This morning I'm interviewing Rhonda Lee Carver, the first author I ever met in person. She mentioned she was an author as we watched our daughters' gymnastics meet, and I kept thinking, "But she seems so normal. She's an author?" Rhonda was the first person who made me think maybe, one day, I'd be capable of writing something too.
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| Click to Connect with Rhonda: Facebook Author Page Website Blogger |
Suffering from years of hopeless romantic notions with sexy, sassy heroines and bad-ass heroes taking residence in her mind, Rhonda decided to write, bringing the stories alive. She has published an array of spicy love stories. Her specialty is men who love to get their hands dirty.
When Rhonda isn't crafting edge-of-your-seat, sizzling novels, you will find her with her children, watching soccer, watching a breathtaking movie, traveling to exotic places, doing (or trying) yoga, and finding new ways to keep life interesting.
Rhonda thrives on making her readers happy. She believes life can be a challenge, but reading is a place where fantasy comes to life. Everyone deserves romance—one page at a time…
Check out her newest release: Sin Win Cuffs. Because you'll probably enjoy Rhonda's guys more than an evening with your husband.
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| Click for Sin With Cuffs on Amazon |
Holly has a reputation for being a "bad girl." is it all in rumor, or does it hold a sliver of truth? Liam swears he'll never forgive her for breaking his heart years ago, yet he'll do anything to keep her safe. Soon he finds something far more dangerous than murder and suspense...he realizes he is still in love with Holly. Can he trust her?
Holly can have it all - delicious man, lovely home, and a stable future for only a small price...she must let go of the past. Is loving Liam enough?
Interested yet? She's beautiful, smart, and, for a short time, you have a chance of getting her for free. Not like that, doofus. Get your mind out of the gutter.
Rhonda has agreed to give away one signed copy of Sin With Cuffs or an ebook version, depending on your preference. Simply comment on my blog at the bottom and a winner will be selected at random on Tuesday, June 11th.
And now, because I've probably embarrassed her enough, Rhonda speaks for herself:
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
When
I was thirteen, I read a Harlequin romance and I was hooked. I began writing
short stories, mainly small-time thrillers, but my writing morphed into steamy
novels.
Your men are strong, sexy, enigmatic characters. Do you base
them on people you know, and if not, how do you come up with inspiration for
them? Are they the type of man you’re attracted to?
I've never based my
characters specifically on one person, although, I can’t deny that some character
qualities are adapted from something someone (real) has said or done. I have an
image of my hero, or heroine, before I begin the first sentence. I would have
to say that I do find the men I write attractive, but not necessarily any man I've dated. To write a true-as-possible character we must have an attraction
for them, male or female. Many of my male characters have physical and
emotional flaws, and some of my heroines do too. I think dysfunction is juicy.
But what makes it even juicier is when the sassy heroine comes along and stands
up to the hero, helping him face his demons.
What are the challenges in bringing multiple places and
people to life and giving them a distinct flavor or personality?
A majority of
the places I write are “fake.” I also like writing about the common man, or men
who like to get their hands dirty, and naturally that places my story line right
smack dab in the country setting. Horses don’t belong on Fifth Avenue.
Firefighters aren't usually found in an Armani suit. And a uniform belongs on a
down-to-earth hero.
You've written numerous novels at this point. What do you
wish you’d known when you started?
I wish I’d had more confidence. And
marketing skills, of course. A writer can never, ever, have too many skills at
promoting their work. I wish I’d been more savvy in that area from the start.
If you could go back and change anything in any of your
books, would you? If so, what?
Yes, I guess. I have a list of things I’d like
to change from each book I've written, but I won’t bore you. After all, it’s
too late to change anything. I guess my theory on this is…Mistakes are made so
we can become better. However, I will name one thing…I wish I’d made Friends
With Benefits longer, at least by ten-thousand words.
Is there a message throughout your novels that you want
readers to grasp?
Beauty is in the heart, not in the skin. And second chances
are opportunities.
If you had to pick a favorite of all your books, which would
you pick and why?
Second Ride Cowboy, which will be released soon. I absolutely
love the ending, and I think readers will also. A few years ago, I wrote Second
Chance Cowboy, and Duke and Lila, secondary characters, needed their time in
the spotlight, inspiring my second cowboy story, Second Ride Cowboy. As I wrote
this story, another pair of secondary characters blossomed and I’m beginning my
third cowboy story in the series.
Do you believe ex’s can be friends?
I do. But you have to
work at it. I also believe in second chances. My own love story involves a
second round with one love.
What’s your favorite time of day?
Whatever time it is that
I’m writing.
If someone knocks on your window at 2 am, who do you want it
to be?
A fairy godmother who has come to tell me that I have three wishes she
will grant.
What are you listening to right now?
My wee one playing with
her kitten. She is giggling and running through the house squealing. I ask
myself how it’s possible I can concentrate. It must be love.
Do you prefer a night in or a night out?
Night in. I’m a
homebody. Aren't most writers loners?
What is the first thing you notice about people?
Their eyes.
After all, they are the windows into the soul.
What was the last thing someone bought for you?
An iced
coffee.
What’s your favorite smell?
My man when he gets out of the
shower. Masculinity, musk and promise.
What are you reading right now?
My friend Tracey Jackson’s
book, Bound by Blood.
Do you have a special talent?
I’d love to say writing, but
honestly, there are so many better and talented writers than I am. I’m actually
envious. So, I guess my special talent is honesty.
Do you believe in the happy endings that you write?
Yes, I
do. I don’t paint happy portraits for readers because my belief is that life ISN'T all summed up in a pleasure bubble. Life and love is challenging. We
don’t pick who we “fit” with, instead, we “fit” with the one made for us.
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