Blog Tour Stop including Excerpt, Author Interview & Giveaway - Fistful of Love by Renee Cronin ~ BFD Book Blog

Author Name: Renee Cronin

Book Name: Fistful of Love

Release Date: April 4, 2016

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?

Pages or Words: 46,323

Categories: Lesbian Fiction, Domestic Violence

Excerpt:

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:

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Author Interview:

Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing Renee Cronin author of Fistful of Love

Q: Tell us something about your character’s friends.

A: Jeya’s best friend is Roman. Roman is a 2^nd generation Italian, youngest of three boys. His brothers are Gino and Marco. And his parents are lovingly referred to as Mamma and Papà Costa.

Roman and Jeya met when they were twelve years old, when Roman moved into the neighborhood. They became fast friends and then a couple and then friends again.

Jeya’s other friend is a colleague. She is nowhere as close to him as she is Roman, but she connects with him because of similar family loss. Trevor also identifies as gay and is a huge support to her at work.

Q: What is your character’s favorite meal? Favorite dessert? Favorite snack food?

A: Jeya is a big coffee drinker. She likes it hot or iced. She is also a big fan of Mamma Costa’s cooking. There isn’t much she wouldn’t eat that she makes.

Q: What activity does your character absolutely hate?

A: She doesn’t absolutely hate anything, but she is not a big fan of Roman’s poker nights. It’s mentioned briefly in the book that it’s an activity that she does not enjoy being around him and his buddies during.

Q: What other author’s book do you think your character would be good in?

A: That’s a hard one! She may fit in Gangster Country by Kade Boehme. Mainly because of the social worker aspect, although they do different jobs. Otherwise, I got nothing. Haha!

Q: What’s your favorite decade and why?

A: The 90’s of course! Oh, I miss that decade. Mainly the music, and the fact that my biggest responsibility in life was school. Even college was a good memory. I had a group of friends that I loved dearly and while we are not as close today as we were then, it’s one of the happiest moments of my childhood/adolescence.

Meet the author:

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:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/reneecronin78

Twitter: @reneecronin78

Website: www.renee-cronin.com

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29505751-fistful-of-love

Publisher: Renee Cronin