Welcome, Renee. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
It’s amazing how I sprinkle a little of me into each
character, sometimes without even thinking about it. I’m not saying a lot now …
but in every person, you’ll find a touch of Renee. Whether it be a whim, a
habit … good or bad. After all, I’m not perfect. LOL I did it when I began
writing to keep my stories real. It stuck.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
I’m not actually quirky. I’m a type-A personality. I guess
that’s why I’m a pharmacist. I guess I’d have to say the quirkiest thing I’ve
ever done is paint a cross on the cars at Cadillac Ranch on Route 66. My
husband would say it’s how I bet on the horses at the race track. (I pick the
best looking horses and find their numbers on the lists.) He uses statistics.
What can I say? I’m a woman at heart.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
I’ve known I could write since junior high school … around
twelve or thirteen. It’s always been my security blanket. In times of trial or
stress, I tend to pen my emotions in the form of poetry. As far as novels, that
didn’t come until much later. My husband’s the one I give credit for encouraging
me to begin that endeavor. About four years ago, he challenged me to write my
own when I filled his ears with a ton of complaints when I’d bought a book I
didn’t like. The rest is history.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I’m fairly eclectic in my reading choices. I like everything
from historical romance to science fiction. I’ll even pick up a paranormal and
read it. I’m not too keen on horror. You won’t catch one of those in my library
or on my television very often. I love suspense which is probably why I write
it, and a good mystery is good to curl up with on the couch. But I have to say …
I’m a sucker for a Scottish romance. I always have been. (sigh)
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
The same way I always have, I guess—with lots of prayer. As
busy as I am, I can’t start the day without my time with the Lord. The first
thing I do is open my Bible and read His word. We have our time together. I
share my worries and concerns … listen to what He has to say. Our time’s
special. It anchors me for what comes. Some may even get a glimpse of what we
talk about every morning because I post a tidbit each day.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
Sometimes the name pops into my head and fits … like a glove.
I don’t have to think about it. Other times, I need to dig out my book of baby
names and search for the right one. And then there’s those times, nothing
works. That’s when I ask people. My husband, my mom, my son, my coworkers, my
Facebook friends, my fans … you name it. Eventually, I hear it and it’s like—YES,
finally!
I just know when it’s the right one.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Our son. It was a challenge to get him into this world. Not
only my body, but my marriage came under fire and withstood the inferno. It was
a concerted effort but between the both of us, my husband and I, a new life was
born.
The Lord taught me a lot during the process. The most
important lesson? The child I carried in my body was not just mine, but His. It’s
a lesson I took to heart, we both did. Today, he’s a wonderful, godly man.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
I would have to say the golden retriever. I love people and
never meet a stranger. I’m loyal to a fault. I’m quick to forgive and for me, a
little attention goes a long way.
We had a golden
retriever when I was in high school. A wonderful dog. What is your favorite
food?
My favorite food? New York Style Cheesecake with no topping …
well, I like cherry topping, but no cherries. That sounds really quirky. Maybe
that should be my quirky thing. LOL I make it from scratch (when I can figure
out the oven!) I tried to make one over the holidays this year and it looked
awesome. Need I say more?
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
I would have to say … getting people to take me seriously as
a writer. And I’m not talking about my friends and family. I figure they will
always see me as a pharmacist until I don’t wear the white jacket anymore. No,
I’m talking about fellow writers.
I didn’t join ACFW to get published. I didn’t enter my first
Genesis contest to land a contract. I knew I wasn’t a good writer, yet. But I
wanted to be.
I soaked in all the knowledge I could from those who were. I
took Creative Writing courses. I ignored the destructive remarks and focused on
the constructive criticism. I learned. It’s a process I will continue to do as
long as I write.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Beast of Stratton is a story inspired by the fairy tale, “Beauty
and the Beast.” It began in my critique group, Rough Diamond Writers. Each of
us chose a different fairy tale and penned a story. I’ve loved this tale since
I was a little girl so it came natural to pick it.
Since I write contemporary and suspense, Beast
of Stratton took on a more modern flare and the rest is history.
It’s about a young woman’s search for her father. He’s
disappeared leaving only a note, a rose, and pendant necklace as clues to his
whereabouts. Determined to find him, she sets off to New
York and disguises herself as a secretary at his place of
employment, Stratton Industrial where the CEO, a wounded war veteran has
recently returned from his second tour in Iraq. Her presence and some strange
occurrences within his firm pulls him from his reclusive penthouse, and the
quest to find her father begins.
I love books based on
fairy tales. Please give us the first page of the book.
The hot spray of the shower slapped his back like a whip.
Miles Stratton leaned his forehead against the cool tile and rolled his
shoulders. He blinked to clear water from his eyes, but steam swirled around
him. The world spun and his vision blurred. He leapt back in time—into smoke
and pain.
The yoke wrenched against his hands while the rotors groaned
above his head. Another missile slammed into the chopper and the tail dropped
off, spinning it toward the ground. The acrid smell of burning fuel and blood
hung in his nose as he fought to keep the bird in the air.
Icy water snapped him into the present, and he slammed his
hand into the wall, his roar echoing around the small cubicle of granite and
tile. Enough already. Miles closed his eyes and pushed the memories away.
He dipped under the cold spray one last time before shutting
off the water. In his room, he dug around in his bag, tossing wrinkled clothes
on the bed. Sooner or later, he’d need to unpack. It’d have to be later.
Clad in old jeans and a t-shirt, he pulled the door open and
water dropped on his bare toes. He headed back to the bathroom. After another
pass through his wet hair and beard with his towel, he tossed it in the hamper.
Pulling a dry one off the shelf, he grabbed a comb and a rubber band.
Banging cupboards greeted him when he walked into the next
room. An annoying person was in his kitchen. Again. “Hey, knock it off.”
“Where’s your scotch?” His stepbrother peeked around the
corner.
Miles settled on the couch with the towel on his chest and
started combing the tangles out of his beard. “Long gone.”
“What?” Ray groaned and tossed his ice into the sink with a
clank and joined him in the living room. “You didn’t have to drain it all,
dude. Maybe you should back off a little.”
Miles grunted. He hadn’t touched a drop since landing
stateside. No, scratch that. The night before his last mission in Iraq. The toast
of death—his last drink. His beard clear of snarls, Miles started on his mane.
A low growl rumbled when the comb caught a ratted mass of curls. He worked it
loose and began again, delving into the thick hair.
Oh, I can hardly wait
to read this book. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Group Blog: The
Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction
Welcome, Renee. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
It’s amazing how I sprinkle a little of me into each
character, sometimes without even thinking about it. I’m not saying a lot now …
but in every person, you’ll find a touch of Renee. Whether it be a whim, a
habit … good or bad. After all, I’m not perfect. LOL I did it when I began
writing to keep my stories real. It stuck.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
I’m not actually quirky. I’m a type-A personality. I guess
that’s why I’m a pharmacist. I guess I’d have to say the quirkiest thing I’ve
ever done is paint a cross on the cars at Cadillac Ranch on Route 66. My
husband would say it’s how I bet on the horses at the race track. (I pick the
best looking horses and find their numbers on the lists.) He uses statistics.
What can I say? I’m a woman at heart.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
I’ve known I could write since junior high school … around
twelve or thirteen. It’s always been my security blanket. In times of trial or
stress, I tend to pen my emotions in the form of poetry. As far as novels, that
didn’t come until much later. My husband’s the one I give credit for encouraging
me to begin that endeavor. About four years ago, he challenged me to write my
own when I filled his ears with a ton of complaints when I’d bought a book I
didn’t like. The rest is history.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I’m fairly eclectic in my reading choices. I like everything
from historical romance to science fiction. I’ll even pick up a paranormal and
read it. I’m not too keen on horror. You won’t catch one of those in my library
or on my television very often. I love suspense which is probably why I write
it, and a good mystery is good to curl up with on the couch. But I have to say …
I’m a sucker for a Scottish romance. I always have been. (sigh)
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
The same way I always have, I guess—with lots of prayer. As
busy as I am, I can’t start the day without my time with the Lord. The first
thing I do is open my Bible and read His word. We have our time together. I
share my worries and concerns … listen to what He has to say. Our time’s
special. It anchors me for what comes. Some may even get a glimpse of what we
talk about every morning because I post a tidbit each day.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
Sometimes the name pops into my head and fits … like a glove.
I don’t have to think about it. Other times, I need to dig out my book of baby
names and search for the right one. And then there’s those times, nothing
works. That’s when I ask people. My husband, my mom, my son, my coworkers, my
Facebook friends, my fans … you name it. Eventually, I hear it and it’s like—YES,
finally!
I just know when it’s the right one.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Our son. It was a challenge to get him into this world. Not
only my body, but my marriage came under fire and withstood the inferno. It was
a concerted effort but between the both of us, my husband and I, a new life was
born.
The Lord taught me a lot during the process. The most
important lesson? The child I carried in my body was not just mine, but His. It’s
a lesson I took to heart, we both did. Today, he’s a wonderful, godly man.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
I would have to say the golden retriever. I love people and
never meet a stranger. I’m loyal to a fault. I’m quick to forgive and for me, a
little attention goes a long way.
We had a golden
retriever when I was in high school. A wonderful dog. What is your favorite
food?
My favorite food? New York Style Cheesecake with no topping …
well, I like cherry topping, but no cherries. That sounds really quirky. Maybe
that should be my quirky thing. LOL I make it from scratch (when I can figure
out the oven!) I tried to make one over the holidays this year and it looked
awesome. Need I say more?
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
I would have to say … getting people to take me seriously as
a writer. And I’m not talking about my friends and family. I figure they will
always see me as a pharmacist until I don’t wear the white jacket anymore. No,
I’m talking about fellow writers.
I didn’t join ACFW to get published. I didn’t enter my first
Genesis contest to land a contract. I knew I wasn’t a good writer, yet. But I
wanted to be.
I soaked in all the knowledge I could from those who were. I
took Creative Writing courses. I ignored the destructive remarks and focused on
the constructive criticism. I learned. It’s a process I will continue to do as
long as I write.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Beast of Stratton is a story inspired by the fairy tale, “Beauty
and the Beast.” It began in my critique group, Rough Diamond Writers. Each of
us chose a different fairy tale and penned a story. I’ve loved this tale since
I was a little girl so it came natural to pick it.
Since I write contemporary and suspense, Beast
of Stratton took on a more modern flare and the rest is history.
It’s about a young woman’s search for her father. He’s
disappeared leaving only a note, a rose, and pendant necklace as clues to his
whereabouts. Determined to find him, she sets off to New
York and disguises herself as a secretary at his place of
employment, Stratton Industrial where the CEO, a wounded war veteran has
recently returned from his second tour in Iraq. Her presence and some strange
occurrences within his firm pulls him from his reclusive penthouse, and the
quest to find her father begins.
I love books based on
fairy tales. Please give us the first page of the book.
The hot spray of the shower slapped his back like a whip.
Miles Stratton leaned his forehead against the cool tile and rolled his
shoulders. He blinked to clear water from his eyes, but steam swirled around
him. The world spun and his vision blurred. He leapt back in time—into smoke
and pain.
The yoke wrenched against his hands while the rotors groaned
above his head. Another missile slammed into the chopper and the tail dropped
off, spinning it toward the ground. The acrid smell of burning fuel and blood
hung in his nose as he fought to keep the bird in the air.
Icy water snapped him into the present, and he slammed his
hand into the wall, his roar echoing around the small cubicle of granite and
tile. Enough already. Miles closed his eyes and pushed the memories away.
He dipped under the cold spray one last time before shutting
off the water. In his room, he dug around in his bag, tossing wrinkled clothes
on the bed. Sooner or later, he’d need to unpack. It’d have to be later.
Clad in old jeans and a t-shirt, he pulled the door open and
water dropped on his bare toes. He headed back to the bathroom. After another
pass through his wet hair and beard with his towel, he tossed it in the hamper.
Pulling a dry one off the shelf, he grabbed a comb and a rubber band.
Banging cupboards greeted him when he walked into the next
room. An annoying person was in his kitchen. Again. “Hey, knock it off.”
“Where’s your scotch?” His stepbrother peeked around the
corner.
Miles settled on the couch with the towel on his chest and
started combing the tangles out of his beard. “Long gone.”
“What?” Ray groaned and tossed his ice into the sink with a
clank and joined him in the living room. “You didn’t have to drain it all,
dude. Maybe you should back off a little.”
Miles grunted. He hadn’t touched a drop since landing
stateside. No, scratch that. The night before his last mission in Iraq. The toast
of death—his last drink. His beard clear of snarls, Miles started on his mane.
A low growl rumbled when the comb caught a ratted mass of curls. He worked it
loose and began again, delving into the thick hair.
Oh, I can hardly wait
to read this book. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Group Blog: The
Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction
Thank you, Renee, for sharing this new book with us. I can hardly wait for my copy to arrive. I'm eager to read it. I know my readers are, too.
Readers, here is a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Beast of Stratton
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