When RJ asked if I wanted to participate in her tour for the release of Max and The Prince, I jumped at the chance. It’s book 3 in the Bodyguards Inc, series and I’ve enjoyed them all so far. I’m looking forward to this one! I also used the chance to ask RJ some questions. See her answers below. There’s a giveaway too!
Book 1 – Bodyguard To A Sex God
Book 2 – The Ex Factor
Blurb
Bodyguard Max Connery is used to being mistaken for being younger than he is.
Being carded every time he buys a beer is usual. Even though he’s just turned twenty eight and has two tours in Afghanistan as a pilot under his belt.
When a threat is made on the life of a prince attending University in the UK, Max is the perfect choice to blend in with students and to keep Prince Lucien safe. Even if it means joining the swim team to be by his side.
But, when death visits the University, abruptly this job is a long way past keeping the prince happy and safe. Instead Max has to keep Lucien alive.
Interview
Before you start writing a series, do you have the full series fully planned out? If so, to what level of detail?
RJ: I don’t have a series planned out in detail, but I know that I am starting out with the express intention of writing a series. Apart from The Heart Of Texas – that was supposed to be a standalone (ROFL). When creating a series like Bodyguards Inc, I have the HQ in my mind, and the recurring characters, but as to the nitty gritty of each story, no. Although in book 2 I may seed the ideas for book 3 and so on.
How do you determine what order to write your books in or what series to focus on?
RJ: This is a weird one to answer. I write what I feel is right. I know for a fact I want to write the last book in this series (book 4 – Ross and Kyles story) fairly much straight away because I so want to tell their story. However, I have had to push Deacon’s Law (Heroes 3) back a few months to do so. *Ducks from hate mail*.
Tell us a little about Max and the Prince and what lead you to writing the story of a prince. What research was involved?
RJ: Way back, Prince William went to Edinburgh University – he said he wanted a normal time there and to be left alone. Now, William is way too big a prince to manage being one of the normal guys. But, what if a prince attends Uni and all is well, until he needs a bodyguard? How will he hide then… this story has been growing in my head for quite a few years.
Can we expect book 4 in the series? If so, any hints?
RJ: Absolutely. Undercover Lovers is book 4 and is (finally) the story of boss Kyle, and his assistant Ross, and a blast from Kyle’s past that puts both of them in danger… this should be out Summer this year.
I know it’s a little like choosing a favourite child, but do you have a favourite series (of yours)?
RJ: Oh my goodness. If I really had to choose then the boys of Sanctuary are probably my favorite to write. Starting with Guarding Morgan and going right through to book 7, Worlds Collide, I love them all. And… there is a book 8 coming Autumn this year entitled *Accidental Hero*, watch this space for news!
Unedited Excerpt
“I’m only an hour away,” Max assured him as they joined the traffic heading towards Oxford.
“It’s fine.”
“We should take the time for you to go over everything again. I might not look like I’m listening but I will be.” He indicated and moved to the right lane to overtake a horse trailer then back in to the left lane all while he talked.
“Everything?”
“Every little detail from the time you decided to drink and before that if you think it helps. I want to know all the characters.”
“You sound like it’s a play.”
Max shot him a look, his serious sapphire blue gaze focused on Lucien for a split second before he focused back on the road. “It’s like a play I guess. The more you know the players then the easier it is to identify the bad guy.”
“When do I get to hear about your play?” Lucien asked. He was teasing, but also intrigued by the journey Max had taken to end up being Lucien’s bodyguard.
“I’m here. For you. That’s all you need to know.” He didn’t look at Lucien as he said it. “Now eyes front and start from the drinking.”
Lucien sighed noisily. He didn’t want to go back there, to the point where his entire life had crumbled with grief. He was desperate to avoid confronting the decisions he had made then. Not coming out to his family in such a dramatic way, that had actually been a good thing. His mom had just turned round and suggested that it was all well and good being like that in private but that is where it should stay. His dad had agreed stiffly. No, the decision to bury his grief in whiskey, or vodka, or whatever else he had to hand was one he regretted and was more than a little embarrassed to share with this put together guy who had managed to take Teddy to his knees.
“Okay, so the drinking. Guess that’s where I need to start.”
“Was it your decision to drink?”
Temper snatched his breath. “What kind of a question is that?” The way it was worded implied he didn’t know his own mind. Then he realized what he was thinking and just how stupid he sounded in his own head.
“A reasonable one,” Max said. “Did someone encourage you to drink? Were you led astray, was there someone who wanted you to commit some kind of indiscretion? Did you have a boyfriend? A wannabe lover? A friend?”
Temper subsided as quick as it rose and Lucien shook his head. “I apologize.”
“And you can stop doing that.”
“What?”
“Apologizing.”
“Sorry. I mean… Okay…” Settling himself back in the car and attempting to relax he closed his eyes briefly. He could do this. He hadn’t had a boyfriend. Edward was his first and actually his last. One heated night of sex and that was it. I may as well be a virgin. “So,” he began carefully. “There was no boyfriend, or wannabe lover as you put it. I hadn’t exactly come out to anyone, hell I’d barely come out to myself. Seb was ill for a long time and I was close to him, I even had a tutor so I didn’t have to go to boarding school. I think my parents liked that there was someone for Seb as it definitely wasn’t going to be them.” He winced as he said it. One didn’t speak badly about one’s parents. One was respectful.
“You’re not close? As a family?”
“No. Yes.” He sighed. “Not really. What about you?” He glanced sideways to see the faint tightening of Max’s jaw.
“We’re not talking about me,” he said.
“Sorry.”
“Stop apologizing.”
“Sorr—jeez…”
Lucien felt the heat rise in his face. This was going to be one hell of a long car journey.
Buy Links
http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/max-and-the-prince.html
Giveaway
Competition to win $15 Amazon/Are giftcard, and 2 further prizes of RJ Scott e-books – closes 11 April at 00:01 GMT (London)
About RJ
RJ Scott has been writing since age six, when she was made to stay in at lunchtime for an infraction involving cookies. She was told to write a story and two sides of paper about a trapped princess later, a lover of writing was born.
As an avid reader herself, she can be found reading anything from thrillers to sci-fi to horror. However, her first real true love will always be the world of romance where she takes cowboys, bodyguards, firemen and billionaires (to name a few) and writes dramatic and romantic stories of love and passion between these men.
With over seventy titles to her name and counting, she is the author of the award winning book, The Christmas Throwaway. She is also known for the Texas series charting the lives of Riley and Jack, and the Sanctuary series following the work of the Sanctuary Foundation and the people it protects.
Her goal is to write stories with a heart of romance, a troubled road to reach happiness, and most importantly, that hint of a happily ever after.
https://twitter.com/Rjscott_author
www.facebook.com/author.rjscott
www.librarything.com/author/scottrj
www.tumblr.com/blog/rjscott (some NSFW (not safe for work) photos)
www.pinterest.com/rjscottauthor/
First thought? I can not wait! Congratulations on the newest Bodyguard book!! And book 4 is just around the corner!