VBT – Flawed

Flawed
by Vivian Kohlman

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GENRE: Contemporary Romance

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BLURB:

That guy—the one that most girls would run away from—captured Kara’s attention and wouldn’t let it go. As expected, he turned out to be a player. So she cut him off.

But he wasn’t done with her yet. He waited until the memory of their start would have been forgotten—at least, softened a bit. Then he returned to her life, and captured her heart.

Finally blissfully happy, they fall in love and decide to make it official…until his past catches up with him and he destroys her again. But this is it…this is the last time she’ll fall for him.

And she keeps telling herself that until she almost believes it.

This book is for mature audiences.

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EXCERPT

Chapter 1

I picked up my phone to check for messages and, well, to be honest I was using it as a way to not have to speak to whatever guy Dania left me with.

“Hi Kara, I’m Naheed,” a deep, relaxed voice stated.

When my eyes met his, everything seemed to stop. I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t hear the music anymore, and I felt like I was about to faint…I was mesmerized by him. He was gorgeous, but it was more than that. I felt his presence in my stomach.

He had naturally tan skin, dark brown thick and wavy hair, deep and large brown eyes with black eyelashes a mile long…and a slight under-bite that that instantly brought my attention to his full, perfect lips. He was so familiar to me, but I couldn’t place him.

I looked down to stop myself from staring and noticed that my bare, crossed legs were nearly touching his leg; we were very close—and he was slightly leaning in towards me. I suddenly wished I wore jeans instead of this short skirt. I felt exposed…and had to fight to keep my leg from moving to touch his.

The four words he said to me were echoing through my head…and I still couldn’t respond. I could only look at him…and I saw nothing else. I sat there in silence for way too long…unable to do much more than barely smile through what probably looked to be an unimpressed expression (I was good at hiding my emotions). …sometimes that came back to haunt me.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links

Vivian Kohlman writes romance novels based on stories of love and loss under the backdrop of Washington, DC. She grew up in Maryland just outside DC, but lived in Los Angeles on and off in her 20’s before returning to the Washington, DC area to live out her adult life.

Vivian attended a private university in Washington, DC for undergraduate and graduate school, and lived a very active social life. During her teens and twenties she and her friends lived through a lot of ups and downs—these experiences have fed the stories of this series.

Currently, she loves to travel with her husband and reads or writes romance novels as often as she can. When she’s not writing, she works a fulltime job and enjoys all of the bars, restaurants, and other hot spots of the nation’s capital. Born and raised in the DC metro area, she adores the culture of the city and is passionate about highlighting the city’s attributes, lifestyles, and norms—not including politics.

Links
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013M8PJDE Flawed, Book 1 of the Y&P series (Kara’s story, part 1)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01801MRO2 Found, Book 2 of the Y&P series (Kara’s story, part 2)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GUDGQGW Let Go, Book 3 of the Y&P series (Billi’s story)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074ZN48CD Girls Like Me, Book 4 of the Y&P series (Ava’s story, part 1)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C1C5WSX Guys Like You, Book 5 of the Y&P series (Ava’s story, part 2)

www.viviankohlman.com
www.instagram.com/viviankohlman
www.facebook.com/viviankohlman
www.twitter.com/viviankohlman

Note from Author: The book, Flawed, is not erotica, but does include some steamy scenes, and contains adult situations (curse words, drinking alcohol, etc).

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RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY

Vivian Kohlman will be awarding $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Enter to win a $25 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Vivian. Thanks for being here today. Tell us about you. 

I’m a very responsible and mature person, but really just a kid at heart. My husband and I decided to not have children, so the chaos of activities relating to kids isn’t a part of our life. We do happy hour every Friday, brunch just about every Sunday, and I go to my exercise classes four days a week. We have time to relax and watch movies…and write books.

I also wake up super early—like around 3am—but never to an alarm. My body’s clock just naturally starts to wake up around that time. It started when my husband and I came back from a trip a bit jet-lagged, and realized that we really enjoy having extra time in the morning to watch news and have coffee. So I slowly wake up to my days, and started to take advantage of that by going to work early, or going to barre class before work.

If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?

It’s a little too late now, but I would love to hang out with Anthony Bordain for a day. He’s so interesting, and is knowledgeable about so many different cultures and countries. Plus, he knows how to have a good time, with great food and experiences. I’d love to just hear his stories and ask for his thoughts about our world.

What’s the story behind your latest book?

The last book in the series is, right now, a continuation of Ava’s story. book 4, Girls Like Me, ended up with Ava and King finally getting together. Book 5, Guys Like You, the most recent book, is about their relationship maturing.

Book 5 is published, and I’ve started to kick around ideas for book 6, but it’s nowhere near complete yet.

What is your writing process?

My writing process starts after I come up with the idea of a story. The drive for the ideas varies. Some are true stories and one came to me in a dream. Another was a combination of a Game of Thrones character (Khal Drogo), combined with my favorite song at the time (Girls Like You by The Naked and Famous). Once the idea hits me, I kick off the writing process.

I put the core of the story into a Word doc by fervently writing during all of my free time. Once it’s done, I read it…and begin to change the story for clarity or whatever. Then I do a few rounds of fleshing out the characters, places, dialogue, etc. And finally, do an official edit.

After that edit, I print the book on paper and edit it in this format. Books on paper give me a different feel than e-books, so I tend to make fairly significant changes to the on-paper one. After that’s complete, I make the changes in the Word document, and read it end-to-end again for another round of editing.

Only recently have I learned of the positive impact professional editing can make! So my final process step is now to send the manuscript to a professional editing company.

Tell us about your main character.

The main character of the book featured in this tour, Flawed, is Kara. Her childhood was easy and close to perfect, and her life is pretty nice. She’s young and attractive and has a close group of friends. She’s a romantic at heart, but is strong as well, and very introverted. I think it’s easy to relate to her.

If your book was to be turned into a movie, who would play the lead role and why.

I would absolutely love to see Flawed on the big screen! If I had the opportunity to cast it, I think I’d go for Zoey Deutch or Nina Dobrev for Kara. I haven’t seen an actress that really hits the mark for Kara—she’s basically a young Sophie Marceau look-alike, in my mind. For Naheed, I would pick either Çagatay Ulusoy or Gregg Sulkin…maybe Zayn Malik, if he decided to act. These choices cover the looks of the characters, but the most important thing to me would be their chemistry together.

What are you working on next?

In the next book, Ava’s ex-boyfriend is determined to get her back, challenging her current boyfriend to a mixed martial arts competition while doing what he can to undermine his business plans. I haven’t worked out the details yet, and the summary I just wrote may change before the book is released, but it will conclude Ava’s story.

What advice do you have for other writers who want to get the word out about their book?

Not much! I’m not good at promotion and don’t like to talk myself (or my writing) up, so the marketing side of being self-published has been a huge challenge. The only bit of advice I would give is to be sure to have a site (including a blog, if you have the time) to tell your readers all about your books, and have social media accounts that you can keep active.

Also, listing your book for free is a great way to get new readers to read your work, but you have to spread the message about the giveaway. Many companies out there provide this service, finding the right one for your work is the key.

What is your favorite book on your shelf right now?

I think I’m still hooked on the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I love the books, and the movies. I’ve seen the movies and read the books multiple times. There’s just something to interesting about the characters and the storyline. I feel like I learn or see something new every time I read this book.

But I just downloaded Jessica Sorensen’s newest novel Breathing Lies…I’m super excited to read it. I love her books!

Do you have any special/extraordinary talents?

No! Unfortunately, my sister got all of the talent from our gene pool. When I was young, I used to ice skate pretty well, and I played lots of musical instruments (clarinet, flute, piccolo). But all of those activities were dropped before I hit high school. No other special talents stand out.

You are given the choice of one super power. What super power would you have and why?

Oh wow, this is a tough one! I think my superpower would be to read minds. It would be so cool to know what people were truly thinking. I have no idea what I’d do with that information, but it would be fun to have this as a superpower. I’d find a way to use it to protect the innocent!

List 5 things on your bucket list:

1. Drive an M car on the Nurburgring
2. Visit the Kakslauttanen resort in Finland to see the Northern Lights
3. Take an Alaskan cruise to see the whales
4. Go on safari in Africa
5. Learn a craft of some sort, like knitting, and do it well

Any final thoughts?

I know every reader has a style of romance novel that they like, and my novels may not be it. But if it is, I LOVE to hear from readers who can relate to, or just love, the stories and characters. I’m on Facebook, Instagram, and will respond to my own site’s blog posts or messages sent. So please reach out and connect with me!

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About the Author

Mark is a qualified solicitor who splits his time between protecting the rights of academics, writing thriller fiction and raising five mostly lovely children. He studied Archaeology and Ancient History at the University of Birmingham with a nod towards alternative theory, focusing on the relationship of the Giza complex to the stars; portolan maps; and the origins of civilisation and religion. It was within this flame the plots for his future novels were born.

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About the Book:

Title: THE ATLANTIS DECEPTION
Author: Mark H. Jackson
Publisher: Unbound Digital
Pages: 288
Genre: Adventure/Thriller

BOOK BLURB:

A German property developer, Hans Hoffmann, revels in the belief he has discovered the key to unleashing the weapon responsible for sinking Atlantis. Hoffmann requests the help of Cambridge archaeologist, Dr John Hunter to validate his mysterious find. Hunter’s acceptance leads the maverick academic on a journey from the headquarters of a clandestine organisation in England, to a lost city in the heart of the Brazilian Rainforest, and climaxes inside a chamber hidden deep beneath Egyptian Heliopolis. Pioneering theory is spliced by epic battles, daring escapes, and elaborate schemes aimed at unravelling a secret history hidden from humanity for the past twelve thousand years.

Atlantis is a very visual word. A word evoking mystery, forgotten realms, underwater palaces… the list goes on. I find this Plato inspired concept of Atlantis fascinating and read anything and everything I can lay my hands on. The theories are diverse and range from the feasible to the outlandish, but certain concepts keep reoccurring. The Atlantis Deception takes the ideas of accepted and alternative theory, weaving them together to create a believable universe where our past still dictates our future.

The novel follows the trials and tribulations of a fictional Cambridge academic, Dr John Hunter. The focus is not on Atlantis itself, but rather on what happened to its people it the wake of the loss of their homeland. The Atlantis Deception is a classic action adventure tale with heroes, villains, shadowy organisations and self-serving plots, each underpinned by progressive archaeological theory. The novel is written with the aim of both exciting and making readers think in equal measure. Although imagined, many of the conclusions the characters reach are cutting edge and described in such a way so as to blur the line between fact and fiction.

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Book Excerpt:

Prologue

Lindow Moss Bog, December 43 CE

Teetering on the edge of unconsciousness, Caratacus squirmed as a pair of coarse hands pulled and tugged at his robes. Death was inevitable, yet still he managed a flicker of a smile. These men would never find what they sought.

He grimaced as a heavy hobnail sandal connected with his ribcage, the blow hard enough to flip him over and onto his back. He blinked and opened his eyes to find his chubby, chinless assailant peering down at him.

The Roman wrapped his pristine, cream-coloured sagum tighter around his chest to shut out the cold wind. He looked nothing like the brutish military commanders Caratacus typically dealt with. The man’s regal air of arrogance and contempt for the soldiers around him made it clear he was a Roman of importance. It was an arrogance only men of unimaginable wealth and power could ever hope to wield with success, particularly amongst a group of Praetorian guards.

Caratacus sensed the Roman’s gaze rake his naked body; the man’s tight lips and beady eyes radiated a general air of cruelty which sent a chill coursing through the captured priest. His muscles twitched, tense in anticipation of what might follow. He broke eye contact and cleared his mind, attempting to relax. He wasn’t far from death and rule dictated he must embrace the moment.

‘You are a hard man to track down, Druid,’ sneered the stranger.

‘Or would you prefer I call you by your official title – Gatekeeper?’

He paused, giving Caratacus time to digest the significance of this revelation. ‘You seem calm for a man on his way to Pluto’s realm. Do you not recognise me, priest?’

Caratacus puffed his cheeks and spat blood at the man’s feet, regretting it as a wave of pain surged through his earthly body.

The Roman’s eyes narrowed to slits. He stepped clear of the blood and raised a foot, mashing his muddy sandal deep into Caratacus’ wounded shoulder. ‘I am Claudius, Emperor of Rome, and conqueror of your pathetic island race.’ Claudius hesitated before continuing, his eyes narrowing in hope of at least a flicker of recognition. ‘Well? Have you nothing to say? It is not every day you chance upon a living god.’

Caratacus screwed up his eyes as another hobnail boot connected with his nether regions and a thick-fingered fist smashed into his jaw.

‘Show respect, barbarian,’ barked a Praetorian. An excruciating bolt of pain shot through him and he rolled back onto his side. He retched and coughed blood through his shattered jaw, wincing as he realised it was no longer attached to his skull. Between his legs he saw the soldier shrink away, fearful of his emperor’s reaction. ‘Sir, I’m not sure if he can speak.’

‘Praetorian, your orders were to deliver this man unharmed. Is this unharmed, stulte?’ The Praetorian shook his head and edged beyond the range of Claudius’ sword. ‘What good is he if he cannot speak?’

Caratacus groaned as the heavyset emperor straddled his chest, barely registering the pain as Claudius slapped his cheek. He tried to resist, but the effort was futile. He gagged, choking on the blood coagulating in his throat. The light of the day faded to pinpricks. Death was close. Caratacus’ heart stuttered as darkness enveloped him, beating its final beat as he surrendered himself to God.

‘Where have you put it, Gatekeeper?’ said Claudius. ‘Tell me now or by Jupiter I swear I’ll…’

The priest’s head lolled, all life draining from his once-bright eyes. The Praetorians glanced at one another uneasily, each of them aware the Druid lay dead between their Emperor’s thighs. Claudius cursed and shoved the body aside, watching with morbid interest as the battered body sank into a puddle of its own muddied blood. Killing the man was not part of the plan; well, at least not before he’d extracted a confession.

The Emperor thrust out a hand and one of his men pulled him to his feet.

‘Cut his throat and bury him in the bog.’ He clenched his fists. ‘Then find his belongings. Find them, or I’ll order you buried with him.’