Interview, Excerpt & Giveaway ~ WAKING TO BLACK by V.H. Luis

Waking to Black (Uninhibited, #1)
by: V.H. Luis
Series: Uninhibited
Genre: Erotic Romance
Release Date: May 2, 2018
Amazon | Paperback | Goodreads

He shattered my defenses, and I was fragile to begin with…

The first time I saw Adam Black, I was between the arms of a criminal, a gun to my throat and even then, I knew I was staring at the most dangerous man in the room.

Maybe it was his confident, cerulean eyes, or the sex appeal radiating from his pores like heat waves on a scorching day, but by proximity alone he made my vision blur and my heart stammer.

The day I was nearly killed in a bank hold-up, I began to live—because of him.

Now, I’m praying for the first time in years, hoping the scars of my past, the secrets I keep, don’t interfere with my future…

Hi V.H. Welcome to Read Your Writes Book Reviews. How are you?
I’m up on a cloud! It’s exciting to discuss this book which has been a HUGE passion of mine for so long. It’s my debut novel so I’m new to the experience of being part of a book-blog tour, and I’ve been loving the ride. Thank you for having me.

You’re welcome. Congratulations on the release of Waking to Black. What can you tell me about the book, that isn’t part of the blurb already?

It’s as emotionally gritty as it is sensually tantalizing. At the root this story is an erotic romance—the love affair between these two people is hot and demanding. However, I’m the type of reader who needs to feel vested in the characters I’m reading about. So, while the bedroom scenes in Waking to Black (Uninhibited #1) fog up the mirrors, it’s the fact that these two people drastically alter each other’s perception about life moving forward, that makes the book so special (at least to me).

I have to agree with you. I need to be invested in the characters to get into a book. What can you tell me about Evelyn Snowe?

When we first meet Evelyn, we are meeting a young woman who stopped moving forward and emotionally growing years before the story started. A dark moment in her past has forced her to shut down. The bank robbery in the first chapter and her subsequent encounter with Adam Black is the catalyst which floods her gray existence with color.

As you eluded to a second ago, Evelyn does have some emotional baggage before the bank robbery. How does the past shape her present & future?

Early in the editing process and even to the very end it was suggested to me that I should eliminate the first scene of the book, where Evelyn awakens from a nightmare and is then later shown going through the monotonous task of getting ready for work—I couldn’t get rid of that scene. It was important for me to demonstrate how broken and unfulfilled Evelyn is due to her past. It’s her past which prevents her from making something out of her future. And in some respects, it’s her past which hinders her relationship with Adam throughout the book.

Evelyn has never been the type of woman who makes good decisions, who can find that perfect blend of balance necessary to be happy. This is something explored throughout the series. Ultimately, because it is a romance we know she will find a way to cope and be happy, and yet because of her issues readers soon realize the journey to happily-ever-after won’t be easy.

When I signed up to interview you, one immediate question that popped into my head was “Who is Adam Black?”. While researching the book, I read the first chapter and it seems as though there is no bigger question than who is this man? He seems confident, in control, yet there’s a danger about him. What can you tell me about him?

You are completely right, he is confident and in control—until he meets Evelyn and she shatters his perfect harmony—in a positive way of course.

Adam is a cynic. His wealthy upbringing and early adult experiences tainted his perception of love and commitment. He’s also hyper-focused, if he wants something he takes it no matter the repercussions.

Evelyn’s natural inclination to not take chances and Adam’s no-holds-barred attitude make them clash and yet because the attraction is so intense, they can’t stay away from each other.

I love Adam as a character because in many respects, though he is able to mask it much better than Evelyn, he’s incomplete and broken. Sure, he’s a successful businessman but though he has everything, he doesn’t have someone special to share his everything with.

Why did you choose to make this a trilogy?
Truthfully, I didn’t know this would be a trilogy when I started writing. As I approached the end of the first book I knew the story was far from over—especially since I wanted to do justice to the struggles that not only Evelyn faced, but Adam’s own trust issues and reticence. After deciding it was going to be a trilogy I knew that I needed to know where the story was going in order to be true to myself and fair to anyone who starts reading. Fortunately, everything seemed to flow out of me and I love the direction these characters have taken me.

Are the cliffhangers ones that are going to make people want to throw their Kindles against the wall?
To be fair, I appreciate a good cliffhanger. However, I recognize the hate people seem to have for them and tried my best to conclude this book with a positive outlook. For those that feel inclined to toss their Kindles because there is more to this story, let me talk you guys down… Book two of the series is coming out the Summer of 2018—that’s three months away. I promise you won’t have to wait long to get more of Evelyn and Adam.

I have to admit, I’m one of those people who hate cliffhangers. Reading the blurb reminds of my Maya Cross’s The Alpha Group series, which I loved. That series contained mystery, suspense, mis-directs galore, and passion. Hot, steamy passion. Is there any suspense in the Uninhibited trilogy?

I love this question! The Uninhibited Trilogy is all about passion. As for suspense, because these two people are so hesitant to share the scars of their past the tension in Waking to Black is constantly mounting. However, if I’m completely honest, Books two and three of the series are more suspenseful because the stakes are higher.

I have a feeling that both Evelyn and Adam are hiding something either from themselves, the world, or both. What was the hardest part of their lives for you to write about? Be it they didn’t want you to explorer it or it was too emotional.

My father passed away in the same fashion as Evelyn’s father. Due to that shared history writing about those difficult moments in her past, such as when she realizes her father is gone, were very hard and very real for me. It was also very cathartic and a huge stress-relief. I like to think my own dad is watching down on me and is proud about the fact I’m moving forward with this dream of publishing a book.

As for Adam, I think most people can relate to the sense of feeling betrayed at one point. This is Adam’s major hang-up. Part of the reason he demands full-disclosure from those in his life is because the vast majority of people in his life, have let him down.

I’m sorry for your loss. Finish this statement for me. If you like Sylvia Day’s Crossfire Series, then you will love V.H. Luis’s Uninhibited series.

I think I read the first two books in that series. V.H., thank you so much for answering some questions for me. I definitely have to say Waking to Black sounds like a really intriguing story.

Thank you so much for having me. I’ve enjoyed answering your questions and really appreciated the research you did about my book for this interview. It’s been fun! XOXO

I close my eyes and bend my knees—or at least I think I am. I’m finding it hard to breathe, and the room is spinning. I must not be moving fast enough because the next thing I know, the man with the big gun grabs me and shoves the cold tip of the barrel against my neck.

This is how it ends? A pang of regret stabs deep within my belly. I wonder who will feed my cat when I’m gone, and the pathetic nature of that last thought is sobering. I haven’t accomplished much in the last twenty-four years. My eyes begin to water, and my vision clouds.

“Hey, take it easy,” a much calmer voice calls out from behind me.

I try to focus on the deep tenor of this stranger, who to my shock is defying a man with a gun, but my senses aren’t cooperating.

Using me as a shield, my captor spins me and I get a blurry first look at my would-be hero. Through pooling tears, I see he’s dressed in an expensive black suit, a crisp white shirt, and a solid black tie. He has hair the color of dark coffee, and because he defies the order to hug the floor, I notice he’s tall. His sapphire eyes lock on mine, urging me to breathe, and for a split-second I forget I’m in the arms of a lunatic because it’s this stranger’s gaze holding me hostage.

Though his hands are in the air, like everyone else’s, he seems to be humoring the robber rather than obeying him out of fear. And while not armed, his calm demeanor is more threatening than the creep jamming a gun against my throat. It’s as if under the façade of composure something dark and dangerous lingers—the insight makes me tremble.

Purchase Waking to Black from:

Amazon | Paperback | Goodreads

V.H. Luis is the author of the Uninhibited Series, an erotic romance trilogy that follows the love affair of Evelyn Snowe and Adam Black. Her debut book WAKING to Black, will be released in 2018, and the subsequent sequels FADING to Black, and SURRENDERING to Black, will follow shortly thereafter.

I’m a born and bred Miami Girl—and proud of it! I would wear shorts and flip-flops everyday of the week if I could. Growing up in Miami, surrounded by my parent’s heritage has made me proud of my Cuban ancestry. Cafecito and a guava pastry for breakfast? Yes, please! Salsa music while I tidy the house? Of course.

If I’m not busy scribbling notes about the story pounding out of my head, I’m painting, listening to music, or spending time with the love of my life—my son. If I decide to travel, I bring the whole family (in-laws included), or at least I try to, because life is too short not to spend it with family; one of the many lessons my father taught me.

Places to find V.H. Luis:

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page

You can follow the Waking to Black Blog Tour here.

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