Author Interview

Good morning and Happy Sunday!

I came across this author interview I did for Smashwords years ago and I thought I'd share it here on the blog...

What's the story behind your latest book?

In PURE ICE, Landon Turner puts everyone else first and has dedicated his life to caring for his quadriplegic brother and working his butt off at his full-time job. There’s nothing glamorous about his existence, but all that might change when he meets a woman who makes him realize how much he’s sacrificed. And then he gets the opportunity of a lifetime—to try out for his hometown city’s pro hockey team. Landon doesn’t know if happily-ever-after exists, but in a city like Red Valley, anything can happen…

What is your favorite part of the Red Valley Ravens Series?

I love that the books are stand-alone and the possibilities for storylines are virtually endless—as long as the main character is a hockey player! The series has featured massage therapists, an aspiring veterinarian, a hair stylist, an optometrist, a fashion designer, and even an ornithologist. Doing research for these books is a blast!

If you were stranded on a desert island which of your characters do you want by your side?

As much as I love Colton and Avery from ISLAND ICE, they are amateurs when it comes to wilderness survival. I’d probably choose Nataliya from HOCKEY GODS. She isn’t afraid of anything and is the type of woman who could find water, build shelter, and hunt for food with no problem at all. She’d have some great stories to tell to keep me entertained, too.

If you could be best friends with one of your characters, who would it be?

I would be besties with Emily from UNDERNEATH IT ALL. She is strong and courageous, and I value those qualities. And I’d get to hang out at O’Leary House where there would be endless inspiration and we could enjoy some of Aunt Maureen’s home cooking together! Plus, Emily has a really hot brother!

What inspired you to write your first book?

I have always been an avid reader and wanted to be a writer ever since a young age. Life got in the way of my aspirations for a while and then I got back into reading again. It was actually after reading LEAVING NORMAL by Stef An Holm that I thought, “Hey, I can write a book, too! I’m finally ready!” My first obstacle was the hero’s occupation. I knew he had to be wealthy enough to afford a Corvette and a nice house. Then the lightbulb came on and I decided he would make a perfect hockey player. And so, HOME ICE and the Red Valley Ravens series was born.

What is your favorite book that you wrote?

HOME ICE will always hold a special place in my heart because it was my first book, but I think MAMA'S INK is my favorite overall. I really love Sadie and Jared’s emotional story and the colorful characters in Mama’s tattoo shop. Reading the epilogue still brings tears to my eyes to this day.

Which other authors have most influenced or inspired your writing?

Nora Roberts is inspirational not only from her impressive body of work, but because of her compelling characters and amazing attention to detail. The descriptiveness in her novels puts the reader right there with the characters. No matter the subject, Nora writes about it as if she’s lived and breathed it herself.

What is it about the romance genre that has satisfied your passion for writing this long?

I think most young girls secretly dream that their prince will someday ride in and sweep them off their feet. In the romance genre, I love how you can take two people from different or similar worlds, smash them together and see what happens. The possibilities for love are endless!

Many romance novels tend to have an obstacle that keeps the lovers apart. How do you know when you've let the tension build enough, that it's time to resolve the issue and let the pair get together?

Sometimes I wish I could just let them be together from the beginning, but then there wouldn’t be much of a story! Only when the character has resolved or made peace with their own issues can they really be freed to give in to love and devote themselves to another person. Unfortunately, not everyone is smart (and lucky!) in love.

Do you have any advice to share with authors who've never written romance, but are considering it?

It may sound cliché, but write what’s in your heart. If you really believe in something, whether it be a concept, subject or character, put your whole heart and soul into it. Sure, you might feel vulnerable and a bit exposed, but you can go to sleep at night knowing you gave it your all no matter what anyone else says about it.

🎕

2023 Year in Review

As I look forward to what the new year brings, I'm also taking a look back at the last twelve months to remind myself of everything that has happened, both good and, in this year's case, not so good.

A great deal has been accomplished on the administrative side of the world of Rachelle Vaughn. All 21 of my books and 7 short stories were meticulously re-edited, re-formatted with new writing software, and re-uploaded. Then, to ensure that every book was as bedazzled and sparkleicious as can be, new covers were made for the entire Red Valley Ravens series (after the team got a shiny new name, of course!), the Thorne Creek books, Submersed, and Hockey Gods. And, if that wasn't enough, I separated all of my books by genre and created 3 new pennames to keep everything neat and tidy and less confusing for readers. Oh, and I almost forgot! For the first time, all of my books and short stories are available on Google Play.

Somehow, during all of that non-writing-related work, I managed to finish and publish Saving Hockeyville, the first of a new cozy small-town series where the sport of hockey is celebrated all year long. I'm already knee-deep in the sequel and can't wait to share it with you next year!

Personally, I've kept my self-care regime intact by practicing yoga every morning, keeping up my regular workouts, and have even added an at-home weekly spa night with hubby where we slather our faces with yummy-smelling peel-off masks and soak our feet while watching British gardening shows on TV. Like I've been saying all along, it's the little things that make a big difference in life. I'm also giving myself a big ole pat on the back for maintaining my 95-pound weight loss for an entire year. It was scary at first, but like anything else, it got a little easier with time.

Having that self-care routine in place has been crucial now more than ever after having to say goodbye to my writing partner and 14-year-old fur baby in September. She was such a huge part of my life that her absence has been intensely difficult. After diving into the main characters' grief in Saving Hockeyville, I had no idea I'd be confronted with it head-on in my own life so soon after writing it. Removing "she lives with her sassy calico cat" from my author bio hurt like hell.

We all know that "life is short" and regularly use the saying as justification for a lot of things. But seriously, LIFE IS FREAKIN' SHORT. Don't waste it by worrying about the things that don't matter or the things you can't change. And don't waste another moment hating yourself or wishing you could transform yourself for the better. Do the things, make the changes, start making friends with yourself. You're never going to have everything completely figured out, but at least try to enjoy the journey because we don't know how long it's going to last.

As for my goals for next year...well, I'm hoping to enjoy a little less formatting and a lot more writing. There are many more Hockeyville books to write, as well as the third book in the Thorne Creek series, two more books in the Tattooed by Love series, a Hitman Trilogy I've been kickin' around for nearly a decade, another Ravens book or three, several Christmas romances, and plenty of other books for my new alter ego pennames in other genres--Hockey Gods sequel anyone? I'm going to do myself a favor and stay away from Pinterest for a while because my book idea folder is bursting at the seams! Thinking up new ideas is waaaay easier than getting down to the nitty-gritty and stringing 80,000 words together. Time to put the nose to the grindstone and finally finish what I've started.

On the personal side of things, I'm going to continue settling into my "new normal" after reinventing myself (and my wardrobe!) after the weight loss, maybe dabble in meditation to supplement my yoga practice, and try not to freeze like the proverbial deer in the headlights when the going gets tough but immerse myself in my writing instead. There are too many books I need to write before this crazy carousel ride is over.

Phew! That was somewhat cathartic, I have to say. Now that everything is aired out and ready for action, I think I'm ready to give 2024 a whirl. Whaddya say? More of the good stuff and less of the negativity? Yeah, that sounds pretty good to me too...

Yours through thick and thin,

Rachelle

Rebranding in Progress...

I'm so excited for all of the new projects (aka books!) I have in the works. After a few blah years (thanks, pandemic! 🙄), I'm finally feeling inspired and motivated and ready to dive back into the creative world of Red Valley with all my heart and soul. 🥰

This has definitely been a year of much-needed rebranding and refreshing renewal. Saving Hockeyville is out (yay!), 13 of my books have had a fabulous cover makeover (sparkles for everyone!), my hockey team is changing names, and I'm working on more sequels than I can count on one hand. Plus, I'm writing several Christmas romances, along with a new paranormal series.

Phew! There's so much to do and so little time! Better head back into the writing cave...

xoxo

RaVa

Success is the best revenge.

I found this rejection letter for Home Ice when I was cleaning my office and I wanted to share it with you.

After querying dozens upon dozens of literary agents by email, this was the only letter I received through snailmail. Holding a tangible piece of paper in your hands somehow makes the hurtful words sting even more.

Not long after, I signed with a different agent who loved Home Ice, but she was unsuccessful in selling it to The Big 5 publishers because "there's no market for hockey romance."

So, I reevaluated my options and decided to try my hand at self-publishing. And you know what? Turns out there IS a market for hockey romance. Who knew?

Home Ice spent two weeks in the top 50 of its genre at Amazon and continues to sell steadily a decade later. I went on to write and self-publish 19 more novels and 7 short stories without anyone standing in my way.

The moral of the story is this:

~Don't take no for an answer when you really believe in something. 

~When one way of doing something isn't working out, try a different way.

~Never let anyone's opinions keep you from achieving your dream. 

~Keep trying, even when you feel like giving up.

~There is life after rejection.

~One negative letter/review (or 100!) isn't the be-all and end-all of the universe.

~Proving people wrong is one of the greatest feeling in the world.

Keep writing, friends! Keep doing, inspiring, imagining and creating!

Success is the best revenge.

p.s. the letter unceremoniously made its way into the shredder :)

Sinister Things That Went Bump in the Night

While looking out at the stunning views of Goblin Valley, Angelina Dobrovski slid her pack off her shoulders and set it on the dusty ground. At 7,000 feet elevation, she could see all the way across to the other side of Devil’s Ridge. Incubus Peak stood tall to the north and Demon River flowed through the valley, snaking its way toward Mount Hellion. Diablo Creek trickled behind her, the natural hot springs causing tendrils of steam to rise in the air.

The landmarks in August Volcanic National Park were named after sinister things that went bump in the night for good reason. The earth was especially volatile here where steam vents, fumaroles and mud pots bubbled up to hint at the turmoil lurking beneath the surface. A volcano had been sleeping in the park for centuries and it wouldn’t take much to wake the sleeping beast.

Just being here felt like an act of rebellion.

~from Rock and a Hard Place

Happy National Moon Day!

I waved at the moon tonight. Like it could actually see me and respond back. Still, I smiled at that glowing face and projected onto it all of my positive thoughts. Maybe there’s someone out there looking up at it who needs a little dose of positivity...

~a little excerpt from a book I'm working on~

Stop and Smell the Wildflowers

I walked along the dirt path, letting the tall, wild grass brush against my bare legs.

Wildflowers grew happily here. The fresh mountain air and early summer sunshine gave them the freedom to bloom in crisp whites, vibrant reds, and romantic purples.

The butterfly that gently touched down onto the flower beside me had the right idea.

Whenever life feels like it’s passing you by in a whirlwind of activity and endless decisions, take a moment to stop and smell the wildflowers…

🎕

If you could invite any 3 people to dinner...

...who would you invite?

🍽

I'd invite:

Nora Roberts to write about it.

Bob Ross to paint it.

And Tom Chaplin to sing about it.