I'm so thrilled to have USA Today Bestselling Author, Rachel Bailey, on the blog today. Welcome, Rachel!
I love where I live. It’s on the east coast of Australia, surrounded by trees, within driving distance to the beach. And one of my favourite parts of my place is my driveway. Sounds weird, I know, but it’s rimmed by gum trees and the black bitumen contrasts nicely with all the green.
Twice a day, I take my four dogs out for a run and fresh air. The Border Collies like to play tennis (balls bounce nicely on the hard, flat driveway) the other two dogs like to sniff around and look for animal trails.
I think it’s important that everyone has a favourite spot where they live. Maybe it’s a shady corner in the back yard where they can read a book. Maybe it’s their bedroom that they’ve decorated in their favourite colours. Maybe it’s not at their house at all, but at a park down the road. 
When I’m writing a book, I always think about where the characters feel most at home, or where they love to escape to. For example, in Return of the Secret Heir, JT and Pia were high school sweethearts, so their favourite place was somewhere where they could be alone, ie., not at their own houses where their parents would be. Whenever they could, day or night, they would sneak away to a secluded beach and sit together in the trees that bordered the sand. It was *their* spot, and knowing that about them really helped me connect with their backstory.
So, tell me, is there somewhere in your house or close by that you can escape to? Somewhere you feel at peace? I’ll give away a book from my backlist (winner’s choice) to a random commenter who tells me their favourite part of where they live.
Bio:
Rachel Bailey developed a serious book addiction at a young age (via Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle-Duck) and has never recovered. Just how she likes it. She went on to gain degrees in psychology and social work but is now living her dream—writing romance for a living.
She lives on a piece of paradise on Australia’s east coast with her hero and four dogs, and loves to sit with a dog or two, overlooking the trees and read books from her ever-growing to-be-read pile.
Book Blurb:
Return of the Secret Heir
He's returned for a fortune and is confronted by memories. Though tycoon JT Hartley is a success in his own right, he's set on claiming his share of his late father's legacy. But first he has to get past the estate executor - none other than Pia Baxter, a woman he's never forgotten.
Theirs had been a fast-and-furious union that ended all too suddenly. And though desire still courses between them, JT knows starting anything with Pia again is just asking for trouble. His future is set in stone. But even the best-laid plans are no match for true passion.
Contact links:
Website: http://www.rachelbailey.com/
Buy links:
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/return-of-the-secret-heir-rachel-bailey/1100668227?ean=9780373731312&itm=6&usri
