Feature Friday is a brand new item on Bookish Treasures. Every Friday I will be featuring an author through either an interview or a guest post. If you are interested in taking part please send me an email.
This week I am featuring Genna Rulon whose debut novel Only For You released last month.
Only For You by Genna Rulon
Synopsis
“In its purest form love is self-sacrificing, eternal, selfless, enduring, truthful, forgiving and indulgent. It also feels an awful lot like a kick to the stomach when you try to fight it!”
All Everleigh Carsen wanted to do was complete her final semester at Hensley University and begin the life she carefully planned.
When a wave of violent crime seizes campus, Everleigh is persuaded by her best friend to attend a school sponsored self-defense seminar, where she meets volunteer instructor, Hunter Charles. After Everleigh’s biting sarcasm induces Hunter to eject her from class, an explosive relationship is born.
Everleigh is determined to forget the striking man, but fate—that fickle shrew—continuously intervenes. Unable to escape him, she declares Hunter an enemy combatant. The only complication…Hunter is resolutely pursuing vindication…by any means necessary. Verbal warfare ensues, and despite Everleigh’s ingenious efforts, in Hunter, she has finally found her equal.
Only For You is a compelling tale of friendship, desire, and redemption—brimming with intelligent characters, witty dialogue, unexpected twists, profound sorrow, unfettered hope, and love’s unassailable perseverance.
Interview with Genna
Why did you decide to become an
author?
I have been an avid reader for years, and always fantasized about
writing my own stories. However, I never
believed people would want to read my imaginings, and with a husband, two young
sons, and a full-time job, time was scarce.
Life threw me a curve ball, and I wound up staying home after my second
son was born. With the little bit of
extra time, and the increasing desire to give voice to the characters in my
head, I said, “What the heck!” and went for it.
How do you balance writing with
other things in your life?
It’s a challenge. I try to write
as much as I can during the day, but with two young ones around it’s in spurts,
which makes it difficult to get the flow that is so important in writing. I usually enjoy family time in the late
afternoon/early evenings and then when everyone is tucked in bed (hubby
included) I sit down and write uninterrupted.
I am severely sleep deprived, but very gratified.
What is your favourite thing
about being an author?
I love the ability to express myself creatively. The opportunity to capture emotions in words,
to make the reader feel, is extremely appealing. I also love the flexibility. Not being restricted to a traditional office
environment and hours.
What are your favourite books?
I have hundreds of favourites, too many to list. I’ve read thousands of books in various
fiction and non-fiction genres, but my favourite genre to read remains
romance. I love all romance:
contemporary, historical, paranormal, fantasy, dystopian, new adult, young
adult, you name it. A few of my
favourite authors are: J.R. Ward,
Kristen Ashley, Amy Bartol, Shelly Crane, and Jennifer Armentrout, just to name
a few.
Are there any books/authors that
inspired you to write?
From the Acknowledgements of Only
For You:
I was inspired by countless authors, who have swept me away with their
stories of life, love, and heartbreak. I
can’t imagine I would have had the courage to pursue my dream if it weren’t for
their bravery. Please allow me to thank
you all collectively for your talent and pluck.
I am compelled to list several authors who were particularly inspiring
and motivating, each for their own reasons.
Alphabetically (because it just seemed fair), I offer my most sincere
gratitude to: Jennifer L. Armentrout,
Kristen Ashley, Amy Bartol, Shelly Crane, Colleen Hoover, M. Leighton, Jamie
McGuire, Raine Miller, Jessica Sorensen, Nicole Williams, and Samantha Young.
Describe your book in one
sentence.
Only For You is a compelling tale of friendship, desire, and
redemption—brimming with witty characters, intelligent dialogue, unexpected
twists, profound sorrow, unfettered hope, and love’s unassailable perseverance.
Where did you get the idea for
Only For You, did anything inspire you to write it?
I should first mention that I have always imagined conversations in my
head, playing out possible scenarios to life’s ‘what ifs.’ One day a conversation (in my head…no I don’t
hear voices—I may be crazy, but not like that) came to me between Everleigh and
Hunter from a pivotal moment during the story.
I sat down at my computer and typed a few paragraphs to capture the
dialogue before I began to question ‘how did they get to this point?’ and ‘what
happens afterward?’ That little
conversation in my mind was the spark that finally inspired me to sit down and
construct the plot that would become Only For You.
What made you decide to write a New
Adult romance novel?
I love the transitional period between almost adult and adulthood. I believe there is natural drama during this
phase of life and so much personal growth and lessons learned. Watching characters figure out who they are
and the type of people they want to be—how they overcome adversity.
What would you say makes your
book unique and worth reading?
I think the balance will be most appealing to a reader. It is a contemporary new adult romance, but
it is also a story of friendships. There
are strong elements of comedy, mystery, and suspense in the plot and dialogue
which blend to make the read interesting and diverse.
Is there any specific message you
wanted to convey in the book?
I had a lesson/message in mind for each character.
Everleigh’s life lesson in Only
For You:
Responsibility. One of the
defining aspects of adulthood is responsibility. Ev’s story is about her journey as a new
adult fully into adulthood. She must
learn to take responsibility for her own actions and words, as well as those
she loves. She also must take responsibility
for her own happiness by communicating her wants and needs, setting boundaries,
letting go of what is not right for her, and embracing her chance at happiness.
Hunter’s life lesson in Only For
You:
Honour. Doing the right thing is often the hardest choice one must
make. Sacrificing your own wants to make
honourable decisions can come at a high price, but in the end, we are defined
by our actions and choices when right isn’t easy.
Sam’s life lesson in Only For
You:
Life isn’t fair. Sam learns the
hardest lessons in this book and is still learning how to process and deal with
these tough realities. Being a good
person does not prevent bad things from happening. Being a good friend does not prevent
betrayal. Making the right decisions
does not guarantee a favourable outcome.
Loving fully does not ensure equal love in return. These are difficult truths we all have to
face, though we rarely want to. The
question remains, now that Sam has learned these lessons, how will it shape and
define the person she becomes.
Griffin’s life lesson in Only For
You:
Patience and consistency! With
ourselves, with others, with circumstances beyond our control…life is an
exercise in patience. At times it may
feel that those around us are getting what we so desperately want, and we must
choose to support and share in their joy (or in Griffin’s case, be an integral
part in facilitating that joy) or become
bitter and jaded. It takes patience to
wait for your turn or the right time to have your own dreams fulfilled.
What are your plans for future
books?
Yes, the second book in the series, Pieces For You will be released on
December 17, 2013. The third book in the
For You series will be released in April 2014.
Do you have any hobbies and
Interests unrelated to books?
Travel, music, skiing, swimming (not alone), cooking, and general merriment.
Would you ever consider putting
these (answer to above) into any of your books?
Yes, many of them already are, actually. I want to write a series that involves travel
or where each book takes place in a different country based on the cities I
love from my own travels.
FUN STUFF
If you could meet any one author
(dead or alive) who would it be and why?
I would love to meet Kristen Ashley.
I adore her books and all her yummy alpha-men. My choice may possibly be influenced by the
possibility that she actually base her characters on real men she knows and I
could garner an intro ;-D
Tell us one interesting fact
about yourself.
I have an irrational fear of sharks in the water. Yes, I mean oceans, lakes (fresh and salt
water), even swimming pools. You can
thank my older brother for that last ridiculous fear. I know it is completely senseless, but I
still don’t like to swim alone. I’m
counting on the ability to outswim my water buddy if Jaws shows up.
What is your favourite food?
Sushi. I could east sushi for
ever meal of the day and be a happy, happy girl.
What is the most adventurous
thing you have ever done?
LOL. *clears throat*
I don’t know if I have an appropriate answer for the most adventurous
thing I have ever done, but I have been on a lot of adventures. I have travelled extensively to destinations
across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and the Caribbean.
If you could be any supernatural
creature which would you choose?
An angel. They have a vast
assortments of abilities and are usually the “good guys,” plus they are on the
winning team most of the time!
Excerpt from Only For You
As I approached, Hunter rose to greet me, gallantly appropriating my tray to place it on the table. He dramatically pulled out my chair and assisted me as I sat. I appreciated gentility as much as the next girl, but the whole scene struck me as abnormal.
“Care to tell me what that was about?” I distrustfully queried.
“I was merely practicing proper etiquette.” The twinkle in his eyes belied his innocent excuse.
“You were trying to call attention to our matching faux pas, weren’t you?”
“I will neither confirm nor deny.”
“Ass,” I muttered beneath my breath.
“That is the second time you have called me an asshole,” Hunter said sternly.
“I have never called you an asshole—to your face—I simply left a trail of breadcrumbs from which you could deduce my meaning.”
“Ah ha. You finally admit that our song is ‘Sweet As Hole’.”
“I will neither confirm nor deny,” I said, mocking his earlier statement.
“It was exceptionally ingenious of you.”
“I know, right?”
I caught his smile and realized my mistake. He had tricked me, and I confessed the song I had insulted him with.
“Dammit, Hunter. How do you always outmaneuver me? They should have you interrogate suspected terrorists. You would trick them into revealing their evil plot every time.”
“Nah, terrorism isn’t my specialty.” He winked before suddenly whistling, “That is some lunch you have there.”
“I’m as hungry as the bear I just spent the last hour pretending to be. A salad was not going to tame my ravenous need. Besides, who am I trying to impress?”
“Not me, that’s for sure,” he answered quickly with synthetic sorrow.
“Here I thought you were a martial arts instructor. Are you moonlighting as a comedian?”
“Martial arts is my moonlighting gig,” he paused as if weighing his words. “Where is Sam?”
“I’m not sure. She planned to join us.” I searched the dining room and saw her at the cashier with Robbie beside her. “There she is, her new guy Robbie is with her. Don’t ruin it for her by—just try not to be yourself for a little while.”
“You are a cruel woman, Everleigh.”
About the Author
Genna Rulon is an up-and-coming contemporary romance author who loves nothing more than a good love story.
During her 15 years in the corporate world, Genna, inspired by her love of reading, fantasized about penning her own stories. Encouraged by her favorite authors, many of whom are indie writers and self-published, she committed to pursue her aspirations of writing her own novels.
Genna was raised on Long Island in New York, where she still resides, surrounded by the most amazing family and friends. Married to a wonderful man who patiently tolerates her ramblings about whichever book she is currently working on, even feigning interest relatively convincingly! Genna is blessed with two little boys who do their best to thwart mommy's writing time with their hilarious antics and charming extrapolations.
All of Genna’s reviews are brought to you courtesy of copious amounts of coffee and Disney Junior (something has to entertain the boys when mommy is writing). You can find Genna online at:
www.gennarulon.com
Be sure to join the mailing list for updates about future books, as well as giveaways, and other fun facts.
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