Just Between Us by Rebecca Drake

Four suburban mothers conspire to cover up a deadly crime in Just Between Us, a heart-stopping novel of suspense by Rebecca Drake.

Alison, Julie, Sarah, Heather. Four friends living the suburban ideal. Their jobs are steady, their kids are healthy. They're as beautiful as their houses. But each of them has a dirty little secret, and hidden behind the veneer of their perfect lives is a crime and a mystery that will consume them all.

Everything starts to unravel when Alison spots a nasty bruise on Heather's wrist. She shares her suspicions with Julie and Sarah, compelling all three to investigate what looks like an increasingly violent marriage. As mysterious injuries and erratic behavior mount, Heather can no longer deny the abuse, but she refuses to leave her husband. Desperate to save her, Alison and the others dread the phone call telling them that she's been killed. But when that call finally comes, it's not Heather who's dead. In a moment they'll come to regret, the women must decide what lengths they'll go to in order to help a friend.

Just Between Us is a thrilling glimpse into the underbelly of suburbia, where not all neighbors can be trusted, and even the closest friends keep dangerous secrets. You never really know what goes on in another person's mind, or in their marriage.

Title: Just Between Us
Author: Rebecca Drake
Published By: St Martin's Griffin
Publication Day: 9th Jan 2018
Links: UK:  Amazon    US: Amazon

Author Q & A with Rebecca Drake

Today we are joined by the lovely Rebecca Drake to talk about her new book Just Between Us.

Welcome to Sincerely Book Angels Rebecca, can you tell us:-

What was the inspiration behind this novel?

Just Between Us was initially inspired by a conversation I had with someone who expressed his loyalty to another, mutual friend, by saying he’d hide the guy if he committed a murder. I was really intrigued by this—how far would I be willing to go to help a friend? The book was also inspired by the friendships I have with a group of women in my neighborhood, especially by how we communicate with and about each other.

Did you always want to be a writer?

Yes. I’ve always loved telling stories and at about 11 years of age I discovered that writing was a job, and at about 15 years of age, I knew that I wanted to be a novelist. It took me many years, and a lot of diversions, before I realized that dream.

What other jobs have you had?

Like many writers, I’ve had a lot of different jobs. I’ve been a reporter, technical writer, freelance copy-editor and editor, and a parent of two delightful children. Currently, in addition to writing, I also teach in Seton Hill University’s Writing Popular Fiction MFA program.

How did it feel when your first novel was published?

It felt great to finally be able to say I was published, but it also made me feel a bit exposed. My writing was suddenly out there for anyone to see and comment on and what if they hated it? I felt more comfortable and confident only after I began hearing from readers who loved the book.

Can you please tell us a little about your publishing story.

I was the aspiring writer who put manuscripts in the drawer for years, convinced that nothing I wrote was good enough. I barely submitted to agents and editors, and I knew little about the publishing business. Finally, I joined some writers networking organizations (Sisters in Crime and Pennwriters) and began learning from experienced writers. I was lucky enough to meet Nancy Martin, a much-published author who kindly gave a thorough critique of a novel I’d completed. After spending about six months revising it, I submitted that novel to an agent whom I’d met at a conference. He offered to represent me, and while that book failed to sell, it attracted the interest of an editor who liked my writing and eventually published my first book, Don’t Be Afraid.

What other books have you written?

Just Between Us is my fifth published novel, which feels like a nice round number!

My other books are:

Only Ever You

The Dead Place

The Next Killing

Don’t Be Afraid

Have you ever had writer's block? If so how did you overcome it?

Yes, I’ve definitely struggled at times with writer’s block. I’ve found that the best way to overcome it is to sit down at my desk every day and just try and put some words down. I often use a timer to overcome what I think a lot of block is really about—a fear of the blank page. I’ll set the timer for 15 to 30 minutes of writing, promising myself that I can take a break only after the timer goes off. If I truly can’t think of anything to write, I’ll read for a while instead; that usually inspires me to turn back to my own work.

What motivates you to keep writing?

They don’t send the check if I don’t produce—that’s a lot of motivation! Seriously, I like what I do and I’m motivated by my curiosity about people. I write to explore certain ideas and to try and understand human behavior and like many authors I’m writing in my head when I’m away from my laptop or a pad and paper. Writing is something I have to do.

Where is your favorite place to write? ( can we please have a picture)

I love my home office and do a lot of my writing there. It’s small, and a bit cluttered, as you can see, but I’ve got a wonderful old desk and a comfortable chair and I keep inspiring quotes up on the walls to inspire me.

Do your characters moods ever affect your mood and vice versa?

Yes, sometimes, because in order to create fully-fledged characters, I need to put myself in their shoes when I’m writing. So if a character is anxious or upset or angry, I might end up feeling that way a bit myself.

After a long day of focusing on crime, sometimes I turn to watching cute or funny videos on YouTube, lol!

What three pieces of advice would you give to an aspiring writer?

Read everything

Recognize that writing is a craft, but publishing is a business

Persevere – working in the arts is hard and you have to be willing to deal with a lot of rejection. Talent counts, but perseverance matters even more.

Which authors inspire you?

Oh, there are so many! Just a few off the top of my head:

Ruth Rendell (who also wrote as Barbara Vine)

Daphne DuMaurier

Stephen King

Lisa Scottoline

Hank Phillipi Ryan

Thomas Harris

Lisa Unger

J.T. Ellison

Thomas Cook

What are you reading at the moment?

Two wonderful books—

Not That I Could Tell by Jessica Strawser (it’s coming out in March, but I got an early copy)

and

Everything You Want Me To Be by Mindy Mejia

If your book was made into a film what song would you choose for the opening credits?

I’m not sure about a song, but I’d want there to be a slightly ominous soundtrack, maybe composed by someone like James Newton Howard, who did the music for The Sixth Sense.

Who would you choose to play your favourite character in the film of your book?

Just Between Us has four female characters and I love them all, but it’s tough to say what actor could play each one. Alison is the main character and I could see her being played by Emily Blunt or Reese Witherspoon, but there are so many talented actors who I’m sure could play each part. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to face that dilemma!

What is your next book about?

I’m actually working on two novels right now. The first is another psychological thriller about a couple with marriage problems who take a getaway weekend only to encounter a dangerous couple with far more serious issues.

The second is a departure for me, because it’s not a crime novel but a women’s fiction/historical novel about an elderly Holocaust survivor who hires an injured journalist to help her recover a family heirloom stolen during World War II. 

Thank you so much for joining us Rebecca and good luck with the book.

Sincerely
Book Angel x

About the Author

Rebecca Drake's latest novel, Just Between Us, will be released by St. Martin's Press on January 9th. Publisher's Weekly calls it a "twisty domestic thriller...tense, bombshell-laden, and action-packed." Rebecca is also the author of four other thrillers, Only Ever You, The Dead Place, The Next Killing and Don't Be Afraid. An instructor in Seton Hill University's Writing Popular Fiction MFA program, Rebecca lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and two kids. Find more at RebeccaDrake.com and connect with her at facebook.com/rebecca.drake.writer and on
Twitter @AuthorRDrake.