Guest Author, Lisa Jackson & Giveaway!
by sue on Jul.24, 2010, under Book Chat
RUNNING SCARED was a lot of fun to write. Why? Because of the characters, and, oh, yeah the plot. Though the love story is between Daegan O’Rourke (one of my favorite heroes!)and Kate Summers, the plot spins off Kate’s son, Jon, and his birth about fifteen years ago.
Have you ever had a secret you couldn’t share with a soul? Not even your best friend? That’s what’s going on here; it’s the secret of Jon’s birth. You see, Kate was given this baby, a child she needed to mend an open hole in her heart from the loss of her own daughter, but she had to keep his birth quiet. And she did. For fifteen years and now, her boy, unique in his own right, sees his own death, at the hands of a stranger.
When Daegan O’Rourke slips into Hopewell, Oregon, all of Kate’s fears congeal. She knows her sexy neighbor has a few secrets of his own and that Jon is at the heart of them. She’s frantic that all hell about to break out and she’ll lose her child!
RUNNING SCARED is a book I’ve rewritten. (It was originally titled WISHES.) My publisher wanted me to “ramp up the suspense” in the book and give it more of an edge. I was more than willing and, boy, did I have a great time reworking the book. (This is every author’s secret dream.)
I had to reacquaint myself with the characters and found myself falling in love with Daegan O’Rourke all over again. Though he grew up in Boston, he fell out of favor with his family–that can happen when you’re an unwanted son born to a beautiful mistress-and he headed west to put on his western gear. He’s had more than his share of hard knocks in his life, has skirted the law and, in my opinion, become a real heartbreaker with his killer good looks, sexy smile and wicked sense of humor.
As I reworked the book, I realized that I’d forgotten how much I’d enjoyed all the scenes with Jon and that he had a touch of ESP. Man, it was fun to meet and play with him again. And Kate, talk about a mother-bear, a woman who would lay down her life for her child and, of course, lie and hold secrets for him. An interesting woman; one I’d like to meet in real life.
This is one of the books that taught me that characters really make the story. The better and deeper the character -the more layered he/she is- the better the book. I learned that black and white often merge into gray and that good vs evil is often a state of mind.
People ask me if my characters resemble myself and my answer is always the same: “NO WAY!” In a situation of fight or flight, trust me, it’s flight every time for moi. (Well, truthfully I would die and probably kill to save my children–but that’s about it and please, God, that I never be put to that test! However, Daegan, Kate and Jon are in it for the battle. Trust me.
Also, people ask me if my characters are based on real people, again the answer is “No.” Aside from a few cameos of friends who got a real kick out of being a peripheral character, all of the people in my book live on the pages and in my head exclusively. Well, until they’re in yours!
If you’re curious (well, and even if you’re not) I just wrapped up my next project which is DEVIOUS, another New Orleans book featuring Detectives Montoya and Bentz and I got the word today that my editor loves it. (Yays all around! DEVIOUS will be out at the end of March 2011.) I’m now writing the next “wicked” book with my sister, author Nancy Bush. WICKED LIES, the sequel to WICKED GAME will be available in June of 2011. (I’d better get crackin’ on that one, eh? Remember Justice, the killer in WICKED GAME. Hate to tell ya, but he’s BaAck!)
For now, I guess the question I think is provocative for RUNNING SCARED is just how far would you, as a person, go for love. Not only the romantic love of your life, but for your children as well. Did Kate do the right thing when she accepted an infant, some cash, and disappeared? What do ya think?
2 randomly chosen commenters will receive a new book from Kensington — Good Luck!
If you want to learn more about my books, go to www.lisajackson.com or my fan page on facebook!
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July 24th, 2010 on 11:25 am[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Sue Grimshaw, Alexis Morgan. Alexis Morgan said: RT @SueGrimshaw: Guest Author, Lisa Jackson & Giveaway! http://shar.es/mMpU7 Did Kate do right thing -she accepted an infant,cash, & … [...]
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July 30th, 2010 on 11:38 am
Adding to my tbr pile!
July 28th, 2010 on 12:16 am
I would do anything for my children to protect them. My children always come first and always will. Like Kate, I would definitely have to say that I’m a “mother bear”.
July 27th, 2010 on 10:10 am
Boy, did I blow this. I meant to stop by and answer questions on Saturday, but had company over the weekend and forgot . . . yeah, I flaked. My apologies! Wow, you guys put up some great comments!!! I know it was a tough question, but you guys seem to agree with me. Thanks for all your posts, mothers, grandmothers, aunts and siblings! Now, if I can figure out how to post this to my facebook fan page I will!
July 25th, 2010 on 1:53 pm
That’s a hard question. My choice would depend on the circumstances. I would have to think with my head and not my heart..which I do quite often!
July 25th, 2010 on 12:06 pm
I would protect my child at all cost.
July 25th, 2010 on 11:35 am
The book sounds really good. I have been a fan of Lisa’s books for a long time and have read all of them.
I think it is human nature of a mother to protect her family at any cost.
July 25th, 2010 on 3:56 am
congrats on the book
i dont know i never had a child but i would protect al all cost
July 25th, 2010 on 12:28 am
First of all, I have to say how HUGE a fan I am of your work. I have all your books and am anxiously waiting for the next release.
As for how far I’d go to protect my loved ones, umm there’s no limit as to what I’d do to keep them safe.
July 24th, 2010 on 10:37 pm
Yes, absolutely
July 24th, 2010 on 8:49 pm
I think it depends on the circumstances.
July 24th, 2010 on 8:31 pm
I’m pretty sure I’d do just about anything my my little boy.
July 24th, 2010 on 8:23 pm
My kids are priceless. I will fight for them !!
July 24th, 2010 on 8:04 pm
This is not a difficult question. An instinct is to protect and defend our family, children and loved ones no matter what.
July 24th, 2010 on 7:40 pm
I would do anything and fight anyone to protect my children! Just like a mother bear, watch out if you mess with my cubs.
July 24th, 2010 on 7:34 pm
Wow tough question…I would do anything for my kids. Its hard to say she did a the right thing. I guess it depends on the birth of the baby. If he would have been a dangerous situation then yes she did the right thing. But if theres a mother out there that is destroyed because of her child being kidnapped. Well then it was wrong…This book sounds awesome cant wait to read it
July 24th, 2010 on 5:03 pm
Lisa, I love your books and look forward to each one… Keep ‘em coming!! I too am like a mam bear I would do anything to protect my kids even tho they are older now… guess its just in my nature…
Donna
July 24th, 2010 on 4:58 pm
I think for me I would do anything for a loved one.
This sounds like a great book. I am going to have to read this one.
I love reading your books the suspense in them is great. 
Larena
July 24th, 2010 on 3:54 pm
Not knowing Kate’s whole story, I can’t comment on whether what she did was right or not. But then again, who am I to say what’s right or wrong for another person!
I’m looking forward to reading this book - it looks like a captivating story. Thanks for the giveaway!
July 24th, 2010 on 3:46 pm
Woah! Tough, tough question. For me, as a mother, I would do anything for my children, granddaughters and even niece. I become “The Dragon Lady” when my babes are threatened. There is an invisible bond there that is unbreakable. So I say, “Heck Yeah” she did the right thing.
July 24th, 2010 on 3:35 pm
Kate did the best thing if what she did didn’t turn around and leave a hole in someone else’s heart. Without knowing the circumstances of Jon’s birth and what happened to his parents, it is hard to know.
Also I’ve learned that a major lie like this when it comes out can tear apart a person’s life, and often children of secret adoptions can have an identity crisis upon learning of the circumstances of their birth and often need to find their birth parents for answers and often feel an emotional hole that may never heal.
July 24th, 2010 on 2:42 pm
Tough question and I would think it would depend completely on the circumstances. I believe a parents/grandparents love is the strongest and that they would or should do anything for their child.
July 24th, 2010 on 2:28 pm
I would fight to the death to protect my family.
Congrats on the new release! I love your books and the ones you write with Nancy.
July 24th, 2010 on 1:58 pm
A mother/grandmother’s love is unconditional. I can’t immagine where I would draw the line to help or protect my kids and grandkids.
July 24th, 2010 on 1:40 pm
Hard to say what I’ll do in those circumstances. I would imagine I would do just about anything to protect my family.
July 24th, 2010 on 12:09 pm
I really can’t say what I would do because one truly never knows until they are in a position where they have to deal with it.
As for Kate, I’ll find out if she did the right thing when I read the book next week.
July 24th, 2010 on 11:33 am
I agree that no one knows what they will do until put to the test. It’s a lot easier to answer when it’s someone else. But I would like to think I would die for my children as would most mothers.
July 24th, 2010 on 11:32 am
Hi Lisa. Interesting thought to ponder. I would like to say I would not do anything illegal. However, if my children are in danger, I do not where I would draw the line.
July 24th, 2010 on 11:25 am
I don’t think anyone really know what they would do in a dangerous situation until they got there. There have been reports of ordinary people doing extra ordinary things to save the people they love. I refuse to every say I would or wont do something though, because I’ve never been placed in any situation like that…
July 24th, 2010 on 11:18 am
Hi, Lisa! Since you had so much fun writing and rewriting “Running Scared”, and you fell in love with your hero TWICE, it sounds like a rip-roaring romantic suspense read!!!
My grandfather was the greatest provider and protector that I could ever have had in my life. He was a quiet, modest man, but he was the greatest man that I’ve ever known. He left school after the eighth grade to start working and help contribute financially to his family. He was self-educated, and so smart, with common sense and “people sense” to spare! If he told you something, it was true. You could take his word to the bank. It was as good as gold. He wasn’t an overly demonstrative person, but you knew without words that you were loved. As long as he lived, you would be provided for and protected. He used his uncanny knowledge of human behavior, his practical nature, his work ethic, and his strong sense of family to protect us. I am more fiery and emotional, but I inherited his “protector” title after he passed away. To me, if you don’t take care of your own family, nothing else you do has any worth. I have always put the needs of my family above my own. This is not easy, just instinctual. I had a grand role model : )
July 24th, 2010 on 10:45 am
I would do whatever it takes to protect those that I love. Be it a child, or animal. Now if that child or somebody I know did something against the law, that would be a different story.
July 24th, 2010 on 10:40 am
Most people would do anything to protect those they love within certain parameters. Good luck with the new re-worked release.
July 24th, 2010 on 10:10 am
congrats on the new release. i’ve always thought people are likely to do what ever needed, even things they would never normally do, in order to save those they love.
July 24th, 2010 on 9:38 am
I would do just about anything, unless it would hurt them and sometimes you have to let them make their own mistakes to learn from them.
Go, Kate.
Pat L.
July 24th, 2010 on 9:30 am
The power of a mother’s love is one of the strongest things on earth
July 24th, 2010 on 8:41 am
I would do just about anything for my kids unless I felt it was wrong. I am like a mama bear. LOL. Sounds like Kate did the right thing. Congrats on all your releases. I love your books!
July 24th, 2010 on 8:34 am
The only time I won’t do something for my children is when I think that the best thing I can do for them is not do that something.
July 24th, 2010 on 8:03 am
I really like how authors sometimes rework some of their original stories. Authors develop into their own style and their earlier work a lot times isn’t quite there yet as they are trying just to get a book published. I’m glad your reworked this one and I’m looking forward to reading it.
July 24th, 2010 on 4:28 am
I’m not a mother but even as an aunt I would die and kill to protect my nephews. The same also holds true for my husband. I think as a woman it takes someone I love to be in danger to feel that way, but because of that women usually are deadlier and fiercer when protecting our love ones.