The do’s and don’ts of lying is a precarious dilemma. If we always try to tell the truth, then we are setting ourselves up for imminent failure. Despite our best intentions, it simply doesn’t work. For instance, telling Aunt Sara her new recipe is a flop on Thanksgiving Day would certainly crush the woman’s heart, not to mention cause a family rift. A little white lie never hurt anyone, right? But, what if your lie included hiding your true identity from the one you loved? Would it be possible to ever trust that person again?
This month’s Jen’s Jewels Molly McAdams addresses this very topic in her latest release, Forgiving Lies. It’s the story of Rachel Masters, a college girl scorned by love. When she meets her hot, new neighbor Kash Ryan sparks immediately ignite between these two opposite souls. Yet despite Rachel’s reluctance, she can’t help being drawn into Kash’s world, complete with a tempting tattooed body and sexy lip ring. Will this relationship prove to be another mistake, or has she finally found her one true love?
As part of this interview, William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers has generously donated five copies for you, my readers, to try to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end of the column. Good luck! Be sure to keep up-to-date by visiting my website www.jennifervido.com, follow me on Facebook jennifervido.com, Twitter @JenniferVido, and Pinterest Jennifer Vido. And as always, thanks for making Jen’s Jewelsa part of your fall reading adventure.
Jen: As a bestselling author, your path to publication is a story within itself. So that my readers may catch a glimpse into the life of the woman behind the words, please briefly share with us your educational and professional background.
Molly: Ha ha, umm … probably not what you’re expecting? After I graduated high school, I went to a Christian college in Los Angeles; minored in Bible, started majoring in Intercultural Studies for the first year, switched to Elementary Education with an emphasis in Math for the next year, and then I moved to Texas and did a year of majoring in Psychology before I finally dropped out of college. And I was horrible at anything English related. In high school, I failed the grammar portion, and in college, I failed out of my Creative Writing class. I worked at Starbucks for a long time before going into an Administrative Assistant position with a private security company that I worked at until I left to be a full-time writer.
Jen: Please describe for us your “Aha!” moment when you decided to take the plunge and pursue a career as a writer.
Molly: I’d been writing out my dreams, and expanding on them, for about a year and a half before I realized I was writing a story that I didn’t have an option in writing. It was like I had to. It was kind of like I realized these weren’t just dreams anymore, the characters and everything about them were so incredibly real to me, and I couldn’t go more than a handful of hours without pulling out a piece of paper (if I was at work) or grabbing my laptop so I could get lost in their world again. The actual moment I decided to publish my own books, was kind of a few weeks in the “what do I do now?” process. But, it was in the middle of TAKING CHANCES that I realized even if no one ever saw it, I would write as long as I had characters talking to me.
Jen: In terms of nuts and bolts, approximately how long does it take for you to write a novel? And, what is the most rewarding part of the writing process?
Molly: Anywhere from a month to four months. It just depends on what’s going on in my life at the moment, and how long I can stay attached to my laptop. Ha ha. On average, though, about two months. The most rewarding part is being able to give my characters a voice. Once their story is finished, no matter how difficult that story may have been, I sit back and I’m just happy that their story was heard. I love that feeling.
Jen: Forgiving Lies is a sizzling romantic drama about a straight-laced college student Rachel Masters and a smokin’ hot undercover cop Logan “Kash” Ryan. How did you arrive at the premise?
Molly: Like all my books, the story started with a dream; and when I sit on these dreams, eventually one day the characters just kind of lay out most of the story for me. It’s hard to describe, I don’t sit there and decide what will happen, its like suddenly I just know, and I need to get to my laptop as soon as possible.
Jen: Candice, Rachel’s best friend and roommate, is gung-ho about the budding romance between her cousin Blake and Rachel. When things go awry, why does she refuse to believe Rachel’s side of the story or even choose to remain neutral for both parties involved?
Molly: It’s almost as if Candice lives life through rose-colored glasses. Or, maybe that’s just how she sees her cousin, Blake. Even later in the story, you’ll see Eli—Candice’s older brother—say how Blake was a guy he’d always looked up to. Same for Candice. Blake can do no wrong in people’s eyes: he’s smooth, he’s likable, he’s attractive, and very persuasive. And for a year, Rachel has been avoiding him and letting him and Candice know how much she can’t stand him. Candice already knows that Rachel is not enjoying the dates with Blake, and is trying to avoid him again, and then the next thing Candice knows, her cousin is taking care of her best friend after being attacked … and the next day her best friend is saying her cousin attacked her. Candice thinks Rachel is using this as a way to get out of dating Blake. Which, of course, seems horrible since she and Rachel are so close, but we have to remember Blake is Candice’s family.
Jen: When Rachel starts hanging out with the new neighbor Kash, how does their mutual attraction change her preconceived notions concerning his edgy, bad boy persona?
Molly: I’m not sure if it’s their mutual attraction, or if it’s just Kash. He’s funny, has a no-nonsense attitude, is still sweet … and is the only person to ever push back. Rachel keeps a lot to herself, and as a result, pushes people away. Kash doesn’t let it happen, and I think that’s just another thing that changes her original assumption of him.
Jen: Is Rachel’s involvement with Kash solely a way to get back at Candice for her unforgivable betrayal? And, how does Kash and Rachel’s romance affect the girls’ relationship?
Molly: Definitely not, she actually stays away from a relationship with Kash for so long because of what happened with Blake, and she’s afraid to talk to Candice about her attraction to him because of what happened. Uh – it makes their relationship strained, but I can’t go into detail about that.
Jen: How does Kash’s love for Rachel cloud his judgment in terms of him performing his job?
Molly: To be honest, it clouds his judgment in how he should handle their relationship more than it does his job. I would love to elaborate, but it will give away too much.
Jen: A question I must ask, will there be a sequel? And if so, what may you share with my readers?
Molly: There is definitely a sequel, and all I can tell you, is you’re not going to be expecting what happens in that book J It threw me for a loop even, totally not where I thought it was going.
Jen: Let’s switch gears now and talk about your promotional plans. Please take us on a brief tour of your website highlighting points of interest.
Molly: www.mollysmcadams.com I have tabs for all my books that are out (or coming soon), along with the links to buy or pre-order the e-books. I have tabs for my readers, one with frequently asked questions, and another showing where I’ll be going for upcoming events. Another tab, if readers like getting sneak peeks, I have teasers for my upcoming books J
Jen: Are you present in social media? And, what is the best way for my readers to keep abreast of your latest news?
Molly: Facebook and Twitter: www.facebook.com/mollymcadams www.twitter.com/mollysmcadams are the BEST way to keep in touch with what’s going on with my books! I always keep my readers up to date as much as possible on there.
Jen: Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with my readers. I think Forgiving Lies is a true gem. I highly recommend it to all of my Jen’s Jewels readers. Best of luck in all of your future projects!
Molly: THANK YOU SO MUCH! I enjoyed it! Xo
I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Molly McAdams. Please stop by your favorite bookstore, online retailer, or library branch and pick up a copy of Forgiving Lies today. Better yet, how would you like to win one instead? Okay, be one of the first five readers to email me at jensjewels@gmail.com with the correct answer to the following trivia question and you’ll win!
What is the name of Rachel’s best friend in Forgiving Lies?
In November, I will be bringing you my interview with Lorraine Zago Rosenthal, author of New Money. You won’t want to miss it. Until next time…Happy Halloween!