Thursday 25 October 2012

Interview and Contest: Julie Ann Walker - Rev it Up


Today Julie Ann Walker is stopping by for an interview, and there is a contest to win her new book Rev it up and it's open to all.

1. Could you tell me a bit about yourself?
JW:  I'd be happy to!  :-D  My name is Julie Ann Walker.  I grew up in rural Oklahoma, tipping cows, catching crawdads, and riding around in the back of pick-up trucks.  After obtaining a degree in advanced mathematics, I married my college sweetheart and set about making my life as a mathematics teacher.  Alas, fate intervened.  My husband lost his job, forcing us to move away from the rolling wheat fields and vast cattle ranches of Oklahoma to the gritty, bustling city of Chicago where teaching positions were scarce.  And though the move was difficult on many levels, it ended up being a blessing in disguise.  Because, though I never knew it, I'm a city girl at heart.  I LOVE the hustle, the culture, the excitement of living in Chicago.  Additionally, the time off afforded me the opportunity to return to my first passion, which is writing.  I entered a contest, secured an agent, signed a publishing contract, published three novels back-to-back-to-back and voila!  Here I am!  LOL!  

2. You have a new book out, Rev It Up. What is it about?
JW:  It's a second-chance love story, which I absolutely love since a past history means there's lots of angst to go around, baggage, if you will, that must be dealt with. 

REV IT UP picks up where IN RIDES TROUBLE leaves off.  Jake "the Snake" Sommers returns to Black Knights Inc. after four long years with one and only one goal in mind: to win back the only woman he loves.  He knows it won't be easy, but he's overcome the demons that held him back years ago and is finally ready to settle down.  Unfortunately, Shell is wounded and wary and refuses to give him the time of day.  Until a psychotic mobster forces her to seek Jake's protection, that is.  

Bullets fly, hearts race, secrets are revealed...  You know, all the good stuff.  :-) 

3.  “Love her and leave her…” Was it hard to write this book, when Michelle had to forgive Jake so that they could get a happily ever after?
JW:  You have no idea.  I had to write, rewrite, and then delete and write Michelle's character again and again.  I find it extremely difficult to construct a heroine who's suspicious and hurt without making her come across as a total bee-yotch.  The line between guarded and cold is very fine.  But I think I finally got it right.  You'll have to let me know, readers!  ;-)

4. Who is your favorite member of the Black Knights, the man you would choose?
JW:  Oh, that's not fair.  I love all my guys.  And I have a soft spot for qualities in each of them.  I adore Ghost's steadiness and loyalty.  I'm in awe of Frank's ability to lead by example.  Jake's humility and willingness to lay it all on the line for the woman he loves is absolutely delish!  I could go on and on, but I'll let the readers decide for themselves which of the Black Knights is the sexiest.   

5. What made romantic suspense the genre for you to write?
JW:  First, I love to read romantic suspense.  All the action and adventure appeals to me.  Second, I volunteer at the USO - the United Service Organization - which is a non-profit support group for active-duty soldiers.  So, I'm around men in uniform all the time, which gives me a ton of material for my books.  Score!

6. What is the best thing about writing?
JW:  Are you kidding?  I get to live in a fantasy world everyday while managing to simultaneously avoid a commitment to the loony bin.  What better job could there be?  LOL!

Thanks!

Giveaway
1 copy of Rev it Up

1. Open to everyone in the world
2. Ends Nov 8th
3. Just enter :)

REV IT UP BY JULIE ANN WALKER – IN STORES OCTOBER 2012

He Never Misses A Target…
Jake "the Snake" Sommers earned his SEAL code name by striking quickly and quietly-and with lethal force. That's also how he broke Michelle Carter's heart. It was the only way to keep her safe-from himself. Four long years later, Jake is determined to get a second chance. But to steal back into Michelle's loving arms, Jake is going to have to prove he can take things slow. Real slow...

She Aims To Make Him Beg…
Michelle Carter has never forgiven Jake for being so cliché as to "love her and leave her." But when her brother, head of the Black Knights elite ops agency, ticks off the wrong mobster, she must do the unimaginable: place her life in Jake's hands. No matter what they call him, this man is far from cold-blooded. And once he's wrapped around her heat, he'll never let her go...


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Julie Ann Walker is the USA Today and New York Times Bestselling Author of the Black Knights Inc. romantic suspense series. She is prone to spouting movie quotes and song lyrics. She'll never say no to sharing a glass of wine or going for a long walk. She prefers impromptu travel over the scheduled kind, and she takes her coffee with milk. You can find her on her bicycle along the lake shore in Chicago or blasting away at her keyboard, trying to wrangle her capricious imagination into submission. Look for the first two books in her fast-paced series: Hell On Wheels (August 2012) and In Rides Trouble (September 2012). For more information, please visit www.julieannwalker.com or follow her on Facebook www.facebook.com/jawalkerauthor and/or Twitter @JAWalkerAuthor


44 comments:

  1. I really enjoy this series, I can't wait to see how Michelle and Jake work through their past to get to their future. Thanks so much for this awesome giveaway!

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    1. Thanks for reading, Jenny! And good luck in the giveaway! :D

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  2. Thanks for having me on Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell! It's an honor! Fingers crossed for everyone in the giveaway!

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  3. I have enjoyed this series; I can't wait for the next one....

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    1. Yay, Heather. I never get tired of hearing that. LOL! Happy reading!

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  4. oooooooh *drools* I like the cover...it is very...um....it is great photography and has a great color scheme. The bike is a nice touch also. ^.-

    Thanks for the great interview ladies!

    carolerae4488@yahoo.com

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    1. That cover is divine, isn't it, Carole? Something delicious about a muscular back. ;-)

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  5. A mathematician writing romance? Oh dear. If I win it (and my chances are pretty good here) I will tear the book apart! You, such a pretty lady and a brainiac to add and you dare write a romance? I'll teach you!!!

    (kidding just a bit.)

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    1. Well, Anachronist, you wouldn't be the first to tear me apart. But I warn you, I've got a thick hide! LOL!

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  6. I love this series. The boys are so much fun. I'm not sure I could pick either and I can't wait to meet more of them. I think you did a good job toeing that line and did think that Michelle came across as guarded.

    Not an entry since I've read it. :D

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    1. Oh, good, Melissa. I turned myself inside out with that one. I'm glad you found Michelle guarded as apposed to bitchy. ;-) Thank you so much for reading.

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  7. Fun interview...that is quite the change from cows to Chicago. Melissa sounds like an extraordinary character and I want to meet Jake the Snake to see if he deserves her!

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    1. Heidi, thanks for writing in and good luck in the giveaway! And, yes, I'd be anxious to hear your thoughts about Jake and Michelle. ;-)

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  8. This book sounds fantastic! Would love to win. Thanks for the giveaway. julierupert@gmail.com

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  9. Another wonderful review!! Writing can be very challenging at times but I'm glad that you stuck with it because this books sounds very entertaining! Don't enter me in the giveaway, I have way too many books on my shelf right now that I really need to tend to, but thanks for the offer!!! :-D

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    1. Your TBR pile is taking over your house, too? I thought I was the only one with that problem. LOL! Thanks for writing in!

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  10. I love second chance love stories and I loved the interview it's awesome when authors take the time to connect with their readers.

    -Kimberly @ Turning the Pages

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    1. I'll share with you a little secret: writers love to connect with readers, too. It's a legal high. :-) Good luck in the giveaway!

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  11. Great interview questions - enjoyed reading this! I would love to be entered for the giveaway, thanks for the chance :)

    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

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  12. Crossing my fingers for you, Winnie! Good luck! :-D

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  13. Sounds great. Thanks for sharing!!

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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    1. My pleasure. I never get tired of talking about writing. It's the only thing better than writing itself! LOL!

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  14. Great interview, thank you ladies, I enjoyed reading it. I can imagine the culture shock of moving from the country to the big city. The series is on my wishlist, I do love those covers (but not only because of them!).

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    1. Thank you, Aurian. I wish you luck in the giveaway!

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  15. Thank you so much for this fantastic book giveaway, that i would love to have the oportunity of reading! The interview was facinating and i enjoyed reading it and finding out more about the author. Thank youx

    Email: lfountain1(at)hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk

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    1. You're very welcome Lucinda! And good luck in the giveaway!

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  16. Rev It Up sounds good, and nice interview with the author. Cool cover too.

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  17. The Black Knights do sound like a good group of sexy men. Can't wait to meet them.

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    1. I hope you enjoy reading about them as much as I enjoyed writing about them, Carol!

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  18. love the cover and the synopsis has me intrigued..thanks for sharing it and great interview!

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  19. Romantic Suspense does have something extra. A favorite genre to read.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  20. I would love to read this series. It sounds very good especially this book. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

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  21. Just might have to start reading these!!

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  22. Thanks all for stopping by ;)

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  23. I've heard good things of this series , thanks for the chance to win Rev It Up.
    Irene

    irgl7(at)bonzo15(dot)plus(dot)com

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  24. Awesome interview...I need to now start the series.
    Yvette
    yratpatrol@aol.com

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  25. Sounds like a great book, I just love the cover. Thanks for having this giveaway.

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

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  26. OMG! I almost miss this one!
    :OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
    I love ALL the Black Knights too! Eye candy! :D Lol! Thank you so much for the chance to win Rev It Up! Fingers crossed!

    ilepachequin(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  27. This looks fantastic :) I've only read one of the Black Knights books...I need to play catch up!

    Thanks so much for giving us this opportunity!

    redcincibabe(at)yahoo(dot)com

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