Francis Ray
A. Jana Franklin from LIKE THE FIRST TIME used men as the whim struck, then carelessly tossed them away and moved on to the next gullible, but always richer fool, er man. In each scene her character sunk lower. I couldn't wait for her to get what was coming to her. Yet, in the final scene she overplayed her hand and ended up in tears. I realized if she could cry, she could hurt and therefore, be redeemed. I wanted to save Jana, to see what made her the heartless woman she was. Luckily, my editor, Monique Patterson at St. Martin's Press, agreed to let me write my first bad girl story.
A. The title was easy to come up with since 'any rich man will do' was the philosophy Jana lived by. If she woke up hungry at three in the morning the man she was with had better have a chef on staff or the hotel 24-hour room service. Jana always demanded the best. Two men with yachts wanted her. She chose the man with a helipad on his yacht. Money not emotions seemed to rule her.
A. I wanted two very different women who would actually compliment the other. Olivia saw Jana as a woman in need, a woman who had no one to turn to and remembered a time when she thought she was alone. Jana saw Olivia as a do-gooder, a woman she might use, but soon learned Olivia was a woman of substance. Their opposite childhoods shaped them. Olivia's made her strong, Jana weak. Initially neither saw themselves that way.
A. I like strong men, thus Julian and Tyler, for two very different women. Julian, a gifted surgeon and a ladies man, needed the gentle, calming influence of Olivia. Olivia made Julian take a closer look at the man he had become and why. Tyler saw through Jana's tough facade and overlooked her past sins to the woman she was trying to become. He'd been judged by someone in the past and hadn't liked the experience. It's wonderful when a person sees our faults, and we all have them, and loves us anyway.
A. My daughter, Michelle, actually helped. I was searching for an occupation for the woman who would befriend Jana and help her find redemption when Michelle gave me an article on luxe linen. Everything clicked into place. Jana had never worked a day in her life. She certainly couldn't put the things she had done on a resumm'e.'But she knew luxe linen, the idiosyncrasies of the rich and famous, and was good with people. How appropriate I thought that her past sins should help her on the road to redemption and help her friend and boss, Olivia.
A. Beautiful bad girl Jana Franklin is broke and living in a shabby motel. One night she stumbled into Olivia Maxwell's store, Midnight Dreams. There she meets Tyler Maxwell - the first man she can't maneuver, toy with, or fool. Jana had met her match.
A. Including research the book took about 4-5 months to write.
A. SLEEPING IN ANOTHER MAN'S BED is the story of a woman who has to make a life or death decision regarding her adulterous husband.
A. Pierce Grayson loves women and has no intention of settling down -- until he meets Broadway star, Sabra' Raineau.
A. Even in adversity look for the bright side. The worst thing that happens to you might lead you to something wonderful.
"ANY RICH MAN WILL DO"
Interviewed by: Lauretta Pierce
December 9, 2005
Q. How did you come about the idea to write ANY RICH MAN WILL DO?
Q. How did you come about the title?
Q. How did you come about Jana and Olivia's dilemma?
Q. How did you come about Julian and Tyler's characters?
Q. How did you come about the idea to have the boutique Midnight Dream sell Luxe linen?
Q. Will you give the readers a brief synopsis of ANY RICH MAN WILL DO?
Q. How long did it take you to write ANY RICH MAN WILL DO?
Q. Will you tell the readers a little about your next book that will be out next fall?
Q. Will you give the readers a brief synopsis of the book you are currently working on?
Q. What message would you like readers to receive from reading ANY RICH MAN WILL DO?