Right now I’m in the middle of writing “Divided Highway” – Book Three in The Rocky Road romantic suspense series, and I’m facing down a grizzly bear. It’s not enraged, not yet, but it’s teetering on the edge of that fence.
The whole reason this bear is stalking my keister is because this book has something to prove. Not that the first two books aren’t worthy efforts. They are very important parts of my series. They introduce my main characters and their sidekicks. They provide essential backstory woven into the overall plot. They are also the steps leading to some serious personal revelations between my main protagonist, Christine, and her other half, Doug.
Some pretty important stuff has to come to a head in Book Three. My developmental editor, bless her little steel-trap mind, has beaten this point into my overwhelmed brain. Book Three has to take a big stand on several issues and tackle them head-on. It’s also going to veer away from the suspense element some, in order to deal with these issues, and that’s an issue itself. The series will go back on track after this one. Like the title implies, Chris and Doug are approaching a critical juncture in their relationship journey and have to make some heavy choices. The wrong choice could have them going in opposite directions, with a median they can’t cross. But I digress.
I’ve been girding my loins for battle with this bear, researching, analyzing and trying to make everything fit in real-world fashion. Fortunately, I’ve met several people recently with life experiences that nearly parallel my story line. Both are delighted and generous enough to share their accumulated wisdom and insights with me. It’s amazing how help arrives when you need it most. God bless 'em! I do believe I’m gonna get me a bear.
Author Valley Brown and her husband live in Southwestern Indiana along the Ohio River. When not writing or working with art glass, she takes short road trips on her Honda Shadow, and makes art quilts. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, the Indiana Chapter of Romance Writers of America, Indiana ABATE, American Quilters Society, Raintree Quilters Guild, and the International Quilt Association.
The Rocky Road romantic suspense series is about one woman’s journey through trauma and tragedy, and how the power of love keeps her moving forward. It touches on the sensitive topic of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and the different ways in which people deal with wounds that never heal, yet somehow find strength and courage to love again. Speeding Tickets (Book One) debuted in 2011. Rough Piece of Road (Book Two) was released July 2013. Divided Highway (Book Three) is “under construction”.
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Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!
Isn't it fun, the building part? I love how you described the whole process. Good luck, Valley.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz! I think I may be winning this wrestling match.
ReplyDelete