You never know who you're going to meet when you say hello. Last October, I introduced myself to the woman sitting next to me in a workshop at the Moonlight and Magnolias conference in Atlanta. Turns out that woman was romantic suspense author Regan Black. I told her I was a book blogger. She told me about the series for Harlequin Intrigue that she's writing with Debra Webb and gave me a copy of the first book in the series, The Hunk Next Door which was due to be released the following month. It was love at first scene. (read my review here) The second book in the series, Heart of a Hero was released earlier this month and continues my love affair with this dynamic collaborative duo's heart-stopping romantic suspense stories. If you haven't read their books yet, I highly encourage you to give them a try.
I'm delighted to host Regan and Debra today as they share with us some of the adventures of writing as a team. Please welcome USA Today Bestselling authors Regan Black and Debra Webb!
Thanks for hosting us today, PJ!
Debra and I have known each other since I was a newbie at my
first writing conference. I was a huge
fan of her novels and gushed like any good fan girl would. She was so inspiring
and approachable (and patient) and she gave me amazing advice that weekend. A
year later she gave me my first cover quote for my debut novel.
Fast forward almost a decade (notice neither of us has aged
a bit!) and dozens of phone calls and we are exploring new adventures as a
writing team. Joining forces was Deb’s idea, but it only took me about two
seconds to think it over. Come on - the chance to write with my mentor and
friend?
People ask us all the time how the co-writing works for us.
First, you have to know Deb is an idea factory.
She comes up with a scenario and creates a brief outline and then we talk and
brainstorm until we have a story concept with characters we both love. And then
we talk it out some more.
As we dig into the writing process, phones and text
messaging are the lifeline. From the brainstorm to “What did you mean here?” to
the final edits, we do it all by phone.
We still laugh about the day I was stuck on a backstory
point with a hero and she said, “Oh! Maybe his parents were in the circus. That
would give him…” My answer was something along the lines of a profound “Hmm.
I’ll think about it.”
Of course there was the flurry of text messages when we
realized I had set the story set in one place, and she had a chase and love
scene set on the other side of the state. Neither of us had noticed it in the
outline. We laughed a long time about the potential sexual tension on that
drive.
What makes it work so well for us is our communication and
appreciation for each other’s strengths. A good, similar sense of humor doesn’t
hurt. Add in mutual trust and you’ve got the keys to our partnership.
The Hunk Next Door (Harlequin
Intrigue Nov/2014) was our first release, kicking off The Specialists: Heroes
Next Door series. The second story, Heart of a Hero hit the shelves on
February 1st. To Honor and To Protect will be out
June 1, 2015.
Because we were on a roll, Deb and I launched the Dangerous
Protectors romantic suspense trilogy with Against The Wall (Dec/2014) Too Far Gone (Jan/2015) and Nothing To Lose (available Feb 27,
2015).
Of course we continue to work on our individual titles, but
with every new story idea Deb and I get more excited to share our books with readers.
Co-writing has been a joyful, energizing experience for both of us and I can hardly
wait to dive into the adventures our next phone call will create.
Good luck to everyone in the Heart of a Hero giveaway!
Live the adventure,
Regan and Debra
Readers, if you teamed up with a friend to create something what would that special talent be? Writing? Blogging? Knitting? Photography? Baking? Some type of craft? Let's dish!
One randomly chosen person leaving a comment today will receive a copy of Heart of a Hero signed by both Regan and Debra. (open to everyone)
Readers, if you teamed up with a friend to create something what would that special talent be? Writing? Blogging? Knitting? Photography? Baking? Some type of craft? Let's dish!
One randomly chosen person leaving a comment today will receive a copy of Heart of a Hero signed by both Regan and Debra. (open to everyone)
When she met and married the man of her dreams Debra put her writing aside and tried some other occupations, including door-to-door sales, various factories and restaurants, a day care center, a hospital and a department store. Shortly after the birth of her first daughter Debra’s husband joined the military and she decided to go to college. Eventually the U.S. Army took them to Berlin, Germany, and Debra accepted a position as secretary in the commanding general’s office. By 1985, they were back in the States, and her next major career move landed her at NASA in the Space Shuttle Program.
For more than a dozen years after returning to the States Debra and her family lived in a small Tennessee town where everyone knew everyone else. A few years after settling in Tennessee her second daughter was born. Though she hadn’t written in nearly two decades, in 1996 Debra took up writing again. With the support of her family and God’s blessing her dream of being published came true in March of 1999.
Debra’s life has come full circle now. She and her family, along with their three dogs, have moved back home to Alabama. With more than one hundred novels to her credit, Debra writes spine-tingling romantic suspense and thrillers.
Debra's websites: http://www.debrawebb.com/ and http://www.thefacesofevil.com/ (she hosts a weekly briefing at the faces of evil site every Friday with excerpts and giveaways)
As a USA Today bestselling author, Regan Black is fiercely committed to guiding readers through action-packed adventures to the best happily ever after endings so you can savor a fantastic escape from the daily grind. If you are looking for a proven author who delivers a fast-paced, exciting paranormal, urban fantasy, or romantic suspense novel for your essential escape, you’ve come to the right place. “With countless years of experience telling tales to amuse friends and family, my mission is to deliver stories from the heart, full of unforgettable, passionate characters who know what they want and are willing to risk it all to reach the goal.”
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Trapped with a madman…
Trail guide Charly Binali is alone in the Rockies with a madman and his armed mercenaries, and he's demanding she lead him to a powerful, hidden device. And when help comes in the unexpected form of her very hot neighborhood mailman, Charley discovers the "nice" guy she gave her heart to isn't who she thought.
Undercover CIA agent Will Chase hated lying to Charly, but getting to that dangerous device first is a matter of national security. It's seven bad guys against him and Charly, but between his training and her survival skills, they just might beat the odds—if he can get her to ever trust him again.
The Hunk Next Door: http://www.amazon.com/Hunk-Next-Door-Specialists-Heroes-ebook/dp/B00K9ZXYW2
To Honor and To Protect: http://www.amazon.com/Honor-Protect-Specialists-Heroes-Next-ebook/dp/B00R0IALWW
