Tell us about your book.
Bulletproof is the result of a perfect brainstorm event between a highly accomplished romantic suspense author and a paranormal romance author searching for some overdue direction.
From the back cover: A soldier is nothing without his honor.
To avoid a dishonorable end to his decorated military career, John Noble made a deal with the devil. He gave up his name, endured harrowing training, and accepted every mission thrown at him for one purpose: redemption.
When he accepts his latest orders, providing personal security for a reporter in trouble, he bargains hard to guarantee it will be his last job for the shadow agency he knows only Unknown Identities.
An ambitious reporter, Amelia Bennett, is about to break the story of her career, if she lives long enough to tell it. Caving to her boss’s demand, she hires a bodyguard and soon it is obvious John Noble is the only obstacle standing between her and certain death.
Just when John believes he has found someone he can trust and love, who loves him unconditionally for who and what he has become, his orders are amended: Amelia Bennett is to be terminated.
Introducing Unknown Identities: an alternative for elite soldiers and spies facing criminal charges… if they can survive the program.
I’d like to say this was something in my idea file that I knew I would write someday, but the truth is far more fun. This book, the entire new series, sprouted over the course of ‘what if’ phone calls covering everything from plot, to character, to career with my mentor and friend, Debra Webb.
Debra: “What if you try romantic suspense?”
Me: “What if I miss the paranormal, supernatural stuff?”
Debra: “What if you weave that in too?”
Me: “Hmm…” and then I’d run off to write.
A master storyteller, and brilliantly quick with an idea, Debra and I had a fabulous time dreaming up increasingly dire consequences for John and Amelia as Bulletproof came together. I learned so much in the process of this book and the experience of working so closely with someone as accomplished as Debra was exactly what I needed.
It’s my hope readers will feel that passion and excitement as they read Bulletproof and the stories that will follow in the Unknown Identities series.
Why did you write Bulletproof?
Well, the short answer is I wrote Bulletproof because my friend and mentor, Debra Webb, told me to.
Which naturally begs the follow up question: Does every author write what they’re told to write? Well, if they have a mentor as accomplished and savvy as Deb, they should!
I believe with all of my heart that authors should write the stories they love, stories they long to read. But there’s this pesky factor called ‘the market’ and that far more interesting and accessible factor called ‘the reader’.
Debra and I have known each other for years. She knew I wasn’t yet where I wanted to be in my career and last summer, when she called just to see how things were going, she realized I’d reached a point of paralysis.
My earlier books, while well received by the readers, had yet to find a sweet spot in the market. I was spinning my wheels with no confidence to choose a direction.
The tone of the phone call changed immediately. First came the in-depth review of where I’d been and where I wanted to go, followed by an honest assessment of my strengths, weaknesses, and productivity. Then came the fun part – the plan for how to get there.
Bulletproof and the Unknown Identities series is the latest step in that detailed plan.
Debra is a master of romantic suspense and thrillers. She knows I love to write fast-paced paranormal and urban fantasy romances. With her encouragement, guidance, and editorial expertise, Bulletproof became the combination of those strengths.
Working so closely with Debra this past year has been something akin to a master class in the production of writing and the analysis of marketing books. I don’t think I get a diploma, but seeing Bulletproof, Double Vision and the stories that will follow in the Unknown Identities series is even better!
Tell us a bit about your family.
I’m married to my personal hero and we have two amazing children. For the past fourteen years, we’ve called South Carolina home. Our daughter attends college in New York and our son is finishing high school at the Governor’s School for Science and Math. (Have I mentioned they are amazing kids?)
It wasn’t always easy being the lone creative type in a family of analytical personalities at various stages of development, but I persevered. (Have you ever tried to get an engineer to discuss ‘feelings’? Not easy.)
Things turned out pretty well and we are all very close. Board games, video pinball tournaments, zoo visits, and movies are just a few of the things we try to do whenever we’re together.
What I used to refer to as our ‘domestic petting zoo’ has diminished as the kids have grown up and we’re currently at an all-time low of two retired greyhounds, two cats with god-complexes, and two quirky finches.
My husband and I are discovering this empty nest thing is pretty remarkable. Primarily because our amazing kids are good enough to call frequently and let us keep our parenting skills sharp. Of course ‘empty nest’ is a relative term considering all of our pets.
What’s your greatest character strength?
Tenacity. Though my family might call it something else (stubbornness?) I think of my consistent effort to improve my craft and strive forward to reach my long-term goals as tenacity.
What’s your weakest character trait?
Impatience. As much as I work on it, I’m not sure I’ll ever master the fine art of waiting.
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Genre - Romantic Suspense
Rating – R
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Website http://www.reganblack.com
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