JR:
As a writer, do you tend to be more of a plotter, or more of a blank
pager? Additionally, as a regular contributor to Love Inspired
Suspense's K-9 series, how does this impact your normal approach?
TR:
I’m definitely a plotter, but I allow for some leeway as I’m
writing. My characters will sometime surprise me by doing, saying or
feeling something that I hadn’t planned on and I’ve learned those
are some of the best moments to allow the story to go where it needs
to go. As for the K-9 series, each author is given a synopsis to
loosely follow when writing but we are given permission to tweak the
story to make it our own.
JR:
Your most recent release, I believe, is Alaskan Rescue, the first in
the Alaska K-9 Unit series. Which is more fun? Starting the story as
in this case? Winding it up? Or writing something in the middle, as
Seeking The Truth (True Blue K-9 Unit, part 5) or Explosive Situation
(True Blue K-9 Unit Brooklyn, part 4)?
TR:
Ohh, good question. Each position in the series has its perks and
downside. There’s a lot of pressure being the first book. The
author starting off the series has to set up the world of the series,
lay out the overarching threads that will run through all the books
while at the same time having its own story arc. Being the author who
wraps up the series also has the job of making sure all the threads
are tied up in nice little bows, that all the characters from the
series are mentioned with their happily ever after endings and, also,
having their own story arc to give the reader a satisfying ending.
The middle books need to make sure they are pulling the threads
through from the previous books and, also, setting up clues and such
for the next books, all while having their own story arc.
Continuities are challenging in a good way and I really enjoy writing
them.
JR:
By the way, I absolutely loved Seeking The Truth and Explosive
Situation. Would you like to tell us about them and what inspired
those stories? And especially, one of my favorite supporting cast
members: Kitty?
TR:
LOL, Kitty was special!
In
Explosive Situation, Olivia Vance is out to prove herself as an
internal affairs officer by investigating the accusations leveled
against K-9 detective Henry Roarke, but it soon becomes clear Henry
and his K-9 partner, Cody, a bomb sniffing beagle, are being targeted
by a bomber with a grudge and she’s in the crosshairs. Henry may
not like having Olivia digging into his life, but he’s sworn to
protect the innocent from harm, including the internal affairs
officer and her hairless cat, Kitty. Working together, Olivia and
Henry race to stop the bomber before they all lose their lives.
In
Seeking the Truth, Rachelle Clark, the heroine is an ambitious
reporter who sets out to interview a K-9 officer, Carter Jameson,
about his job and the upcoming K-9 Trials, but she secretly is
investigating the murder of his brother and unknowingly puts a target
on her back. Carter wants nothing to do with reporters who have made
his family’s lives miserable chasing after the story of his
brother’s death. His K-9 partner, Frosty, a white German shepherd,
on the other hand takes an immediate shine to the pretty lady. When
Carter’s tasked with protecting Rachelle, he’s resentful but
slowly her southern charm breaks through the defenses of this NYC
cop, but can he save her before it’s too late?
JR:
As a regular K-9 writer, you don't like dogs, do you? Do you have any
dogs? And do they inspire your stories? (I'll admit - I would be
surprised if a K-9 story includes my favorite breeds - Keeshonds and
Miniature Pinscers.)
TR:
I love dogs! I do have a beautiful five-year-old Australian shepherd.
We do agility together which has been such a fun activity for us
both. I’ve used some of the training I’ve learned with my dog in
my stories to bring some realism to the dogs and the handlers. I
haven’t written a story yet with either of the two breeds you
mention. Hmmm. I will have to suggest them to my edtior.
JR:
I see you're working on a story that lacks a dog on the cover. Could
you tell us about Dangerous Pursuits and Protecting The Heiress?
TR:
Yes, not all of my stories contain dogs. I have a series set in
Colorado that features horses, though I did sneak in a dog in one of
the books. Though there is no dog in the novella, Protecting the
Heiress, the story is a fast-paced tale
about a reluctant heiress who needs the protection of the
intelligence officer who broke her heart if she is to make it to the
reading of her father’s will alive. Here’s the blurb:
Time
is running out...
On
a damp Seattle night, Cecily Fairhaven is rescued from a mugger by
the man who broke her heart, Malcolm Cruz. When she learns it’s not
a coincidence that Malcolm has shown up out of the blue and that her
life is in danger, she must set aside her hurt and anger to trust the
man she once loved. But is she really safe? Or will she suffer
another broken heart when he leaves?
US
Air Force Operations of Special Investigations Agent Malcolm Cruz
received a cryptic message begging him to protect Cecily. To honor
the man who’d been instrumental in his career, Malcolm wasted no
time traveling across the world to safeguard the only woman he’s
ever loved and to ensure she makes its home to deal with her father’s
estate. But as the threats against her escalate and his feelings for
her resurface, he begins to wonder if either of them will come out of
this unscathed.
JR:
Thank you for your time. Are there any other projects you want to
mention? How can we keep up with what you're up to?
TR:
Thank you for having me! My upcoming book, Secret Sabotage - book four
in my Bristle Township series, releases this coming February 2022.
The
crash was intentional…But he can’t remember why.
With
no memory of the crash that landed him in a hospital, Ian Delaney is
determined to uncover who sabotaged his helicopter—without the
protection of his family-appointed bodyguard. But Simone Walker’s
used to stubborn clients and won’t let Ian leave her sight. To
catch an unknown traitor, they must rely on each other…or the next
attack could prove lethal. From
Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.
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Pair of questions for my readers.
- I doubt I'm spoiling anything to mention the plot of Explosive Situations is about a police officer falling in love with the Internal Affairs lady who's investigating him on excessive force accusations. Can you think of a combination of hero and heroine that would be just as fascinating?
- I mentioned my favorite dog breeds. Yes, I find it hard to envision a Min-Pin (or any other toy breed) serving as a K-9. But I find it easy to envision one of these little yappers thinking they can handle the job as well as the big boys, and maybe trying to convince the K-9 who the real alpha is. Can you think of an amusing side story like that?
