~ Well-Researched Romantic Suspense ~

Please meet awesome romance author Sharon Wray. She shares with us her new series, the things that inspire her, her love of research, as well as introducing us to some fascinating Irish mythology. 

Welcome Sharon…

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Thank you so much for having me here today! I’m a librarian and former wedding gown designer who lives in Virginia with my wonderful husband, teenage twins, and one-eyed rescue dog named Donut. I’m also a full-time romance author who is currently working on the Deadly Force series for Sourcebooks.

Can you tell us a little bit about your series and your books?

My series is about ex-Green Berets and their smart, sexy heroines who redeem Shakespeare’s greatest love stories. Every Deep Desire, the first book in the series, is a contemporary retelling of Romeo and Juliet that takes place in Savannah, GA. The story answers the question of what kind of marriage the lovers would’ve had if they’d won their happy ending.

My main characters, Rafe and Juliet, were married young until Rafe abandoned Juliet and deserted his Green Beret unit to work for a secretive army known as the Fianna. Now, eight years later, he’s been released from prison and needs to win Juliet’s trust if he’s to save everyone he loves. He knows she’ll never forgive him—or love him again—but he’ll do everything in his power to protect her.

After eight years away, Rafe returns and Juliet learns that Rafe went AWOL and abandoned her to work for the Fianna—a mysterious group of assassins who trace their lineage back to pagan Ireland. Now, one of Rafe’s old enemies wants something hidden on Juliet’s land or bad things will happen.

Except Rafe has been gone a long time and Juliet, who’s rebuilt her life, has no interest in having her heart broken again. No matter that he’s returned a fully-grown, sexy man who still loves her. What she doesn’t realize is that if she helps him, and if they succeed, they won’t just save those they love—they’ll be separated forever.

What was the most interesting place you ever visited?

Many years ago, when my husband was still in the army, we lived in South Korea and I had a chance to visit the DMZ, on the North Korean/South Korean border. I stared into North Korea and watched NK soldiers walk around. I’ll never forget it.

When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?

I started writing in 2004 and finished my first manuscript, a category-length romance, in 2005. I went on to write seven more full manuscripts and two partials before I sold Every Deep Desire. I joined RWA (Romance Writers of America) on March 2, 2004 and Every Deep Desire came out on March 6, 2018. Almost fourteen years to the day! And I’m proof that if you never, ever give up, your dreams will come true. J

How much research do you do for each book you write?

I do a lot of research for every aspect of the books I write. I’m a librarian and am obsessed with details. I do military, legal, historical, and location research – but then I turn it into fiction. I feel like I can’t change the facts unless I know the facts. And the more I know them, the more realistic my fictionalized stories are.

 Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

There’s an aspect of the series that, although not based on my real life experiences, is based on the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology from 1^st Century Ireland. These stories—some maybe true and some maybe not—are about the ancient warrior Fionn mac Cumhaill and his Fianna army who fought against the early Roman invasions. These stories are wild, exciting, and brutal. Fionn’s men had to train naked in winter, walk through gauntlets with men on either side swinging weapons, and could only speak in verse from the twelve books of Irish poetry.

These exploits gave me my idea that there was still a Fianna army in the contemporary world. Highly-skilled soldiers who are tired of fighting for someone else’s ideals and willing to undergo unbelievable hardships. The Fianna help those who need it and serve justice when necessary. They’re not bound by country or nationality or any familial loyalties. They are so powerful, they are left alone by all world governments. But once you join, you can never leave.

In Every Deep Desire, Rafe left his wife and his men to work for the Fianna and now, eight years later, wants his freedom. Except an old enemy, as well as the Fianna, won’t allow that to happen. Only Juliet can save Rafe from a lifetime of servitude to the Fianna and a vicious enemy who wants to destroy them both.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

My favorite scene is the scene where Rafe and Juliet meet for the first time after eight years apart. She believes that he abandoned her to work for some horrible gunrunner and for a life far more exciting than she could offer. Her emotions are all over the place—she’s angry, humiliated, frustrated, sad, and still attracted to him. And he’s an even bigger emotional mess. He’s filled with regret and sorrow for what he’s done, frustrated that he can’t tell her the truth, and filled with a desperate need for revenge and redemption. All of these emotions float beneath the surface of a simple conversation. Writing this scene almost killed me!

Is there anything special that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

My dad used to day, “if you’re breathing, you should be doing.” That means you’re never too old, too young, too this, or too that to follow your dream. So if there’s something you want to do, go do it. And I’ll be there clapping and cheering loudly!

Thank you so much for having me here today!

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Every Deep Desire (Book 1 in the Deadly Force Series)

 by Sharon Wray

He’s taking it all back
His honor, his freedom, and the woman he loves

Rafe Montfort was a decorated Green Beret, the best of the best, until a disastrous mission and an unforgivable betrayal destroyed his life. Now, this deadly soldier has returned to the sultry Georgia swamps to reunite with his brothers, and take back all he lost. But Juliet must never know the truth behind what he’s done…or the dangerous secret that threatens to take him from her forever.

It took Juliet Capel eight long years to put her life back together after her husband was taken from her. Now Rafe is back, determined to protect her at any cost, and it’s not just her heart that’s in danger. The swamps hold a secret long buried and far deadlier than either of them could have imagined…

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BUY LINKS

AMAZON  |  BARNES & NOBLE  |  iBOOKS

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 Learn More about Sharon Wray

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram
Pinterest  | Goodreads  |  Amazon Author Page  | BookBud

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