A warm welcome to author Garrett Leigh joining us today her to talk about their new release “What Remains”.

Welcome Garrett 🙂

1) What Remains released on a prominent US holiday, which is ironic, as both you and the book are British, correct? Are there any cultural or language differences you would like the American-English audience to know?

 

Oh, Lordy, there’s loads…most of which are probably better explained by the book itself, but I think the main difference between Brits and Americans is that us Brits tend to be a little, er, ruder, by nature. Our humour is harsher, more biting. Something that might offend an American could quite well be a term of endearment over here. For example, it’s quite common for the C-bomb to be used in general vernacular over here, particularly by younger people.

 

2) Were there any specific challenges you had to overcome with this one? Difficult research or perhaps a pet wouldn’t keep off your keyboard? Did you run out of coffee/tea at an inopportune time?

 

I must have Rooibos tea when I write, but I’m lucky enough to rarely run out because my mister takes good care of me. As for animal distractions, LOADS. I have two unruly dogs, three belligerent chickens, and a cat that hates the whole world. Not a minute goes by without one of them crapping somewhere, or twitting me in the face.

 

3) Do you have a favorite scene from the book? If so, what is it? (If you can share without spoiling!)

 

My favourite scene is the toad-in-the-hole shopping scene, but of that I can say no more…

 

4) What experiences, feelings, or insight are you hoping people will find with this book?

 

I think the general message is that even when things can never be as perfect as they once were (or perhaps only as you perceived them to be), sometimes what you are left with, as imperfect as it may seem, is as beautiful as anything you’ve ever known.

 

5) How would you describe your own writing style to someone who has never read your work before?

 

Angsty, and character driven. I’m often heavy on the hurt/comfort themes, and I’m told dialogue is one of my strongest skills.

 

6) While writing What Remains, did you find yourself wondering what you would do if you were in Rupert or Jodi’s shoes? Either as the amnesiac, or the devoted partner? What did you conclude?

I put myself in Rupert’s shoes most of all. His fear and heartbreak was strong in me as I wrote him. I love someone as much as he loves Jodi and the thought of something happening to them…*shudders*

 

Writing Jodi was a different process. I researched TBIs, and spoke at length with someone precious to me who’d suffered one, and still lives with the consequences twenty years later. In many ways, this book was for them.

 

About What Remains

Web designer Jodi Peters is a solitary creature. Lunch twice a week with his ex-girlfriend-turned-BFF and the occasional messy venture to a dodgy gay bar is all the company he needs, right?

Then one night he stumbles across newly divorced firefighter Rupert O’Neil. Rupert is lost and lonely, but just about the sweetest bloke Jodi has ever known. Add in the heady current between them, and Jodi can’t help falling hard in love. He offers Rupert a home within the walls of his cosy Tottenham flat—a sanctuary to nurture their own brand of family—and for four blissful years, life is never sweeter.

Until a cruel twist of fate snatches it all away. A moment of distraction leaves Jodi fighting for a life he can’t remember and shatters Rupert’s heart. Jodi doesn’t know him—or want to. With little left of the man he adores, Rupert must cling to what remains of his shaky faith and pray that Jodi can learn to love him again.

Buy Links:

Riptide Publishing

Amazon

About Garrett Leigh

Garrett Leigh is a British writer and book designer, currently working for Dreamspinner Press, Loose Id, Riptide Publishing, and Black Jazz Press. Her protagonists will always always be tortured, crippled, broken, and deeply flawed. Throw in a tale of enduring true love, some stubbly facial hair, and a bunch of tattoos, and you’ve got yourself a Garrett special.

When not writing, Garrett can generally be found procrastinating on Twitter, cooking up a storm, or sitting on her behind doing as little as possible. That, and dreaming up new ways to torture her characters. Garrett believes in happy endings; she just likes to make her boys work for it.

Garrett also works as a freelance cover artist for various publishing houses and independent authors under the pseudonym G.D. Leigh. For cover art info, please visit blackjazzpress.com.

Social media:

Website: http://garrettleigh.com

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Garrett_Leigh

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garrettleighbooks

Cover art enquiries: blackjazzdesign@gmail.com

To celebrate the release of What Remains, Garrett is giving away $25 in Riptide Publishing credit. Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on July 9, 2016. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!