Welcome to JBR. Today we have Rebecca Avery with us.
First why don't you tell us a little
about yourself?
For fear of
sounding completely crazy… I’m a little hesitant to answer this question… but
here goes. I have all these characters
in my head and they tell me their stories.
My job is to write down the details as best I can. They’ve always been there but a couple of
years ago my Mother-in-Law encouraged me to try writing so I did. Now that a few of these characters have their
own stories, more have come to take their place. Crazy, right?
I kind of feel like the kid from sixth sense, “I hear book characters!”
Newest release?
My first series,
Riding with Honor, is set to release the sixth book in the series, Spirited
Ride, on March 30th 2014.
This series centers on a group of men who all work together at a
motorcycle repair shop. These guys work
together and play together but are not your suit and tie wearing, dripping with
money kind of men. They are a little
rough around the edges but straight forward and the kind of people you would
want as friends. They each find love
when they aren’t even looking for it and along the way become each other’s
family. These guys are a sexy and a
whole lot of fun but you better hang on for the ride!
My newest
series, Man Maid, will be coming out through Harlequin’s new e-book line. The first book in the series will be out May
1st 2014 and is called Maid to Fit.
This series focuses on four Army buddies who’ve decided not to
re-enlist. While trying to adjust to
civilian life and decide what they want to do for careers, they all begin
working for a company called Man Maid.
Man Maid is a residential and commercial cleaning business that one of
them inherited. So if you’re tired of
working after spending a whole day in the office, check out what ‘services’ Man
Maid has to offer.
What can we expect from your stories, action, drama, romance, sex, blood and guts?
What can we expect from your stories, action, drama, romance, sex, blood and guts?
My stories are
emotional, drama-filled romance novels that combine humor, wit and camaraderie
amongst the entire cast of characters to address some pretty serious subject
matters. Each book in the series
introduces you to a new hero who manages to find romance, sometimes with a very
unlikely heroine. However, every story
also incorporates the characters from previous books in the series that you’ve
grown to love.
Do you have a favorite character in your stories? Who? and Why?
I’ve often heard other authors say it’s hard to choose a favorite character. That’s because it would be like choosing your favorite child… you love them all! They all have different personalities but after spending so much time with them and writing down their story, you grow very attached to them. A fan favorite though, is Chuck Reynolds from my Riding with Honor series. He’s an all-around great guy with a troubled past. His road to redemption is shared with Meredith Johnson who’s overcoming her own obstacles.
Do you have a favorite character in your stories? Who? and Why?
I’ve often heard other authors say it’s hard to choose a favorite character. That’s because it would be like choosing your favorite child… you love them all! They all have different personalities but after spending so much time with them and writing down their story, you grow very attached to them. A fan favorite though, is Chuck Reynolds from my Riding with Honor series. He’s an all-around great guy with a troubled past. His road to redemption is shared with Meredith Johnson who’s overcoming her own obstacles.
Give us an interesting fun fact or a few about your book or series:
I had four of
the books in my Riding with Honor series written before being convinced to actually
publish them. While looking for covers
for them that would help me tell the whole story, I came across a guy who does
photography work for several motorcycle magazines. He was instrumental in helping me create the
‘look’ for this series. Oddly enough he
shares many of the same traits as the group of bikers from these books…
probably because he is one and has been for more than fifty years!
As for the Man
Maid series, I’m not supposed to say who helped with my research on this
series. That’s because they would “never
live it down” if anyone found out they answered questions for a romance writer! All I am able to do is send them care
packages every couple of months. I’m
forbidden to name names, ranks or even their unit. However, they know who they are… and they
know how much I appreciate it.
Has there been any other authors who have inspired your work or helped you out with your stories?
Has there been any other authors who have inspired your work or helped you out with your stories?
I’ve not
collaborated with any other authors on my stories, but I am an avid reader and
am not loyal to any specific type of romance novel. If you write it, I will read it… cover to
cover. I’m not a band wagon reader
(meaning I do not read what everyone else is reading or what is popular at the
moment) but instead tend to dig at the bottom of the clearance bin looking for
that special book that will stick with me long after I’ve finished it. I’m kind of like Bastian Bux from the
Neverending Story.
What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?
Whether you’ve
just read one of my books or the whole series, if you liked it, then tell a
friend about it or leave a review. Word
of mouth is how authors thrive and survive.
I love to hear from my readers so they can always visit me on Facebook
or my website at www.rebeccamaverybooks.com.
Do you have any tips for readers or
advice for other writers trying to get published?
If you’re a
romance writer… give your story to your boyfriend or husband and have them read
it… especially if they aren’t the romance reader type. They are often brutally honest but that can
make your story better… if you listen to what they are telling you. Once you’ve got your manuscript where you
want it… pick a publisher that you want to write for and go after the dream. I wanted to write for Harlequin because I
read their books. I researched their
requirements, took my first manuscript in the series, polished it up, and sent
it off. I expected rejection but was
pleasantly surprised. However, it took
me nearly a year to get up the nerve because I feared rejection. Writing is like going out to get the mail
completely naked… at least one person in the neighborhood won’t appreciate what
you have to offer… but some of them might.
Do you have a favorite author? If yes, what draws you to that person’s work?
That is like
asking me to pick a favorite song… there are so many that I love it’s
impossible to name just one. I like Lori
Foster, Sarah Mayberry, Michelle Willingham, Terri Brisbin, Nora Roberts to
name a few and have recently started reading some Jill Shalvis books. Books are my television. Since TV shows often make me fall asleep…
books are my form of relaxation… me time, if you will.
Can you remember one of the first things you wrote? What makes it memorable?
Can you remember one of the first things you wrote? What makes it memorable?
Hmm… The first
thing I ever wrote was a historical romance novel that was supposed to be the
first of a 3 book series. However, the
mass amounts of research involved had me re-thinking that avenue of writing a
little bit. I do remember the feeling of
actually completing it though and thinking… “Oh my God! I just wrote a book… like a real book!”
Where do you gather most of the
inspiration for your work?
Music and
pictures. I can get complete characters
and complete storylines from a single song.
Pictures (especially photographs of people) can also inspire a whole
series of characters. I’m a Facebook
stalker in that I will look at other people’s photos if they catch my eye. I’m not ashamed to admit it.
Do you have any other interesting
hobbies, pets or stories you would like to share?
I have a dog,
his name is Sparky and he is a menace.
He stands by my chair when I’m writing, whining and staring at me out of
the corner of his eye. After a while it
gets really annoying so I have to take a break and take him outside. I also enjoy pretending to be a rock star
within the confines of my minivan.
Favorite places to travel or visit?
I like visiting
the places in my dreams… it’s always different scenery and very
entertaining. Dollywood would be a close
second.
And now, before you go, how about a
snippet from your book that is meant to intrigue and tantalize us (Include
links to where we can find your work)
Excerpt from
Rough Ride (Book 1 of the Riding with Honor series) ie. Bobby Jackson and Lilly
Warner’s story;
“Have you ever been on a motorcycle before?” he
asked skeptically.
“No, this will be my first time,” she answered.
“Keep your feet on these pegs at all times,” he
said, kicking a pedal with his foot.
With that he kicked his leg over the bike and stood
it up. Unsure of how she could possibly
sit on the seat behind him since her skirt was straight and the hem hit right
at her knees, she stood there.
“You’ll have to pull your skirt up to get your leg
over the seat and also to sit down. Use
my shoulders to balance yourself,” he said and then turned his head away from
her and wiped his chin on the upper sleeve of his shirt.
Between his words and the heart-stopping grin that
followed it, she could feel herself blush all the way down her neck. She could do this. Oh God.
She approached close enough to the bike to step on
the peg, hiked her skirt up to mid-thigh and held it there with one hand while
placing her other hand on his shoulder.
In one graceful move she stepped on the peg and slid one leg over the
seat. Finding the other peg she quickly
sat down.
The skirt was tight but did manage to at least cover
her bottom, though an excessive amount of her legs were showing for all other
motorists to see. Scooting back in an
effort to put some space between his back and her front, she wiggled around
until she was situated.
“Are you comfortable?” he asked, glancing back at
her with his dark eyes.
Was that amusement in his
voice?
“Yes, thank you. I do appreciate this,”
she said.
Bracing the bike between his powerful legs to ensure
it was steady, he reached around behind both of them. Suddenly he cupped her bottom with both hands
and slid her forward flush up against his back.
“What are you doing?” she asked in shock, before she
could stop herself.
With that he grasped her hands that she was trying
in vain to find a place for and wrapped them around his powerful chest.
“Once I start the bike, lock your fingers together
right here,” he said.
She had never been this close to any other man
besides Darren. Heat seemed to burn her
each place that her front touched his back.
She could feel the muscles of his chest bunching as he moved. This was entirely too intimate a position to
be in with a stranger.
She had seen other people doubled up on a motorcycle
before and didn’t realize how close the back passenger would be to the one in
front.
As she struggled to control her racing heart and
slow her breathing, she noticed that his heart beat fast under her hands. Did he possibly feel this same heated
sensation she did?
“Ready?” he asked.
“Yes,” she nearly whispered.
With that he stood and kicked a lever on the side of
the motorcycle and then jumped on it which started the motorcycle. It was so loud she jumped at the noise. He sat back down and she carefully positioned
her hands around him as he had indicated and locked her fingers.
Suddenly they were moving and excitement unfolded in
her stomach like she was on a roller coaster.
It was exhilarating and even with his broad back and shoulders blocking
most of her view she could still see where they were going. It felt like she was flying or riding
downhill on her bicycle like she had done as a child. It was
amazing!
Thank you for stopping by. We wish you success.
Julie Ramsey
Adm, JBR
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