In RILEY, your heroine Regina is threatened by some unknown creep. In some romantic suspense books I’ve read, the author gives the perspective of the unknown villain, in addition to the hero and heroine’s. Do you do that in your book?
In most of them, yes. RILEY was written as a category romances ages ago, and back then, we were only allowed two perspectives. Once I left category, I had more freedom, and I love exploring the “bad guys” in depth. Additionally, sometimes the bad guys aren’t so bad. Sometimes they redeem themselves, or they soften – and occasionally those changes happen without my input. I’m very much guided by my characters. The way I create a story is that I sit down and start writing and the characters do what they want. shrug So far, it’s worked for me, thank goodness. When things happen, I’m often as surprised as the reader.
Is it difficult maintaining the tension or threat of danger throughout the book? Do you try to evenly balance the action and suspense with the romance and one or two lighter moments?
Again, honestly, I don’t know how any of it works. I don’t deliberately set up a balance. It seems the characters know what to do. Occasionally I struggle to get their feelings adequately conveyed on the page, and I suppose that’s where the writer comes in. Overall, though, it’s their story and I’m just the typist. I never argue with the characters. There have been times when I’m like, “Really!?” or “Oh, hey, we’re going there?” lol. It keeps things fun!
Some authors I’ve interviewed have surprised me by saying that the type of books they write are not the same type of books they like to read. What do you like to read? Favorite books? Authors?
So true, at least for me! I LOVE historical romance, and yet I don’t have an iota of the talent needed to write them. To me, a historical romance is such a departure from our current lives, and from the writing I do, that it’s a complete escape. Of course I love the icons in the industry, like Julie Garwood, Johanna Lindsey, Amanda Quick... just to name a few. I also adore the wounded heroes and super-sexy stories of Kerrigan Byrne and Elizabeth Hoyt. (Hawt stuff!) Vivienne Lorret is amazing. Recently, I picked up a Lisa Kleypas historical and I’ve been glomming her ever since. Amazing stories!
So historical is my go-to, but I also love T.J. Logan’s suspense novels (dangerous, sexy stuff with strong alpha heroes and super-smart women!) featuring the O’Halleran family and their Security International operations. Oh, and the Burning Girl series by Christopher Rice. Such an amazing concept!
Of course, I read a lot of different things, but we could be here all day if I listed it all.
In the description for your book WATCHING OVER YOU, Detective Crosby Albertson and Madison McKenzie are suggested to be at odds at times. What can you tell readers about the dynamic between them? Are they flirty but secretive with each other for most of the book? Or a little bit prickly verbal banter with tons of sexual tension?
LOADS of sexual tension – they met earlier in the series and sparks flew. Crosby starts out as a cop investigating the family (they’re vigilantes) and Madison is fascinated by him. She’s like a bulldozer, really upfront on what she wants and when. He’s far more cagey and guarded, drawn to her but not entirely trusting her. I had lots of fun with them both, so I hope readers feel the same when reading their story.
Your book THE HONEYMOON COTTAGE – which comes out in May – is set in a small town and seems like a lot of fun, and without the suspense that some of your other books have. Do you particularly enjoy setting stories in a small town?
I lean toward small towns. Writing city life would be super-difficult for me since I’ve never experienced it. THE HONEYMOON COTTAGE is funnier than many of my books, but I hope it has the same amount of emotion and conflict. I enjoy writing both types of stories – those based around danger and sexy times, and those that feel a little cozier and fun. Switching gears gives my brain a chance to refresh.
What type of character is your favorite to write?
I absolutely love writing kick-ass men with big hearts, a great sense of humor, and a lot of loyalty. It’s always bothered me that alpha men are sometimes equated with unfeeling jerks. Definitely not my alpha men. This was a fun conversation I once had with the amazing Brenda Jackson. (We’ve known each other for years via conferences!) We both love strong, capable heroes who step up to do what needs to be done – protecting anyone smaller, weaker, older – without treating them as second rate.
The women with them have to be smart, capable, quick witted and equally big-hearted.
What are you currently working on?
I just recently finished THE DANGEROUS ONE, which branches off THE McKENZIES OF RIDGE TRAIL series, featuring Jodi, who was a secondary character in the 2nd book of the series.
I also finished MARCUS, my newest benefit book – meaning it’s a book with the advance and all royalties going directly to the Animal Adoption Foundation, a no-kill animal shelter – www.AAFPets.org
Now I’m ready to start on a new trade book that’ll be in the same town as THE HONEYMOON COTTAGE. Loads of fun ahead! In case you can’t tell, I absolutely love my job – everything about it: being directed by bossy characters, the times I laugh and the times I cry, and especially all the absolutely amazing readers who make it even more enjoyable.
Thank you for the interview!
She's determined to be in control…
Riley by New York Times Bestselling Author Lori Foster
Regina Foxworth has no clue why an unknown assailant is out to get a small-town reporter like her. Or why the police won’t take her concerns seriously. So Regina gets a guard dog - make that a four-pound “guard” Chihuahua! - and signs up for self-defense classes. But she might get more than she expected when she starts to fall for sexy instructor Riley Moore!
FREE BONUS STORY INCLUDED IN THIS VOLUME!
Lone Star Lovers by Jessica Lemmon
Penelope Brand’s hookup with billionaire Zach Ferguson was casual. Until he announces her as his fake fiancee to avoid scandal - and she discovers she’s pregnant. Now Zach demands they say “I do” for their child. But Pen won’t settle for a sham marriage. If Zach wants to keep his Lone Star lover, it’s his whole heart or nothing…
Romance Contemporary [Harlequin, On Sale: March 29, 2022, e-Book, ISBN: 9781335406644 / ]
Lori Foster is a New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author. She has received the Romantic Times “Career Achievement Award” for Series Romantic Fantasy and for Contemporary Romance; Amazon’s top-selling romance title for TOO MUCH TEMPTATION; Amazon’s Top Ten editors’ picks in romance for CAUSING HAVOC; Waldenbooks’ second “Bestselling Original Contemporary” romance for SAY NO TO JOE; the BGI group’s “Bestselling Original Contemporary” romance for the THE SECRET LIFE OF BRYAN, “Bestselling Romantic Comedy” for JUDE'S LAW, “Bestselling Romantic Suspense” for BACK IN BLACK; and Amazon’s #1 Editors’ Pick in Romance for SERVANT: THE ACCEPTANCE.
Lori has been featured as a clue in the New York Times crossword puzzle, and the USA Today “Quick Cross” puzzle.
To give back to the community, Lori does an annual “benefit” book where all advance and royalties go to a charity, and she hosts the annual “Reader & Author Get Together,” facilitating major interaction between readers, authors, and industry professionals while also donating all proceeds from raffles to local charities.
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