Book Tour: Interview with Rebecca Zanetti

Rebecca Zanetti wrote her first story when she was six – a romance between a princess and neighboring prince.  The princess fell out of her castle and the prince rescued her. A happily ever after was had by all.

This theme of romance has been carried through Rebecca’s works until present time.  While today’s heroine may have a medical degree, black belt in Karate and her own 401K, she’s still after that happy ending.  And today’s prince may have fangs and wear a black hat, but hey, a modern princess likes a guy who bites.

Rebecca attended Pepperdine University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Journalism with a Political Science emphasis.  While there she worked as the Editor-in-Chief of The Graphic newspaper, a member of the Pi Phi Sorority and an intern for President Reagan, who still gave 3-5 speeches a week, even though he was no longer president.

After college, Rebecca worked as an art curator and a Senate aide before heading to law school, where she received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Idaho.  She married Tony Zanetti in the middle of her second year of law school and became pregnant with their first child during the third year.  She graduated law school, gave birth three weeks later, and took the Bar Exam three weeks after that.  All she remembers about the bar exam is that it was so quiet in the testing room, she thought about taking a quick nap.  But she continued on, passed the bar and became a lawyer.   She worked for a large firm, then a small firm, then the county while also teaching legal classes at her local community college.  Now she writes  romances about vampires, cowboys, and soldiers.

Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories.  She resides there with her husband, children and extended family who inspire her every day.  Rebecca has completed several manuscripts, winning award throughout the writing industry for her work.  She is currently writes the Dark Protector series for Kensington Publishing, the Maverick Montana series for Entangled Publishing, and the Sin Brothers series for Grand Central Publishing.

Welcome Rebecca to Stitch Read Cook!

What was your inspiration for this book?

Well, my inspiration for Sweet Revenge flowed naturally from the first book in the series, Forgotten Sins. The hero in Sweet Revenge, Matt Dean, made a couple of appearances in the earlier book, and he seemed like such a wounded, tough, dedicated older brother that I really wanted to see who could capture his heart. It turned out that a feisty, smart bar-owner on the run from a dangerous path was the woman for Matt.

What authors have influenced you the most?  And why?

This is a fun one! The first romance I ever read was one of the MacGregor stories from Nora Roberts, and I was hooked on romance from that day on. I loved all of her trilogies and series, so I figured I’d always want to write related stories. Once you get to know characters, you want to stay in touch with them.

If you were stranded on an island, what 5 books would you take with you?

Wow…only five books? Couldn’t I just take my ereader with thousands of books? J Okay – five books.

1) Raise High the Roofbeam Carpenters by J.D. Salinger because it’s just such an amazing piece of writing.

2) Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich because that’s the book where Steph and Ranger finally get busy.

3) Dating Can Be Murder by Jennifer Apodaca because that’s when we first meet Gabe and Samantha.

4) Immortal in Death by J.D. Robb because that’s such a great one for Roarke and Eve.

5) The largest book I could find on the History of our World or on the biology/genetics of the human body because if I’m on a deserted island, I’m probably going to be there for a while and need something to learn about.

If you could live anywhere in the world (or a place from a book) where would it be?

I’d live right where I live in the Pacific Northwest. We have mountains, lakes, and rivers…and so much to do. It’s beautiful here, and all of my family is here. So…I’m staying.

If you would trade places with any character from any book - who would it be?

Ohhh – that’s a tough one. I usually have a crush on whatever hero I’m writing about, so I’d usually like to be the heroine for that book. But there’s something about an older brother, the responsible one, that I really like. (My hubby is the oldest of three boys). So, right now I’d like to be Laney Jacobs as she nabs Matt Dean in Sweet Revenge. If we’re talking about other people’s books, then I’d like to be Eve Dallas because she gets Roarke in the Death series, but I wouldn’t have wanted to have had her terrible childhood.

Quick either/or:

Alpha or Beta? Alpha, Alpha, Alpha

Wallflower or Belle of the Ball? Wallflower but I’d want to be the Belle.

Debutante or Spinster? Debutante

Virgin widow or Secret baby? Virgin Widow

Coffee or Tea? Green tea

Love at first sight or Second chances? Eek. Love both. I’ll take Second Chances.

Naval officer or Swashbuckling pirate? Naval officer, hands down!

Vampires or Shifters? Umm…both, but if I had to choose, vampires.

Past, Present or Future? Present.

Writing or Reading? Writing

Paperbacks or e-books? Both. I love a good paperback in my hand, though.

Plotter or Pantser? Panster, panster, panster.

Author’s choice: What character would you like to be – in any book, movie, or television show?

The One Man She Can't Have

Matt Dean was born to fight…and kill. A member of a secret black-ops military unit, he and his brothers were genetically engineered by the government to be the perfect soldiers with an expiration date. Now, with time running out, he's gone rogue in a relentless quest for the one person who can save them. His mission leads him to Charmed, Idaho…and to a beautiful woman with eyes like emeralds and a body made for pleasure.

The One Woman He Can't Resist

Laney Jacobs knows the mysterious, handsome stranger is trouble from the moment he walks into her bar, looking for a job. She's spent years running from her own past—the last thing she needs is a romantic entanglement. But Matt's strong arms offer her protection, and his gentle touch promises passion unlike anything she's ever known. As lethal forces surround them, revealing explosive secrets about Matt's past and putting everything—and everyone—he holds dear in danger, can he save them all before time runs out?