Author Interview
Hi Savannah! Welcome back to Jersey Girl Sizzling Book Reviews!
How long have you been a writer?
I learned to read when I was about four years old and started writing soon after that!
Do you have a day job, or is being an author your career?
I work as a university professor in addition to being a writer.
What inspired you to become a writer? Describe your journey as a writer.
I've always known I wanted to be a writer and I've been writing my entire life. In addition to being a novelist, I'm also a biographer, non-fiction writer, produced playwright and award-winning/optioned screenwriter.
Please give a brief description/storyline about The Wilde One.
The Wilde One is the second novel in the spicy contemporary romance series about four sexy brothers, their small-town bar and their local country band. Each novel in the Old Town Country Romance series can be read as a stand alone novel or as part of the series.
Tucker Wilde joined the United States Army right out of high school and was injured in Iraq. But more than just his leg was shattered in the Middle East. The war also crushed his spirit and damaged his soul. When a strange couple arrives at his family’s bar, Haymakers, Tucker can see signs of mental and emotional abuse and is immediately drawn to the lovely but fragile girl seated at his bar.
Gracie Parker has been a victim of abuse her entire life. When her boyfriend, Dex, beats her in the parking lot of Haymakers and abandons her, it’s almost too much for the nineteen-year-old to bear. That is until Tucker appears like a warrior knight from the darkness to save her.
Tucker and Gracie are two broken people who are immediately drawn together. But their relationship and even their very lives are threatened by Dex who will stop at nothing to get Gracie back.
What was the inspiration for this story and the series?
I grew up in northwest New Jersey in a place very similar to the fictional Old Town that's featured in the Old Town Country Romance series. When I started thinking about writing the series, I knew I wanted it to take place in rural New Jersey. I didn't want to write about sexy billionaires or bad-boy rock stars. I wanted to write realistic stories about four sexy brothers from a small town who hang out at the local bar on Friday nights and play country music. They are regular guys who drive Pickups and work hard for a living. Book Two features Tucker who was injured by physically and emotionally when he served in Iraq. I thought it was important to show the life of a young man who served his country and the aftermath of his service.
How did it feel to have your first book published?
Now that I've got 25 books out it's hard to even remember what it was like when I published the first one!
Do you write books for a specific genre?
I've written in a lot of different genres but for the past year and a half I've focused only on romance novels.
What genres are your favorite(s)? What are some of your favorite books that you have read and why?
I enjoy reading romance as well as mystery/suspense. Three of my favorite books are the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series. I just love the main character, Lizbeth Salander. She's a kick-butt heroine!
Do you have a special spot/area where you like to do your writing?
In bed.
How do you come up with the ideas that become the storyline for your books?
They usually come to me in dreams.
When you write, do you adhere to a strict work schedule, or do you work whenever the inspiration strikes?
I write every morning without fail. I even write on Christmas morning! I try to get out at least 1500 words every day before I go to work. Most days I write a lot more.
What aspects of storytelling do you like the best, and what aspects do you struggle with the most?
The only aspect I struggle with is not having enough time to write everything I want to write! It's difficult because I have a demanding full-time job.
I like coming up with the main character and their names. Once I've got that the stories seem to come together quickly for me.
What are your favorite things to do when you are not writing?
Read or watch movies. When I'm not creating stories I am consumer of other people's stories.
What is/was the best piece of writing advice that you have received?
Don't be afraid to write crap. You can always fix it later. It's very freeing not worrying whether your writing will be perfect when you first put words to the paper.
What is the most gratifying thing you feel or get as a writer?
I like when readers know the characters and stories as well (and sometimes even better) than I do.
How do you usually communicate with your readers/fans?
A lot of readers like to communicate via Facebook.
Is there anything in your book based on real life experiences or are they purely all from your imagination?
As I mentioned, Old Town is based on the place where I grew up in New Jersey. I also did research on PTSD, particularly with men returning from Iraq. The way in which Tucker was injured is based on an actual bombing that took place.
What authors have been your inspiration or influenced you to become a writer?
I've always know I wanted to write but I didn't consider writing romance until I read Slammed by Colleen Hoover and Easy by Tammara Webber.
What is your definition of success as a writer?
I think if a writer completes the book (or play or screenplay) he or she is working on, it's a success. Many people write and never even complete one project. Of course, there's also the business of publishing and that's a completely different matter entirely.
Are you currently writing a new book? If yes, would you care to share a bit of it with us?
The Wilde One is the second book in the Old Town Country Romance series. There are still two more brothers who need books! A Wilde Night, Hunter’s Story, and Wilde Times, Jake’s Story, will be out this summer.
About The Author
AUTHOR WEBSITE / BLOG
TWITTER - SHORT ON TIME BOOKS
GOODREADS
Book Review
The Wilde One by Savannah Young
Book 2: Old Town Country Romance Series
Publisher: Short on Time Books
Publication Date: April 8, 2014
Format: Paperback - 194 pages
Kindle - 956 KB
ISBN: 1499101155
ASIN: B00JKTX9ZA
Genre: Contemporary Romance
BUY THE BOOK: The Wilde One
BUY THE SERIES: Old Town Country Romance Series
Book 1: Wilde Riders
Book 2: The Wilde One
Book 3: A Wilde Night (Publication Date: Summer 2014)
Book 4: Wilde Times (Publication Date: Summer 2014)
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Reading Addiction Virtual Book Tours.
Book Description:
The Wilde One is the second novel in the spicy contemporary romance series about four sexy brothers, their small-town bar and their local country band. Each novel in the Old Town Country Romance series can be read as a stand alone novel or as part of the series.
FOUR WILDE BROTHERS...ONE WILDE COUNTRY BAND
Tucker Wilde joined the United States Army right out of high school and was injured in Iraq. But more than just his leg was shattered in the Middle East. The war also crushed his spirit and damaged his soul. When a strange couple arrives at his family’s bar, Haymakers, Tucker can see signs of mental and emotional abuse and is immediately drawn to the lovely but fragile girl seated at his bar.
Gracie Parker has been a victim of abuse her entire life. When her boyfriend, Dex, beats her in the parking lot of Haymakers and abandons her, it’s almost too much for the nineteen-year-old to bear. That is until Tucker appears like a warrior knight from the darkness to save her.
Tucker and Gracie are two broken people who are immediately drawn together. But their relationship and even their very lives are threatened by Dex who will stop at nothing to get Gracie back.
If you like your trucks loud, your beer cold and your men hot...you'll love The Wilde One.
Book Excerpt:
One
Tucker
“You look different,” Savage says, then downs the last of his pint of ale.
“Different how?” I prod even though I have an idea what he’s going to say. I look more normal. Like I fit into society rather than looking like an outcast.
Savage shrugs. He’s never been a person of many words. We’re like two peas in a pod that way. Even though he rarely says very much, with just one sideways glance Savage can have the biggest and meanest guys on the planet shaking in their cowboy boots.
People say that about me too.
“Do you want another?” I ask, even though I can guess his response. Savage always orders two pints and drinks them at the far corner of the bar. There are worse ways of coping with the past than drinking a few beers every night before he goes home to an empty apartment. I should know. I’m a master of poor coping skills.
“Hit me,” Savage says.
I pour him another pint and take away the empty.
“You look good.”
I’m surprised by the compliment. I’d never use the word good to describe anything about me. But I do look better than I have since I got back from Iraq.
“Drink your beer,” I tell him because I’m not in the mood to explain what’s been going on in my life.
Savage was in Iraq about the same time I was and he’s the closest thing I’ve got to a friend. I’m not one for relationships. Life is too short and relationships are too painful. When you get close to someone, you usually just end up getting hurt.
But like me, Savage isn’t the type of guy who gets too close to people. The most obvious reason is the way he looks: he’s big and scary. Also just like me.
Savage and I lift weights together, and in a fight it would be a close match. Not that either of us would ever start a fight but we would definitely end one if we had to.
It’s a weeknight and the bar is almost deserted except for a few of the regulars. That’s why I’m surprised when I see a couple I don’t recognize walk in and look around. The guy’s wearing all leather and carrying two helmets, so he’s obviously a biker. He looks about my height, six feet two inches and he’s big. The girl looks tiny standing next to him. She’s the definition of the word waif. She looks like a strong wind could pick her up and blow her away. Not a good thing in Old Town where it’s windy most of the time.
The most interesting thing about her, though, is her coloring. I’ve never seen someone so fair in my life. I’m the only blond in my family but I’m not even close to this girl. Her long hair is so light it’s practically white. And her skin is the color of milk. She looks like a princess who just stepped out of a fairytale, as corny as that sounds.
I can’t help but notice that she doesn’t look like she wants to be here. Or maybe she doesn’t want to be with the guy. It’s hard to tell. But she doesn’t look happy. If anything, she looks scared.
As the couple steps closer to the bar, I can see the girl is shaking. I’m not sure whether she’s shaking because she’s scared, or because it’s January and it’s freezing outside and she’s wearing a tiny spring jacket that barely fits. It almost looks like a jacket for a kid it’s so small on her. Not that she’s much bigger than a kid herself.
What kind of an asshole wears a thick leather jacket while he lets his girl freeze? I’m really not liking this guy at all. And when I see him grab her by the elbow, so roughly she almost comes off the floor, I can feel every hair on my body stand at attention.
Is it possible to hate a guy I don’t even know?
Tucker
“You look different,” Savage says, then downs the last of his pint of ale.
“Different how?” I prod even though I have an idea what he’s going to say. I look more normal. Like I fit into society rather than looking like an outcast.
Savage shrugs. He’s never been a person of many words. We’re like two peas in a pod that way. Even though he rarely says very much, with just one sideways glance Savage can have the biggest and meanest guys on the planet shaking in their cowboy boots.
People say that about me too.
“Do you want another?” I ask, even though I can guess his response. Savage always orders two pints and drinks them at the far corner of the bar. There are worse ways of coping with the past than drinking a few beers every night before he goes home to an empty apartment. I should know. I’m a master of poor coping skills.
“Hit me,” Savage says.
I pour him another pint and take away the empty.
“You look good.”
I’m surprised by the compliment. I’d never use the word good to describe anything about me. But I do look better than I have since I got back from Iraq.
“Drink your beer,” I tell him because I’m not in the mood to explain what’s been going on in my life.
Savage was in Iraq about the same time I was and he’s the closest thing I’ve got to a friend. I’m not one for relationships. Life is too short and relationships are too painful. When you get close to someone, you usually just end up getting hurt.
But like me, Savage isn’t the type of guy who gets too close to people. The most obvious reason is the way he looks: he’s big and scary. Also just like me.
Savage and I lift weights together, and in a fight it would be a close match. Not that either of us would ever start a fight but we would definitely end one if we had to.
It’s a weeknight and the bar is almost deserted except for a few of the regulars. That’s why I’m surprised when I see a couple I don’t recognize walk in and look around. The guy’s wearing all leather and carrying two helmets, so he’s obviously a biker. He looks about my height, six feet two inches and he’s big. The girl looks tiny standing next to him. She’s the definition of the word waif. She looks like a strong wind could pick her up and blow her away. Not a good thing in Old Town where it’s windy most of the time.
The most interesting thing about her, though, is her coloring. I’ve never seen someone so fair in my life. I’m the only blond in my family but I’m not even close to this girl. Her long hair is so light it’s practically white. And her skin is the color of milk. She looks like a princess who just stepped out of a fairytale, as corny as that sounds.
I can’t help but notice that she doesn’t look like she wants to be here. Or maybe she doesn’t want to be with the guy. It’s hard to tell. But she doesn’t look happy. If anything, she looks scared.
As the couple steps closer to the bar, I can see the girl is shaking. I’m not sure whether she’s shaking because she’s scared, or because it’s January and it’s freezing outside and she’s wearing a tiny spring jacket that barely fits. It almost looks like a jacket for a kid it’s so small on her. Not that she’s much bigger than a kid herself.
What kind of an asshole wears a thick leather jacket while he lets his girl freeze? I’m really not liking this guy at all. And when I see him grab her by the elbow, so roughly she almost comes off the floor, I can feel every hair on my body stand at attention.
Is it possible to hate a guy I don’t even know?
My Book Review:
Welcome back to rural Old Town, NJ, home of loud trucks, cold beer, country music, and the hot Wilde brothers!
In each book of the Old Town Country Romance series, Author Savannah Young weaves an entertaining romantic tale that tells the story of each of the four Wilde brothers: Cooper, Jake, Tucker, and Hunter.
In The Wilde One, Author Savannah Young once again calls upon her NJ roots as the reader is transported back to the small rural town of Old Town, NJ, where this time the focus is on Tucker and Gracie's story. Told in the first person narrative, the reader follows Tucker and Gracie as their heartwarming and emotional romance unfolds like a classic country song.
Tucker has come home from Iraq as a broken and wounded veteran, a shadow of the fun loving Wilde brother that he used to be.
Nineteen year old Gracie Parker has been a victim of abuse her whole life, and the vicious circle of abuse continues in the hands of Dex, her biker boyfriend.
When Tucker discovers Gracie being beat by Dex in the parking lot of his family's bar, Haymakers, he dons his warrior white knight armor and rescues her. Can two broken people find solace and love in each other's arms, or will a dangerous threat from an abusive ex-boyfriend stand in their way?
I absolutely loved reading Tucker and Gracie's touching story. You can't help but get drawn into their lives, and embrace the beauty of how two broken people's relationship slowly develops with emotional healing and love. I loved the protective instinct that Tucker has towards Gracie, his kind and tender heart simply made me smile. This story is so much more emotionally intense and dramatic than the first book in the series, I loved that the author delved into the dark social issues, pain, and loss that wounded warriors and abuse victims face in their lives. Tucker and Gracie's story is about two people who learn to let go of their painful pasts, find the courage to open up their hearts to trust and love, and discover the self-confidence that is within themselves. Not only are Tucker and Gracie perfect for each other, they complete and make each other whole again! I would be remiss if I didn't mention the brotherly bond, support, and antics of the other three charming Wilde brothers that is once again interwoven in the storyline like it was in the first book.
The Wilde One is an emotional romantic tale that has a fun cast of characters, witty and humorous banter, drama, and a sweet and spicy romance set to a country theme.
RATING: 4 STARS
Thank you so much for hosting me on your website and taking the time to read and review my book. I appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteSavannah Young
Thank you for the opportunity to host your virtual book tour event. I am looking forward to reading the next 2 books in the series! :)
Delete