BooksChatter: ℚ Beltway Betrayers: The Beltway [2]

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Taylor Marsh to talk about Beltway Betrayers (12 May 2017, MM Press, 373 pages), a Sassy Psychological Thriller, book two of The Beltway series.

"This book has so much suspense that I found myself glued to the book and sitting on the edge of my chair." - ARC Reader

“'Beltway Betrayers' is a grand slam of a book." - ARC Reader

|| Synopsis || Teaser: KCR Preview || The Series || Author Q&A || About the Author || Giveaway & Tour Stops ||

A very warm welcome to Taylor Marsh; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

What was the inspiration for Beltway Betrayers?

"I've been a writer, journalist, and non-fiction author, for many years.

The switch to romantic fiction was sparked by a screenwriting competition Meryl Streep started through funding “a screenwriters lab for women writers over 40,” sponsored by New York Women in Film and Television. I didn’t win, but because of the fun I had writing the screenplay, I was inspired.

Why not make the jump into the romance genre? I published my debut novel in February 2016, the beginning of The Beltway Series."

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"It began through my work as Relationship Consultant (my actual title) at the LA Weekly, then the largest newsweekly in the country. From there, I worked 10 years in the sex, relationship and dating worlds talking to hundreds and hundreds of women and men about sex, dating and modern relationships. I played matchmaker, advice columnist, and spoke to women about relationships in the modern era.

The heroine of The Beltway Series, Alex Gantry, is an elite personal life coach. Her creation stemmed from the work I did as an advice columnist, and working one on one with women and men, including interviewing hundreds of people about sex, dating, and relationships."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Beltway Betrayers - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"Mirna Gilman of Books Go Social did Beltway Betrayers, as well as the first book in the series.

Covers are tricky in the social media era. Mirna has a knack for the book cover as jpeg that pops, which is critically important.

The color scheme in my Beltway Betrayers cover is perfect for the storyline, which begins in the Washington, D.C., Beltway, then takes off to Los Angeles, California, which becomes the primary action location as the story heats up. I wanted Los Angeles to be the primary focus, with Alex Gantry depicted alone this time, due to the drama that ensues.

I choose quite a few images, and explain the storyline. Mirna responds with several alternatives, and we edit from there."

Why should we read Beltway Betrayers and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?

"All of the women are being pulled out of their comfort zones. The action includes firearms and intense skirmishes with nefarious characters, with women as lethal as the men.

I believe the relationships develop in a real way, so that even if the reader can't imagine being in the drama, there is something to be learned from the interaction between the men and women.

What is so unique about my fiction is that the women are all strong and independent, but none of them are sure that marriage and children are for them. Happily Ever After comes in all different types in the 21st century."

Can you tell us something quirky about Beltway Betrayers, its story and characters?

"The women are as expert in firearms as the men. They also live their lives fearlessly, which means they get into skirmishes as many times as the men."

Who would you recommend Beltway Betrayers to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"I write romantic thrillers for adults.

There is love, sex, cussing, hand-to-hand battles, shooting, death, and lethal threats… and did I mention love?"

If you could / wished to turn Beltway Betrayers and the The Beltway series into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"Beltway Betrayers, THE DREAM TEAM…
Exec. Producer: David E. Kelly
Producer: Taylor Marsh (That's me, your humble author.)
Director: Jean-Marc Vallée
Location: Hollywood, New York City, Washington, D.C.
Alex Gantry: Morena Baccarin
T.J. Gale: Ian Somerhalder
Brian Marks: Tony Goldwyn
Davin Dalaney: David Strathairn
Berkley Banks: Rosario Dawson
Liam Cane: Henry Cavill
Lisa Dalaney: Emily VanCamp
Phyllis Lawrence: Ellen Barkin
Ben Cates: Joel Kinnaman
Malcolm Steele: Shemar Moore
Jett Spence: Lee Byung-hun
Kit: Margot Robbie
Vicki Kurtz: Katherine Moennig"

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"I'm a romantic action/psychological thriller writer.

I'm passionate about foreign affairs, and world events, which I write about every day."

What is your writing process?

"I don’t write a word before I meditate. Everything begins with meditation.

The first chapter is so important. So much is packed into it. So much depends on it.

I begin and don't stop until I've written a draft of a complete chapter. Repeat."

What is in store next?

"The Beltway Series, Book 3 is taking shape in my mind.

I'm thinking about bringing one of the characters from Book 1 back in the next book.

She’s a young actor who has come into her own and is learning to use her power. She’s a client of Alex Gantry, the heroine of Beltway Betrayers, who is an elite life coach.

The working title of Book 3, emphasis on working title, is Beltway Hits Sin City. It’s set in Las Vegas, the place where I once spent a lot of time partying, and where I later met my husband."

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?