Interview with romance author Rowan Helaine

My special guest today is romance author Rowan Helaine and she’s chatting with me about her new dark comedy, Brass Tabby.

During her virtual book tour, Rowan will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card 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:
Born and raised in New England, Rowan is currently leading a semi-nomadic existence in the company of her aggressively affectionate hound dog Filburt and a hardy Finnish sourdough starter. She enjoys solo travel, rescue animals, men, and carbs.

Welcome, Rowan. Please tell us about your current release.
Brass Tabby is a romance novel that deals with some dark themes such as depression, domestic violence and substance abuse with compassion and a big helping of gallows humor. Ultimately, it’s a story of perseverance, about the work two people are willing to do to keep each other and have a healthy relationship in the face of overwhelming challenges.

What inspired you to write this book?
I read one too many romance novels where the Heros were flashing nonstop red flags and the heroines were acting like helpless doormats. I wrote the book I wanted to read, with a badass heroine who demanded respect was willing to walk away from a partner who played mind games, and a hero who demonstrated greater emotional range than broody mugging.

Excerpt from Brass Tabby:
The door swung open unexpectedly, and a body plummeted headlong into the back seat atop him. A winded feminine voice barked an order into the empty front seat. “Drive! Drive! Fucking drive!”

How surprising this world could be, Grant ruminated, a slow smile curving over his lips. He turned an ear to the parking lot outside, listening for footsteps. He’d sent his chauffeur into the store for a bottle of rye, but the man still hadn’t returned. He sat patiently for a moment, waiting for the girl in his lap to realize that there was no one to step on the gas. Tapping her shoulder, he smiled helpfully. “The driver’s inside. Also, this isn’t an UberPool.”

“Oh.” The girl behind the expressionless white Halloween mask sat up and groaned impatiently. “For fuck’s sake…”

He heard the hinges on the seat in front creak as she threw one leg over the barrier. He realized, with some amusement, that she intended to steal the car with him inside. As if on cue, the driver’s side door opened and Grant reached up, grabbing the waist of her pants and yanking her back as the chauffeur slid into his seat. A seasoned professional, the man seemed barely fazed by the addition of a strange masked character sprawled across his fare’s knees. He simply passed the bottle back to Grant and waited for direction.

What exciting story are you working on next?
I’m actually working on 3 books right now. When I get blocked on one, I pivot to one of the other two. It helps me keep up my momentum.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I don’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t want to be a writer, but I didn’t feel right officially calling myself a writer when talking to others until I published Brass Tabby. It was one of my best moments.

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I’m a professional technical writer, so I do most of my creative writing after midnight, when my creative neurons are firing on all cylinders.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I cannot stick to an outline to save my LIFE. A story is a living thing in my head, and it continues to evolve as I go along.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A writer.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I hope you enjoy reading the book as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Links:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon

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