Interview & Giveaway: The Congressman’s Wife by Charlene Keel and Arie Pavlou

The Congressman’s Wife

by Charlene Keel

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GENRE: Contemporary Romance

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BLURB:

All Eden Bancroft has ever been to her high-profile politician husband is a trophy wife, born and bred for the part. She believes she has no choice but to play it—until she meets a talented chef and restaurant heir who makes her feel loved for herself alone. The more her husband uses and belittles her, the more deeply Eden falls for Kaleb. Even with Mitchell’s congressional campaign in full swing, the lovers manage to find brief stolen moments together. When her husband is wounded by a bullet from a disgruntled lobbyist, Eden must stay by his side. What she learns can set her free, if she has the courage to take a stand.

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EXCERPT:

A Moment Alone

Kaleb had been standing close enough to hear it all—not that he’d intended to eavesdrop.  He only wanted to try and give her some kind of signal—to beg, if necessary—to get a moment alone with her.  When he heard her husband’s caustic words, Kaleb wanted to punch him.  He wanted to take Eden’s hand and lead her out of there, away from the complete jackass her husband seemed to be.

Instead, he followed her into the room where coats were checked for the evening.  The maid who’d taken them was nowhere about, and Eden was digging through the racks when Kaleb walked in.  She looked up, surprised.

“We need to talk about it,” he said.

“About what?”  She found her wrap and Mitchell’s Brooks Brothers overcoat, draped them over one arm and turned to face him.

“About this thing between us.”

“That’s not very original.”

“I feel it and I know you feel it.”

“Look, I’m very flattered,” she began but he cut her off.

“We don’t have much time.”  He moved closer, aching to touch her.  “Your husband will come looking for you any minute.  Just tell me when and where I can see you again.  Alone.”

“You can’t,” she said.  “My husband is running for congress.  It’s . . . it would be impossible.”

“No,” he insisted.  “I don’t know why we met or how we’re going to pull this off but I do know one thing.”  He was speaking so softly now that she had to move closer to hear him.

“What?” she asked, her lips just inches from his own.  They were of equal height and he could see how well, how perfectly, they would fit together.

“I won’t give up.  I want to make love to you.”

“At least once?” she countered.

He moved closer still.  “Once will never be enough for us.  You know that, too.”

She sighed, lightly, and her sweet breath lingered on his cheek for a moment before she moved away and broke the spell.

“My husband is waiting for me,” she said.  “You’re a little crazy, you know?  You need to forget about this.  I’m married.  I have kids.  I don’t have time for an affair.”

“Have lunch with me.”

“Sorry—too busy.”

“Just let me talk to you.  Give me two hours—maybe over the weekend.  Then if you never want to hear from me again, that’ll be it.  I swear.”

She didn’t say anything for a moment, as if she was considering it.  “As intriguing as that sounds, I’m afraid it’s impossible.  I’m going to the season opening at the Village Resort up in Hunter this weekend, with my best friend.”

“Your husband going too?” Kaleb persisted.

“No.  He has a previous engagement.  Not that it’s any of your business.”

He opened his mouth to answer but Mitchell’s voice rang out in the foyer.  “Edie—let’s go.  Where are you?”

She flashed Kaleb a warning look and called out softly, “Coming, Mitchell.”  Then she left, quickly, before her husband could see Kaleb standing in the shadows.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Charlene Keel has written over a dozen novels and how-to books as well as multiple episodes of popular TV shows such as Fantasy Island and Days of our Lives.  Her Dell book, Rituals, was the basis for the first made-for-syndication soap opera.  Recently she co-authored The Tracks, a YA supernatural trilogy.  Shadow Train, the final installment, won a Paranormal Romance Guild Reviewer’s Choice Award.  Keel has also written screen adaptations of novels by bestselling authors, and has worked as editor or managing editor for a few international magazines.  In her spare time she ghostwrites books and screenplays for celebrities, doctors, corporate moguls, spies, strippers and anyone who has an interesting story to tell.

For more information:

Website: CharleneKeel.net -   http://www.charlenekeel.net/

Follow Charlene on Twitter - https://twitter.com/CharleneKeel

Charlene Keel on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/charlene.keel.1

Blog: Red Sky Book Blog - https://redskybookblog.wordpress.com/category/charlene-keel/

Arie Pavlou is a popular chef who attended Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and then perfected his craft at some of the top-rated Michelin restaurants in France and New York.  He has lived and worked in France, Cyprus and the U. S. and is an avid world traveler who speaks five languages.  He enjoys all sports and has a talent for knife-throwing, which he perfected at Le Cordon Bleu.  Currently Chef de Cuisine at the renowned Bridgehampton Inn in New York, his specialties include Caramelized Baked Alaska, Winter Salad, Roast Lamb Fondue, Wild Game and Poached Pears with Mint Ice Cream.  The Congressman’s Wife is his first novel, and he’s currently writing a cookbook.

For more information:

Arie Pavlou on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/arie.pavlou

A LITTLE INTERVIEW

When did you first start writing?

Char: When I was in third grade, I read Little Women and decided I wanted to be a writer. By the time I was ten, I was sitting at my mom’s typewriter, hunting-and-pecking away at my first attempt at a novel. In high school, I started submitting short stories to various publications, and when I was 21, I made my first sale—a short story and a two-parter to Teen Magazine. I’m lucky. I’ve always known what I wanted to do with my life.

Arie: The Congressman’s Wife is my first novel, and it has been a great adventure, putting it all together with Char. I’m a chef and the only writing I’ve done until now has been recipes and cookbooks. 

What is the hardest thing about writing?

Char: Getting started. It’s absolutely daunting to sit down at the computer and look at a blank screen, knowing you have to translate a flood of ideas into a comprehensible and entertaining tale other people will want to read. That’s why I like working with a co-author, especially someone as creative as Arie, so we can constantly bounce things off each other.

Arie: Since I’d never written a novel, the hardest thing for me was finding a co-author with the patience to listen to my ideas, embellish them even further and start to put words on the page.

What authors have influenced your writing and life?

Char: Aside from Louisa May Alcott who gave me a direction, it’s Stephen King, Peter Straub, Barbara Kingsolver, Jude Devereaux, Peggy Webb and Kathleen Woodiwiss—and not necessarily in that order.

Arie: At this point, I’d have to say Charlene Keel.

What else do you enjoy doing, when you're not writing?

I’m always writing. If I had time, I’d go back to producing and directing off-off-Broadway and community theater.

Arie: My wife Liz and I love to travel, and we search out wonderful dishes that are authentic to whatever little village we find along the way.

What are your dreams and plans for your future as a writer?

Char: Again, I’m fortunate. The dreams I started out with as a young writer have come true. As a freelancer, I’ve sold short stories and articles to major publications; I’ve had over a dozen novels published and one of them (Rituals) became a continuing TV drama; I’ve written for various television shows, including Days of Our Lives and Fantasy Island; I’ve worked as editor and managing editor for international magazines; and as a ghostwriter, I’ve helped aspiring authors get published.

Arie: I’d like to see The Congressman Trilogy get made into a movie or a TV series. After The Congressman’s Wife comes The Congressman’s Mistress. The trilogy wraps with The Congressman’s Executioner.

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Charlene and Arie will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway