Hi Helena, welcome to Under the Covers and congrats on your upcoming release SHACKING UP! This is a standalone title. For long time fans and readers of your work, what can they expect to be familiar as well as different in this story?
Hi and thanks so much for having me here to talk about SHACKING UP! I think fans of the PUCKED series will connect with the humor, sassiness and quirkiness of Ruby, the female lead. I really love writing women who can dish the snark, and Ruby certainly fits this mold. I’ve also given my readers a former athlete, because who doesn’t appreciate a hot man with a rocking body? Shacking Up has a lot of humor and heat—the kind my readers have come to expect—but I put the slow burn on for these two and it’s a fun ride getting to the hotness.
How would you describe Ruby’s character?
Ruby’s a sassy, smart mouthed, quirky woman who’s not interested in being pampered. Despite being raised in a house where she’s never wanted for anything, she chooses to move to NYC to pursue her dream, even if it means living in a tiny studio apartment on a steady diet of ramen noodles and not much else.
What’s your favorite thing about Bane?
I have to name just one? I loved writing this character. He’s magnetic and pragmatic, so does that give him pragmatism? He’s a caretaker—but not in an intentionally bossy, overbearing way. I love pairing his intensity with genuine softness and a strong moral compass. I especially love how sweet he is with his pets and his obsession with warm feet.
If you had to summarize this book in a tweet (140 characters or less) what you say?
Sexy, quirky, with enough sexual tension to light your underwear on fire.
You are known for writing funny books. How do you keep the humor fresh in your stories and do you ever draw inspiration from real life?
Half of the thing my husband says to me end up modified and dropped into books because the things that come out of his mouth are priceless. As for keeping it fresh, I think it has to be organic. I don’t know that funny can be forced. Either the situation calls for comic relief or it doesn’t, so take a normal scenario and add a new dimension that turns it on it’s head and see what comes out of it.
I love a good warning whether it’s for a book or a person. So what would you say should be the Helena Hunting warning?
There’s the line, and there’s me hurdling myself right over it.
Tell us 3 things you can’t leave home without.
Lip balm, my phone (music all the time and access to my kindle app) and a pair of headphones.
What’s the last book you read and loved?
The Player by Kristy Bromberg. Dear lord Easton Wylder makes me want to watch baseball.
What are you currently working on?
I have a few projects I’m working on right now. I’m working on a new romantic comedy with some dramatic elements, and next is the final instalment of the Pucked Series. I know readers are waiting to get their hands on Darren and Charlene’s story and I’m looking forward to sharing it with them next year!
Available May 30, 2017!
BOOK INFO
Released: May 30 2017
Published by Swerve
Ruby Scott is months behind on rent and can’t seem to land a steady job. She has one chance to turn things around with a big audition. But instead of getting her big break, she gets sick as a dog and completely bombs it in the most humiliating fashion. All thanks to a mysterious, gorgeous guy who kissed—and then coughed on—her at a party the night before.
Luckily, her best friend might have found the perfect opportunity; a job staying at the lavish penthouse apartment of hotel magnate Bancroft Mills while he’s out of town, taking care of his exotic pets. But when the newly-evicted Ruby arrives to meet her new employer, it turns out Bane is the same guy who got her sick.
Seeing his role in Ruby’s dilemma, Bane offers her a permanent job as his live-in pet sitter until she can get back on her feet. Filled with hilariously awkward encounters and enough sexual tension to heat a New York City block, Shacking Up, from NYT and USA Today bestselling author Helena Hunting, is sure to keep you laughing and swooning all night long.
About Helena Hunting
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Helena Hunting lives outside of Toronto with her amazing family and her two awesome cats, who think the best place to sleep is her keyboard. She writes all things romance – contemporary, romantic comedy, sports and angsty new adult. For more info on Helena and her books, visit www.helenahunting.com.
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Great interview
This is going to be a must read…love Helena! Thanks!
Thanks for the post.
This sounds like fun!
Great interview! I love steamy romance with humor. Will be getting this!
Great interview!! Sounds like a great read!! ,shared on all my socials!!!
I got to read an ARC of this book and it is so laugh out loud funny…I couldn’t put it down!