About the Author
Rhonda Bowen is a writer and event planner living in Toronto. She enjoys spending time with her family, trying on shoes she can’t afford, and enjoying life’s unexpected twists and turns. You can reach her by dropping a note in the comment box below or emailing her directly at rhonda.bowen@yahoo.com
Q & A with Rhonda Bowen
How did you become a writer?
I was a big reader growing up, but I only started writing during high school. I did it mostly for fun and it was mainly stories I would write with my friends that would never get finished. But I think that was a good starting point for me. I only attempted my first full length novel early in my twenties. It took a lot of work but I was more proud of finishing it than anything else.
What are you hoping readers take from your book?
My mother used to say that the things we dislike in others are often the things we dislike in ourselves. However in many cases we may not even realize that we have those traits in the first place. In Get You Good we see this happening with Sydney our main character. Her issues with her sister-in-law really stem from how similar they are, even though she cannot see it herself. I hope readers will realize the importance of personal self examination. We need to be willing to look at the dark things in ourselves and acknowledge the flaws we have. In return this will probably help us be more compassionate with others.
If you were to write a book about a controversial topic, what would it be?
Maybe something about homosexuality or transgendered people within some kind of church context. I think everyone thinks that they are accepting and open. But when you face these situations in your own family you discover your true feelings.
Are you an avid or occasional reader? If so, what is your favorite genre of books?
I am an avid reader. My absolute favourite genre is romance, but I don’t like novels that are straight romance. There has to be something else going on, like some mystery, or action, or legal drama. I am also very partial to books that fall into the inspirational or urban Christian range.
My mother used to say that the things we dislike in others are often the things we dislike in ourselves. However in many cases we may not even realize that we have those traits in the first place. In Get You Good we see this happening with Sydney our main character. Her issues with her sister-in-law really stem from how similar they are, even though she cannot see it herself. I hope readers will realize the importance of personal self examination. We need to be willing to look at the dark things in ourselves and acknowledge the flaws we have. In return this will probably help us be more compassionate with others.
If you were to write a book about a controversial topic, what would it be?
Maybe something about homosexuality or transgendered people within some kind of church context. I think everyone thinks that they are accepting and open. But when you face these situations in your own family you discover your true feelings.
Are you an avid or occasional reader? If so, what is your favorite genre of books?
I am an avid reader. My absolute favourite genre is romance, but I don’t like novels that are straight romance. There has to be something else going on, like some mystery, or action, or legal drama. I am also very partial to books that fall into the inspirational or urban Christian range.
If you could interview one of your favorite authors, who would it be? Why?
If I could go back in time I would love to meet and interview Jane Austen. I know a lot of people might give that answer and it may seem stereotypical but I really would love to know more about her personal life and what inspired her to write the stories she did. I know that as a writer a lot of my own personal experiences and perspectives leak into my stories. It’s inevitable. So I would really love to know if Miss Austen had a romance like Anne Elliot in Persuasion or sisters like Elizabeth Bennet’s in Pride and Prejudice.
If I could go back in time I would love to meet and interview Jane Austen. I know a lot of people might give that answer and it may seem stereotypical but I really would love to know more about her personal life and what inspired her to write the stories she did. I know that as a writer a lot of my own personal experiences and perspectives leak into my stories. It’s inevitable. So I would really love to know if Miss Austen had a romance like Anne Elliot in Persuasion or sisters like Elizabeth Bennet’s in Pride and Prejudice.
If you could make a movie out of one of your books, which one would it be?
I think my latest one, Get You Good would make a pretty decent movie. But I can see my first novel Man Enough For Me being good for the screen with the music industry aspect of it. I could totally see Journee Smollet playing Jules. Maybe Columbus Short as Germaine. Hot!
I think my latest one, Get You Good would make a pretty decent movie. But I can see my first novel Man Enough For Me being good for the screen with the music industry aspect of it. I could totally see Journee Smollet playing Jules. Maybe Columbus Short as Germaine. Hot!
Which marketing/promotions or publicity strategy has worked best in your favor?
Good distribution has definitely been an effective promotion strategy for me. Being able to have my books in places like Walmart and Target really helped with sales, particularly of my second novel. As for what I personally do, I think social media definitely has its advantages. I live in Canada, so it’s not as easy to be at conferences and events where I can meet readers and other writers, but connecting with them through facebook really gives more recognition to my name, which helps when they get to the bookstore or do their online shopping!
Which do you like better traditional or self-publishing? Why?
I have to say traditional, just because that’s what I have experience with. There is a lot of freedom with self publishing, but unless you are an established writer it can be hard to get your product to the market without a publisher and the traditional distribution channels they offer. However with more customers buying books on kindle, and the ease of publishing e-books, I can definitely see self publishing growing as a successful means for authors’ getting their work out there.
What new projects are you working on?
I am currently working on a follow-up to Get You Good. It is told from a different perspective but you get to catch up with a lot of the characters that you’ll meet in my current release. This will be my first time writing a sequel to any of my novels. I’m excited!
I am currently working on a follow-up to Get You Good. It is told from a different perspective but you get to catch up with a lot of the characters that you’ll meet in my current release. This will be my first time writing a sequel to any of my novels. I’m excited!
Where can readers find you?At my website rhondabowen.com. They can also find me at facebook.com/MsRhondie. I am best on email though so if you want a direct response from me, hit me up at rhonda.bowen@yahoo.com
Sydney Isaacs has two priorities: her family, and Decadent, the gourmet pastry business they founded almost three generations ago. But both are in jeopardy when her brother, Dean, announces his sudden marriage to the conniving Sheree Vern. Furthermore Dean's inheritance of the ownership of Decadent from their father, despite Dean's lack of interest, leaves Sydney with few options. Now Dean and Sheree are selling the store to finance his music dreams—or so Dean believes… Thanks to Sheree, Dean’s plans, the business, and his marriage, soon implode in ways he never expected—leaving Sydney determined to salvage whatever she can and fix the mess left behind. Her only solace is her romance with Hayden Windsor. But Hayden is Sheree's half brother and it doesn't take long for Sydney to wonder: what if Hayden knew about Sheree’s scheming all along? Soon Sydney creates a deception of her own to find out the truth. Her strategy is working, until the consequences threaten to destroy everything she values most—including her faith. Overcome with guilt, can she make things right with her brother, with Hayden, and with God?
Purchase the Book Online at:
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Book Review
What would you do for your family? Sydney has to decide in Get You Good by Rhonda Bowen. Sydney runs the family pastry business, Decadent with her sister Lissandra. Sydney has always put family and the business first and her strong work ethics has made Decadent one of the most popular spots for tasty treats.
When Sydney’s brother, Dean returns home with his pregnant fiancée, Sheree, the dynamics of the family take a drastic change. Dean informs Sydney the business she loves will be sold. Sydney offers to buy the store but is underhanded by the competition, “Something Sweet.” Sydney has a funny feeling that something is not right and plans to find out her brother and his wife’s intentions.
Sydney’s investigative skills are in high gear when an unsuspected tragedy hits the family. Sydney discovers that the man she loves is the half-brother of the woman causing her family pain. Sydney soon has to ask her sisters to step out of character and help her protect their family as well as the history their father started when he opened Decadent.
Get You Good is about preserving a legacy and stopping those trying to destroy it. This was an exciting book with drama, suspense, romance and an unsuspected ending. I enjoyed the characters. The acts these sisters go through to take care of their own was unbelievable. I recommend Get You Good to others.
This book was provided by the author for review purposes.
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