Step Into Fiction: Blog Tour: I Want It That Way by Ann Aguirre

I Want It That Way by Ann Aguirre
(2B Trilogy, #1)
Release Date: August 26, 2014
Publisher: Harlequin HQN; 352 pages

Nadia Conrad has big dreams, and she's determined to make them come true—for her parents' sake as well as her own. But between maintaining her college scholarship and working at the local day care to support herself, she barely has time to think, let alone date. Then she moves into a new apartment and meets the taciturn yet irresistible guy in 1B….

Daniel Tyler has grown up too fast. Becoming a single dad at twenty turned his life upside down—and brought him heartache he can't risk again. Now, as he raises his four-year-old son while balancing a full-time construction management job and night classes, a social life is out of the question. The last thing he wants is for four noisy students to move into the apartment upstairs. But one night, Nadia's and Ty's paths cross, and soon they can't stay away from each other.

The timing is all wrong—but love happens when it happens. And you can't know what you truly need until you stand to lose it.

"A tender, sweet, and sexy story about how life—and falling in love—can never be planned."
—Jennifer L. Armentrout, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wait for You

What’s your biggest fear when it comes to your son?

That the world is so screwed up, he may not have as bright a future as I want for him. It sucks for me to think that way, I know, but my cup is pretty much always half-empty. Between the rising cost of college and how hard it is for people to get a job once they graduate, I can’t help but worry about him. But I guess that means I just have to be successful enough to help, huh? I’m working on it.

How tough has it been for you the past four years as not only being a young single father but one with a broken heart?

[incredulous stare] That’s kind of a personal question. Let’s talk about the weather. Hot enough for you?

What were your first thoughts when you saw Nadia?

[laughs] First, it was what the hell is she wearing, because she had on these baggy, faded PJ pants with cats printed all over them. Then I noticed how tall she was… and I saw her eyes. They took my breath away.

What’s one thing that might have annoyed you growing up that your parents did that now being a parent yourself; you’re grateful for them showing you this?

My parents are pretty awesome, actually. I don’t remember being especially annoyed by them, though there were arguments over petty shit, like they wouldn’t buy me something I wanted right then. So I guess teaching me that I can’t always have what I want, exactly when I want it. Sam has some trouble with that lesson, too.

What went through your head the first time you saw Nadia and Sam together?

I guess that would’ve been when I first came to Rainbow Academy to tour the place. The director needed go over some stuff with me, so Nadia took Sam off to play. He’s mostly been around family members and kids he played with at the park, but when she offered her hand, he just took it. And I kind of wanted to go with them, partly because I wasn’t quite ready to let go of Sam and also because I wanted to spend more time with Nadia.

How old were you when you had your first kiss?

Wow, is there anything you won’t ask? Damn. I’m not telling you that.

What’s one quality you want to see in a girl, in the future, for your son?

Kindness, loyalty and compassion are the critical trifecta. Hopefully any girl Sam dates—God, don’t make me think about this—will be all of the above and more. Because he deserves the best.

Who is one person you would want to thank for not only their help but for keeping you grounded during such challenging times in your life (becoming a father and becoming a single one, at that)?

You’re kind of harping on that, and it’s pissing me off. It’s not like I did some amazing thing by taking care of my own kid. It was the right move, the only one I’d ever make, and I’d do it again, a thousand times. Because he’s the best thing that ever happened to me. So stop with that, okay?

Anyway, I really appreciate my aunt Gloria. She was on disability when Sam came along and she offered to watch him. My mom and dad help out at night when they can, but without her, I don’t know what I would’ve done. She not only watched Sam but she cooked and cleaned, stayed late and read him stories when I had exams. She also kept me company on the nights when I really needed it.

[smiles at camera] Thanks, Auntie G. I hope you recover from knee surgery at FTL speed. Well, this was kind of a weird community access show, but thanks for having me. Why I am here again?

Ann Aguirre is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author and RITA winner with a degree in English Literature; before she began writing full time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in sunny Mexico with her husband, children, and various pets. Ann likes books, emo music, action movies, and she writes all kinds of genre fiction for adults and teens, published with Harlequin, Macmillan, and Penguin, among others.

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