Finding Her Son author Robin Perini with Giveaway!
Today I have one of my fellow Golden Heart sister here talking about her latest release with Harlequin Intrigue. Happy to have Robin Perini with us with interview and giveaway of FINDING HER SON.
THE ONLY MAN A DESPERATE MOTHER CAN TRUST…
Investigating a cold case is SWAT cop Mitch Bradford’s worst nightmare—especially when it involves a kidnapped infant. But thanks to an injury, he’ll have to settle for following Emily Wentworth instead of breaking down doors and cuffing criminals.
The prime suspect in a mysterious disappearance, Emily has always claimed she was framed. And as he earns the trust of the incredibly desperate—and unbelievably beautiful— mother, every instinct tells Mitch to believe her. Then new evidence unfolds, revealing an elaborate conspiracy and forcing Emily into a deadly spotlight. Now, torn between loyalty to the badge and his promises to Emily, Mitch may have to make the ultimate sacrifice if he’s to bring her little boy home.
Buy: AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | HARLEQUIN
Hi Robin, what’s your favorite thing about the book featured here today?
Thanks SO much for having me here today, Joan! I’m giddy and excited about the release of my first Harlequin Intrigue ®, Finding Her Son.
Finding Her Son came about after reading an article regarding the Elizabeth Smart case—a girl who was taken from her bedroom and kept away from her family. I just couldn’t imagine this happening—even though I know it does. I researched and found so much heartbreaking, terrifying and inspiring information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (www.missingkids.com).
My heart broke for the family’s grief, and I asked myself how far would someone go to find their child? What would they do? What would they face? How many people would they fight?
So… When Emily Wentorth’s one-month old son is stolen from the backseat of her car after being run off the road, she does everything she can to find her son. Fighting the cops, her family, and even the hero—the man assigned to prove her guilt. Finding Her Son is her journey through hope and betrayal to put her life back together.
Joan: Robin, what an awesome high concept! Nearly everyone can relate to the fear of having their child taken! It’s a riveting drama.
What was the hardest part of this book to write and why?
What a question. My gut response is THE WHOLE THING. The truth is the hardest part for me is revising the ENTIRE book. Hands down. Because once I complete my ‘fast draft’ and have the bare bones of the story, then I go through an agonizingly iterative process where I hope I tease out the heart and soul of the story. I probably add another 30% to the word count after my fast-draft is completed over at least three to six iterations.
I think it was Jack Bickham, the noted writing instructor who said, “Good novels aren’t written. They’re rewritten and revised.” That may not be true for everyone, but it’s definitely true for me!
That being said, there was a part of Finding Her Son that was particularly tough. The ending. For two reasons. The entire story is focused on Emily Wentworth trying to find her baby son and stumbling into more than she bargained for. I had to tie all those threads together and I must admit I nearly pulled my hair out. It’s weird how writers can write ourselves into a corner. I wanted the villain to be a surprise, and I wanted readers to care if Emily succeeded or failed. I rewrote the last few chapters several times, so I hope I did Emily, Mitch and their quest justice.
What is your writing routine?
Okay, I must confess, I’m a bit of a nut. Just ask my friends and family. I’ve tried a million different ways to write over the years, and for now, this works for me. First, I should say that I have a day job, so I work writing around paying the mortgage, and of course the rest of my life—family, exercise, chores, and occasionally a little fun. 🙂
Joan: Fun? Wait, who gave you permission to have fun? And when the heck do you find the time?
I’m actually one of those irritating morning people. I write from 5:30 am – 7:00 am weekdays. Mostly to get the adrenaline pumping because I thrive on deadlines—and being panicked! If you only have an hour and a half, you have to make the most of every second. Also, I write in ‘sprints’. 20 minutes of writing and a 10 minute break. This idea was introduced to me my fellow writer, Angi Morgan (www.angimorgan.com) and it really works for me. If nothing else my body doesn’t go numb from sitting in the chair.
On Saturday, I write for about 5 hours in the morning, and on Sunday, after church, I write for 3 hours.
I usually write new material on those shorter stretches on the weekdays and revise on the weekends. As for promotion—like working on my website, blogs, designing romance trading cards, Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads, I work on those in the evenings as needed—or as the deadlines loom.
Joan: Wow, I aspire, Robin! What an awesome schedule!
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I have so many authors who have brought me incredible joy since I was a child. In fact, on my website (www.robinperini.com) I have included a page listing many of my all-time favorite books and authors.
Those books typically evoke deep emotions within me. They are my window into pain, joy, insight, and wisdom. One of my favorite authors is Sharon Sala. This New York Times Bestselling Author has written novels that twist my heart through a painful journey, but end in hope. Her ability to touch my soul makes me go back to her stories again and again.
Even more than that, Sharon Sala is a mentor to me. She read In Her Sights several years ago. She believed in me and my book at a time when it was hard to believe in myself. I’m not sure I would be here today without her encouragement. She is an amazing writer, of course, but even a more amazing person.
I’d like to be her when I grow up.
What would you like to tell readers?
Readers. What an amazing thought. Thank you for taking a chance on a new writer, for taking a chance each time you open a book in the hopes that the story will mean something to you. If I could give any advice, it would be to keep reading and share your love of reading with others so that the world of stories and books expands and grows and remains strong.
How do you keep in touch with your readers?
I love to interact with readers. You can read excerpts, read reviews, sign up for my mailing list and even request trading cards or a Kindlegraph on my website at www.robinperini.com. I’m also on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads. I’d love to hear from you.
What are your current projects?
Right now, I’m finishing up my third Harlequin Intrigue, which will be out during Christmas 2012. Christmas Conspiracy tells the story of a woman driven into hiding by an assassin. This unexpected heiress to a throne must protect her young twins by relying on the man who betrayed her–her children’s father.
I love the story…and I know I’ll enjoy having written it! But right now…it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. (And yes, I say that with every book!)
Then, I start work on the Montgomery Justice Series. This series will revisit the Montgomery brothers, from my debut novel from 2011, IN HER SIGHTS (Montlake Romance, November 2011) The first book, BEHIND THE LIES, the story of a woman who discovers her ‘perfect’ husband is a cold-blooded, international assassin and is forced to put the lives of her and her young son in the hands of a man who lives behind his own lies.
Joan: Wow, you are a busy girl!!
What part of the book do you like the most?
That’s a tough question, but I have always loved the beginning of this story…because it’s a bit different. Here’s a taste!
Icy wind howled through the SUV’s shattered windshield, spraying glass and freezing sleet across Eric Wentworth’s face. He struggled in and out of consciousness. Flashes of memory struck. Oncoming headlights on the wrong side of the road. Skidding tires on black ice. The baby’s cries. Emily’s screams.
Oh, God.
Why couldn’t he focus? Above the wind, he heard only silence, then an ominous gurgling sound from his lungs. He shifted his head slightly to check on his wife, and a knifelike pain seared his neck. He stopped, staring in horror at the shaft of metal guardrail penetrating his chest. Blood pulsed from the wound, but he couldn’t feel it. He couldn’t feel anything.
Eric was dying. And it was no accident. He hadn’t taken the threats seriously, hadn’t told Emily what he’d done. Why they were all in danger.
“E-Eric?” Her voice was weak, barely audible over the storm gusts.
Thank the Lord she was still alive. In the darkness, he could just make out her small frame pinned by the dashboard. He had to warn her.
Emily. Escape. Before he comes back.
No sound came from his lips, and at the effort, his vision blurred.
“Eric, are you all right?”
Fear tinged her voice, but he could do nothing to comfort or reassure her.
A soft cry came from the backseat. The baby. Only a month old.
“Mommy’s here.” Emily pushed at the dash. “Eric, I’m stuck. I can’t get to Joshua.”
Headlights swept across the crumpled interior. A vehicle pulled up behind them.
“A car! Help!” Emily called out. “We’re trapped! There’s a baby in here!”
No! Emily. Get out. Now. Please. Take Joshua. Run.
A door slammed, but from the stealth of the approaching footsteps, Eric knew this was no rescue. Tears of impotent rage scalded his cheeks.
They’re innocent. Don’t kill them. They’ve done nothing.
Joan: Wow!! Tense! Nicely done!!
Thanks so much for having me today, Joan! I love answering questions, but now I’d like to ask the readers a question. I’m just finishing up a book and really am looking for some good reads. I haven’t read a book in the last couple of months because I’ve been writing!
I could use some recommendations. I read all genres, so what’s a major keeper you’ve read in the last six months or so? I’d love to know! Leave a suggested read for Robin to enter to win FINDING HER SON!
About the author: Award-winning author Robin Perini is devoted to giving her readers fast-paced, high-stakes adventure with a love story sure to melt their hearts. Her mission’s motto: “When danger and romance collide, no heart is safe.” After seven prestigious Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® finals, Robin sold seven novels within one year. She won the Golden Heart® in 2011, and that title became her first Harlequin Intrigue, Finding Her Son (March 2012). Residing in the southwestern United States, by day, she works for an advanced technology corporation, and in her spare time, you might find her giving one of her many nationally acclaimed writing workshops or training in competitive small-bore rifle silhouette shooting.
She is the author of In Her Sights (Montlake, 2011), Finding Her Son, Cowboy in the Crossfire and Christmas Conspiracy (Harlequin Intrigue 2012) as well as the upcoming Montgomery Justice Series (the story of the Montgomery brothers from In Her Sights) from Montlake Romance.
[Cover Art Copyright © 2012 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited. Cover art used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises Limited. All rights reserved. ® and ™ are trademarks owned by Harlequin Enterprises Limited or its affiliated companies, used under license.]
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