This week’s installment of Friday Reads is brought to you by Liwen Ho, author of the Taking Chances Series.
My favorite part of hosting other authors on my website is getting to know them and sharing them with our readers. Liwen has just released the third novel in the Taking Chances series, Drawn to You.
- Tell our readers why they should choose your novel as their Friday Read.
Because you won’t regret it! 🙂 Reading Drawn To You is a great way to wind down and relax from a busy week. You’ll swoon, laugh, and fall in love with the main characters as they grow to fall for each other.
- What is the back story of Drawn to You, what inspired you?
When I was writing the second book in my series, one of the supporting characters, Sam, jumped up and down, insisting that I write the next book about her. If you know Sam, as I’ve gotten to know her, you’ll learn that she doesn’t take no for answer. That’s how she got a whole story dedicated to her and her alter ego, Lucas. I absolutely believe in the theory that opposites attract because my hubby and I are living proof of it. You’ll find bits and pieces of our personalities in Sam and Lucas, and even a scenario involving a dishwasher that was inspired by us (LOL).
- Who were your favorite authors as a child and teen.
As a child, I loved reading the Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery and later on, the Babysitters Club series by Ann M. Martin, and Sweet Valley High series by Francine Pascal. As a teen, I moved on from romance to mystery when I discovered Mary Higgins Clark’s books.
I loved Anne of Green Gables too and was disappointed when my family made a trip to Nova Scotia and didn’t have time to visit Prince Edward Island.
Imagine a big name author that you love is reading and raving about your book. Choose one of these reactions and explain why.
- Freak out and shake all over.
- Google everything you can find about your book and the author.
- Call everyone you know to share your excitement.
- Post immediately to Clean Indie Reads so your friends can freak out with you.
- Begin to mentally compose a tweet to tell the world.
Oh my, can I choose all five?! I would definitely do a little dance like I did when I got my first book published, then go on social media and virtually “shout” (in all caps, of course!) the amazing news to anyone and everyone who will listen! And I’d probably look something like this. 🙂
I LOVE the picture! Friends Liwen is a funny lady and her novels are fun too. No interview is complete without a blurb.
Drawn To You, Taking Chances Series, Book 3
Can love embrace differences?
Wanted: A man who can handle his alter ego. Quick reflexes recommended.
Feisty and adventurous, art teacher Sam Koo is used to getting what she wants, including talking her way out of traffic tickets. When it comes to money matters though, she’s a lost cause. Her studio is in trouble, and there’s no way of charming herself out of this mess.
Police officer Lucas Choi is the last person she expects to rescue her. Handsome and rule-abiding, he was the best—and worst—part of her high school experience. When they meet a decade later, he’s still on her case and quick to point out her flaws.
Their differences drive each other crazy, but also draw them closer. The attraction is tangible, yet so are Sam’s fears. Will she choose to protect her heart or trust the only man who ever rejected her
I asked Liwen to share an excerpt with us. I don’t know who wins in the exchange below, Firecracker or Squealer. 🙂
“I hope you know you can’t sweet talk your way out of everything, Sammie Koo.”
Sam’s ears perked up. Where had she heard that line before? Pursing her lips, she took a good look at the officer. Jet black hair. High cheekbones. A dimple in his chin. There was something familiar about him, particularly that dimple. If only she could see his eyes. “Do I know you? No one calls me Sammie anymore.” Her eyes roamed over his well-defined chest and over his name tag again. “Choi. Wait a minute. Lucas Choi, is that you?”
The officer lowered his sunglasses onto the bridge of his nose. “Hey, Sammie. It’s good to see you, too.”
Her jaw dropped when she met his gaze. Those eyes. She would recognize them anywhere. Brown irises so light in color that they had flecks of green and gold in them. Once upon a time those eyes, so uncommon for an Asian, made her envious, but now they completely infuriated her. Judging from his haughty expression, she could tell he was taking way too much pleasure in tormenting her. It figures he went into law enforcement. Mr. Goody-Two-Shoes loved nothing more than following the rules and making those who didn’t pay for it.
Not much had changed since the last time they crossed paths, except that she had her hands free today. She looked around for something to throw, settling for a fistful of candy wrappers, and tossed them at him. “How long were you going to mess with me? I can’t believe you let me beg you for mercy! Stop wasting my time. I know you want to write me up, so do it.”
He brushed off an orange Kit Kat wrapper stuck to his pressed shirt. “Hey now, settle down, Firecracker. I could arrest you for assaulting an officer.”
Heat flared from her neck up to her cheeks, likely causing her complexion to match the red highlights in her hair. Oh, how she hated his nickname for her. “Oh, please. Assault you with what—paper cuts? Or maybe the overpowering aroma of chocolate? If you want to arrest me, Squealer, go ahead. It’s not the first time you got me put in handcuffs.”
“Now, now, there’s no need for name-calling, Miss Koo. We’re both adults here.”
“You started it.” Sam wrinkled her nose at how juvenile she sounded. Why did he have to bring out the worst in her? And how did he manage to look so cool and composed? It wasn’t fair. She swiped at some wisps of hair that were stuck to her damp forehead. “I don’t know why you enjoy tormenting people. What did I ever do to you?”
“Someone has a short-term memory. Need I remind you that you left me to do all the experiments in chem class and then tried to copy my answers? We weren’t assigned as lab partners so you could flirt with the jocks while I did all the work.”
“Ah! I see what’s going on. You were jealous.”
“Jealous?”
“Of all the attention I got. Admit it. You’re still jealous I got elected Student Body President and you didn’t.”
“You got lucky. There were more guys than girls at school. Of course they voted for the prettier candidate. It was a no-brainer.”
Sam covered her open mouth to feign shock. “Did you just say something nice about me? What’s the catch, Lucas? Do you have a hidden police cam on you?”
“I said you’re prettier than me, but we both know I’m the more handsome one. Let’s not forget who got crowned Homecoming King.”
A genuine smile crossed Sam’s face for the first time that day. Lucas was still as charming as ever, in an annoyingly appealing kind of way. “You’re still such a dork. We both won that night. I was Homecoming Queen.”
“I remember. It was the one time we didn’t try to kill each other.”
“You almost maimed me with your gigantic lead feet. Come on, how hard is it to slow dance without stepping on your partner’s toes?”
“Apparently, very hard when the girl doesn’t allow you to lead.”
Sam crossed her arms and faked a laugh. “Ha! You just don’t know how to handle a strong, independent woman.”
“I think the word you meant to say was stubborn.”
Drawn to You is book three in the series and the good news is that each book in the Taking Chances series can be read as a standalone novel.
Read for free with Kindle Unlimited
Liwen’s novels are available on Amazon
Connect with Liwen Ho
Blog: 2square2bhip
Twitter: @2square2behip
Liwen, it has been fun hosting you on this week’s installment of Friday Reads. I think you made an excellent case for why Drawn to You should be chosen as a Friday Read.
Liwen Ho was part of our Christmas Reading Banquet.
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