I'm delighted to have Kaia Misk with me today. The Firstborn Son, a steamy romance, is packed with suspense. But before we learn more about the book and read an excerpt, let's meet Kaia.
What inspired you to write this book?
When I first learned of Nanowrimo, someone dared me to try and write a novel in one month, stating I would never be able to do it. I succeeded. It was not a great book, but I learned more about the craft of writing and went on to write The Firstborn Son.
What are you working on now?
I am working on The Second Son - Book 2 in The Renzi Affairs series.
How did you come up with the characters for the book?
Many of the characters are based on family members and people I know. For example, Nutsy’s character uses the name of my great uncle, Ignatius or Ignazio. He was a president at the Sons of Italy club in my parents’ hometown. His accent was taken from an Italian tailor I worked with for years.
Tell us about your main character.
Frankie Renzi is a mob boss’s son destined to take over the family when his father retires, but he doesn’t want the job. He’s grown the family’s construction company, a legitimate business, into something that can sustain him well into the future. He plans to marry his girlfriend and forego the Mafia way of life.
Tell us about the antagonist.
Frankie’s father, Angelo, loves his son but does not agree with everything Frankie wants. The family’s enforcer, Geno, wants to marry Frankie’s girlfriend and create his own family who would act as an ally to the Renzi family. Angelo agrees with Geno. The Oferti family opposes both of them and Frankie, and plans for Frankie’s girlfriend to marry their boss’s nephew.
What are you reading?
I read every day. Currently, I’m reading a cozy mystery called The Curse of Braeburn Castle by Karen Baugh Menuhin. I’m in a romance book club who chose Two Wrongs Make a Right by Chloe Liese as our next read.
Tell us about a book that stayed with you long after you finished reading it.
I Can See You by Karen Rose stayed with me because of the character of Noah Webster.
Favorite genre and why?
Romantic suspense. Romance is fun but a strong desire to see what happens next keeps me turning the pages.
Did anyone’s writing inspire you to become an author?
Did anyone’s writing inspire you to become an author?
Joe Lansdale for his banter between characters. Karen Rose for her fantastic and suspenseful stories. David Rosenfelt for making me want to read every word and not skip past overly descriptive parts.
Guilt pleasure…books you can’t get enough of?
Guilt pleasure…books you can’t get enough of?
Tami Hoad wrote the Novak and Liska series about two detectives, one male and one female. I’ve read all of them and some more than once. I wish there more.
Who is your favorite authors?
Who is your favorite authors?
Those I previously mentioned are my favorites.
Tell us something about yourself and how you became an author.
I needed a creative outlet. I instructed people at my office on legal writing from a paralegal’s perspective and ran into the Nanowrimo dare. I wrote some children’s poems when my first nephew was born and made a book for him.
What do you do when you’re not writing?
I am a corporate trainer. I have a large family and am usually with them. Also, I walk my dog, Boss.
Describe yourself in 5 words or less.
Sometimes inappropriate, but means well.
Tell us something unique/quirky about yourself.
I’ve never held one job more than 2.5 years.
Where were you born/grew up?
Suburban Pittsburgh, PA.
Who is your hero and why?
I don’t think I have one, although I generally admire people who are honest regardless of fame or monetary success.
What are you passionate about?
Dogs.
What do you do to unwind and relax?
If it’s summer, I like to be near the water. Swimming or kayaking. In winter, I read and stay inside with my dog.
Anything specific you want to tell readers?
I sincerely hope that The Firstborn Son provides readers with an escape from the outside world when they need it.
What makes you laugh out loud?
The humor in everyday life that can’t be put on paper, like my little nephew who complains about his sister’s singing.
What is your favorite comfort food?
Pizzelles, an Italian cookie.
Tell us something about yourself and how you became an author.
I needed a creative outlet. I instructed people at my office on legal writing from a paralegal’s perspective and ran into the Nanowrimo dare. I wrote some children’s poems when my first nephew was born and made a book for him.
What do you do when you’re not writing?
I am a corporate trainer. I have a large family and am usually with them. Also, I walk my dog, Boss.
Describe yourself in 5 words or less.
Sometimes inappropriate, but means well.
Tell us something unique/quirky about yourself.
I’ve never held one job more than 2.5 years.
Where were you born/grew up?
Suburban Pittsburgh, PA.
Who is your hero and why?
I don’t think I have one, although I generally admire people who are honest regardless of fame or monetary success.
What are you passionate about?
Dogs.
What do you do to unwind and relax?
If it’s summer, I like to be near the water. Swimming or kayaking. In winter, I read and stay inside with my dog.
Anything specific you want to tell readers?
I sincerely hope that The Firstborn Son provides readers with an escape from the outside world when they need it.
What makes you laugh out loud?
The humor in everyday life that can’t be put on paper, like my little nephew who complains about his sister’s singing.
What is your favorite comfort food?
Pizzelles, an Italian cookie.
Now for a speed round of This or That...
Morning or night? Definitely morning.
Coffee or tea? Tea
eBook, paperback, or audiobook? Paperback
Favorite season? Fall
Dogs or cats? Dogs
Night on the town or cozy evening in? Cozy evening in
Beach or mountains? Beach
Stilettos or flipflops or sneakers? Flipflops
Thanks so much for being here today!
About the book
The Firstborn Son
Author: Kaia Misk
Genre: Romance / Romantic Suspense
Heat level: Medium-High; a few graphic sex scenes
Tagline: Mafia marriage—may the best wiseguy win
Blurb:
Becoming a ruthless mob boss like his father is the last thing Frankie wants, but when Sofia’s father is gunned down, Frankie must become the very thing he loathes to protect the woman he loves.
Sofia was a devoted girlfriend to Frankie, until he stood her up and she questioned his fidelity. Now that she’s alone and rich, mafia suitors slither around her. Marriage to him might be her only hope.
They try to rekindle their love amidst a mob war. But can a hasty marriage withstand what the Mafia has in store?
Grab your copy!
Peek between the pages…
Her hands went to her hips. “I mean someone that puts me first. Like my father.”
“Oh, I’m not signing up to be your father, sweet. I want way more than that.”
Lust, anxiety, and fear of a lonely future came to a fiery head within him. He prowled closer, grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. Heedless of the open window, he braced his arm behind her back with one hand behind her head. When he pressed his mouth against hers, she struggled for a moment. He almost let her go.
Slowly, her body settled. Chest to chest, hip to hip, her voracious kiss gave him hope. But he had to be clever, had to keep her mouth occupied so she wouldn’t argue. He stripped off his shirt and broke the kiss for a second.
Big mistake. She slapped him. The magic ended.
“This can’t happen, Frankie,” she said and stomped away. “You don’t get to seduce me and pretend everything’s all right. I love you. I want your body. I can hardly stand here and look at your chest without ripping the rest of your clothes off. But I need more than you’re giving me.”
About the author: Kaia Misk is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, otherwise known as a “Yinzer.” Her parents grew up across the street from each other in a small town where most people worked in the steel mills. Their Italian and Slovak families were a strong part of her childhood which included foods, holidays and religion. Several of her characters are based on her family members and other Pittsburghers.
Kaia has a background in legal and technical writing including training manuals, training presentations and legal documents. She is also an excellent tailor and patternmaker. Her IMDb page lists her work on two full-length films as a costumer.
She is particularly inspired by the Hat Squad books of Karen Rose and Joe Lansdale’s novels, although her first love was Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky. She follows numerous other authors and reads every day. She currently lives in suburban Pittsburgh with her Norwegian Elkhound, Boss.
See more at her website: www.kaiamisk.com
Connect with Kaia:
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