Guest Post and Giveaway: Just Add Argyle by KC Burn

We’re so pleased to welcome author KC Burn today on the tour for her latest release, Just Add Argyle, book three in the Fabric Hearts series. She’s talking book titles and is also offering the chance for a dozen lucky readers to win a $10 store credit at Dreamspinner Press, so read on and check out the Rafflecopter widget below.

Welcome, KC!

Thank you, TNA, for hosting me! I’m KC Burn and I’ve got a new release coming out, Just Add Argyle, the third in my Fabric Hearts series. A couple of people have asked “why argyle” so I’m going to tell you now, exactly why…

Book titles are funny things. I know authors who can’t start writing unless they’ve got a title picked out, almost like the title acts as a story prompt. On the other hand, choosing a book title is, for me, one of the hardest things about writing a book. And because I’m a big ol’ procrastinator, it’s usually the last thing I decide on before I submit a manuscript.

On my computer, most of my books are stored under generic folder names such as: rock star & professor, cursed painting, and three men in kilts. In fact, one of my most popular books, Cop Out, got its title simply from that generic folder entitled “cop coming out.”

Occasionally, though, inspiration for a title strikes me before I write the book, such as the case with Just Add Argyle. Tartan Candy (book one) was already out, and I was working on edits for Plaid versus Paisley (book two) when a project for the not-so-evil day job triggered a repetitive strain injury in my arm. Since the project was going to last for months, I needed to do something if I was going to continue to work and write. I asked my chiropractor if he had any suggestions, and he used athletic tape on my arm to support the muscles. I had my choice of two: stark black with white text announcing the brand name of the product (hell no!) or blue and teal argyle.

I gotta admit, I have a bit of a soft spot for argyle, although I never wear it. Since I wear short sleeves, it was totally and utterly unsubtle, as you can see from the image. I was joking about it with my book club, because they were saying at least it looked fun, and I said something like “just add argyle, it makes everything better.” As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I knew that was my title.

Of course, the next trick was figuring out how to actually ADD argyle to the story. Tartan Candy’s inspiration came from three men in kilts at a conference, the paisley in Plaid versus Paisley arrived sort of organically as I wrote – it was really only supposed to feature another man in a kilt.

Jaime Escobar, who has cameos in both previous books, didn’t have any penchant for argyle, which meant it had to have something to do with his love interest, Tate Buchanan. Once I got to know Tate a little better, the argyle slid right into his life as a lucky charm. Argyle vests seem to be the key to getting hired, as they make him look staid, respectable, and reliable. He just wishes those vests could imbue him with those traits, instead of being false advertising. Nevertheless, the argyle has a significant place in his life.

But I certainly didn’t forget the plaid, which I honestly happen to love. I managed to get Jaime into a kilt, despite his vehemence that he’d never wear one.

And somehow L.C. Chase, cover artist extraordinaire, managed to create a gorgeous cover that fits exactly into my vision. I’m sure she cursed me, just a little, when she saw I wanted to combine plaid and argyle…

About Just Add Argyle

Tate Buchanan is a troublemaker who can’t keep a job, no matter how many times his lucky argyle sweater gets him hired. Add to that a learning disability and an impetuous nature that sends him into altercations to protect the defenseless, and he hardly manages to make friends, let alone find a man who’s interested in him for more than one night.

Most people think EMT Jaime Escobar is a player, but the truth is he wants a serious partner—he just can’t justify wasting time on guys he knows aren’t a match. But when he treats a gorgeous redhead after a fight, he finds the spark he’s spent so many years looking for.

Jaime wants to take the next step with Tate, but it’s clear Tate’s not going to curb his impulsive behavior—his next fight sends him to the hospital. Jaime’s relationship with a near criminal isn’t something his family is ready to accept, not any more than Tate is willing to be kept a secret. Jaime will need a lot of understanding—and some luck of his own—to keep them both. But this is one fight he’s going to see through to the end.

Available From: Dreamspinner Press and Amazon

About the Author

KC Burn has been writing for as long as she can remember and is a sucker for happy endings (of all kinds).  After moving from Toronto to Florida for her husband to take a dream job, she discovered a love of gay romance and fulfilled a dream of her own — getting published.  After a few years of editing web content by day, and neglecting her supportive, understanding hubby and needy cat at night to write stories about men loving men, she was uprooted yet again and now resides in California. Writing is always fun and rewarding, but writing about her guys is the most fun she’s had in a long time, and she hopes you’ll enjoy them as much as she does.

Visit KC at her website, on Twitter, on Facebook, or find out about new releases by signing up for her newsletter.

The Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js