Welcome Author Kristy Centeno!

Hi all!

Please help me welcome Author Kristy Centeno to my blog today! Her first book is going to be released on Jan. 23rd!

Author Bio:

As a child, I used to lose myself in an imaginary world by the means of a good book. Now that I’m all grown up, I get to create my own fictional realms and make them come to life in ways that most readers might not expect.

I’ve always had a passion for writing but never had the opportunity do so until now. After trying out numerous options I realized that writing was what I loved the most so when I found myself with some free time on my hands, I decided to give it a shot. As it turned out, my very active imagination helped me achieve my goals of creating believable plots with some ordinary, and some not so ordinary characters that helped the stories move along in one way or another.

As I keep moving along in achieving my dreams of becoming a published author, I divide my time in between my four children and my very understanding husband.​

What is your name? Do you use a pen name (if so, why?)?

Kristy Centeno. I don’t use a pen name.

Tell me a bit about yourself:

I’m a hard working mother of four and the eldest of four children. I was born in a small City in a Caribbean island some twenty something years ago and moved to the USA when I was four. I developed a love for books even before I could read them and my parents encouraged my passion by supplying a healthy amount of books, which I read often.

What type of genre do you write?

Horror, Paranormal Romance, and Young Adult.

What genre to you personally read?

Horror, Thrillers, Paranormal Romance, Erotica, Young Adult, Fantasy among others.

Tell me about your latest?

Enchanter is categorized as a Paranormal Romance and may even fit the Young Adult novel (older) category. It’s a story about two individual who carry more than their fair share of secrets and struggle to make the right choice between love and duty.

Book Blurb:

Leah Parker is furious when she finds out she’s been paired up for a class project with deadly silent, tough as nails, and incredibly intimidating Brandon Morris. Though she’s known him for years, Leah has made it a priority to stay away from him for a reason. As they are forced to spend time together however, Leah comes to find that there is more to Brandon than what meets the eye.

When a series of unexpected events forces Brandon to reveal his true identity, Leah suddenly finds herself fighting to come to terms with who he is and with the fact that by fulfilling his destiny she will come to lose the only guy she’s ever loved. As a family secret is unveiled and old threats possess new risks, they both have to find the strength to do what is expected of them. Even if that means losing each other in the process.

Love brought them together. His bloodline threatens to pull them apart. Will Brandon choose duty over love? Or will other forces far beyond their control separate them first?

Book Excerpt:

Brandon tore his lips away from mine so he could explore my neck, nipping and nibbling as he traveled the length of it. Deliberately, gently, passionately, he kissed a path down my skin and paused only when he reached my naked shoulder. “So soft,” he murmured, the hoarseness of his voice forcing my body to break out in goose bumps.

My fingers intertwined in his hair, forcing the long locks out of the black bow keeping it neatly tied at the nape of his neck. As soon as it came loose, his dark hair cascaded around his face like a curtain, making him look like some exotic creature of the night.

“Brandon…” I glanced up at his pale blue eyes, admiring the beauty of them. “Kiss me… please.”

He immediately obliged, devouring my lips with so much intensity it caused my knees to wobble. Heat, fast and powerful, spread through my body in rapid sequences as our tongues playfully toyed with each other and our bodies touched. I moaned when the feel of his strong, hard, and warm body pressed against mine. I did enjoy his masculinity and how wonderful it felt to have his hands massaging my back.

Feeling the need to explore, I untangled my fingers from his long mane and slowly allowed my hands to glide down his neck, and to his upper torso where they paused just over his pectorals. The tips of my fingers slowly slithered over his hard-as-steel chest and there they lingered for a while, exploring, touching, and feeling. Ever so slightly, they lowered to his abs, which despite the jacket and white shirt, I detected to be just as defined as the rest of him.

My greedy fingers worked their magic over Brandon, who immediately groaned and pulled away from me. His breath was ragged, his eyes filled with lust, his body language tense.

“Leah… I…”

A movement over his left shoulder caught my attention and I no longer focused on him or on what he was saying.

“Brandon, I don’t think we’re alone anymore,” I murmured as another flash of whiteness rushed from one side to the other, some ten to fifteen feet from us. It was too dark for me to determine who it was, but I was certain of one thing: we were being watched.

What sparked your passion for books and the art of a good story?

Basically, I’ve always had a passion for reading and writing. At a very early age I developed a hunger for amazing stories that captured the mind and made me want to read more and more. As soon as I learned how to write, I began to bring forth my own ideas and transforming them into stories that in my mind would do just that.

Is there a particular book that changed or affected your life in a big way?

I couldn’t name just one because of the fact that each and every book I have read had a profound effect on me. I have read books that left me thoroughly impressed for a long time afterwards and that amazing feeling was what prompted my desire to write. Aside from writing stories that I would want to read, I wanted to inspire others to pick up one of my books and say ‘I know this is going to be good’.

Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?

Yes. Don’t judge a person for what they look like. There’s nothing wrong with being different or acting different as long as no one gets hurt. Respect other people and their point of views even if you don’t agree with them.

What challenges have you faced in your writing career?

I think that by biggest challenge was getting published. Before I even started sending out queries, I spent a lot of time researching company in order to know what they were looking for. It was time consuming and arduous work but it was all worth it at the end.

What has been your best moment as a writer?

Realizing my dream. Getting published.

Who is your author idol?

I have too many to name all : - )

Do you see yourself in any of your characters?

They definitely represent a part of who I am, even if it’s a very small part. For example, a character from one of my novels might like pasta, and the other might love the color blue. The color blue and pasta are two of my favourite things so I may be reflected in some form through them.

Do you feel like your dream has come true or is there much more to do?

I believe my dream has come true because I have been able to accomplish my goal to write and get published; anything that comes as a result is only a bonus. However, I do plan to continue writing and venturing in genres I never dreamed of before.

What does your workspace look like?

It’s definitely organized but full. In order to work properly I have to have notebook, pen, Nook, and of course, my laptop. If something is missing I can’t work. Whenever I’m getting ready to write a scene I write down notes I use for reference. Music is a must for me and my Nook, which contains a long playlist, provides that for me.

Have you ever had a day when you just wanted to quit?

Oh, God, yes. I have had those, and if it hadn’t been for all the emotional support I got from those around me I would have probably quit or at the very least taken a break. There are times when writing is hard work, but at the same time it’s so much fun and fulfilling that I had to keep going.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

Because I have four little ones running around most of my writing usually take place during the evening when the kids are tucked in for the night. So when I’m not writing you’ll find me cleaning, organizing, doing the laundry, dishes, cooking, or running errands.

What are the most important attributes to remaining sane as a writer?

I think the most important attribute is to balance your time and use your resources well. If you need a break, take a walk and relax. Don’t try to do too much in one single sitting.

Did you have a moment when you realized you were meant to be a writer?

During the time I attended college, some classmates and the teachers commented on my ability to write great essays. I realized then that if so many people were praising my work that maybe I should try for something else and I’m very glad that I did give it a shot.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Don’t give up no matter how hard it gets. Do plenty of research, especially when in the process of presenting your work to a publisher. Don’t take constructive criticism personally, take the good from it and use it to your advantage. Edit and proofread the MS as much as possible before presenting the final work to the publisher. Believe in what you write and above all, have fun, enjoy yourself, and keep writing.

After this book, what is next?

Actually, I have another novel coming out on February 15, 2013. A Stranger in the Night is a paranormal romance with strong sexual content.

Author’s Website: www.kristycenteno.com

Author’s Blog: http://booksbycenteno.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/KristyCenteno

Twitter: www.twitter.com/KrissyGirl122

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/KristyCenteno

Please thank Ms. Centeno for joining us today! Check out her website, blog and Facebook pages. Leave her a comment and let her know you saw her here first! Don't forget to buy her book on January 23rd!

Keep Reading & Writing All!

Jodie Pierce