Cloaked by Taylor Hobbs

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Taylor Hobbs will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?

As a kid, I was a fantasy addict. What started as an obsession with witches and dragons and magic morphed over time as I grew up. I started to get more invested in the emotional journeys of the characters I was reading about, which led me to explore the romance genre as an adult. I love the challenge in making two characters fall in love in a believable and satisfying way. When writing Cloaked, I combined my two favorite genres, and voilà!

What world-building is required?

I love the fantasy genre because of the freedom I have as a writer. While building the setting, I am not constrained by actual historical events and can take the characters any direction that makes sense for the book. Though the setting of Cloaked is fictional, I did do research to add to the authenticity of the experience. The main focus of my research was on fighting styles and medieval weaponry because it was such a huge part of Fawkes' character and Charlotte’s growth throughout the story. I also know nothing about horses, so I consulted one of my beta readers, an accomplished equestrian, for all horse-related behavior.

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.

That sometimes you have to jump first and figure out how to land later.

Do you have any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions?

I always print out my rough draft to read it all the way through for the first time. I also have to read it all in one sitting without stopping so I can get a feel for the pacing and storyline as a whole. I don’t even stop and make notes.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

A plotter in the sense that I fill out Donald Maass’ Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook before I start a novel. It is the best pre-writing tool I’ve ever come across. That said, I’m totally flexible while writing and will be a pantser if the story calls for it. Sometimes characters have a mind of their own! Who am I to fight that?

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

My faithful dog, Scout! She’s a rescue dog who is glued to Mama. Fun fact: She’s named after Scout Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

The novel I’m working on now is about an American woman who buys a village in Spain. I based it off an article I read in 2015 about the Spanish government putting abandoned properties and villages up for sale after their economy crashed. It has a healthy dose of magical realism and an unreliable narrator. Under the Tuscan Sun meets Rebecca.

Do you have a question for our readers?

Yes! How do you choose your romance novels?

Thank you so much for having me on your blog!

As the Cloaked Shadow, Fawkes has made his career breaking into prisons for any contract with a large enough purse. He takes advantage of the kingdom's impending revolution by playing both sides of the conflict. Each rescue contract he fulfills turns a tidy profit until he angers the wrong duke.

Charlotte is a criminal-in-training who yearns to crack her mentor’s guarded façade, but is unprepared to confront the depths of his dark past. As her sense of right and wrong blurs, Charlotte discovers just how far she will go for the Cloaked Shadow and the sacrifices he requires.

Now hunted throughout the land, Fawkes must face long-buried secrets in order to survive, but they could destroy him. Charlotte risks everything, including her heart, to set Fawkes on the path to redemption.

Will Charlotte have the strength to pull Fawkes into the light, or will she follow him into the shadows?

Read an Excerpt:

Fawkes’ attack pressed Charlotte backward, and soon they were outside. As Charlotte’s feet slipped in the mud, she realized she had lost her size advantage. Lightning cracked across the sky, illuminating her surroundings long enough to blind her, and she failed to anticipate the next punch. It landed hard on her right shoulder and spun her around.

Before she could steady herself to counter, her arm was wrenched behind her back. Fawkes had a grip on it with one hand, the other around her throat. She stood flush against him, feeling his harsh breath and pounding heart as it beat against her back. They stood like statues, neither one of them wanting to the first to break the spell.

The roar of thunder made her jump and brought them back to reality. “I’ve gotten better, haven’t I?” Charlotte couldn’t help asking. She’d meant it as a quip, but it came out too hopeful.

She felt Fawkes sigh, tensing his hold on her before dropping his grip. With her back still to him, she waited for his answer. Instead, his hand brushed wet hair back from her face before a finger traveled down and traced her jawline. Charlotte leaned into the touch, but then it was gone. She turned to see only darkness, and then a flash of lightning showed his tall frame heading back to the cave.

About the Author:

Taylor Hobbs lives aboard a 38 ft sailboat named Story Time with her husband, baby girl, and dog. They are a military family who love to travel, whether it is by sea or air. When she's not writing, Taylor enjoys doing yoga and planning her next adventure. You can keep up with their crazy life at http://www.cannonstocruising.com or follow on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/tayhobbit.

Cloaked is her debut novel and can be found at https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/6046-cloaked.html

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cloaked-taylor-hobbs/1129153048
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cloaked-Taylor-Hobbs-ebook/dp/B07FKXJ7Z6/

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