Love Bytes is happy to have Renee Cronin, author of Fistful of Love, here with us today with their blog tour.
Thanks for stopping by, Renee.
Author Name: Renee Cronin
Book Name: Fistful of Love
Release Date: April 4, 2016
Pages or Words: 46,323
Publisher: Renee Cronin
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow
Blurb:
At the age of 23, social worker, Jeya Wellington was pretty much on her own. The devastating loss of her parents left her bereft and alone. Her best friend, Roman and his family have been like surrogates, but they could never replace what she lost. She needed a different connection. Shortly after losing her parents, she finds love and comfort in the arms of Rayne Watson, a correctional officer.
Rayne was exactly what she needed at the time, but now, two years later, Jeya wants out. She never expected love to come with bruises. She didn’t anticipate losing friends and living in fear. This was not her idea of true love. With the support of Roman, Jeya finds a way to leave. But Rayne isn’t letting go that easily. They made a commitment to each, and she has the tattoo to prove it – ‘Til Death Do Us Part.
Torn between the love she has for Rayne and the instinct to protect herself, is Jeya’s will stronger than her vow?
Categories: Lesbian Fiction, Domestic Violence
Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing Renee Cronin, author of Fistful of Love. Hi Renee, thank you for agreeing to this interview.
Have you ever read something that made you think differently about your genre? Can you tell us what it was?
No. I honestly haven’t (recently) read a lot of books in my genre. I think there is a lack of representation of books in my genre. That is part of the reason I write.
Tell us about your character’s family life?
Jeya is an only child. She lost her parents at the age of twenty-three. She remained living in her family home and is very closely connected to her best friend, Roman and his family. Her mother’s family lives in Philadelphia, while Jeya lives in Boston. She has not relationship with her mother’s family. And she doesn’t know anyone on her father’s side of the family. He left his family at the age of 18 and never looked back. Jeya never met anyone on that side before he died.
Compare yourself to your main character.
Jeya is a social worker, as am I. She’s slightly passive, which is a unfortunate similar trait of mine. Jeya and I are both plus size women and we both love working with adolescents.
Describe your past week as a type of landscape or a weather forecast.
This past week has been sunny with clear skies, no fog in sight. There was a threat of rain, but the sun remained strong and pushed the rain clouds aside. Renee Cronin’s having a fabulous week and the weekend looks great. Should be in the high 70’s!
It’s over.
Two simple words, intended to signify the end, were instead just the beginning. Jeya took a deep breath, and the pain that pierced her side served as the reminder she needed. She hit the send button. Unexpected relief instantly washed over her. “I did it. Step one. Now for step two.” Jeya placed her phone on the bed and stood up to double-check her suitcase. Going over the checklist in her mind, she felt confident that she had the essentials. A week away from home required more than she’d anticipated, but she had no intention of returning until the rainstorm had passed. Jeya took a second to acknowledge the double entendre of the word. Her girlfriend, Rayne, was definitely a hurricane. Her temper was unpredictable and left damage in its wake similar to that which Hurricane Gloria had. She knew she’d be safer at Roman’s house for the next several days.
The lyrics to “Dangerously in Love” cursed the air. The perfect ringtone to describe her relationship. She braced herself as she walked to the bed and picked up the phone. Jeya anticipated nothing less than an explosive response from her short-tempered girlfriend.
Buy the book:
Renee Cronin is a self-professed devour of knowledge, and a voracious reader. She began writing in earnest in 2005, when the characters in her head became so loud she was forced to tell their stories, or risk getting swept away into the abyss of her imagination. Renee has since used writing as a personal outlet to express her feelings, ideas, views, thoughts, and opinions about the world and the issues that impact her on a deep personal and societal level. (And of course writing also quiets the voices in her head of the many characters that are yearning to have their stories told.) Renee’s inspiration to publish is in large part due to the overwhelming display of encouragement, and support from family and friends, who believe she has a gift with words that need to be shared with world. Born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, she works in the social work field avidly advocating and supporting the varied needs of the people in her community. Renee is a bibliophile with a transcendent love for words. Her soul yearns for the acoustic stylings from a plethora of musical genres. As she continues on this journey of published author she hopes to keep her readers captivated and pining for more.
Where to find the author:
Twitter: @reneecronin78
Tour Dates & Stops:
4-Apr: Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Full Moon Dreaming
11-Apr: Molly Lolly, Charley Descoteaux
18-Apr: Unquietly Me, Velvet Panic, Bayou Book Junkie
25-Apr: Happily Ever Chapter, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
2-May: TTC Books and More, BFD Book Blog
9-May: Prism Book Alliance, Love Bytes
15-May: Inked Rainbow Reads, MM Good Book Reviews, My Fiction Nook
23-May: A.M. Leibowitz, Oh My Shelves, Rednecks and Romance, Dawn’s Reading Nook
Rafflecopter Prize: $15 gift card to Amazon and an e-copy of book
