Welcome back, friends! Today, my dear friend, Rhonda Starnes is joining us to talk about her July debut, Rocky Mountain Revenge. AND Rhonda is offering one lucky commenter the opportunity to win a copy! Details below.
Please welcome Rhonda Starnes.
Rhonda Starnes is a middle school language arts teacher who has dreamed of being a published author since she was in seventh grade. She lives in North Alabama with her husband, who she lovingly refers to as Mountain Man. They enjoy traveling and spending time with their children and grandchildren. Rhonda writes romantic suspense with rugged heroes and feisty heroines.
SHAREE: Rhonda, I’m so excited to share your debut, Rocky Mountain Revenge, with our readers! Let’s jump in! Is there a character in Rocky Mountain Revenge who stole your heart? Or one you love to hate?
RHONDA: Of course, I love my hero and heroine, but the characters who really stole my heart were the hero’s six-year-old son, Camden, and the heroine’s sister’s Great Dane, Barkley. They were so much fun to write!
SHAREE: You had me at Barkley the Great Dane. 😊 What’s the one message you’d love readers to gain from your book?
RHONDA: Forgiveness. Past hurts or injustices are often viewed through a narrow lens. If we can learn to look at things with an open-heart, not seeking to find negatives or faults, we can often see things more clearly which results in forgiving and healing.
SHAREE: Absolutely!! I love those words of wisdom. Would you share a little about your writing journey?
RHONDA: I’ve known that I wanted to be an author since I was in seventh grade. (We won’t discuss how many years that has been. J ) Anyway, I’d always talk about “One day…” Until finally, seven years ago my husband encouraged me to stop talking about writing and write. I entered my first pitch contest and received a request, which was so exciting. That story was rejected, and rightfully so as it was a total mess. I needed to learn the mechanics of writing. Over the course of the next four years, I entered writing contests and pitch opportunities. I had two different manuscripts that went through multiple rounds of revisions before both were rejected. At this point I was feeling dejected and struggled to write. Then, last year, my dream publisher hosted another pitch opportunity, and I just knew I had to try again. And, I’m so glad I did, because now Rocky Mountain Revenge is on bookstore shelves and my dream of being published has become a reality.
SHAREE: I’m so glad your husband encouraged you to aim for your dream. What advice would you give to fellow writers?
RHONDA: Never give up on your dream! When you’ve received rejection after rejection and you don’t think you can go any further…keep writing. The climb to the top of the mountain is hard, but most likely when you feel the strongest urge to give you, you’re almost to the peak. Don’t stop…keep writing!
SHAREE: A hearty amen there. Writing is tough work, but so incredibly rewarding. When you’re struggling for inspiration/motivation, what’s your go to?
RHONDA: I give myself permission to step away and take a time out. I never try to force creativity. If I do, my brain just shuts down, making the writer’s block even worse. So, I’ll take time to crochet a hat or scarf, watch a movie, or grab a book off my to-be-read pile and curl up on the couch for a day of reading. Usually after a day of doing something just for me, I can think more clearly and find the inspiration/motivation I was missing.
SHAREE: That’s great advice. Forcing creativity never seems to work for me either. Will we see any characters return in your next book?
RHONDA: I’m not sure, yet. I’m currently working on a story that would have both Bridget and Ryan Vincent show up as secondary characters again. Only time will tell if I’m able to sell the book to my publisher.
SHAREE: Fingers crossed! What’s the biggest challenge of being an author?
RHONDA: My biggest challenge is finding time to write. I’m amazed by all the authors I see who have young children at home who knock out three or four novels a year. My husband and I are empty nesters, but even so, between my full-time job teaching and family obligations, I still have days where I stuggle to find the energy or time to write.
SHAREE: Writing truly is a personal journey. We’re excited for Rocky Mountain Revenge and already anticipating your next book! Thank you so much for being with us today! Friends, join us in the comments below for your chance to win a copy of Rocky Mountain Revenge by answering this question: In Rocky Mountain Revenge, the hero is a law enforcement officer, but the heroine is a veterinarian. What non-law enforcement careers would you like to see in a romantic suspense novel? PLEASE include your email address so we can contact you if you’re the winner!
The fine print: One winner will be chosen at random on Friday, June 26, 2020 at midnight CST and announced here on Monday, June 29, 2020 at 06:00 a.m. US ONLY.
I’ve had the opportunity to read Rocky Mountain Revenge and just loved it. All the characters are wonderfully portrayed and Barkley is a favorite. Getting to read here of Rhondas journey was very interesting.
Thank you, Leesa. I’m so glad you enjoyed Rocky Mountain Revenge!
Hi Sharee and Rhonda, great interview! Congratulations Rhonda on your first LIS!
Thank you, Jackie!
Did not know this. So glad for you and proud to know you have done well. God bless!
Thank you, Carol!
Hi Rhonda, I can’t wait to read Rocky Mountain Revenge. And I’ve got to tell you, books with dogs in them always grab my heart.
Sounds like your husband is very supportive! That’s wonderful. And I’m with you, writing is tough work. Not sure how moms with young children manage.
Looking forward to reading MANY more books by you.
Thanks for stopping by Terri! My husband is very supportive, and he’s had to put up with a lot as I’ve worked to achieve the goal of being published. Mostly, he’s had to learn to wear headphones when he watches movies since I need total silence when I write. 🙂
Great interview, Sharee and Rhonda! 🙂
SO proud of Rhonda and thrilled for her debut release – – Congratulations!!
Thank you, Patti Jo!
What a great interview!!! Congrats on your debut! I am not sure what types of jobs I’d like to see other than law enforcement. It seems like I read all different kinds. Maybe librarian or banker. Bio researcher. Dry cleaners owner. Just thinking of something different. 😊
Sherrinda, those are great jobs. I like the idea of Librarian or bio researcher. Dry cleaner might be interesting…they might uncover evidence of a crime on the clothes that were dropped off to be cleaned. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Sharee and Rhonda, awesome interview! Love the questions. Congratulations, Rhonda, on your new release! I’m so excited for you! I’d love to see a forensic accountant in a romantic suspense. Those crimes are so interesting!
Thank you, Sally. A forensic accountant would be a great career for a suspense hero or heroine.
Hi Rhonda and Sharee! Fun interview! I agree…finding time to write is a challenge…and I’m retired. I admire authors who have additional jobs or children at home and still get stories written. Please don’t enter my name as I preordered Rocky Mountain Revenge…..and I’m so excited about your dream come true. Congratulations!
Thank you, Sherida! I hope you like Grace and Evan’s story!
Great interview, Rhonda! I love your advice about giving yourself permission to “step away and take a time out.” So important. In regards to your question, I can’t think of a non-law enforcement career to suggest. Law enforcement is still my favorite. Looking forward to reading Rocky Mountain Revenge! Congratulations!
Thank you, Laura! Law enforcement is still my favorite too for suspense, but it is fun to think of other careers that could land you in a suspense novel. 😀
I look forward to reading this novel! It will be a wonderful to read a novel from my former teacher and now friend!
Rhonda,
Was it difficult to name the characters in the book?!
Thanks for stopping by, Jessica! Grace was named after one of my nieces. As for Evan, I honestly have no clue where that name came from. I was just trying to find names that weren’t too common. 🙂
Congratulations Ronda! I can’t wait to read Rocky Mountain Revenge. So excited for your debut and wishing you much success
Thank you, Cindy!
Great interview, Rhonda! I can’t wait to read your book. We have so much in common. As a teacher, I totally relate to the brain burnout. It’s the worst. Taking time for yourself is crucial for your writing and your sanity. Congratulations on your debut! Praying we all have many more to come. 🙂
Ditto!
Thank you for stopping by, Theresa!
Congratulations Rhonda! I’m so excited for you!!! Can’t wait to read it.
Thank you, Melissa!
Love to hear about your writing journey, Rhonda.
Congrats on your debut! So happy for you!
Thanks, Connie!
So excited to read your interview and I can’t wait to read your book! ♡ For a non-law enforcement career: military, rancher or construction are always good!
Thanks for stopping by, Amanda. I actually wrote a story with a heroine who owns a construction company. I hope to be able to “polish it up” and sell it one day. 🙂