A Conversation with Renee Novelle, Author of Boyfriend series #2, THE PERFECT BOYFRIEND (with a giveaway!)

More Reagan and Ian! I reviewed book one here.

 

Thanks so much for agreeing to be with us today!

Thanks for having me!! 🙂

 

What 5 things should readers know about you?

1. I love anything and everything art related.
2. I’ve lived in Florida 99% of my life.
3. I have 2 cats that are like my children.
4. I love trying new things – even with my writing life.
5. I have an absolute, die-hard fear of heights.

Ugh. Heights—I hear you!

 

Tell us all about your main characters—who are they? What makes them tick? Most importantly, what one thing would they need to have with them if stranded on a desert isle? 😉

Oooo… this is tough! Reagan is my main character. She’s a little innocent, a little naïve, but she’s growing and coming into herself now. If she were on a deserted island, she would need Ian. Ian is my second main character. He’s very strong, very charming, and has led a privileged life. He needs someone like Reagan to ground him and make him feel settled. If he were on a deserted island, he’d probably be just fine – he’s resourceful like that. Then there’s Petra, Reagan’s best friend who makes frequent appearances in both books, and readers have really fallen for sarcastic, cool style. If she were on a deserted island, she might not survive lol.

Oh no! Poor Petra!

 

Where did the inspiration for this book come from?

I actually got the idea for the first book in this series when I was in college myself. We all have those lists that we make in our heads of what our perfect partner looks like, so I thought it would be fun to play with that idea. When The Boyfriend List released, a lot of reviewers and readers were telling me they wanted more of Ian & Reagan and needed to know what happened next in the story. So, I decided to give them what they wanted, and developed the idea for The Perfect Boyfriend. It’s not meant to be overly dramatic or sexual or anything like that. I really wanted it to reflect real life possibilities as much as it could, and I hope that’s what readers will find. And yes, for everyone who’s a die-hard Petra fan… she’s going to get her own book. And it’s going to be awesome, lol.

Good thing she’s not actually on that island, then! 😉

 

How long have you been writing, and what (or who) inspired you to start?

I actually come from a family of writers, which I think is where I got my inspiration to start. Writing and books were all around me, publishing seemed like an easy thing to do. I was wrong about that part, though! To be honest, I can’t remember a time when I haven’t been writing something, it’s just something I’ve always done. And something I’ll probably continue to always do in some capacity as long as I enjoy it.

That’s fantastic!

 

What do you like best about being a writer? What is the most challenging part?

The best part is hearing that others have enjoyed the little world and characters that you created. Stories are such a subjective thing, so when a reader really connects with your style, it’s fantastic! The worst part about writing for me is the book is never good enough no matter how many times I edit and rewrite it, so I never feel like it’s completely done. I’ve sat on books for ten years because it’s never good enough to let go of!

Proving my point! I always told my (junior high) students that they needed to edit and revise, revise, revise their work. They always wanted to put the pen down and be done.

 

What are you working on right now? What can readers look for from you in the next year?

Right now I’m taking a little break from writing. I put out 9 stories within a year period, so I’m giving myself some time to regroup. Next in line for 2015 though is the third installment of this series, which will focus more on Petra. Then after that I have a psychological thriller that I started and would love to finish.

Wow, nine books—impressive! I guess you’ve earned a short break. 😉

 

What authors and/or books have inspired you?

Oh there’s so many! Everyone who’s successfully put a book out for the public to enjoy is an inspiration for me. It’s not an easy process, there’s a lot to consider and a lot of work that goes on that the readers don’t see.

Very true!

 

What are you currently reading? What are your thoughts about it so far?

Right now I’m reading Argo. I loved the movie so much that I decided to read the book. It’s definitely changed my perception of the world in a lot of ways, and I think that’s a really good thing. Next on my reading list is The Book Thief. I’m preparing to cry my eyes out already…

I read both! The true story for Argo is a bit different from the movie, but I enjoyed both versions. I’m glad I saw the movie first, though, otherwise the differences would have annoyed me more. The Book Thief was fantastic (and yes, makes you cry!)

 

 

AUTHOR BIO

Renee’ Novelle is preceded by a long line of published family members, including Pulitzer Prize nominated author and Poet Laureate of Kentucky Jesse Stuart.

As a child, Novelle was already gaining recognition for several of her works, and in her formative years, she continued this trend by earning local awards for her short stories and poems.

Inspired to cultivate her talent, Novelle pursued freelance journalism and has found placement of 75 of her pieces in both online and print publications since 2008. Additionally, she has written multiple screenplays, and contributed her savvy, effective writing style to many non-profit and for profit organizations. She launched several blogs over the years, which garnered international attention.

In 2013, Novelle returned to her first love – fiction. She writes psychological and paranormal thrillers, as well as contemporary fiction and new adult fiction. For a complete schedule of upcoming releases, please visit www.RSNovelle.com.

Though she received her Bachelors of Science in Communication, Summa Cum Laude, she considers herself a constant student of the written word. She’s an avid reader, an enthusiastic quote poster, and rarely takes “no” as a final answer. She has an unhealthy obsession for theater, dance, music and art, and strongly believes that wine is simultaneously the beginning of, and resolution to, all of life’s problems. She believes in following dreams, and that in the end, you always end up where you’re meant to be.

 

Author links:

http://www.rsnovelle.com/ReneeNovelle/Home.html

https://www.facebook.com/ReneeNovelle

https://twitter.com/rs_novelle

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7249191.R_S_Novelle

The Perfect Boyfriend
by Renee Novelle
(Boyfriend #2)
Publication date: July 27th 2014
Genres: New Adult, Romance

 

Synopsis:

The Perfect Boyfriend picks up right where we left Reagan and Ian in The Boyfriend List.
As their friendship blossoms quickly into a steamy romance, Reagan and Ian have to learn to navigate their shifting relationship…and everything that entails. But their newfound bliss doesn’t come without a few unexpected challenges.
In the midst of realizing just how sweet the romance can be between them, and all the benefits of their new dynamic, Reagan is informed that her ideal situation has changed. Not only will she need to begin taking on more classes to speed up her graduation date, but she’ll also have to start looking for a job to supplement her fading income. Meanwhile, Ian has chosen to pull out of school once his father is diagnosed with a terminal illness in order to help manage the family business and spend time with him while he still can. But he wrestles with the guilt of leaving Reagan behind, and the pressure of his new responsibilities.
As the two meet their new challenges head-on, they’ll be forced to discover whether or not they’re as compatible as lovers as they were as friends. With their focus pulled in so many directions, will they have what it takes to keep a long distance relationship alive? Can Ian prove that he’s still be the perfect boyfriend, or will they fold to statistics under the growing tensions of their lives? Throw in some manipulative exes, a new boss with an inflated ego, and a co-worker from hell and the two have a recipe for either a fairy tale ending, or a complete disaster.
The Perfect Boyfriend is a New Adult romance about trust, love, and discovering the true depths of personal strength.
Goodreads 

Purchase:

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Amazon UK, ebook 
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Amazon, AU, ebook
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