This week brings us
another character interview. Here’s your
chance to get to know Lara Faulkner, the protagonist of Country Roads, the first
book in the series by Grea Warner. Here’s
a little teaser of the story.
A young woman
content with her solitary life.
A rising country
music star.
They were friends
once …until their lives took them down separate roads.
Now, years later,
when a child volunteers his uncle to sing for a fundraiser, Lara Faulkner
realizes it is none other than her college pal, Finn Murphy. As the two get a
chance to reconnect, Lara reveals to a compassionate Finn details of her
shocking past and the traumatic decision she had to make.
Through trust and
love, the bond between Finn and Lara deepens as the country singer manages to
get an emotionally scarred Lara to let down her self-proclaimed walls. But will
secrets, lies, and tragedy cause a bumpy detour on their road to complete
happiness?
Emotional,
dramatic, heartwarming… fall in love with COUNTRY ROADS – the first in a
continuing series by author Grea Warner.
Tell us a little
about yourself:
Oh, I always hate
this question. I don’t like talking about myself. It’s one of the reasons I
never do well on the blind dates my friends try to set me up with. There are
other reasons, too. But let’s go with that one.
In all actuality, my
life is rather mundane. I’m a technology coordinator for a private school in a
suburb of New York— miles and miles away from where I grew up. I’m content. But
I don’t think I’ve ever been truly happy.
How did you get
involved in this novel?
Chance meetings.
Isn’t that what life really is…a bunch of random circumstances that somehow
change everything? One of the first-graders in the school where I work
volunteered his uncle for a special project. As it turns out, I knew his uncle.
We were friends in college, seven years before. Finn reentering my life is what
starts me on a whole new journey…well, really, what actually begins the life I
was meant to live.
What’s your greatest
strength?
I had to learn to be
resilient from an early age.
How about a weakness?
I have a very hard
time trusting others—that they are not going to hurt me and that I am worthy of
love.
Tell us something
about your background that may or may not be revealed in the book?
There are some things only my mother knows, and other things I am too ashamed to even tell her. But what’s not a secret is what made me the person I am. Growing up with an alcoholic father with unpredictable rage tends to make you scared of your own shadow and can lead to fateful decisions.
Are you the type of
person who always seeks out the company of others?
No. Not at all. I am
pretty much exactly the opposite. My career allows me to work independently
most of the time. Interacting with the students is fun, though. I love that
they still have so much innocence in them.
What do you do to
relax after a day’s work?
Sometimes I go
walking with a few coworkers. But, often, I pick up a novel and get lost in the
imaginary world of anyone who is not me.
Which do you prefer,
music or television?
Music—all genres of music. But since college, I have especially become a country music fan.
Who’s your best
friend and what influence have they had on your life?
Growing up, my brother was my best friend. We were close in age and had the same experiences to share — the good, the bad, and the oh-so ugly. His protective nature and being around as a sounding board saved me. But, now, since he’s so far away, I consider Vanessa my best friend. I live somewhat vicariously through that vibrant, outgoing personality of hers.
What has been the most romantic thing you’ve ever done or instigated?
Romance? Ha! Uh, no. Is that really a thing? Since the summer after high school, I gave up thinking it was even a possibility.
Tell us about the one person you loved who got away.
I didn’t know it
back then… although I should have. He even told me, and I hadn’t wanted to hear
it. I didn’t believe. I didn’t trust. I wasn’t ready.
Finn. Finn Murphy.
What is it about this
story that sets it apart from the others?
It’s mine—Lara Ann Faulkner’s. So, I tell it in first person. You’ll discover the secret of my past, as well as my thoughts and feelings about all that happens. And, heads up…you might want a box of tissues by your side. I’ve heard from a number of readers how emotional and heartbreaking my story is. But, also, how they can’t wait for what comes next.
About the author:
There really wasn’t any other path. Grea Warner knew from a
young age that she wanted to write. She was born to write. First it was in
diaries with little metal keys and in written tales that she slipped to friends
in study hall. School newspapers, a college television drama, and the soap
opera world were next. After producing and writing a local show, she decided to
delve into the world of the novelist. When her fingers aren’t tapping out her
latest book filled with angst and romance, Grea can be found hiking the trails
or jamming to her favorite country artists on the radio.
An excerpt from the story.
It was when I was
looking at the board listing the arrivals and departures and thinking my nerves
were too shot to even sit and wait, that I heard my name. It wasn’t loud. In
fact, it was a bit winded. But I knew the voice well. Despite there being a
number of people swarming around that area, I saw Finn instantly. He was a good
few feet away. His head was shaking ever so slightly as he was pleading me with
my eyes to come to him.
When I didn’t move,
he looked around. I knew he didn’t want to be recognized. There were times when
he didn’t mind it as much, but this…this certainly wasn’t one of them. And he
didn’t have on any type of clothing that could be used as a disguise—not a ball
cap, hoodie, or even glasses. Standing there in the brown suit he had worn to
the party, it was probably close to a sure bet that someone would identify him.
But I guess he was
willing to take that risk, because he walked toward me. I knew then that it was
inevitable that we were going to talk. I certainly wasn’t going to take off
running in my decorative heels and cocktail dress, after all.
“What? Where are
you going?” His eyes swept repeatedly across mine.
“Home.” I kept it
simple.
“Why? No. Lar,
please…please don’t leave.” There was a bit of panic when he said that last
word.
Links to your sites:
Website: http://greawarner.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Grea-Warner
Twitter: @grea_warner
Buy links:
Other titles in the
COUNTRY ROADS series…
ALMOST HEAVEN – Book
Two
TAKE ME HOME – Book
Three
TEARDROP IN MY EYE –
Book Four
THE PLACE I BELONG When asked for a song that would fit this character, Grea suggested this classic by John Denver.
https://youtu.be/1vrEljMfXYo
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