A Risk Worth Taking
Hey there!
A wonderful writer with The Wild Rose Press, Melissa Klein, has a debut novel, A Risk Worth Taking.
The thing that makes writers so quirky is that while we’re walking around looking quite normal, more often than not chattering voices in our heads demand attention, even when we’re not parked in front of a computer. It happens when we’re in the shower, or at the grocery store, or while we’re watching TV. Those voices have no qualms about waking us up in the middle of the night. My husband will sometimes ask me when we’re in the middle of a conversation, “Where have you gone?” A character from a story has momentarily lured me away.
So, I thought it would fun if you could hear directly from a character. Melissa is introducing Grant Davis from A Risk Worth Taking:
Where are you from?
Grant: I grew up in Magnolia Springs, Georgia, a small town north east of Atlanta.
1. What is A Risk Worth Taking about?
Grant: Abby and my story is pretty much what the title implies, that loving someone is a risk, but one that’s worth taking when you find the right person. Abby has had some bad experiences with men who weren’t honest with her and that made her understandably cautious. In the end, she figured out our love was worth the risk. (Grant grins) I make it my mission every day to keep her happy since she took a risk on me.
2. What did you think the first time you saw Abby?
Grant: I was acting as father of the bride to my sister, Katie, so it was one of my jobs to dance with the groom’s mom. I headed over to her table, not really thinking about much of anything other than trying not making a fool of myself on the dance floor. She looked up at me when I asked her to dance, and I was a goner. Those gorgeous eyes of hers, they’re this whiskey color that I’ve never seen on another person. Well, she knocked me for a loop. (he laughs) Not literally, that came later.
3. What was your second thought?
Grant: My second came quick. I wanted to ask her out, but I was worried that it might be weird since we were technically relatives after her son had married my sister. I got over that worry quickly, figuring the worst she could do was say no, which she did when I asked her later on. That didn’t deter me either. I’m persistent like that. I knew she was feeling the attraction same as me. I had to keep at it till I wore her down with my charm. (he smiles)
4. Did you think it was love at first sight?
Grant: (shakes his head) Attraction yes, but not love, not the real kind that we have for each other now. That kind of love takes time to grow.
5. What do you like most about the Abby?
Grant: (pauses, tapping a finger to his lips as though he’s counting off a long list) I’d have to say what I love most about my special lady is the way she accepts people like they are. She doesn’t try to fit a person into some type of mold or change who they are. For example, I like nothing better than taking my motorcycle on some of those gnarled, curvy roads in the mountains of north Georgia, and that’s not her thing. Instead of trying to get me to stop, she sends me off with a kiss. (His smile broadens into another megawatt grin.) There are some other really nice things I like about her but that’s between the two of us.
6. How would you describe her?
Grant: Physically, she’s the ultimate to me. She’s got this gorgeous curly blond hair that I love to run my fingers through. And she has curves in all the right places. I’ve already mentioned her eyes, how beautiful they are. Emotionally, she might take a minute to warm up to a person, but when she decides she likes you she’s the most loyal friend you’d ever want.
7. How would she describe you?
Grant: (chuckles) Hardheaded, workaholic, risk taker. But I’m her hardheaded, workaholic, risk taker and she loves me like that.
8. What made you choose aviation as a career?
Grant: I didn’t choose the flyboy life, the flyboy life chose me. My first memory as a kid was sitting in the cockpit of one of my dad’s cargo planes while he worked on the engine. I’ve never even considered doing anything but flying planes.
9. What is your biggest fear?
Grant: Like everyone else, I worry about losing the ones I love. But the thing that keeps me up at night is worrying about my daughter, Grace. She has autism and may never be able to live without someone’s help. Right now that’s not a problem, because she’s got so many adults in her life who love her. I worry about what will happen when we’re not around. Abby tells me not to borrow trouble, that we have no way of knowing what Grace may be able to do when she’s older. She’s come a long way just in the past year since she’s started in the special needs preschool where Abby teaches. And of course I’ve set up a trust fund so that her financial needs are taken care of. I just don’t want her to be alone in the world. I’m trying to do like Abby says and trust that things will turn out good for her.
10. How do you relax?
Grant: (barking out a laugh) Relaxing is for old people. Abby bought me a hammock for my birthday this year and I’ve lain in it once. Being idle gives me the scratch. I like to take my motorcycle out, like I said. It’s especially great now that my best buddy is back stateside. Brian and I have more fun on the bikes than two forty-year-old men ought.
11. Who is your favorite fictional character and why?
Grant: James Bond. Growing up I watched all the movies. Over and over again. I wanted to be a spy so bad I could taste it. I like the way Bond could get himself out of a situation, and he was smooth with the ladies.(rolls his eyes) I have some unfortunate examples of my teenaged-self trying out some of Bond’s suave moves on girls.
12. What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
Grant: (shifts in his seat) Well, the best piece of advice I got came from an unlikely source, my ex-wife Heather. She’s the one who gave me the kick in the pants I needed when I thought I’d lost Abby. Heather said I shouldn’t let Abby leave for her job in London without first hearing how I felt about her.
Here’s a chance to get to know Melissa:
Melissa Klein
A Risk Worth Taking was released on Amazon in October with the world wide release coming February 21st.
She’s working through the first round of edits on her next book, Her Hometown Hero, which won the Maggie Award from Georgia Romance Writers.
Melissa’s Favorite passage from the book: Grant’s eyes darkened to midnight. “I want to take care of you.”
Abby couldn’t miss the determination in his voice, or the glare that had turned her smiling Sex-On-Legs into a scowling warrior. She swallowed hard. So much for taking things slow or letting her have her space. This was a full scale invasion. “I take care of myself,” she responded then reached up to run her fingers through his hair to take the sting out of her words.
Interesting facts:
• Inspiration for A Risk Worth Taking came to the author while helping to plan her son’s wedding.
• Parents of the author’s favorite student inspired her to write about a hero caring for his daughter with special needs.
Facts about the book:
• While writing A Risk Worth Taking, the author made two cross country moves.
• Grant and Abby, the hero and heroine, grew up in the same small north Georgia town but didn’t meet until her son married his sister.
• The hero, Grant, participates in a dozen sports including skydiving and motorcycle racing, yet can’t move his feet in time to music.
• The heroine, Abby, won a ballet scholarship to Julliard, but gave it up when she became a single mom at nineteen.
Tag line: The groom’s mom is supposed to show up, shut up, and wear beige—so why’s Abby kissing the bride’s brother?
Hook: With Abby’s fears of repeating past mistakes and a deadline to accept a job in London looming, can Grant convince her to take a risk on their love?
Dialogue: Abby suppressed a laugh. “I haven’t had a date in two years. My son’s
To learn more about Melissa Klein and the stories she creates go to: www.MelissaKleinRomance.com
To purchase A Risk Worth Taking , go to Amazon http://amzn.com/B00G8J9SIW
Facebook: Facebook.com/Melissa.Klein.Romance
Twitter @klein_klein344
Goodreads author page: www.goodreads.com/author/list/7393005.Melissa_Klein
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/460000549411394975/
I hope you enjoyed meeting Grant Davis and author, Melissa Klein.
Happy Reading!
Linda Joyce
www.linda-joyce.com
