It's our pleasure to welcome NY Times and USA Today Bestselling author Francis Ray to The Romance Dish today. The award-winning author of more than forty books, Ms. Ray recently took time from her busy schedule to answer a few questions for me.
Welcome to The Romance Dish, Ms. Ray. It’s our honor to host you today. Your newest book, A SEDUCTIVE KISS was released January 31st. What would you like readers to know about this story?
Thanks for the invitation. I'd like readers to know that A SEDUCTIVE KISS is a passionate love story, but it's also about how love can make you stronger to face life challenges.
A SEDUCTIVE KISS is part of your Grayson Friends series, a follow up to your popular The Graysons of New Mexico series. Is it necessary to have read the previous books to fully appreciate the stories in this new series?
No, it isn't necessary to have read the other 4 books in the series to enjoy A SEDUCTIVE KISS. In face, there's an update at the beginning of the book that is intriguing rather than confusing, and best of all A SEDUCTIVE KISS introduces you to the two heroes in WITH JUST ONE KISS and A DANGEROUS KISS.
Wonderful! You've had a diverse and successful writing career, publishing in a variety of formats including confession stories, series romance, romantic suspense, Christian and women's fiction. Do you have a favorite? Will you continue to write in more than one sub-genre?
If you ever figure that out would you mind sharing it with the rest of us? I could use more hours in my day! What inspired you to begin writing? Was there a particular author or influence in your life that lit the creative writing fire in your soul?
Katherine Woodiwiss' SHANNA inspired me to read a romance book. After the third book by her, I knew I wanted to write about love that lasts a lifetime no matter the obstacles.
I think that's why many of us enjoy reading romance. How fortunate for us that it also inspired you to write! In addition to being a prolific writer - with more than 40 published books to your credit - you are also a School Nurse Practitioner. You must be a very busy lady! How do you prevent the stress of multiple careers from taking over?
No, it isn't necessary to have read the other 4 books in the series to enjoy A SEDUCTIVE KISS. In face, there's an update at the beginning of the book that is intriguing rather than confusing, and best of all A SEDUCTIVE KISS introduces you to the two heroes in WITH JUST ONE KISS and A DANGEROUS KISS.
Wonderful! You've had a diverse and successful writing career, publishing in a variety of formats including confession stories, series romance, romantic suspense, Christian and women's fiction. Do you have a favorite? Will you continue to write in more than one sub-genre?
My favorite to write is contemporary romance. However, I still receive mail from readers wanting a sequel to THE BARGAIN, my one and only historical. I also want to return to Christian fiction one day. I just need to figure out how to make the days longer. Sigh.
If you ever figure that out would you mind sharing it with the rest of us? I could use more hours in my day! What inspired you to begin writing? Was there a particular author or influence in your life that lit the creative writing fire in your soul?
Katherine Woodiwiss' SHANNA inspired me to read a romance book. After the third book by her, I knew I wanted to write about love that lasts a lifetime no matter the obstacles.
I think that's why many of us enjoy reading romance. How fortunate for us that it also inspired you to write! In addition to being a prolific writer - with more than 40 published books to your credit - you are also a School Nurse Practitioner. You must be a very busy lady! How do you prevent the stress of multiple careers from taking over?
I love to work off stress by working in my flower garden, which also helps with research. There are flowers in almost all of my books. I also love to shop and read as well.
Do you have favorite authors to whom you turn when your writing is put to bed?
I love books by Nora Roberts, Jayne Ann Krentz, Bette Ford, Kimberly Lawson Roby and Sherrilyn Kenyon. All are fabulous with weaving stories with strong characters - a must for me when reading.
Your sixth book, INCOGNITO has the distinction of being the first made for television movie for BET. That must have been a thrill! What was it like seeing your creation brought to the screen? Were you able to have input into the final product?
Seeing INCOGNITO being made, then being at the premier was an event of a lifetime. At the premier in Dallas I was able to bring my family which was absolutely fantastic. Unfortunately, I didn't have any input in writing the script.
Have you been approached about making any of your other books into movies? Do you have a favorite you'd like to see on the screen?
Speaking of THE TURNING POINT (republished in 2004 as TROUBLE DON'T LAST ALWAYS), after its original publication in 2001, you established The Turning Point Legal Fund which provides assistance to women touched by domestic violence and help in restructuring their lives. I'm sure most of us know someone who has been a victim of domestic abuse and some may have even been in the situation themselves. Please tell us more about this fund and how readers can contribute to this important cause.
While doing the research for THE TURNING POINT, I made the sad discovery of the high incidence of domestic violence. My heart went out to the women and their children. I established the fund to help women leave their abuser and restructure their lives. A percentage of all my royalties go to the fund so readers can purchase a book or mail a donation to:
Francis Ray
Turning Point Legal Fund
P.O. Box 764651
Dallas, Texas 75376
Your webpage says you will have four titles released this year. Please tell us a bit about the other three books and when we can expect them to "hit the street."
A SEDUCTIVE KISS (01/30/12) is Alex Stewart's story. He's a successful lawyer who has loved a woman all his life and finally gets a chance to show her.
WHEN MORNING COMES
(06/05/12) is the heart-wrenching story of Dr. Cade Mathis' struggles to
come to terms with being given up at birth by his single mother.
A DANGEROUS KISS (06/26/12) is Payton "Sin" Sinclair's story. Sin has a dangerous secret and finds the healing power of love.
Looks like we have some great reading waiting for us this year! Thank you so much for visiting with us today, Ms. Ray. Is there anything you'd like to add for our readers?
Thank you and bless you from the bottom of my heart. Your support has given me the ability to live my dream as a published writer. I couldn't have done this with out you. For more information on everything Francis Ray, please visit my website at www.francisray.com. I have an exciting program called Kiss & Tell where readers can win prizes for passing out bookmarks to help spread the word about my 2012 line-up.
