Friday, April 11, 2014

Author, author... Falling for Owen by Jennifer Ryan

...read all about it !!

 
 Today, please welcome Jennifer Ryan !!!
 

Thank you so much for inviting me over today.
 

Please tell us a little about yourself...


 I married my high school sweetheart over twenty-two years ago. Yes, I still like him as well as love him. We have three kids, two boys and a girl. She rules the roost, of course. I'm a complete chocolate addict. Seriously, I eat it with every meal. Cookies are a breakfast food. I love to garden. I find spending quiet time in the garden, digging in the dirt, clipping flowers, and planting allows my mind to create. I find myself plotting stories and thinking about my characters and who they are. By the time I come in, I can't wait to get to the keyboard again.

 

What or who initially inspired you to become a writer?


 It wasn't just one who, but many. I love to read. I used to devour books - eight to ten a week. I loved romance and falling into the stories, hoping for the hero and heroine to get together, despite the odds against them. Of course, they always did, but the journey is what I loved most.  Soon, I realized that all those times I went to bed without finishing a book and spent the whole night thinking about how I'd end it had only been practice for me to write my own, unique story. The first book I wrote - Saved by the Rancher - finally got published after many years of trying to get an agent and sell the book. It became a NY Times bestseller last November. Such a wonderful achievement. More than I could have ever hoped for, but it's thanks to those inspirational writers, Nora Roberts, Sandra Brown, Judith McNaught, and Julie Garwood, to name a few, who made me think if they could do it, so could I.

 

What kind of research do you do for a novel and how extensive do you get?


Depends on the book and plot. I watch a lot of crime TV shows. Hannibal, CSI, Criminal Minds, the Blacklist. I love those intricate plots with a psychological twist. I'm writing a book right now about a woman who has a meth addicted father who goes on a binge and has a psychotic break. Since I've never used meth, or know anyone who has, I had to rely on several drug prevention websites for information. My next series is set in Montana (The Montana Men). The first book begins in January, so I did a lot of research into the weather. How much snow do they get in that month. What is the average temperature. Even the time of sunset. The days are very short that time of year. In Falling for Owen, I wanted to set up a scene where they record a phone call to set someone up. Turns out Colorado has some very strict laws against that, so I had to change the scene. After all, Owen is a lawyer and has to play by the book even if the villain doesn't.

 

Do you have a special place you like to do your writing?


 Such as an office, a spare room, the dining room table, your couch? I have a very large open kitchen with a breakfast nook and a small living room. I sometimes sit at the kitchen table, but most of the time you'll find me in the living room in my favorite chair, my laptop on a TV table, and a movie I've seen a million times on the TV. I have a hard time working in complete quiet. I don't really watch the movie, it's more like white noise. I think I've seen Sherlock Holmes about a thousand times.

 

As a reader, what types of works do you like to read and do you think they influence the genre/genres you write in?


 I write romantic suspense and am drawn to that genre, but sometimes I need a break. I love to read historical romances. It's a complete escape. I fall into the story and another time. Some of my favorite historical authors: Sabrina Jefferies, Hannah Howell, Monica McCarty, and Stephanie Laurens.

 

What is your favorite method of writing...as in laptop, desktop, Ipad or the old fashioned pencil and paper??  And do you plot out your story or go with the flow of your muse?


 I've got a laptop with a wireless keyboard and mouse, so I sit in my chair with the keyboard in my lap and type away. I do not plot. In most cases, before I start a new book I've got the opening scene and that is it. Half the time, I don't even have the characters names. Naming them sometimes takes longer than the opening chapter. I also consider myself a binge writer. I can work for hours over the weekend and write anywhere from 10k to 20k words in two days.

 

When you need a break or some time off from the trials of being a writer, what can you be found doing?


 Like I said, you'll probably find me in the garden, though it's looking a little bear, since I've been on one deadline after another for the past year. I love TV. I'm not afraid to admit that. Sometimes I'll binge watch all the episodes of the TV shows I DVR because I'm too busy writing.

 

For fun, I have a few personal questions,   

Your Favorite 5

 
1) Favorite color - Blue

2) Favorite dessert - anything chocolate, but I love chocolate satin pie

3) Favorite Season - spring and autumn. I'm a not too hot, not too cold kind of girl.

4) Favorite song- Stay by Katie Armiger

5) Favorite Romantic movie - Sweet Home Alabama (I have a thing for first loves.)

 

And a bonus, what is your ideal romantic vacation??

Ocean beach or lakefront. No plans, just time to sit and relax. Good food I don't have to cook. My husband and I relaxing, having fun, and sharing some laughs.

 
 

Where can our readers find you?? 

Email: jen@jennifer-ryan.com

Twitter: jenryan_author

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-Ryan/520021168037391?ref=hl

Website/blog: www.jennifer-ryan.com

 

 

Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?
 
Falling for Owen
The McBrides Book Two
 
The McBrides of Fallbrook return with reformed bad boy Owen. He'll do whatever he must to protect the woman who's captured his heart. Attorney by day, rancher by night Owen McBride conquered his dark past and made it his mission to help the innocent—even at the expense of a personal life. But when a client's abusive ex-husband targets Owen and his gorgeous neighbor Claire gets caught in the crossfire, his feelings turn anything but professional. The mysterious beauty awakens something in him, and he'll move heaven and earth to keep her safe.
Coffee shop owner Claire Walsh learned the hard way that handsome men aren't to be trusted. Owen may be sexy as hell and determined to take care of her, but she's reluctant to put her heart on the line. His presence in her life puts a target on her back, yet the more time she spends with him, the more she finds she can't help falling for Owen.
Buy Links:     Amazon      B&N       iTunes   
 
 
 
One last thing before we let you leave us today :)  Do you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share?  I like to cook and am always looking for new recipes to try and share.
 

Lime Jell-O Pineapple Orange Salad

1 lg. box Lime Jell-O

1 packet Knox gelatin

2-3 tblsp. mayonnaise

1 8 oz. block cream cheese

1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple (drained)

1 15 oz. cans mandarin oranges (drained)

 

Boil 2 cups of water. Add lime Jell-O and Knox gelatin packet. Stir in boiling water until completely dissolved. Pour into 8x8 Pyrex glass dish. Add 1 and 1/2 cups cold water. Stir. Put dish in refrigerator checking frequently until Jell-O is soft set (do not let fully set, should be thick liquid, but not solid). Remove Jell-O from refrigerator when ready.

In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese and mayonnaise. Mix in drained crushed pineapple. Add Mandarin oranges and the soft set Jell-O to bowl. Gently fold Mandarin oranges and soft set Jell-O into the cream cheese mixture. There should be lumps of green Jell-O mixed with cream cheese and fruit mixture. Pour mixture back into 8x8 Pyrex dish and refrigerate until fully set.

Great as a side dish for BBQs and family get-togethers. My kids love it.



Jennifer, thanks so much for visiting us today.  Your book sounds great and I love the cover and this recipe sounds great too, I can't wait to try it !!!

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