florida, everything on the surface seems to be running to plan. That is, until a chance encounter on campus with a stunningly handsome, charismatic, rock-god-like musician, Alfie, leads her into a no-strings sexual relationship with him. Until she arrived in the USA, Lily had tried to avoid personal relationships with the opposite sex, not wanting anything to affect her plans. She was sexually naïve but after meeting Alfie, she convinces herself she’s able to deal with what Alfie is offering her. What follows takes Lily on a roller coaster of emotions and after a surprise visit from Max, her friend and room mate’s brother it leaves her questioning her morals.
At college Lily quickly teams up with Will, a handsome sax player, who helps her develop her creative ideas and performs with her as a duo in the Miami music scene. A series of bad choices in her relationships with Alfie, Max and Will, create emotional turmoil for Lily which leaves her doubting her judgement about men. Each of the three men has a special place in her heart for different reasons. She realises that she’s no match for Alfie and tries to resist his attention. He’s told her he can’t love her, but wants to be with her physically, arguing, sex between them is enough. The reality for Lily is she knows enough isn’t everything.
Everything She Needs
for their music collaboration. Lily realises all too late, that she’s fallen hard for Alfie despite his declaration to her that he can’t love her. This has left Lily devastated, knowing that the man she loves will never feel the same for her. Meanwhile, Alfie has continued his relentless pursuit of Lily to take what he wants from her, testing her resolve not to continue their relationship. She had found the strength to resist all of his advances, until the night before she flew home. After giving herself one last night with him, she fled across the Atlantic, thinking time and distance with family and friends would help heal her broken heart. What Lily never expected, was for her traumatic love life to follow her, both to London and Miami through the chapters of her life, during the following year. Her music career and studies improve tremendously though, fuelling her performance and personal identity, but her love life is as complex as ever. Alfie makes some disclosures which could be game changers for the both of them, and asks for her trust and time. Lily wonders if she should trust him, asking herself if Alfie could ever be, everything she needs?
Everything I Want
Lily thinks it’s impossible to have both. A fabulous opportunity arises for Lily, but there is a possibility of this bringing her face to face with Alfie again. Can Lily cope with the emotional turmoil
this would bring her? Or, is the risk of seeing Alfie something she feels able to manage now?
Musically, Lily concentrates her efforts much more, which brings success, post Alfie. Through this, she finds friends in some of the most unlikely of circumstances. All of her friends continue to protect her, and are all well aware of the impact Lily's relationship with Alfie has had on her. All apart from Elle, who gives Lily food for thought. Although, Lily’s mind is still plagued with memories of
Alfie; which continue to impact on her to such an extent, Lily has been unable to form new romantic ties.
Professionally, her relationships couldn't be better. She is offered some amazing opportunities rarely available, and is determined to do make the most of them. This is especially important to her, given the sacrifices she has made in the past to do this. Will Lily's music be enough for her, and prove to be everything she ever wanted?
Coming Soon from K.L. Shandwick
Stay Up-to-Date with K.L. Shandwick
No comments:
Post a Comment