Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Black Creek Burning by R.T. Wolfe

Please Welcome R.T. Wolfe  author of Black Creek Burning.

R.T. will be giving away a $40 Amazon or BN.com Gift Certificate, winner's choice, to one randomly drawn commenter at the conclusion of the tour.


Black Creek Burning
By
R.T. Wolfe

INTERVIEW:

Let me say first, Christine, thank you having me here today. I love this blog!

1.What components are necessary for the genre of this novel?

IMO, the suspense in a romantic suspense should be weaved throughout, not just added toward the end. On the other hand, I feel the same way about the romance. It’s tricky. It takes a lot of work and I completely love it.

2.What expertise did you bring to your writing?

The individual passions of the characters in Black Creek Burning have more to do with the development of the story than simply what they do for their day job. Subliminal metaphors are twined throughout regarding their interests. One example is the main character’s love of her landscape design business. Her character develops in tandem with the changing of the seasons. The novel starts in the dead of winter and continues through to an upstate New York summer. The same goes for the rebuild of the rundown farmhouse the hero moves into. Personally, I’ve flipped a few houses myself. That is, I’ve bought them rundown or only half built. My husband and I fixed them up and sold them for a profit. I do the landscaping, he does the woodwork.

3.As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?

Black Creek Burning is the book one in the Black Creek Trilogy. My short term plans are to get out book two and three in the tight schedule I’ve allowed. My long term plans are two-fold. I have dozens of books buzzing holes in my head regarding one of the main characters in the final installment of the trilogy. I also have a paranormal trilogy spinning around involving three women who keep secret the extra ‘talents’ they’ve discovered they have and the men who compliment the talents.

4.If you could be one of the characters from any of your books, who would it be and why?

I would be the main character, Brie. She’s resilient, smart, selfless, smart, flexible, talented and did I mention smart?

5.Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing?

I belong to an RWA chapter and a number of author Yahoo loops. The gals (and guy) are invaluable. We learn from each other and offer tough critiques. They’re amazing.

6.When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step?

I never wrote Black Creek Burning with the intention of publishing. I simply loved writing, creating, researching, editing, organizing…it’s an addiction. I was truly shocked when I came out the other end of my writing bubble with a completed novel. I asked one friend to read it. Just one. She gave it to another who gave it to another…I soon found myself with a compact but crazed group of readers who pushed me, hounded me and nagged me to publish. I am so lucky to have them!

7.What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)

Best advice? To make sure my work fits into the box that industry dictates.
Worst advice? To make sure my work fits into the box that industry dictates. J

8.Do you outline your books or just start writing?

I try to outline, I really do. But the characters have their own ideas. Generally, I end up outlining then re-outlining several times as I go.

9.Do you have an all time favorite book?

My all time favorite would have to be Northern Lights by Nora Roberts. Not the Lifetime movie, though. Ugh. I’ve read the book several times.

10.         Have you started your next project? If so, can you share a little bit about your book?

Black Creek Burning is the first in the Black Creek romantic suspense trilogy. To Fly in Shadows is book two and comes out in February and book three, Dark Vengeance, will debut in July. So fun.

11.         Who is your favorite actor and actress?

Hmm. I’ve never been asked that, actually. I would say Tom Hanks and Renee Zellweger. Their versatility is truly impressive.

12.         Can you tell us a little about the black moment in your book?

Brie spends six years soundly stuffing the guilt and memories of her parents’ deaths into her subconscious. The arson had been meant for her and the killer never found. Nathan sees it long before she does, but the dark moment is when she realizes the killer never quit watching her and isn’t finished.

13.         If you were a casting director for the film version of your book, who would play your lead roles?

Colin Farrell and Jennifer Aniston. Farrell has a talent of playing the hero who doesn’t need to be the center of attention. Aniston knows how to be purposeful, talented and…did I mention smart before? lol

14.         Anything else you might want to add?

Just that I’m honored to be here. I’ve had a blast answering your questions and hope some of your followers are interested in reading Black Creek Burning!





BLURB:  

Brianna Chapman learns to handle just about anything. Witnessing the murder of her parents had that effect. Knowing the unsolved arson had been meant for her isn’t as easy to overcome. Instead, she stuffs her guilt soundly into her subconscious through diving into the teaching job she loves by day and the dirt of the landscaping business she owns by night. Her habit of remaining aloof to personal relationships is, well, working.

Will her guilt be as easy to keep buried if the killer comes back to finish the job?

In the midst of juggling a scorched yard, dead animals on her doorstep and her vandalized car, the one thing she didn’t count on was the staggering Nathan Reed. A nationally renowned woodworking artist, Nathan and his two priceless nephews move into the run-down historical house behind her and over Black Creek. They have a canny way of maneuvering around her aloof demeanor and into her heart. Will they still want to be part of her life when they discover she is haunted by past memories and hunted by present dangers?

 ***
EXCERPT: 

SHORT EXCERPT/CHAPTER SIX

“When is the rest of your family coming?” she asked before she realized how that sounded.

“Rest of my family?” Nathan tilted his head toward the boys who were gleefully battling scar-faced monsters driving Corvettes and Camaros.

“You made reference to your wife.” Her eyes moved around thoughtfully. He said that, hadn’t he?

“I would not have made the reference, since there isn’t one. I’m divorced.”

“Yes, you did. You said your family was at your parents’ home when I came to bring your dog back to you.”

The two of them centered the table under her traditional, crystal chandelier.

“The boys were at my folks and they are my family. You know, you wouldn’t have to move your kitchen table if you had one for your dining room.”

“I told you, it was burned,” she said quickly.

“I guess I thought you were being sarcastic. How did it happen?”

“That’s a subject I don’t have time for.” She turned and started upstairs. “I need to change.”

She felt his fingers, rough and possessive, wrap around her arm. Gently, he turned her around. He held on carefully when she tried to pull away. As she looked into the blue, he whispered, “I’m sorry. I know what it’s like to suddenly lose someone you love.”

Shaken, she felt exposed as she responded, “I never said I lost anyone.”

Nathan released her arm and lifted his hand near her face. He paused as she watched him before running the backs of his fingers down her cheek.

“True. I’m going to work on setting around your stack of folding chairs.”

As she moved up the stairs, she laid the palm of her hand where his fingers had touched her and swore she felt heat.

SHORT EXCERPT/CHAPTER 10

“I’m not above doing that. You should know that. I can take care of my own car.” Brie turned as she thought of just how she was going to do that, and reached up to pull out a single tea bag and mug. “And there is no you and me. It was just a kiss. Now, we have to move backward for Andy’s sake.” And mine, she thought.

He made his way to her in three long strides, picked her up by the shoulders and plopped her on the kitchen counter, smashing his mouth to hers. Framing the side of her face with one hand, Nathan laced his fingers in her pinned up hair with the other.

She couldn’t think and for the first time in her life let go. Slipping away from her blessed control, she blocked out the possible consequences and surrendered to the now. Her skin nearly ignited from the feel of his body as she pulled him in closer. She held onto his lanky back, his strong arms, feeling his rough hands on her face, in her hair. His mouth and his tongue emptied her mind. She clamped her eyes shut and wanted to stay right there. As he’d done at the midnight hour in her basement, he pulled away as quickly as he took her.

Nathan whispered close to her face, “Just a kiss my ass.”


***



AUTHOR INFORMATION:



R.T. was born and raised in the Midwest, the youngest of six children. She married at a young age and decided early on she wanted a family herself. With three small boys in tow, she and her husband flipped two houses with R.T. in charge of the landscape design and install. Now, she is rooted in the final home they designed inside and out.
Now that her boys are nearly grown, R.T. spends much of her time on the road traveling from one sporting event to another serving as mom and cheerleader. When at home, she enjoys Pilates, working with her Golden Retriever and digging in the glorious dirt of her landscaping plots.
During one of many busy and restless nights, R.T.’s first novel began to pluck its way onto her laptop. It was a drug, an instant addiction that only grew with time. Moments borrowed and stolen at her laptop are, now, between all of the travel and work and many of those busy, restless nights. After several edits, revisions and versions later R.T.’s first novel, Black Creek Burning, will debut September 24th.







LINKS:

website: http://www.RTWolfe.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.RT_Wolfe (that's an underline, not a space)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RTWolfe2012
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15776211-black-creek-burning



Don't Forget To Comment!








18 comments:

RT Wolfe said...

Christine,
Thank you for having me here today. Anyone who is out east or has family/friends there...I'm sending wishes of safety your way!
-R.T. Wolfe

RT Wolfe said...

Visitors and Followers,
Christine asked me about my best and worst moment. Care to share yours?
-R.T. Wolfe

Goddess Fish Promotions said...

thank you for hosting!

Jessica E. Subject said...

Great interview and excerpt! I think Northern Lights is one of the few Nora Roberts books I haven't read. Going to have to remedy that.

All the best!
Jessica
jessicasubject.writer AT gmail DOT com

RT Wolfe said...

Jessica,
Thank you for stopping. You'll love Northern Lights.
-R.T.

Christine Young said...

Welcome to my blog. Hope you have a great tour.

RT Wolfe said...

Thank you, Christine. You have a lovely blog.
R.T.

Rita Wray said...

A very interesting interview. Thank you for the excerpt, it was great.

Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

Genene Valleau, writing as Genie Gabriel said...

Hi, R.T.! Very cool that you have a group of readers who loved your book so much they hounded--I mean, encouraged you to publish it. That support is great! Hope your tour goes well!

Anonymous said...

I don't think the industry *should* be dictating boxes. Good luck with the book!

vitajex(at)aol(dot)com

M.J. Schiller said...

Love that second excerpt. "Just a kiss my ass." Love the self-confidence and understanding those five words display, and that is just one of the many reasons I loved your character, Nathan Reed. You did such a great job making him real, it's like I can see him saying that and hear his voice. Best of luck and can't wait for the next one. Could you have possibly made a hero hotter than Nathan?

RT Wolfe said...

Ingebord,
Thank you for the kind words. It's nice of you to stop by!
-R.T.

RT Wolfe said...

Genene,
Yes, I am truly fortunate. Thank you for the lovely comment!
-R.T.

RT Wolfe said...

Anonymous,
The boxes are difficult. Many of the rules are good ones and help us all become better writers. But, who decides which rules are the good ones? Hmm. Thought provoking. :) Thank you for the great point!
-R.T.

RT Wolfe said...

M.J.,
You're so kind. Yes, Nathan is awesome. :) Thanks.
-R.T.

Chelsea B. said...

I really enjoyed this interview! Nora Roberts is great, isn't she?

justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

RT Wolfe said...

Chelsea B.,
Yes, there is a reason Nora is who she is. :)
-R.T.

RT Wolfe said...

Thank you, Christine, for having me on your lovely blog. I hope I brought you some new followers. I know I'm one of them!
-R.T. Wolfe