No, not that.
No, not that, either. Though you do have lovely taste.
Today your treat is.....
Bonnie Paulson, author of the contemporary romance I finished last week, entitled Breathe Again.
Guys, I loved this book. Love, love, loved it...and not just because she is a great friend, but because I am a sucker for a rom com with strong emotional pulls. (Um, duh....read my book.) This book had it all, PLUS a hottie ranch owner who made me get all wiggly in my seat. Yah. It was good. In fact, here is my review I posted on Goodreads:
"This is one of those books that proves the fact that you can't judge a book by its cover. At first glance, this book is a stereotypical romance novel, but it is much, much more. Ms. Paulson's knowledge of the medical field and her skill at crafting an emotionally grabbing storyline made for a book not to be lumped in with all of the others. This is a stand out novel with more depth than advertised. My only complaint is that there was no epilogue, so now I am left to wonder what will become of Maggie and Brodan."
So yeah...it was a great book, one that should not be overlooked if you like realism mixed in with some great romance. I love a good book about a battered heart finding love. *Sigh*
So let's get to the fun stuff, shall we??? Here's my interview with Carina Press author, Bonnie Paulson!
Interview with Bonnie Paulson
Author of Breathe Again, available now from Carina Press
Me: Welcome, Bonnie! It’s really cool to have you here today. First off, tell my tongue-in-cheek fans about your contemporary romance, Breathe Again, and what inspired you to write it…
BP: Thank you so much for having me, Brooke! I just love it here on your site!
Breathe Again: Maggie Lachlan is struggling to get over the death of her husband. After being overcome by emotion during a shift in the E.R., she’s suspended indefinitely. Making things worse, she needs a place to stay after the quick sale of the house she shared with her late husband.
Fortunately, her friend, Ryan Stewart, offers her a room while she gets her life in order, much to the chagrin of his brother and housemate, Brodan Steele. Brodan doesn’t want to like Maggie, not when he questions Ryan’s feelings for her.. But it’s hard to deny the attraction he feels for her when she’s sleeping under the same roof.
Being so close to Brodan awakens something in Maggie, something she never felt during her marriage. But as long as she’s haunted by the past, she can’t open herself up to the future…
(Me: GAH! Such a good synopsis.....seriously. Brodan....*sigh* Oh, Brodan. *giggle*)
BP: I came up with Breathe Again when I was rushing to the emergency room with my mentor for a trauma. Halfway down the stairs she got a call on the radio that she needed to turn around. The trauma was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. She had discovered her son with the same injuries not long before. I wrote the first few pages while she recovered in the break room.
Me: Breathe Again was published by Carina Press. Why don’t you tell all of the aspiring writers out there about the day you got “the call”.
BP: Angela James, Executive Editor of Carina Press, called me and first I thought she was a telemarketer. Then she explained the call and when she asked if I had any questions, I told her I was going to throw up. She laughed and tweeted it a bit later that day.
Me: Bonnie, what prompts you to write contemporary romance, and what are some of your favorite rom-con’s out there?
BP: Ohhh, I have to say it’s really hard for me to write Paranormal and Historical Romance because quite frankly I don’t have the Kahonas for it. There’s not a lot that hasn’t been in the former and too much research in the former. I love reading them, but I enjoy writing Rom Con more. And to be honest, a favorite rom con of mine is The “What If” Guy, LOVE IT!
Me: What do you think the key is to a successful rom-con? Lots of sexiness? A studly hero? Plenty of angst? Shed some light on this for us!
BP: I think the most important key to hold a spot in this genre is the emotional connection. The world is already built (essentially), you need to build your setting, sure, but for the most part, the reader knows the ins and outs of the world because it’s the same one they live in.
Real connection for the reader is going to be in the emotional gravitational pull of the characters. What holds them? And I don’t think a hero needs to be studly – sure it helps, but as a reader, I think it’s more important the hero have heroic intentions. Looks will fade with age, but heroism will sustain a romance through a lifetime.
Me: Where do you see your career in another five years?
BP: Hopefully, writing more books! I have a lot of book ideas and am working on some great ideas right now. If people continue to read, I’ll continue to write.
Me: Okay, first off…I really enjoyed reading Breathe Again. It’s not every day that I come across a book with enough sexual tension AND emotional content. Well done, my friend. Can you tell us what the most difficult scene to write in Breathe Again was, and how you got through it?
(***P.S. This question may contain SPOILERS, so if you haven’t read Breathe Again yet, and I strongly recommend that you do, close your eyes!***)
BP: Oh, thank you Brooke. That means a lot to me, coming from you, Queen of Writing Emotion! The hardest part for me was when Ryan died and Brodan had to face the house without him. I have a brother (who I loosely based Ryan off) and I cried while I wrote it. *sigh*
Me: Tell us about your current WIP. What can we expect next from you, and what tid bits can you share?
BP: I’m working on a Contemporary Western Romance – that’s a lot to say! Lol. It’s a trilogy and I’m loving every minute of it!
(Me: Sounds fun, and trilogies are so hot right now. Rock it, my friend.)
Me: Okay, enough of the serious stuff…my tongue-in-cheek-fans like to have a good laugh now and then…so here goes nothing: Who is your favorite hero from a romance novel (any romance novel) and why he floats your boat?
BP: Ohhhh! I’m a sucker for Edward. Yeah, that Edward! He’s awesome! I LOVE HIM. More in the books than on screen. Totally corny, but another is Rhett Butler for all the obvious reasons and then of COURSE is Mr. Darcy. *SIGH*.
Me: If you could live anywhere in the world, besides where you’re currently living, where would it be, and why?
BP: In the Rockies. I love the mountains and it’d be more dirt biking time.
Me: Are you a cat or dog person?
BP: Neither. I have 4 kids and have no time for animals. But if I had to choose, I’d say cat ‘cause they’re more independent.
Me: Favorite snack to munch while writing your amazing-to-the-tenth-degree books?
BP: Food! I love food! Ummmm. I would say pizza? Cookies? Donuts? Ice cream (pistachio!), roasted marshmallows… pretty much anything I can get my hands on. Hence the weight issue hahahaa
(Me: Don't let her fool you, folks. She's thinner than I am.) :)
(Me: Don't let her fool you, folks. She's thinner than I am.) :)
Me: Favorite holiday, and why?
BP: Thanksgiving – food. Hello! No just kidding. Actually my favorite is Veteran’s Day. It’s the only holiday I send out cards and they only go to vets. I adore military and have nothing but pride for them! Thank you, Service Men and Women!
(Me: I second that! Well said!)
Me: If they made a movie of Breathe Again, who would play the main characters?
BP: Hmmmm. Maggie would have to be a curly red-head. I don’t know all the up-and-at-‘em stars today, but 15 years ago it would’ve been Julia Roberts! And Brodan would be Gabriel Macht. Yum.
(Me: Let's give everyone a visual....
....Um, yah. Tasty. Big time tasty.)
Me: And last, but never least, what is your favorite kind of cheese? (And if you say you’re lactose intolerant, beware of a major backlash from my peeps…we be cheese folks around here.) J
BP: I love CHEESE! Ah the power. I love medium cheddar. But I’m also a sucker for mozzarella. I like mine simple and abundant.
Me: This is for you, Bonnie....
Me: This is for you, Bonnie....
Me: Thank you so much, Bonnie! It was a pleasure to have you here on my blog today. Why don’t you take a second to tell all of my tongue-in-cheek-fans all about Breathe Again, and where they can grab a copy today!
BP: Oh I had so much fun. Thank you thank you thank you!
Oh where can’t they? J
Don’t forget to tell us where we can find you elsewhere on the web…
BP: Thank you so much, Brooke. I am so blessed to have you in my life! Good luck!
Me: Okay, so now comes the FUN PART! Answer Bonnie's question in the comments section, and don't forget to leave your email address. I will pick a winner in 24 hours, and your prize will be....
....An eCopy of Breathe Again! Woot woot!! Awesome prize!
Me: Okay, so now comes the FUN PART! Answer Bonnie's question in the comments section, and don't forget to leave your email address. I will pick a winner in 24 hours, and your prize will be....
....An eCopy of Breathe Again! Woot woot!! Awesome prize!
BP: I’d like to ask the readers what their favorite type of hero is – strong and silent or brave and talkative?
Thanks, Bonnie! Hearts, hearts, hugs, hugs..... :)
Brooke Moss.
