Today in the spotlight, I have Bonnie Dee author of an array of contemporary adult romances including Four Kisses.
Welcome to the blog Bonnie, What Inspired you to write Four Kisses
I was stuck while working through some heavy plotting in a fantasy novel. The couple had to overcome the bad guy and I’d painted them into a corner without knowing what their way out would be. I’ve found the only way for me to overcome a block is to write something else, something short, fun and meaningful to me. I felt myself losing the joy of writing so I decided to return to the thing I feel I’m best at—creating a mood, painting a scene and illustrating characters. I got caught up in a story set around the simple framework of a pair of opposites who share a few kisses over the years.
The first kiss was easy to envision. Everyone remembers the awkwardness of wondering if she/he’ll ever be kissed at all, thinking, what if I go through life and no one ever thinks I’m attractive enough to want me? Middle school’s such a time of turbulent emotion, big peaks and depressing valleys.
Ditto, high school. I really enjoyed writing the second encounter between Jen and Drake during her prom night from hell. Of course, as adults the couple must change and grow in order for the reader to ever imagine them together. I hope I managed to show their development while still retaining some of the bad boy flare that attracts Jen to Drake.
Indie publishing- Why do you think its becoming so popular?
Because anyone can do it. The process isn’t difficult. But that also means there’s a wide range of quality among indie books. A couple of years ago, not everyone was on the bandwagon. Those writers who tried it quickly learned they could set their prices low to earn more sales while still making a good profit. But cutting out the middleman of a publisher means the writer must be vigilant about editing, layout and cover art. There certainly are advantages, especially for beginning writers, in going through the editorial process at an established publishing house.
FOUR KISSES has become a movie, who is playing your main character and why?
A young version of Colin Farrell would play Drake. I love the way he can play a real asshole or quirk up those expressive eyebrows, widen those beautiful brown eyes and appear utterly vulnerable. Jen is everywoman. I can’t picture a particular actress for her, but I suppose someone who specializes in playing straight arrow types. Which actress is that?
What top three Indie books would you recommend to readers and why?
I recently read Gwen Hayes’ Totally Tubular, a YA time travel in which a girl goes back to her mom’s 1980’s high school days. I thought it was a lot of fun and didn’t get too bogged down with the message it delivered. I also enjoyed the first of Amanda Hocking’s Hollowland books. I’m a fan of zombie apocalypse stories but they have to have a heart in characters the reader can care about.
Whats on the horizon for BONNIE DEE?
I’ve had good success with my self-pubbed zombie books, After the End and Dead Country so I’m working on a third called The Cure. The theme is about the haves and have-nots separating into two zones by a wall. The main characters learn that all isn’t all sunshine and roses on the “safe” side of the city.
I’ve begun a young adult series under a new pseudonym, Arianna Silver. Teen Witches: Gathering is the first book and I’m working on number two. Readers can learn more about the series and my new alter ego at http://ariannasilver.blogspot.com
On the non-indie side, my writing partner, Summer Devon and I have a couple of books coming out in 2012. The Psychic and the Sleuth is set during the spiritualist fad in late Victorian times. A con man with a psychic bent and the inspector intent on exposing him team up to solve a murder. Our second release this year, Serious Play, is about an ex-con who falls for the woman who hires him to work at her bar.
What do want readers to walk with after reading FOUR KISSES?
I want the story to evoke memories of how they felt at certain times in their lives, a little bittersweet and nostalgic yet hopeful for a sweet future. Also I want to give readers a taste of my style which may lead them to check out some of my other “from the heart” books. Writers do have favorites among their children. Some of mine are Bone Deep, A Hearing Heart, Captive Bride and The Gentleman and the Rogue.
Thanks for inviting me to chat on your blog. It’s a great platform for indie writers to share their work. Readers can learn more about my backlist at my website: http://bonniedee.com and join my yahoo group to learn about new releases. I have FB and Twitter accounts I have to admit I rarely use, but I’ll friend anyone who asks.
And thank you Bonnie for stopping by and being a part of this event! Your Four Kisses sounds delightful and seeing pictures of a young Colin Farrell makes me want to see the future movie.... ;D
GIVEAWAY
Today up for grabs is an Ebook copy of Bonnie's Four Kisses. To enter please leave a comment and a winner will be announced at the end of the event.
Jen Adams’s first kiss didn’t happen the way she’d expected. On a steamy summer’s day, a shared moment with a boy who runs with a bad crowd leaves an indelible impression on a thirteen year old girl. But that’s only the first time Jen and Drake Malinson’s paths cross in an unforeseen way.
The night of junior prom Jen bumps into an older, sexier and even wilder Drake. He distracts and mesmerizes her, turning a disastrous evening into one she’ll always remember.
When they meet again as adults under stranger circumstances, Jen tries to ignore old memories. Were her insights into Drake real or had his kisses seduced her into believing he was deeper than he was. Can straight-arrow Jen and aimless Drake change enough to find common ground?
Find out more about Bonnie on Goodreads and the Web. Buy Four Kisses (contemporary romance)
I definitely remember feeling that way in high school...the "will anyone ever want me?" feeling was strong. I didn't have a single interested glance until college, I was more the girl who was friends with a lot of guys more than the girl with a lot of guys interested in her. I wouldn't change it though, it played a part in making me who I am and I have a pretty cool husband now so it all worked out:) Clearly, this is a book right up my alley!
ReplyDeleteZombies are definitely taking over the world right now, and I'm still not sure how to feel about that. Glad you've found success with your zombie series.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, yes yes to a young version of Colin Farrell! His eyes do make me melt.
I was such a nerd in high school. I remembered thinking that I would never date! I always had crushes on guys that were well out of my "nerd" league! But that first kiss from the right boy---*sigh*
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds great, who can resist a bad boy? Think this is a definite 'to-read'
ReplyDeleteThanks!
twitter @bookworm_sarah
Very nice interview. Good casting choice.
ReplyDeletebn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com