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Today, Lily's Reviews welcomes Tawdra Kandle with a guest post about her latest release - Your Wildest Dreams. Welcome, Ms. Kandle!

I never planned to write Zelda and Tuck’s story.

Back in 2010, I began to write what later became the first three books of the Keeping Score series—the story of Nate, Quinn and Leo. Those three characters were based on something real, on people I knew—and I never intended the story to go beyond them.

However, as is usually the case for me, several sets of side characters popped up—and they turned out to be as compelling as the main trio. There were six who intrigued me enough to consider additional sequels to When We Were Us, Hanging By A Moment and Days of You and Me. Gia and Tate had their chance in Not Broken Anymore. Gideon and Sarah will have their day in Sway. But between those two books came Your Wildest Dreams.

Zelda first sashayed into my life when Quinn needed a college roommate. I intended that girl to be fairly non-descript and quiet. Ha!! All of a sudden, Zelda Porter leaped onto the scene, bigger than life, with an attitude and a capacity for loyalty and friendship that blew me away. Right after her intro, she had a strong reaction to Nate’s roommate—and I knew why. I knew how Zelda and Eli Tucker knew each other. But I couldn’t tell anyone yet—we were in the middle of Hanging By A Moment, and it was clear that these two needed their own book.

I often tell readers that I live with the characters for months or even years before I actually write their stories, and it’s true. I lived with Tuck and Zelda for several years, and over that time, Tuck was very talkative, but Zelda was not. She revealed her background and details to me sparingly and almost grudgingly. And odd as it sounds, it seemed that once she had shared something particularly deep, she fell silent for long periods. I couldn’t move on—until she was ready.

When the beta readers began delving into Your Wildest Dreams, I wasn’t certain what to expect. After all, this was basically the third telling of the same time period, just with different points of view and different priorities. But to my relief and joy, the readers realized how much they loved Zelda, in particular, and Tuck and Zelda as a couple. They saw the same events from a fresh perspective. And it all worked.

I’ve seldom written a character as nuanced and complex as Zelda . . . but it was completely worth the exercise. I’m very excited that their story really isn’t over—the two of them will be part of a spin-off series set at Birch College, where Tuck will be the new assistant coach for the football team. I can’t wait to visit with them again and meet an all new cast of characters to challenge me.

Thank you, Ms. Kandle, for stopping by and talking a little bit about how Your Wildest Dreams came about.

Your Wildest Dreams Info



I don’t do love.

I don’t do relationships.

But then Eli Tucker came back into my life.

Football is everything, but love is the only game that matters.

When Eli Tucker meets Zelda Porter on the first day of their college freshman year, he thinks she’s vaguely familiar. But he’d remember a woman like her, wouldn’t he? Zelda’s blonde, built and beautiful . . . just Tuck’s type, back when he had a type. Back when he was a football star. Back before he snapped his spine and ended up paralyzed.

Zelda’s memory of her first encounter with Tuck is all too vivid, but that was a long time and many guys ago. She’s not interested in long term or love. Men exist to meet a temporary need, and that’s all she wants. Even if Eli Tucker still stirs something in her heart, she can’t afford the pain that might come from allowing him closer.

Still, even though Tuck can’t run for touchdowns anymore, he knows what wins the game: Hold on tight to what matters most. Use the element of surprise to your advantage. Fight like hell for every down.
And, no matter what, never give up.

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Tawdra Kandle may be found on her site, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram