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.
Can you tell us a little about your latest book?
Absolutely! My latest book is also my FIRST book. ALL ACCESS is Book One in my Fangirl series, and it’s essentially about what happens when a fangirl’s wildest dream comes true. It’s fun, flirty, and, hopefully, the readers will enjoy a few hours away from real life while they immerse themselves into a fantasy life.
What inspired you to write it?
I had become quite smitten with a certain rock star of my own, and after a concert (where we had made eye contact three times while I was in the second row) I thought, “What would happen if I met him and we became friends?” And then the idea snowballed from there. As I wrote it, I layered in elements that were important to me – the inspiration that other creative types share without even realizing it, remaining true to yourself and your dreams, and the belief that anything (really, ANYTHING) is possible.
Absolutely! My latest book is also my FIRST book. ALL ACCESS is Book One in my Fangirl series, and it’s essentially about what happens when a fangirl’s wildest dream comes true. It’s fun, flirty, and, hopefully, the readers will enjoy a few hours away from real life while they immerse themselves into a fantasy life.
What inspired you to write it?
I had become quite smitten with a certain rock star of my own, and after a concert (where we had made eye contact three times while I was in the second row) I thought, “What would happen if I met him and we became friends?” And then the idea snowballed from there. As I wrote it, I layered in elements that were important to me – the inspiration that other creative types share without even realizing it, remaining true to yourself and your dreams, and the belief that anything (really, ANYTHING) is possible.
How did you come up with the idea for the cover?
I’m lucky enough to work with a publisher that supports a collaborative approach to cover design, so when it came time to talk covers, I had a very distinct vision in my head. Laura (Chapman, our designer) did an exceptional job bringing it to life. I really wanted the vibe of being on a stage, looking out into the lights, and she captured that. I’m thrilled with it.
If it was made into a movie, who would you like to play the main characters?
Well, Kallie is small and blonde, so Sarah Michelle Gellar or Reese Witherspoon would make good choices.
As for Niles, Theo James looks nothing like him, but I could stare at Theo for eternity and a day, so…
Is it part of a series or is it a stand-alone novel?
Seeeeeries! Seriously, I am so excited about this. There is at least one more full-length book planned and a holiday novella as well. I’m so excited to keep the fangirl party bus rolling because the ideas for future stories are just a-swirlin’.
Where is the novel set and why did you choose to set it there?
ALL ACCESS is set in several places, but mainly the East Coast and New York City. I don’t want to give too much of the plot away, but the reason for all of the different locales will be obvious once readers dive in.
What is it about this genre that appeals to you so much?
This genre is just pure fun. Fun to read, fun to write. I love smart heroines who know what they want and aren’t afraid to go for it … but they can also let their guard way down and get really soft, too. My heroines are very real and relatable in that way, and I think that’s a key selling point in this genre. Plus, the hot/sweet romance and abundance of kissy-facing is a whole lot of awesome, too.
What made you want to become an author?
I’m a storyteller at heart. Characters will just come to me and burn my mind with their presence and won’t let up until I get them out. Sometimes it’s a few paragraphs, sometimes it’s a short story, or, in the case of Niles and Kallie, they needed a whole book (and more). They wanted their story told and the best way for me to do it was to watch them and write down everything they did and said. Voila! A book!
How do you come up with character names?
I don’t give them much thought at all. They just come to me and, so far, they’ve been a great fit for the characters.
Name one of your all-time favourite books?
I love books of all types, but one of my all-time favorites is YOGA GIRL by Rachel Brathen. Rachel has a huge social media presence, particularly in the yoga community, but she’s just all-around cool as heck. And she’s REAL. Her book is part autobiography, part lifestyle, part inspirational. I’ve read and re-read pages in that book multiple times. Plus, the pictures are gorgeous.
Who, or what, inspires you?
I am constantly inspired by other creatives. That’s a big theme in ALL ACCESS – how one creative person can inspire the hell right out of another without even knowing they’re doing it. It’s beautiful and it’s such a gift.
Where is your favourite place to write?
Outside in the sunshine. But I live in Michigan and great weather is only a thing for a few months out of the year, so my other favorite spot is my comfy couch with a throw pillow on my lap, which I use as a “desk.”
What is your favourite movie that was based on a book?
I loved THE HUNGER GAMES, but the book was much better … of course. ;-)
Name two of your favourite authors.
That’s tough because I love so many. I suppose I stalk (on the Internet) Meg Cabot and Emily Giffin the most because I appreciate how they relate to their readers, and I’d like to emulate their careers (particularly Meg and her very prolific ways!).
Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I’m a lefty!
Who would play you in the movie about your life?
Me! I’ve always thought being an actress would be super fun! But, if I’m not available to play myself (because I’m sure I’ll be busy doing things like, you know, NOT ACTING), I suppose Jennifer Aniston would be an okay substitute. ;-)
Tell us an interesting fact about where you live.
I live in Bay City, Michigan, and we had a bridge collapse in town exactly a week before I was born. Ten years later, the city opened a new bridge and hosted a contest to name it. My grandma (and a few others) suggested the name “Liberty” – and that’s the one that was chosen! So that bridge was indirectly named after me. I was even at the ribbon-cutting ceremony and had my picture in the newspaper!
What are your (writing) plans for the future?
My plans are to write and publish, write and publish, write and publish, repeat. I have wanted this so badly for YEARS and now that I’m finally here, I’m holding on for dear life. It is absolutely my intent to make a full-time career out of writing books and working on my lifestyle blog, PurdyandWordy.com.
Tell us one thing that's on your bucket list.
Funny you should ask this. Publishing this story was the #1 item on my Bucket List. Now that I’ve accomplished That Big Goal, I’m just going to enjoy it for a while. I’ll give my Bucket List some more thought a little later. ;-)
Favourite myth / fairytale?
Santa Claus, of course!
Who/What did you want to be when you were a kid?
What didn’t I want to be? haha
I wanted to be a dancer, an optometrist, an Olympic gymnast, an entertainer, and, yes, a writer. At least I’m now one of those things – and it’s even better than I could’ve imagined as a kid! <3
I’m lucky enough to work with a publisher that supports a collaborative approach to cover design, so when it came time to talk covers, I had a very distinct vision in my head. Laura (Chapman, our designer) did an exceptional job bringing it to life. I really wanted the vibe of being on a stage, looking out into the lights, and she captured that. I’m thrilled with it.
If it was made into a movie, who would you like to play the main characters?
Well, Kallie is small and blonde, so Sarah Michelle Gellar or Reese Witherspoon would make good choices.
As for Niles, Theo James looks nothing like him, but I could stare at Theo for eternity and a day, so…
Is it part of a series or is it a stand-alone novel?
Seeeeeries! Seriously, I am so excited about this. There is at least one more full-length book planned and a holiday novella as well. I’m so excited to keep the fangirl party bus rolling because the ideas for future stories are just a-swirlin’.
Where is the novel set and why did you choose to set it there?
ALL ACCESS is set in several places, but mainly the East Coast and New York City. I don’t want to give too much of the plot away, but the reason for all of the different locales will be obvious once readers dive in.
What is it about this genre that appeals to you so much?
This genre is just pure fun. Fun to read, fun to write. I love smart heroines who know what they want and aren’t afraid to go for it … but they can also let their guard way down and get really soft, too. My heroines are very real and relatable in that way, and I think that’s a key selling point in this genre. Plus, the hot/sweet romance and abundance of kissy-facing is a whole lot of awesome, too.
What made you want to become an author?
I’m a storyteller at heart. Characters will just come to me and burn my mind with their presence and won’t let up until I get them out. Sometimes it’s a few paragraphs, sometimes it’s a short story, or, in the case of Niles and Kallie, they needed a whole book (and more). They wanted their story told and the best way for me to do it was to watch them and write down everything they did and said. Voila! A book!
How do you come up with character names?
I don’t give them much thought at all. They just come to me and, so far, they’ve been a great fit for the characters.
Name one of your all-time favourite books?
I love books of all types, but one of my all-time favorites is YOGA GIRL by Rachel Brathen. Rachel has a huge social media presence, particularly in the yoga community, but she’s just all-around cool as heck. And she’s REAL. Her book is part autobiography, part lifestyle, part inspirational. I’ve read and re-read pages in that book multiple times. Plus, the pictures are gorgeous.
Who, or what, inspires you?
I am constantly inspired by other creatives. That’s a big theme in ALL ACCESS – how one creative person can inspire the hell right out of another without even knowing they’re doing it. It’s beautiful and it’s such a gift.
Where is your favourite place to write?
Outside in the sunshine. But I live in Michigan and great weather is only a thing for a few months out of the year, so my other favorite spot is my comfy couch with a throw pillow on my lap, which I use as a “desk.”
What is your favourite movie that was based on a book?
I loved THE HUNGER GAMES, but the book was much better … of course. ;-)
Name two of your favourite authors.
That’s tough because I love so many. I suppose I stalk (on the Internet) Meg Cabot and Emily Giffin the most because I appreciate how they relate to their readers, and I’d like to emulate their careers (particularly Meg and her very prolific ways!).
Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I’m a lefty!
Who would play you in the movie about your life?
Me! I’ve always thought being an actress would be super fun! But, if I’m not available to play myself (because I’m sure I’ll be busy doing things like, you know, NOT ACTING), I suppose Jennifer Aniston would be an okay substitute. ;-)
Tell us an interesting fact about where you live.
I live in Bay City, Michigan, and we had a bridge collapse in town exactly a week before I was born. Ten years later, the city opened a new bridge and hosted a contest to name it. My grandma (and a few others) suggested the name “Liberty” – and that’s the one that was chosen! So that bridge was indirectly named after me. I was even at the ribbon-cutting ceremony and had my picture in the newspaper!
What are your (writing) plans for the future?
My plans are to write and publish, write and publish, write and publish, repeat. I have wanted this so badly for YEARS and now that I’m finally here, I’m holding on for dear life. It is absolutely my intent to make a full-time career out of writing books and working on my lifestyle blog, PurdyandWordy.com.
Tell us one thing that's on your bucket list.
Funny you should ask this. Publishing this story was the #1 item on my Bucket List. Now that I’ve accomplished That Big Goal, I’m just going to enjoy it for a while. I’ll give my Bucket List some more thought a little later. ;-)
Favourite myth / fairytale?
Santa Claus, of course!
Who/What did you want to be when you were a kid?
What didn’t I want to be? haha
I wanted to be a dancer, an optometrist, an Olympic gymnast, an entertainer, and, yes, a writer. At least I’m now one of those things – and it’s even better than I could’ve imagined as a kid! <3
TOUR
June 27 – Fiction Dreams – Q&AJune 27 – The Phantom Paragrapher – Review
June 28- Living Life With Joy – Q&A & Excerpt
June 29 – Ai Love Books –Excerpt
June 30 – Chick Lit Plus – Review & Excerpt
June 30 – Shannon’s Bookish Life – Review & Excerpt
July 1 – Authors and Readers Book Corner – Excerpt
July 1 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – Review, Q&A & Excerpt
Liberty loves to hear from her readers (and otherwise cool people) so give her a yell.
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