Thoughtful by S.C. Stephens Blog Tour and Exclusive Interview
Series: Thoughtless #1.5
Genre: New Adult
Page Count: 560 pages
Publisher: Forever; Special edition (June 9, 2015)
A new novel in the Thoughtless series from #1 New York Times
Genre: New Adult
Page Count: 560 pages
Publisher: Forever; Special edition (June 9, 2015)
A new novel in the Thoughtless series from #1 New York Times
bestselling author S. C. Stephens!
Every story has two sides, and in this new book, the epic love story
Every story has two sides, and in this new book, the epic love story
between Kiera and Kellan is shown through his eyes.
All Kellan Kyle needs is his guitar, and some clean sheets of paper.
All Kellan Kyle needs is his guitar, and some clean sheets of paper.
Growing up in a house that was far from a home, he learned a hard
lesson: You're worthless. Now his life is comfortably filled with
passionate music, loyal band mates, and fast women...
until he meets her.
Kiera makes him ache for more. Makes him feel for the first time that
he's worth more. But there's one problem - she's his best friend's girl.
Just when Kellan thought his emotional defenses were rock solid, Kiera's
indecisive heart wreaks havoc on his soul, changing him forever.
Losing Kiera is not an option.
Synopsis
THOUGHTFUL by S.C. Stephens (February 24, 2015; Forever Trade Paperback)
In Thoughtless, Kiera told her story. Now it's time to hear from the sexy rock star who captivated us all . . .
The only place Kellan Kyle has ever felt at home is onstage. Gripping his guitar in a darkened bar, he can forget his painful past. These days his life revolves around three things: music, his bandmates, and hot hookups. Until one woman changes everything . . .
Kiera is the kind of girl Kellan has no business wanting-smart, sweet, and dating his best friend. Certain he could never be worthy of her love, he hides his growing attraction . . . until Kiera's own tormented heart hints that his feelings might not be one-sided. Now, no matter the consequences, Kellan is sure of one thing-he won't let Kiera go without a fight.
The only place Kellan Kyle has ever felt at home is onstage. Gripping his guitar in a darkened bar, he can forget his painful past. These days his life revolves around three things: music, his bandmates, and hot hookups. Until one woman changes everything . . .
Kiera is the kind of girl Kellan has no business wanting-smart, sweet, and dating his best friend. Certain he could never be worthy of her love, he hides his growing attraction . . . until Kiera's own tormented heart hints that his feelings might not be one-sided. Now, no matter the consequences, Kellan is sure of one thing-he won't let Kiera go without a fight.
Excerpt:
Determined to stop thinking, to just go with whatever happened, I dipped my finger into my drink and wet the backs of our hands. Kiera watched every move I made as I shook some salt over our hands. When she made no move to drink her shot, I broke the ice and took mine so she’d feel more comfortable about doing this with me. My throat was numb from doing Jäger shots all night, so it didn’t even burn. It burned for Kiera though.
Her tongue came out to lick the salt off her hand, her mouth opened to receive her drink, and her lips curled around the lime, squeezing its juices. It was an erotic thing to watch. Then her face twisted into a grimace. I chuckled at her reaction, then poured us another round.
The second shot went down easier for her. The third was even easier. We didn’t talk, just drank. And the more alcohol she consumed, the hungrier her eyes became. She was staring at me as tenaciously as the women in the bar did. I did my best to ignore it, but it was difficult to do…I wanted her to look at me like that. I wanted to look at her like that. But I wasn’t about to make any assumptions on what was going to happen tonight. We were just two friends sharing a drink.
Two single friends who had almost shared a lot more recently…
By the fourth shot, the alcohol was getting to me. I spilled the tequila trying to pour it in those tiny little glasses. I laughed as I almost dropped the lime from my mouth. I was way beyond buzzing now.
On the fifth shot, everything changed. Just as I was bending down to lick the salt from my skin, Kiera took my hand and ran her tongue over the back of it. She was soft, wet, warm, and felt amazing on my sensitive body. I wanted her to keep doing it, but she pulled back to drink her tequila shot. When she placed her wedge of lime between my lips, my heart sped up. Was she…?
She was. Her mouth reached up to connect with mine. Our lips pressed together as she sucked on the lime. All I could taste was lime and her. It was an intoxicating combination. But it wasn’t nearly satisfying enough. I needed more.
My breath felt strained when Kiera pulled away. Ragged. She teasingly removed the lime from her mouth and set it on the counter. When she seductively licked her fingers, my resolve evaporated. I suddenly didn’t give a shit what we’d been before, or who we’d been with. I didn’t care if she’d dated Denny—that seemed like a long-past memory at the moment. I didn’t care about Evan’s warnings, my regrettable experience with bedding roommates, my promise to Denny to stay away, or my own decision to not cross that uncrossable line. Kiera kissed me. She wanted me. And fuck, I wanted her too.
I took my shot of tequila straight, slammed the glass on the counter, then pulled her back to my mouth, where she belonged.
Our lips moving together felt better than I had imagined. There was so much eager, pent-up passion, I felt like we were both going to burst into flames. I couldn’t get enough of her. My hand on the back of her neck tightened, drawing her in even closer. My other hand found the small of her back. Perfection.
Meet S.C. Stephens, author of THOUGHTFUL
emotion and heavy on romance. In addition to writing, she enjoys spending lazy afternoons in the sun reading,
listening to music, watching movies, and spending time with her friends and family.
She and her two children reside in the Pacific Northwest.
1. Do you have any hobbies or activities that you enjoy outside of writing?
I’m a group fitness junkie. I live for my step class! And I’m starting to get into lifting weights,
which means I’m sore. A lot. I love that feeling though. I also love sitting on my butt and watching
movies all day. Movie-marathon weekends are my favorite!
2. If Kellan and Kiera’s relationship had a theme song, what would it be?
There are so many good ones, but I always find myself going back to I Can’t Not Love You by Every Avenue.
3. Many readers say Kellan was the first/favorite book boyfriend. What do you think appeals to readers
about him?
I think it’s a mixture of his job, his past, his looks, his pain, and the fact that he is so incredibly devoted
to the people he cares about.
4. How has music played a role in your life and in your writing?
Music gives me ideas, and is basically the reason for Kellan’s existence. I “saw” him singing every song
I listened to on the radio. I fell in love with him long before I wrote his story.
5. What are Kellan and Kiera exchanging for Valentine’s Day this year?
They’re very busy, so time alone together is what they cherish most.
Buy Links:
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Other Books in Series:
What is there to say.... it is KELLAN KYLE!!!
Not only is it my one and only top of the list book boyfriend,
Thoughtful is in HIS p.o.v.!!!
OMG.. I mean seriously... we get to be inside this rock god's head,
and most importantly, in his heart and soul!
Once I started reading this book, it was like coming home... and I never wanted to leave!
I can not tell you how emotional this book was for me.
My soul was filleted with Kellan's backstory.
You get such tragic details of his family that you just want to
hold Kellan in your arms forever!
(not like you didn't want to before, right?)
You really get to see all that went on between Kiera and himself..
Killeen's childhood with Denny and with his parents.
You just get to be inside Kellan, and although very painful,
it is the only place you want to be.
This Book is Magnificent!
S.C. Stephens just gave us all the best gift EVER!!
This will be one of my fave all time Re-Reads..
I never want to leave Kellan!
<3
Thoughtful is emotional, honest and deeply captivating,
as you experience the real Kellan Kyle and the story behind
‘Thoughtless’ like never before. Simply stunning!
Kelly, Perusing Princesses
From that first moment when Kellan’s words flew onto the page, I experienced something
that no book has ever given me before; a nostalgic feeling of coming home.
It made me realise how much I love this character, and how greatly he and Kiera’s
story has stayed with me.
Thoughtful is not only a perfect title for this new and reformed Thoughtless in the
leading male perspective, but it emphasises in its full entirety how magnificent this
destructive and emotional love story is. Parts of this book are not an easy read as fans
of this series are fully aware. The passion and undeniable connection between both
characters, carried with a heavy dose of confusion, guilt and heartbreak is palpable,
raw and deeply unsettling, but that is what made it stand out a very saturated
contemporary romance crowd. From the start, they seemed destined to fail.
Putting all that aside, I want to talk about the real Kellan, the one that is flayed open
with honesty and a deep sincerity that makes you fall completely under his spell,
in a whole new way. S.C Stephens has succeeded where others have failed.
I am always wary of a novel re-write from a male perspective. I can count on one hand
where I feel it has worked. I hate the word ‘re-hash,’ although I have felt myself
referring to it regarding a re-write before, but trust me when I say, in no uncertain terms
did Thoughtful feel anything like that. If anything, S.C Stephens has strengthened this
series by breathing a further injection of life into the characters that she has so lovingly and painstakingly created.
What I didn’t count on though was the thorough and devastating backstory of
Kellan’s childhood, and the circumstances behind his deep connection with Denny.
To have that information thrown at your feet gives insight to not only his
characterisation but a deep understanding to many of his actions.
“I bled my hear out while I was performing, not that many people truly noticed;
they were too busy enjoying the showmanship to dig beneath the surface
of the words. There was safety in the scrutiny, anonymity in the spoiling.
I felt invincible up there. Just me and my guitar.”
The truth is, he is a lost and deeply tortured young man.
Kellan is what many would deem a ‘conventional rock star.’ Even though he
may act out and embrace the destructive lifestyle, there is so much more to Kellan
than meets the eye. The truth of his actions lies behind his words.
He is suffering in silence. His days growing up in a house of horrors has shaped
him into a man even he doesn’t recognise. Trying to find acceptance in the arms
of others who cannot see him, only the facade paints a very sad and
unsettling picture. He is aching to find that connection with one who can see
the real him, and when it happens… it knocks the wind out of his sails.
“For the first time in a long time, I was looking at someone who saw me.
Not the rock star, not the playboy, but me. The real me. And for the first time
in a long time, terror crawled up my spine.”
Watching Kellan and Keira’s innocent yet flirty friendship blossom is a beautiful
thing to behold, and as they become more acquainted, and with Denny’s work
commitments taking him away on business, it isn’t long before playful flirtation
becomes a source of deep attraction as a passionate and controversial love affair ensues.
”She was comfort and pain, wrapped up in one beautiful package… that wasn’t mine.”
Now… Keira. Let’s talk about the game changer. Oh, there is no denying the fact
that you kind of want to strangle her at times. Her innocent naivety as to how her
actions could have insufferable consequences turn a young woman in love, to a
very confused, selfish and at times, an unlikeable character. I cannot deny it though,
their connection is explosive, keeping you on your toes and making this one
compelling and addictive read!
I highly recommend reading the Thoughtless series first to appreciate the whole
dynamics of the story and the characters, therefore I don’t recommend reading
Thoughtful as a standalone.
5- ‘Kellan Fever’ CROWNS
This is book 1.5 in the AMAZING Thoughtless series. It is Kellan’s Point of view,
and I recommend you read it after the complete series rather than directly after
reading Thoughtless #1.
My life has been without Kellan Kyle for far too long. He is my ultimate book boyfriend,
so when I heard that the very brilliant S.C Stephens had decided she was going to give
us Kellan’s POV I was in serious fan girl heaven. For those of you that haven’t read the
series I have only three words… What the hell?! This is a MUST READ series! It puts a
very big A in ANGST and this series, Thoughtless in particular, awoke me to a very talented
and skilled author that is able to tell a story whilst conveying every single emotion.
This series is EPIC, so as you can imagine I had very high hopes for Thoughtful.
I can say with absolute glee that Ms Stephens didn’t disappoint me; she didn’t just knock
the ball out of the park, she knocked it into god damn outer space.
I am not going to give you a story overview as this seems pointless. If you are about to
I am not going to give you a story overview as this seems pointless. If you are about to
read this then I assume you have read the series. If not, don’t bother going any further
into my review. This story works because of the timing of its release. You MUST read the
other books first and get to know the characters, the story as a whole, and of course,
the outcome. This book will then take you further into a story which you know and love,
it will open you to a different perspective and will ultimately make you question your feelings
on both the characters and the progression of the events that took place in book 1.
This is such an emotional journey. Yes it one we know to a degree but to have it told from
This is such an emotional journey. Yes it one we know to a degree but to have it told from
Kellan’s point of view enriches it so much. It adds another dimension to an already brilliant
book and wrings the emotion right out of you. I didn’t think I could love Kellan anymore
but seriously that man is just so lost and emotionally damaged. We get to learn more
about his childhood, about his relationship with Denny and the pain he goes through by
loving his best friend’s girl. I have to admit at this point some of his actions in the original
book made me question his intentions. It was a book only told from Kiera’s POV so I felt
her hurt at the things he did. Now I know the full story, I question myself less about
Kellan and actually find myself seeing Kiera in a whole new light. If I could slap that girl
I would. I now see how selfish she was and the hurt she caused to Kellan’s already
damaged soul, and it was heart breaking. Don’t get me wrong, I have read the series
so I know that ultimately they are right for each other but wow, that girl seriously runs
both herself and Kellan through the mill several times and it is painful at times to read about.
I am not a fan of Male POV stories AT ALL. I hate reading the same story over, I find it
I am not a fan of Male POV stories AT ALL. I hate reading the same story over, I find it
boring and unnecessary; except in this case. S.C Stephens timing is impeccable.
The gap between the books is perfect and reading a story you think you know so well
from another perspective really adds to the complete story arc. I think that if you are a
reader new to this series, you really should read the books in the order in which they
were written to get the full impact of the emotions she packs into the series. I don’t think
that it would have quite the same effect if you were reading it straight after Thoughtless.
Thank you S.C Stephens for giving me more Kellan Kyle. I forgot how bloody magnificent
Thank you S.C Stephens for giving me more Kellan Kyle. I forgot how bloody magnificent
this series really is. The writing is amazing and the world you have created is one that
I could quite literally jump into (move over Kiera). As I say an emotional goodbye,
I do so feeling satisfied and knowing and loving Kellan all the more…
It has been one hell of a journey and one that I will definitely revisit again in the future.
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