I wish I could say writing a book is an easy process because who doesn’t like easy? But like most things in life, anything that’s genuinely worthwhile requires hard work. This book was no exception.
This book haunted me for two years, the heroine’s voice strong in my head and demanding to have her say. Ideas would come to me at the oddest times, while driving in my car or watching television. Notes are everywhere, scribbled on post-it notes, backsides of envelopes, and even the cardboard flap on my checkbook. I remember trying to explain the concept of my series to a non-romance reader, how I loved the idea of these hired mercenary heroes working for a Blackwater-like organization and trying to maintain world order. How I was so enthusiastic about creating borderline antihero alpha males. His response? “That sounds like a really cool concept. Are you sure it’s a romance?” I may have mentioned there’d be hot sex scenes (yep, just check the flap of my checkbook cover—the details are hidden inside). My friend didn’t ask me any more questions after that.
Then I set about torturing myself—and probably my editor, Lizzie Poteet—by not writing a linear story, per se. My heroine Kylie needed you to understand where she was coming from (the past), the hell she is going through (the present), as well as feel her pain, feel her struggle. I took a lot of what I knew about plotting and . . . ignored it. Writing Rogue was like a constant game of fitting all the puzzle pieces together. But I sincerely loved every minute of working on it. And I hope you enjoy reading it.
Before I give a warm thank-you to everyone who worked with me, listened to me, and encouraged me to go for it, I want to acknowledge something dear and significant to me.
Paris.
I finished a pretty solid draft of Rogue during the summer of 2015. At that time, and even more so now, I viewed Paris as a third character in this story. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve loved this city. I lived in France, have a B.A. in French, and worked as an associate marketing manager for Yves St. Laurent Parfum in New York City. There’s a running joke with my friends that I’ve been to the Statue of Liberty twice but to the Eiffel Tower nine times. It’s true. So it seemed like a fun idea to pay homage to this beautiful city within the story and dedicate the book to Paris.
The manuscript was already with St. Martin’s Press when the events of November 2015 unfolded. And like I mentioned, I worked in NYC. I lived through September 11. For the longest time, I couldn’t look up at an airplane without my heart feeling as if it was trying to burst out of my chest.
So first, I’d like to acknowledge Paris and her citizens. I love you. You’re beautiful. Please stay strong. Don’t let the ugliness of terrorism change you. Fight by staying the same.
Next, I’d like to thank my publisher, St. Martin’s Press, and my editor, Lizzie Poteet, for her help with this story and her excitement! It’s not every day an editor tells you they were upset because they only printed the first one hundred pages of your manuscript to read and had to wait to make it home before finishing it. Thank you, Lizzie!
Thanks to my copy editor, MaryAnn Johanson, for being so thorough. She pointed out the fact that the Montparnasse section of Paris is actually flat. Hey, I might have a B.A. in French and visited the city numerous times, but I don’t have the topography memorized. And jeez, mont does mean mountain. I thought I was safe. Great catch. Merci.
A very pleased thanks to my cover artist at St. Martin’s Press for the most gorgeously sexy cover ever.
I’d like to thank, and apologize, to my family. I missed Easter to work on this story. I missed many, many weekends to work on this story. It’s what needed to happen. My choice. And I’m so fortunate you all understand.
Thank you to my pals and critique partners, Joanna Shupe, Diana Quincy, and J. B. Schroeder. You’ve been along for my wonderful journey for several years now and are great at giving advice and feedback as well as a good laugh . . . roar! I told you how the “iron was heating over the flame, getting ready to strike.” Thank you for always believing in me, and that it would!
I’d also like to thank M. K. Alexander, Tina Gabrielle, Roseanne DeFranco, Janet Pepsin, and Annabelle Bryant for their support, encouragement, and great dinner conversations. When you are surrounded by greatness, it brings out the best in you.
I want to mention two reviewers who’ve been so supportive of my work early on and who I consider friends: Jamie A. Geraldi with RT Book Reviews and Slick at Slick Reads. Thank you so much. I’m forever grateful for your kindness and appreciation of my stories.
Finally, a huge thank-you to my readers. I write books I want to read myself. And somehow I’ve been fortunate enough to discover what I like, you seem to like. I’m sure, if you liked my alpha MMA fighters, you are going to love Rogue, and this sexy romantic suspense series.
Promise.