Hello
Friends,
Australian
romance author, Rebecca Raine is back on the blogger with her latest book in
the Finding Forever series. Her book
covers raises the temperature and lights up the page. “All the Broken Pieces” is no
exception. It’s a different type of story to her last one, and features two men
who fall in love. I was naturally curious about Rebecca’s latest release, so I
asked her a couple of questions which she was happy to answer.
What inspired you to write this book?
Rebecca: I wasn't inspired to write this
book so much as I was forced to write it... by Harrison. It went something like
this: Jeremy was first introduced as a main character in “Everything We Need” (Book 4 of the Finding Forever series).
In that book he (spoilers ahead)
embarked on a steamy relationship with his flatmate, Trina, and their next-door
neighbour, Brady. While Jeremy learned a great deal from that relationship, it
was Trina and Brady who ultimately fell in love and became a couple at the end
of the book. However, Jeremy did return in the epilogue with his new boyfriend,
Harrison.
We only got a glimpse into their
relationship in that book, but it was sweet and I loved them as a couple. That
was supposed to be where the series ended. Harrison, however, really didn’t
like the idea that Jeremy’s journey to true love wasn’t going to be told and he
kept tapping me on the shoulder and saying, “Do you have any idea what we went
through to be together?”
I had to admit, I didn’t. So, I
decided to write a short story to detail Jeremy and Harrison’s romance. That
short story ended up being the longest book in the series. It was worth every
moment.
Could
you tell us about the MM theme in the book?
Rebecca: When I started writing romance novels
it never occurred to me I would ever write anything other than heterosexual
romances between couples. Then I got the idea for the first book in this
series, “Our
Little Secret” (an MMF romance), and suddenly I was dealing, not
just with three people, but with a homosexual relationship as well. I loved
every minute of it! After that it seemed like the world opened up and nothing
was off limits (in my writing or in my reading).
So, when Harrison started to get
pushy I knew it was time for my first MM couple romance. Harrison and Jeremy
were the perfect couple to get me started. I'm as in love with them as they are
with each other!
Your characters have some personal challenges with
heartache, losing their minds, and you’re a brave author for writing them into
a romance. Were there any experiences you drew on, or people who influenced you
to write about the grittier side of life?
Rebecca:
Mental illness is such a huge part
of our society, but is still hidden in many ways. Often people who suffer from
a mental illness will be reluctant to talk about it for fear of being seen as
'weak' due to their struggle to accomplish tasks that others do with ease.
I never consciously decided to write
about a character with a mental illness, but when I was first getting to know
Harrison and realised he suffered from ongoing episodic depression I ran with
it.
Going deep into Harrison depression
was challenging, and at times upsetting. I drew from both my own experiences
and lots of internet research. The most important thing for me was to show the
strength that is developed when a person constantly strives to rise up under
the weight of their depression or anxiety and build a happy, meaningful life.
That's Harrison. Despite his mental illness, and in many ways because of it, he
is an incredibly strong person with a high level of self-awareness.
He's determined to make his good
days outweigh his bad days, and when he lays eyes on Jeremy, he knows there are
some pretty awesome days ahead.
Will
there be any more books in the series?
Rebecca:
No. Absolutely not. :) The Finding
Forever series is officially complete and I am now working on other projects. Anyone
for a rock star romance?
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
“All the Broken Pieces” is available now for the Kindle price of $2.97 US and $3.99 Aus.
Here's the link to Amazon.com
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Here’s the Blurb
Sometimes letting your heart
set the rules is a good way to lose your mind.
Jeremy
Hayden knows what it’s like to be lost in someone else’s pain. After years of
trying and failing to save the man he loved, Jeremy’s determined to learn how
to put his own needs first. That means staying away from people who are
damaged. From now on, the only person Jeremy wants to save is himself.
Harrison
Winters is the kind of damaged that cracks all the way to the bone. Forged by a
childhood of violence and betrayal, he lives every day on the edge of darkness.
Discipline and a strict set of rules keep his mind stable and his life on
track. He doesn’t need anyone to save him, no matter how broken he is.
When
Harrison falls for the sunshine of Jeremy’s smile, he sees his chance for a
brighter future - only to discover he is everything Jeremy has vowed to avoid.
Revealing the truth about his past would bring an end to their newfound
happiness. To stay silent means breaking the rules that keep his mind free from
the darkness.
With his heart on the line and his sanity under
threat, Harrison knows one wrong move will break him. If that happens, there
may not be anything left to save.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Rebecca kindly provided an excerpt of the story.
(from
Chapter 5)
“I’m
curious now. What happened?”
Jeremy
pushed his plate away and sat back, settling deeper into the cushions. “Those
stories aren’t…”
“First
date material?” He watched as Jeremy bit down on that bottom lip, as if he
wanted to say something but wasn’t sure if he should. “Except this isn’t a
date,” he guessed.
“It’s
not supposed to be.” Jeremy pulled his legs up, crossing them in front of him.
His left thigh came to rest on top of Harrison’s bent knee. “But it’s not
exactly your average business dinner either.”
“I
suppose we need to come up with a third option.” Unable to resist the urge,
Harrison sat forward and lifted his hand from the back of the couch so he could
run his fingers through the short hair at the nape of Jeremy’s neck. Jeremy’s
eyes slid shut as he exhaled, and Harrison’s body hardened at the innate
sensuality of the response. Patience may be a virtue, but his supply was fast
running out. “I have to be honest though, if all you’re after is a hook-up,
it’s not really my style.”
Opening
his eyes, Jeremy looked at him. His expression, though heated, was wary—almost
reluctant. “I like you, Harrison. You’re easy to talk to and being around you
makes me feel good. So…” Jeremy turned his body in the small space, moving
closer and curling his own hand around the back of Harrison’s neck. “I would
like to get to know you better, but I can’t make any promises about being ready
for something more. Right now, that’s the most I can offer.”
Harrison
considered his words for a moment before nodding in agreement. “That’s good
enough for me.”
The
grin that appeared on Jeremy’s face sparked a light somewhere deep inside
Harrison’s chest. Though scarcely a glimmer, it warmed him from the inside,
made him want more.
“Well,
what do you know?” Jeremy murmured, tilting his head to one side. “The man does
know how to smile.”
Harrison
blinked as he reached up with his free hand to touch his own cheeks. Jeremy was
right. His mouth had curved of its own accord, reflecting the pleasure he’d
seen in the other man. He couldn’t remember how long it had been since that
happened.
Long
fingers replaced his, stroking the roughness of his jaw and cupping his chin.
Jeremy leaned in to kiss him and Harrison closed his eyes as he waited for that
first touch. It was scary how much he wanted this—to taste the sunshine of this
man’s mouth, to make the light inside burn brighter.
The
moment their lips met, Harrison reached out to cup Jeremy’s face in his hands.
Their mouths moved slowly against each other, hesitantly, every moment a
torturous blend of holding back and letting go. Then, Jeremy ran his tongue
along Harrison’s bottom lip and Harrison opened his mouth in invitation. Jeremy
slipped inside, tasting him with infinite care—with patience. The thought
roused a hidden part of him that never would have responded to a stronger, more
frenzied passion.
When
Jeremy withdrew from the kiss he did so in small degrees, drawing out each
languid touch, until at last they parted. Harrison opened his eyes and saw
Jeremy watching him closely. The light in Jeremy’s eyes gleamed bright and
joyful when he murmured, “Sweet enough for you?”
A
breathy sound erupted from Harrison’s chest, almost like a laugh, and he
startled.
Jeremy’s
true laugh followed close behind. “I’ll take that as a yes.” Pulling away, Jeremy
stood and then turned back to offer Harrison his hand. “Come on,” he said with
a smile. “I’ll let you drive me home.”
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
About Rebecca Raine
Rebecca is a
long-time lover of all things romance. Whether it’s a book, movie, or
real-life, she will always have more fun if there’s a love interest thrown into
the mix. She lives in Queensland, Australia with her very own hero husband, two
adorable children and one big, black dog. Other than reading and writing books,
her favourite things include loud music, enjoying a glass of wine on the patio,
organising everything in existence, and spending too much time on the Internet.
Connect with Rebecca
Congratulations
to Rebecca for the launch of her last book in the Finding Forever series. She tells me she’s working on a new writing
projects. I can’t wait to find out more…about the rock star romance.
Enjoy
your weekend.
♥ Ashlyn
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
More Books from Rebecca
No 4
The path to true love may not begin with a threesome, but you have to start somewhere.
Blog post link; Everything We Need
No 3
She wants him to want her—desperately—but without the inconvenience of wanting him back.
Blog post link; This Time Forever
No 2
True love should always come with a convenient expiry date.
Blog post link; Lost In Amber
No 1
Some risks are worth taking.
Ignite the magick within, or be hunted in the dark.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
