Abbi Glines Author Interview ~ JeanBookNerd

Book Nerd Interview

Abbi Glines is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Rosemary Beach, Sea Breeze, Vincent Boys, and Existence series. A devoted booklover, Abbi lives with her family in Alabama. She maintains a Twitter addiction at @AbbiGlines and can also be found atfacebook.com/AbbiGlinesAuthor and AbbiGlines.com.

Social Media

Was there a defining moment during your youth when you realized you wanted to be a writer?

Yes. When I was nine years old and my mother had given me a notebook to write my "tall tales" in because I couldn't manage to tell the truth. She explained that I should write my stories down instead of telling them like they were real. So I did, and I fell in love with writing.

Beyond your own work (of course), what is your all-time favorite book and why? And what is your favorite book outside of your genre?

My all-time favorite romance is Pride and Prejudice. It just never gets old. No matter how many times I read it. The moment Fitzwilliam Darcy says: “In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” I swoon every time. It's a beautifully written love story.

My favorite book outside the romance genre is The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Makes me cry every time I read it. Brilliantly done.

Can you tell my Book Nerd community a little bit about RUSH TOO FAR?

Rush didn't have a point of view in Fallen Too Far. It was told completely in Blaire's point of view. Readers always asked me to share different scenes in Rush's point of view from Fallen so I decided that I would write Rush's side of the story. Although it is the same story it feels different. There was so much the readers didn't see in Fallen Too Far. The relationships with Rush and the others in Rosemary Beach. The fighting with him and his sister Nan and how badly he was eaten up with guilt over what he had done to Blaire. It brings their story full circle and I'm so glad I did it.

For those who are unfamiliar with Rush, how would you introduce him?

In the beginning he appears like a spoiled arrogant jerk. His father is the drummer in the legendary rock band Slacker Demon and he has everything money can buy. However, he's basically raised his younger sister because their mother has never been interested in their life. He had to grow up young to deal with his sister and the life his father brought him into every other weekend when he went to stay with him. In his journey you realize he's nothing like you first assume.

If you could introduce one of your characters to any character from another book, who would it be and why?

Nan in Rosemary Beach to Jess in Sea Breeze because I think Jess could take her out. Nan's just a spoiled rich kid. Jess's mother is a stripper and she grew up tough. Bashing her ex boyfriend's truck in with a bat is only one example.

When asked, what’s the one question you always answer with a lie?

How much do you weigh? LOL... but don't all women?

What’s the best advice you can give writers to help them develop their own unique voice and style?

Don't try to imitate. It's obvious. I see it all the time. Be yourself. Write what you love and what you want to write. If you love it, someone else will too.

Who was your first boyfriend?

His name was Brent Fowler. However, I'm not sure we actually spoke during our two week romance. We mostly avoided each other in the halls. Real mature sixth grader stuff. ;0

Tell me about your first kiss.

It was bad. LOL. Okay, for real though here it goes. The guy who shall not be named was my boyfriend most of my eighth grade year. I had a serious crush on him my seventh grade year but he terrified me. At the beginning of eighth grade his persistence paid off and I agreed to this "relationship." Anyway, it was the fall festival at school one evening. He was working in the haunted woods that was set up outside beside the gym. I hadn't seen him since I got there. Some friends and I went to go do the haunted trail; I had barely gotten down the path as the ghost and monsters jumped out at us before someone grabbed me and hauled me off track. I started to scream but he looked back at me ripped off his mask and grinned, and I realized this zombie was actually my boyfriend so I calmed down. But only for a minute. When he kept pulling me further and further away from the trail and into the darkness I got seriously worried. Just before I could demand he take me back he stopped and turned around to face me.

He said, "I'm tired of waiting on you to get used to this. I'm kissing you now." And so he did.

It was awful. I was so grossed out. He stuck his tongue in my mouth and that was scarier than the haunted trail! Then he took the gum out of my mouth with his tongue and kept it which also made me want to gag.

When he finished he looked so pleased with himself and all I wanted to do was go brush my teeth and use mouthwash.

What would be harder for you, to tell someone you love them or that you do not love them back?

That you don't love them back. Been there, done that and it sucks.

When was the last time you cried?

When I wrote One More Chance.

What decade during the last century would you have chosen to be a teenager?

The 60's. No doubt.

What is your greatest adventure?

The life I'm living right now.

Fallen Too Far was Blaire's story. Now it's time for Rush to share his side.

Everyone in Rosemary Beach thinks they know how Rush Finlay and Blaire Wynn fell in love. But Rush is back to tell his side of the story...

Rush has earned every bit of his bad-boy reputation. The three-story beach house, luxury car, and line of girls begging for time between his sheets are the envy of every guy in Rosemary Beach, and Rush handles it all with the laid-back cool of a rock star’s son. All he needs are his best friend, Grant, and his sister, Nan.

Until Blaire Wynn drives into town in her beat-up pickup truck with a pistol under her seat. The Alabama farm girl instantly captures Rush’s attention once he discovers that the angelic beauty is his new stepsister, but he vows to keep his distance. Even if she needs his help. Even if he craves her.

Because Rush knows why Blaire is all alone in the world, forced to ask for help from the father who abandoned her three years ago. And he knows if he gets too close it will destroy Nan, who has a secret connection to Blaire.

He has every reason in the world to stay away from her. Find out why he doesn’t.

You can purchase Rush Too Far at the following Retailers: