Hey everyone! Today, we’re joined by Stephanie Fournet, author of You First, for a special Q&A!
See what Stephanie thinks about her characters, their relationship and romance in general. You can also find out more about their book and enter a giveaway at the end!
An interview with Stephanie Fournet
Describe your book in three words.
Meant to be.
Were Gray and Meredith based on anyone you know? Did you put any of your own personality into them?
Gray and Meredith aren’t based on anyone I know, but Gray is a writer. Granted, he writes crime and suspense, and I don’t, but some of his creative processes reflect the way I work.
What are you favourite and least favourite aspects of Gray and Meredith?
Both Gray and Meredith are stubborn to a fault, and it puts them in danger. If I knew them in real life, this would drive me crazy. It doesn’t drive me crazy as a writer because I know everything will be okay in the end. 😉 What I love about Gray is how he wants to give Meredith everything she’s been denied. By contrast, I love how strong and self-reliant Meredith is. Ultimately, she is the one who saves them both.
What song represents their relationship?
I’ll never be able to hear “Blood Bank” by Bon Iver without thinking of them. I don’t think that really answers the question, but it’s the truth.
What was the hardest scene to write?
Without giving anything away, there’s one scene in the book that’s violent, and I should say that this was the hardest scene to write, but that wouldn’t be true. It was intense, but not difficult. The boring reality is that the chapters I had to rewrite because things weren’t working the way I wanted them to were the hardest to write. These would include Chapters Seven and Eight and Chapters Sixteen and Seventeen. Writing is rewriting, but when you’re in the middle of that, it’s hard. You’re lost in the weeds, and you begin to doubt yourself and your work, and that’s when sticking to it is essential. I am much, much happier with the rewrites, and I think the novel is stronger for them.
Why do you write romance?
I write romance because I love falling in love, and I fall in love along with all of my characters.
If you had any superpower, what would it be and why?
Teleportation because I hate sitting in traffic. Audiobooks are the closest thing I have to teleportation, so until I can just snap my fingers and reach my destination or tap a com link and tell someone to “beam me up,” I’ll have to be satisfied with losing myself in a story on my morning commute.
About the book
You First
Author: Stephanie Fournet Publisher: Blue Tulip Publishing
Release date: December 13th 2016
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Add to TBR: Goodreads
Driven. Private. Insanely talented.
Gray Blakewood is the most successful crime writer under the age of thirty—and he has a secret that could cost him his life.
He just wants to finish his latest novel before his world unravels, and the last thing he needs is a beautiful distraction.
Meredith Ryan, his new personal assistant, has seen more than her fair share of hard knocks. And, still, she’s the sweetest person he’s ever met.
She deserves a lifetime of happiness—which he can’t offer.
But he can’t seem to stay away.
About Stephanie Fournet
Stephanie Fournet, author of Fall Semester, Legacy, Butterfly Ginger, and Leave a Mark lives in Lafayette, Louisiana—not far from the Saint Streets where her novels are set. She shares her home with her husband John and her daughter Hannah, their needy dogs Gladys and Mabel, and an immortal blue finch named Baby Blue. When she isn’t writing romance novels, she is usually helping students get into college or running. She loves hearing from fans, so look for her on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and stephaniefournet.com.
Giveaway
Thanks for the interview and being part of the blog tour!