Thanks
for stopping by to talk a little about your writing! Let's jump right in. When
did you begin writing and why?
Thank you
for having me! I’ve always loved reading
and this eventually developed into a love of writing. I started writing at the age of 12 years old
but it was only years later that I actively started doing everything I could to
improve my craft. Storytelling is my
passion and having readers read and enjoy my stories is a dream come true.
Do you have a favorite
genre? Is it the same genre you prefer to write?
I read a variety of genres but romance
is definitely a firm favorite – although it varies from paranormal, thrillers,
suspense, contemporary etc. As long as
it’s well written with great dialogue, romance, a gripping plot and pace, I’m
interested.
Do certain themes and
ideas tend to capture your writer’s imagination and fascinate you?
I’m always fascinated by the dynamics
between men and women – which is probably why I enjoy romance so much. I like the idea of an independent woman who
is capable, strong and confident – but with a sense of vulnerability too. It makes her real and relatable. Added to the mix is a hero who isn’t
threatened by either of these traits. He
sees her as his partner but is also fiercely protective of her. It’s this theme that has been woven into my
trilogy and it’s been a fun, interesting dynamic to work with.
What advantages or
challenges does a writer in your genre face in today’s fiction market?
Advantages – there are so many
writing opportunities for writers at the moment so it’s a wonderful time to be
polishing your manuscript and searching for ways to publish it. Also, the power of the internet and social
media connects us to the rest of the world – readers, bloggers, authors,
publishers … it’s fantastic.
Challenges – wow, there are
many! The market is flooded with so many
books, online articles, etc – that it’s hard to keep up or stand out. Time is always a challenge too as being
active online and tending to all the admin that comes with writing often eats
away at valuable writing time.
What's on the top of your TBR pile right now?
To be honest, my TBR pile is bigger
than me but now that my Keepers trilogy is complete, I can’t wait to get stuck
into more reading. I’ve just started Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes.
Tell me a little about the
characters in The Keepers: Ethan.
As this book is the final book in the
trilogy, there are many familiar characters that we meet again. We have the two witches that appeared in
previous books as well as the three Bennett brothers – the Keepers. They have enhanced physical skills as well as
magical elemental powers and were born to protect a very powerful, modern day
witch. But we also meet a fourth Keeper
– a woman. Jenna’s feisty, strong and
powerful and a perfect match for the youngest brother, Ethan Bennett. But she has a dark secret which makes her
vulnerable too, one that threatens her relationships with Ethan and his
brothers. I loved writing her character
and enjoyed playing around with her abilities as a female Keeper. That was a refreshing change to my previous
heroines who are witches. And of
course, the attraction between Jenna and Ethan is sizzling!
Where’s the story set? How
much influence did the setting have on the atmosphere/characters/development of
the story?
Part of the story is set in a
fictional town called Rapid Falls in Canada.
It appears frequently throughout the series and my readers love
revisiting the town as it’s familiar – and it’s home for my characters. In The
Keepers: Ethan, I introduced a
completely new concept which I hadn’t initially anticipated – a fictional
alternative world to ours. It was a bold
move as I’d never attempted this before but after writing the book with three
different settings which weren’t working, I eventually went with a reader’s
suggestion and created a new world. It’s
dark and gritty and perfect for what my characters needed. So thanks to my lovely readers for helping me
with this. I think the new concept
worked well and hope they agree.
How often does your muse
distract you from day to day minutiae?
Ideas, thoughts and inspiration often
strike at the oddest times. When
actively writing a book, the story is never far from mind and I’m always
pondering, plotting and planning. So
sadly, I’m usually always distracted!
What do readers have to
look forward to in the future from you?
Definitely more stories! I’m in the process of developing another exciting
plot and can’t wait to get started.
"Going
to Ameera to find Hazel. Stealing the spell ... You think you can pull it
off?" he asked.
She
nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
Just as
she thought he'd kiss her, he reached for her jacket and said, "Then let's
go."
A portal to
another world has opened, unleashing dangerous creatures on earth. A dark
witch is out for revenge. The stakes are high, a war inevitable.
One person can
stop the madness. Jenna. She’s a Keeper to a powerful hybrid witch
but she harbors a secret and if Jenna steps through the portal – seduced by the
whispers of her hidden past - she may never return.
Fortunately,
she has company ... infamous Bennett brother and fiercely protective Keeper,
Ethan. Their whip-cracking banter makes them perfect sparring partners in
training, but how will they manage when their lives and everything they were
born to defend are on the line?
When the
battle lines are drawn, will Jenna and Ethan stand side by side – as friends,
protectors, lovers … or as traitors?
Buy at:
http://hyperurl.co/TheKeepersEthan
Meet the Author
Rae’s an avid reader and
writer with a passion for writing spicy romance novels. She lives in Cape Town,
South Africa, with her gorgeous children and husband and a zoo of house pets.
Besides writing, she loves
family time, the outdoors, travelling, watching TV series, reading and
chocolate. For more
information about her books, please visit www.raerivers.com
She loves to hear from her
readers and can be found here:
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