TSK, TSK, What to Read?: BLOG TOUR: Deviation by Dani Morales

We at TSK TSK are excited to have had the chance to get to know Dani just a little bit more and even more thrilled to be able to share that with you. So, get your choice of beverage, get comfortable and join us on getting to know Dani and all about her book Deviation...

TSK TSK: What does your daily routine consist of when writing?

Dani: I wish I could say that my routine means I’m able to lock myself away in a writing cave and push out words left and right, but that would be a lie. My routine consists of me entertaining my three boys, deflecting tantrums, and cooking. If I’m lucky I can get a few words down in between, but the magic usually happens at night when everyone’s asleep. Then I’m listening to music, drinking a Dr. Pepper and eating red vines.

TSK TSK: Do you do lots of research when you are writing?

Dani: On my first book Entrelacen, I did minimal research. On Deviation I did do more research because of the drug situation, but I also had help from a friend who went through the experience of withdrawals. She helped me keep it honest and true. On the new book I’m working on I’m going to be doing more research than I thought I would be. Lol It takes place in a state I’ve never been to, so some research is definitely necessary.

TSK TSK: What types of things do you do for fun?

Dani: I take my kids swimming a lot. Living out in Las Vegas the heat is horribly hot so swimming is a must. Other than that we play a lot of Wii games, hit up the movies, and bowl. Reading is a must! I love to read, it’s how I got started in the book world.

TSK TSK: Is there a playlist with your books?

Dani: Definitely! I absolutely love music. It helps me work through the emotions of my characters, spots when I get stuck, and even gets me in the mood to write more.

TSK TSK: Top 5 songs you are listening to right now?

Dani: The top 5 from my WIP “Washing the World Away”-Crossfade, “Can You Keep a Secret”-The Cab, “If I Lose Myself”-One Republic, “Heaven Sent”-Hinder, “E.T.”- Katy Perry

TSK TSK: Is there a character in your book that you just love?? What about one that you just hate?

Dani: I love Nevaeh. She’s been through a lot, turns to substances to help cope, but she has an undeniable strength that’s admirable. As for a character I hate… Ice. I absolutely hated writing him. His whole character in its own is disgusting, but his character is also real.

TSK TSK: Is there anywhere you are dying to travel to?

Dani: Greece! I’ve always had this obsession with Greek mythology and would love to visit Athens. One day, lol one day!

TSK TSK: Who would you say are your biggest influences on your writing?

Dani: Tiffany King, Michelle Leighton, Misty Provencher, Danielle Sibarium, Michelle Muto. The List can go on and on, but these few authors are ones I talk to, well at least try and talk to once a week. They all influence my writing in different ways and on different projects, but if I can be even half the writer they are, then I’ll consider myself successful.

TSK TSK: If there was one person you could meet, alive or dead, who would that be and why?

Dani: My grandmother. Technically I’ve met her because she was alive when I was born but I would love to spend a little time with her, even if it was just for 24 hours. My mom has told me stories about how when I was a baby she would paint my nails and spoil me, she tells me how I’m just like her, and that she would have me spoiled beyond belief. I wouldn’t mind to be spoiled lol, but I would love to have that relationship with her.

THANK YOU Dani for allowing us a peek in to your world and having us on this fab tour!!!

It takes just one week to realize that you’re broken, but not unfixable. ONE week to realize everything doesn’t come with a price. One week to fall in love with love. One week to fall in love with you.

Family torn apart at thirteen by a drunk driver.

Fifteen foster homes in five years.

Determined to keep everything at bay, Nevaeh Rodgers will do whatever it takes to forget.

Until she meets Angel Barajas at a party. He can’t keep his eyes off of her. Saving her from a guy at the party and an overdose, he can’t just let her walk out his door. Determined to help her whether she wants the help or not, he sets out to find her and not a moment too soon.

It takes ONE day to realize the relationship you’re in isn’t healthy and leave. TWO days to realize you’re as pathetic as the loser you stayed with. THREE days to get a combination of drugs out of your system. FOUR days to wish life would end so you can take matters into your own hands. FIVE days to be saved. It takes a week to realize that everything each and every one of those days has in common, is the vibrant blue eyes that are staring at me right now.

When I come to again the first thing I notice is the fragrance of laundry. It smells just like when it comes out of the dryer. I roll over, shocked to come into contact with a warm, hard, body. I shoot up and scoot across the bed, only to end up falling on my ass on the other side. I bite back a groan and see that I’m only wearing my pink bra and panties. Sober. Shit! I’m totally fucking sober right now. I crawl around looking for my pants but find nothing. I glance up at the bed and see a guy lying there asleep. I stand up and tiptoe towards the door that I’m hoping is the bathroom. I open it, but instead of a bathroom, there’s a hallway.

Part of the wall looks like the shape of a door, so I start pressing on it. When it finally opens, I see my clothes on the floor of the bathroom by the tub. Shutting the door behind me, I grab my pants and look for the pills but they’re gone. My backpack is missing too and I’m starting to freak out. I stand up and grab the counter when suddenly the door opens. I can’t even bring myself to look at whoever came in. All my focus is on trying to slow my breathing before I have a panic attack.

“Just take a deep breath in; now slowly release it, deep breath in and out.” A deep voice says as the door clicks shut behind him. He places his hands on my hips and a shudder races through my body. I look up into the mirror and see a face that looks familiar but I can’t place it. I focus on his blue eyes which are the same shade mine used to be when I was younger. The same blue that reminds me of the innocence and happiness I had in my life before it was taken from me.

“Who are you and where am I?” My voice is shaky from the warmth of his skin on mine.

“Do you remember anything from last night?” He looks concerned.

I try to remember. I remember walking home in the morning, I remember Timo walking in with that bitch, I even remember meeting up with Ice. I shudder. This guy flexes his hands on my hips, and when I look up in the mirror I see him watching me. Click. “You were at the party. I remember staring at you and then I was coming to talk to you when Timo showed up. He was about to punch me-“I stop. He meets my eyes in the mirror, “You stood in front of me and knocked Timo out, right?”

He nods his head yes. I try to understand what’s going on and remember what happened after that but I come up with nothing. “Okay, so why am I here and who are you?”

He sighs, “Well, my name is Angel and you are in my house because you blacked out.”

I blacked out? I guess I took the wrong pill last night. “Okay, but that doesn’t explain why I’m still here. Yeah, okay, I blacked out and now I remember my vision getting blurry but that doesn’t explain why I’m still here-not that I’m ungrateful, but I’m not sure I should be thrilled either.”

He laughs at me. “Well, after I knocked out Timo, your friend said you could stay with her but she was worried Timo would find you. So I decided to bring you to my place.”

Alright. Well that makes perfect sense, I think. I feel myself nodding, “Okay, so…. why am I also half naked?”

Dani Morales is a native Texan currently residing in Las Vegas, Nevada with her three boys and her mother. She adopted the boys in December of 2011 and loves spending every minute playing with them. On her spare time you can find a book in her hand or sitting in front of the computer typing out stories that run rampant in her mind. Her debut novel Entrelacen was released April 2013.