Get Lost in the World of Fractured Paradise

Welcome back for another day of celebrating the release of my latest book, Fractured Paradise. Today I am interviewing the book's heroine, Rachel Grant. Join us to find out more about Rachel, her hero Aidan, her job in one of the world's best bodyguard agencies, and what it's like in the city of Sunderland.

ALEXA: Folks, Rachel is a computer genius.
RACHEL: Well, I wouldn't say genius.


ALEXA: You're too modest. I've heard about how you got recruited. Can you share that story with our readers?
RACHEL: The International Protective Network recruited me. I was on a short list of world-wide hackers. Let's just say I had a choice: work with IPN or go to court in the US.

ALEXA: So you live and work in Edinburgh, Scotland. What brought you to Sunderland, England?
RACHEL: My grandparents lived in England until my grandfather died. After that, my grandmother moved to Edinburgh to be closer to me. I'm back in Sunderland now because my grandmother wants to move back to their house that she kept even after my grandfather died. The house needs some work and nobody else in the family would help her so I took 2 weeks vacation to come down here.

ALEXA: Tell us about Aidan. What was your first impression of him?
RACHEL: I admit it was something at first sight for me. I don’t want to say love because it took a while to get to that point and I don’t want to say lust because that instant connection felt stronger than pure lust. I was immediately attracted to him, but I fought it tooth and nail.

ALEXA: What do you love most about him?
RACHEL: How much he cares about me and how honest he is. He’ll tell me things exactly as they are no matter what, even if I don’t want to hear them, but he has never lied to me. That’s important to me.

ALEXA: And what about him annoys you?
RACHEL: Sometimes his bluntness can get on my nerves. There are other things, too, but they’re minor. He really is the perfect man for me.

ALEXA: What's your favorite music?
RACHEL: I’m into heavy alternative.

ALEXA: How do you feel about Sunderland?
RACHEL:  When I first got back here, I hated it. I only came for my grandmother, but as I got to know Aidan and the other locals, and I remembered the happy times I spent here as a child, I fell in love with it all over again.

ALEXA: Which city do you like better? Edinburgh or Sunderland?
RACHEL: I love them both. They both have different things that make them special.

ALEXA: What do you do with your free time?
RACHEL: I spend it with Aidan or my friends. When I’m on vacation and he’s not, I’ll sometimes take the tours that he’s leading. I love exploring as much as I can of the UK. I also like watching soccer, or football as they call it here.

ALEXA: What's the best thing about working at the IPN?
RACHEL: I love the opportunity to help people, to bring criminals to justice and assist the operatives in protecting the innocent. Plus, we’re really like a family.

ALEXA: Let's go back to your grandmother's cottage. In the beginning, you didn't really want to be there. Why not?
RACHEL: At first, all I could remember were the times my mother dumped me on my grandparents for the summer so she could travel across the US with my sister who was a participant in beauty pageants.

ALEXA: Now for the important questions. What’s your favorite UK candy?
RACHEL: Mars bars. I have yet to have one fried, but I wouldn’t mind trying that.


ALEXA: And your favorite treat besides candy?
RACHEL: Sausage rolls. LOVE them!  I’m sure I’ve gained quite a bit of weight since I moved here just from Mars bars and sausage rolls!

ALEXA: If you had one chance to convince people to read your story, what would you tell them?
RACHEL: Fractured Paradise is a glimpse at life in Sunderland, England from an American woman’s eyes. It’s a story about embracing who you are, forgiving yourself and allowing happiness into your heart.

ALEXA: Wow! Thanks, Rachel. That’s a better quick description than I could do.
RACHEL: You don’t do too bad yourself, Alexa.

ALEXA: I know you probably have to go, so I won’t keep you any longer. Thanks for stopping by.
RACHEL: Yeah, I do need to get going. I’ve got a conference call for one of the IPN operatives who’s working in Los Angeles this week. Thanks for having me!

Remember, folks. Every comment left yesterday or today goes into the raffle for a FREE copy of this romantic suspense book! I'll be choosing a winner after midnight and posting the winner's name in the comment section tomorrow morning. AND all week I'm having a release party on my own blog too so head over there as well for more Fractured Paradise details and prizes!

Thanks for celebrating with me!

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(I'm also on Twitter: @AlexaBourne)