Behind The Curtain

With: Katee Robert

Congratulations to "Ami S.", the winner in Katee's giveaway. Thank you to all who participated!

I’m one of those authors who absolutely needs some kind of music or background noise going while I write. I can’t function or concentrate in complete silence (probably the result of starting my writing career with two kids under the age of two). Sometimes that soundtrack is a Pandora station that I tweak as I draft the book. Sometimes it’s a playlist I put together myself. And in one memorable occasion, it was having B horror movies playing in the background.

For The Bastard’s Bargain, I had a very specific playlist in mind. The other five books in the series were all curated from a single playlist that I added to in order to fit the feel of the book. They mostly take place in Boston and center heavily around the O’Malley family so it made sense to keep that tone in place.

But for this book, the final O’Malley character is out of her element—and away from her family. So it made sense to start from scratch.

Without further ado, these are the top five songs I had on repeat while I drafted Dmitri and Keira’s story:

The Morning After by Meg Myers – I found Meg Myers because of a friend’s recommendation and I instantly went and bought everything she’s ever put out. This particular song has her very distinctive blend of ethereal and dark and heart-wrenching, which instantly puts me in Keira’s headspace.

The Garden by July Talk – This was another new find for me. His growling voice and her very feminine counterpart was just perfect for the tone of this book. It would be so easy for him to overwhelm her (similar to Dmitri and Keira) but she holds her own in every single song, and creates a unique balance that’s amazing.

Like a Glove by Ivy Levan (featuring Cadre) – This one is catchy! I adore Ivy Levan’s new album and it featured heavily in this playlist, but this one is a personal favorite. It’ll have you tapping your foot and it was inspiration for some of Keira’s antics in dealing with Dmitri.

Heavy in Your Arms by Florence + The Machine – Florence always ends up on my playlists. There’s something about her lyrics and music that really get the creative flow going in the best way possible. This song was so Keira to me, and the evolution within it reflected both her growth personally and the changing relationship she held with Dmitri.

Heaven in Hiding by Halsey – This one played a lot during the sexy scenes. The push and pull within the song was inspiring, to say the least. The whole album is excellent (can you sense a trend here haha), but this song was the one I found myself going back to again and again.

So there it is! A little peek behind the curtain of what goes into putting a story like The Bastard’s Bargain together.

The Bastard’s Bargain

by Katee Robert

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katee Robert delivers the final installment in her sizzling O'Malleys family series, hailed as "The Godfather meets Romeo & Juliet." In THE BASTARD’S BARGAIN Dmitri Romanov must use his legendary focus and control to stay one step ahead of everyone else in the ever-shifting power plays of New York City.  

Title: The Bastard’s Bargain

Author: Katee Robert

Genre: Dark Contemporary Romance

Release Date: February 6, 2018

Publisher: Grand Central/Forever

Series: The O’Malleys

Format: Digitial and Print

ASIN: B071ZYWPL5

Married to the enemy

When Keira O'Malley was a child, she used to picture her perfect wedding. The flowers. The dress. Her husband. But nothing could have prepared her for saying "I do" to Dmitri Romanov-cold, domineering, and always one step ahead of everyone else in the ever-shifting power plays of New York City. She agreed to his bargain to secure peace for her family, and she may want the bastard more than she'd ever admit, but she'll be damned if she'll make this marriage easy for him.

Dmitri knows better than to underestimate Keira for one second. Molten desire smolders between them, a dangerous addiction neither can resist. But his enemies are already on the move, and he needs every ounce of his legendary focus and control to keep them alive. Keira could just be his secret weapon-if she doesn't bring him to his knees first.

Pre-order at:

Amazon: http://bit.ly/OMalley6Amazon

B&N: http://bit.ly/OMalley6BN

iBook: http://bit.ly/OMalley6iBooks

Kobo: http://bit.ly/OMalley6Kobo

Praise for The O’Malleys Series

"This series is a hit all around, I'm already loving it."—The Book Cellar

"Dark, dirty, and dead sexy."—Tiffany Reisz, bestselling author of The Original Sinners series, on THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT

“Will keep you turning pages.”—RT Book Reviews on THE WEDDING PACT

“If you like angsty reads, this book is right up your wheelhouse.”—Heroes & Heartbreakers on THE WEDDING PACT

“Katee Robert's has created a fictional underworld of such veracity, that one almost expects the characters to turn up on the front-page news. It never feels over the top or implausible; the author writes extremely well-crafted stories… The romance between Cillian and Olivia is very beautiful, tender and real.”—Fresh Fiction on AN INDECENT PROPOSAL

"It can be hard to make a ruthless assassin into a sympathetic character, but Robert handles the task with ease. She also deftly shows Sloan’s transformation from a pampered and protected naïf to a strong woman with a backbone of pure steel. A tension-filled plot full of deceit, betrayal, and sizzling love scenes will make it impossible for readers to set the book down."—Publishers Weekly on FORBIDDEN PROMISES

“You will finish it in one sitting and die after you’re done because the next book isn't out yet. This was one sexy ride!”—Reviewer Top Pick, Night Owl Reviews on FORBIDDEN PROMISES

“Two story lines end up converging into one explosive finale at the end.  A great read from the talented Robert!” —RT Book Reviews

“Robert (Forbidden Promises) combines strong chemistry, snappy plotting, and imperfect yet appealing characters in her fifth O’Malley contemporary.”—Publishers Weekly on UNDERCOVER ATTRACTION

“Imagine the erotic sensibility of Red Shoe Diaries expertly fused with the ruthless power struggles that fueled The Sopranos and you have some idea of the flavor of Robert’s RITA–nominated O’Malleys series. In the fifth installment, she doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to the searing sensuality of the love scenes or the brutal danger propelling the plot, thus delivering exactly the kind of intense love story her readers crave.”—Booklist on UNDERCOVER ATTRACTION

Other Books in The O’Malleys Series

THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT

Teague O’Malley hates pretty much everything associated with his family’s name. And when his father orders him to marry Callista Sheridan to create a “business” alliance, Teague’s ready to tell his dad exactly where he can stuff his millions. But then Teague actually meets his new fiancée, sees the bruises on her neck and the fight still left in her big blue eyes, and he decides he will do everything in his power to protect her.

Everyone knows the O’Malleys have a dangerous reputation. But Callie wasn’t aware of just what that meant until she saw Teague, the embodiment of lethal grace and coiled power. His slightest touch sizzles through her. The closer they get, though, the more trouble they’re in. Because Callie’s keeping a dark secret—and what Teague doesn’t know could get him killed.

Available at:
AMAZON | APPLE | BARNES AND NOBLE | KOBO

THE WEDDING PACT

Carrigan O'Malley has always known her arranged marriage would be more about power and prestige than passion. But after one taste of the hard-bodied, whiskey-voiced James Halloran, she's ruined for anyone else. Too bad James and his family are enemy number 1.

Hallorans vs. O'Malleys-that's how it's always been. James should be thinking more about how to expand his family's empire instead of how silky Carrigan's skin is against his and how he can next get her into his bed. Those are dangerous thoughts. But not nearly as dangerous as he'll be if he can't get what he wants: Carrigan by his side for the rest of their lives.

Available at:

AMAZON | APPLE | BARNES AND NOBLE | KOBO

AN INDECENT PROPOSAL

Greed. Ambition. Violence. Those are the "values" Olivia Rashidi learned from her Russian mob family-and the values she must leave behind for the sake of her daughter. When she meets Cillian O'Malley, she recognizes the red flag of his family name . . . yet she still can't stop herself from seeing the smoldering, tortured man. To save her family, Olivia sets out to discover Cillian's own secrets, but the real revelation is how fast-and how hard-she's falling for him.

Plagued by a violent past, Cillian is more vulnerable than anyone realizes. Anyone except Olivia, whose beauty, compassion, and pride have him at "hello," even if she's more inclined to say good-bye to an O'Malley. While his proposal of sex with no strings seems simple, what he feels for her isn't, especially after he learns that she belongs to a rival crime family. Cillian knows that there is no escape from the life, but Olivia may be worth trying-and dying-for...

Available at:

AMAZON | APPLE | BARNES AND NOBLE

FORBIDDEN PROMISES

Some lines should never be crossed . . . not even for love.

Sloan O'Malley just left her entire world behind-her family, her wealth, and even her real name. For the first time in her life, she's free. She can live the "normal" life she's always wanted. A life without fear. But there's nothing safe about her intensely sexy next-door neighbor.

Jude MacNamara has no room for innocence in his life. Only revenge. Still, he's never been able to walk away from the forbidden, and Sloan--who is every inch of pure, mouthwatering temptation--has forbidden written all over her. Only after it's way too late does he discover the real danger: claiming Sloan as his puts a target on her back. To protect her, Jude is willing risk everything . . . and to hell with the consequences.

Available at: 
AMAZON | APPLE | BARNES AND NOBLE

UNDERCOVER ATTRACTION

Ex-cop Charlotte Finch used to think there was a clear line between right and wrong. Then her fellow officers betrayed her, and the world is no longer so black and white. Especially when it's Aiden O'Malley, one of the most dangerous men in Boston, who offers her a chance for justice. The only catch: she'll have to pretend to be his fiancée for his plan to work.

Aiden can't afford to let anyone see the man behind the mask. To run the O'Malley empire, he has to be cool and controlled at all times. But the moment he meets Charlie, they're playing with fire. Her slightest touch is enough to send him over the edge. At first their "engagement" was a way to eliminate his enemies. Now he'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe-- even if he has to destroy his own family to do it.

Available at:

AMAZON | APPLE | BARNES AND NOBLE

About Katee Robert

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Katee Robert learned to tell her stories at her grandpa’s knee. Her 2015 title, The Marriage Contract, was a RITA finalist, and RT Book Reviews named it 'a compulsively readable book with just the right amount of suspense and tension."  When not writing sexy contemporary and romantic suspense, she spends her time playing imaginary games with her children, driving her husband batty with what-if questions, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. 

Connect with Katee at: Website | Facebook | Twitter| GoodReads | Instagram

Giveaway:
Katee will be giving one lucky reader or commenter a choice of a digital book from her backlist.

Giveaway ends 11:59pm EST Feb. 5th. Please supply your email in the post. You may use spaces or full text for security. (ex. jsmith at gmail dot com) If you do not wish to supply your email, or have trouble posting, please email maureen@JustContemporaryRomance.com with a subject title of JCR GIVEAWAY to be entered in the current giveaway.