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.