Monday, January 23, 2017

Character Spotlight with Kelli A. Wilkins' Luther Dubois

Please give a warm welcome to Luther Dubois from Loving a Wild Stranger by Kelli A. Wilkins today as we sit down and see what makes him tick.

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not saving your wife, Michelle?
I enjoy being outside as much as possible, so my favorite things are hiking in the woods, swimming in the lake, or admiring a spectacular sunrise. I’m part Ojibwa, and I have a great respect for nature and the environment.

What is it about Michelle that makes you crazy in a good way?
How many can I choose? (Laughs). Michelle has been making me crazy from the minute I met her and brought her to my cabin.

At first, it wasn’t always ‘crazy’ in the good way, but I’ve come to love her, quirks and all. She’s stubborn and opinionated and likes to do things her own way—until someone can explain ‘why’ she shouldn’t. Although at times that makes me crazy, I admire her. She’s a strong woman who has overcome a lot of obstacles, and yet she also has a very passionate, feminine side that drives me crazy in a very good, but naughty, way!

Do you sometimes want to strangle your writer? Thrash her to within an inch of her life for the stupid crap she makes you do?
On one hand, yes, absolutely! My life would be so much easier and less complicated if Kelli hadn’t dropped one bad thing after another on me. I’ve had troubles with the local townspeople, I’ve been in jail, gotten into fights, nearly lost Michelle twice, had conflicts with my family, and I was almost killed by a bear and a raging psycho. Thanks, Kelli!

Although Kelli always gets me out of these messes, it would be nice if things were easy once in a while. However, I have to thank her. If it weren’t for Kelli bringing Michelle and me together, my life would be very lonely.

Favorite food?
I’d say venison (or rabbit) with wild rice. Living in the wilderness doesn’t offer a lot of exotic food choices.

Tell me a little bit about your world. What are your greatest challenges in that world?
Well, as readers may know, I’m part Ojibwa and I live in a cabin in the Michigan Territory. Up until I met Michelle, my world was pretty much centered on tending to my daily chores, hunting, trapping, and staying alive. The lifestyle I lead isn’t easy, and my greatest challenges include what most modern, civilized folks take for granted: food, water, and shelter.

I lived alone for several years and learned to adapt to the harsh conditions. To me, it’s just how things are, but when Michelle came into my life, she had a hard time adjusting. She’s from a very wealthy family in New York and was used to a fancy house with lots of luxuries. When she came out west, she wasn’t prepared for life in the wilderness and had to learn a whole new way of living.

Describe yourself in four words.
Loyal, honest, passionate, and caring.

What do you do for a living?
I’m a trapper and trader, and I make my living selling pelts and skins. I also make furniture and do wood carvings. 

What do you fear the most?
One of my biggest fears is losing Michelle. I already nearly lost her twice and she’s very precious to me. I also sometimes fear that something could happen to me—and then I wonder, what would happen to Michelle? But now that I’ve reconnected with my family, I have their support, and I know that Michelle and I are going to be just fine for many years to come.

Thanks for letting me share my thoughts with readers. I hope they enjoy the book. The summary and a steamy excerpt are below.

And don’t forget, Kelli has written a lot of other romances in all genres (historical, contemporary, gay, and paranormal) at all heat levels. If her other stories are as exciting and as interesting as mine, I’d love to meet more of her characters. Her social media links are author bio are at the end of this post.  




Loving a Wild Stranger

A woman running from her past… straight into the arms of an untamed man


In a moment of desperation, Kathleen Stanton flees her pampered life in Kingston, New York and ends up stranded in a small town in the Michigan Territory. Out of money and forced to rely on her instincts, she impersonates a handsome stranger’s mail-order bride.

Committed to her deception, Kathleen calls herself Michelle and starts her new life with Luther in an isolated cabin in the wilderness. Luther can’t believe his luck when his beautiful bride arrives, but something doesn’t feel right about his new wife. Michelle has terrifying nightmares involving a man named Roger and is reluctant to talk about where she came from.

Luther’s friend, Redfeather visits and tries to convince Luther to send Michelle back east. Distrusting Michelle, he warns Luther that his bride is not what she seems. But Luther is in love with Michelle, and he is harboring a secret of his own—one that might force Michelle to reject him when she learns the truth.

Michelle falls in love with Luther and adapts to her new way of life. Together, they face off against brutal townspeople and overcome harsh living conditions. When they finally give in to their desires and agree to become a proper man and wife, a dark figure from Michelle’s past resurfaces and threatens to destroy everything.


A steamy excerpt:
Luther eased Michelle down and knelt over her. Her eyes were closed and a slight smile crossed her lips. He propped himself on his elbows and nuzzled the side of Michelle’s throat just below her ear. Her wet skin was cool from the lake, yet he felt her pulse hammering beneath his lips.
Michelle lay still as he trailed his hands down the front of her body. He took his time stroking the outline of her breasts, then worked his way to her hips. His head swam with desire as he glimpsed the dark triangle of hair through her chemise. God, he wanted her. He ached to touch her, yet was hesitant about pushing things too far, too fast.
He kissed Michelle and moaned as she kissed him back. Slowly, he slid his hand to the top of her chemise and began unfastening the tiny white buttons. Halfway through, he paused and waited to see if Michelle would protest. When she didn’t, he kept going.
He separated the material, freeing her pale breasts. She was beautiful. His mouth watered at the thought of sucking her. He broke the kiss and looked at Michelle. Her eyes were still closed, and she was breathing hard.
“Can I touch you?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
Luther bent his head over Michelle’s breasts. This would be heaven. After weeks of waiting and being so patient, he was finally getting his reward. He flicked his tongue across Michelle’s right nipple. She gasped and arched her back, offering herself to him. He drew her breast into his mouth and sucked it lightly. Michelle whimpered and writhed beneath him.
Encouraged by the sound of her throaty moans, he swirled his tongue around her nipple. He stayed with her, teasing her virgin flesh until his cock threatened to explode. It had been too long since he had made love, and his body needed release.
Ever so slowly, he slid his hands up her chemise, caressing her thighs as he sucked her breasts. Michelle tensed for a second as he lightly grazed her privates with his thumb. She kissed him deeper, and he eased his hand between her legs, discovering the warm softness he craved.
He touched her gently, taking his time exploring her soft folds while teasing her mouth with his tongue. She groaned and parted her legs wider. Obviously she was enjoying this, but how far would they go?
Michelle made a tiny mewling sound and arched her hips higher as he rubbed her. Before he knew it, she was aroused and more than ready…

Order your copy of Loving a Wild Stranger here:




Title: Loving a Wild Stranger
Author: Kelli A. Wilkins
Genre: Historical romance (mail-order bride/wilderness/pioneer)
Heat Level: mild
Length: 295 pages
Publication Date: January 3, 2017
Price: $2.99


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 19 romance novels, and 5 non-fiction books. Her romances span many genres and heat levels.

Loving a Wild Stranger was released in January 2017. This historical/pioneer romance is set in the wilds of the Michigan Territory and blends tender romance with adventure.

Kelli's third Medallion Press romance, Lies, Love & Redemption was released in September 2016. This spicy historical western is set on the Nebraska prairie in 1877.

In 2016 Kelli began re-releasing her romances previously published by Amber Quill Press. Visit her website and blog for a full title list, book summaries, and other information.

Her writing book, You Can Write—Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction is a fun and informative non-fiction guide based on her years of experience as a writer. It’s filled with writing exercises and helpful tips all authors can use.

If you like to be scared, check out Kelli’s horror ebooks: Dead Til Dawn and Kropsy’s Curse.

Kelli posts on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and Twitter: www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor. She also writes a weekly blog: http://kelliwilkinsauthor.blogspot.com/.

Visit her website, www.KelliWilkins.com to learn more about all of her writings, read book excerpts, reviews, and more. Readers can sign up for her newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/HVQqb.

CATCH UP WITH KELLI

Here are a few links to find Kelli & her writings on the web
Newsletter sign-up: http://eepurl.com/HVQqb
Medallion Press Author Page: http://medallionpress.com/author/kelli-wilkins/  

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