Finding My Destiny by T L Russ

I uprooted my life and my family for a fresh start in the small southern town of Peach Ridge. What I didn’t expect was the tall, handsome coworker who takes my breath away with one look. I didn’t plan on moving. I loved Atlanta, but when the job offer came, there was nothing else to do but pack up my whole world, along with my grandfather and my younger sister, and move. The town is small enough to provide a quiet life. A steady, simple life. At least that was what I thought until Travis Walker walked into my rented apartment. He isn’t the kind of guy I would normally go for, but there’s something about his heart-stopping smile and the intensity of his eyes that pull me right in. I know nothing can happen. We are going to be working together, and he isn’t why I’m here. Now all I have to do is control the fact that my breath catches every time he gets close. Yet with every late night we spend working side by side, it’s gets harder to keep from blurring every line that stands between us. As our deadline and the Fall Harvest Festival approach, I’m not sure I can deny the spark between us, but I learned at a young age you can’t depend on anyone. It’s better to keep people at arm’s length, but I can’t seem to do that with him. I came here for a new beginning. Maybe it’s time to find out if my shattered heart can still believe in love and if Travis is just the man who can prove it.

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Author Interview

Hey, Tiffany. Welcome to my blog! I am excited to learn more about that new book. Please, tell us about Finding My Destiny.

Finding My Destiny is a continuation of the Walker Family series set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia. The Walkers are one of the founding families of the town of Peach Ridge and are well known throughout the community. Travis Walker is the second oldest brother and the last single Walker male. He works for the city in their tourism department and is a bit of a workaholic. Destiny is new in town. She’s coming in to be the liaison between the mayor’s office and Travis. The minute he sees her he is attracted, but everyone is telling him to tread carefully since they will be working together. That doesn’t stop him from exploring the chemistry between them, However, Destiny doesn’t believe in forever and although she feels the same attraction to Travis she tries to keep him at arms length until the passion between them can’t be denied anymore.

Oh, cool – that’s right where my stories take place! We should have our characters meet some time.

That sounds like a great idea!

Do you remember how you got the initial idea for the book? Would you share that moment with us?

I wish I did. This book actually took me quite sometime to finish. I never felt like I had it just right. I think it needed to sit and grow and now it’s something that I’m so proud of and I absolutely love. 

Are you working on another book right now? Will it be in the same series?

I do have an idea for a Christmas book that will be set around Peach Ridge, but I’m still working out the details. I do know it will be a forced proximity, kinda snowed-in or trapped together romance and I’m really excited about it.

Have you any releases set up for the near future?

I do. I have a fall cruise ship romance coming called Curvy Cabin Mixup that features a group of girlfriends that I’m obsessed with going on a cruise to celebrate one of them turning thirty. They get her what they think is a private cabin, but when an older man walks out of the bathroom in just a towel things change. I’ve also got a Halloween story coming out that involves a masked party on a college campus (Travis’s little sister makes an appearance) and a nerdy guy that gets the girl (think Peter Parker and Zendaya). Both are available for preorder.

As a romance writer, I suppose you read romance yourself. What genres do you love?

I am a sucker for paranormal romance. I love a good shifter. I like romcoms like most everyone and if there is a found family or second chance romance I’m here for it. But I think one of my favorite tropes is enemies to lovers. There is just something about the back and forth and the banter that I can’t get enough of. I have to pace myself or I swear all my books would be second chance, or enemies to lovers. They are definitely my favorite and if you add a hot shifter in there I’m dead.

Do you read outside of romance, too?

I do. I really love cozy mystery. I have an idea for a series, but it’s something that scares me a little to write. I also like women’s fiction and regular mysteries also. I can do a thriller if it isn’t too scary. I’m a big ol’ chicken and I happily admit it. I love history, but I have to say I don’t read a lot of historicals, but like everyone else I am completely head over heels for the Bridgertons. Although I was in love with them way before the show was even thought of and unpopular opinion incoming…I can’t stand the show. I know, people love it, but characters are always what draws me whether I am reading or writing and they just messed with the characters too much. I find myself yelling at the screen the few times I’ve tried to watch it and that’s just not fun. 

You already have published several books with some success. Does a book release get any less exciting?

Not at all. I still get butterflies and nerves each time I release a book. I love all my characters and I want everyone to feel what I feel when I’m writing them. That said, I also understand that each person comes to a book with their own history and story so I know whatever they take away from the story will be what they need in that moment and that makes me happy. 

What do you do to not get bored writing?

I watch a lot of movies and tv shows and listen to music. Music keeps me sane and inspires quite a few of my ideas. In fact, my Jewel Agency series was inspired and is my interpretation of Taylor Swift’s Reputation album. I also read when I’m not writing. It helps me get better at storytelling and introduces me to some wonderful characters and amazing writers.

How do you celebrate a new release?

I don’t know that I celebrate each release, but lately I have taken to celebrating when I finish writing a book by binge watching a season of the Great British Bake Off. I love cooking and baking (one day I will do my bakery series) and I have so much fun watching and thinking about what kind of showstopper I would do (a book tower, anyone?). I thought about picking my favorite challenge and going for it, but I have no idea what I would do with a cake, or pie that big.

Do you have any rituals to start writing a new book?

Pinterest, Pinterest, Pinterset. My pre-writing ritual is to look on Pinterest and find inspiration for what my characters look like, if they have a special outfit, what the town or they’re home might be, all of it. I used to create mood boards for each story, but now I just save them to a series page I have and keep them should I need to reference back. I also pick out a candle that goes with the theme or season that the book is set in. I adore candles and most of the time have them burning while I write. It puts me in the right headspace to really focus on the story and the characters. 

In case my readers haven’t heard of you yet: Can you give us some authors’ names who write similiar books?

I’d have to say Hope Ford was a big inspiration when I first started out. The same could be said for Nora Roberts. I also love Kaci Rose’s Oakside military series. 

Is there a book by somebody else you wished you had written yourself?

I love writing in really strong female friend groups in my books and Nora Roberts has a series called Bride Quartet that just makes me smile. Also her Inn Boonsboro trilogy is wonderful. I have an idea but it’s quite different from hers. 

Thank you for this interview! It’s been a pleasure.