Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Things You May Not Know About Me

For the last two blog posts I’ve been writing about the “real me.” That’s the Vanessa Kelly who writes sexy, Regency-set historical romance for Kensington Zebra. But I also have an alter-ego—V.K. Sykes, and under that name I write steamy contemporary romances.

But there’s even a bit of twist to my writing alter-ego: there are two of us jostling around under that one pen name. The other is my husband, Randy. Yep. We’re one of a rare breed in the romance writing world – a husband and wife team. Our first book was published last year with Carina Press, Harlequin’s digital first imprint. It’s called CaddyGirls, and it’s a sexy read about a young woman who’s an aspiring pro golfer, who supports herself by caddying for rich guys on the golf courses of Las Vegas. It’s a fun book, and hubby and I really enjoyed working on it together – even though we had the occasional argument about that thing guys really hate to talk about. I’m referring, of course, to emotions, and the need to have them in a romance novel. As you can imagine, I tended to carry the day in those discussions!

I’m happy to say that V.K. released another book this past June. We chose to take a different route from our last book – this time we’re indie published on Amazon, Smashwords, and Nook. The book is called Hardball and it’s another sexy contemporary romance, starring a hot baseball hero and a very serious surgeon as the heroine. As you can imagine, there’s a lot of heat between these two characters when they get together.

Here’s the blurb for Hardball:

After years of hard work and keeping her nose firmly to the grindstone, Dr. Holly Bell has finally achieved her dream: a position as a pediatric surgeon at a prestigious teaching hospital. Children’s lives rest in her skilled hands. That means total dedication to her work and her patients without letting anything or anyone get in the way. And a hot affair with a superstar athlete is most definitely getting in Holly’s way.

Nate Carter, star pitcher for the Philadelphia Patriots, has the world in the palm of his baseball glove. He’s at the height of his game, a west coast team is about to lure him with even greater riches, and the most gorgeous women in town are in full pursuit. Nate has everything he wants, or at least he thinks he does, until he meets the beautiful and brainy Dr. Holly Bell. He’s totally up for a hot affair, and Holly turns out to be the hottest.

But will Holly be willing to play his game? When the lovely doctor starts changing the rules, Nate realizes he just might be playing for keeps.

Sounds like fun, doesn’t it? Very sexy fun, if I do say so myself! There’s also an element of suspense in this book, which really ups the stakes for Nate and Holly. To read an excerpt, please stop by our VK Sykes website. While you’re there, you can also have a look at the CaddyGirls excerpt too.

What about you, readers? Do you wish you had an alter-ego? If so, what would you chose to be? One person who comments will win a copy of Hardball.


When she’s not trying to figure out who she is, you can find Vanessa Kelly on the web at www.vanessakellyauthor.com. And when she’s working with her dear hubby, you can find her at www.vksykes.com.

14 comments:

Chrisbails said...

I would have one to let the real Chris out. Since I have had kids I had to hide part of myself. Even part of me has been hiden since I met my husband 17 years ago. I am a very free person that believes that you should be able to do whatever you want to do.(nothing criminal). I am a very happy, funny, friendly person that loves her friends and family. I would do almost anything for anyone. I am a very fierce friend.
Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.
christinebails@yahoo.com

Vanessa Kelly said...

That's the best kind of alter-ego, Chris - your hidden self! Hope you have the chance to let her out every once in a while! Sometimes its fun to bust it up a bit.

LadyRed said...

Oh wow, hard question... :-S Can I have an alter ego that's rich and borrow money from her LOL? Seriously, I'd probably want an alter ego that was strong, confident, assured, determined, and a go getter (basically all the GOOD things I don't feel I am). I have had to endure some major hardships in my short 38 years of life and for everyone I've been through, I come through stronger EMOTIONALLY than I was entering, but they also break down my confidence, my inner strength, my drive to be successful etc. I want those things back!

Rebe said...

Ooo, an alter-ego. Hmm, I think I'd like an alter-ego who can take names and kick arse, all while looking great in leather pants. Cuz what really woman looks great in leather pants?!?! Not I, that's for sure.

Anonymous said...

I had an alter-ego when I was working at a large multi national. I am and have always been a shy accommodating type person. I was raised with the 50's mentality.... "Leave it To Beaver" type woman! However... after a few years helping to be a bread winner, I was promoted into management... THINK...Wonderwoman. I had them all fooled. I recieved promation after promation.... PRETENDING to be someone that I definately am NOT! I am retired now and back to my "Leave It To Beaver" womanhood! LOL
bettysunflower at hotmail dot com

Vanessa Kelly said...

Wow! Great answers, everyone! And I love the idea of us all kicking butt in our leather pants!

Jane said...

I want to kick ass, too. Maybe I can be one of those people who puts on a costume and helps out those in need.

Sue P. said...

Would love an alter ego. Someone who was living her dream life with her dream job with no problems. Ideal, right? Always wanted to work with dolphins. Not sure why, but sometimes wish I'd pursued that a little better.

pennsdog@yahoo.com

JenM said...

I think I'm pretty happy with my life and don't really wish to be anything other than what I am (well, okay, maybe a famous rock star.....), so I guess I can do without an alter ego.

Vanessa Kelly said...

Jen, that's great that you're so happy with your life!

I still want the kick-ass leather pants, though.

Robin said...

My alter ego would be adventurous, outspoken and a risk taker.

robindpdx(at)yahoo(dot)com

Tracy said...

And the winner of the Hardball giveaway is

Anyonymous aka
bettysunflower at hotmail dot com

Congratulations!

I will forward your email info to Vanessa and she will contact you.

Jess said...

I wouldn't mind having a "Take no prisoners" type of attitude sometimes. I tend to be somewhat of an pacifist most of the time.

Thanks for the giveaway! I can't wait to read Hardball :)

jcross719(at)yahoo(dot)com

Women Leather Pants online sale said...

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