#1 NY Times Bestselling Author Barbara
Freethy talks inspiration, romance, and research, plus tells us about
how the Callaways' lives resemble her own… Check out what she has
to say then Read on for more information about this blog tour and all
its great prizes!
What do you love most about being an
author?
Being able to tell stories! I've been a
voracious reader since I was a child, and having a job that allows me
to create my own worlds, characters and plots is a dream come true.
What first inspired you to write the
Callaways? Where did you get the initial idea for the series?
I had wanted to write a family series
for a while, and I wanted the family to be blended, just to make the
dynamics a little more interesting. Jack Callaway was a widower with
four small boys when he met Lynda Kane, a divorcee with two small
girls. They fell in love, got married and had twins. The eight
siblings are now adults and range in age between 35 and 25. I also
wanted the Callaways to stand for something. So there's a family
tradition of "serve and protect". All the kids are raised
with the idea that they need to serve the community, to help others
and to always protect the family as well as anyone else in trouble.
And the Callaways always seem to find trouble, even when they're not
looking for it.
Which of the Callaway siblings is
the most like you? How are the two of you similar?
There is a piece of me in every
character that I write, which makes it impossible for me to ever pick
a favorite. I do like Emma a lot, because she's the one person in the
family who has a close relationship with every sibling. She's also
independent, brave and loving, which are all great traits.
Your characters all have such
fascinating jobs, and, in reading your novels, it feels like I'm
right there with them. How do you perform your research in order to
make careers such as a smoke jumper, homicide detective, or Coast
Guard rescue pilot so authentic?
I've read quite a few nonfiction books
and articles written by smoke jumpers, firefighters, cops, etc. And I
have a writer friend who is also a police detective, so I often ask
her for help with the more technical aspects. But what's really fun
about writing is discovering new things—so I love to write about
people in careers I don't know that much about. In THAT SUMMER NIGHT,
one of the characters is tied into the pharmaceutical industry, and I
had never written a book that delved into that area. I found some of
the true whistleblower stories that I read in preparation for writing
that book to be fascinating. I think enjoying research is probably a
big part of being a successful writer. I was born with a curiosity
and an imagination. Writing is a great outlet!
The Callaways all have such
beautiful, unique love stories. How do you get in the mindset for
writing them? Are any of their stories inspired, at least in part, by
your own real-life love story?
I have a wonderful husband who always
takes credit for being my inspiration. And while that's true, as a
writer I do love to explore stories beyond my own personal
experience. I like to bring together couples who complement each
other but also drive each other a little crazy. I think love is about
finding that one person who pushes you to be better, who challenges
the way you think, supports you no matter what and gives you that
heady, dizzy, wonderful feeling that comes when you fall in love.
I love that your novels are not only
awesome romances but also have gripping suspense as a central part of
the story line. How do you start planning your novels with the
romance or with the suspense—or with something else altogether?
I enjoy writing romance that brings a
little extra in terms of a plot. So every Callaway novel
features a great love story, a puzzling mystery, some family drama
and a little nerve-tingling suspense. I don't outline in great
detail, but I always have a general idea of the suspense plot points
before I begin. The story takes shape and changes as I put myself
into the characters' heads. That's part of the fun of writing!
Congrats on your groundbreaking, new
partnership with Ingram to get the paperback editions of the
Callaways out to the world. What about this opportunity has you most
excited?
Since I formed my own publishing
company and began independently publishing my books outside of the
traditional New York publishing industry, it's been a challenge to
get my books into print and into physical bookstores across the
country. Late last year, I entered into a groundbreaking partnership
with Ingram Publisher Services to sell and distribute my books into
retail outlets like Target, Barnes and Noble, airport bookstores and
supermarkets, as well as other bookstore chains. I know there are
lots of readers who still prefer to read in print, and I'm thrilled
that they'll now be able to read my bestselling digital series in
their favorite format!
About the Callaway Blog Tour & All Its Great Prizes!
This is the week you finally meet the
Callaways! Not only are they all over the web as part of their
extraordinary blog tour, but they are also out and about in your
neighborhood. That's right; we're celebrating the
print launch with Ingram by throwing a
party all over the world! Make sure to follow this tour closely for
your chance to win gift cards, swag, autographed books, and other
incredible prizes.
All the info you need to join the fun and enter
to win amazing prizes is RIGHT
HERE. Remember, winning is as easy as
clicking a button or leaving a blog comment—easy to enter; easy to
win!
To Win the Prizes:
- Purchase any of the Callaway novels by Barbara Freethy (optional)
- Visit today’s featured social media event (that's where the HUGE prizes are)
About The Callaways: The
Callaways were born to serve and protect! In Barbara’s new
connected family series, each of the eight siblings in this blended
Irish-American family find love, mystery and adventure, often where
they least expect it! Each book stands alone, but for the full
enjoyment of the series, you might want to start at the beginning
with On A Night Like This! Get
the eBooks via Amazon, Barnes
& Noble, iBooks, or Kobo.
About the Author: Barbara
Freethy has been making up stories most of her life.
Growing up in a neighborhood with only boys and a big brother who was
usually trying to ditch her, she spent a lot of time reading.
When she wasn’t reading, she was
imagining her own books. After college and several years in
the P.R. field, she decided to try her hand at a
novel. Now Barbara is a #1 New York Times and USA Today
bestselling author loved by readers all over the world. Her
novels range from contemporary romance to romantic suspense and
women's fiction. Learn more on her website, Facebook
page, or in her Street
Team.
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