As I told you earlier, this week is a bit different. Today, I'm featuring Texas romance author June Faver.
BIO:
June/J.D. Faver loves Texas, from the Gulf coast to the
panhandle. Her novels embrace the heart and soul of the state and the
larger-than-life Texans who romp across her pages. A former teacher and
healthcare professional, she lives and writes in the Texas Hill Country.
Thank you for joining me today in The Writers’ Studio. Let’s get started!
I asked June five questions, then asked her to pick three from a list.
Here are my FAST FIVE:
I’ve
always asked ‘where do you get your ideas’. So, where do you get yours?
I have no
idea where the seed of a story idea comes from, but once I become obsessed with
it, I sometimes even dream the story. I’ve had to jump out of bed to make notes
before. Generally, the current book is always working in my brain. As I get to
know the characters better, they reveal their personalities, strengths and
weaknesses and idiosyncrasies.
Which
comes first, the story, the characters, or the setting?
I wish I
could tell you that I have some kind of formula for writing, but that’s not the
case. I’m never at a loss for story
ideas. I do have a bulging file of WIPs (Works in Progress). Some will never be
finished, while burst forth into fruition. Once I got a story idea from a news
story about border immigration and another time someone said the phrase,
“throw-away babies” and I totally freaked out, but it sparked a story.
Which of
your heroines most represent you, or the ‘you’ you’d like to be? Why?
I think I’m
most like Chloe Solis in my South Padre Island series> Bad Medicine is the
first. She always leads with her heart. She is fiercely loyal and shares many
of my human frailties.
What is
the single most important part of writing for you?
I love to
write and would be writing even if my words never got published, but the most
thrilling part of writing is when someone reads and ‘gets it’. It’s the
ultimate validation.
Self-care
seems to be a trend these days. What do you do to pamper yourself?
My days
start with a simple ritual of greeting the new day. I have Minx, a precious
small rescue dog (Rat Terrier/Chihuahua) and we go out early to perform our
ritual. Hers involves patrolling her domain to make sure there are no squirrels
or deer around. Yes, she will fiercely chase deer from our part of the woods.
After she ensures that we are safe, she comes to lie beside me on the porch,
her ears perked up and alert for danger. My part of the ritual involves sitting
in my big wicker chair, breathing, admiring the colors of the sky and listening
to the incredible bird songs, and most of all...finding my center. Just being
thankful. I water the growing things and make sure both bird baths are filled.
Yes, it’s a year round thing. Love to sit out in the rain. Minx, not so much...
Here were June's THREE:
How long have you been writing - have you
always wanted to be a writer?
My second grade teacher, Sister Anastasia, let me write, cast, direct,
and act in the 3-Act Plays I wrote. She gave me a box of colored chalk so I
could draw the sets on the 3 blackboards. She was my patron saint and gave a
portal for those stories to come tumbling out. Yes, I was 7 years old.
How much of your personality and life experiences are in your
writing?
LOTS!!! It just creeps in. I find myself writing in things that have
happened to me or someone I know...and I sometimes write a character with
mannerisms I’ve observed in others. No one is exempt.
If money were not an object, where would you most like to travel?
Anywhere with a white sand beach, gentle offshore breezes and lots of
seafood and fresh produce. Oh, and a sail boat. Heavenly.
Great answers! Now, let's talk about DO OR DIE COWBOY. I've read the book and am in love with Tyler Garrett. I think most women would be.
This is BOOK 1 in the Dark Horse Series.
BLURB:
Putting it all on the line for love...
Cowboy musician Tyler Garrett has a once-in-a-lifetime chance to put aside his
rough-and-tumble rancher's lifestyle and realize his dream. He's on the road to
Dallas to record a demo when that dream gets kicked sideways by a beautiful
woman on the run.
Leah Benson will do whatever it takes to keep her daughter
safe. But when her dangerous past catches up with her, she needs a hero—and
luckily for her, Tyler Garrett was born and bred for the role.
EXCERPT:
The dog began to lap noisily. Leah knelt down beside him to
run her hand over the silky fur. “Good boy” she whispered and rose from her
crouch. When she turned, she ran smack into a brick wall. A warm muscled brick
wall with arms. She stifled a scream as she pushed off the wall and was
gathered into a rough embrace.
“Easy, Leah.”
“Oh, Ty! You scared me.” Swallowing hard, she braced her
hands against his powerful bare chest. The sensation sent her heart into a
flutter. Longing surged through her. Longing for what, she wasn’t quite
certain, but longing nonetheless.
“Sorry,” he murmured, his voice
deep and raspy. “I thought Lucky was getting into something.” He held her
firmly against his warm torso.
She swallowed again. “N—No, I’m sorry I woke you.” Gazing
up, she couldn’t read his expression in the darkness.
He expelled a breath, staring down at her moon-washed face.
“You are just too pretty for my own good.”
June is
offering a copy of the book to a lucky person leaving a comment below.
Remember, if you don't comment you can't hold this Great Read for FREE If you are in the US, you may choose
preference of PRINT or eBOOK. Outside of
the US will receive the eBook.
You will find June Faver on the following social media channels.
