BLOG TOUR: Girl on Tour by Caisey Quinn

Welcome back for our stop on the GIRL on TOUR Blog Tour! I can't tell you how excited I am to take part in this fabulous tour!
Lots to share with you, starting with a special interview with the one and only Caisey Quinn *squee* conducted by our wonderful tour host, Casey Peeler at Hardcover Therapy. There's also a GIVEAWAY and my review. We hope you enjoy getting to know more about one of our favorite rising stars. We sure did. ~Shell

An up and comer trying to make a name for herself...

KYLIE never expected to be stuck on a tour bus with a pampered princess and her boyfriend’s ex.

A troubled artist struggling to hold onto his career...

TRACE thought he was finally getting to do things his way. Until the label added co-headliner Gretchen Gibson, the only person in country music with more issues than him, to his No Apologies tour.

Surrounded by tabloid rumors and people they can't trust, Kylie and Trace need each other more than ever. But the choices they make will change everything.

Because chasing your dreams and following your heart don’t always lead you to the same place…

What inspired you to write this book/series?

My love of country music mostly. And I was very curious about Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert touring together when they were at very different places in their careers and how they fell in love. Since they’re probably never going to tell me what happened, I had to make up my own story!

The great thing about New Adult books is that many of the readers are in the same age group as the characters, making it easy to relate to them.  Was there a specific character you related to best?

Ha! Well…I’m 30, so I’m not quite a new adult. ;) But I do relate a great deal to Kylie. I’m not quite as vocal about my feelings as she is but I did move away from home many years ago with no money and very little family. I wish I was as tough as she is though!

Which was your favorite character to write and why?

So far, Trace. He’s a combination of so many of my loved ones and he’s deeply flawed and struggles to accept that he’s worthy of love. His complexities make him a lot of fun to write.

Country Music plays a big part in these books.  Did you base either Trace or Kylie after a specific country artist or artists?

They were inspired by Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert. Trace’s musical style is very similar to Luke Bryan’s. (I got the idea for Girl with Guitar at a Luke Bryan concert). But they’ve become their own people in a lot of ways.

Bouncing off the last Question, if you could pick three Country Songs to sum up Kylie and Trace's relationship what would they be?

Ah! Only three? Okay, let’s see…

It Goes Like This by Thomas Rhett

Hot Mess by Tyler Farr

Damn I Do by Rachel Farley

AND:

Like Jesus Does by Eric Church (sorry I couldn’t pick just 3!)

Besides country, which I think we can tell is a fave, is there any other type of music on your playlist that you like to listen to, to get into the writing mind set?

I listen to a lot of “harder stuff” actually, because of my musician brother. J I love bands like Flyleaf (even though I think they broke up), Paramore, Red, Killswitch Engage, and such. I love the idea of country-rock crossover, which readers will see as Steven Blythe becomes a bigger character. I also love Christina Perri, Jason Mraz, and Katy Perry. My iPod is pretty nuts. Looks like it belongs to five different people.

What made you decide to start writing?  Has it always been something you enjoyed doing?

I never actually “decided” to start. I always just did. Even as a kid and teenager. I love it and can’t imagine my life without it. ;)

Many of the readers out there are also writers.  Do you have any advice for writers who are trying to be published?

I’m always nervous about giving advice because that indicates I know what I’m doing and I don’t know that I’d recommend the way I do things to anyone. The only real advice I can give is finish what you start and don’t give up!

What was the best advice or piece of wisdom given to you?

I’ve gotten so much good advice from the generous and wonderful members of the writing community that it’s hard to pick the best. But the most recent piece of advice I got was “always take the high road.” Something hurtful happened to me recently and I was very upset. Luckily I have a very levelheaded and intelligent mentor who reminded me that this is always the best way to handle difficult situations.

If you could only pick one, who would be your favorite Book Boyfriend? 

Oh this is just a mean question. One? ONE??? Ugh. Okay, well this week’s book boyfriend is Cole Pritchett from Elizabeth Lee’s Escaping Me. He reminds me a lot of my husband in that his expectations of himself are pretty low but when you see him for who he really is, he’s a hardworking lovable man with a precious heart. And the tattoos are pretty hot, too! ;)

Are you a wine drinker? If so, what is your favorite type? If not, name your poison? Coffee, Soda, Chocolate? All of the above?

I’m a wine drinker. I prefer sweet whites like Riesling and Moscato. I’m also a coffee drinker but I prefer it iced. And with chocolate syrup on top. J

What characteristics, if any, do you share with Kylie? 

We both HATE to ask for help. But sometimes you just gotta!

I'm sure naming your characters is much like naming your children. How did you come up Trace and Kylie? And give us Rae too, as that's my middle name.  :)

I wish I had a cute story about this but I don’t. L Both names just came to me as soon as I started plotting the story. Rae is named after my cousin who is adorable and spunky and just had to have a character named after her!

Tell us about your writing rituals? Silence vs Music? Coffee house vs comfy chair? Mac vs PC? Bananas vs Pears (Just making sure you are paying attention.)

No fruit is involved but I do have a comfy chair and I write in silence unless I find inspiration from a certain song. Sometimes I’ll put on the soundtrack for a book as I edit/revise if I have it created already. I’m a recent convert and use a MAC. Macs for Life!!

E-book vs physical book?

I’m a former English teacher so I’m a paperback/hardcover girl. But I have recently been filling my Kindle and it is handy at bedtime not to need a reading light.

If Physical: Dog ear vs bookmark? (Wow, there are a lot of "vs" in this interview)

If it’s my personal book I might dog-ear a page of something I loved so I can come back, otherwise I always use a bookmark. (Or sticky note, envelope, whatever I have handy!)

If E-book: Are you a highlighter or note taker? 

I do both!

Who is your current book boyfriend? 

Current one is a secret because I’m writing him!

*Speed Round*

1. What kind of snack/drink is a MUST for you when writing? Iced coffee, so I can stay awake!  

2.  What made you start writing? All the characters constantly yelling at me in my head.

3. What is your biggest inspiration source (where do you get your ideas)? Everywhere. Music, movies, the news, the grocery store…

4.  Describe your perfect writing space? and where do you actually write? I write in my comfy chair in my living room once everyone else has gone to bed. Pretty much anywhere quiet would work though.

5.  Is writing your full time job? If not, what else do you do? I’m a stay at home mom so my three-year-old daughter is my full-time job. J

6.  What is one surprising fact about you that not too many people know? Hmm…I’m pretty open so this is tough. I was in a near fatal car accident in high school so I have lots of pins and plates and rods where things like bones and joints should be.

7.  What are you writing now? Girl in Love (Kylie Ryans #3) and a few novellas for compilation projects with other authors. 

8.  What is the first Romance book you remember reading?  What is the last book you read? Oh gosh, I’m not sure what the first one I ever read was. Probably something I was too young to be reading. When I got back into reading romance a while back I read Rachel Gibson’s Rescue Me and I loved it. The last book I read was a manuscript by Rachel Harris. It was awesome and I can’t wait for y’all to read it!

9. What was the last book you read that gave you a "book hangover?

Hmm…Either Tangled by Emma Chase or The Redemption of Callie & Kayden by Jessica Sorenson. Both kept me up late into the night!

Thank you so much for having me! ;) 

Caisey Quinn lives in Birmingham, Alabama with her husband, daughter, and other assorted animals. She is the author of several New Adult Romance novels featuring country girls finding love in unexpected places. She is currently working on Girl in Love, the third and final book in the Kylie Ryans series.

 Website  Facebook  Twitter  Goodreads 

 Barnes and Noble  Kobo   Amazon

 I was very anxiously awaiting this sequel. Seeking other romance stories to fill the space. Fidgeting. Chewing some nails. Drooling daydreaming of Trace and his upcoming antics, his sexy drawl, his feverish need for Kylie. Her growing love and comfort in Trace. Laying awake restless and unfulfilled. Biding my time until the inevitable sparks that would fly between them.

Thank goodness I only had to wait for a couple of months. I would not have survived any longer. These two have worked their way under my skin and so deep into my heart I began to feel like I was missing a limb. I was drunk on their love and having serious withdrawals. I. Needed. MORE. And when that ARC finally hit my inbox I squealed, did a little happy dance, settled myself down (barely), and instantly became entranced.

Holy cow, Caisey Quinn! If you've read GIRL with GUITAR, you know she's given us one of the most fascinating, explosive, and downright HAWTest couples in NA. In GIRL on TOUR, together or apart, they only get hotter. From page ONE I was sucked right back in. Ready to hit the road with Kylie but immediately caught up in the passion. **SLIGHTLY SPOILERISH** I'm still fanning myself over the opening scene.  This woman spins a tale like she's penning a power ballad... With a soft sweet melody and a hard, jagged edge. It doesn't take long for the emotional turmoil, confusion and manipulation to begin- and Caisey puts our beloved characters through the wringer.

We know going into this book that this is NOT Kylie's HEA. We were warned. But let me tell you that little mention in no way prepared me for the rollercoaster that is GIRL on TOUR. Right off the bat poor Kylie is forced to face the realities of being an up and coming country star- and Trace Corbin's girlfriend. The media wants to label her and expose her every secret. The record labels are making her jump through hoops. And she gets a few surprises on the tour. Trace has his tour and a few problems of his own. He's struggling to find a balance, keep Kylie (and her heart) save, and save his career. The past is here to haunt him, creating chaos and suspicion. And as his affection for Kylie and his addiction grows, he may be falling in more ways than one. Oh, the TORTURE! Kylie and Trace have to make some difficult decisions and both do so with the best of intentions and with a heavy heart. Miscommunication and words left unsaid make their situations all the more tragic.

I'll say it again! HOLY F****** COW! So much happens in this installment at times your head is spinning. Not from confusion. Purely from the emotions. Grab a couple of boxes of tissues ahead of time. You'll need 'em. The intensity and frequency of twists, turns, distractions, and deceptions is so high, you'll spend the entire time on the edge of your seat. Gripping your tissues in your hands, clutching your chest, your heart aching, your eyes swollen, and your body wrought with the pain and anguish of love lost and people played. I don't know if I mourned more for Kylie or Trace. I love them so much. Kylie's trust is shaken. Trace's loyalty and respect for Kylie is tested again and again. And he does his best to protect her from himself and everyone that threatens her future. It's honorable, selfish and foolish all at once. And utterly heartbreaking.

Oh yes, there is heartbreak and pain. And I cried through much of the story. But they weren't all sad tears. We also get to see Kylie shine on stage. (And shine she does.) She makes new friends and alliances. Takes a stand or two. Hell yeah! We see a lot of growth and tons of potential. And even when her heart is breaking, Kylie never really lets go of her dreams. Including a HEA with Trace.

I could not put this book down. I hung on every word. Swallowed them like air. Hoping, wishing, and praying that somehow this blockbuster pair would see what was so obvious to me and the rest of their world... They belong together. They make each other whole. I cried, begged, and pleaded for one or the other to give in, step up and say what needed to be said. To proclaim their undying love for each other and vow to let no one or nothing  tear them apart. But alas, it was not meant to be this time around. And knowing I would have to wait for that happy ending, I still was not prepared for the colossal cliffhanger Caisey leaves us with. OMFG!
If you're willing to torture yourself further- as we have a bit of a wait for GIRL in LOVE- the sneak peek at the end will leave you REELING. An obvious 5 SCORCHING flames, I can't praise GIRL on TOUR, this trilogy, and Caisey enough. This is an absolute MUST READ.

We want thank Caisey Quinn for the gift of this phenomenal ARC for our honest opinion. And to Casey at Hardcover Therapy for putting on such an exciting tour.

Now go out and grab your copy! Happy reading!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway