Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Interview w/ Julieanne Reeves + giveaway!

For two years, State Trooper Kayne Dobrescu has wanted only one thing: to understand why his wife inexplicably killed their children and then herself. Memories haunt his days and lay siege to his nights, leaving him questioning his reasons for living.

Jessica Hallstatt became a widow and single mother the night her firefighter husband died in a fiery explosion at an accident scene. While her husband may have died a hero, he left Jessica with deep emotional scars that haven't begun to heal.

When Kayne accepted a transfer to the mountain town of Payson, Arizona, he never expected to meet anyone like Jessica. From the moment he pulled her over for speeding, he was drawn in by her whiskey colored eyes and sassy dimple. But she and her children are a forever type package, and he's vowed never to give anyone the power to destroy him again. Yet fate has other ideas, throwing Kayne and Jessica together in a fight against an unknown enemy to save the life of a child—and hopefully one another.


Good morning Julieanne! Congratulations on your debut novel Razing Kaye! It was a wonderful read and kept me turning pages WAY into the night. Could you tell our followers a little about the book and what inspired you?
Thank you! Razing Kayne is the story of a State Trooper and a firefighter’s widow who are thrown together by fate to protect a child. Due to past experiences, neither wants a relationship, but it’s those experiences that bond and bind them together and give them the strength to persevere.  
Inspiration: It really was a combination of things. Razing Kayne is a conglomeration of ripped-from-the-headlines stories and personal experiences. The very first scene I wrote for this story ended up being my prologue.   
I wrote it after watching a news broadcast about a woman who’d killed her children and then herself. Of course the circumstances behind that real-life tragedy were nothing like what happens in Razing Kayne, but witnessing the devastation on that father’s face really struck a chord with me on a personal level. From there I pulled from my experiences as a former Police-Fire-911 Dispatcher and filled in the blanks.  

 Kayne and Jessica deal with some pretty difficult issues throughout the book. Was it hard for you to write some of the scenes?
Several of the scenes were difficult to write. I’ve found myself crying while writing or editing. Pathetic but true. Some of the scenes hit closer to home than others, and a few of those were deleted. Truthfully it was impossible not to become emotionally entrenched in their story. As a writer I feel I have to be able to get inside my characters heads and hearts to make them believable. I think I managed to do that with RK.   
From the readers side I'd definitely say you managed to make them very believable :) Did you have a favorite moment in the book?
Oh, gosh! There are so many favorites for various reasons: Gracie repentantly stealing food off Kayne’s plate, the snowball fight at the park, the scene after Kayne shows Jessica his drawings *wink*, and the dinner date are a few that come to mind. Other’s that I can’t talk about here without being major spoilers. Oh, and the very last couple pages before the Epilogue. 
Oh I loved the snowball fight. The drawings too. ::happy sigh:: So, did any of your real life experiences play a part in Razing Kayne?
Yes. I had a creative writing teacher that drilled into us that we should “write what you know, and do it from the heart.” That’s what I did with Razing Kayne. I took that police experience, dumped in some real life cases, and personal experiences. Essentially I threw them all in a blinder, hit puree, and out poured a chocolate malt… er, uh, a book. 
::snort:: Chocolate malt sounds really good right now. Did you do anything to celebrate finishing the book?
I actually didn’t celebrate until the night it officially released. A friend brought dinner and beverages and we celebrated at home with my kids, and of course regular check-ins with my posse (my online gal-pals who’ve been cheering me on and acting as my Street Team for quite a while now *waves*) 
What's been the biggest surprise you've had with stepping into the world of writing?
That I’m actually good at it. *laughs* I know that sounds kind of egotistical but it’s not intended that way. I wrote because there were all these thoughts inside my head just aching to get out, and then I set the story aside. It took almost two years before I got up the nerve to look into publishing it. Now, I wish I wouldn’t have waited so long. 
LOL That totally makes sense :) So, what keeps you busy when you're not writing?
My children.  I have two of the most amazing kids. My son “Werewolf” and my daughter “Puddleduck”.  Obviously those aren’t their real names but that’s how I refer to them on Facebook etc. They’re 7 ½ (Boy) - one mustn’t forget that half – and 9 (Girl) years old. They’re these incredible little humans and I’m so thankful every day that I was the lucky one to become their mother through adoption. 
Aww that's so awesome :) Alright we'll let you get back to those kids and writing but before you go... Just for fun...the Lightning Round...
  • Sweet or sexy scenes? Combination. The sex scenes that are so heart-breakingly beautiful they bring you to tears.
  • Cats or dogs? Horses! Okay, dogs.
  • Oddest thing in your purse right now? I carry a backpack and it has the latest additions to my son’s rock collection.
  • Favorite villain? My mind draws a big ole blank. I could give you a long list of real life monsters, but I don’t know that I’d call someone like Andrei Chikatelo a “favorite”. 
  • high heels & fancy dresses or flip flops & comfy jeans? Flip flops, yoga-pants, a baggy t-shirt and a big ole hair clip. Though I’d LOVE to be able to wear Jessica’s red dress – from the date scene – just once. :)
  • Favorite condiment? Salsa.
Thanks again for dropping by Julieanne! Can't wait to see what you come up with next :)
Thank you so much for having me. Nick of Time – Book 2 in my Walking A Thin Blue Line police series is scheduled for April 2, 2013. I’m about halfway done, so it might actually happen. *grin*


Julieanne Reeves is a third generation Arizonan with a background in Police-Fire-911 Communications. When she's not spending time spoiling her two wonderful children, she enjoys reading and writing steamy romantic suspense. Having had the privilege of working with some of the finest Law Enforcement Officers in the nation, it's little wonder her heroes carry a firearm and badge. Julieanne currently lives in the Phoenix-Metro area, but hopes to one day return to the mountain town that inspired her Walking A Thin Blue Line series.

Website   Twitter   Facebook   Goodreads


Julieanne's offering two fabulous giveaways today! Thanks Julieanne!

Fill out the rafflecopter and leave her some love to enter :) 
Then hop over to our review of Razing Kayne for extra entries!

41 comments:

  1. Awesome interview Anna!

    Although, I do love you girl and I'd love to harass the hell out of you, I'd like to nitpick at Ms. Reeves :) If I may, of course ^_^

    Loved the interview Julieanne :) Razing Kayne sounds like a really interesting read and a bit heart wrenching. Just from reading the synopsis for your book, I know I want to read it. In the interview you said you deleted some of the scenes from the book. Was that because they were too much to handle or you just didn't feel they needed to be in the book? I personally love when a book pulls at my heart strings and makes me sob. I'll rant and cry all the while screaming "I hate this book" but lawd knows that translates to "I frkn' love it!"

    Thanks for the giveaway :)

    Ana♥

    P.S. That malt does sound good ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pssst. Where's the link for your review? I'm like scrolling all over your page looking for it xD

      Delete
    2. LOL. Someone may have thought she finished the review but then realized she never actually typed it out. Maybe. Possibly. Kinda. *looks around sheepishly*

      I'm working on it now. I left yall a little [it'll be up later today] note ;) lol

      And yeah chocolate malt. Mmmm. Had to go have a nutella filled cookie cup since that's all that was on hand. Pretty good substitute. And great question Ana! Looking forward to hearing the answer :)

      Delete
    3. lmbo @ you... lawdy Anna. had me running around your blog looking all kinds of lost. smh. ^_^ I'll be checking in to see your review later today then ^_^

      :o that sounds good. you're making me hungry.. stoooop talking about food lmbo. *drinks my water* :(( lol. Oooh thanks :) I'm looking forward to the answer too. I have more... but... I don't wanna pester lol... I totally forgot to subscribe to this post -____- subbing now ^_^

      Ana♥

      Delete
    4. It's up now Ana :) Lordy I had myself running all over the place looking for it too. Spent a good 30 minutes going through pre-scheduled posts, drafts and already posted trying to find the thing. I was looking so hard I think I gave myself a wrinkle! Could have sworn it was all done up. Maybe I deleted it on accident without realizing. Blogger and I haven't gotten along this month. Thank goodness for my review book and keeping so many notes!

      Delete
    5. lol. I you had me searching all over kingdom come.. *hopping on over to your review now*
      oh poop. no bueno. blogger needs a time out lol.

      Ana♥

      Delete
  2. The deleted scenes were deleted for several reasons. Some a little too close to real life experiences, other's a little too gruesome, but most would have pulled the reader too far out of the romance side of the story and into the police side of it, and we just didn't need to be there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hmm. Yeah I can see how that could happen. It's really the perfect blend of the suspense side and romance side how it is which worked out really nicely from the readers side of things. I never felt too overwhelmed with either aspect of the story.

      Delete
    2. That make sense. I love romance in my stories, being the romance junkie that I am, I'll take it any way I can lol.

      Ana♥

      Delete
  3. I am glad to hear that, Julieanne. About trying to keep the book more on the romance trail....I like reading the police, suspense, action side of books too. But the romance is my favorite. :-)
    Good interview too.
    I am looking forward to reading it.
    lisakhutson at cox. net

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great interview! Loved it. Now I will go and see if I can find that hidden review!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hello Anna and Julieanne , this novel rocked me in so many ways. I immediately fell in love with the children, especially Gracie! Kayne and Jess were so very strong in there convictions , and so vulnerable inside. This book pulled every one of my heart strings! Loved it! ~waving~ love being a member of Julieanne's street team!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pat has become Gracie's "grandma". No one had better mess with that little girl. *grin*

      Delete
  6. Congrats on your debut and all the good reviews I've been reading on my blogs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Anne. Truthfully I'm blown away over the quantity of great reviews I've received. :)

      Delete
  7. I think I left my question for you over on the review page -- I'm so confused! So I'll paste it again here:

    "This is HEAVY DUTY emotional material. How did you "go there?" I know there have been occasions when I've written something emotional and just been wrecked by it for a little while, but nothing like this!

    Thank you for doing the interview and the giveaway. I'm not usually much of a contemp suspense reader, but I'm fascinated by this story!

    Heather
    hafowler at gmail dot com"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The prologue was the first scene ever written about Razing Kayne. It was originally from Oksana - Kayne's deceased wife's - perspective. I'd been watching the news, and a murder/suicide was being splashed across the headlines. A mom had purportedly killed her children and then herself. There was this one moment where the media caught the image of the father - who'd found them - and there was so much devastation on his face; complete emotional evisceration. That image was indelibly imprinted in my mind.

      Even though I've seen first hand what some of the worst of humanity has to offer, the mother in me still wanted to deny that this woman could have done something so horrible. So, I started writing and through that original prologue I realized I not only had an opening scene, but also the entire story plot.

      I don't know what ever happened with that original case, and truth be told I don't want to know. I can tell you, those children did not die from drowning. As far as the rest of the story? It was a combination of many things; other cases, personal experiences etc. I won't lie to you, even I cry while reading parts of this book, and I wrote the dang thing.

      Delete
  8. Julieanne really surprised me with the twist about a certain member of Jess's family (hint hint) and their connection to another character in the book (broad enough for you?). I get to see snippets of stuff in the group, but that totally surprised me. I like a little suspense and espionage with my romance, thank you, and I got it in spades. Loved the characters and how their romance was handled. Great read!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So glad you liked it! And yes, you'll start seeing more snippets about Nick's book in the near future. *wink*

      Delete
  9. I enjoyed your interview and appreciate that you admit to pulling from actual events that you were aware of. There are some that won't admit to it. I am looking forward to reading this book and many more from you.

    cmucha319@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *laughs* Thanks. There's no point in denying it. While I made sure that none of the actual events mirrored those real life ones, they did inspire what I wrote. I had a huge moment of doubt about publishing this book about a month ago. There was a case in California that hit the headlines that was eerily similar to RK. This fell on the footsteps of another case from back east where a mother had killed her children and then herself. Even though RK has been written years before, I worried what people would think. Thankfully my posse (my online gal-pals who are part beta-reader part street team and all fun) talked me down from the ledge, and RK got published on time.

      Delete
  10. I loved this interview and I am putting your book on my wishlist. Will also keep my eye out for your next book in April.

    susanmplatt AT hotmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you enjoy it. Just don't forget the Kleenex. lol

      Delete
  11. Thanks for the great interview. Congrats on your debut, what an incredible feeling it must be. This sounds like a great book. My TBR list has a new addition now :)

    kitcat76(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay! I look forward to feedback. When you're done we've created a discussion book in facebook groups: Razing Kayne (original I know)

      Delete
  12. Welcome Julieanne! Great interview with Anna. Razing Kayne sounds great and I look forward to reading it! :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks for taking the time for the interview. Looks good, i am putting it on my TBR list. kim
    starsia_70@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My TBR pile is hideous. If I read non-stop from now until the day I die, I don't think I'd finish it. But, since everyone wants more books, and my kids want attention, I'll never know. ;)

      Delete
  14. Hi Anna and Julieanne! Thanks for the great interview! Loved Razing Kayne, and I'm so glad to hear we'll be getting snippets from Nick of Time (soon, maybe? Hint, hint!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Stephanie. Did I mention snippets of NoT?... hummmm... I'll have to think about that one... ;P

      Delete
  15. Hello Ladies! Im'm interested to read the book. Books that are written from experience are always good reads. Looking forward to what sounds like a good one.

    ReplyDelete
  16. This sounds like a great story. There have been so many cases of a parent killing their children & then themselves. I can never understand this, and can't imagine how hard it would be for someone to have their spouse do this. I am really looking forward to reading this book.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow! Julieanne....Thanks for the interview. I will be adding this book to my TBRs. After reading the review, it just sounds like a book I don't want to miss.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great interview. I love getting a little behind the curtain look into the mind of an author about a particular book. It really makes the book reading more personal to me. Especially as I can read certain parts and know exactly what was running through the author's mind as they wrote it. Awesome job. Looks like a book for my TBR pile. :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Wonderful interview and loved that you could draw from personal experiences...it makes the story/book even more intriguing to read! How many books are you planning for this series?
    ivegotmail8889(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great interview! I always enjoy the lightning round best :) Interesting to know that Julieanne likes horses! (Sorry this is a little off-topic)

    Back to the book... I've heard a couple of friends talking about it and I've added it to my TBR list. Can't wait to read it!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Tess
    tess_halim(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Great interview! I love learning more about authors! I'm also a total flip flop girl. It was nice when we lived in California for four years because I wore them almost all year round. Now we are in the rainy pacific northwest. I try to wear them, but then my toes get cold and wet lol Can't wait to read your book!!

    Jolene A

    ReplyDelete

I always enjoy hearing what YOU think so come on and leave a comment. Everyone's welcome :) And feel free to leave comments on old posts. I'll check in on you there too :)

Bloggers don't forget to leave your links!
~Anna

The Herd Archives