November 27, 2018, marks the one year anniversary of The Boss’s Daughter, the first book in The Black Rose series! My debut novel. My dream come true.
organized crime, pixabay
For those who have not read it yet (whaaa?), here’s the gist:
Renee Parnell is raised in the world of organized crime. When she discovers her mob-boss father wants her dead (GASP), she runs away and changes her name to Chloe Riggs to start her life over again where she falls in love with the FBI agent investigating her father. But, when she was found by the Family and asked for their help, secrets are revealed. Now Chloe/Renee must choose between the only Family she’s ever known or the love she never thought she’d find.
One of the hardest things about doing author interviews is that I’m not a huge fan of talking about myself. I just find it so . . . difficult. So, to help give my fabulous readers, and would-be readers, a small glimpse into what makes me love to read and write suspense stories in the world of organized crime, I asked a few people I know to pose questions they might think a reader would want to know about an author who has written a story they love.
Onto the Q and A:
What’s your favorite candy?
Big Hunk candy bar or Tootsie Pops. Any flavor. I don’t even care. They’re that good.
Follow up. How many cavities until you reach the center of a Tootsie Pop?
Like it matters.
How did you come up with the idea for The Boss’s Daughter?
First, let me say, this story is not based on real life. I get asked that a lot more often than I thought I would. I love organized crime. The Mob. The Mafia. Whatever you want to call it. However, more often than not, stories about organized crime revolve around the men.
I used to watch a documentary or read a story and think, “I would love to live in that world.” Then, one day, the character for Chloe/Renee popped into my head. She developed and evolved. I gave her a backstory and a tattoo. I pictured her fiercely independent (like me) with very little time or use for drama (also, like me). I wanted to write a story about organized crime from a woman’s point of view. What might the world be like from her perspective? Especially if she is raised in the world and completely devoted to her Family.
Over the 10+ years, the story was in my head. The story changed many times, but it never left me. After an afternoon of talking to my son about the story in 2015, he said to me, “Why don’t you just write it?” So, I did. I ran plot points by my husband, son, and daughter-in-law; and, I have to say, they were such a huge inspiration for me because they gave me different avenues to travel with their suggestions.
Why is it called The Black Rose series?
In the crime family Renee grows up in, her father marks all the girls who work for him with a tattoo of a black rose. When someone in their circle sees this specific tattoo, they know who these girls are and who they belong to.
You would have to read The Boss’s Daughter to get the full understanding of the meaning of the tattoo, but it’s pretty awesome. So awesome, in fact, that I have the tattoo myself. In the book, the tattoo is on the back of the right shoulder. Mine is on the front of my right shoulder, but only because the back of my right shoulder already has ink on it.
How long did it take you to write The Boss’s Daughter?
After I sat down and finally started the first word of the book, it took me 10 months to write the first draft. The first draft was finished with 420,000 words! The finished product, after months and months of editing, and then more editing with my editor (Gillian rocks!), the finished product and what you’re reading now is 99,600 words.
So, if it only took you 10 months to write The Boss’s Daughter, why is it taking you so long to finish the sequel? Are you a complete slacker or just lazy?
HAHAHAHAHA! Okay, I deserve that. The sequel is being worked on. I swear. I started it months ago with one idea. Then another idea popped into my head and I said, “Scrap it. I’m starting over.” So I started to rewrite the sequel from scratch. I got almost halfway through it, and another idea popped into my head. So . . . I set the sequel aside and started writing on this new, fresh, third idea. This new third idea is what is to become of the sequel. The second idea will become book three.
Excellent. So, this third idea. Same characters?
Same series, different main character. However, Chloe and Hunter are still part of the story. Just supporting characters this time. Book three will be centered around Chloe and Hunter, though.
What can you tell me about the sequel that you claim you are working on?
I swear I’m working on it! So, book two is tentatively titled Sugar and Cyanide. Sugar is a contract killer who finds out a mob contract has been issued on Hunter’s younger brother. Does she keep him alive or cash in on the contract?
potassium cyanide warning, wikimedia commons
Sugar and Cyanide?
Sugar is her name and cyanide is her poison.
I like it. I like it, a lot.
Right?
What kind of criticism, if any, have you received?
I’ve received some criticism. It’s okay, as long as it’s not too harsh. The “that would never happen in real life” comment bugs me. It’s fiction, you know?
How do you juggle a full-time job, a family, and writing all at the same time?
Well, that answers the question of why it’s taking me so long to finish the sequel. My husband, kids, and grandbabies are my world. My work as a legal secretary keeps me so busy. I love my family. I really like my job. I love to write. I just try to make time to keep all the balls in the air. Sometimes I succeed; sometimes I have to prioritize.
What’s the hardest thing about being a published author?
Reviews. Getting reviews isn’t as easy as I thought it would be, and they are so important. Before I became an author, I didn’t review nearly as much as I do now. Now, I review everything. Even the tiniest thing. The other part that is difficult, is now I have people telling me how much they love The Boss’s Daughter, and I’m really hard on myself when writing the sequel(s) because I don’t want to disappoint the readers.
What’s the best part?
I love meeting readers and getting them excited about my book. I’ve attended author signing events and have just been blown away by the fans. The readers and fans I have met who have come to book signing events to meet authors and discover new books are amazing. All of them. I’m not even joking. And, when they get excited about reading my book…well, that just makes me feel like they’re allowing me to become a small part of their life. I love all the readers I have met.
Have you ever jumped out of an airplane?
Twice. The answer to your next question is yes. It is better. It was amazing. Terrifying, but totally amazing. The second time I jumped, I landed wrong and should have broken both my legs. I couldn’t believe I didn’t. I have no desire to jump out of a plane again. Scratched that itch off my bucket list.
Are any of your characters based on people you know?
A few characters are loosely based on people I’ve interacted with.
But, you’re not going to say who?
Duh. I kill people in my books. The last thing I want is for so-and-so to call me and say “What the French toast? Why’d you kill me in your book?” Not cool.
What do you do to relax?
Lately, I’ve been on this binge-watching kick with baking shows. Zumbo’s Just Desserts, The Great British Baking Show . . .
baking cookies, pixabay
Can you bake like them?
I haven’t even heard of half the stuff they make, but I would love to be as talented as the contestants. I’d be an excellent taste tester. Could you imagine that little slice of heaven? Pun intended. I do love to bake, though. I can already hear my husband’s comment when he reads this. “If you love baking so much, why aren’t there any cookies in the cookie jar?” Touché.
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
Six tons per day. Give or take. Maybe. You don’t know.
There’s a process to writing a book. Did it take long hard nights to come up with new ideas to play with?
That’s what she said.
So, there it is. A very small glimpse into my very surreal world. I still can’t believe where my experiences have taken me, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Please check out The Boss’s Daughter (Book 1 of The Black Rose series) on Amazon.com. If you love it, please head over to Amazon and Goodreads to leave a mind-blowing review. If you like it . . . again, please head over to Amazon and Goodreads to leave an awesome review. Tell your friends, tell your family, tell perfect strangers on the street. Don’t be shy about it.
If you read it and think “nope, not feelin’ it,” that’s okay. Disappointment and eternal heartbreak for me, but okay for you. You = okay. Me = sad face, but I’ll get over it because I respect your opinion. However; should you choose to leave a review, please know I think you’re awesome.
You = awesome. Me = feeling the love.
raindrops on black rose by U. Hopper, flickr
Recommended Articles:
The Boss’s Daughter (The Black Rose series, Book 1) – a Review
Writing About the Mob – Guest Post by Jennifer Bates
LC Champlin – Truth is Stranger Than Fiction: Using History and Real-Life Events in Fiction
Matthew Keith – Indie Authors: It’s About Enjoying the Ride
