Today we have Chloe, the heroine from Katya Armock’s [amazon_link id=”B00BMVRTP0″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]To Hiss or to Kiss[/amazon_link]. Please welcome her!
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1. Tell us a little about yourself. How did you come to your author’s attention? Occupation?
I’m Chloe. I’m in my late 20s, introverted and a tad misanthropic. I’d much rather spend my days with animals, and I devote much of my free time to working with shelter pets. I can telepathically communicate with animals, and I’ve found I’ve become an animal shrink of sorts. My day job is as an office assistant.
I got Katya’s attention because she took a class with an animal communicator and became interested in the subject. She’s an animal lover too, so when I started sharing my thoughts with her, she listened up.
2. What or who is the greatest love of your life? Why? What drew you to them?
Jorge. I’ll admit I’m not the easiest person to get to know. I don’t trust easily and I hate being vulnerable. Jorge kept battering at my walls. The fact he was the first human I could ever telepathically communicate with initially drew me to him, and the fact that I felt the chemistry between us instantly certainly helped a lot. A healthy libido can trump a good deal of fear.
3. What’s your greatest fear?
Being hurt by someone I care for. Not that I believe all my problems can be blamed on my parents, but it’s safe to say my mother leaving my father and I when I was ten left some scars. My father withdrew a lot after she left, and our relationship has never been the same. With a little courage, I’d like to try to become closer with him.
4. What’s your motto in life?
The more I get to know people, the more I like dogs. OK, that’s probably not an appropriate motto. Maybe something more along the lines of humor keeps one sane.
5. How do the other characters in your book view you?
Hmm. My best friend Naomi has seen the worst in me already and she’s still my friend. Although I’m sure she’d like to give me a shove sometimes to take some risks with my heart. Until Jorge, I never even gave love the good ol’ college try. Everyone knows I have a big heart for animals, but I struggle with people and often keep myself fairly isolated.
6. What do you prefer? To spread & hear gossip, or be the creator of gossip fodder?
I guess the creator of gossip fodder, since I don’t really socialize enough to be an effective gossip. And there’s really not much to gossip about with animals. I’m sure if everyone knew about my ability I’d be creating a lot more gossip.
7. What is it about you that is going to draw us readers in?
I put my life on the line to save animals. I hope that readers see that underneath my bravado, I have a good heart. Sarcasm just gets me through the rough times.
8. What was your happiest moment?
The day I knew for sure that Jorge loved me back.
9. What trait in others do you find most deplorable?
Lying.
10. The random question: If you were a color, what color would you be and why?
Silver. I can be a tad bit pessimistic, but I’d like to think I’m learning to see the silver lining.
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| [amazon_link id=”B00BMVRTP0″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon[/amazon_link] | BN | ARe |
BLURB:
Chloe can “talk” to animals…so why can she hear the thoughts of this hot, green-eyed man?
Abandoned by her mother and raised by a father who’d given up on life, Chloe doesn’t let anyone get close. Lucky for her, she can communicate with animals—telepathically. Animals are the only people she needs. When a suspected dogfighting ring comes to her attention, Chloe decides to do a little spying. In her rush to win the dogs’ trust, she almost gets caught.
Until a sexy stranger intervenes, and she finds she can overhear his thoughts. She’s never been able to hear people, and this man’s about as sexy as she’s ever seen. It’s more than intellectual curiosity that drives her to discover his secret: he’s a jaguar shape-shifter, and the presence of this cat among the dogs might be a bit too much to handle. But the animal attraction is just too hot to resist, and the passion between them makes both the sparks—and the fur—fly…
EXCERPT:
Jorge and I are fast asleep after our antics in bed, when I feel a wetness on my hand and I hear Ringo calling out to me.
“Chloe, wake up. I really, really, really need to pee.”
I moan and sink deeper into Jorge’s arms, pulling my hand back.
“Chloe, wake up. I’m dying here. I have to pee.”
Ugh, why won’t that voice go away? I crack my eyes open and see Ringo by the bed, prancing around, doing the doggy version of a potty dance.
Ringo starts hotfooting toward the bedroom door. “Thank goodness. I’ve got to go.”
With a sigh, I extricate myself from Jorge, which causes him to groan in his sleep. I get out of bed and throw on one of his T-shirts.
His voice is groggy. “Where are you going?”
“Ringo’s got to pee.”
He nods and closes his eyes.
Gee, thanks for the assistance. I roll my eyes as I head to the front door.
The other dogs all crowd around the door. Guess Ringo was just the messenger. They fly out when I open the door. I send out a telepathic reminder to stay close to the house.
Headlights flip on, and a van pulls into the end of the driveway. Ringo, who is closest, starts to bark and lunges toward the van.
“Ringo, no, come back!” I yell at him aloud, but he keeps on going. I mentally tap him, but he is in the zone and doesn’t respond.
I watch in horror as the van door slides open and a man catches Ringo with a rabies pole and then hauls him into the back. I scream as the door shuts and the van tears out of the driveway. It peels away, dust flying in its wake.
The van is still in sight when Jorge rushes up behind me. His hair is mussed, and he’s wearing only a pair of jeans. “What happened?”
“Ringo just got pulled into the van, and they sped off.” I don’t know if I’m more pissed off or worried.
*~*
Bio:
I like books that are funny and fun to read (and hot!) but also make me think or look at the world in a new way. I am influenced by magic realism, comparative mythology, and esoteric spiritual practices from around the world.
I spent too many years chasing someone else’s definition of success. My life simplified, I returned to my first love of writing.
These days you’ll find me writing, pet sitting, juggling a number of freelance gigs, and reigning as my home’s domestic goddess. I live in the Midwestern U.S. with my husband, dog and cats. Alas, I have, as of yet, been unable to teach my husband how to purr.
Website: http://katyaarmock.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/katyaarmock
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/KatyaArmock
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