Her first book – Recipe for Love – married her love of writing with her passion for cooking. She landed a deal with Zane’s Strebor Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. Recipe for Love received critical acclaim, established her as an author to watch, and had fans looking forward to her next book, Close Quarters. Shamara’s third novel, You Might Just Get Burned, hit stores on August 6.
BPM: Please introduce us to your current book. What topics are discussed in this book?
What happens when the man you fall for isn’t who he says he is? As games are played and disguises are shed in this intriguing story, more than hearts are at stake for a man who toys with others’ emotions.
Meet Marcel, Camden, and Julian. They’re all experts at the same game, but each in his own way: Marcel has perfected the art of first impressions and can charm a woman out of her clothes with his hypnotic gaze and dazzling smile; Camden is master of the million-dollar image, donning designer labels and driving exotic cars; and Julian is the king of romance— he’ll pen poetic verses, send a woman flowers, and bathe her by candlelight until she’s drowning in notions of love. Any woman would dream of having one of these men in her life. But what happens when that perfect man turns out to be someone else—a perpetrator named Avery Woodson? Things aren’t always as they seem…
Posing as Marcel, Camden and Julian, Avery has been playing games with women for years. To him they’re entertainment and nothing more. Predictable. Interchangeable. Expendable. Avery enjoys the challenge of collecting hearts, and after each acquisition he pursues an even greater conquest—until he meets Indiya Spencer. He soon finds it hard to toy with Indiya the way he does other women and discovers that he’s not immune to falling for someone. As Avery slips deeper emotionally and falls prey to Indiya’s wiles, it becomes apparent that she’s hiding her own dark secrets. The perpetrator has finally met his match and stands to lose more than just his heart—he might just get consumed by the flames.
You Might Just Get Burned takes the premise of meeting someone’s “representative” to the next level. The novel presents a unique twist on the ambiguity of new relationships. It’s an exploration of how men and women throw caution to the wind, exploit the naïveté of others and misrepresent themselves, all in the name of playing the dating game. You Might Just Get Burned exposes the risks of opening yourself to someone new and the repercussions or rewards that result.
BPM: Which character or topic in the book can you identify with the most? Why?
Surprisingly, I identify most with Avery. I know I better explain since he’s a perpetrator! I can relate to Avery because he plays by his own set of rules. He may not be perfect, and he certainly colors outside of the lines, but he lives on his own terms. Avery is dealing with extraordinary circumstances and, I will admit, I might not make the same choices that he’s made; however, I can identify with the need to sometimes do things your way no matter what anyone thinks or says.
BPM: What drew you to tackle the topics in your book?
I hear so many men and women discuss relationships and the challenges they have in finding the right person. Many people find themselves dating someone new and thinking that person is wonderful, only to find out that they’re nothing like the image they initially presented. I wanted to delve into the complicated machinations of meeting someone new and trying to figure out exactly who they are versus who they claim to be.
BPM: Who does your body of literary work speak to?
I write contemporary relationship fiction. My novels speak to men and women, sisters and brothers, mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, friends and lovers … see where I’m going with this? I’m often asked whether my books would appeal to men or if the stories are all romance. In actuality, I address themes that are relatable in which a wide range of people can identify. If you’ve ever been in love, my novels speak to you. Been hurt in the past? My novels speak to you, too. If you have a wonderful or even strained relationship with your family and friends, my books are talking to you. And, if you like a little spice in your novels, they are definitely speaking to you. You Might Just Get Burned speaks to those who enjoy a good story, with an intriguing cast of characters whose lives may mirror their own.
BPM: Do you consider yourself a role model?
I don’t know if I consider myself a role model, but I strive to set a positive example. An example that says you can achieve whatever you set your mind to. I endeavored to write the type of novels that I, and hopefully others, would enjoy reading. When my first novel, Recipe for Love, was published I was elated. I like to share my journey to publication with others and encourage people to follow their passion.
BPM: Success means:
Success means giving one hundred and ten percent to achieve your goals. Even if you fail, you can always say that you gave your best and willing to try again.
BPM: Criticism makes you:
ASSESS and EXCEL.
BPM: Will the printed book ever become obsolete?
I sure hope not. There’s something about picking up a book, feeling its weight in your hands, hearing the sound of turning the pages, seeing the words and smelling the ink on the page. For me, reading is an experience, an escape. I love to curl up with a good book and become engrossed in the story. I’ll take a printed book over an e-reader any day.
BPM: Share with us your latest news or upcoming book releases.
My novels Recipe for Love, Close Quarters, and You Might Just Get Burned are available now. I’m currently working on my fourth novel, a sequel to Recipe for Love.
Connect with author Shamara Ray
Twitter: @ShamaraRay
Instagram: ShamaraRay
Website: http://www.shamararay.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Shamara-Ray
Proudly donating a % of CATER$AVVY profits to Meningitis research and awareness.
You Might Just Get Burned: A Novel by Shamara Ray
What happens when the man you fall for isn’t who he says he is? As games are played and disguises are shed in this intriguing story, more than hearts are at stake for a man who toys with others’ emotions.Meet Marcel, Camden, and Julian. They’re all experts at the same game, but each in his own way: Marcel has perfected the art of first impressions and can charm a woman out of her clothes with his hypnotic gaze and dazzling smile; Camden is master of the million-dollar image, donning designer labels and driving exotic cars; and Julian is the king of romance— he’ll pen poetic verses, send a woman flowers, and bathe her by candlelight until she’s drowning in notions of love.
Any woman would dream of having one of these men in her life. But what happens when that perfect man turns out to be someone else—a perpetrator named Avery Woodson? Things aren’t always as they seem…
Posing as Marcel, Camden and Julian, Avery has been playing games with women for years. To him they’re entertainment and nothing more. Predictable. Interchangeable. Expendable. Avery enjoys the challenge of collecting hearts, and after each acquisition he pursues an even greater conquest—until he meets Indiya Spencer. He soon finds it hard to toy with Indiya the way he does other women and discovers that he’s not immune to falling for someone. As Avery slips deeper emotionally and falls prey to Indiya’s wiles, it becomes apparent that she’s hiding her own dark secrets. The perpetrator has finally met his match and stands to lose more than just his heart—he might just get consumed by the flames.
Purchase You Might Just Get Burned by Shamara Ray
Link: http://amzn.com/1593094418
