Spotlight on The Breathing Series by Rebecca Donovan & Author Interview!

Did you know Out of Breath, the third book in the Breathing Series by Rebecca Donovan is being released a week today?!!

We're so excited to welcome Rebecca to the blog today for an interview! But that's not all - in celebration of the release being so close we have a giveaway for a signed set of all three books in the series!
 

If you haven't read Rebecca's books yet, why not? Now is a perfect time to start!
 

Book 1 - Reason to Breathe

Book Blurb:

"No one tried to get involved with me, and I kept to myself. This was the place where everything was supposed to be safe and easy. How could Evan Mathews unravel my constant universe in just one day?"
 

In the affluent town of Weslyn, Connecticut, where most people worry about what to be seen in and who to be seen with, Emma Thomas would rather not be seen at all. She’s more concerned with feigning perfection while pulling down her sleeves to conceal the bruises - not wanting anyone to know how far from perfect her life truly is. Without expecting it, she finds love. It challenges her to recognize her own worth - but at the risk of revealing the terrible secret she’s desperate to hide.
 

Reason to Breathe is an electrifying page turner from start to finish, a unique tale of life-changing love, unspeakable cruelty, and one girl’s fragile grasp of hope.

Buy links:

Amazon.co.uk: http://amzn.to/11WhQCu

Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/1aEv3Xl
 

Book 2 - Barely Breathing

Book Blurb:

Emma’s struggle with an abusive home life came to a heart pounding conclusion in the final chapters of Reason to Breathe. Now everyone in Weslyn knows Emma’s secret, but Carol can’t hurt Emma anymore. Some are still haunted by the horror of that night, and some must face the repercussions of their choices. Fans of Rebecca Donovan’s debut novel will discover there’s still much to learn about Emma’s life.

Buy Links:

Amazon.co.uk: http://amzn.to/17vzll6

Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/11TZ5P6

 Book 3 - Out of Breath

Book Blurb:

Emma leaves Weslyn and everyone in it behind to attend Stanford University, just as she always intended. A shell of her former self, she is not the same girl. She is broken, and the only way that she’ll be whole again is through forgiveness. Emma must find a way to forgive herself and recognize her own worth before she can receive the love she deserves. This final installment will have readers holding their breath until the very last page.

Out of Breath is out on 2nd July.

Pre-order Links:

Amazon.co.uk: http://amzn.to/14QWYRm

Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/1710okL

Reason to Breathe & Barely Breathing were both 5 Star reads for Donna & Willow

Author interview!

Welcome to The Romance Cover Rebecca. Thank you so much for joining us today.

Before we start talking about your writing and your books, lets find out a bit more about you:

 

When you are not writing or working what do you enjoy doing?

Music is as big a part of who I am as writing, so if I'm NOT writing, I'm probably at a concert. Preferably traveling to a concert to be more accurate!

 

What is your favourite Movie at the moment?

It's been a while since I've had the opportunity to get to the movies. I'm still dying to see The Great Gatsby. But until that moment, my all time favorite movie is Sixteen Candles. It's a classic, and I will forever have a crush on Jake Ryan!

 

What is your favourite song at the moment?

"All I Want" by Kodaline - this song gives me the chills every time I listen to it.

 

Who is your favourite book boyfriend?  

Do you mean besides Evan? The guy I created to be virtually too perfect to be true? Then that would be Wil from Slammed. I would get in an argument with him anytime just so we could pull stars from a jar...

 

If you could have only one book whilst stranded on a desert Island, what would it be?

I'd want a story with me that would give me hope... so I'd say The Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman. That series provided beautiful insight on the human soul.

Let's talk about your writing:

 

What inspired you to write your first book? 

A dream that wouldn't let me sleep. I tend to over think, even when I'm supposed to be sleeping. I'm pretty certain that's called insomnia - ha! I tried to force a dream, and the next thing I knew, I had a story I had to write down because I knew it was worth being told.

 

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Oddly enough... Stephen King. His books put me IN the story. I could feel, touch and smell where I was. His words create imagery so vivid, and evoke emotions so fierce, they leave an everlasting impression. And that's exactly what I want to do with every story I write - evoke emotion so strong, it can, at times, take the readers out of their comfort zone.

What do you do when you come down with a case of the infamous ʺwriter's blockʺ?

I don't write. Ha! I know some say to write even when you can't. But I cannot. I have to feel it. Be in it. Or it's evident that I'm not connected with it. So I step away, and let the voices float in my head until they're strong enough to be written.

Do you listen to music when you write? If so what is the song you most associate with Reason to Breathe? Which one for Barely Breathing? Which one for Out of Breath?

I don't listen to music while I write, but it does influence me in between scenes, while I'm collecting my thoughts. Music can be so vital in creating a moment. Reason to Breathe's title was actually inspired by "Believe" by The Bravery. In Barely Breathing, the house itself became a character in the story - I listened to "Little Talks" by Of Monsters and Men so many times during the creation of that book. And "I Won't Give Up" by Jason Mraz is the most very perfect song for Out of Breath.

Tell us more about Reason to Breathe and Barely Breathing:

In Reason to Breathe Emma has to deal with Abuse, in Barely Breathing she has to deal with alcoholism. These are tough issues to write about and you write about them so well. Where do you get your ideas for these storylines? How do you go about researching the issues?
I worked with troubled teens after graduating with a bachelor's in psychology, so I was exposed to many of these issues. I felt it was important to not hold back when telling Emma's story, because these issues are serious and are far too often overlooked. It's time we started listening to those who are afraid to speak up.

Emma is tough to go through what she has and whilst people may not always agree with her decisions, I'm sure they can understand them. What is your inspiration behind her character? How was she developed? Is she based on someone?
Emma is not the example to live by. She honestly does not make the correct decision once in the first two books, despite her intentions. But her flaws are what make readers identify with her, while making them frustrated with her at the same. Emma is a survivor, and that in itself is a strength that we all possess.

Evan is such a sweet, caring character and our hearts broke for him more than once. What's your favourite thing about him? Was it difficult writing from his POV at the end of Barely Breathing?

Evan doesn't give up. He doesn't allow Emma to push him away because he can see right through her defences, and knows she’s worth all the effort he puts into loving her. I know all of my characters so well, I could easily write from any of their viewpoints (except Carol's - I'd NEVER want her in my head).

We can't not talk about Jonathan. He is a complex character, broken and has past troubles, but does seem to care for Emma, though his relationship with her isn't always healthy. Was his character always mapped out this way or did he evolve the more you wrote?
Jonathan is the most controversial and complex character I've yet to create. Everything about him is purposeful. He was designed to ride the line between “misunderstood but lovable” and “dangerous and perhaps creepy”. I never intended to write his story, but the more I got to know him, the more I realized his story is more complicated and horrifying than Emma's – I feel I owe it to him to tell it. I'll begin writing Jonathan's trilogy next year.

You totally killed us with the cliff-hanger endings! Was it always your intention to end the books on cliff-hangers? Why did you chose to do this?

I grew up watching Hitchcock and I admired movies that would leave me unsettled at the end but kept me thinking. I wanted readers to feel at the end of these books. I wanted to leave an impression that couldn't be shaken.

If you were making a movie, who would you cast as the characters?

I'd honestly prefer an unknown cast of young talent. I could certainly see Robin Wright as Carol. She'd be phenomenal. Although I've seen some fantasy casts listed by readers that are exceptional, no one has quite caught my attention to make me feel "she/he's perfect!"

Which was your favourite book to write and why?

Out of Breath was my favorite to create. Not only because it's the conclusion of Emma's story, but because I was able to delve inside this character in hopes that she can finally see how strong she truly is.
If you could change one scene from one of your books what would it be and why?

I would contemplate removing the sex scene between Jonathan and Rachel. I had no idea that Emma walking in on them would leave as strong of a reaction as it did with the readers. It was an impression I didn't intend to be as traumatizing as it was. It was meant to be horrifying but humorous at the same time. I mean, Sara thought it was funny!
 

We know that you want to keep as much as possible under wraps about Out of Breath before it's release next week, but can you share with us a few little bits?:

What was the hardest part of writing this book?

It's an emotional story. I had to bring myself to dark places that were difficult to resurface from. I cried more than once while writing it.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

The first funeral scene... and you'll see why!

What do you think readers will like most about this book?

That there’s no cliffhanger!

Is this the end of Emma's story?

It is.

Can you talk about future projects?:

 

What have you got lined up for the future?

Besides Jonathan's trilogy, which I'm planning to write next year, I'm at the beginning stages of a New Adult stand-alone, written through the perspective of a twenty-year-old guy, so you know that will be interesting! Ha! I have another gut wrenching stand alone in mind after that. I'm truly excited to be writing again!

Finally what would you say about your books to someone who hasn't yet read them?

I'm sorry. (Then I'd smile.)

 

Giveaway!

Do you want to win a signed set of the Breathing Series books by Rebecca?

Enter below. Open Internationally. The giveaway will run until 29th June. The winner will be announced on the blog on Monday 1st July.

Good Luck!

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