Clean Romance Cafe discussion

This is the thread for the June/July Author Group Read with Guest Author, Cali Black. Cali will be joining us June 15th-July 14th, as we read her sweet with sizzle, contemporary western, Fake Relationship at the Triple Z. Grab a copy from Amazon, read it, and join us in discussing the book over the next month.

Welcome to Clean Romance Cafe, Cali!

Hi readers!

This is Cali Black, author of our second group read book, Fake Relationship at the Triple Z. I'm so excited to share this fun book with you. It was one of those books that I wrote really fast because the characters were so easy to imagine.

I wrote the book as a lead magnet for my newsletter, intending for it to be a standalone. By the end of the book, I had TWO possible series on my hands and had to decide which way to go. You'll see what I mean when you read it.

I opted to write the next sibling in the Connor family and the Fake Series was born.

Once we get reading, I'd love to hear your reactions to some of the crazy things that happen at the Triple Z. I also have a cool giveaway that I think you'll like so stay tuned.

Mora, thank you for the opportunity to share my book with the group. It's a joy meeting new readers and fellow authors.

Talk soon,
Cali Black

I love when the characters in a book make it easy to write their story. It usually means they'll have great chemistry for the readers to enjoy, as well!

I am excited for both reads with the authors. I got this one when it was on sale and had to make myself not read it early.

Mora yes! That’s what I found with them - the chemistry.

Hi Lynn, so glad you were able to get it on sale. Haha, no more waiting, it’s time to read. 😃

Mora wrote: "I love when the characters in a book make it easy to write their story. It usually means they'll have great chemistry for the readers to enjoy, as well!"

I agree this is what makes a good book/series. The chemistry between the two main characters, but also with the secondary characters as well. I'm really looking forward to Cali's story!

Lynn wrote: "I am excited for both reads with the authors. I got this one when it was on sale and had to make myself not read it early."

I know the feeling, I have committed to another author to read her story, but as soon as I'm done, I'm going to this one! I love that about our TBR lists. We can skip around as we want to. LOL

Thanks Victoria, hope you like it.

I already have this one on my Kindle, and I plan on starting it soon.

Hi Rae. Yay! Hope you enjoy Ridge and Laramie.

Cali, do you know how many books you will have in the Fake Series?

Hi Mora, there will be 4 altogether. Fake Relationship and Fake Engagement are finished. Fake Marriage is next and the last one will be about a business partner - Title TBD. The series follows four of the Connor siblings - Ridge, Ren, River and Roxie. I must admit though, I've thought about fast forwarding ten years into the future and writing Rosa's story as well. We'll see how far I get... :)

I finished the Triple Z and loved it! I've been to Jackson Hole WY many times as I was growing up. I could picture the ranch vividly! Well done! What made you decide on the "Fake" trope? Thank God Pryce did what he did. And Laramie did what she did. Is that not spoiler enough? LOL

Yay! I’m so glad you liked it. Thanks for reading. Haha yes they did what they did! I haven’t been to Jackson hole but my sisters and I went to a ranch outside of Cheyenne so I kind of used it as my inspiration. I think the fake trope is so fun. It has a lot of built in humor and conflict. I’m sidetracked doing something else for a moment but I can’t wait to come back and finish writing the rest of the fake series.

By the way, for those interested in book 2, mark your calendars. Fake engagement will be on sale for .99 on July 10 and 11.

Cali wrote: "By the way, for those interested in book 2, mark your calendars. Fake engagement will be on sale for .99 on July 10 and 11."
Yay!! I love when I have several books by the same author to read!!

Any Triple Z readers out there?
Are you enjoying the book?
Have you ever been to a guest ranch?
How do you feel about the fake trope?
What would you like to see in a contemporary western romance?
Let's talk!
Wishing everyone in the U.S. a happy fourth of july!

I just finished the book today! I didn't like Ridge at first, but he grew on me.

Tell me… too pushy?

What is everyone’s favorite kind of hero? What makes you want to read?

He seemed over the top with his attraction to Laramie at first. It made it seem like he just wanted what he couldn't have and he might be a player. But I know some people really like that instant attraction.. So I understand why it happened that way.

I like strong, caring men, with their own set of human flaws just like the heroine.

I hear you. As an author, it's always a challenge to get the whole story in one book. Timelines get a little accelerated shall we say? Lol. I figure it's fiction so it doesn't have to follow real life exactly. I'm glad he grew on you.

Your description of a hero is one I've seen from many romance readers. You are not alone. Have you heard the term cinnamon roll hero? Soft and squishy I guess - warm and sweet. I might prefer a crunchy cinnamon roll -haha. Tough on the outside, soft on the inside.

Yep, many people love their fiction to be a little easier than real life.

I think I liked a crunchier cinnamon roll when I was young. Now, I like a little gentler hero. Maybe I've just gotten soft in my old age and that's why.

I have seen my own reading preferences change with age. It's probably something many of us go through, as we grow and change as people.

I’m sure that’s true. I’ve been published for a year and a half and my writing voice has changed dramatically in that short time.

I love it when that happens as writers. I feel that it keeps the writing fresh, and every book continues to be a new experience. This is great for both the writer and the reader, and keeps us all coming back for more!!!

Great way to look at it!

Finished the book. I love guest ranch stories, and this one did NOT disappoint. Thank you for sharing this book with the group, Cali.

Lynn wrote: "Finished the book. I love guest ranch stories, and this one did NOT disappoint. Thank you for sharing this book with the group, Cali."

Thanks Lynn, glad you enjoyed it.

Thank you for joining us this month, Cali!!! Make sure to share with the group any time your books go on sale and when the next book in this series goes live. Real quick, before you go, I know that you have described this series as Sweet with Sizzle, but you also write Christian Romance. Can you tell us a little about that series?

The Blue Sky Series is sweet with faith and follows the Wests- a ranching family in Montana, full of faith and love. The first in series is Blue Skies, Blue Eyes and is a cowboy romance. It is currently on sale for .99.
Thanks for having me Mora.

Awesome! It's always good to have more books to go to by an author once a reader has devoured a series.

To any future readers in the group, don't forget that this thread is always here. Don't be afraid to comment about the book, tell us your thoughts, and maybe help other readers find their next favorite read. And you never know, Cali might be drifting in and out and happen across your comments as well.

Thanks to everyone who joined us with our first Author Group Reads!!!

Is there anything else you'd like to add, Cali? And where is the best place for readers to go and see what you're up to and possibly get a hold of you?

Readers can follow me on Facebook and Instagram @authorcaliblack or visit my website Authorcaliblack.com
My books are available on Amazon and in KU.
Thanks again for the opportunity.

I am excited to read more of this series and maybe I'll get to your others down the road! It was good you were one of the first author group reads for the group. Your book was a great start for the group.

Thx Lynn I really appreciate that.