THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY
Rough Edges Series
Get a behind-the-scenes all-access pass to Ashley Zakrzewski's Rough Edges Series!
SYNOPSIS:
The Rough Edges series follows the men of the Grapevine Fire Department.
Underneath each of their sexy outer shells, they are sweet, sensitive, and sometimes a little rough around the edges.
What woman will be lucky enough to peel through the layers and find the teddy bear inside?
There’s one looming question remaining: which sexy and irresistible firefighter will be your favorite?
What is the sub-genre and trope? Did your characters lead you to this genre or was that decided before the story began?
This is small town romance, and each of the ten books has their own trope.
It has second chance, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, age gap, and many more coming later in the series.
Are you more
character or plot driven?
I would say I am more character driven. The characters are what makes my stories flourish. The readers get attached to see the characters overcome their obstacle and get exactly what they want.
With many main
and secondary characters, how do you keep them separated in your mind? Do you have a story/vision board above your
workspace?
I have a series bible that I update religiously every day as I’m reading. It helps to keep everything updated for when I write the next book in the series.
By the time the series is complete, there will be over twenty-five characters introduced.
I know from
previous interviews that characters take on a life of their own. Were any of the characters in this series
determined to take their own direction instead of where you initially wanted
them to go?
My characters always have a mind of their own. I think the book that changed the most after outlining it was Treasure Me. It ended up going in a different direction after the first couple of chapters, but I just ran with it.
Are any of the
male POVs based on anyone you know?
Absolutely not.
Are any of the
female POVs based on anyone you know?
Not at all.
Was there any one
character/scene that was harder to write about
than the other?
Book 4, Treasure Me, was emotional for me because he is dealing with his father’s Alzheimer’s and things go south quick.
It made me think about my relationship with my father. This was an emotional book for me to write.
What is your
favorite book in the series? (if applicable)
I tend to enjoy books that are emotional and so that would be Book 4 so far. It deals with some many things that sometimes we take for granted. It really pushes you to appreciate even the little things live gives you. Don’t take anything for granted.
I know that we
aren’t supposed to have “favorites” as far as our children, but seriously,
who’s your favorite character and why?
So, I do not have a favorite character. Each of them has a mind of their own, and they all have their pasts and scars. I love watching the characters grow in the series.
Series question -
Who is your favorite couple and why did you decide on their dynamics?
My favorite couple so far would have to be Damon and Tessa. There is a special place in my heart for single mothers. I was one until I met my husband. The struggles they face, the self-doubt, it is displayed in Book 1. They have show up in almost every single book throughout the series.
How do you get
inside these character’s heads to find their perfect HEA?
I brainstorm for days on how to write the perfect ending for the couple. However, the great thing about this series is just because their book is over, doesn’t mean you don’t see these characters in later books. I try to incorporate them since they all work together. You get to see engagements, weddings, having babies. So you truly get to see their lives transform with each other.
What scene in
this book/series sticks out the most for you?
Why?
There is a kidnapping scene in book 1 that still gives me goosebumps to this day.
Series - Were any
of the books harder to write than others?
Book 3 and 4 of the series have been the hardest to write so far. I think this is because of the issues it deals with. Keeping secrets, lying to people you love, and coming to terms with a loved one having Alzheimers.
How long did it take you to write this book/series?
I published the first book in the series in November 2021 and at the time of this interview I have four books out.
The series is set to be complete by end of March 2023.
How did you come
up with the title for your book and series?
My husband actually helped me and I quickly fell in love with the ideas.
If you met these
characters in real life would you get along?
I think I relate most to Tessa and we would be best friends.
Series question –
Did you know in advance that you were going to write this as a series or did
one of the characters in book one demand their own story?
I knew from the beginning this was going to be a series.
Originally it was only going to be three books following the Jackson brothers, but then I knew there was so much story to be told from the other men at the department.
If your
book/series were made into a movie, which actors do you see as playing your
characters?
I could see Christian Bale as Damon.
Can you give us a
hint as to what we can expect next? Whether
a new book and series or a sequel to an existing series? Can you share a small tease?
The Rough Edges series will be complete by March 2023 and after that there will be a spinoff series for the Grapevine Police Department. The Chief of Police is Larissa Weaver, and I’m excited to have a powerful women in charge.
Check out all my interview/reviews for Ashley Zakrzewski!
https://readingbydeb.blogspot.com/2022/05/author-at-glance-ashley-zakrzewski.html#more
Bio:
USA Today and International Best Selling Author Ashley Zakrzewski is known for her captivating storytelling, sultry plots, and dynamic protagonists.
Hailing from Arkansas, her affinity for the written word began early on, and she has been relentlessly chasing after her dreams ever since.
Connect with Ashley:
Email: authorashleyzakrzewski@gmail.com
When single mom Tessa's apartment burns down, she's left with nothing but ashes and nowhere to go.
Hunky firefighter Damon Jackson has been battling depression since his wife's passing, but he still has an enormous heart and offers Tessa and her daughter a place to stay.
Neither of them is looking for a relationship, but the proximity has them quickly falling for one another, flaws and all.
Tessa always promised herself she'd never fall for a firefighter - not after losing her dad to that heroic profession. And Damon is afraid to open his heart again.
Will she be able to help Damon, or will the depression and grief be too much?
Liam Jackson, a Grapevine firefighter, has always longed for his happily ever after. He dreams of becoming a father, but all the women he dates want nothing serious.
Until he meets chemistry teacher Harper Davis. She's relocated to Texas following her parents' deaths and is trying to settle in to her new surroundings.
When Liam and Harper meet, their connection is instantaneous, but their idyllic life together suddenly shatters when an attack leaves her in a coma. Harper awakens with no memory of her parents' passing, moving to Texas, or meeting Liam.
Liam’s determination to rebuild their relationship is like no other, and the doctors say her memories should come back. But what if they don’t?
Will Harper fall in love with him all over again, or will he lose the love of his life?
Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
When former foster kid and perpetual misfit Hazel Grey left Grapevine to follow her dream of studying Law at Harvard, it felt like the right thing to do. Even though it meant turning down the proposal of the only guy she ever loved.
Aiden Jackson has never forgotten the only girl that took him seriously instead of just treating him like a dumb jock, the one who stayed by his side the night his mother died to help him through his grief.
Now it's eight years later and not a single day has gone by where they haven't thought of one another. When Hazel comes back to town, the chemistry between them burns as bright as ever, but will that be enough or will old hurts from the past be too much for even love to overcome?
When construction worker turned firefighter Jeremy Grey is faced with the difficult decision to put his father in a facility due to his progressing Alzheimer’s, he’s left wondering if he made the right choice.
When Raquel Hargrove steps into the picture as his father’s caregiver, the attraction is there, but he has no time to even think about pursuing a relationship with the responsibility of his father’s health in his hands.
Neither of them is looking for a relationship, but the proximity has them quickly falling for one another, flaws and all. Raquel always promised herself she’d never fall for a family member of one of her patients – not after what happened to her boss.
Will she be able to help Jeremy cope, or will the depression and grief of his father’s disease be too much?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091M8KJBF
Straight out of a ten-year relationship, Vanessa tries to get used to being by herself again. It’s difficult with an eight-year-old in tow asking all kinds of questions. Her fears about being able to provide for her daughter on her own scare her, but she’s determined to make it happen without having to ask for his help.
Will they slowly tear down each other’s walls or will Vanessa’s reluctance to settle down throw a curveball in their love story?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091M8KJBF
Non Traditional College student Leslie Porter is beautiful, blonde and recently inherited some money after her grandfather’s death. The last thing she wants is a distraction, even if it comes in the form of a handsome, muscular man who looks enticing in a firefighter uniform.
Grapevine Firefighter Tristan Baylor signs up to finish his business degree, and his studies are important to him. When the first day of classes roll around, his eyes can’t help but stare at Leslie. He knows he needs to take college seriously and focus on his studies, but he’s not getting any younger.
Will Leslie let him conquer her walls or will Tristan be able to show her that he is the man she so desperately needs?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091M8KJBF
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091M8KJBF
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091M8KJBF
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