G’day people! I hope you are all having a great day, I know I am! Today we have a special treat! Not only do we have the talented and fabulous Rhys Ford over for an interview in which she share a bit about herself, her books and upcoming releases, but there is also a give-away. If you had a bad day, it’s going to be better now!
Give a warm welcome to Rhys!
Hiya Rhys, welcome to the blog and thanks for agreeing to do an interview! So tell us, who is Rhys Ford?
– Thank you for having me! Like bologna! Wooot!
Aish, who is Rhys Ford? I have no idea how to answer that one. I kind of have no life. I write, work, sleep, cook—rinse and repeat. Wow. I’ll have to get back to you. Mostly I just am.
A lot of people are very happy you started writing, but can you tell us a bit about how you became an author?
– Hah! Oh dear. Let’s see. I wrote my first book on a manual typewriter when I was 12. I am sure it was brilliant and is now lost in the sands of time, never to be found again. I can’t even tell you what it was about. I’m sure it was trite and maudlin but damn it, it was a story. I come from a family of liars. Really, telling stories is a family pastime. For good or evil.
I try to use my genetics for good.
You have a number of series with strong male, if not a little tortured, leads. Where do you get your inspiration from for your characters?
– I don’t really think about the archetypes of the characters when I write. I mostly form my characters by their personality traits. Adversity is a common theme in life. Some people have it pretty easy while others suffer their existence. *grins* I get inspiration by the what-ifs of a personality. How would this character fit into this other character. Then add spice, background and a few bits of trauma. Sometimes it starts with a scene or a conversation. Miki’s story began when I was in San Francisco and saw a fire escape in Chinatown. It was a tight alley and there were old wooden doors and signs in Mandarin and I thought, there’s the beginning of a story.
Can you tell us something funny that happened to you while writing?
– I will admit to writing something, it not fitting then backing up only to find myself adding a little piece of silly to it. I’ve discovered silly goes a long way in smoothing out the brain. I did once say out loud to my cat, Yoshi, I thought a passage was shit and she horked up a hairball right then. So obviously she shared my opinion.
What are important character traits for you in the characters your write?
– Balance. They can’t be perfect. There has to be flaws. Even my most “heroic” characters have flaws. Because people are like that. Shine the boy up then dent him a bit.
How would you describe your writing style? And what is important to you when writing a story?
– Ah, I go full bore writing then hit a wall, back up, retrofit, full bore then stop, stall and write again. It’s annoying. I’d love for it to just flow. Sadly, it does not.
I write by instinct mostly. How does the story taste? How does it feel? It has to fit around me when I write.
Time to ask a funny question. You are on a fabulous cruise, but alas the ship enters the Bermuda Triangle and you are transported to a different unknown world. Fortunately you can choose three characters from any book to take with you and maybe some coffee. Who will you choose?
– Oh… so difficult. Um… Whyborne from Jordan L. Hawk’s Whyborne and Griffin series, Gael from Donald Kingsbury’s Courtship Rite and Buckaroo Banzai from Earl Rauch.
Your upcoming book Murder & Mayhem is the first in a new series. Can you share with us a bit about what and who the series will be about?
– Oh, Rook and Dante. In a nutshell, Rook’s an ex-con cat burglar whose caught red-handed, literally, with a dead body. Dante is the LAPD detective tasked to tightening the case’s noose around Rook’s neck. They share a bit of history but Dante tries to not let that sway him. Dante’s a bit of a white knight and Rook’s a bit of an asshole who now owns a geek memorabilia business and is trying to stay legit.
It was a fun book mostly to write. It’s hard to start a new series because I don’t know the flavour of the world. I expected it to be a bit more slap-dash but it came out noir-ish and a bit gritty. Who knew?
Murder & Mayhem is not the only new series you have coming up. In July the first book in your new series Ink & Shadows will be released. An Urban Fantasy it has…the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Where did the inspiration for this story come from?
– Ink and Shadows. There is a pool of stygian darkness tar sludge in my soul. That’s where this book came from. Probably the darkest piece I’ve ever written but the Four are…necessary for humanity to thrive. Kismet is a human who happens to be caught up in a war for the world(s) the Four live in. I had fun with this book. It’s a no-holds-barred kind of book for me. Still a step away from realistic but steeped in a lot of intricate mythos about life, war, death and complicated destinies.
You write predominantly series, do you prefer writing series? Do you have a different approach to writing a series from a standalone?
– I actually have tried to write one-offs. Fish and Ghosts was a one-off. So was Sinners until I started writing it and then that all went to shit. I’m currently writing a one-off I have no title for but I am determined to let it stay a one-off. *grins* An HEA!
What are the stories you like to read for yourself?
– I read pretty much anything. Historicals when I’m writing because they’re a style farthest from what I’m doing. That’s key. To balance out my brain. Hell, I read regencies when I’m doing mysteries to cleanse the palate and contemporaries when I’m doing paranormal. Usually opposite helps.
Before we wrap this up, is there anything you would like to add?
– Other than saying truly, thank you for having me. It was a welcome respite from killing people. I appreciate the time you’ve given me! Thanks!
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About Rhys
Rhys Ford was born and raised in Hawai’i then wandered off to see the world. After chewing through a pile of books, a lot of odd food, and a stray boyfriend or two, Rhys eventually landed in San Diego, which is a very nice place but seriously needs more rain.
Rhys admits to sharing the house with three cats, a black Pomeranian puffball, a bonsai wolfhound, and a ginger cairn terrorist.
Rhys is also enslaved to the upkeep a 1979 Pontiac Firebird, a Toshiba laptop, and a red Hamilton Beach coffee maker.
But mostly to the coffee maker.
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It’s ironic that one of my favorite books of yours is the stand-alone Fish and Ghosts, since I would love more in that world!
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Duck Duck Ghost is book 2 in the hellsinger books
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I think that was a just funny! Fish and Ghosts is the first book in the Hellsinger series! The second one is Duck, Duck, Ghost.
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Hey! Fish and Ghosts is Book One! Book two is Duck Duck Ghost. I’m going to be starting book three after … okay after a little bit. And thank you! Wolf and Tristan are so much fun to write!
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I absolutely love you Rhys. I’m such a sucker for anything Cole and Jae! My favorite book is Dirty Secret!! That book is my favorite ever!
I would love to win anything by her!
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Aw thank you *hugs*
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Cole Mcginnis and Jae were the first of Rhys Ford’s couples I fell in love with. They will always have a place in my heart!
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Thank you, love!
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Love Me. Ford’s books. Really looking forward to her new books coming soon. Thx for the nice interview.
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Thank you, love!
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“Dirty Secret” when I first met Jae and Cole and kept on reading, one after the other. The way the two men met always makes me smile, the dodging and feinting in the cramped kitchen. The stories only got better with each successive novel.
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Cole SO wants to have sex on that kitchen counter. Jae won’t let him.
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Sinners Gin was my first Rhys Ford but I’ve inhaled everything since both book and audio. Can’t wait for book 3 in the Fish and Ghost stand alone!!!
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I have plans for the next Hellsinger book. Muahahahha
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I’m glad to see another series that Rhys have penned. I have loved everyone one of them. Favorite book… How about a series? I fell in love with Cole and Jae and was glad to see Bobby and Ichiro get their own story. Think I’d be happy if the series just went on, and on, and on… 😀
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Isn’t Cole such a hot mess? Heh.
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I can’t tell you how happy I am to know you have so many new books coming out in the foreseeable future. I love your characters, in all your series, but I have to admit that Cole and Jae will always be special to me!
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Aw, thank you. It’s going to be so hard to close out that series. But they’ll be back in one-offs!
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Mikki will always hold my heart. Don’t know why but, God I love that boy. I am so excited about the new series coming out. I LOVE everything Rhys writes
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Miki’s kinda like a baby honey badger 😀
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I have to pick one why!! I think it would be easier to pick my favorite series by her which would be the sinners series.
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I love writing Miki and the boys. Ah, so much chaos.
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I LOVED “Sinner’ s Gin” so much I’ve read all the other books by you. Thanks for great characters.
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Thank YOU so much! *hugs*
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I’m pretty sure I have the whole backlist, but just in case I missed one…fingers crossed, 🙂
Can’t wait for all of the new ones!
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oops, my favorite would be Cole, but I REALLY like them all.
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Heh. Ah, Cole my special kitteh
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I can’t pick a favorite because they all are great and re-reads. I anxiously await the next book in each series.
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I hope you like Rook and Dante… they are so… you kinda want to slap Rook. Just sayin’
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Rhys,
I enjoy your books immensely. Please keep writing.
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Thank you, sweetie!
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I think each book with Cole and Jae is amazing. 🙂 But really my favorite book probably overall would be Sinner’s Gin, because the story and romance between Kane and Miki is so strong.
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Thank you. I love writing Miki 😀
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Thanks for the great interview! Loved this: “I did once say out loud to my cat, Yoshi, I thought a passage was shit and she horked up a hairball right then.” I was laughing and my daughter was looking at me funny.
My favorite series of Rhys’ is Cole McGinnis, but I am hard pressed to pick which book from the series. If forced, I guess it would be Dirty Deeds.
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aw thank you 😀
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I’m fairly new to Rhys’ books, so I have to say my favorite is Sinner’s Gin, which was the first (and only) one I’ve read so far.
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Sinner’s is great fun to write. Miki’s one of my faves!
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I probably have all your backlist! Love your writing. Adore your characters & it is your fault that I started watching Korean vampire stories!
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My work here is done.
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I have loved everything I have read written by you so far. I have some books that I haven’t read yet too. But my favorite book is any of the Cole and Jae series! Haha I know that’s cheating!
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Heh. Why thank you!
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Hmm…favorite? I would have to say anything with Cole and Jae – mostly because they are great characters, but they also have the very best supporting cast. How can you go wrong when you have Claudia, Bobby, Scarlet (who I would LOVE to have her own book or mini novel telling her story), M&M…
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I do love Scarlett. 😀 She’s a great character to write. And ah, Cole… so much crack 😀
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My favorite book is any of the Cole and Jae series! I also think I have most of your books!
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Thank you, love. And I’ve tried to post this comment three times. And my brain’s wandered off. That’s what I get for answering before I’ve had coffee 😀 *hugs*
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Choose just one book?? *panics* erm, well, if I have to, then Sinners Gin 😉 Seriously, love them all!
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Heh. Oh I love Miki. 😀
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Dirty Laundry is my fav. Loved the whole series but that just hit me emotionally. Oh but I loved Dirty Deeds also. Cannot pick. Just want more. Loved the characters throughout the entire series. The handling of the cultural conflict was so real. My husband is from a very different culture than me. My Dad and Mom were from different backgrounds. This touched me in a very personal way. And they were HOTTTTT!
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Thank you, love! I’m a mutt from a bunch of different cultures so yeah, it’s one of those things I wanted to write about and share. I’m glad you found something in the books that spoke to you. <3
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I. have all but one of your kindle books and audio books. My fav is Sinners Gin.
I can‘t wait for the new one!
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Hugs! Thank you!
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Can’t wait for these new series. Rhys, you are an auto buy for me. Love your books.
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Aw thank you, honey!
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Everything of Rhys is awesome….can’t choose just one, but I can’t wait to read this story.
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Oh thank you, love! *hugs*
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This interview was a delight, probably since it featured the delightful Rhys. As for the question, I really can’t help loving Sinner’s Gin. It’s the book that hooked me into Rhys’ writing, so how can I not love it most of all. Plus, it’s just a damn fine story! *blows kisses to Rhys*
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Smooches back! Thank you! *hugs*
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Thank you, love! I am so glad you like them!
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I love all of her books, but my favorite is anything with Cole in it😉
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Thank you, love!
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I Love them all, but Sinner’s Gin, I adore.
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Oh thank you very much!