Meet Rebecca Neely. Romance with a punch of suspense #Giveaway

Thanks for being here, Rebecca. Please tell us a little about yourself.
I wear many hats, including mother, freelance writer, storyteller. problem solver, doer and head bottle washer. I’m a sucker for a happy ending, and I write the kind of stories I love to read—those featuring authentic, edgy and vulnerable characters, smack dab in the middle of action that explodes from page one. My bio also reports that I was raised on a down home blend of Johnny Cash, Jack London, Sherlock Holmes, the Steelers, and all things small town. I feel blessed to have grown up in a close knit, fun loving and artistic family. My mother, a voracious reader and scratch cook, and my father, an entrepreneur, English teacher and lover of literature, taught my brother and I to work hard, aim for the stars, and live life.

I love firsts, so tell me about the moment when a publisher told you they wanted to publish your book.

It was almost like an out of body experience. You work so hard on telling your story, send it out, and somebody you don’t know loves your work so much they want to share it with the world. It was pretty amazing! My teenaged daughter was the first one to know. She couldn’t wait to tell all of her friends. That alone was pretty cool – street cred with my teenager – it doesn’t get much better than that!

No. It doesn't!

Other than your own, who are your favorite (heroes/heroines/writers) in your genre? 

I’ve read Nora Roberts for the last fifteen years, and many of her heroes are near and dear to my heart, but perhaps none more than Cameron Quinn from the Chesapeake Bay series. He’s a hothead, sexy as hell, and endears me every time I re-read the book. I love the way he cares for Seth, the little boy who comes to live with them. I'll have to re-read that one. I think I own every Nora Book.
A close second is from an oldie but a goodie, The Eyes of Darkness by Dean Koontz. The hero is Elliott Stryker, a former operative. He’s strong, confident, sexy and intelligent, and he falls hard for the heroine, Tina.

What is the most exciting moment, so far, in your writing career?
I think when I received an email from my editor saying she wanted to buy my Crossing Realms urban fantasy series. This is my first series, and I hadn’t even written the second or third books. I was sitting in a department store, outside of a dressing room, while my daughter tried on clothes. I started crying I was so excited. It still humbles and amazes me. Awesome!

What is your favorite pastime, other than writing?
I enjoy reading, of course! But I also enjoy attending concerts – I love the energy and connecting with the musicians when they perform, live. I love hanging out with my daughter and watching movies, and shopping. I’m also really into The Blacklist right now, and I’m getting caught up on all the past episodes (binge watching on Netflix!)

How do you motivate yourself when inspiration takes a vacation?
I walk almost every day, and the physical exercise, as well as being outside and getting fresh air, helps me to work out plot problems. I also like to go to JoAnn Fabrics, a fabric, sewing and craft store. I enjoy seeing and feeling the fabrics, the colors, the textures, as well as all the cool craft supplies. It gets my creative juices flowing. I'll have to try that.

Any advice for new writers just starting out? 

Read authors you admire. Write stories you would want to read. Read Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight Swain. Then read it another ten times, at least. It completely changed the way I think about writing, and how I plan and execute a story.

What genre or genres do you write? 

I write romance mixed with suspense. My current release, A Mighty Good Man, is straight up romantic suspense. It’s a fast paced gritty tale. 

'Hank' Jerry - This down and out writer and tough talking twentieth century broad is desperate to reclaim her personal and professional life.
Jack 'Gent' Darcy - This strange blend of gentleman and hood is fresh out of prison with a story to tell that could get them both killed.

Forced to return to the small town and the aunt she left behind, 'Hank' is doing her own time. But when Jack lands on Hank's doorstep, injured and on the run, he makes her a proposition she can't refuse: write his story about life inside one of the most powerful gangs in the country. It's simple - she'll get her career groove back, and he'll bury the gang, then disappear - his version of freedom.

Only problem is, they can't help falling for each other, and they've both got something to hide that could blow up in their faces. With time running out and gang enforcers closing in, will the trust they've forged survive the ultimate test?
I have this book on my Kindle waiting for me. It's got 25 reviews, 84% of them 5 star. I'm looking forward to it. 
The series I’m working on right now is an urban fantasy with paranormal elements, and of course, romance. I remember reading an interview with Stephenie Myers, and, don’t quote me on this, but she talked about the best stories being those that crossed or blurred genres. I love that concept. Certainly, I’m not comparing myself to Ms. Myers, but I totally agree. My stories live in my imagination where there are no boundaries, and I do think that often, the best stories contain elements from all over the board. I agree 100%!!!

Tell us about your latest release.
The first book in the Crossing Realms series, The Keeper, is due to be released in late April 2016 from Soul Mate Publishing. To get a sneak peek, click here: http://eepurl.com/bqiDi5 What’s the story about? Here you go J

Nick Geary, jaded clan leader of human guardians, the Keepers, is doomed to love a human woman who’s forgotten him, time after time, for thirteen years: Libby Klink, a skittish accountant who’s as terrified of her recent and strange intuitions as she is of her mundane existence.

When Nick is ordered by the clan’s guiding force to seek Libby’s help in defending the clan against enemy Betrayers, romance sizzles as the pair forms an unlikely alliance in their desperate search to discover the key to the clan’s salvation—which Libby alone holds. 

But a haunting secret could cost Nick everything, and in a race against time, both will be forced to choose between their hearts and duty. Can their love, and the clan survive, or will the very forces that drew them together ultimately destroy them?
I am beyond intrigued.

What’s your current WIP?
My current project is the second book in the Crossing Realms series, entitled The Watcher. I can’t really say too much about that right now, but I invite you to stay tuned!

And finally, where can we find you? 

I’d love to hear from you! Please connect with me at any of the following:

Website & Blog: www.rebeccaneely.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rebecca-E-Neely/740166889351411
Twitter https://twitter.com/RebeccaNeely1
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/author/rebeccaeneely
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9857158.Rebecca_E_Neely
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/rebneely/
Mailing List: http://eepurl.com/bqiDi5

Thanks for being here, Rebecca. This being the gifting season, I am offering an eBook copy of  A Mighty Good Man to one lucky commenter. Leave Rebecca and me some love. Share what you want for Christmas. (World peace doesn't count. We all want that.) Happy Reading.

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