AUTHORPALOOZA INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY - RACHEL SCHURIG

This giveaway is now CLOSED!  Congratulations to Barb Caddy, the lucky winner of Rachel Schurig's e-book, IN SEARCH OF A LOVE STORY.


Today, I have the pleasure of welcoming Rachel Schurig, author of the über-popular THREE GIRLS series (over 40,000 copies sold!), to Books by Banister.  Rachel, a special education teacher, is taking a year-long sabbatical to devote herself to writing full-time (Exciting!  Scary!) and she's here to tell us more about herself and her new release, the funny and romantic Chick Lit novel IN SEARCH OF A LOVE STORY.

Rachel has generously offered to give away one Kindle copy of her e-book IN SEARCH OF A LOVE STORY.  So, be sure to leave a comment, including your e-mail address, below to be entered for a chance to win.

1) Can you give us a brief overview of IN SEARCH OF A LOVE STORY?

Sure! Here’s the synopsis from the back cover:

Emily Donovan doesn’t have a romantic bone in her body.

At least, that’s what her friends Ryan and Ashley keep telling her. They’re convinced her bad luck with men is directly related to her life-long lack of interest in all things romantic. When Emily’s latest relationship crashes and burns, she decides to go along with her friends’ plans for a romance research project. Sure, the idea that she’ll have better luck if she learns about the great romances of literature and film seems a little silly, but Emily figures it can’t hurt.

In no time at all, Emily finds herself buried under a mountain of romance novels, chick flicks, and sappy love songs, hopeful that her hard work will pay off with true love. When she meets Greg, Ashley and Ryan are convinced she’s found prince charming—after all, he’s rich, handsome, and totally into Emily. What more could she want? And why does it seem that her friend Elliot isn’t exactly happy for her?

Faced with misunderstandings, miscommunications, and a seemingly endless string of missteps, she is nevertheless determined to give true love a try. In doing so, Emily will eventually find that true romance, the kind that lasts, has little to do with stereotypes or clichés, and everything to do with finding out what’s in her own heart.

2) What's your favorite quality about your hero/heroine?

Emily is so determined to find lasting love. Despite all of the ups and downs,  she experiences in her search for romance, she never gives up the belief that love—including her love for friends and family—is essential in her life.

3) What made you want to write this book?

I have always loved all things romance—chick flicks, sappy love songs, romantic comedies, classic love stories. I thought it would be fun to explore the romantic journey of a girl who is the opposite of me, a girl who couldn’t tell her Elizabeth Bennet from her Julia Roberts.

4) What are you working on now?

I am working on a sequel of sorts to my THREE GIRLS series. Kiki Barker was a character introduced in THREE GIRLS AND A WEDDING. I ended up liking her so much I decided she deserved to have her own story told. I’m hoping to have the book ready to go sometime in July.

5) What comes first for you -- character idea, plot idea?

Usually a plot idea, though it rarely gets fleshed out fully until I develop a good character. For the most part, the two go hand in hand.

6) How do you think of titles?

Oh, man. I hate coming up with titles. Hate it! For some reason they give me a headache. It’s hard to think of one line or phrase that fully represents a book! If I am ever a gagillionaire, I’m going to hire someone to be my dedicated title-comer-upper!

7) What are your thoughts on love scenes in books?  Do you prefer to read/write sweet/romantic encounters between your hero and heroine or spicy ones?

I have so much respect for people who can write good, spicy love scenes, because I do enjoy reading them when they are done well. However, that’s a talent I don’t think I possess. I usually aim for sweet and romantic in my own books.

8) Who are the authors who inspire you?

So, so many! Authors like Marian Keyes, Harriet Evans, Sophie Kinsella, Lucy Kevin, and Elizabeth Young inspired me to write chicklit. Jane Austen, Louisa May Alcott, and L.M. Montgomery inspired in me a love of reading from a very young age.

9) What genres do you like to read?  Do you stick to one or are you eclectic in your reading tastes?

I will read just about anything! My favorite genres are chicklit and young adult, but I have been known to read some thrillers, sci-fi, and fantasy. If it’s well written and has compelling characters I’ll read it!

10) What was the last book you read that really WOWed you?

THE WOOL series by Hugh Howie. I don’t usually go crazy for sci-fi, but this series was so, so good. I literally couldn’t stop reading it! I was so thankful for my Kindle so I could immediately download each installment as I finished the last.

11) Do you prefer a series or stand alone novels?

I love a good series. If an author can draw me in and make me care about the characters in a story, I love to be able to learn more about them in a series of books.

12) If you could be plopped down in the middle of any book, which one would it be?

Oh man, what a terribly hard question! I would love to experience the Regency period of Jane Austen’s PRIDE AND PREJUDICE — and get the chance to check out Pemberley and hottie Mr. Darcy! But I would also love to see the magic of Hogwarts in HARRY POTTER.

13) If you could invite any five people (living or dead) over for a dinner party, who would they be and why?

Rachael Ray, J.K.Rowling, Joss Whedon, Paul McCartney, and Michael Phelps. Rachael Ray can cook for us, J.K. Rowling can tell us all the little secret details of HARRY POTTER that didn’t make it into the books, Joss Whedon can tell us what would have happened if FIREFLY didn’t get cancelled, and Paul McCartney can sing for us after we eat. Oh, and Michael Phelps will provide eye candy.

Fast and Flirty 

Favorite scent?  Jasmine

Favorite color?  Purple

Favorite food?  Pasta (Or bread. Or cheese. Wait, is wine a food??)

Favorite word?  Scuttlebutt
Dream vacation spot?  The Caribbean

Favorite time period in history?  Regency England

Favorite girl's night out drink?  Chocolate martini

Favorite date night activity?  I’m a simple girl, give me dinner and a drink and I’m happy!

Coffee or tea or soda?  Tea

Strong but lean or built and burly?  Can’t I have both?

Scruffy or clean-shaven?  I like the scruff!

Dark-haired or blond?  Dark

Celebrity hottie on your laminated list?  John Krasinski. So tall and pretty!

Novel hero crush? Gilbert Blythe from ANNE OF GREEN GABLES. Or Mark Darcy from BRIDGET JONES. Or Sirius Black from HARRY POTTER…again, do I have to choose just one??

Thanks for being a part of Authorpalooza, Rachel!  Good luck with IN SEARCH OF A LOVE STORY and all your future writing endeavors.

Leave a comment below telling me what your favorite sappy love song is and you'll be entered to win a Kindle copy of IN SEARCH OF A LOVE STORY.  Don't forget to leave your e-mail address so that I can contact you if you win!  Drawing will take place on Tuesday, July 3rd, so get your comments in by midnight on Monday, July 2nd.

Purchase IN SEARCH OF A LOVE STORY at:

Amazon

Visit Rachel Schurig at:

Website

Twitter