Interview with N.R. Rhodes (Deep Rising)
Thank you for joining me in the shadows. Pay no attention to that odd silhouette over there. Weird things live here. Where do you hail from? –New Jersey. An equally weird place. Tell me about your latest book. What makes it stand out from the crowd? Oh, probably the ‘fear factor’. My characters aren’t just trying to defeat the bad guys; they’re trying to prevent tsunamis.
Do you have anything new in the works and can you tell us a bit about it?
What advice would you give to writers just starting out? Keep writing. Every day. There are writer’s groups (RWA, Savvy Authors, MWA) that can connect you with published authors and help you to better develop your craft. It’s important to keep reading. If not for enjoyment, then for the examples of what works.
How did you deal with rejection letters? Any tips for unpublished writers? Rejections suck. I think the only thing to do when one receives rejection is to try and learn from it. Everybody gets rejected. It happens. It isn’t fun and it will always hurt, but use them to fuel your writing. Prove that person wrong.
What tools of the trade are must-haves for you? Quiet. Starbuck’s Black Unsweetened Iced Tea. Swain’s Techniques of the Selling Writer .
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done to research a story? Nearly drowned. (gauge malfunctioned on a 90ft dive. Had no air. Not cool.)
What do you like to read? Everything. I’m a sucker for anything romance, and I’m loving NA.
Who is your favorite author and why? Michael Crichton. He had this amazing ability to merge science into believable fiction.
If you weren’t a writer, what career might you have chosen? I pretty much have the best job in the world, but if not for this, I should’ve taken a path in marine biology, specifically something with coral reefs. I have a very smart friend who did. Funny thing is, she’s forced to travel to all these islands and tropical places, and spend dayson the beach and in the water.
Who is your favorite superhero (or heroine)? Can be from a comic book, movie, novel, cartoon, video game or anywhere else heroes reign. Awesome question!!! Jean Grey- Summers from X-Men. I mean, come on, she can manipulate materials on the subatomic level, all with the power of her mind. Even when she goes Phoenix (read: batcrap crazy) she’s still really cool.
Your favorite book hero? Aragorn aka Strider from J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy.
You finally have an evening free to spend any way you want. Money is no object. Where do you go? What would you do? I don’t know that I’d need to ‘go’ anywhere in particular. I’m happy with just good food and good company. Hubby and I would probably have porterhouses and a nice Barolo. Followed by something chocolate for dessert (stomach growls at the thought)
You’ve been gifted (or cursed) with the ability to shift into another form by a witch. What kind of shifter are you? Why? Sperm whale. **why are you laughing?** They live for a very long time, are extremely powerful, are highly intelligent, and are able to dive to depths that few living creatures will ever see. Hmm, I probably should’ve said something cool, like a falcon (‘cause who wouldn’t want to fly?) or a Grizzly (so I could hibernate and catch up on much-needed sleep). But I get airsick, and sleep is totally overrated. Yeah, I’ll take echolocation and eating giant squid. Leading role in Herman Melville’s classic= bonus!
Thanks so much for being my guest today! Anything else you’d like to share with my readers? Don’t forget to give us links to your website etc.
I just want to say THANK YOU! This was fun and I really appreciate this opportunity. You rock!
Deep Rising
N.R. Rhodes
Smart. Sexy. Suspense.
Blurb:
In his nine-year stint with the CIA, Jared Caldwell thought he’d seen it all. But when his latest mission instructs him to apprehend a beautiful scientist who’s allegedly linked to a devastating new form of warfare, he isn’t prepared for the prospect of battling man-made tsunamis—or the misplaced feelings he harbors for his number one suspect.
The irony of being accused of crimes her research was intended to prevent isn’t lost on Svetlana Orskya. She also didn’t expect her wish for a strong, sexy man to sweep in and change her life to come true—especially not when he appears, gun in hand, pointed at her.
But time is running out and Jared and Lana must work together to protect the mainland. As the heat between them—and the threat of mass destruction—rises there is more at stake than just their hearts.
Lana glanced down at the negative edge sink with its sleek silver fixtures. The water swirled around the shallow marble basin before disappearing over the side. Like the water, she felt her sense of control spiraling down the drain.
“I wish it was otherwise, but you need to come with me, Lana.”
She met his eyes in the reflection of the mirror.
“I’m the bait.”
He nodded.
The acknowledgment shouldn’t have pierced her with such brutal precision, but it did, slashing through her sense of worth, diminishing her to a rook in this twisted chess game. “You get me into position. I distract Sergei. Then you apprehend him. Is that the plan?”
He released a heavy breath. “If you’re in league with him, it’ll draw him to me. If you aren’t, yes, it will provide a valuable diversion. Either way we’ll neutralize him.”
“Neutralize?”
Reaching around her, he turned off the faucet. With a gentle hand, he guided her to face him directly. “There’s something you need to know.”
Reluctantly, she met his eyes.
“I’m here to remove the threat,” he said.
“I see.”
He elected to be honest with her, she reminded herself. He could lie about the entire situation.
He put his hand on her shoulder in a gesture intended to be reassuring. It fell far short of its mark. She slapped his hand away. “Save your commiseration. It isn’t sincere. You’re asking me to lure my brother to certain death!”
“I’m sorry.”
Lana spun around and stared into the mirror again. Seeing him, seeing herself reflected in his cold, clear eyes, she thought of the millions and millions of people whose lives were at stake and suddenly any lingering emotion she felt for Sergei dissipated. She understood. Either her brother was innocent and this was all for naught or he was a legitimate threat and they needed to apprehend him. All or nothing.
“I’ll do what I have to,” she said.
“To help this mission or save your brother?”
“Truthfully, any person who’d use my work to harm millions of innocent people doesn’t deserve to live.”
“He killed twelve hundred people already, Lana.”
“I know. . .” And I feel responsible.
“The weight goes away,” he said as if reading her mind
“When?”
“When you set it right.”
The time had come, Lana realized, to do just that.
Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveawayN.R. Rhodes is giving away a copy of Deep Rising to twelve readers at the end of her tour.
*Rafflecopter to be provided by Entangled
Author Bio
N. R. Rhodes has worn many hats. She has accumulated degrees in biology, psychology and behavioral neuroscience. A Mensa member and former high school science teacher, she made her way into publishing in a roundabout way and was named Agent of the Year in 2012. It took her a while to figure out what she wanted to do when she “grew up.” But books are the perfect fit. As a literary agent, she makes authors dreams come true–and, with Deep Rising, she decided to indulge in one of her own.
Dividing her time between New Jersey and Florida, she and her incredibly supportive husband enjoy traveling, family and friends. Her stepson Christian is one of her greatest joys.
WebsiteTwitter: @NRRHODESAUTHOR
