Welcome back to contemporary romance author Meg Benjamin! We’re chatting about the 11th book in her Konigsburg series, Take that Ride today.
During her virtual book tour, Meg will be giving away a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift care to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!
Bio:
Meg Benjamin is an award-winning author of romance. Meg’s Konigsburg series is set in the Texas Hill Country and her Salt Box and Brewing Love trilogies are set in the Colorado Rockies (all are available from Entangled Publishing and from Meg’s indie line). Her new cozy mystery series, Luscious Delights from Wild Rose Press, concerns a jam-making sleuth based in the mythical small town of Shavano, Colorado. Along with contemporary romance, Meg is also the author of the paranormal Ramos Family trilogy from Berkley InterMix and the Folk trilogy from Soul Mate. Meg’s books have won numerous awards, including an EPIC Award, a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, the Holt Medallion from Virginia Romance Writers, the Beanpot Award from the New England Romance Writers, and the Award of Excellence from Colorado Romance Writers.
Welcome back to Reviews and Interviews, Meg. Please tell us about your newest release.
Take That Ride is book 11 in my Konigsburg, TX series. My hero, Coy Blackburn, is a country rock musician on tour, but he’s running out of steam after too much time on the road. He’s got a week-long gig at the Faro tavern in Konigsburg with his band, but he’s not sure he’s got the energy to do a good job. His driver, Lexi Markham, is a hometown girl coming back from a broken engagement. She’s not all that excited about driving a band around town, and she and Coy don’t exactly hit it off. Not a promising beginning, but music and Konigsburg are a great combination, both for listening and for falling in love. Can these two make it last when they’ve only got a week together? It’s Konigsburg. Chances are good.
What inspired you to write this book?
I love Americana music and when I lived in San Antonio, we’d travel around the region to hear people like Joe Ely and James McMurtry at various taverns and honky tonks. Writing a story that made references to some of my favorite songs and musicians, as well as my favorite Texas Hill Country locations, was just a joy.
Here’s a taste of my hero and heroine sharing a little music and romance. (excerpt)
Lexi propped herself against the doorway watching the band slide into the complete number. After a moment, Deirdre stepped up behind her. Lexi didn’t recognize the music the band was playing, but it must be one of their regulars, given the easy way they seemed to be moving through the verse. As if they felt comfortable with what they were doing. After they’d played a few minutes that were strictly instrumental, Coy stepped to the microphone and began to sing.
The words weren’t familiar, but she found herself listening closely. Something about a couple that had broken up but still had feelings for each other. The man in the song missed the way they’d been together, even though he didn’t exactly miss the woman herself. It was a complicated kind of lyric, a lot more complex than she might have expected.
Lexi wasn’t sure if she’d heard Coy sing before or not. The last time she’d heard them rehearse, she hadn’t paid much attention. She was fairly certain now she’d never really heard him sing. His voice was deep and resonant, but not exactly a bass. More like baritone. Something about the way Coy sang those complicated lyrics began to reach deep into her senses. He wasn’t really living the song, but he made her feel as if the feelings he described weren’t totally unfamiliar. As if he knew how to make her feel them, too.
A shiver traveled up her backbone, and her arms seemed to tingle. She checked to see if she had gooseflesh.
What’s the next writing project?
I have another book in my Luscious Delights cozy mystery series coming out from Wild Rose Press in October. It’s called The Pumpkin Butter Murder, and it’s got a real Halloween vibe.
What is your biggest challenge when writing a new book? (or the biggest challenge with this book)
I’m a plotter, which means I always try to rough out the story in advance. But I almost never stick with what I’ve roughed out. Something will happen along the way and I’ll think, “That actually works better.” The challenge comes from trying to get the old plot and the new plot to mesh.
If your novels require research – please talk about the process. Do you do the research first and then write, while you’re writing, after the novel is complete and you need to fill in the gaps?
I research as I go, thanks to Google. I look up everything from spelling to whether you can poison someone with lilies of the valley (yep), For this book, I watched a lot of YouTube videos about driving in tough conditions and a lot of music videos from musicians I name checked. Lots of fun, y’all!
What’s your writing space like? Do you have a particular spot to write where the muse is more active? Please tell us about it.
My study is on the second floor of the house, looking out at our tiny backyard and large maple tree. Since it’s higher up, I get a lot of sunlight, particularly in the morning. I try to keep my desk clear, but it’s a losing battle. I live by sticky notes that I attach to everything. Then, of course, I have to remember just what the words and numbers on the note refer to.
What authors do you enjoy reading within or outside of your genre?
I’m a big Nora Roberts fan. Also Mary Balogh and Grace Burrowes in regencies. I read a lot of mysteries: Jane Haddam is one of my all-time favorites. And lately I’ve enjoyed the Jennifer Crusie/ Bob Mayer collaborations.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers today?
Since there’s so much music in Take That Ride, I actually made a playlist with some of the more important songs. You can find it here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0hpb9gSwdfwucF3seVN1qL
Links:
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Thank you for coming back to Reviews and Interviews!
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Thanks for hosting today!
Thanks for hosting and interviewing. I enjoyed it!!
Looks like a good read.
I enjoyed the post. This sounds like a book that I would enjoy.
The book sounds wonderful. Love the cover.