My mer-sister Carlene Love Flores and I have two HUGE things in common: 1. A deep and abiding love of real Mexican food and 2. A special place in our hearts for Depeche Mode. So of course when the latest in her rocker series, Sin’s Flower, came out I had, had, had to corner her in the lagoon to chat Jaxon, great music and the top five falling in love tunes and break-up songs.
Y’all are going to love this interview. How could you not, it’s Carlene?
But before I turn it over you have to check out the Sin’s Flower blurb.
When Jaxon James, a sexy rock star and struggling single-father, is invited to ditch California and spend Christmas in Tennessee with his estranged family, he hesitantly accepts for his young daughter’s sake. But his attraction to his best friend’s baby sister, Lily Elstone, threatens to unravel the bonds he’s made for his daughter. The honorable thing to do would be to give up Lily. But his instincts are telling him she’s exactly the one who could bring light to his life and the missing fire to his bed. Unfortunately, Lily’s too sweet for his world. He fears his rock and roll life style will taint her. How far are Jaxon and Lily willing to go to find what’s missing at home?
Take it away Carlene!
I love these questions and I want to thank you, Avery Flynn, for coming up with them! I’m beyond smitten.
(Right back at you mer-sister! *fist bump*)
What is it about rock stars that sucks you in?
Their ability to captivate masses of people in just one moment. I could never be that interesting and so I like discovering what their special spark is, where it comes from, how it makes them both super intoxicating yet incredibly vulnerable. And then how the bulk of their lives are spent as relatively normal human beings when they’re not on stage. In Sin’s Flower, Jaxon has to deal with everyday things like being a single father and paying his daughter’s ballet lessons on time or going home for Christmas and not pissing off his relatives at the family dinner.
What are the three best things that come with writing about rock stars?
Attending live shows is my research, meeting and talking with totally awesome and talented musicians is my research, and being obsessed with music is my research!
What five songs should be on every person’s playlist when they are in the midst of a new romance?
1. Private Emotion by Ricky Martin
2. Take Care by Drake & Rihanna
3. Summer Wine by The Corrs & Bono
4. The Sweetest Condition by Depeche Mode
5. That’s Where It’s At by Sam Cooke
What five songs should be on their playlist for right after a breakup?
1. Who Have You Been Loving by Bobby Long
2. Tears Dry on Their Own by Amy Winehouse
3. She’s Just a Girl That I Knew by Adam Ezra Group
4. Mama’s Broken Heart by Miranda Lambert
5. Four Kicks by Kings of Leon.
Jaxon is so hot. What is your favorite thing about him?
Thank you Avery, I’ll tell him you said so. (wink) I love that he’s a single parent and thinking about trying to be a good dad every single day but doesn’t deny his true nature when he’s with Lily. Also he has cool hair (think punk-goth blond Elvis) and a rockin’ hot neck tattoo that is a work in progress throughout Sin’s Flower. Jaxon’s hotness in a song? Check out Man Made Machine by Motor.
Why is Lily the perfect one for him?
Hopefully Jaxon won’t mind me saying this, but I’m obsessed with Joel Schumacher’s Phantom of the Opera movie and Jaxon has always reminded me a lot of the Phantom. I’m broken hearted that Phantom (played by Gerard Butler) bares his true self and isn’t rewarded with love in the end. In Sin’s Flower, Lily seems too sweet to handle Jaxon but I think she proves grit can be made of sugar too. Lily’s secret to Jaxon’s heart? Check out A Woman’s Touch by Casey James.
When you hear Jaxon singing in your head, what real life rock star does he sound like?
So Jaxon is the leader of the band and the chief songwriter, but aside from harmonies, he leaves the singing up to Stefan. I can hear Jaxon loud and clear in his speaking voice or when he’s humming the beginnings of a song, but he just doesn’t put himself out there when it comes to full on singing. Not sure why because he’s got an incredibly sexy voice. But if you want to “hear” Jaxon singing, check out this video of Jeremy Renner from SNL on You Tube. He sounds very close to that first Avenger song.
Can I just end by saying what a lucky girl Lily is? Thank you for having me and my musical friends today! Love stories rock! Big fishy kisses to all our fishy friends. xoxoxo
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Be sure to check out Sin’s Flower and the first book in the series, Sidewalk Flower. Both are awesome.
Carlene! You are–by far–the coolest person I know. I love that you’re still rocking out to music and making it work for you as well. Lol. That’s awesome research. The book is so you. Sweet and yet the sugar has some grit. 🙂
Terrific interview, ladies! And I can’t wait to read the book!
Hi Kim! Aww, thanks! It donned on me when I thought I was going to have to turn in my sweet card because I’d written these gritty books that no, I don’t have to because sugar is indeed sweet yet gritty. So I’m going with that.
“I’m just a singer in a rock and roll band.” The Moody Blues
There is something about musicians, Sounds like a great book!
Carlene has such a way with telling a story that I can’t imagine it not being great.
Awesome Mary Jo! Thank you for sharing that because I think that’s exactly how many rock stars feel about themselves. I think that’s very cool! And thank you Avery, gee you’re making my heart feel all fluffy 🙂
Oh, my heart rate. I would have popped in to say hi sooner but I was “taken in by the delicate noise”…(for non Depeche Mode-crazed people-this means I’ve been watching The Sweetest Condition video on repeat for about twenty minutes now) THANK YOU Avery Mermaid for finding all these videos to go with the songs on the playlists! My awe at your skills is at an all time high. This was so fun!
Another great article Carlene!!! I cannot wait to read the book either (I am gonna have to buy an iPad just to read your books 😉 ).
You are beyond awesome and I cannot wait to see you in September!
Fishy kisses!
Kathleen, I didn’t realize you don’t have one! Hey, hubby bought me a Kindle just so I could read my book!! Hahaha, and now I love reading all my favorite authors on it. I’m definitely on a countdown to your visit this fall. Depeche Mode here we come 🙂
Great interview, Avery and Carlene! I love this line — “Grit can be made of sugar, too.” It pretty much describes you as well. The book sounds amazing! I can’t wait to read it. Congrats!!! And, um, has anyone else said that the girl on the cover looks kinda like you? 🙂
Hi Pintip! Avery did this so well, when I got the questions I was really excited. No one has said that but I kind of see what you’re saying. Hmm… 😉 Have fun at Nationals!
OMG! I was going to say that the girl on the cover looked like Carlene, too! She does! Ummmm…..Carrrrrrllllleeeneeee….anything you want to tell us??? Lol
Kimberly Mermaid…my lips are sealed 😉 xoxo
So excited to add this book to my TBR list. I love how your hero is a single father struggling to do the right thing for his daughter and at the same time has this killer look that may make people think he’s this totally hard guy. I noticed that with so many musicians and artists that are totally punk but all soft and cuddly inside. I am seconding Pintip that I really like your line about grit can be made out of sugar too. I wish you the best because you deserve it.
DM rules!!!!
BTW: Is that hot blonde on the cover you? 😉
Hahahaha, hi JT 😉 As much as I wish it was, that is not me on the cover. That is a wonderful cover model representing gritty yet sweet Lily for me. And yes, DM rules, which is the most important part, right? I miss your shirt, by the way. I must see it again in person sometime soon. 🙂
Just enjoyed listening to your break up list. Must get started on your new book, been waiting for a little peace and quiet! I do love sugar on my grits, too!
Hi Aunt Terry! I’m telling you, I really thought I was handing in my sweet card with Sin’s Flower… I love sugar on my grits as well, and butter. And raisins. I’m wishing you peaceful thoughts. Love you xoxo
Hi Diana! I just saw this so I’m the one who should apologize! Thank you so much for being so supportive and I hope your summer rocks 🙂