THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY
Get a behind-the-scenes all-access pass to Christina Sol's The Spotted Dog Series!
SYNOPSIS:
The three co-owners of The Spotted Dog, a Seattle Irish Pub—a confirmed bachelor, a jaded nice guy, and a workaholic—find love where they least expect it.
The books in The Spotted Dog series are interconnected standalones, with NO cliffhangers.
What is the sub-genre and trope? Did your characters lead you to this genre or was that decided before the story began?
Redemption is a contemporary romance with suspense. The tropes are some of favorites:
fling-to-forever
opposites attract
workplace / boss-employee
tragic past
heroine in danger
Are you more character or plot driven?
Character.
While all my stories have a suspense element in them that are essential to the plot, they’re very much character driven stories.
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?
When I first started writing Redemption, I had a spreadsheet that listed all the characters that were going to be in The Spotted Dog Series—what they look/sound like, mannerisms, etc.
As I delved deeper into Redemption, each main and secondary character solidified in my mind and became distinct. However, I do keep that spreadsheet handy so I can remember details like hair color, height, etc.—particularly for the tertiary characters.
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?
Absolutely! In Book 3 (Returning), the MMC’s heroine was originally a tertiary character from Redemption.
However, as I was writing Book 2 (Reclaiming), an entirely different character jumped out and is now the FMC in Book 3.
Are any of the male POVs based on anyone you
know?
No, not anyone in particular.
Are any of the female POVs based on anyone
you know?
No, not anyone in particular.
Was there any one character/scene that was harder to write about than the other?
In Redemption, Raven has a very tragic backstory and it was very tough writing those scenes. They’re uncomfortable to read—and they should due to the nature of what they are—but they’re vital to understanding Raven as a character and to see why she believes what she does about herself, why her “wound” is what it is.
What is your favorite book in the series?
All the books that are done! 😉
I know that we aren’t supposed to have
“favorites” as far as our children, but seriously, who’s your favorite
character and why?
I love all my characters, but Raven holds a very special place in my heart.
Series question – Who is your favorite couple
and why did you decide on their dynamics?
I can’t pick! Each couple works so well with each other!
How do you get inside these character’s heads
to find their perfect HEA?
That’s a hard one to answer!
In romance, it’s all about the characters growing in order for them to reach their HEA. Each character is different & they have their own demons. I just really try to put myself in their shoes and, knowing their backstories, have them react accordingly.
What scene in this book/series sticks out the
most for you? Why?
In Redemption, there are so many scenes that I love. I adore the beginning scenes that are full of snark and sass as both characters have their protective walls up high. But I equally love the angsty scenes where they fight what’s happening between them and the walls start falling.
Series – Were any of the books harder to
write than others?
I think the first 30,000 words are always the toughest in any book I’ve written. Once I hit that (and it’s solid), the rest of the book tends to flow pretty well.
But those first 30K are like pulling teeth. Without anesthesia.
This question is if you write in MULTIPLE
POVs not just the hero and heroine - I love the multiple POVs in a book. It’s not just the hero and heroine, but we
get inside the heads of multiple characters throughout this series. I feel that it gives the story further
depth. Do you think you will write
another book or series following this multiple POV outline? (if applicable)
Possibly. I grew reading Nora Roberts and loved all the head-hopping & knowing what everyone was thinking. If I can figure out how to do multiple POVs right, then I’d be game!
How did you come up with the title for your book and (if applicable) series?
I’m horrible at coming up with titles, but Book 1 was always going to be Redemption. It’s such an important piece of both Raven & Blake’s character growth.
The series title—The Spotted Dog Series—was easier since the books revolve around the three co-owners of The Spotted Dog Irish pub.
If you met these characters in real life
would you get along?
Absolutely! If these characters were real, I have no doubt that Raven would be everyone’s favorite bartender!
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?
This three-book series was originally going to be a two-book series featuring Raven in the first book, and then her best friend, Kate, in the second.
However, once I started writing and I created The Spotted Dog Irish Pub and it’s three handsome & single co-owners, the series pivoted.
If your book/series were made into a movie,
which actors do you see as playing your characters?
For Raven, I always pictured a black-haired Jessica Alba in my mind.
For my growly hero? If Scott Eastwood & Stephen Amell had a love child, it would be Blake.
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?
Reclaiming—Book 2 in The Spotted Dog series—features Parker. The expected release date is September 27, 2022.
Two friends. One kiss. And an evil threat from the past that jeopardizes it all…
When Christina’s not writing, reading, or knitting, she’s watching football or fueling her washi, sticker & planner obsession.
Christina lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two children.
Connect with Christina:
For Blake Sullivan, money and success have always come easy. After earning millions in his early 20s, he now co-owns and operates The Spotted Dog, a Seattle Irish pub, with his two best friends. After learning early on that most women were only after his money, Blake’s more than comfortable with his bachelor status and no-strings rule when it comes to the women he sees.
Raven Magenta Wagner is used to fighting. Being raised in between the foster care system and the streets, Raven has worked hard to go from stripper to one of the top bartenders in Seattle. When she’s hired on at The Spotted Dog, she’s thrilled to have a job that doesn’t require her to take her clothes off.
The friction between Blake and Raven is immediate. And so is their chemistry. Unable to leave each other alone, they agree to a casual affair. But when a threat from Raven's past resurfaces, their relationship pivots toward the unknown. Can they learn to trust each other before it’s too late? Can their relationship survive the secrets of Raven’s past?
Two friends. One kiss. And an evil threat from the past that jeopardizes it all…
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