Today I am so pleased to welcome Annabeth Albert to Joyfully Jay. Annabeth has come to talk to us about her latest release, Rough Terrain, which I reviewed here and loved. She has also brought along a great tourwide giveaway. Please join me in giving her a big welcome!

 

What Happens After HEA?

Hi! I’m so delighted to be here on one of my favorite blogs, celebrating the release of ROUGH TERRAIN. This the seventh and final (for now at least!) book in the series, and as such, it has me thinking back to some of my favorite moments in the series. And I suppose some might focus on the sexy scenes or maybe the action sequences, but for me, there is one scene that I love writing more than any other: the epilogue.

I look forward to this the entire book, using it as a carrot to keep a draft going. “If I can just get this draft, then I get to write the epilogue.” I daydream about epilogues the way I dream about carrot cake when I try to diet. I want to write them so badly it’s almost a tangible ache when the mountain of a draft seems so insurmountable. But somehow, some way, a draft does come together. High points are had, a couple falls in love despite all odds, triumphs over the black moment, reunites, and happily ever after looms as their biggest hurdle is out of the way and they are resolved to make this relationship work.

So end it already, right? Two “I love you” declarations and done. And I could do that—let them ride off into the sunset without a glimpse as to what their life together will actually look like. Plenty of books end that way, including many on my keeper shelf. But me, I live for the epilogue, that moment when we get to peek in on our happy couple, see them together and thriving. It’s like one last visit with old friends or going to see your best friend in a new life, looking around their new house and surroundings with wonder and awe.

I love it. I love reading those epilogue moments and I love writing them. So much that I never, ever let myself write them out of order. It’s my reward for writing a whole darn book, and it’s seasoned by everything that happened during the book both on the page and off. All those loose threads come together in a final, beautiful bow.

In the “Out of Uniform” series, because these are military romances, I really love using the epilogues as a reminder that these are men who have lives beyond their relationships. Homecomings are among my favorite things to write for the series, showing that yes, our heroes can endure the same sorts of separations that most military families have to endure and emerge stronger than ever as a result.

I’ve also used epilogues for proposals, big life decisions, sweet milestones, and more. And out of seven books, I can honestly say the Rough Terrain epilogue is my favorite. What’s in it? I won’t spoil the book by giving that away, but I can say that writing it was a high that I didn’t come down from for a few days. It felt like saying a temporary goodbye to beloved friends, and I simply couldn’t let them go quite yet. I wanted to write more for them, check in on them again and again, and had to let go of that impulse to write the next thing on my docket.

It’s probably my love of epilogues that makes me love writing ficlets for beloved characters, and I’m pretty sure I’ll eventually do a Rough Terrain ficlet. I’m not done with these two, or rather, they’re not done with me.

How about you? Do you like epilogues? Have a favorite one? Share, and don’t forget to check out ROUGH TERRAIN! Thanks again for having me!


Blurb

The camping trip from hell may be the first stop on the road to happily-ever-after in Rough Terrain, the final book in Annabeth Albert’s critically acclaimed, fan-favorite Out of Uniform series.

Navy SEAL Renzo Bianchi has a soft spot for Canaan Finley, and not only because the man makes a mean smoothie. He’s the first guy to get Renzo’s motor revving in a long time. But when he agrees to Canaan’s insane charade—one all-access fake boyfriend, coming right up—he never expects more than a fling.

Creating a hot Italian SEAL boyfriend to save face seemed like a good idea…until his friends called Canaan’s bluff. Now he’s setting off into the woods with the very man who inspired his deception, and Canaan is not the outdoorsy type. The sparks are already flying when a flash flood separates them from their group, leaving Renzo and Canaan very much trapped…very much alone in the wilderness.

Working together to come up with a plan for survival is sexier than either of them expects. But back in the real world, being a couple is bringing its own set of hazards…


Bio

Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer. Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Her critically acclaimed and fan-favorite LGBTQ romance series include the #OutOfUniform, #Gaymers, #PortlandHeat, #RainbowCove and #PerfectHarmony series.

To find out what she’s working on next and other fun extras, check out her website: annabethalbert.com or connect with Annabeth on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify! Also, be sure to sign up for her newsletter for free ficlets, bonus reads, and contests. The fan group, Annabeth’s Angels, on Facebook is also a great place for bonus content and exclusive contests.

Connect with Annabeth Albert:


Giveaway

Annabeth has brought a paperback copy and two ecopies of an Out of Uniform series backlist book to give away on her tour. Just follow the Rafflecopter below to enter. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


  • By entering the giveaway, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
  • By entering you are agreeing to the Terms and Conditions set out by Rafflecopter for entries.
  • Winners may be announced on the blog following the contest. By entering the contest you are agreeing to allow your name to be posted and promoted as the contest winner by Joyfully Jay.
  • Prizes will be distributed following the giveaway either by Joyfully Jay or the person/organization donating the prize. In order to facilitate prize distribution, the winner name’s and email may be provided to a third party awarding the prize.
  • By entering you are agreeing to hold Joyfully Jay harmless if the prize or giveaway in some way negatively impacts the winner.
  • Void where prohibited by law.
FILED UNDER: Giveaway, Guest Post
TAGGED: