Literary / Women's Fiction
Date Published: January 26, 2015
A father's love. A family's tragedy. A daughter's revenge.
Honor student Emma knows more about galvanic cell diagrams than guns. College is the only way out of her gang-ridden hometown, but her parents can't afford it.
When her unemployed dad lands a job as a census taker, things start looking up. But he's sent deep into East Malo Verde, where gang members rule the streets and fear anyone with a badge who knocks on doors. One night, a gang member mistakes him for a cop and beats him savagely, leaving him for dead.
Her best friends, her chem lab partner, her mom, and the detective assigned to the case all try to convince her to focus on school. But school won't prepare her for a world that ignores a crime against a good man. Emma must decide what's more important: doing what's expected, or doing what she feels is right . . . even if it leads her down a dark and dangerous path of revenge.
The Red Road is about a girl in turmoil, coming of age as she discovers the depths - and the limits - of friendship, first love, and the bond between parents and their children.
Literary / Women's Fiction
Date Published: January 26, 2015
A father's love. A family's tragedy. A daughter's revenge.
Honor student Emma knows more about galvanic cell diagrams than guns. College is the only way out of her gang-ridden hometown, but her parents can't afford it.
When her unemployed dad lands a job as a census taker, things start looking up. But he's sent deep into East Malo Verde, where gang members rule the streets and fear anyone with a badge who knocks on doors. One night, a gang member mistakes him for a cop and beats him savagely, leaving him for dead.
Her best friends, her chem lab partner, her mom, and the detective assigned to the case all try to convince her to focus on school. But school won't prepare her for a world that ignores a crime against a good man. Emma must decide what's more important: doing what's expected, or doing what she feels is right . . . even if it leads her down a dark and dangerous path of revenge.
The Red Road is about a girl in turmoil, coming of age as she discovers the depths - and the limits - of friendship, first love, and the bond between parents and their children.
#1 – Do You See Writing as a Career?
Yes! I’ve always earned my living through writing. I’ve
worked in editing, copywriting, and advertising for over a decade, and I treat
my career as an author seriously. I feel way more pressure releasing a new book
than I do pitching a campaign idea to a VP or proofing a catalog that will go
to 3 million people!
#2 – What was the Hardest Part of Your Writing Process?
Doing mean things to characters who are based on my own family
members. I based Emma’s mom and dad on my mom and dad, but I had to show the
family disintegrating. It was so hard to write the scenes where they fought
with each other! It got so bad that I had to find pictures of famous actors and
actresses to visualize in place of my own family members. That made it a little
easier.
#3 – Did you have any One Person Who Helped You Out with
Your Writing Outside of Your Family?
I had a lot of wonderful teachers through the years, from
high school all the way through grad school. Every one of them told me I had to
keep writing, and that’s what stuck with me. Just keep writing.
#4 – What is next for your writing?
Next, I’ll be writing a prequel and sequel to The Romanov
Legacy (my thriller). It’s back to guns, spies, and treasure for me.
Writing about family drama is emotionally draining and exhausting!
#5 – Do you have an addiction to reading as well as writing?
If so, what are you currently reading?
I’m addicted to Elizabeth Peters and her Vicky Bliss series
of romantic suspense novels. I’ve read them a dozen times, and I keep coming
back for more. Mostly because I wish I were as smart as Vicky, and I’m in
head-over-heels in love with Sir John Smythe. Currently, I’m reading Du Barry by Stanley Loomis, a biography
of Louis XV’s mistress, as prep work for The
Romanov Legacy sequel.
DESCRIBE Your Book in 1 Tweet:
Studying chemistry, finding a date, avenging your dad's
near-death...just a day in the life of 16-yr-old Emma West in #TheRedRoad.
This or That?
#1 - iPd or Mp3?
MP3
#2 – Chocolate or Vanilla?
Vanilla
#3 – Mashed Potatoes or French Fries?
French Fries
#4 – Comedy or Drama?
Drama
#5 – Danielle Steel or Nicholas Sparks?
Danielle Steel
#6 – Fantasy or Reality?
Reality
#7 – Call or Text?
Email
#8 – Public School or Home School?
Public School
#9 – Coffee or Hot Chocolate
Coffee. Unless it’s Mexican hot chocolate.
#10 – eBook or Paperback?
Dude, this is hard. I read both! Let’s say paperback.
#1 – Do You See Writing as a Career?
Yes! I’ve always earned my living through writing. I’ve
worked in editing, copywriting, and advertising for over a decade, and I treat
my career as an author seriously. I feel way more pressure releasing a new book
than I do pitching a campaign idea to a VP or proofing a catalog that will go
to 3 million people!
#2 – What was the Hardest Part of Your Writing Process?
Doing mean things to characters who are based on my own family
members. I based Emma’s mom and dad on my mom and dad, but I had to show the
family disintegrating. It was so hard to write the scenes where they fought
with each other! It got so bad that I had to find pictures of famous actors and
actresses to visualize in place of my own family members. That made it a little
easier.
#3 – Did you have any One Person Who Helped You Out with
Your Writing Outside of Your Family?
I had a lot of wonderful teachers through the years, from
high school all the way through grad school. Every one of them told me I had to
keep writing, and that’s what stuck with me. Just keep writing.
#4 – What is next for your writing?
Next, I’ll be writing a prequel and sequel to The Romanov
Legacy (my thriller). It’s back to guns, spies, and treasure for me.
Writing about family drama is emotionally draining and exhausting!
#5 – Do you have an addiction to reading as well as writing?
If so, what are you currently reading?
I’m addicted to Elizabeth Peters and her Vicky Bliss series
of romantic suspense novels. I’ve read them a dozen times, and I keep coming
back for more. Mostly because I wish I were as smart as Vicky, and I’m in
head-over-heels in love with Sir John Smythe. Currently, I’m reading Du Barry by Stanley Loomis, a biography
of Louis XV’s mistress, as prep work for The
Romanov Legacy sequel.
DESCRIBE Your Book in 1 Tweet:
Studying chemistry, finding a date, avenging your dad's
near-death...just a day in the life of 16-yr-old Emma West in #TheRedRoad.
This or That?
#1 - iPd or Mp3?
MP3
#2 – Chocolate or Vanilla?
Vanilla
#3 – Mashed Potatoes or French Fries?
French Fries
#4 – Comedy or Drama?
Drama
#5 – Danielle Steel or Nicholas Sparks?
Danielle Steel
#6 – Fantasy or Reality?
Reality
#7 – Call or Text?
Email
#8 – Public School or Home School?
Public School
#9 – Coffee or Hot Chocolate
Coffee. Unless it’s Mexican hot chocolate.
#10 – eBook or Paperback?
Dude, this is hard. I read both! Let’s say paperback.
Jenni Wiltz writes fiction and creative nonfiction. She's won national writing awards for creative nonfiction and romantic suspense, including a 2011 Romance Writers of America Kiss of Death Chapter's Daphne du Maurier Award for her novel, The Cherbourg Jewels. She also writes thrillers, historical fiction, and paranormal romance, and you may have seen her short stories in The Portland Review, Gargoyle, and the Sacramento News & Review. After earning bachelor’s degrees in English and history and a Master’s degree in English, she worked as a web editor, a copywriter, and a USAID grant program coordinator, which gave her the opportunity to travel to Kenya. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, sewing, running, and genealogical research. She lives in Pilot Hill, California and has not yet struck gold in her backyard. Visit her online at JenniWiltz.com.
Jenni Wiltz writes fiction and creative nonfiction. She's won national writing awards for creative nonfiction and romantic suspense, including a 2011 Romance Writers of America Kiss of Death Chapter's Daphne du Maurier Award for her novel, The Cherbourg Jewels. She also writes thrillers, historical fiction, and paranormal romance, and you may have seen her short stories in The Portland Review, Gargoyle, and the Sacramento News & Review. After earning bachelor’s degrees in English and history and a Master’s degree in English, she worked as a web editor, a copywriter, and a USAID grant program coordinator, which gave her the opportunity to travel to Kenya. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, sewing, running, and genealogical research. She lives in Pilot Hill, California and has not yet struck gold in her backyard. Visit her online at JenniWiltz.com.
January 26 - What Is That Book About - Guest Post
January 27 - Life's Unfiltered Ramblings - Excerpt
January 28 - Book Junkie Mom - Excerpt
January 29 - Momma Bears Book Blog - Excerpt
January 30 - Mythical Books - Guest Post
January 31 - A Life Through Books - Review
January 31 - Andi's Book Reviews - Excerpt
February 1 - Chosen By You Book Club - Excerpt
February 2 - Bookish Lover - Excerpt
February 3 - Keenly Kristin - Review
February 4 - Reeces Pieces - Review
February 5 - Books Direct - Excerpt
February 6 - RABT Reviews - Wrap Up
January 26 - What Is That Book About - Guest Post
January 27 - Life's Unfiltered Ramblings - Excerpt
January 28 - Book Junkie Mom - Excerpt
January 29 - Momma Bears Book Blog - Excerpt
January 30 - Mythical Books - Guest Post
January 31 - A Life Through Books - Review
January 31 - Andi's Book Reviews - Excerpt
February 1 - Chosen By You Book Club - Excerpt
February 2 - Bookish Lover - Excerpt
February 3 - Keenly Kristin - Review
February 4 - Reeces Pieces - Review
February 5 - Books Direct - Excerpt
February 6 - RABT Reviews - Wrap Up
So happy to be here today! And also excited to release The Red Road out into the wild. Readers, if you have any questions, feel free to ask! I'll answer pretty much anything for you guys. :)
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