New Adult Book Club discussion

Happy Sunday NABC! Hope you all have had a fantastic weekend so far. The next two weeks we have the lovely Rachel Brookes visiting for a Q&A! Rachel is the author of Just Breathe, All That I Am, Be My Temptation, and many others. Please ask Rachel questions below. <3

How do you come up with the names of your characters?

What do you feel is essential to create sexual tension between your characters?

Who's been your favorite character to write to date?

If you could visit one of the places in your books which place would you like to visit and why?

What is one of your favorite books?

If you could be any book character for a day who would you choose and why?

Does music play a role in your writing process? Do you create playlists for each book you write?

What was your favorite book as a child and how do you think it influences what you like to read and write now?

What are you working on now?

Who is your favourite romantic antihero?

What was the hardest book to write?

What genres do you like to read?

Where does your inspiration come from?

S.Shade wrote: "How do you come up with the names of your characters?"


Awesome question! I come across names in all different places.... it could be a movie, a television show, a song, overhearing a conversation or talking with friends/family. I try and come up with names that are unique and not overwritten. Sometimes though it takes me forever to come up with a name. One of the characters I'll be writing in my Men of Monroe series took me forever to name. I can't get into the character if I don't have the name, so I was hoping it would come to me quickly... and now I absolutely love what I chose for him and it suits him perfectly. SO hot.

I also have a list of names that I'll never use. For example, I will never use the name Adam because that's my brother's name and I certainly don't want to be writing hot scenes with a character named that. Awkward.

Do you listen to music while writing or do you hate any noise then?

What inspire you to become a writer ?

What is your "must have" when you are in writing mode?

Which one of your series has been your favorite to write? Who are some of your favorite authors?

What's the last 5 star book you read?

Favourite snack to munch on while writing?

For new readers, can you please advise which of your books we should begin and why?

Which character of yours is your favourite?

Karen wrote: "What do you feel is essential to create sexual tension between your characters?"

One of my favourite parts of writing is building the sexual tension between characters and ensuring that both myself and the reader feel it jumping off the page. For me, I feel that the initial meet of the characters needs to be epic. I want to be able to visualise the seductive looks. I want to be able to imagine the intense flirting, the sassy words, the alpha poses, the heated stares, the lick of the lips. I want electricty shooting between the characters, burning lust, the to and fro of attraction. The chase is my favourite part. I want myself, the reader and characters to be left craving more. Give me sexual tension any day!

Tiffany wrote: "Who's been your favorite character to write to date?"

Ahh, this is a tough one!
On any given day my answer changes, but today, my favourite character I've written would have to be Eden Rivers from Be My December. Her story is heartbreaking but her strength and determination to move forward inspires me. She faced the worse life could throw at her head on but she found a way to find true beauty and I loved watching that unfold in her story. I make it a mission of mine to write strong heroine's and Eden definitely takes the number one spot.

Hi!! what's your favorite movie? (any genre and also romcom) =)

Sophie wrote: "If you could visit one of the places in your books which place would you like to visit and why?"

Another awesome question! I would have to choose Hamilton's Bar from my Men of Monroe series. I love the family vibe and the history behind the bar. I love the casual vibe and the open door policy, and what I have planned for it to become to the characters. It is a place that sees drama, laughter, love and good times. A laid back, small town bar with big city dreams, oh and the owner of it super hot, so that's a win.

Denise wrote: "What is one of your favorite books?"

One of my favorite books is Perfectly Imperfect by Harper Sloan. I connected with that book on so many levels and felt myself in Willow. The story was stunning, the journey memorable and the message within those pages is life-changing (as it was for me). There are 4 books I've read that I class as my therapy books and Perfectly Imperfect is one of them.

J. wrote: "If you could be any book character for a day who would you choose and why?"

Ohhh this is so tough!
I would choose Belle from Beauty and the Beast because what is better than a man who encourages and supports your love for reading and treats you like the world revolves around you!

Brittany wrote: "Does music play a role in your writing process? Do you create playlists for each book you write?"

Music plays a huge role in my life as well as my writing process. A lot of the time, it will be a song that finalizes my ideas for the book I am writing and I always find that one song that symbolizes the story. I love using Spotify to create playlists for the books I am writing as well as future books that I am developing.

What is your inspiration to write? A song, a person, a scene in a book or movie, a dream?
Do you plan on coming to Brazil anytime soon?

Kelly wrote: "What was your favorite book as a child and how do you think it influences what you like to read and write now?"

One book that has stuck with me is Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden. It was my first binge read and I read the entire series over a couple of weeks. I remember being engrossed in the adventure, the suspense, and the strong female lead. Ellie was awesome and so fierce and for a young girl, she was the perfect character to find inspiration within and to admire.

In regards to how it influences what I read and write now, it has definitely inspired me to strive to write strong heroines that can hold their own, know what they want and do everything in their power to achieve it. I take great pride in writing female leads that would inspire me and hopefully inspire others.

Nicole wrote: "What are you working on now?"

At the moment I am working on My Only Reason which is book #2 in the Men of Monroe series and is the story of Austin Hart and Marnie Lavender. Each book in the Men of Monroe series are standalones so I am excited to write Austin's story and catch up with the characters from All That I Am.

Christina wrote: "Who is your favourite romantic antihero?"

Deacon from Deacon by Kristen Ashley. His story tore apart my heart and there was many times when I had to close down my kindle and take a moment to get my head in the right space. He was so broken but his strength was so clear. Seeing his attraction to Cassie grow and to witness his struggle with finding that kind of beauty was incredible. Tenderness was something he didnt know much about so watching that struggle and then seeing it win was a beautiful thing.

The whole series is a favourite of mine.

Gina wrote: "What was the hardest book to write?"

Time wise it was definitely All That I Am. I struggled with serious writers block and also self-doubt played a huge part of the writing process.

In terms of content, Be My December was the hardest. There were a lot of tough issues in that book that really tested my abilities. I have never cried as much from writing a book as I did while writing that one and the only thing I was worried about was making sure I did the book and message within those pages justice.

JoAnne wrote: "What genres do you like to read?"

I love every aspect of romance. My favourite is contemporary romance but I also really enjoy paranormal romance and fantasy.

Luana wrote: "Where does your inspiration come from?"

Inspiration comes from so many things. It can be a song, a movie, a television show, overhearing a conversation or being told about something that has happened to someone. Just the other day a brand new story came to me while I was listening to a Bruce Springsteen song.

Hanne wrote: "Do you listen to music while writing or do you hate any noise then?"

Music plays a huge part in my writing. Most of the stories I've written and also the ones I'm planning to write have been infuenced or developed after listening to a particular song. While I'm writing, I will have music playing in the background. It helps to put me in the right mood for the scenes I am planning to write and also the vibe of the book. But there are also moments when I need complete silence, so it is all dependent on what scene and what part of the book I am up to.

Debra wrote: "What inspire you to become a writer ?"

I feel like I've been writing all my life. I remember when I was about 10 years old, I spent a whole weekend at my Dad's place and I wrote him a short story on a typewriter he had. I was so excited and he (of course) loved it. From that moment, I would always come up with stories. Then when I was a teenager I started writing poetry and song lyrics for the band I was in. For me, words inspire healing and when I went through some rough patches, I found relief in writing. It's the best kind of therapy and I couldn't imagine going through life without the escape of storytelling.

Cassie wrote: "What is your "must have" when you are in writing mode?"

Definitely music.

Tanja wrote: "Which one of your series has been your favorite to write? Who are some of your favorite authors?"

Definitely The Crawford Brothers. The series started with such a heartbreaking story and finished with the best kind of second chance romance. Ky and Josh as brothers are hilarious. Eden and Ashlyn are the kind of girls you would want as your best friends. I had so much fun writing both books and I cannot wait to revisit both couples very soon.

Some of my favourite authors include Kendall Ryan, Laurelin Paige, Jodi Ellen Malpas, Kristen Ashley, Abbi Glines, and Corinne Michaels.

Nicole wrote: "What's the last 5 star book you read?"

The Wright Mistake by KA Linde which releases on August 8th :)

Taranjit wrote: "Favourite snack to munch on while writing?"

I love cashews in winter and grapes in summer.

Vanessa wrote: "For new readers, can you please advise which of your books we should begin and why?"

I would definitely suggest reading Be My December. It is book #1 of The Crawford Brothers and both books can be read as a standalone. I would suggest this one because it's heartbreaking, sexy, raw, and inspiring.

Irma wrote: "Which character of yours is your favourite?"


On any given day my answer changes, but today, my favourite character I've written would have to be Eden Rivers from Be My December. Her story is heartbreaking but her strength and determination to move forward inspires me. She faced the worse life could throw at her head on but she found a way to find true beauty and I loved watching that unfold in her story. I make it a mission of mine to write strong heroine's and Eden definitely takes the number one spot.

Cammie wrote: "Hi!! what's your favorite movie? (any genre and also romcom) =)"

Oh my goodness, this is such a tough question.....

My favourite movie would probably have to be Dirty Dancing. My favourite romcom would be The Wedding Singer (is that classed as a romcom?)

MiDouradoP wrote: "What is your inspiration to write? A song, a person, a scene in a book or movie, a dream?
Do you plan on coming to Brazil anytime soon?"

I find inspiration in so many things. It could be a song, a movie, overhearing a conversation or being told a story from a friend or family member.

I would absolutely love to come to Brazil one day. Fingers crossed.