The Bad Sister @rach_b52 @Deep_Desires #Q&A

The Bad Sister

TEN YEARS AGO, SHE RIPPED HIS HEART OUT… BUT NOW SHE’S BACK AND SHE NEEDS HIM.

When movie star Carrie Evans begs her ordinary twin sister to switch lives with her for three weeks, all Carrie can think about is escaping the trappings of Hollywood. But returning to England throws her into the path of old flame Dan Stevenson, the boy she left behind—without telling him why. And Dan’s no longer the soft, dependable guy, quick to do her bidding. He’s hot, sexy and dangerous…everything her career-savvy self should run away from.

But she can’t.

When Carrie walked out of Dan’s life without a backward glance, she broke his heart. Now, she’s back begging him to help save her sister’s business. The fire is still there: he wants her, and she wants him. But forgiveness? Never. He’s not the boy he once was. He’s a man in control, used to getting what he wants, and he’ll help her, as well as do a whole lot more.

 But can their hearts survive a second time around…especially when the truth of the past comes out?

 

Buy Rachael’s new book below:

 

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Author Q&A

 

Rachael is someone I met at a book launch last year, so when she was asking for help to promote her new novel Bad Sisters I was first in the queue.

Q1: What inspired you to write Bad Sisters?

It’s actually a sequel to THE GOOD SISTER which I released last August, but you don’t need to read that first to enjoy and follow along with THE BAD SISTER, they’re quite standalone.

THE GOOD SISTER is about Isla, an ordinary Brit who takes on her rising star of a twin’s life for three weeks and ends up falling hard and fast for her teenage celebrity heartthrob. And he just happens to be her sister’s secret boyfriend “of convenience” and has no clue about their life switch.

In writing it, I just knew I had to tell Carrie’s tale too. How could someone who’s worked so hard to rise to the top of Hollywood, run away from it all and not only that, leave her sister making pretty with her hunk of a boyfriend? Her hunk of a boyfriend who’s actually proposed?!

Carrie’s behaviour in THE GOOD SISTER is questionable to say the least and I wanted to give her a story so that people could get inside her head, understand the reason for her behaviour and see the real her. I also wanted her to get her HEA, because she deserves it, I promise you.

Q2: Who would you want to play the main characters in your book if your novel was optioned for tv / film?

Good question. I think Blake Lively would make an awesome Carrie and as for Dan, I’m not sure about an actor but Daniel Conn certainly fits the bill. He can play rugby, not sure about his acting skills though…perhaps that doesn’t matter too much 😉 He sure looks like he can tame her though, or will it be the other way around…you’ll have to read the book to find out!

Q3: How many rejections did you get before you got a publishing deal?

I think four in total, not to mention coming nowhere in a few competitions. But it could be more. I think I try and forget. Although, in the main they have been constructive and I use them to learn and grow as an author.

Q4: How did you deal with them when you started out?

It’s very hard. It makes you feel sick, my tummy twists up and I want to cry. In fact I might have done on occasion. And as I said above, my biggest failing was not sticking at it. One of those rejections came many years ago and despite having constructive feedback (it wasn’t a simple no!), I still saw it as confirmation that I would never make it and stopped writing for a long time. I shouldn’t have. I should have taken the advice given and tried and tried again.

Q5: Which authors inspired you to write?

Enid Blyton, in the early days, Mr Pink-Whistle, Famous Five, Secret Seven…the list goes on. Then there were books like Nancy Drew, The Babysitters Club. I was writing a lot more mysteries as a child.

Then I fell in love with Mills & Boon! I couldn’t even begin to list my favourite M&B authors, there were and are still so many. As well as the great Julie Garwood, for her historical romances that sweep you away in both the past and the romance.

Q6: What are your writing routines?

I get up extra early (5:30am currently!) and have quite a regimented day. It really is:

Coffee & work in bed

Wake kids & sort breakfast

Exercise

School Run

Shower & back to work (and also, fulfil the multitude of housewife duties which I think the kids like to add to on a daily basis!)

School pick up, homework, tea…

Back to work, and then depending on how busy I am, I’ll work intermittently around bedtime routine and dinner with hubby.

Q7: If you could go back to when you first started writing what one piece advice would you give yourself

Never give up. I wish I could go back and tell myself that when I received my first rejection letter, then maybe I’d have over a decade’s worth of books out in the world now!

Q8: What would you say to someone who wants to write?

NEVER give up.

Writing is so subjective and what may not work for one publisher, may well work for another. This happened to me with both Unshackled and The Good Sister. But even if it doesn’t fit with a publisher, you can always self-publish. It is so easy to do these days. In fact, I chose to self-publish The Centurion’s Wife as it’s nice to have full control over some of my work.

But if you’re determined to get into a publishing house, look out for competitions, special blitz’s etc. They can be a great way of getting your voice spotted by a future editor (this happened to me with DARE!). Also, look out for Editors’ Wish Lists and match your work to the right one so that it can really jump out at them.

Make sure your voice is the best it can be and make it your own. Read lots. Look at what you like, what you don’t like and why. Use that to hone your craft.

Writing can also be lonely so try to find fellow writers and form a group, help one another, bounce ideas around and open yourself up to feedback. It doesn’t have to be lonely if you reach out and, in my experience, it’s that reaching out that makes it such a wonderful hobby and career.

Above all, I’m going to go back to the whole don’t give up! Don’t live in fear of rejection, don’t let your internal voice beat you down and stop you from putting words to paper, we all have to start somewhere. Try, try and try again, you’ll be improving with every step you take. And believe me, getting “The Call” makes all the blood, sweat and tears worth it, I promise!

Q9: If you weren’t writing what would you be doing?

Reading. Lots and lots. Or drawing/painting if I need a timeout, and spending time with my family. I love being a mum and a wife, I feel very blessed on that score.

Q10: Tell me something about yourself your readers might not know?

I’m an exercise addict. My recent thing is to devour books or edit while cycling. Indoors of course, I’m not crazy enough to try it on the roads lol!

Oh, and a little writer titbit, I would love to write a full-length historical at some point. I love ancient Rome and Celtic history, and have a story just waiting to be written.

Thank you Rachel, I hope to catch up with you again in the future.

Rachael Stewart adores conjuring up stories from heartwarmingly romantic to wildly erotic. She’s been writing since she could put pen to paper as the stacks of scrawled on pages in her loft will attest to.

A Welsh lass at heart, she now lives in Yorkshire with her very own hero and three awesome kids, and if she’s not tapping out a story, she’s wrapped up in them or enjoying the great outdoors.

Rachel loves talking to her readers, you can get in contact with her via one of the social media platforms below.

Rachael Stewart          @rach_b52

Rachael Stewart

 

Did you know, you can snap up a copy of Rachel’s Mr One Night Stand along with E L James’ The Mister at your local WHsmiths’ for just £5.00!!!!!