Photo Content from Rachel Koller Croft
Tell us about STONE COLD FOX, what inspired you to write this novel?
The voice of Bea came to me first. I really enjoyed writing her since she was making me laugh so I just sort of ran with my instincts and overall fascination with hot girls that marry for money. I think people that are extra hot and extra smart could take over the world so I wanted to write a thriller where the protagonist takes big, confident swings that may or may not pay off. Even if Bea can be messy, she’s never “a mess.” She’s a total boss and will go down swinging if she has to. Those are my favorite types of characters. And even if some readers find Bea distasteful, I knew they’d want to hang out with her anyway because she’s funny. So I stayed true to her voice and how she would function in the plot I set up. It was always a character-first story for me, despite being quite plot driven.
When/how did you realize you had a creative dream or calling to fulfill?
I don’t remember a time when I didn’t. I still have these cassette tapes at my mom’s house in a box of me telling stories into a little recorder before I could even write. It sounds cliche, but it’s just been what I’ve always enjoyed doing since I was a little girl. As far as pursuing it professionally, that took a longer time unfortunately because I wasn’t entirely sure how to make a living as a writer and my personality is very much that of a realist, but after moving out after a bad break-up and leaving a bad job, I figured I really had nothing to lose so I might as well go full throttle. I sold my first screenplay later that year and writing has been my full-time job ever since. Little Rachel always knew I suppose!
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?
It’s hard to pick just one but some of my favorites are The Secret History, Gone Girl and Slow Days, Fast Company. All of those have such rich characterization and a strong sense of place. I really admire the writing in all three. Outside of thrillers, I love A Little Life, Shuggie Bain and Hamnet, but truthfully may never re-read any of them again because I cried so much. Oh, and absolutely anything Ann Patchett writes.
What was the single worst distraction that kept you from writing this book?
I’m pretty disciplined with my work and I’m not much of a procrastinator, but if I came across a Real Housewives marathon here and there, it’s hard for me not to indulge for an episode or two. Especially RHONY, the Carole and Bethenny years specifically.
What was the most surprising thing you learned in creating your characters?
I always love the bad ones the most! My emotionally wounded little monsters, wilding out all over the place. Just so utterly charming.
Your Favorite Quotes/Scenes from STONE COLD FOX
My favorite scenes I wrote are when all of my faves are in one place. For example, the brunch scene where Bea meets the Cases for the first time was so much fun to write. Calliope is my girl and she really gets to shine in that one. And then Bea’s “bridesmaid proposal” tea at the Case Connecticut compound when she brings my other girl Wren Daly as a sacrificial lamb for the other women to dunk on. Poor Wren! And any scene with resident bad boy Dave Bradford is always a treat for obvious reasons.
Some of my favorite quotes are anytime Bea delivers sick burns about Collin. “So I was with a man who used the word dingdongs in regular conversation? Well, there were worse fates.”
Best date you've ever had?
My second date with my husband since I already had such a crush on him after the first one. It was 12 hours long, walking all over Venice, and we just had the most amazing day that ended with our first kiss on the beach at sunset. Felt like an episode of The Hills in a good way!
What is your most memorable travel experience?
I admittedly have a lot of these, but most recently my husband and I stayed in this hillside villa in Santorini with outrageous views and went on a private catamaran on the Aegean Sea to celebrate our third wedding anniversary. I mean, who are we? Bea and Collin Case? (haha)
If you could be born into history as any famous person who would it be and why?
Maybe Stevie Nicks or Dolly Parton? They’ve both led quite a life with their art at the center of it. I think that’s pretty inspiring. I also can’t sing very well and wish that I could so they both check that box, too.
What event in your life would make a good movie?
Any of my “estiefiestas” where I travel somewhere new with my best friend Liz. We always meet a lot of characters and laugh hysterically and end up in wild situations. We’ve had some epic ones on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and in Montana especially. Going on vacay with her is one of my all-time favorite things to do.
What is one unique thing are you afraid of?
I doubt this is very unique, but I’m afraid of space. I’m never going up there. It looks horrendous.
What is the weirdest thing you have seen in someone else’s home?
My friend Michael keeps this frightening lawn statue of a cherub in his home because it was his Grandma’s and while I find that so sweet, it also haunts me every time I see it.
A compelling debut novel about an ambitious woman who, after a lifetime of conning alongside her mother, wants to leave her dark past behind and marry the heir to one of the country's wealthiest families.
Like any enterprising woman, Bea knows what she’s worth and is determined to get all she deserves—it just so happens that what she deserves is to marry rich. After a lifetime of forced instruction in the art of swindling men by her mother, Bea wants nothing more than to escape her shadow, close the door on their sordid past, and disappear safely into old-money domesticity.
When Bea finds her final mark in the perfectly dull blue-blooded Collin, she’s ready to deploy all her tricks one last time. The challenge isn’t getting the ring, but rather the approval of Collin’s family and everyone else in their tax bracket, particularly his childhood best friend Gale. Going toe-to-toe with Gale isn’t a threat to an expert like Bea, but what begins as an amusing cat-and-mouse game quickly develops into a dangerous chase. As the truth of Bea’s past threatens to come roaring out, she finds herself racing against the clock to pass the finish line before everything is exposed.
The voice of Bea came to me first. I really enjoyed writing her since she was making me laugh so I just sort of ran with my instincts and overall fascination with hot girls that marry for money. I think people that are extra hot and extra smart could take over the world so I wanted to write a thriller where the protagonist takes big, confident swings that may or may not pay off. Even if Bea can be messy, she’s never “a mess.” She’s a total boss and will go down swinging if she has to. Those are my favorite types of characters. And even if some readers find Bea distasteful, I knew they’d want to hang out with her anyway because she’s funny. So I stayed true to her voice and how she would function in the plot I set up. It was always a character-first story for me, despite being quite plot driven.
When/how did you realize you had a creative dream or calling to fulfill?
I don’t remember a time when I didn’t. I still have these cassette tapes at my mom’s house in a box of me telling stories into a little recorder before I could even write. It sounds cliche, but it’s just been what I’ve always enjoyed doing since I was a little girl. As far as pursuing it professionally, that took a longer time unfortunately because I wasn’t entirely sure how to make a living as a writer and my personality is very much that of a realist, but after moving out after a bad break-up and leaving a bad job, I figured I really had nothing to lose so I might as well go full throttle. I sold my first screenplay later that year and writing has been my full-time job ever since. Little Rachel always knew I suppose!
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?
It’s hard to pick just one but some of my favorites are The Secret History, Gone Girl and Slow Days, Fast Company. All of those have such rich characterization and a strong sense of place. I really admire the writing in all three. Outside of thrillers, I love A Little Life, Shuggie Bain and Hamnet, but truthfully may never re-read any of them again because I cried so much. Oh, and absolutely anything Ann Patchett writes.
What was the single worst distraction that kept you from writing this book?
I’m pretty disciplined with my work and I’m not much of a procrastinator, but if I came across a Real Housewives marathon here and there, it’s hard for me not to indulge for an episode or two. Especially RHONY, the Carole and Bethenny years specifically.
What was the most surprising thing you learned in creating your characters?
I always love the bad ones the most! My emotionally wounded little monsters, wilding out all over the place. Just so utterly charming.
Your Favorite Quotes/Scenes from STONE COLD FOX
My favorite scenes I wrote are when all of my faves are in one place. For example, the brunch scene where Bea meets the Cases for the first time was so much fun to write. Calliope is my girl and she really gets to shine in that one. And then Bea’s “bridesmaid proposal” tea at the Case Connecticut compound when she brings my other girl Wren Daly as a sacrificial lamb for the other women to dunk on. Poor Wren! And any scene with resident bad boy Dave Bradford is always a treat for obvious reasons.
Some of my favorite quotes are anytime Bea delivers sick burns about Collin. “So I was with a man who used the word dingdongs in regular conversation? Well, there were worse fates.”
Best date you've ever had?
My second date with my husband since I already had such a crush on him after the first one. It was 12 hours long, walking all over Venice, and we just had the most amazing day that ended with our first kiss on the beach at sunset. Felt like an episode of The Hills in a good way!
What is your most memorable travel experience?
I admittedly have a lot of these, but most recently my husband and I stayed in this hillside villa in Santorini with outrageous views and went on a private catamaran on the Aegean Sea to celebrate our third wedding anniversary. I mean, who are we? Bea and Collin Case? (haha)
If you could be born into history as any famous person who would it be and why?
Maybe Stevie Nicks or Dolly Parton? They’ve both led quite a life with their art at the center of it. I think that’s pretty inspiring. I also can’t sing very well and wish that I could so they both check that box, too.
What event in your life would make a good movie?
Any of my “estiefiestas” where I travel somewhere new with my best friend Liz. We always meet a lot of characters and laugh hysterically and end up in wild situations. We’ve had some epic ones on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and in Montana especially. Going on vacay with her is one of my all-time favorite things to do.
What is one unique thing are you afraid of?
I doubt this is very unique, but I’m afraid of space. I’m never going up there. It looks horrendous.
What is the weirdest thing you have seen in someone else’s home?
My friend Michael keeps this frightening lawn statue of a cherub in his home because it was his Grandma’s and while I find that so sweet, it also haunts me every time I see it.
A compelling debut novel about an ambitious woman who, after a lifetime of conning alongside her mother, wants to leave her dark past behind and marry the heir to one of the country's wealthiest families.
Like any enterprising woman, Bea knows what she’s worth and is determined to get all she deserves—it just so happens that what she deserves is to marry rich. After a lifetime of forced instruction in the art of swindling men by her mother, Bea wants nothing more than to escape her shadow, close the door on their sordid past, and disappear safely into old-money domesticity.
When Bea finds her final mark in the perfectly dull blue-blooded Collin, she’s ready to deploy all her tricks one last time. The challenge isn’t getting the ring, but rather the approval of Collin’s family and everyone else in their tax bracket, particularly his childhood best friend Gale. Going toe-to-toe with Gale isn’t a threat to an expert like Bea, but what begins as an amusing cat-and-mouse game quickly develops into a dangerous chase. As the truth of Bea’s past threatens to come roaring out, she finds herself racing against the clock to pass the finish line before everything is exposed.
You can purchase Stone Cold Fox at the following Retailers:
And now, The Giveaways.
Thank you RACHEL KOLLER CROFT for making this giveaway possible.
1 Winner will receive a Copy of Stone Cold Fox by Rachel Koller Croft.
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