Book Tour for Rent by Rick R Reed (Interview & GIVEAWAY)

Today is a great day here on my site as we have the amazing Rick R Reed talking about his new book, Rent, as well as giving away a digital copy.  Not only that but Rick is sharing a bit about himself with an interview he was gracious enough to do.  So let's get right to it and welcome Rick....

TSP:  How did you get where you are today with your writing career and would you have done anything differently?

RR:  I worked hard and I’ve written all my life. The story of how I get here is too long for a quick interview answer. I don’t really like to wallow in regrets, so the question about doing anything differently is kind of moot. If I had done something differently, I may be worse off than I am today, or better, who knows? The point is to love the path you followed and trust that it’s right for YOU.

TSP:  What do you want us to know about your newest book beyond the synopsis?

RR:  Rent explores the sex industry, specifically male escorts and the challenges they face, not only in everyday life, but when it comes to love. Is it possible to be intimate with many men and save your heart for just one? In Rent, I try and answer those questions, with a backdrop of murder.

TSP:  When writing do you have certain actors that you picture when formulating your characters?

RR:  Not really. I have tried actually to use male models or actors so that I can keep details like hair and eye color straight in my head, but that never works because the character is simply going to be who he or she is—and that’s not someone else.

TSP:  You're a man in a genre with writers predominantly female.  Do you see this having an affect on your career at all?

RR:  Why would it have an affect? I would like to think that people buy books based on the stories, not the gender of the author. Besides, there are scores of good m/m romance male writers other than myself, people like Damon Suede, TJ Klune, Ethan Day, JP Bowie, just to name a few.

TSP:  Of all your published works, which one are you most proud of and which do you think affected readers most?

RR:  Caregiver. That book is based on my experiences as an AIDS buddy in Tampa, FL, back when the virus was pretty much an automatic death sentence. Its main character, Adam, is based on my buddy Jim and everything that happens to Adam in the book happened to Jim in real life. The book, I think, is very touching and is a tribute not only to Jim’s memory, but to the healing power of love. It may sound like a bit of a downer, but the book, by the end, is very uplifting.

TSP:  How has the digital revolution affected your career and how you market yourself?

RR:  Funny you should ask because I was just in contact with another writer who wanted to talk about setting up some book signings here in Seattle. And I told him that I rarely do them anymore, because most of my sales come from ebooks. It’s easily ten to one over print, so bookstore signings these days, tend not to be the most effective form of promotion. I rely much more on social media and online promotion (like blog tours!) these days.

TSP:  My blog is all about favorite things.  What are some of your favorite things, the things you can't live without?

RR:  My husband, Bruce; my son Nick and his husband, Tarik, our dog, a Boston terrier named Lily, the views of Lake Union from our condo in Seattle, reading, cooking, running, a good bottle of wine. Time alone.

On the worst day of his life, Wren Gallagher loses his wallet, his job, and his security. Can a stranger met in a bar deliver on his promises of wealth and meeting Mr. Right?

Sex can be a dangerous business. So can love....

On the worst day of his life, Wren Gallagher wants oblivion when he steps into Tricks for a drink. He's lost not only his job, but his wallet as well. When a mysterious stranger steps up to pay his tab, he also offers Wren the key to fulfilling his dreams of prosperity and true love. But appearances are not always what they seem....

His savior is the owner of the escort agency, A Louer---and he wants the young and handsome Wren to work for him. So down on his luck, Wren figures---why not? He can use the money. When he joins, though, he hadn't counted on meeting Rufus, another escort with whom he quickly falls hopelessly in love.

But their love story will have to overcome the obstacles of not only trading love for money, but A Louer's dark---and deadly---secrets.

ABOUTH THE AUTHOR:

Rick R. Reed is all about exploring the romantic entanglements of gay men in contemporary, realistic settings. While his stories often contain elements of suspense, mystery and the paranormal, his focus ultimately returns to the power of love. He is the author of dozens of published novels, novellas, and short stories. He is a two-time EPIC eBook Award winner (for Orientation and The Blue Moon Cafe). Lambda Literary Review has called him, "a writer that doesn't disappoint." Rick lives in Seattle with his partner and a very spoiled Boston terrier. He is forever "at work on another novel."

Visit Rick's website at http://www.rickrreed.com or follow his blog at http://rickrreedreality.blogspot.com/. You can also like Rick on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rickrreedbooks or on Twitter www.twitter.com/rickrreed.

**********GIVEAWAY**********

Rick is giving away an eBook copy of Rent to a randomly drawn commenter.

-Giveaway is OPEN TO EVERYONE.

-To be entered, just leave a comment, ALONG WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDY.

-Giveaway will end at 11:59 PM CST on 11/14.