LET’S WELCOME REESE RYAN
AUTHOR OF:
Rad-Reader: Can you give us the backstory on Sloane and Benj that the blurb doesn’t tell us? And maybe things that didn’t make it into the book that helped form these two characters in your head into who they are now in the book.
Reese: Sloane is the best friend of Benji’s older sister. He’s had a crush on her since he was a little boy. At the opening of the book, they both return to their small town for a wedding and encounter each other as adults for the first time. He’s more into her than ever. But Sloane is deeply conflicted about the attraction she feels toward her best friend’s younger brother. More importantly, Sloane still carries a lot of baggage from the past. She’s worried about what everyone in their small town will think if the girl who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks takes a sudden interest in Benji, a newly-minted billionaire.
Rad-Reader: How long has it been since Sloane and Benji have seen one another when they meet up at this wedding?
Reese: It’s been at least a decade since they’ve seen each other. When last she saw him, he was a teenage boy with a crush on his sister’s older friend. In a lot of ways, it’s hard for her to shake that image of him.
Rad-Reader: They are dealing with an age difference of what? Why does it bother Sloane so much? If it was anyone else do you think it would bother her?
Reese: Sloane is five years older than Benji. Not a big deal in the scheme of things. But she met Benji when he was five and she was ten. She grew up thinking of him as an honorary little brother. Then there is the concern about how it would affect her relationship with his older sister, Delia. So, the age difference is just one of the many reasons she is reluctant to enter a relationship with Benji.
Rad-Reader: Does it have to do with the fact that Benji is now a self-made man who has made billions at such a young age that makes her feel odd?
Reese: The difference in their socioeconomic standings has a major impact on Sloane’s feelings about the relationship and her concerns about the power dynamics between them. Her own family history makes it hard for her to believe that difference won’t eventually spell disaster for them.
Rad-Reader: Sloane seems obsessed with what people in their hometown will say why is that?
Reese: Growing up, she made a point of telling herself she didn’t care what people thought about her. But as an adult, the ugly things people whispered about her mother and predicted about her are definitely running through her brain. She’s spent her entire life determined to prove them all wrong. She’s now in a position where she feels particularly vulnerable because it seems like she’s proved them all right.
Rad-Reader: His family are snakes all they do is add doubt to his thoughts and his heart. Why?
Reese: We have a difference of opinion here. I completely disagree with how Benji’s family handled the situation. Delia, especially, since she and Sloane have been best friends for years. But despite their horrible behavior, they honestly believed they were looking out for Benji’s best interest.
Since he’s become instantly wealthy, many of the people they’ve known all their lives suddenly want a piece of him. In light of what’s happened between Sloane and Benji and how Sloane has handled the situation, they believe the same of her.
Rad-Reader: Yet, she was not telling Delia who the father was and she had not told Benji either. It was only when Benji had forced the issue. Otherwise, she would have kept them all in the dark.
Rad-Reader: If your book was made into a movie who would you want to play…
Sloane: Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Benji: Tosin Cole
Livvie: AnnaSophia Robb
Marceilus: Bashir Salahuddin
Abby: Salli Richardson
Atticus: John Kani
Delia: Cassie Ventura
Parker: Ryan Coogler
Blake: Michael B. Jordan
Savannah: Rihanna
Connie: Carman Ejogo
Rick: Jeffrey Wright
Reese: Your selections are honestly pretty awesome. The only amendments I’d make are the unnamed models who were my inspiration for Sloane and Benji’s cousin Parker (whose story hit shelves in April 2019). Also, I envision Atticus more as James Earl Jones. My inspiration board for The Billionaire’s Legacy, including inspiration for the twins and their nursery is on Pinterest here:https://www.pinterest.com/reeseryanwrites/the-billionaires-legacy/
Rad-Reader: What song or songs best describes your two main characters or your book as a whole?
“Don’t Wanna Write This Song – Brett Young”
After years crushing on Sloan and getting his one night with her, he knew the both felt something. Yet, he had six months in Japan for work and she needed to return to Nashville to work also. Although, the loss wasn’t in death it was painful to his heart to let her go again.
“Die From A Broken Heart – Maddie & Tae”
After their one and done all she could think about was Benji. She just couldn’t believe how in just one night he could change her whole life. Not only had she lost her heart but she was not pregnant and she would lose her best friend, his sister. Now she had to keep out of both of their lives not to ruin his life. She was the one that didn’t take his offer to go with him to Japan yet he hadn’t called her either.
“And I Had You There – Frank J”
The whole time in Japan Benji couldn’t stop thinking of Sloane so he decided to surprise her. He got the surprise though. At the same time, it was a blessing he was there because she was doing too much alone and was putting her body at risk. Although he was angry to be left in the dark, he was too worried about the woman he loves and their baby. Did he want to be right or keep his family?
“When You Really Love Someone – Alicia Keys”
Once things were said and done. Sloane was released from the hospital. The two came to the best understanding for the both of them. For one year they were going back to their hometown to live in his cabin where it all started. Once the babies turn one-years-old then she could decide if they could make a go of it when she wasn’t hormonal and he had worked through his anger.
Reese:
“Crush” by Yuna featuring Usher
“Perfect” by Ed Sheeran
“The Best Part” by Daniel Caesar featuring H.E.R.
The entire playlist for the book is available here
Rad-Reader: What is your favorite genre to read?
Reese: Contemporary romance and women’s fiction.
Rad-Reader: What is your favorite genre of music?
Reese: I listen to a little of everything. R&B, classic jazz, pop, rock, alt, classical, opera, some country. If I was forced to pick a single genre, it would be neo-soul.
Rad-Reader: What is your favorite food and dessert?
Reese: Salmon is my favorite meal. Peach cobbler is my favorite dessert.
Rad-Reader: If you could write a book about anyone who would it be about?
Reese: My paternal grandmother, and that’s a definite possibility.
Rad-Reader: What would you tell a new writer just starting?
Reese:
- Read widely, especially in the genre you plan to write.
- Never stop trying to improve your craft. With free classes provided by local library systems and affordable online classes, there are countless opportunities to learn more about the craft and business of writing.
- Thinking about writing, reading about writing, and talking about writing are useful parts of the process. But the only way to become a better writer is to keep writing. So, set aside your fears, forget the rejections, silence your internal editor, and just write.
Rad-Reader: What is your next project and when is it coming out?
Reese: The next book in The Bourbon Brothers series is Parker’s story. Engaging the Enemy is a sizzling, enemies-to-lovers, fake-fiancé story. It goes on sale on April 1st.
Rad-Reader: Where can our readers buy your books? Links
Reese:
Savannah’s Secrets:
Amazon:
iTunes:
Barnes & Noble:
Goodreads:
The Billionaire’s Legacy:
Amazon:
Barnes & Noble:
iTunes:
Goodreads:
His Until Midnight:
Amazon:
Barnes & Noble:
iTunes:
Google:
Goodreads:
Rad-Reader: Where can our readers find you on the Web? Links
Reese:
Readers can connect with me online via:
Website: http://ReeseRyan.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ReeseRyanWrites
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reeseryanwrites/
Reese,
Thanks so much for being with us I know you are under a deadline this week. We are so happy that you were able to answer my fangirl questions. These are great. Thanks! Let us know when your next book comes out to let us share it on or Shout Out: An Author's Place page.
Thanks again,
Char
Thank you so much for having me, Char!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview Reese.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Toni!
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