Eden Rayna
Give us the one to two sentence tagline for your book.
I’ll teach her to take control and lose it at the same time, and I’ll teach her to love it both ways.
What surprised you the most while writing this book?
This was my first book and I was surprised as how I let the characters take me on their journey rather than the other way around.
Why did you pick the setting you used for your book?
I started writing this book shortly after the devastating wildfires in Northern Alberta. There were so many positive stories that came out of the tragedy – strangers helping strangers – and I thought it would be nice to have a love story to go along with all the positivity.
What is the sexiest trait of your hero?
Brandon – he is such a gentleman in public, but a total rogue in private.
Piper – she is sexually shy, but really wants to try new things.
What is your favorite scene/moment in your book?
When Piper stands up to her cheating ex-boyfriend. She really let’s her frustrations of the relationship go in that one scene.
What scene did you have to cut but wish could have been included?
Too many to say! The manuscript was so much longer than it needed to be.
Tropes get a bad name, but they’re often the biggest draw for readers. What tropes do you love to write and read?
Enemies to lovers is always fun. I love angst.
What are your favorite genres/sub-genres to write in? Are there any you love to read but cannot write in?
Steamy romance is all I can see myself writing (for now!). I love reading non-fiction, especially sociological/cultural works.
Which do you love to write best: dialogue, setting, action, love scenes, or other?
Dialogue
Which do you hate to write: dialogue, setting, action, love scenes, or other?
Love scenes can be challenging. I have to be in the right mood to really capture the essence of the characters.
Driven by Fire
When your world is on fire, sometimes the only thing to do is drive faster. Piper: I gave up my career, I left my friends and family behind and I followed my boyfriend to this remote northern town. And for what? For him to cheat on me and leave me walking along a highway in the middle of the night to avoid sharing my bed with him and his mistress. This night could not get any worse. Until it does when a truck driver pulls up behind me and asks me to get inside. Brandon: I was raised to be a gentleman. So when I see a woman running down the highway in the middle of the night, my instinct is to ask if she needs help. Never mind that I’m a stranger driving a semi truck in one of the most remote parts of the country. I can’t blame her for saying no to my offer for a ride. But when I find her in need of help again the next day, I won’t take no for an answer. Driven by Fire is the first book in the series of erotic romance novels set in Northern Alberta, Canada during the wildfire evacuations in the Fort McMurray region. It is intended for mature readers.
An Excerpt from Driven by Fire
Thank god I made it to the main street. Scariest. Thing. Ever. Who is that creepy dude? I have never seen him in the café or around town before. Like I was going to get in his truck because he said he was not going to hurt me. Duh, okay! Do women actually do that? Wait, women do actually do that. My imagination takes off again and I picture myself being featured as the victim on Canada’s Most Wanted.
I step off the sidewalk and cut through the parking lot to the motel, speed walking like I am in the Olympics. I can hear the truck idling; the engine purring now quietly compared to the roar of only moments ago.
Somehow, I can feel his eyes on the back of my head and I am compelled to turn around to see if it’s true. I look over my shoulder, telling myself that it’s just to see if he is following me through the parking lot. To show this guy I am not some weak woman he can take advantage of. But I know it’s not just that. Most of me thinks bad things about him. But a little part of me wonders if he wasn’t just trying to be kind and protect me from any lurking danger on the highway like he said.
Here I go again with the hopeless romantic routine.
Eden Rayna was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. After several attempts to leave through travels, university and work in far off places, she realised there was no better place to call home than the sprawling city at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. She still lives in Calgary with her husband and two children and dreams of a day when she can winter in a warmer climate.
Ellen Mint 