Sensing her stare, a pair of dark,
soulless eyes turned towards her. A smile appeared on his unkempt face. “Well,
well, sleeping beauty awakes.”
Today we are joined by author Rebecca Graf as we talk about her romantic suspense book, Deep Connections. Welcome Rebecca!
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a former
accountant who really got tired of corporate America and wanted to be creative.
I am currently going back to school to get my history and English degree. I am
happily married with three children and live in Brown Deer, Wisconsin. I just
partnered with a friend of mine to start our own publishing company. That is
going better than expected after being open two months. I love to read, write,
cook, crochet, and knit.
Is writing a full-time career for you? If not, how else
do you spend your work day?
Writing is almost
full-time. I write on my books, but I also freelance-write at various sites.
It’s a great way to get extra cash and get my name out there. Other than that,
I’m studying for school or running my publishing company.
Mmmmm. (That doesn’t count). A woman finds love and obsession leading her
to make a decision that will change all lives.
Do you have a favorite character in the book? Who
and why?
My favorite
character is Tahnee, Slaton’s mom. She was not a huge character at first. I
never planned her to be, but as I wrote she began to develop and become more
prominent. I love her strength and wisdom.
Without giving it all away, please tell us a little
something about how Brenna is going to get through their biggest challenge.
Brenna is going to
be able to get through the challenges presented to her through several ways.
One will be the strength she pulls from those who love her and stand by her.
She is not used to that. She is used to being alone in the world. She’ll also
have to find within herself the courage to face these challenges and risk her
own life. She is a woman who has courage but is scared to use it.
What is your favorite scene in Deep Connections?
I have several
favorite scenes. Most of them are either the cliffhanger ones which I will
avoid mentioning for obvious reasons, but I also love the scenes of
lightheartedness between Brenna and Slaton. They joking is fun to watch and
gives you a glimpse into their personalities. Sadly, the joking fades as the
tension rises.
Do you have to be alone or have quiet to write?
I have to have
quiet to write. When I get involved in a scene, I have to see it playing out in
my mind like a movie. Then I have to translate it to the words needed. When I
get distracted, all that flies away. This can be frustrating in a house the
size of ours and all the voices.
Do you have plans
for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
This is the first in a trilogy. Dark Connections and Deadly
Connections will be coming out next year. Dark Connections is about ready to go
to the editor.
What do you have in store next for your readers?
The sequel for Deep
Connections is about done and ready for the editor. It is called Dark
Connections and will literally pick up where Deep Connections ends. In that
book, the readers will see more of Tahnee and Grey as well as seeing Layford
stepping forward and becoming a major character. He’ll even find an love
interest. There is so much that will be discovered about each person including
who Creeper really is.
What has been your greatest pleasure or personal
success as an author?
I love hearing that
someone liked the story. It makes me happy. When a friend read Deep Connections
for the first times, she quickly came back demanding more. I loved it.
What type of hero do you like best?
My favorite hero is
the strong type that has tenderness, humor, and a good streak of stubbornness.
He can be so much fun. I’d be attracted to him.
Is there a genre you wish you could write, but haven’t
made the plunge? Which one and what appeals to you about it?
I like to write
across many genres. I’m working on a romantic/suspense. Deep Connections is a
paranormal/romance/suspense. I’ve got several children’s books ready to come
out as well. I do tend to lean toward the romances because they are fun and
warm my heart when I read them. But, I do really want to write some cozy
mysteries. That would be so much fun.
Laptop,
desktop or notebook and pen for writing?
I use a laptop. I take it with me most places though I use
the pen to jot notes down and work with ideas.
Do you
believe in writer’s block? Has it ever happened to you?
Yes, but I see it as more like not able to see the forest
for the trees. I’m too much in the book. I can’t see it. I used an analogy to
describe this recently. I’m the writer in the pool of my words. I need to step
out and see what I’m missing, but I can’t find a way out. Someone else on the
other hand is outside the pool and can see the stone steps under the water that
I cannot see. Once they direct me, I can finish it. Sometimes, I need that
little bit of guidance to open the floodgates.
You’re
spending one year living on a desert island – which three authors do you want
with you?
Tom Clancy for sure. I love his books. I could devour them
for their adventure. Then there is Amanda Quick, or Jayne Ann Krentz. I love
her romances and the humor that is always present there. Edger Allen Poe would
be third because that man can scare the hibbyjibbies out of me without any gore,
demons, or such. He has such a way with words.
The Book
Just as love appears, so does the darkness. With her
heart reaching out for one man, Brenna finds herself the target of an unknown
stalker. Who is he? What does he want? How far will he go for her? Death is an
option. Brenna discovers more than she bargained for and learns that the
stalker will kill for her. It all comes down to decisions, and no matter what
she chooses it will demand sacrifice and someone's blood.
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Silver Tongue Press
Release Date: August 23, 2012
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The Author
Rebecca Graf worked as an account for 20 years before
taking a chance at a dream. Starting off with writing online, she began to
build a reputation and a number of followers. Now, she has one children's book,
A Gift for a Mouse, published with Deep Connections being her first adult
novel. She lives near Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her husband and three children
as well as two cats, Oreo and Cookie, and two dogs, Bug and Mocha. Rebecca has
started her own publishing company, Silver Tongue Press, with two partners.
Their goal is to help new authors to achieve their dreams. She also spends her
days crocheting and knitting....
Email: writingwithsuccess@gmail.com
Website: www.abookloverslibrary.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RebbecaGraf
Twitter: @rebeccagraf
The Excerpt
Brenna’s eyes fluttered open to see a blur of trees
flying by. Her head pounded and her stomach began to roll from the pain she
felt and the fast-changing scenery. A careful look at her surroundings told her
she was in an older model car. She inhaled deeply to calm herself, but
confusion set in as her senses were assaulted by unfamiliar smells. The old
smell of the car was tainted with something repugnant and caused her nose to
crinkle in response. Her eyes widened in fright as terrifying memories began to
flood her mind. Turning slowly, afraid of what she might see, a gasp
involuntarily escaped her vocal cords when she saw he was as repulsive as she
remembered. Who was he and what did he want with her?
Sensing her stare, a pair of dark, soulless eyes turned
towards her. A smile appeared on his unkempt face. “Well, well, sleeping beauty
awakes.” Brenna’s stomach rolled again as she felt his eyes slide hungrily over
her body. She pushed up against the door in an effort to put as much distance
between the two of them as she could, but he shook his head in disapproval. “No
need to be dramatic.” He turned his attention back to the road. “We both know
you won’t jump out.”
She set her teeth and glared at him. Eyeballing her
surroundings, she saw that there was no end to the trees that lined the road,
no sign of civilization. She assumed they were still in the same state as when
he grabbed her from the parking lot of the school where she taught. Deep down
inside, she knew death awaited her no matter what. The look in his eye was not
merciful. Yet jumping from the car to end her life seemed too selfish. As she
was not one to keep such joy to herself, she quickly swung her body around and
slammed into her abductor. Might as well let him in on the fun!
The force of her body colliding into his sent the car
spinning out of control. She began fighting with all her might to prevent him
from regaining control. Two sets of hands fought for control of the steering
wheel. Profanities were shouted as the fight intensified. The car spun to the
edge of the road where a small depression nestled in the forest. The tires left
the ground when it hit the slight downward shift of the terrain, the car
flipped and somersaulted twenty feet down the hill. As it took its final turn
before slamming into a large pine tree, the passenger door flung open from the
movement. Brenna thudded on the forest ground and barely missed a clump of
trees. Stars exploded in her head and every bone in her body ached from the impact.
She looked up to the fading light and let the darkness take possession.
It's great having you with us today Rebecca!
ReplyDelete