bexLOVESbooks: A Field Guide To Catching Crickets

5 Questions With A. Wilding Wells

1. I know you are an avid reader, who’s your current book boyfriend? What are you currently reading, and what was the last book you read that absolutely knocked you on your ass? And was there a certain book that lit a spark in you that made you want to start writing?

I read about three books a week, in a range of genres to keep me on my toes. But I also write seven days a week, most week days at least 10 hours- weekends less but still 6+. So what that means for me, is the book boyfriends I am most in love with are the ones I am writing about. They are so in my brain that they follow me everywhere..and yes...into bed. My husband doesn’t seem to mind, we will be celebrating our 25^th wedding anniversary this year, and let me tell you, since I’ve started writing, our sex life has evolved in so many beautiful ways.

I think if I were to pick a book that knocked me on my ass it would be Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. And that would be for so many reasons, top of mind is his bravery for writing such a bold book in the fifties. I’m a big believer in taking risk in my writing. I like big stories, big characters, big twists. But the subtle ribbons that tie all the bigness together is where the magic sits. I’m a sucker for enchanting chemistry. For a bit of darkness. For layers. I love intimacy. Nabokov is master at all of those things, regardless of the fact that Lolita is about a pedophile.

I started writing a year and a half ago after I read an inspiring article in a magazine about writers. I was at the time having a hard time finding books that resonated with me. So I sat down that night and started to write with no clue as to what I was doing. I have lots of books I have not published and likely won’t, but I did cut my teeth on them. I love how far I’ve come in a really short time. The learning curve is so wonderful and challenging and pure thrill for me.

2. I have to ask… How badass does it feel to have your book BANNED from Amazon? Or was it so much of a hassle that you didn’t have a chance to feel like the badass that you are? Do you feel like the book lost any of its Heart & Soul with the changes you had to make?

So funny! My kids and my parents thought it was very badass. I was more in the head of holy fuck...what the hell? But I went with silver lining a second after that…I knew there had to be one. There is in everything no matter what. Then the readers stood up and rallied and it was just the most heartwarming thing to see and feel. The fact that anyone cared at all blew my mind. People are busy, and I’m not a well known author, so I was concerned the book would get discarded or worse…shredded with horrid reviews. And reviews matter to writers and readers! I’m so grateful for the experience of getting banned. I always tell our four boys, imperfect experiences build your character. Failure is where you will learn the most about yourself and life. The changes I made in the book were minor, I’m pretty sure most people would not realize I even made them.

3. You posted the cutest picture on instagram a couple weeks back of your adorable farm house lifestyle. It made me realize how similar you are to your farm girl heroines Matilda & Sloan. Will you tell us in what ways you are similar to them and possibly how you differ as well?

Sloan and Matilda are practically sisters to me, and yes, there is some of me in both. I would say they are more similar to me than they are different. Some of their exact experiences I have not had but, it’s easy to embellish anything in ones life. The main similarities are the moxie they have, then the countryside, small town farm childhood. That was me. Playing in creeks, wandering through the woods, spending hours looking for kittens or riding my horse through cornfields.

I was raised on a farm in the Midwest, with very open somewhat eccentric parents. (to say the least) I have always been an animal lover and a creative. My bohemian side continues to evolve the older I get. I can’t help but take some of who I am and build it into my characters. I then down play or exaggerate things. In Sloan and Matilda’s case, and similar to them, I moved to Europe four days after high school to model. It was a very interesting experience, since I grew up in a small town on a farm. Lots of odd things happened while I was there, unusual people and experiences that I was able to twist, nothing as dark as what Sloan went through, but no question I have and will continue to you use my own life as inspiration, even if at times it’s just a thread.

4. Do you have a new project in the works? What can you tell us about it? Spill it sister! Or give us three details that we can swoon over!

I have another book coming out in early fall. No title yet. A very delicious romance with lots of vulnerabilities exposed and played on. The H/H are such unique characters, and both of their stories are so moving that while writing I was cracking up one second, and a blubbering mess the next. I love them so much. Their journeys of healing are remarkable and their chemistry is luscious. She is such a bird, and he is such a sexy uniquely cool guy you will likely name your vibrator ( or fingertips..) after him.

Photo by: @corruptedbysmut

Then, for early winter; late November, I’m just finishing the second book in the beast series. My working title is The Art of Discovering Bubbles With Boys Who Ride Elephants. The book is quirky and bold and a bit crazy-over-the-top-wonderful. But oh man, it’s so fucking sexy. This is a family that everyone will relate to, even though they are nothing like any family I’ve ever heard of. Another hardcore tearjerker considering some of the things that go on. I would call it my most enchanting story to date. A modern day fairytale if ever.

I’ll write probably two more books after those this year, and they will be published in early spring. My goal is about 5-6 books a year. My challenge is to grow as a writer with each book. To create characters that pull at every emotion, to craft stories that have you smiling and crying and chuckling and wondering. I love nothing more than getting lost in the world of book, and more than anything, that is what I want to give to my readers. I want each book, from the cover to the story to the emotions that you go through, to feel like a gift or an opening of some kind.

5. I think the way that you share ARCs and paperbacks with all readers, not just bloggers, in exchange for an honest review, is such an awesome way to strengthen our book community. Letting all of your readers know how important their voice is to you, and also putting your words into as many hands as possible. Can you share about this process, as you do things differently then most authors out there.

I didn’t realize I was doing anything different than other authors until readers were writing these amazing letters to me, telling me how this was their first ARC and how grateful and special it made them feel. And I was all… wait, what? Someone told you that your voice as a reader didn’t matter? Screw that! Every reader matters to me...and on that note, I can hardly believe I can say the words…I have readers! I swear some nights while my husband and I are having a cocktail I crack up…hey babe, isn’t it cool that anyone wants to read my books! We laugh of course at how lucky we feel about it, because writing is such a passion for me. It’s the most creative thing I’ve done to date, and all I’ve ever done is create. My whole adult life I’ve only ever made a living being an artist. So writing is taking all of that creativity and pushing me to a new level.

Holy fuck am I verbose or what!

______________________________________________________________

LIGHTENING ROUND… READY? GO!

CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA?: Twist with sprinkles.
SUNSHINE OR RAINSTORMS?: Rainstorms with sunshine and cocktails afterward.
COWBOYS OR BIKERS?: Naughty-dirty-sexy-cowboy who owns a bike.
CAKE OR ICE CREAM?: Coconut cake with vanilla ice cream on the side.
LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED: Outlander, not a movie but feels better than most.
SWEET OR ROUGH?: Yes. YES!!! YES!!!
SWEET OR SALTY?: Yes. YES!!!
HAWKE OR BALTHAZAR?: Impossible. I’ve had them both and oh Shit…. (JUST KIDDING, I’D NEVER MAKE YOU CHOOSE. ;)
FAVORITE SONG TO SING AT THE TOP OF YOUR LUNGS?: Fool in the Rain, Led Zepplin
3 (YES ONLY 3) BOOKS THAT EVERYONE HAS TO READ BEFORE THEY DIE:

- I Know why the Caged Bird Sings. Maya Angelou.

- Lolita. Vladimir Nabokov

- A Room of Ones Own. Virginia Wolf

CELEBRITY CRUSH: Justice Joslin. Slurp. I based my next male character on him.
HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU FIRST FELL IN LOVE?: 16, and oh hells yeah...I fell hard.
YOUR HERO: I know it sounds corny, but it’s for sure hands down my husband. He’s pretty much the coolest, sexiest, wittiest, most generous, and open minded lovely man I have ever met in my life. I adore everything about him, especially the way he loves me unconditionally and embraces my flaws and need to evolve. The man never judges me, not ever, and that is the most freeing thing in the world. I swear he makes me feel like I could fly.
LAST TIME YOU SWAM IN OCEAN: last fall we went out on sailboat with friends and I stripped down to nothing and dove in! I LOVE skinny dipping!
LAST TIME YOU CRIED: Two weeks ago I me a little meltdown. One of those pile it all kind that happens a few times a year.
LAST TIME YOU LAUGHED YOUR ASS OFF: I do every day, many times a day. My husband and I work together and sit fifteen feet from each other all day. It’s a fair amount of comedy.

…AND ANY LAST WORDS? Thank you for this darling. And thank you with all my heart to anyone who embraces my passions. There is nothing better than waking up every day, and doing what you love, I will always and forever be that girl as it’s all I know..good or bad, thick or thin, broke or unbroke. But those who appreciate it. I fucking love the pants off you people!!!!

Purchase or Add A. Wilding Wells' Books to Goodreads Here:

AMAZON / GOODREADS

If you love the pants off this magical girl as much as I do, or you just want to find out more about her and stay up to date with all the things she has going on... you can sign up here:

| WEBSITE | NEWSLETTER |

COMMENT ON THIS BLOG POST FOR A CHANCE TO WIN ANY 1 A. WILDING WELLS eBOOK of YOUR CHOICE!

A M A Z O N (PRE-ORDER) // G O O D R E A D S

B L U R B:

The soul is not where it lives, but where it loves.

A countryside ranch, naughty notes and a neighbor boy. Kissing in silos and skinny dipping under a full moon. Ten years gone. An ocean, a tragedy...secrets and buried things. Letting go and hanging on. Remembering to forget.

My reality became his nightmare, but then my nightmare became reality.

Hawke Slater was not only my brothers’ best friend, he was a tender, sweet country boy. I never wanted to leave, but there was no choice for me. Two things kept my soul alive, and I’m hanging onto hope that one might be an option for my future.

I wish none of it had been my fault, but it was.

Sloan Story McQueen has returned. Why would I hold out an ounce of hope that she’d want me once she finds out what I do for a living. Some call it obscene, but I’m just chasing storms and rainbows.

She’s holding onto something big. If only it were me.

***This novel contains adult content and is not intended for sensitive readers. ***

M Y R E V I E W:

This is the second book I've read by the wonderful A. Wilding Wells, and I can say without any doubt or hesitation, I am a reader for LIFE! Some books you read, some books you devour, and some books you FEEL to the core of your being. I felt this book, with every beat of my heart. I cried with Sloan, I laughed with Hawke, and I just felt hope, so much hope that they could over come time, and history, and years past. To mend what had been broken between them and become whole again. Hawke & His Cricket. ...sigh.

A Lifetime of Love. Young Love, First Love, Stolen Love, Unbreakable Love.

From the way our brains fit together, to the way our hearts fit together, to the way all our body parts fit together. Its as though we were broken apart in some other lifetime then found eachother and became whole again in this one.

I feel like this quote, while spoiler free, it so perfectly captures the feel and the story of this whole beautiful book.

Hawke Slater, Brohican & World Famous Porn Star. He has the world's largest heart, and an equally large, well, you can guess. :) He fell in love at 18, quite possibly long before then. He gave his heart to his cricket, and she took it-and then she took it with her.

Sloan: What do you want to be when you grow up?

Hawke: Someone you can't imagine living without.

Sloan: You're Dope as Fuck. You're not going to make any of this

easy are you?

Hawke: Nope.

Sloan "Cricket" McQueen, She is Brave, but Broken. She is a Warrior who wants nothing but peace. She is a lover who has lived on love, feasted on it, breathed it and gained great strength from it. She's my hero. And I absolutely LOVE A. Wilding Wells for giving her to me.

"She makes pain look beautiful, like a springtime blossom trapped in an ice storm"

The character development in this book was off the charts. You know Hawke & Cricket. They become part of you, engrained in your heart. You feel their pain, and experience their joy. You want to fight for their love.

The love scenes, the love MAKING scenes in this book, so SO hot. Holy shit! Hawk Slater can make me chirp anyday! ;)

Read this book! Then talk to me about it! I could talk about this book all day long. Seriously. But I want to tell you everything! And I LOVED going into this book knowing almost nothing. I was able to almost immediately be completely swept away in the journey. And you will too. Enjoy!

A B O U T THE A U T H O R:

I live with my characters day and night. Most of the time I feel like a voyeur in their lives, which magically seem to unfold right in front of me. They’re in my dreams and on my brain non-stop. I’ll spend weeks editing and revising one book with the next plot swimming through my head and being scribbled onto endless reams of paper. When I write I feel everything - and I do mean EVERYTHING - about them. I’m turned on by them. I laugh at and with them. I get pissed at them. I bitch at them. I cry if something awful is happening to them. My heart speeds up when they fight. I get goose bumps because of them.

I’ll admit it sometimes feels a little like I’m playing God when I write (either that or a puppeteer). I love writing about strong characters that have flaws and imperfections to deal with, work on or resolve. I adore twists, turns and funky plot oddities that make life the crazy thing that it really is. I love putting my characters in awkward situations that allow for interesting, heated and often sexy dialogue to play out.

She's The BEST Friend You'll Ever Have, I Speak From Experience, Find out for Yourself by Signing Up Here:

| WEBSITE | NEWSLETTER |

XOXO, bex