Author Interview ~ ALONG CAME CHARLIE by S.L. Scott

Book Review ~ ALONG CAME CHARLIE by S.L. Scott

Along Came Charlie
by: S.L. Scott
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 14, 2023 (re-release)
Publisher: S.L. Scott

I’ll be your date, and you’ll be mine.

Who says a funeral can’t be romantic?

Okay, everyone. Including myself.

That doesn’t stop the rumor mill from turning when I show up with a beautiful redhead on my arm.

That redhead also just happens to be a stranger, relatively speaking. Charlotte Barrow and I have run into each other a few times—on the subway, at a bar, and now on our way to separate funerals. Instead of the prodigal son who let his parents down showing up alone, I traded favors and brought a date. The deal made sense at the time.

Feature Spotlight ~ RIVERS by S.L. Scott

New Release & Limited Time 99¢ Sale ~ SPARK by S.L. Scott

Release Day Blitz ~ SOLACE by S.L. Scott

Feature Spotlight ~ MODELS ON TOP: DANNY by S.L. Scott

Release Day Blast ~ JEALOUSY by S.L. Scott

New Release Spotlight ~ SCORNED by S.L. Scott

S.L. Scott's GOOD SENSATIONS Blog Tour & Giveaway

GOOD VIBRATIONS RELEASE GIVEAWAY

I grab her exploring finger just as it reaches my happy trail—a trail that if I let her wander down further will lead us to do things we can’t take back. Things like three-word phrases being confessed that would end me if I was rejected. Things like selfishly wanting to own her body and doing things to her that would make my fantasies blush. And things like making her promises too soon that won’t do either of us any good. She makes me want a future that’s not possible, and one I don’t deserve.

 

Listening to my ego got me into this situation. Will listening to my heart get me out?

REVIEW ~ GOOD VIBRATIONS by S.L. Scott

I grab her exploring finger just as it reaches my happy trail—a trail that if I let her wander down further will lead us to do things we can’t take back. Things like three-word phrases being confessed that would end me if I was rejected. Things like selfishly wanting to own her body and doing things to her that would make my fantasies blush. And things like making her promises too soon that won’t do either of us any good. She makes me want a future that’s not possible, and one I don’t deserve.

 

Listening to my ego got me into this situation. Will listening to my heart get me out?

S.L. Scott ~ Good Vibrations Interview

S.L. Scott is a former high-tech account manager with a journalism degree pursuing her passion for telling stories. She spends her days escaping into her characters and letting them lead her on their adventures.

Live music shows, harvesting jalapenos and eating homemade guacamole are her obsessions she calls hobbies.

Scott lives in the beautiful Texas Hill Country of Austin with her husband, two young sons, two Papillons and a bowl full of Sea Monkeys.

Connect with S.L. Scott:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

A Prior Engagement by S.L. Scott - Promo

Living in a world built on pretenses, Everleigh Wright discovers how carefully orchestrated her Upper East Side life has been. Trapped in an arrangement for social prestige and financial gain, she finds life is not as idyllic as she once thought.

William Ryder leads a life rich in family support and endless determination. While attending university in Manhattan, he becomes enamored with a classic beauty who holds many secrets beneath her quiet propriety. William falls head over heels crazy for her, and she falls for him and his unfaltering optimism and kindness.

William and Everleigh may come from different worlds, but their attraction is instant and their love undeniable. Hoping love conquers all, they will find out if their love is unstoppable when faced with the consequences of breaking a prior engagement.

“Right here, right now is all that matters.”

Review: Sleeping with Mr. Sexy by S.L. Scott

Lydia Nichols is on the fast track for career success.  She's landed the job of her dreams after working her way up the corporate ladder.  The only problem is she's in San Francisco and the dream job is in New York.  With one last night to party with her friends before moving cross country, she goes all out, letting down her guard, and following her heart.

Dubbed Mr. Sexy, the ladies love Chase Andrews.  Despite his bad boy good looks, he’s a nice guy with a good heart.  While out celebrating his best friend’s promotion, Chase decides to go after the one woman who has always captivated his mind and body, but eluded him.  The only problem with his plan is the object of his affection is too caught up in following her dreams to notice.

A few cocktails, laughs, secret crushes, and good friends set the stage for these two to discover what they’ve been missing all along.

Sleeping with Mr. Sexy is the story of two people who do the best they can with the choices they make.  Join Lydia and Chase as they navigate their post-college years trying to balance careers, love, friendship, and the discovery that finding yourself sometimes means coming home.

All I Want - A Tryst with a Twist by S.L. Scott

All I Want

A Tryst with a Twist

by S.L. Scott

This is a Short Story.

Christina can’t stop fantasizing about the guy who works down at the Christmas tree lot. Lawson spends a lot of time at the local coffee shop, not for the coffee, but for the view of the pretty barista who works there.

Christmas holds more than presents for these two as they unwrap a fantasy making their tryst with a twist a reality. This sexy short story will captivate your imagination while capturing the holiday spirit.

S.L. Scott, author of Naturally, Charlie Interview & Book Giveaway

Twenty-five year old Charlotte Charlie Barrow is caught between her old life, and the one she is beginning to build, when she crosses paths with a handsome stranger on the subway. Not looking for romance, she closes her heart off to the possibilities of love. With a knack for mishaps, Charlie maintains her sense of humor while befriending the kind stranger who seems to be there at all the right times.

New York freelance writer, Charlie Adams is forging his own path beyond the expectations of the society circles of his childhood. Rejecting family money, and fast-lane friends, he is snubbed by his family as he follows his own compass to a life more extraordinary.

Their chemistry is palpable as they balance precariously on the line that divides them as friends or more.

Charlie walks close, so close, and drops his arms forward on either side of me. He’s trapped me between them, and although I shouldn’t want this with a friend, I do with him. I want it more than I should. I love being this close to him, but instead of giving in, I hold my own, standing my ground. His head moves even closer to mine, but he purposely keeps our bodies apart.

“I bet I can.”

This is the tale of two Charlies learning to trust again while fighting their fates to create their own destiny.
 

Read my review here

The Interview

I’m so excited to welcome my first ever guest, S.L. Scott, the author of Naturally, Charlie to Read Your Writes.  I have to tell you I did a little happy dance when I found out that you were doing a stop here.

I did a little dancing myself.  I’m so excited to not just be here, but to be the first ever.  Thank you for the honor.

How did you get into writing?

I’ve always been writing and loved creating.  Growing up, I painted a lot, wrote poetry and small books that I would staple together, crafted. I love the arts.  I even have a journalism degree.  Just love the ability to create something from nothing.  A little bit of inspiration hits and my mind whirls with developing ideas and storylines and a lot of emotion.

Is Naturally, Charlie your first book?

Naturally, Charlie is my first published novel.  A lot of unpublished novels preceded NC, so this is not only surreal and exciting, but it’s accomplishing a goal of mine that I’ve had for many years.

What made you decide to have both of your lead characters be named Charlie?

The concept was born that way so it wasn’t a decision I made so much as it came to me that way already.  I envisioned the part where they run into each other in the park and both of their names were Charlie.  The title came next and immediate.  The rest of the story developed from there.

Since cupcakes were a weekly thing, I’m surprised you didn’t put a recipe or two into the book. Did you think about doing that?

I thought about it, but so many books out right now have recipes incorporated and really the storyline wasn’t about the cooking, but more the bonding.  Girl Charlie usually baked before Charlie Boy came over, so it wasn’t about the process, but more the destination with the cupcakes.

 

I do have a book club section on my website which has recipes inspired by the book or vice versa.  There is a Margarita Cupcake recipe which is one of the ones she bakes in the book.  I also had a mixologist friend create a martini in honor of the book.  She’s read it and created the Charlie-tini.  It’s amazingly delicious. She tried to incorporate the cupcake theme as well as the color red from the cover into the drink and as I said, it’s really great and very pretty.

After I got my brain around the fact that the Charlies were each stating things from the way they saw them, I liked the concept.  Why did you choose to write the book in first person?

I personally love reading books that put you inside the characters heads.  Third person is great too, but I love that connection of knowing their inner thoughts and experiencing life through their eyes.  I think first person puts you into the story on a deeper level allowing you to feel what the characters feel instead of only reading about how they feel.

You live in a beautiful part of the state.  I know that when people think about Texas, they think big cowboy hats, boots, and oil drills.  Which I just want to add is NOT the case! What’s your favorite part of living in the area?  And it’s okay to mention the food, just to make my mouth water.

I completely agree.  There is a definite stereotype of Texas that is exaggerated on TV and in movies.  Where I live, it’s not like that.  I love the trees and being in ‘the hill country’, the huge music and movie scene here, and of course the food. Mexican food is my favorite and I go into withdrawals if it’s been more than a few days since I’ve eaten it. lol

What is it about Naturally, Charlie that would like to have your readers take away from the book?  Aside from the fact that Charlie Adams is just TOO good to be true. Yes, I’m in love with him.

I’m in love with him too.  Is that wrong for me to confess?  Lol Well, even if it’s wrong, it’s the truth.

 

I’d love for everyone to appreciate the flaws in Charlie Girl as much as they love the sweetness of Boy Charlie.  I like that she’s human and isn’t scripted.  She lets her emotions get away from her sometimes and doesn’t always do or say the perfect or right thing.  I like a bit of realism in my stories because I relate better to them.

Are you an e-book or paperback girl and which genres do you read?

Always paperback or hard copy… until now.  I just got my Kindle a few days ago. I’m so excited to be using an ereader and have high hopes of reading more again. I love contemporary romance category.  I write the type of stuff I like to read, but occasionally fit in some others that I loved like Twilight and The Hunger Games.  Those are so different from my current stuff and I really enjoyed them.

I know Naturally, Charlie just came out.  But I’m one of those readers who if they like a book harass the author immediately for their next one.  I’m working on not doing that so much.  But since you’re here…. What’s next for you, do you know?

LOL.  I love that you’re asking and I know exactly what you mean.  When I love an author’s work I’m anxious to get their next book too.

 

I have several ‘next’ in the works.  I need to see which one happens first.  I’m in editing mode these days, but can’t really reveal more than that at this time.  I do currently have a novelette called Morning Glory on Amazon which was a lot of fun to write and exciting to publish.

Thank you again for taking the time to stop by and answer my questions.

Thank you again for hosting me on your website.  I loved your questions and had a great time.

 

It's A Giveaway!!!!

The Writer’s Coffee Shop is generously offering a digital copy of Naturally, Charlie to one winner.

To enter for your chance to win, leave a comment below and follow the Rafflecopter instructions.

The winner will receive a digital copy through The Writer’s Coffee Shop website page or by direct email. The digital copy can be in either mobi or epub formatting.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
___________________________________________________________________________

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

S.L. Scott is a former high-tech account manager with a journalism degree pursuing her passion for telling stories. She spends her days escaping into her characters and letting them lead her on their adventures.

Live music shows, harvesting jalapenos and eating homemade guacamole are her obsessions she calls hobbies.

Scott lives in the beautiful Texas Hill Country of Austin with her husband, two young sons, two Papillons and a bowl full of Sea Monkeys.

You can learn more on her website and connect with S.L. on Facebook and Twitter.

S.L. Scott's Naturally, Charlie

Twenty-five year old Charlotte Charlie Barrow is caught between her old life, and the one she is beginning to build, when she crosses paths with a handsome stranger on the subway.  Not looking for romance, she closes her heart off to the possibilities of love.  With a knack for mishaps, Charlie maintains her sense of humor while befriending the kind stranger who seems to be there at all the right times.

New York freelance writer, Charlie Adams is forging his own path beyond the expectations of the society circles of his childhood.  Rejecting family money, and fast-lane friends, he is snubbed by his family as he follows his own compass to a life more extraordinary.

Their chemistry is palpable as they balance precariously on the line that divides them as friends or more.

Charlie walks close, so close, and drops his arms forward on either side of me.  He’s trapped me between them, and although I shouldn’t want this with a friend, I do with him.  I want it more than I should. I love being this close to him, but instead of giving in, I hold my own, standing my ground.  His head moves even closer to mine, but he purposely keeps our bodies apart.

“I bet I can.”

This is the tale of two Charlies learning to trust again while fighting their fates to create their own destiny.

READ YOUR WRITES REVIEW

Wikipedia states that fate implies no choice, but that destiny is participating in achieving an outcome that is related to itself.  An argument can be made that this book is full of fate and destiny.  I don’t know what to say about this book.  I don’t know if I just liked it or if I loved it.  I found many similarities between my life and Girl Charlie's.

It’s every girl’s dream to be in a crowded room and make eye contact with that one special person.  You know the ONE.  The one who can fulfill you and make all of your dreams come true.  The one who completes you.

As the book blurb states, Naturally, Charlie is the tale of two Charlies.  Yes, this can be rather confusing while reading the book, but it’s totally worth it.  Charlotte “Charlie” Barrow has trust issues.  She feels responsible for something she had no control over and she’s betrayed in one of the worst ways possible.  Charles “Charlie” Adams is simply trying to live the life he wants, without all the false pretenses.  Charlie Boy is from a life of privilege, where money is the only thing that really matters.  Unlike his parents and his friends, Charlie Boy realizes that money can’t give you two of the most important things in the world, which are love and happiness.

Naturally, Charlie is one of those books where once you pick it up, you aren’t going to want to put down.  While reading the book I thought, “yes, they get their happy ending”.  Then I realized that I was only about forty percent of the way through the book.  NOT a good thing with romances.

The two Charlies initially first laid eyes on each other on a crowded subway in New York City.  Each was mesmerized by the other.  Instead of taking this opportunity to formally meet, they each went their separate ways.  As chance would have it, they run into each other again at a nightclub.  Girl Charlie is there with her friend Rachel.  This time however, they get to speak to one and other.  Charlie Boy immediately spots Girl Charlie.  But by the time he makes his way to her, she runs off to the ladies room.  Boy Charlie decides to wait for her with Rachel.  Boy Charlie wants to get to know and spend time with Girl Charlie, but unbeknownst to him, Rachel is sending Charlie Girl signals to tell her to leave.  Girl Charlie rushes out of the club, leaving Boy Charlie to think that she isn’t interested in him.  Boy Charlie and Rachel go on two dates with each other before he realizes there isn’t anything between them.

As fate would have it, Girl Charlie and Charlie Boy run into each other as Girl Charlie is on her way to the funeral of her ex-fiance and Boy Charlie is on his way to the funeral of his Great-Aunt Grace.  Boy Charlie suggests that they attend the funerals together as friends and as a support system for each other.  This leads to them becoming friends and more.

Naturally, Charlie is a real sweet romance full of fate and destiny, that is both touching and heartbreaking.  In my opinion, Charlie Boy takes romance to a whole new level.  One where you don’t even know that it’s romance.  Charlie Boy seriously “courted” Girl Charlie, without her knowing.  I don’t know if he realized it or not, but he did.  I love the fact that the MOST important thing to the Charlies was their friendship.  And I loved that their friendship turned into love before either of them knew it.

This wasn’t one of those books where I wanted to slap one of the characters because they kept sabotaging any chance at a happy ending.  For me, there were emotional roller coaster moments.  The climax of the book was something that I didn’t see coming.  Boy Charlie decided to let destiny determine the future for him and Girl Charlie.

Another thing I liked about this book was that it gave you closure.  You didn’t have to guess, assume, or envision how life for the Charlies turn out in the end.  I love it when authors write Epilogues for their books.  Even though this Epilogue did give me the closure I was looking for, I found myself getting confused going between the present, the past, and the future.

If you are a hopeless romantic like me, I DEFINITELY recommend you read this book.

I look forward to reading more books by S.L. Scott.

My review of this book was made possible by receiving it through NetGalley.

Rating: 4

Visit S.L. Scott’s website to learn more about her.

Naturally, Charlie can be purchased from:

Amazon