Welcome Beth Bolden - The Rainbow Clause
A big welcome today to Beth Bolden as part of her blog tour with Embrace the Rainbow Book Promotions for The Rainbow Clause.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your writing?
Hi, I’m Beth Bolden. I’ve been publishing romance since 2014, and The Rainbow Clause is my sixth book, but my first m/m romance. I like to write stories that have sports as a background - two of my books are centered around baseball, one takes place at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and The Rainbow Clause is my first about football.
Can you tell us about your new release? What inspired you to write it?
I’d been wanting to write a m/m romance for awhile because I enjoyed reading them so much. When I was editing Summer Attractions early last summer, it occurred to me that Nick and Colin, two minor characters in that book would make a great couple. And that idea is what became The Rainbow Clause. One of the subplots of Summer Attractions is that Colin, a football player, has long been in love with the heroine, Jemma, but she only sees him as a friend. That also gave me the opportunity to write a bisexual hero, which is something else I’d really been wanting to write.
Are there any characters that you write, that are based on you, or people you know?
I always try to write unique characters, but by the time I’ve finished every book I’ve written, I always find some facet of myself in my characters. Even if I didn’t realize it was there, and didn’t have a plan to write it in. I guess I’m very set in the write what you know camp, even when I try to move past it.
Do you have a favourite character and/or book you've written? Who, what and why?
I know saying this book is cliché, but it’s the truth. I think it’s easily the best book I’ve ever written, and I’m unfairly proud of it. Also, I love Colin and Nick and I feel like I could write about them forever. I set out to write this short little freebie epilogue, and it hit almost 10,000 words. I feel like there might even be more of their story to tell, if the right idea strikes me. The combination of Colin’s innate belief in everyone’s goodness is such an irresistible combination with Nick’s sarcastic cynicism. Like all great couples, I think they’re both great on their own, but they make each other better. And that’s special, I think.
Do you write often? Is it on a schedule, or whenever you feel like it?
I try to write 4-5 times a week. Sometimes every day, if I’ve got a good momentum going. I try to structure my writing schedule around two things: 1) my personal theory that writing is like a muscle, and it needs exercise. If you get out of the habit, it’s a lot harder to get started again. 2) Nora Roberts’ famous quote: “You can’t edit an empty page.” I don’t throw away as much as I used to (on my first novel, I did nanowrimo, and literally tossed nearly all that 50,000 words when I was done, and basically started over), but the principle remains. You can’t fix something that’s not there. So you’ve got to get something down. Every time I hit a block, I tell myself that.
What are your writing and personal goals for 2017 and beyond?
I have a competitive cooking m/m romance coming out in August 2017, called Taste on My Tongue. I’m in the middle of editing, and it’s such a fun, really lighthearted romance, crossed with all the pressure of a competitive cooking show. It was so much fun to create my own, Kitchen Wars, which is a combination of a lot of my favorite shows, like Chopped, Cutthroat Kitchen and Masterchef. I’m also planning a Christmas novella for the end of 2017, which will take place at Five Points, the blog that Nick and Jemma both write for. I’m hoping to include some old characters and new ones.
In 2018, I’m going to attempt to tackle a trilogy, which is a lot more plotty than I usually go for. The plan is to do pirates, in space. I guess it’s better to be overambitious than not ambitious enough? I really want to try to release something, even if it’s small, every few months.
What are you working on at present? Would you like to share a snippet?
I’m right in the middle of editing Taste on My Tongue. Here’s a quick little snippet:
When Landon returns to their station, Quentin’s waiting there with an expectant expression. “Ready to chop?” he asks with a sly twist to his lips.
Landon makes a face. “I hate chopping.”
“Chop, chop, baby,” Quentin teases. And Landon is pretty sure one of the cameras has been focused almost exclusively on them since the sixty minute time started. He knows they’re cute, knows they’re flirting with each other, almost unconsciously at this point, and knows they must make really excellent television.
So it’s not like he plays up the flirting for extra effect, but well, if he bats his eyelashes a moment longer while he wipes and carefully chops the mushrooms and washes the arugula, then nobody can really blame him. The public isn’t actually voting for them, but Landon knows how this all really works. If they become crowd favorites, the producers will make sure they stick around.
Quentin cottons on as he moves to set the burgers carefully onto the stovetop grill. “What are you doing?” he asks quietly, leaning in and letting the sizzling of the cooking meat prevent the cameras from picking up on his words.
Landon leans in further. If the cameras catch any of this, it’ll just look like two boys who seem very much into each other - which is technically true. “What I can to make sure we win,” he says and rises up on his tiptoes and presses a quick, fleeting kiss to Quentin’s cheek.
Do you get emails asking why characters didn’t get together and whether you’re going to write more about them?
I wrote the first two books of a planned three book series, and over time, I’ve discovered that particular genre is a tough one to write in. Not from a writing perspective, but from a promotional perspective. I don’t have the time to devote to really trying to get my books out there, and I’ve made a decision to cut bait on it. People don’t typically email me about it, but I feel guilty sometimes. Also some advice: don’t dig your characters into a big hole unless you’re sure you know how to get them out of it.
Are you a cat person or a dog person? Can you tell us about your pets?
Definitely a cat person. I have one cat, otherwise known as my child, Shilo. I’ve had her about ten years. She’s Siamese, so she talks all the time. We have that in common :)
If you were able to quit your day job and write full time, would you, and why/why not?
It would be a LOT easier if I quit my day job, that much I’ll tell you. But somehow, I lucked into a day job that I really enjoy, working for people I respect, with co-workers I actually like. I’ve been in the workforce long enough to know that these are not common scenarios, so I’m loathe to leave. It just means I have to be more disciplined during my writing time, which is not always easy for me. People are always surprised when I tell them that I’m an accountant in real life.
Title: The Rainbow Clause
Author: Beth Bolden
Release Date: April 3rd 2017
Genre: MM Contemporary Romance, Sports
BLURB
Heisman winner. Member of the National Championship team. NFL Rookie of the Year. Quarterback Colin O’Connor knows he’s become the ultimate romance novel cliché: all the success he’s ever dreamed of but nobody to share it with. Too bad it’s not as simple as asking out the next girl who intrigues him - because the next girl to intrigue him probably won’t be a girl at all.
Unexpectedly, the solution comes in one neat package: Nick Wheeler, lead journalist for a leading sports and pop culture blog. Hired by Colin’s team, Nick comes to Miami to shine a spotlight on the NFL’s most private quarterback.
The heat in Miami rises when Nick discovers that Colin is nothing like the hollow personality he pretends to be in interviews and he’s even hotter in person than on his Sports Illustrated cover. Nick knows this is the story of his career, and after spending his teenage years as a bullied, closeted teen, it hits very close to home. What he needs is to help Colin share his story while keeping their growing relationship from boiling over in the press, but what he wants is to tell the world.
Purchase: Amazon US | Amazon UK
EXCERPT
Nick went through the cupboards one at a time, finding an obscene amount of protein shakes and powder, and a lot of basic staples that proved Colin probably did know how to cook. That hadn’t been an act, though he was beginning to wonder how much of the Colin O’Connor he’d seen wasn’t. Probably almost none of it, and that was terrifying.
He had just poured milk into his Cheerios when Colin jogged up to the patio and into the house, wearing a pair of loose-fitting athletic shorts, a thin layer of sweat, and nothing else.
Nick choked on air. So much for his peaceful breakfast.
“Good morning,” Colin said with that annoying smile. All innocence with just the tiniest edge of something more. Like he knew exactly what he was doing and how effective it was.
“Morning,” Nick mumbled into his cereal.
“I was going to wake you up for my jog, well our jog, but you seemed to be sleeping pretty soundly.”
Nick tried not to think about what that sort of picture that made. Or that Colin had looked into his room and had seen him sleeping.
“Do you jog every morning?” Nick asked, even though he already knew the answer. Anything to abort that line of thinking.
“Usually about ten miles or so. Went fourteen this morning, felt really good.” Colin reached for his forgotten t-shirt hanging over a barstool and shrugged it on. It stuck to his skin in sweaty patches, which shouldn’t have been attractive but apparently, Colin O’Connor defied logic.
“Bullshit,” Nick mumbled.
“Tomorrow you want to join?” Colin asked like he hadn’t heard as he grabbed a water bottle out of the fridge.
“Not for a fourteen mile jog,” Nick said.
“Not even for ten?” Colin wheedled.
“Not even for ten. You could probably convince me to do about half that.”
GIVEAWAY: WIN $50 Amazon Gift Card!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
About the Author
Beth Bolden lives in Portland, Oregon with her supportive husband and their beloved cat. She wholly believes in Keeping Portland Weird, but wishes she didn't have to make the yearly pilgrimage up to Seattle to watch her Boston Red Sox play baseball. She's a fan of fandoms, and spends too much of her free time on tumblr.
Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn't a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She's published two novels, The Lucky Charm and Getting Lucky, and a short story, Eye of the Storm. Her next novel, Summer Attractions, will be released in August 2016.
Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Goodreads | Amazon
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your writing?
Hi, I’m Beth Bolden. I’ve been publishing romance since 2014, and The Rainbow Clause is my sixth book, but my first m/m romance. I like to write stories that have sports as a background - two of my books are centered around baseball, one takes place at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and The Rainbow Clause is my first about football.
Can you tell us about your new release? What inspired you to write it?
I’d been wanting to write a m/m romance for awhile because I enjoyed reading them so much. When I was editing Summer Attractions early last summer, it occurred to me that Nick and Colin, two minor characters in that book would make a great couple. And that idea is what became The Rainbow Clause. One of the subplots of Summer Attractions is that Colin, a football player, has long been in love with the heroine, Jemma, but she only sees him as a friend. That also gave me the opportunity to write a bisexual hero, which is something else I’d really been wanting to write.
Are there any characters that you write, that are based on you, or people you know?
I always try to write unique characters, but by the time I’ve finished every book I’ve written, I always find some facet of myself in my characters. Even if I didn’t realize it was there, and didn’t have a plan to write it in. I guess I’m very set in the write what you know camp, even when I try to move past it.
Do you have a favourite character and/or book you've written? Who, what and why?
I know saying this book is cliché, but it’s the truth. I think it’s easily the best book I’ve ever written, and I’m unfairly proud of it. Also, I love Colin and Nick and I feel like I could write about them forever. I set out to write this short little freebie epilogue, and it hit almost 10,000 words. I feel like there might even be more of their story to tell, if the right idea strikes me. The combination of Colin’s innate belief in everyone’s goodness is such an irresistible combination with Nick’s sarcastic cynicism. Like all great couples, I think they’re both great on their own, but they make each other better. And that’s special, I think.
Do you write often? Is it on a schedule, or whenever you feel like it?
I try to write 4-5 times a week. Sometimes every day, if I’ve got a good momentum going. I try to structure my writing schedule around two things: 1) my personal theory that writing is like a muscle, and it needs exercise. If you get out of the habit, it’s a lot harder to get started again. 2) Nora Roberts’ famous quote: “You can’t edit an empty page.” I don’t throw away as much as I used to (on my first novel, I did nanowrimo, and literally tossed nearly all that 50,000 words when I was done, and basically started over), but the principle remains. You can’t fix something that’s not there. So you’ve got to get something down. Every time I hit a block, I tell myself that.
What are your writing and personal goals for 2017 and beyond?
I have a competitive cooking m/m romance coming out in August 2017, called Taste on My Tongue. I’m in the middle of editing, and it’s such a fun, really lighthearted romance, crossed with all the pressure of a competitive cooking show. It was so much fun to create my own, Kitchen Wars, which is a combination of a lot of my favorite shows, like Chopped, Cutthroat Kitchen and Masterchef. I’m also planning a Christmas novella for the end of 2017, which will take place at Five Points, the blog that Nick and Jemma both write for. I’m hoping to include some old characters and new ones.
In 2018, I’m going to attempt to tackle a trilogy, which is a lot more plotty than I usually go for. The plan is to do pirates, in space. I guess it’s better to be overambitious than not ambitious enough? I really want to try to release something, even if it’s small, every few months.
What are you working on at present? Would you like to share a snippet?
I’m right in the middle of editing Taste on My Tongue. Here’s a quick little snippet:
When Landon returns to their station, Quentin’s waiting there with an expectant expression. “Ready to chop?” he asks with a sly twist to his lips.
Landon makes a face. “I hate chopping.”
“Chop, chop, baby,” Quentin teases. And Landon is pretty sure one of the cameras has been focused almost exclusively on them since the sixty minute time started. He knows they’re cute, knows they’re flirting with each other, almost unconsciously at this point, and knows they must make really excellent television.
So it’s not like he plays up the flirting for extra effect, but well, if he bats his eyelashes a moment longer while he wipes and carefully chops the mushrooms and washes the arugula, then nobody can really blame him. The public isn’t actually voting for them, but Landon knows how this all really works. If they become crowd favorites, the producers will make sure they stick around.
Quentin cottons on as he moves to set the burgers carefully onto the stovetop grill. “What are you doing?” he asks quietly, leaning in and letting the sizzling of the cooking meat prevent the cameras from picking up on his words.
Landon leans in further. If the cameras catch any of this, it’ll just look like two boys who seem very much into each other - which is technically true. “What I can to make sure we win,” he says and rises up on his tiptoes and presses a quick, fleeting kiss to Quentin’s cheek.
Do you get emails asking why characters didn’t get together and whether you’re going to write more about them?
I wrote the first two books of a planned three book series, and over time, I’ve discovered that particular genre is a tough one to write in. Not from a writing perspective, but from a promotional perspective. I don’t have the time to devote to really trying to get my books out there, and I’ve made a decision to cut bait on it. People don’t typically email me about it, but I feel guilty sometimes. Also some advice: don’t dig your characters into a big hole unless you’re sure you know how to get them out of it.
Are you a cat person or a dog person? Can you tell us about your pets?
Definitely a cat person. I have one cat, otherwise known as my child, Shilo. I’ve had her about ten years. She’s Siamese, so she talks all the time. We have that in common :)
If you were able to quit your day job and write full time, would you, and why/why not?
It would be a LOT easier if I quit my day job, that much I’ll tell you. But somehow, I lucked into a day job that I really enjoy, working for people I respect, with co-workers I actually like. I’ve been in the workforce long enough to know that these are not common scenarios, so I’m loathe to leave. It just means I have to be more disciplined during my writing time, which is not always easy for me. People are always surprised when I tell them that I’m an accountant in real life.
Title: The Rainbow Clause
Author: Beth Bolden
Release Date: April 3rd 2017
Genre: MM Contemporary Romance, Sports
BLURB
Heisman winner. Member of the National Championship team. NFL Rookie of the Year. Quarterback Colin O’Connor knows he’s become the ultimate romance novel cliché: all the success he’s ever dreamed of but nobody to share it with. Too bad it’s not as simple as asking out the next girl who intrigues him - because the next girl to intrigue him probably won’t be a girl at all.
Unexpectedly, the solution comes in one neat package: Nick Wheeler, lead journalist for a leading sports and pop culture blog. Hired by Colin’s team, Nick comes to Miami to shine a spotlight on the NFL’s most private quarterback.
The heat in Miami rises when Nick discovers that Colin is nothing like the hollow personality he pretends to be in interviews and he’s even hotter in person than on his Sports Illustrated cover. Nick knows this is the story of his career, and after spending his teenage years as a bullied, closeted teen, it hits very close to home. What he needs is to help Colin share his story while keeping their growing relationship from boiling over in the press, but what he wants is to tell the world.
Purchase: Amazon US | Amazon UK
EXCERPT
Nick went through the cupboards one at a time, finding an obscene amount of protein shakes and powder, and a lot of basic staples that proved Colin probably did know how to cook. That hadn’t been an act, though he was beginning to wonder how much of the Colin O’Connor he’d seen wasn’t. Probably almost none of it, and that was terrifying.
He had just poured milk into his Cheerios when Colin jogged up to the patio and into the house, wearing a pair of loose-fitting athletic shorts, a thin layer of sweat, and nothing else.
Nick choked on air. So much for his peaceful breakfast.
“Good morning,” Colin said with that annoying smile. All innocence with just the tiniest edge of something more. Like he knew exactly what he was doing and how effective it was.
“Morning,” Nick mumbled into his cereal.
“I was going to wake you up for my jog, well our jog, but you seemed to be sleeping pretty soundly.”
Nick tried not to think about what that sort of picture that made. Or that Colin had looked into his room and had seen him sleeping.
“Do you jog every morning?” Nick asked, even though he already knew the answer. Anything to abort that line of thinking.
“Usually about ten miles or so. Went fourteen this morning, felt really good.” Colin reached for his forgotten t-shirt hanging over a barstool and shrugged it on. It stuck to his skin in sweaty patches, which shouldn’t have been attractive but apparently, Colin O’Connor defied logic.
“Bullshit,” Nick mumbled.
“Tomorrow you want to join?” Colin asked like he hadn’t heard as he grabbed a water bottle out of the fridge.
“Not for a fourteen mile jog,” Nick said.
“Not even for ten?” Colin wheedled.
“Not even for ten. You could probably convince me to do about half that.”
GIVEAWAY: WIN $50 Amazon Gift Card!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
About the Author
Beth Bolden lives in Portland, Oregon with her supportive husband and their beloved cat. She wholly believes in Keeping Portland Weird, but wishes she didn't have to make the yearly pilgrimage up to Seattle to watch her Boston Red Sox play baseball. She's a fan of fandoms, and spends too much of her free time on tumblr.
Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn't a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She's published two novels, The Lucky Charm and Getting Lucky, and a short story, Eye of the Storm. Her next novel, Summer Attractions, will be released in August 2016.
Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Goodreads | Amazon