I’d like to welcome to my blog today Rachel Sparks, here to talk a little bit about herself, her writing habits and most importantly, about her new book, Giving Love a Chance. Keep reading to find out how you can win a FREE ebook of Giving Love a Chance!
Take it away, Rachel!
1.) I know this was an intensely personal book for you to write. Can you tell us why you decided to tackle the subject of domestic abuse?
I was in an abusive marriage when I was 19 years old. It lasted almost 3 years. Ever since then I have had horrible nightmares. Also people are always asking why did say? I wouldn’t let that happen to me. So I decided it was time for people to understand and see it from the survivors’ point of view. Also to allow me to tell my story and maybe people will understand me a little better.
2) How or why did you get started writing in the m/m world?
I used to write what people wanted me to write, and what they expected me to write. I wasn’t happy. I found some videos of John Barrowman talking about being who he is and not changing because he was happy being himself. That made me think and I decided that I wanted to write what was in heart and soul. M/M was wanted I wanted to write about. It makes me happy.
3) What was your first published m/m work? Tell us a little about it.
I published my first M/M last year called To Be Whole. It is a western based in 1860s.
4) Tell us one thing hardly anyone knows about you.
That I am totally addicted to John Barrowman’s singing and cannot sleep unless I have it playing at night.
5) Do you have any strange writing habits or superstitions?
When I am writing I have to have my favorite TV Shows playing in the background. Doctor Who, Torchwood, Arrow… I can’t write any other way.
6) Are you a plotter or a do you fly by the seat of your pants?
Well, I will make an outline but that don’t guarantee that I will go by it. I do start out with making an outline of characters, the storyline, ideas things like that.
7) What are you working on now, and when can we expect it?
I’m bouncing between A Chance At Love which is book two of Second Chance For Love Series and a Sci-Fi/superhero/alpha/omega *not shifters* story. One of those will be out in 2016.
BIO
Rachel Sparks grew up in South Carolina .With a degree in Early Childhood education and one in social work, she brings those skills to the table to write stories involving current social issues, a sprinkling of romance and powerful story lines.
Social Links
https://www.facebook.com/RachelSparksAuthor
https://twitter.com/sparkstheauthor
https://www.amazon.com/author/rachelsparks
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2283843.Rachel_Sparks
Book Blurb
The perfect life was just a lie…
John Burrows had a wonderful husband who loved him. The job of his dreams. He had a loving family, loyal friends and adoring fans. His life was everything a man could hope for until it fell apart. Society says it does not happen, that it is all a lie, so John hid the truth from everyone until it was almost too late.
The truth was revealed…
Ben Tensley thought that meeting your soulmate on the most traumatic night of his life was hard. He discovered that watching the man you love try and heal in the middle of chaos was even harder. Ben and John struggle to find solid ground…until John’s nightmare returns.
Will John be strong enough to give love a chance?
This book deals with domestic abuse. I, myself, am a survivor of domestic abuse.
Excerpt
John looked down at their hands and then laced his fingers with Ben’s.
Ben placed his hand lightly on John’s cheek. He stared deeply into John’s eyes. Ben could see the pain no matter how hard John tried to hide it. “Are you going to let me in John?”
John swallowed and licked his lips.
Ben leaned in closer and closer to John. He was so close that John could feel the hot breath against his lips. He closed his eyes as he felt Ben press his mouth firmly, offering no resistance. He let Ben explore the depths of his mouth with his tongue. Ben knew this was more than just a connection. This was what he had been yearning for all these years. John was exactly what he needed.
John put his hands on Ben’s chest and pushed him away. He could feel his heart pounding and hear it in his ears. “Wait… stop… please.”
Ben raised his hands and moved back. “I’m sorry, I thought you…”
John got up and walked over and placed his hands on a nearby table with his head down. He was trying to calm down. He felt fear gripping him.
Ben got up and walked over to the table. “Hey…”
John stood up. “Could you just back up please? I need some breathing room.”
Ben raised his hands and backed up. “I’m sorry.” Ben could have kicked himself. He had taken it too far and he knew it. At this rate he would never have a chance for a relationship with John.
John picked up a bottle of wine and poured himself a glass. He drained the entire glass in a matter of minutes.
“You want me to leave?”
John ignored Ben and filled his glass again, draining it quickly before slamming it on the table. “Hell no! I just need some space dammit!”
Ben walked around the table and took the wine bottle. “Look, I’m not going to stand here watch you drink an entire bottle of wine and cuss me out.”
John tried to reach for his wine bottle. “Then leave!”
Ben wouldn’t let him have the wine bottle. “I am not going to let you start drinking when you feel nervous around me. I’m not going to rape you. You wanted me to stop, and I did.”
John was curling his hands into fists.
Buy Link
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015HKCI6G
Rachel is graciously giving away a FREE copy of her ebook, Giving Love a Chance to one random commenter! PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN YOUR COMMENT! Winner will be chosen on Friday, October 2nd. Good luck!
Jamie Lynn Miller 