All Access - Interview, Excerpt & Giveaway

All Access by Liberty Kontranowski

Published: June 22, 2016

Book Blurb: Every fangirl has a fantasy . . . what happens when that “if only” dream comes true?

Though she’s a single mom wedged firmly into thirty-something territory, author Kallie Reagan’s devotion to rock star Niles Russell knows no bounds. To pay homage to her muse, Kallie writes a smokin’ hot novel featuring a hero who looks and acts an awful lot like Niles — and a heroine who may or may not have a smattering of herself thrown in for fun.

When Niles learns about the book and surprise-texts Kallie, the two deliciously complicated creatives become fast friends . . . and so much more. But trying to define a relationship that’s laced with closeted skeletons, half-truths, and constant question marks proves harder than making it big. If they’re going to progress from Fangirl Infatuation to The Real Deal, these two need to give each other All Access to the most important place of all: their hearts.

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Interview with the Author – Liberty Kontranowski

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Author Bio:Liberty Kontranowski is a romantic women’s fiction author who adores all things lovey-dovey with a pinch (or more) of hubba-hubba. When she’s not at the keyboard, she’s taxiing around her three boys, knocking back craft beers with the hubs, blogging, fangirling, and dreaming up more fake people. She also spends an inordinate amount of time drinking coffee and dreaming of the day she can bid adieu to far-too-wintry Michigan and move to a place where she can write with her toes in the sand.

Liberty loves to hear from her readers (and otherwise cool people) so give her a yell. You can find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/libertykontranowskiauthor; on Twitter at @liberty_k; and through her blog at www.PurdyandWordy.com.

What inspired you to write All Access?

I had developed quite a fangirl crush on my own rock star. (I just turned 40, mind you, so fangirling is an activity that knows no age limitations!) After attending one of his concerts in 2013 (and making eye contact with him three times from the second row!!!), I thought, “How cool would it be to meet him and become friends?” From there, my imagination went all kinds of crazy and voila, ALL ACCESS was born.

Fun fact: ALL ACCESS was supposed to be titled FANGIRL, but as I was writing it, another FANGIRL hit the shelves. (Ahem, thanks for beating me to market, Rainbow Rowell.) So, I had to come up with a new title. That was SO HARD because in my head, FANGIRL was The Title of this book. So we made that the name of the series and each book will get its own cool name. J

What do you hope readers will take away from your book?

I want readers to be entertained, first and foremost. I’m not trying to do anything other than provide the reader with a few hours of escapism and fantastical joy.

That said, I also want readers to really believe that anything – anything! – is possible. Because it really is. I want readers to know that it’s okay to be true to themselves, to open their hearts, and to pour themselves into whatever it is that’s important to them. Because when they do, someone will notice and become inspired, too. And that’s a promise.

What inspired you to start writing and what continues to inspire you?

My characters inspire me. I’ve always had that “active imagination” thing that writers tend to have, but putting stories down on paper (or a keyboard) is a whole other ball game. It’s a ton of hard work, but when a character has a story that reels the author in and won’t let go until its been properly told, it’s likely that story will resonate with readers on some level, too.

And then hearing from readers (which is already happening with this novel, even though it’s my debut)??? THAT is inspirational as all heck. Especially when they haven’t even finished Book One, but they’re messaging you, asking when you’ll be releasing Book Two. Continued Inspiration, ahoy!

Do you write with a plan or do you write and see where the story takes you?

Total pantser, *raises both hands* While writing ALL ACCESS, I had the overarching storyline in my head, but the rest was up to Niles and Kallie. I’m a character-driven writer all the way, and my job is to watch everyone and write down what they say and do. Once in a while they get a little unruly and I have to drag them back, but mostly it’s them leading the entire story and I don’t get a whole lot of say. That seems to work best for me because when I try to write to a plot, I easily hit brick walls. When the characters are in control, things just seem to flow.

What are the things you can’t live without in your makeup bag?

MASCARA! Without it, I look like a total zombie. Swearsies! And cherry Carmex lip balm (the stick, not the tube). That’s a total must-have, too!

What would you be doing if you weren’t an author?

Everything I’ve done up to this point. Now that I’m here, this is exactly where I want to be and where I’m staying until it’s time for me to push up daisies!

What is your favorite inspirational phrase or quote?

“Success is not for the chosen few. It’s for the few who choose it.” I have no idea who said this, but it’s been my favorite quote for a decade. And it’s very true. You just have to believe. (And put in the work.)

A close runner-up would be ALL ACCESS’S dedication: “To the Big Dreamers: Go for it. No regrets.” Really, I couldn’t have said it better myself. (Except, erm, I DID say it. Ha!)

A few of your favorites…

Animal I love all animals, but goats and sloths are particularly hilarious. I could watch them all day.

Season Summah!!!!

Movie If John Hughes made it, it’s my favorite. (Especially Pretty in Pink and Some Kind of Wonderful.)

Scent Summer mornings. (For perfume, Coco Mademoiselle is my signature scent.)

Color Ocean blue. (aka turquoise)

Word Currently it’s “crazypants.”

Curse Word All. Of. Them. (Have you read my book?!)

Location Anywhere with palm trees and a beach.

Holiday Thanksgiving

Dogs or cats? Love them both, but I’m allergic to dogs, so kittehs win!

Red or white wine? I’ll cheat and say Rosé!

Coffee or tea? Coffee is love, coffee is life.

Summer or Winter? Summersummersummersummersummersummer

Sleep in or get up early? Both! #authorlife

Apple or PC? What is it they say? Once you’ve had Mac, you’ll never go back? #couldntagreemore

~~~

Excerpt – All Access

CHAPTER FIVE

Backstage Pass

Backstage is not at all as glamorous as it should be. It’s a bit musty and surprisingly chilly, given the steamy summer night outside. Eight-foot tables are pushed together in a C-shape with food, beer, energy drinks, and disposable tableware covering every inch. I lean against a wall, not knowing what to do with myself. There are a few others trickling backstage, but Zeke, the bouncer, took only me to the part of the room with the food.

There’s some commotion and laughter, but it still sounds far away. My pulse picks up and there is no question that anyone within a ten-mile radius could hear my heart thump if they listened hard enough. This is getting too real. This isn’t words on the pages of a book anymore, or even some texts and a quick phone call. Niles is a real human being who just walked through the door backstage and is heading straight toward me. There is seriously nowhere—and no time—to hide!

He immediately catches my eye, and I lose my breath. I am one hundred percent sure my face rivals the color of red velvet cake. I break into a cold sweat so bad it feels like my skin is melting.

He slips past everyone else and, in an instant, is less than a foot away from me. “I got you on the first try,” he announces, clearly proud of himself. “I knew it was you. I knew you’d be blonde. Knew it!”

His lips part to reveal those teeth! I read once that he had veneers applied after busting a tooth at a show a few years back, and now I truly believe it. They are Colgate-commercial straight, pure white, and all lined up like little soldiers in his wide mouth. I’m dying.

From the first row, I could see every one of his fillings (there are four) and I quickly became fascinated with how he could sing and smile at the same time. When his eyes fell on mine, not five minutes into the show, I knew he knew. He didn’t reach for my hand until over halfway through, but we made eye contact several times. When his fingers finally clasped mine, it was electric. I was touching Niles Russell. He held on longer than he should have, making the fans around me—guys and girls alike — that much more determined to get their own piece of him. He surprised us all by grabbing a few more hands, but only mine did he grab a second time.

Now, he’s so close to me I can smell him. His hair is wet and messy, but his face is no longer sweaty, as though he stuck his head under a faucet on the way back. He has a towel wrapped around his neck and his concert T-shirt has been replaced with a clean, dry one. He smells of deodorant and hot skin. It’s intoxicating.

“Have fun?” He hands me a half-empty water bottle. “Shit! That one’s mine. Here’s a full one.” He shakes his head in embarrassment and switches the bottles, which is disappointing since I would have gladly taken his.

It occurs to me that I have not yet uttered one word—only smiled stupidly—so I take a breath and give it a try.

“You positively killed it tonight,” I say, my voice shaking as it finds its legs. “As always.” He beams.

I can tell I touched a hot spot, so I keep going. “Every performance gets better, I swear. And I’ve seen many.”

“Thank you.” He reaches out like he’s going to touch my arm, but his hand just kind of airballs and falls back to his side. “Much more fun than real life.” He winks.