Interview with Shayne Ford, Author of REX

by grant

in Author Interviews, News, Romance

19 Jan 2021

What can you tell us about your new release, REX?

REX is the first book of the HOUSE OF LIONS Series, a suspenseful, delicious, dark billionaire romance that features Luna Rae Winter, a San Francisco pre-Law college student, who spends her summer break on the Golden Coast with her best friend, Frankie Mendoza, and begins an emotional, lustful journey of self-discovery with a handsome stranger who initiates her in an adventurous, sensual life she’s never planned for or envisioned before.

A few years older, Rex Jackson is a political science student heavily involved in his family business, a multi-billion conglomerate run by his stepfather and brother.

He feels an instant attraction for Luna Rae, and just as quickly, he knows what she needs from him.

The chemistry between them is off the charts, but there’s a catch. Liking her too much puts her in danger, so he needs to take precautions.

Rex Jackson and his older brother used to get involved with the same women, but this time, he wants Luna only for himself.

This book ends in a cliffhanger. There are several books available right now and more to come. The story will be complete in the last book of the series. This series is still a work in progress.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I had a deep love for books and stories since I can remember. I grew up surrounded by books that I read over and over again. Up to this day, my favorite place to shop is a bookstore. I could spend hours and hours browsing, checking covers, and reading excerpts.

I wrote my first story when I was sixteen. I wrote installments, and my best friend devoured them.

My first ever story was not different than what I write today. It was steamy, adventurous, and suspenseful, and it had a dominant hero who teased and tormented the woman he fell for.
I love to write emotions and angst and the battle ensuing between imperfect people who fall in love.

Life inspired me to become an author. There was a big writing pause between my teenage years and the moment I started to write fiction again a few years back. Life got in the way, served me a few harsh lessons, and forced me to spend a lot of time in my head, introspecting.

Then one day, a story came to me as I was walking my dog. And then another one, and another one. I knew I had to put them down, but it took me a while until I found the courage to start writing again.

I wrote 60+ books so far, and I have many more writing projects and book ideas to materialize.

What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?

I don’t have a top 5 best books list. I wouldn’t know how to choose and categorize them.

To me, a good book is a book I finish. A story that I like. A book that doesn’t hold my attention is not necessarily bad. It just doesn’t fit my taste. I believe every book has its readers, and as a reader, it’s a privilege to have a large variety of books to choose from these days.

Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

I would love to interview Collen Hoover. I would ask her what inspires her and what made her wrote the first book.

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

My absolute favorite thing about writing is writing. I am one of the blessed authors who enjoy writing more than anything else.

I love to get inspired, imagine the story in my head, and dive into it. Living in a fictional world is fascinating to me.

I feel my characters. I laugh and cry and fall in love as they do. It’s cathartic. It’s escapism at its best.

I also love to create the actual product—cover, formatting, title, synopsis.

And last but not least, I love to get positive feedback from my readers. If they feel what I feel when I write that story, my job is done.

What is a typical day like for you?

I work anywhere between 10 to 12 hours. The outcome of a typical day of writing is up to 8,000-9,000 words per day. I try to clump up my writing days together, so I finish the first draft in a few days or a week. Sprinting is more efficient for me when it comes to putting the story down. It helps me focus and gives me a sense of accomplishment.

On my non-writing days, I work on editing, cover design, formatting, newsletter publishing, and marketing.

I work every day–– weekends and holidays included.

To balance the hours I spend in front of my computer, I work out daily–– two and a half hours of walking, weight lifting, spinning, and dancing. Sometimes swimming.

I watch movies, read, or talk on the phone while spinning.

I don’t watch TV or spend much time on social media.

What scene from REX was your favorite to write?

I loved writing the scene when Rex takes Luna to a cave by the ocean and spends the night with her there.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Live an authentic life aligned with your values. And live in such a way to add positive things to your life and other people’s lives.