KILLIAN JAMES  is a provocative novel about sex, love, family, and friendship.

Killian James, the main character,  loves all kinds of women, but she doesn’t always consider the consequences of giving into her desires. Fearing rejection from her family, Killian hides her sexual orientation and maintains a façade for her colleagues at Ohio Valley General where she works as an emergency nurse.

Her best friend, a straight man named Joel, knows everything about her and tries to steady Killian’s moral compass by steering her towards women who are more available.

Throughout her life, when faced with conflict, Killian sought solace with her grandmother, the only family member who knows her truth. When her beloved grandmother dies, Killian discovers family secrets that make her understand the importance of being true to oneself.

Killian James takes you through her erotic and tender journey toward understanding that true love never dies and the importance of friendship and family.

What genre is it?
Erotic romance/GLBT

What kind of readers will it appeal to?
My preview readers have been from all walks of life. There are characters in the book with whom all readers can relate, but it is definitely geared toward a mature readership.

Tell us a bit more about Killian.
Killian James is a woman who grew up in Maysville, Kentucky, but left her small town life in order to explore her sexuality. Because she fears rejection, she is elusive about her private life with most of her family and her colleagues, but she has no difficulty pursuing her passions. Her best friend is a straight man who patiently tolerates Killian’s indiscretions and is the most consistent person in Killian’s life. Killian also maintains a close relationship with her maternal grandmother to whom she turns when life becomes too complex.

Complete this sentence for us: if you like _________________, you’ll love my book.
“Bridges of Madison County” and “ER” combined with erotica.

Have you written any other books that we should read next?
I have written another novel entitled AN AMERICAN TALE, a  story of two young women, Melanie and Jodi , living separate lives, overcoming their own obstacles of growing up female during the 1970s and 1980s. It was a time when polite people didn’t talk about sexual abuse, sexual orientation, and unwed mothers, but as secrets begin to unravel, Melanie and Jodi discover things about themselves and each other.

I was diagnosed with a rare disease called fibrosing mediastinitis. Discovering a lack of information about the condition, I wrote a book to educate patients and health care providers entitled DERAILED: LIVING WITH FIBROSING MEDIASTINITIS.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I have deep ancestral roots in the Ohio Valley which is why both of my novels are set in that area. I have been a registered nurse for 28 years, but my passion has always been writing. I wrote and published short stories in the 1990’s. I migrated to the west coast to work and I met my partner in 2002. I live in Ashland, Oregon.

Do you have a website where we can keep up with your work?
http://tjaskren.net
http://redtreehousepublishing.com

How can we follow you on Twitter and/or Facebook?
@tjaskren
https://www.facebook.com/pages/TJ-Askren-Author/150274018434843

What’s next?
I’ve been asked about a follow-up novel to AN AMERICAN TALE because my readers loved the characters. I’m still ruminating about that.