Hooked on books: Interview with Rebecca Brooke

H - Hi, Rebecca Brooke. Thank you for joining us tonight for an interview. Congratulations on your debut book Forgiven.

R – Thank you! I’m glad to be here.

H – For those who don’t know you, tell us a little bit about yourself

R- Well let's see. I'm from New Jersey near Ocean City. I've lived in the area my whole life. I'm married with two beautiful children. I am an avid reader. I will read anything, but I prefer a story with an HEA.

H - Fantastic, we love people who love to read. You Debut, Forgiven came out this week. Are you getting over the shock of people reading your book yet?

R - Not really. It still seems strange when I see reviews talking about Caleb and Angie. The idea that people love them as much as I do is mind blowing!

H- We love them. What made you come up with the title Forgiven?

R- Actually the whole story started when I was listening to my iPod on shuffle. Two songs came on back to back and the story just started to run through my head. As I wrote the story I realized that Forgiven was the perfect title, because Angie and Caleb both needed to find Forgiveness before they can find love.

H –Very fitting. You are not going to like me much for the next question. Can you describe Forgiven in three words?

R –Wow, that's tough. Let's see...Emotional, Heartbreaking, and 'Forgiveness'

H- I said it would be. I do agree with them. Who designed your cover for Forgiven?

R- Regina Wamba from Mae I Design. She is absolutely amazing! She can take a description of the book and turn into something you can see and love.

H- Your cover is amazing. Your currently doing your blog tour, How are you finding it?

R- Thank you! It's really exciting to see. Watching links to your book pop up all over the internet, there are just no words to describe it. Then when you see the reviews, you realize that all of the time you invested in your story was worth it!

H- If you had to spend 24 hours with Angie - what would you do?

R- I'd have to take Angie anywhere she ever wanted to go. I know she has done her best to overcome her father's verbal abuse but even with all of her strength she needs to know that people care about her. So if she wanted to do something as simple as get her nails done we would do that. Anything to make her feel important.

H- What about Caleb? what would you do with him?

R- Smack him upside his head?!? No, I understand people live with guilt and it can consume them, Caleb needs to be shown that he does deserve love. I would try and show Caleb that there are good, happy things in life, even when bad things have happened.

H- Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

R- That what happened in our past doesn't need to define us. Instead we can take our past, learn from it so that we can become a stronger person. Angie is the example of this.

H- What made you come up with the names in your novel? Do they mean anything to you?

R- Angelina and Caleb were just names that I really liked. Some of the other names are names of family members. They have been so supportive that I wanted to represent them in this story.

H- Is any off your novel biased on real life?

R- Some of it. Emily's 'tell it like it is' personality comes from me. Sometimes I can get my self into trouble, but I'm working on it. And ironically, I actually was a history major in college. As for the rest there is one event in the book that is similar to something from my life, but I can't tell you without giving away too many spoliers.

H- Question from Claire - Does Caleb resemble any hotness from the real world ?

R- Early on when I started writing the story I looked for the perfect Caleb. The closest I could come was Aaron McGuire. I was actually thinking of eventually hosting a contest to see who the readers think Caleb resembles.

H- If Forgiven was to be a movie - who would you want to play your main characters?

R- Wow! For Angie I see Anna Kendrick and for Caleb I think Zac Efron, but only if he was built like he was in The Lucky One. For Josh and Emily I think Nikki Reed and Liam Hemsworth

H- What are the most important attributes to remaining sane as a writer?

R- Caffeine, Caffeine, Caffeine. No just kidding. Most of it comes from the support of your family and friends. There are times when the whole process can be completely overwhelming, and a great support system can help you refocus.

H- What was the hardest part of writing your book?

R- One of the scenes with Angie and Caleb. It absolutely broke my heart to write it. I cried a few times and even had trouble sleeping that night. The next morning I got up and went right back to work so that I could get past that scene.

H- Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

R- I learned a lot about the writing process in general, but I also learned a lot about people in general. As a reader, I think we all learn something from the characters we read about. As a writer, we have to sometimes put ourselves in our characters shoes because a decision they make may not always be one we agree with.

H- Have you ever read or seen yourself as a character in a book or a movie?

R- Only every time I read a paranormal romance. I always imagine what things would be like if life were that exciting.

H- When your were a child what did you want to be when you grew up?

R- Honestly, I wanted to work on Broadway. My parents introduced us to plays and musicals very young and since then I've been hooked.

H- Are you going to sing for us?

R- Sure, LALALALALALALA!

H- lol, Voice off an angel - Who would you like to co-author with?

R- lol! There are so many that influenced me to take this journey, but I think the biggest influence was Kelly Elliot. I love what she writes and she is always more than willing to over advice to anyone who asks. She is down to earth and such an inspiration.

H- Do you listen to music while you writing or reading?

R- Absolutely! I have a playlist on spotify for Forgiven and for Redemption the next book in the series. Music is actually what influenced both stories.

H- What book are you reading now?

R- Actually I am reading Trust – L Chapman.

H- Do you have a nickname?

R- No not really

H- What are your pet peeves?

R- My biggest pet peeve is cell phones in public. I can't stand when you are out to dinner and the person your with is constantly on the phone or when someone is checking out but ignores the cashier to finish their conversation. To me it's just about common courtesy.

H- Question from My sis - What's your first thought when you hear the word helicopter?

R- Sounds like fun And 50 Shades of Grey

H- Do you ever write naked?

R- No, can't say that I do. LOL!

H- What is your favorite thing about being an author?

R- I actually have two things. One sharing my story with others, but also all of the wonderful people I have met on this journey.

H- What's your favourite fruit?

R- Strawberries

H- One of your favourite quotes -

R- Nothing is 'Impossible' the word itself says "I'm possible' - Audrey Hepburn

H- Do you enjoy giving interviews?

R- Interviews can be fun, you never know what they are going to ask.

H- Tell us your latest news

R- Well right now I'm working on Redemption. If you've read Forgiven. This is Josh's story.

H- We can’t wait for it to be out. Any clue to when it will be out?

R- I'm looking at a winter 2104 release.

H- We will get you to release it earlier you know lol

R- LOL! We'll see how fast I can get everything done!

H- What do you like to do to relax?

R- Read. Since it is the summer time a trip to the beach with a good book is always a wonderful way to relax for me

H- What one thing can’t you live without?

R- I can't live without Chocolate!

H- A girl after my own heart. If you had to go to a dessert island and could only take 8 things what would they be?

R- Chocolate, Corona and a lime, my kindle, my iPad, a pillow (Can't sleep without my pillow i even take it when I go away), my iPod, and a pen and paper.

H- Tell us something we don't know about you

R- I have a tattoo of a butterfly on my back.

H- Does your family support you with your writing?

R- Absolutely. MY husband has been my biggest cheerleader.

H- Aww bless him.

Quick Fire

Favourite Author?

Abbi Glines

Favourite book?

Too Far Series (Can't just pick one)

Favourite colour?

Purple

Favourite eye colour?

Brown

Favourite hair colour?

Red

Favourite song?

Lullaby by The Spill Canvas

Favourite place to write/ read?

The recliner in my living room

Favourite Animal?

Dog

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Let’s have some fun.

Answer the first that comes to you. No cheating

Hot or cold.

Hot

In or out.

Up or down.

Boxers or briefs.

Boxers

Night or day.

Night

Toys or no toys.

No toys

Chest hair or no chest hair.

No chest hair

Lace or no lace

Lace

H – Anything else you would like to add?

R- Just a thank you to Hooked on Books you have been amazing for the release of Forgiven. Also thank you to those of you who have already picked up their copy, I am excited to share Caleb and Angie's story with everyone.

H – Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us. We have had a fantastic time.

R- Thank you so much for having me.