Do you have a specific writing style?
I
write fun, flirty escapes. That means my goal is for every book I write to
bring a smile (and often a giggle), a happy swoon, and a sweeping diversion
from the chaos of day-to-day life. I don’t shy away from emotional conflict or
the sad realities that make us who we are, but I like to frame those moments
with humor and romance. And highlighting strong relationships, romantic,
familial, and friendship, is important to me.
Do you write in different genres?
I do! I write for young
adult, new adult, and adult audiences. My adult and new adult titles are
contemporary romance, and my young adult books are contemporary, historical,
and fantasy.
If yes which is your favorite genre to write?
I’m a
romance junkie, so contemporary romance is definitely a favorite of mine…as for
YA, NA, or adult, the answer is always influenced by what I’m currently working
on (he he).
Is the book, characters, or any scenes based on a true-life
experience, someone you know, or events in your own life?
This
series (Love and Games) is set in Louisiana, which is where I was born and
raised. Taste the Heat, the first book, is set in a fictional suburb based on
the town I grew up in near New Orleans, so many real life experiences worked
their way into the pages. In this book, Seven Day Fiancé, our characters travel
to Cajun country, based on towns outside Lafayette. Just a few hours north of
Nawlins, life is similar, yet the culture is very different. For this book, I
stayed outside Lafayette for a week, exploring, talking with locals, eating my
weight in yummy food. All those experiences made their way into the book.
As
for characters, the Robicheaux family is a lot like my own, Angelle definitely
has some of me in her, and her godchild Sadie is totally my youngest daughter.
What books/authors have influenced your life?
Pride
and Prejudice is my favorite book of all time, and one I reread every year. The
attention to relationships of all kinds, the banter, the growth…I just love it
to pieces. It is one of the books that refreshes me and reminds me why I do
this—I want to affect someone the way that book does me. Twilight rocked my
world in that once I decided to homeschool my children, I immediately began
reading all the classic literature
I’d avoided for most of my life. I was reading because I felt I should, and a result was that I was not
really enjoying it. Then came Bella and Edward, and I remembered that reading
could be fun. That it provided an escape, a chance to be someone else, to
explore the world, and was a challenging alternative to watching mindless TV.
It was after my third or fourth reread of the entire series that I decided to
try this writing gig for myself.
As for authors who’ve
shaped my life, other than the beloved Jane Austen, I’d have to say Kristan
Higgins, Jill Shalvis, Jude Deveraux, Lisa Kleypas, and SC Stephens.
What book are you reading now?
Ha,
this answer will have changed ten times by the time this interview posts ;) I
read every night, and finish on average 2-4 books a week. Family is really
important to me, so I rarely work once my husband comes home or on weekends…but
reading is something we do as a family, each grabbing our current books and
sitting together. Also, at night, it’s the way to get my own characters voices
and plots out of my end so I can go to sleep (*grin*)
What is your current “work in progress” or upcoming projects?
I’m
currently working on book three in my YA series, My Not So Super Sweet Life, as
well as book 3 in the Love and Games series (Sherry’s book), both of which have
early 2014 release dates. Then it is onto a new adult romance and a young adult
romance, before diving into another adult. Life is busy but fun right now!
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Read!
Read widely, too, across genres, and then be an active reader. Pay attention to what speaks to you. When you react
emotionally in a scene, stop and think about why. When you can’t stop thinking
about a certain book or character, ask yourself the same question. If certain
words or phrases or passages evoke a response, jot it down. All these things
will help you to identify what themes and stories speak to you. They can often
help shape your brand and career, and at the very least, help inspire your
projects. They may help you find your own unique voice.
The next step is
breaking down and studying your favorite books. Contemplating what the author’s
goal was for each chapter, the main turning points and black moment. Analyzing
these things in another’s work will help you think about your own more
critically. And here’s a tip: most authors will be tickled pink to know you
took the time to do this with their books. Don’t be afraid to reach out and let
them know your thoughts on these questions. Often, they’ll respond back and either
say that you nailed it, or give further insight you may’ve missed!
October 15 interview
Adrienne Woods Books and Reviews
October 15 review
Random Reviews by Leanne
October 15 Spotlight and review
Ramblings of a Book Lunatic
October 16 Guest blog
Ticket to Anywhere,
October 16 review
Escape Into A Book
October 17 Interview and review
Not-So-Anonymous
October 17 Spotlight
Lis Les Livres
October 18 Guest blog
Romancing the Book
October 18 Interview
Bitten By Love Reviews
October 21 Guest blog
My Tangled Skeins Book Reviews
October 21 review
A Generous Helping of Romance-
October 21 review
Stephanie's Bookshelf
October 22 Spotlight
Claire's Book Corner
October 22 review
Sapphyria's Steamy Books
October 23 Guest blog
Musings and Ramblings
October 23 review
Books Books and More Books
October 23 Spotlight
Provocative Pages
October 24 Spotlight and review
Shut Up & Read
October 24 Interview and review
Meredith and Jennifer's Musings
October 24 review
Musings From An Addicted Reader
October 24 Spotlight
Booklover Sue
October 25 Guest blog
Mythical Books
October 25 Spotlight (review later)
Offbeat Vagabond
October 28 Character Interview
Manga Maniac Café
October 28 review
Brooke Blogs
October 29 Interview
Roxanne’s Realm
October 29 review
Booker Like a Hooker
Love and Games Series
Book 2
Rachel Harris
Rachel Harris
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Entangled Publishing - Bliss
Date of Publication: October 14, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-62266-238-8
ASIN: B00FCRLDWA
Number of pages: 153
Cover Artist: Jessica Cantor
Book Description:
Angelle Prejean is in a pickle. Her family is expecting her to come home with a fiancé—a fiancé who doesn’t exist. Well, he exists, but he definitely has no idea Angelle told her mama they were engaged. Tattooed, muscled, and hotter than sin, Cane can reduce Angelle to a hot mess with one look—and leave her heart a mess if she falls for him. But when she ends up winning Cane at a charity bachelor auction, she knows just how to solve her fiancé problem.
Cane Robicheaux is no one’s prince. He doesn’t do relationships and he doesn’t fall in love. When sweet, sultry-voiced Angelle propositions him, he hopes their little game can finally get her out of his head. He doesn’t expect her to break through all his barriers. But even as Angelle burrows deeper into his heart, he knows once their seven days are up, so is their ruse.
Rachel Harris grew up in New Orleans, watching soap operas with her grandmother, and staying up late sneak-reading her mama's romance novels. Today, she still stays up late reading romances, only now she does so openly.
A Cajun cowgirl now living in Houston, she firmly believes life's problems can be solved with a hot, sugar-coated beignet or a thick slice of king cake, and that screaming at strangers for cheap, plastic beads is acceptable behavior in certain situations.
She homeschools her two beautiful girls and watches countless hours of Food Network and reality television with her amazing husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult Fun, Flirty Escapes, and LOVES talking with readers!
Website: http://www.rachelharriswrites.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/RachelHarrisYA
2 comments:
Thanks so much for hosting me, Roxanne!
xoxo
Rachel
Great interview. Sounds like a good book.
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