The Bridesmaid’s Check List

Posted: September 11, 2017/By: achristay@aol.com

Please welcome K.T. Castle the author of the Bridesmaid’s Checklist

K.T. Castle will award paperback copies of The Bridesmaid’s Checklist Series and a $10 Amazon GC (US/Mexico only) to one randomly selected commenter and digital copies of The Bridesmaid’s Checklist Series and a $10 Amazon GC (international) to a second randomly selected commenter. In addition, a randomly drawn host will receive a signed copy of The Bridesmaid’s Checklist: Laura’s Wedding (US/Mexico only — a digital copy will be substituted for international winners) and a $10 Amazon GC.

The Bridesmaid’s Checklist

by K.T. Castle

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GENRE: Contemporary (New Adult) Romance

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INTERVIEW: The Bridesmaid’s Checklist

Hello, everyone!!!

Thank you for having me in your blog today, Christine. I’m really excited about my first tour and hope you guys get to know a little bit about me and my writing.

What or who inspired you to start writing?

My friends ♡

I’ve been blessed with wonderful friends who were always open to be part of my creative life. I began by retelling them dreams I had of us going away on vacations, then doing little comic books of them. Eventually our adventures together inspired me on writing stories and poetry, when romances became part of our lives. Now I go to them every time I have an idea and I love how they listen to my silliness.

How did you come up with ideas for your books?

Mostly from everyday life, from observing those around me. Whenever I can, I spend some time creating imaginary stories of people that catch my attention. I start wondering about their lives and how interesting they could be.

For example, this last week I travelled back home from vacations. And in the row behind me there was this girl crying, she must have been in high school (16 or maybe 18 years old). She was travelling with her family, and I couldn’t understand why she was so sad until I remembered a boy saying goodbye to her on the waiting room. My brain immediately started musing how they were boyfriends that lived apart and had a long distance relationship. She was sad because summer was over and she was going back to reality. They probably wouldn’t see each other until Christmas, or even next year. I was so close to going back to talk to her and hear her story, tell her that everything was going to be okay.

What expertise did you bring to your writing?

Teaching has being a part of my life for the last twelve years. I used to teach English (Literature and English Language Arts, sometimes even Math, Science, Spanish and French)… maybe one day I’ll write a story about a teacher.

I’ve been working in the administrative part of teaching since 2011. I coordinate teachers and events, plan, write procedures, and give coaching. You’ll see a lot of that on my books.

What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?

Drawing and painting are a very important part of my life. At a certain point I wanted to be an Imagineering and work at Disney. I would have loved to have the talent to make a movie for them (once upon a time I even had a little conversation with one of their artists).

Aside from that, I love graphic novels. Maybe one day I’ll have the patience and training to create my own. I devoured Archie comics when I was in junior high. Later on I moved to Japanese manga and anime. Up until this day I admire the art behind comic books and graphic novels.

As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?

Keep doing it.

Writing is a passion of mine. A creative outlet to all the ideas in my head. I have a notebook with lots of ideas I have for new stories.

Finishing The Bridesmaid’s Checklist series is certainly a priority, but I also want to give some other stories a chance. I have more romances I want to write, some are contemporary, other paranormal and there might even be a young adult in the future.

If you could be one of the characters from any of your books, who would it be and why?

That’s a difficult one. I really like all my characters for different reasons. Kassandra, the main character, is probably the one I share the most traits with. She’s obsessive and willing to help everyone, it doesn’t hurt at all that she end up with a dream of a guy.

Then there’s also Laura, the kind of girl I wish I could be. She’s strong and a handful. She could be spoiled at times and completely egocentric. Laura always get what Laura wants, and that’s something I wish I could do. She has a filter and no restrictions. She’s a bold girl and I admire her for that.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your leading roles?

I already have my dream cast. This is how I imagine my characters 🙂

Fantasy Cast BCL1

Fantasy Cast BCL2

What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)

Advice comes in many different forms, sometimes it is required; sometimes it could be something that shocks you and makes you rethink everything you have done.

Probably the best advice is to “keep writing.” If it makes you happy, if it makes you feel empowered, regardless of what people say or think, keep writing. One day it will all pay off, maybe not with millions of dollars in the bank or a bestseller, but with the satisfaction of knowing you did something for yourself.

The other one is probably for people who like me are perfectionists… “it’ll never be perfect.” You can revise your manuscript a thousand times and every single one you’ll find something you’ll want to change. If you want to publish and you have a launch date, keep up with the program and let go. There’s always second editions 😉

Do you outline your books or just start writing?

My writing process has changed over the years.

The first book I’ve ever wrote was as simple as sitting and writing it from beginning to end. I had some notes, had clear ideas, and it took me around two years to write. It is still unpublished and it’s the longest book I’ve ever wrote.

It then changed by adding a research file, digital notes and an outline.

For my last book I had hand written notes, my research files with notes and pictures, the outline for the three story lines in them and I even have a timeline of events. I believe I’m more effective with my writing now, than ten years ago when I started writing.

Do you have any hobbies and does the knowledge you’ve gained from these carry over into your characters or the plot of your books?

My hobbies are simple and repetitive, I’m all for having a routine and sticking to it. Reading is my all time favorite hobby, as it is to watch series on Netflix. Drawing and Painting are hobbies I do my best to incorporate to my schedule.

There’s certainly little glimpses of my likes and hobbies in my characters, things I love doing and some others I wish I could do.

Do you have an all time favorite book?

TONS!!!

The Twilight saga are the books that brought me back to reading, so they have a special place in my heart.

The Mortal Instruments is definitely one of my favorites. I wish I had Cassandra Clare’s imagination. She’s a great author.

And I have to mention The Marked Men, they’re all so hot!! Jay Crownover is one of my favorite authors. I truly admire her. I want to be like her when I “grow up”. My favorite book of hers from this series is Rule, he’s totally my book boyfriend.

Have you started your next project? If so, can you share a little bit about your book?

The Bridesmaid’s Checklist: Natalie’s Wedding is in hands of my editor. It should be out at the beginning of next year.

This is the third book for the BCL series, and as the title says it deals with Natalie’s wedding.

Kassandra, my main character, is the last single girl in her group of friends after Laura get married in BCL1. In that book, she finally gives Josh a chance. Josh is a handsome womanizer that has been after her for years. In the first book we see her deal with the fact that she was issues with commitment and it pretty clear why she is the last single friend.

BCL2 continues Kassandra’s romance while another of her friends, Marisol, deals with an unexpected pregnancy and giving up her career to take care of her family. So as the story advances in the present with these issues, it also goes back in time as they both remember Marisol’s wedding. I had a blast writing this book, and I’m proud of it because it deals with Marisol and her husband’s cultural differences.

My next project, BCL3, continues with the retelling of three stories: Kassandra and Josh’s relationship advancing, Natalie’s current life situation and the retelling of her wedding in the past. In Natalie’s case, she believes her husband is cheating on her, she’s so very heartbroken and reaches for Kassandra and Josh for advice. This book deals with the age difference between Natalie and her husband, and everything they went through when they got married because of it. Natalie isn’t his first wife, now the question is if she’s going to be the last.

Who is your favorite actor and actress?

For the longest time my favorite actor was Brendan Fraser, I mean, did you ever see George of the Jungle? The Mommy? I believe he is handsome, funny and has a lot of potential as an actor. I wish to see him back on the big screen with a successful career.

As for actresses, I’ve always admire Nicole Kidman. She’s beautiful! (I think Natalie might look a little bit like her now that I think about it) She’s a great actress, some of my favorite films are: Practical Magic and Moulin Rouge.

Can you tell us a little about the black moment in your book?

During Laura’s wedding Kassandra’s biggest conflict is to come clean with her friend. When the time comes for her to meet her fiancé, Kassandra discovers that Laura’s husband-to-be is no other than an ex-boyfriend of hers. The same ex that broke her heart and caused her to have an issue with commitment. At the beginning she thought it was best to keep quiet and concentrate on Laura and her wedding needs, after all, her relationship to her fiancé happened eons ago. Hiding the truth is never the answer and, as expected, everything snowballs in the worst possible way.

Thank you so much for allowing me to share a little bit of myself in you blog! It is so exciting to be on tour and been able to reach so many people.

Please feel free to contact me 🙂

I always like meeting new people and hear their stories.

BLURB: The Bridesmaid Checklist

Kassandra is a single, independent woman who prides herself on her own success. But when she’s asked by her best friend Laura to be the Maid of Honor in her wedding, Kassandra finds herself questioning her lifestyle. Helping Laura plan the wedding is no problem—she’s done it before for all their other friends. The first time was a blast, the second super fun, but doing it without receiving any help from the rest of the girls gets old really fast.

The whole event kicks off with the worst kind of surprise when Kassandra discovers who her friend’s fiancé really is, and she’s torn between supporting Laura’s future happiness and hiding the deeply buried, intimate past she shares with the groom-to-be. Struggling to be the bigger person and do all the hard work on her own, Kassandra finds surprising comfort in Josh, the best man in the wedding and someone she’s been avoiding for years. He’s charming, thoughtful, handsome, and the worst kind of womanizer, but she just can’t seem to stay away. All the while, Kassandra can’t help wondering if the wedding could be any more cliché—until she finds unexpected ways to change things up a bit.

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EXCERPT: The Bridesmaid’s Checklist

Always a bridesmaid, never a bride. I’d heard that saying more than once now. And I was about to hear it once again.

“Kassie! Kassie, wake up! I’m getting married,” a high-pitched voice squealed at me at 3:00 a.m.

Who the hell is this? I had picked up the phone without even looking at the caller ID. Oh, Laura. Great.

“Kassandra, are you listening? I’m engaged!” Laura screamed from the other side of the phone.

“Yeah, wow,” I said. “Congratulations.”

“I can’t believe you, Kassie. You should be more excited. You’ll get to be my bridesmaid!” The volume of her voice kept rising.

“I’m happy for you, Laura.” I really didn’t know at the moment how I felt. I was trying to look around to see exactly where I was. “Believe me. It’s just…it’s three o’clock, and I was sleeping.”

After looking at my surroundings, I remembered I was in my own house. I had a minor headache, probably from all the drinking the night before, and my body ached a bit. I looked beside me and found the reason for my hurt.

Next to me I found the silhouette of a beautiful man. The memories of the few hours before my abrupt awakening came back at me:

A bar. A blond. My home. Some sex…in that order.

“I know it’s late, but I had to give you the good news.”

“And news it is.” She was the last of my best friends who was single; not so long ago we roamed all the bars in town together, looking for men to hook up with, and suddenly she was engaged.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

K.T. Castle is an author/artist on a quest to find the words, forms, and colors to materialize the worlds and people of her imagination. She never saw herself as an incurable romantic, but lately, that’s what she finds herself musing about. Love is found everywhere, regardless if it comes from a nice person, an ass — mundane or even vampire. When she’s not busy with work, in front of a computer placing many thoughts in order, she makes her best to be creative or relax with a good book and a snack. Some of her favorite characters are Sookie, Rule and Shaw, Bella, Edward, Clary, Jace, Wrath, Hollywood, Blaire, Woods, Ethan, the Sleeping Beauty, and Ariel.

Get to know her more on her social media pages.

Facebook: @KTCastle.author

Instagram: @k.t.castle

Google+: +K.T.Castle

Twitter: @KTCastle_author

Pinterest: KTCastle_author

Website: www.ktcastle.com/

Blog: https://ktcastle.wordpress.com/

The Bridesmaid’s Checklist is on sale for only $0.99.

The Bridesmaid’s Checklist Series

Laura’s Wedding

U.S.A. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IOOBO0I