Nicole- thank you for
hosting me today. I love to talk about my books. RC
Tell us about the book
you're featuring today.
My title is A Blanket for Her Heart, and the
book is available in all formats at the moment. You can get it at Amazon,
B&N, Goodreads, or at your local bookstore. See the links below.
Tell us a little about A Blanket for Her Heart --, what inspired
you to write it?
A
Blanket for Her Heart is the book of my heart- my first full-length novel, about Anne
Hoskins and the man who sparks her to give wings to her life. It's a tale of
courage and setbacks, about a woman attempting to turn her life upside down
despite fear and uncertainty. Some might say she's willing to try for nothing
more than a man, but I maintain she's driven by far more than that.
When you start writing, do
you already have the story plotted out or do you let the characters dictate
what will happen?
I can't stand to decide every last detail of the plot, but I had
to re-write almost an entire book one time when the story wouldn't work out.
So, now I plot a couple of chapters at a time by "telling" what
happens, as one would in a synopsis. Then I write those chapters, see where I
am, and summarize a little more. As long as I keep the ending and a few turning
points clear in mind the process works very well.
I usually start with a clear first chapter in mind before I plot
anything. A Blanket for Her Heart began as a dream, which I recalled in
detail and which became the Prologue and first chapter.
What inspired you to write
in your genre? Is this the genre you started writing in or have you morphed to
this one?
I've written contemporary romance, played around with historical
and suspense novels, (all love stories) since I wrote A Blanket for Her Heart.
My most recent book is a contemporary romance titled A Little Bit of Baby. That
was published by Silver Publishing, along with A Little Bit of Blackmail,
which preceded it. I like happy endings and love stories, so the romance genre
choice was simple.
Do you have a favorite
character you have written?
I actually have a couple. Jessie in A Little Bit of Baby is
a mixed up but feisty woman at the start, but she gets her act together and makes
sure Ike plays straight with her. Anne, in
A Blanket for Her Heart, is an
older woman faced with the most difficult decision of her life- whether to
retreat into her quiet, withdrawn existence or take chances with her fate. Her
choice leads to an unexpected challenges and consequences. She and Jessie are
both strong, determined, and lovely women.
Who was the toughest
character for you to "get right" that you have written so far?
The answer to this one is Megan, who I am writing at the moment.
Her book doesn't have a title yet, but she's got me fully occupied. She's
living with a jerk at the start of the book and why she's putting up with him
escapes me. Of course, she's had a daughter by the man and worries about
Jordan, so-? I go back and forth with her sense of duty towards her daughter,
whether or not she fears her boyfriend, and how she decides to leave him for
the hero.
Do you draw inspiration
for your characters from real life? Any fun stories you could share?
My inspiration comes entirely from my imagination. I sometimes try
to relate a character to someone I've met, but I need to know much more about
my characters than I know about real people. My funny stories are all fictional
I'm afraid. One scene in A Little Bit of Baby cracks me up,
but it's at the end of the book so I will not reveal the details. In the new
book, Megan fears Wade, the hero, is about to announce he loves her. Not ready
to hear that, she dashes from house and wanders down the street, then goes back
without a good explanation for her behavior. When he asks why she ran off like
that she blurts out, "I had gas."
What do you find the
hardest part of writing?
Bringing my characters to vibrant life, without a doubt. But, there's
also that little factor one must deal with after publication- Promotion and marketing!
I'd much prefer to be in Anne's head, or Megan's, telling their story, living their
struggles and triumphs.
Name one thing that your
readers would be surprised to know about you.
One thing? Hmm. My wife and I have celebrated almost fifty-five wonderful
anniversaries together- which tells you I'm a guy and a grandfather! We have
four daughters and a son and twelve wonderful grandchildren we love dearly.
Do you have a guilty
pleasure?
I've had many in my life- guy stuff mostly- sailboat racing, bass
fishing on a beautiful lake in an ancient red canoe, but now it's a nice glass
of red zinfandel with cheese and crackers on the side while reading a great
review of one of my books.
What TV Show are you
addicted to?
I'm not much for TV, but I love Downton Abbey and MASH re-runs.
What do you need before
you start writing? Anything that is just a must have or the creative juice
don't flow?
I need an idea for the scene I'm working on. I actually think
about the scene for a bit before I put words to paper. I can write with the TV
blasting or in silence, early in the morning or late at night. If I have the
scene figured out very little distracts me. If I don't nothing helps.
Where were you when you
got your first contract? What problems did you have getting published?
I received contracts for two books in two days, so I was ecstatic.
My wife was the first to hear the news since I was home and at my computer when
the word came in. A Little Bit of Blackmail and A Blanket for Her Heart
were published within a couple of months of each other, though Blanket
took a detour on the way to the bookstores. My second publisher made a
policy decision to handle only religious books just two days before Blanket's
scheduled release date. Blanket doesn't qualify as a
religious book, so they cut me loose! Since I had the cover and edited
manuscript ready to go, I chose to indie publish the book rather than go
through the submission process again. So, after a brief delay Blanket
finally hit the shelves at Amazon.
How old were you when you
read your first romance book?
Now there's a hard question. Do fairy tales count? In living
memory I'd have to say I read my first Harlequin romance about ten years ago.
The heroine was a tow truck driver as I recall- good book
What author
causes you to “go fan girl”/ squeal over/anticipate upcoming books?
My friend and mentor, Kristan Higgins,
whose book The Best Man just came out.
If you still have one of
those pesky non-writing jobs what is it?
It's called "retirement"
Do you have a favorite
movie you have seen in the last few months and/or an all time favorite?
My all time favorite is Sleepless in Seattle
What are you currently
working on, and what else is in the wings?
As I mentioned above, my current WIP has no title at the moment,
but the tale of Wade and Megan is through the first draft. Now the hard work
starts- the editing. After that? I may try my hand at re-writing a suspense
novel I developed years ago. Or a historical that I played around with once
upon a time.
If you could co-write with
another author who would it be?
I'm actually doing that with my critique partner of many years,
Judy Roth. Judy is a busy editor these days and I'm tied up, so our joint book
is moving at a snail's pace. But we're working on it.
How do you pick your
characters names?
Out of my head. Sometimes I change them halfway through the book
if the character doesn't fit the name anymore (in my head).
Do you prefer the love at
first sight approach or a steady growth throughout?
I write both now, though I believe in love at first sight. I told
my wife I would marry her on our first date and here we are more than fifty
years later. A Blanket for Her Heart is a love at first sight story, but the
love of Wade and Megan in the new book develops slowly.
Anne Hoskins faces
the most difficult decision of her life. Will she grab for the brass ring, or
choose the safer, more familiar path she's traveled since her youth? Will temptation
divert her from the choice she selects? She has much to learn about herself
- and tests galore to overcome. A BLANKET FOR HER HEART is a story of courage
and love, uncertainty and challenges. And an unexpected turn of fate.
Excerpt:
A
BLANKET FOR HER HEART- EXCERPT PROLOGUE
He checked
into the old Victorian hotel, dragged the ancient ten-speed bike from the rack
on the Toyota, and headed along the shore, away from town. The route was
familiar, ridden many times with his wife long ago. Back then, only two or
three boats rocked quietly in the harbor. Now there had to be three hundred,
rivaling Newport just across the bay. Shops and restaurants, once part of a
sleepy little town, thrived on the bustle of early season tourists.
He cleared the
harbor and headed south over the sandy isthmus that held the island together.
The land had a name he’d seen on maps, Conanicut Island, but he called the
whole place Jamestown, after the town. Passing Fort Getty, he started up the long
hill he hadn’t seen since Carol died.
Proud of her
riding, she’d always beaten him to the top, except once, that last time. He had
teased her, laughing with victory. She had smiled and said it was just a fluke;
she hadn’t had her vitamins that day. A first warning, it had gone
unrecognized.
That was a
long time ago, before he met Ellie and before she dumped him last year.
Inactive since then, the last of the climb he had to do on foot.
Back on the
bike, he pedaled toward the lighthouse, up and down the rolling hills. The New
England air was crisp, but warm enough, and the ancient bike rolled smoothly
under one of those clear blue early June skies. Scrub trees and bushes lined
the road and an old rock wall, nearly hidden in the undergrowth, followed the
pavement, its neglected top missing stones.
The heaviness
of his last few months returned with a sudden certainty the island was a lonely
place to live, not at all as bright and open as he’d remembered it.
A bird high
overhead caught his attention. An osprey or a hawk soaring, probably seeking
prey. He caught his breath as it dove suddenly, flashing downward like a dart.
The bike
lurched. His attention diverted, he had drifted into the ditch at the side of
the road. Pulling hard to the left, he tried to recover, but the front wheel
struck one large rock and then another. As if a spectator, he watched in
disbelief as the wheel collapsed, pitching him forward, over the handlebars.
The rocky ditch offered a hard greeting.
As his body
registered pain, he lay unmoving, hoping someone would come by. But the road
was devoid of homes or cars. He was alone.
Raw flesh
against the rocks and pavement brought an involuntary cry as he struggled to
get up. He lurched to his feet, his left arm crooked, panic clutching at his
heart. Sliding his right arm below the left for support, he took a step and
groaned in spite of himself.
A single
driveway beckoned. It had to be followed, but its slippery, sloshing gravel
made each step he took a grim adventure into pain. Finally, a house appeared
deep in the woods, barely visible but a very welcome sight. Waves of pain
ripped through the arm with each stumbling step, but he goaded himself onward.
"One more
step, one more blasted step."
At last, the
house. Thick shrubs shrouded the front, extending from the garage around to an
L-shaped wing, a castle wall to block his entry. The garage was closed, no car
in sight. Silence lay heavy in the air. He stared, numb, his mind
uncomprehending. So much effort for nothing.
The deep roar
of a motorcycle reached up from the road, unmistakable help gone by, a blow to
his belly. Someone had to be home. Three steps toward the garage revealed a
path, barely visible in the shrubs. He eased through, trying to avoid branches,
and emerged in a sheltered courtyard.
Where can readers find you
or your books?
Email rcbonitz@gmail.com
My books
are available at:
Amazon at:
Barnes and
Noble:
Once again, thank you
Nicole. RC
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