Blog tour: Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker

Interview with Kacey Cleary and Trent Emerson


"So this is Penny's, it’s nice, not what I expected," Kristie states, curiously looking around. Lisa laughs and asks, "Well, what did you expect?" "Well, I guess I expected it to look like the clubs you see on TV," Kristie replies, while shrugging her shoulders. "I’m glad we could arrange to meet Trent and Kacey since they are having dinner with their friends from Penny’s. There’s our table," Jen points out. We head towards our table and a cute guy walks up to Jen and asks, "Hey gorgeous, how much for a lap dance?" Jen's whole face turns a shade of red Lisa and I never knew existed. Lisa and I start laughing as we push Jen towards our table. Lisa turns to the guy and says, "Sorry kid, you can't afford or handle her." We get settled in our seats, Jen looking normal again. Kristie shouts over the music, "Kacey and Trent just walked through the door and are headed our way. Get ready ladies." They walk towards our table. We stand and introduce ourselves. "Everyone have their drink of choice? Ok, let's get started," Lisa says.


Three Chicks:  Trent, what were you thinking when you first met Kacey in the laundromat? Did you arrange to go there when you knew she would be there?
 
Trent:  I honestly didn’t know how I was going to strike up a conversation with her. Then, when I saw her walking past my window with a basket of sheets, I knew it was perfect. I’d get a few minutes of her time, at least. *He begins chuckling, scratching his chin*  I found Kacey on all fours and, well… you don’t want to know what I was thinking… Ow! *The shot to his arm from Kacey makes him wince*

Three Chicks:  Kacey, did you ever hear from or contact your Aunt Darla or Uncle Raymond again? 

Kacey:  Uh, that would be a no. I mean, I’ve considered calling Darla. Maybe I will, one day. I have to assume she knew nothing about the money that dear old pervert uncle hid. She always was lacking upstairs but she was never intentionally cruel.

Three Chicks:  Trent, when you found Kacey, your goal at first was to make her happy again. In the beginning was Kacey just a project for you so that you could feel redeemed?
 
Trent:  *Casting those gorgeous blue eyes on the fiery redhead next to him, Trent explains*  Nothing about Kacey has ever been a project. Making her happy is my reason for breathing.

Three Chicks:  Kacey, the way you dealt with things really affected your little sister, Livie. How is she doing?

Kacey:  Livie’s a rock. That kid… *A pensive expression passes over Kacey’s face*  She’s doing great. I haven’t seen her this happy in a long time. I think the house by the beach and living with Mia and Storm is agreeing with her. She finally has a real home again.

Three Chicks:  Trent, you had to know that lying to Kacey about your past would eventually come back and bite you in the ass (pardon our French) (the Three Chicks roll their eyes). Were you ever going to tell her the truth?

Trent:  *Reaching up to scratch the back of his neck, a hint of color touching his cheeks, Trent admits sheepishly*  “Yeah, that was always lingering in the back of my mind. I knew I’d have to tell her the truth at some point. I didn’t know how or when though. Definitely didn’t plan on how it all went down… Now though, I can see that was probably for the best. It forces us all to face our demons.

Three Chicks:  Kacey, are you able to shake people's hands now?

Kacey:  It’s a miracle.  *she says with a grin*

Three Chicks:  Trent, when did you realize you were in love with Kacey?

Trent:  Asking the hard questions, are we?  *Trent chews his lip, as if debating his answer*  The night that Storm was attacked. That was the night I knew I’d rather die than live without her.

Three Chicks:  Kacey, when you were talking with Tanner the night of your homecoming, he told you about his brother, Bob. He said, "It's a terrible accident on all fronts. The wrongdoer. The victims. They all suffer somethin' fierce, don't you think?" What was it about what he said that made you forgive or at least realize you had forgiven Trent?
 
Kacey:  That part when he talked about his brother’s girlfriend granting him his forgiveness up in heaven.  *A somber expression passes over Kacey’s face*  I realized I had the chance to tell him right here, right now. I’d never want Trent to take such drastic measures, hoping to gain that peace.

Three Chicks:  Trent, after everything came to light and you said your goodbye, what did you do during your time away from Kacey?

Trent:  I stayed with my mom for most of that time. It gave me a chance to get help and focus on myself. Stayner and I had a lot of phone conversations. I joined a few PTSD groups and met a lot of people. Some in the same situation as me.

Three Chicks:  Kacey, how hard was that to forgive Trent?  Do you ever call him by his other name?

Kacey:  Trent is Trent. He’ll only ever be Trent to me. That’s the man I know and love. And forgiving him? *She shrugs*  Surprisingly easy, once I broke through my own internal barriers. I don’t know if it’s because of who Trent became to me. If he was just some guy coming up off the street, I don’t know it would have been so easy.

Three Chicks:  Trent, when did you come up with the idea of the one way mirror and your conversation at the hospital?

Trent:  That was all Stayner’s doing. He sprung that on me with almost no preparation time. That’s how Stayner rolls. I thought I was going to puke, walking into that room.

Three Chicks:  Kacey, when do you think you realized you had let your guard down enough to fall in love with Trent?
 
Kacey:  It’s hard to say. He got behind my defenses quickly. I mean, look at him.  *she mutters, followed by a sly grin*  I think I finally admitted it to myself the night he came back after being gone for weeks. Or maybe it was the night of Storm’s attack. I don’t know. Maybe I let him in right away. Maybe I somehow knew I needed him in.

Three Chicks:  Kacey, your mother would say to you, “Ten tiny breaths. Seize them. Feel them. Love them.” What does that phrase, ten tiny breaths mean to you?

Kacey:  It’s my reminder that I’m still here and breathing. I survived that accident for a reason and I need to embrace that.

Three Chicks:  Does Dr. Stayner still counsel either one of you?

Kacey:  *They look at each other and chuckle in unison*  There’s no getting rid of Stayner once he’s in your life.  *Kacey explains with an eye roll*   We still talk on the phone occasionally but we’re not actively seeking therapy.

Trent:  That’s right. *Trent adds, grabbing Kacey’s hand*  We have each other for that.
 
Three Chicks:  Trent, had to replace any doors lately?
 
Trent:  Can’t say I have. Our lives have been pretty tame since Kacey moved in with Storm and I got my condo. It’s a nice change.

Three Chicks:  Have you bought a car or do you still get around on Trent’s bike?
 
Trent:  I have a Jeep.  

Kacey:   Great for the beach and not confining. I still have issues with cars. But he’ll take me for a ride every once in a while.  *She juts her head toward Trent with a devilish grin*

Three Chicks:  Trent, do you still do graphic designing for a living?

Trent:  Yeah, it’s perfect. I love the freedom and it’s great money. I need that, living by the beach.

Three Chicks:  Trent, when you were away from Kacey-how were you getting updates on her from Livie?
 
Trent:  Through my dad. He and Livie kept in touch. He wouldn’t tell me much but he did tell me she was doing well. That was all I needed to know.

Three Chicks:  Trent, Kacey seems to enjoy a comfortable relationship with your parents, how is your own relationship with them now?

Trent:  I feel like I’ve had a second chance in every respect, including my relationship with my parents. They’re incredible. I’ve never been closer to them than I am now.
 
Three Chicks:  Kacey, what has Ben been up to these days?

Kacey:  *Rolling her eyes and sighs*   What hasn’t Ben up to these days. Or who, I should say.  *With a grin, she adds*   He’s doing well. Almost finished up his law degree. He’s finally given up on Livie, I think. That or he’s taking my bodily threats on him seriously and he’s stopped hitting on her around me. 

Three Chicks:  Where are the two of you living now?
 
Kacey:   I’m still at Storm's and Dan’s beach house. It’s heaven but I can’t stay there forever. I think eventually...I’ll be moving to Trent’s condo. It’s not far from there.

Three Chicks:  What do you see yourselves doing five years from now?
 
Kacey and Trent:  *They smile in unison*  Being happy. 

"Thanks for meeting with us. We are so very happy for you both,“ Lisa says while hugging them goodbye. "Yes, we wish you the happiness that you deserve, you have definitely earned it," Kristie says winking to them." Jen gives them a hug goodbye and tells them, "We hope to see you two again soon. It was great meeting you." Kacey and Trent head to the front to talk to Cain and Nate. Jen looks over at Lisa and Kristie and says, " Do you think we can go find those VIP rooms? Don't they have chains in them?" Kristie and Lisa laugh. Lisa says, "Nope, we need to get going. We have a pole dancing class I booked for us with a Groupon." Kristie and Jen freeze, staring at Lisa with eyes wide open. Then Kristie starts bouncing up and down, "I always wanted to try that, it looks fun but I hear it’s really hard." Jen rolls her eyes and mutters something we can’t make out then says, "Well I guess I’m out numbered. Let's do this before I lose all my nerve."



Summary:

Just breathe, Kacey. Ten tiny breaths. Seize them. Feel them. Love them.

Four years ago Kacey Cleary’s life imploded when her car was hit by a drunk driver, killing her parents, boyfriend and best friend. Still haunted by memories of being trapped inside, holding her boyfriend’s lifeless hand and listening to her mother take her last breath, Kacey wants to leave her past behind. Armed with two bus tickets, twenty year old Kacey and her fifteen year old sister Livie escape Grand Rapids, Michigan to start over in Miami. Struggling to make ends meet, Kacey needs to figure out how to get by. But Kacey’s not worried. She can handle anything—anything but her mysterious neighbor in apartment 1D.

Trent Emerson has smoldering blue eyes, deep dimples, and perfectly skates that irresistible line between nice guy and bad boy. Hardened by her tragic past, Kacey is determined to keep everyone at a distance, but their mutual attraction is undeniable and Trent is determined to find a way into Kacey’s guarded heart—even if it means that an explosive secret could shatter both their worlds.

Our Review

"Just breathe," my mom would say. "Ten tiny breaths.. Seize them. Feel them. Love them."

Going into this book, I had no idea what it was about (usually I'm a stickler for at least reading a synopsis about a book). Never could I have imagined how wonderful this book was going to be from the title. K.A. Tucker is a mistress of words, stringing you along the whole time with laughter, tears, and just the right amount of gut wrenching drama.

Kacey Cleary, 20, and Livie Cleary, 15, are on the run from their "so-called," guardians- their aunt and uncle. After their uncle had too much to drink, he thought Livie looked mighty pretty (ew- shes 15!) and might have his way with her. Kacey saves the day and they high tail it out of there and head for Miami. Having only saved money from the coffee shop she worked at, she finds a small apartment and puts down six month's rent. She meets Tanner, the dorky landlord, and her lovable neighbors- Storm and her 5 year old Mia. But Kacey and Livie have a secret- they've lost their loved ones in a car accident. An accident that Kacey survived - her parents, best friend, and boyfriend weren't so lucky. Kacey doesn't want to tempt fate- so she decides to forget the past, live in the present, look forward to the future, never let anyone get too close, and if she can't deal- take ten tiny breaths like her mother said. This accident leaves Kacey pretty messed up in the head, so much so she can't even shake hands with people. When she does, she's transported back to the night when a drunk driver and his 2 buddies destroyed her life.

Trent Emerson, Hottie McHot from the apartment next door, just moved to Miami as well. As soon as they meet in the laundromat- she's a goner. After spending time together, and he rescuing her, knocking down a few doors, he is helping her enjoy life again, to live, breathe, and smile. She starts working with Storm at a strip club solely slinging drinks, when Trent starts showing up- watching her. By chapter 5, I loved Trent! There's something mysterious about him- the way he takes care of Kacey, is so good with Livie, and even charms Storm and Princess Mia. He also insists on taking it slow. Which is good for Kacey considering the last four years of her life are a blur, and her coping mechanisms in the past were drugs, alcohol, and sex. In the past year though, for Livie's sake, she's coped with kickboxing. Trent wants more though and asks her too many questions about the past, even dragging her to a PTSD support group, which she runs from screaming.  They don't speak for awhile. She can't help herself though and he can't stay away. After an incident at the club- that leaves Storm shaken, and Kacey crazy- Trent takes Kacey home, they fall asleep together, and when she wakes she feels his presence. 

"I can feel his very existence as if its wrapping its hand around my soul and cradling it, trying to protect it from harm and I'm terrified. Terrified because I don't ever want this feeling to end." 

See what I mean? Mistress of words! The day after the incident Trent mentions to Kasey maybe to get some closure she should talk to the remaining survivor of the car that crashed into Kacey's car- she flips out, and in the morning Trent leaves for a while- Arggh- but he does he come back- all is great between them and they start over. Then the TWIST of a lifetime. You will have to just read to find out the rest of the story and trust me it is so worth it. I stayed up way past my bedtime- laughing, crying, and enjoying the heck out of this book. A great story with a great ending, and an awesome epilogue! Go and read this book, now. Do it, you will thank me later!

About the author:

Born in small-town Ontario, Kathleen published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She is a voracious reader and the farthest thing from a genre-snob, loving everything from High Fantasy to Chick Lit. Kathleen currently resides in a quaint small town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.

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