A Conversation with Author K.D. Richards

What inspired the idea for your book?

This is the third book in the West Investigations series and features a character, Gideon Wright, that made an appearance in the first book. Even though Gideon didn’t have a starring role in the first two books, he had such a presence that I knew he had a story and I wanted to tell it.

What was the most surprising thing you learned in writing this book?

The main female character in this story, Mya, is a research scientist. I am not so I had to do some research into what the life of a research scientist looked like, what they do day to day, and how their research gets funded.

If you were friends with a character in this book, what kinds of things would you do together?

Mya is pretty serious, she is a scientist, but I think when she lets loose she knows how to have a good time. I think we could have a fantastic girls’ weekend at a beach retreat, dancing, having a few drinks, just letting loose and having a good time.

What does it mean to you to be called an author?

I think an author is anyone who takes the time and effort to share the story or stories they have inside them with the world.

What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?

Finish the first book. One of the hardest things to do is to finish the book and a lot of writers abandon book after book. Finish the manuscript, that’s the first step. Then fix whatever is wrong with it and there will be lots wrong with it no matter how experienced you get.

How do you define success as an author?

I think it’s different for each author depending on the goals. For me, success is to get some semblance of the story that’s in my head on paper. It’s never perfect but hopefully my writing and characters resonate with readers.

What comes first for you — the plot or the characters?

Usually the plot or a germ of the plot but I have had the characters come to me first on occasion. But the two actually go hand in hand so as I’m developing plot I also think about the characters and vice versa. It’s a bit of a circular process.

How do you avoid or defeat writer’s block?

I either write or rest. Sometimes to get to the good stories and plots, I have to get the bad out of my head and the only way to do that is to get it out. Other times, I’m tired and that’s why I can’t get past writer’s block. The trick is to recognize which of these problems is causing my writer’s block which I’ll admit I’m not terrific at doing.

What is the first book that you remember reading?

I’m sure this wasn’t the first book I read but the first one that stuck with me is The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. I still love that book. It’s a great YA/middle grade mystery with a terrific twist.

In one evening scientist Mya Rochon faces an exploding laboratory and kidnapping attempt. She turns to the one person she knows she can trust, her ex-husband, security specialist, Gideon Wright. When the attacks against her turn to her co-workers and her research is stolen, he uses his resources as part of West investigations to find out who is behind it all before Mya ends up in jail or dead.

For a Harlequin Romance, this book packs quite a punch. It is no stop action from the get go and the sizzling heat between the two main characters is enough to melt the snow on the ground. Right from the start, I was rooting for Mya and Gideon to make the most of their second chance their story is heartbreaking and they deserve a HEA. I also loved revisiting West Investigations and catching up with old friends.

I will say, that my first thought about who the bad guy might be turned out to be right, though I could never guess the reasons for it. I was still thoroughly invested in every step of the investigation and loved how all the loose ends came together at the end. My only sadness is that I was hoping for more of a Christmas flavor based on the title alone.

I received an advance review copy for free through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

You can catch a bit on Book One in the series by clicking into Guest Post: Why Do I Love Writing Romantic Thrillers? by K.D. Richards

A mysterious fire is set at Christmas…

Forcing a security expert to reunite with the woman he never forgot

Security specialist Gideon Wright knows Mya Rochon’s cancer research is groundbreaking. But when an arsonist destroys his ex-wife’s lab and puts her at risk, he discovers it’s dangerous, too. With Gideon’s protection, Mya’s determined to finish her project—no matter the risk to her life…or Gideon’s heart. But will their rekindled partnership face its most deadly adversary yet?

Purchase Links

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K.D. Richards was born and raised in the Maryland suburbs just outside of Washington, D.C. A writer since a young age, after college Kia earned a law degree and worked as an attorney and legal instructor for fifteen years but never stopped writing fiction. She currently splits her time between Toronto and Maryland with her husband and two sons.

Author Links

Website www.kdrichardsbooks.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kdrichardsauthor

Twitter https://www.twitter.com/k iadwrites

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kdrichardsauthor/

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20494862.K_D_Richards

Bookbub: https://bit.ly/2TLCA7z