The time it was about Intercepting the Chef

Posted May 4, 2017 by Stacee in Interviews | 1 Comment

I have read and enjoyed all of the books by Rachel Goodman, so when I got the invite to interview her about her new book, Intercepting the Chef, I jumped on it.  Before we get to Rachel’s answers, let’s check out the book!

Title: Intercepting the Chef
Author: Rachel Goodman
Pub Date: May 2, 2017
Publisher: Pocket Star
Pages: 368
Find it: S&S | B&N | Amazon | iBooks | Goodreads

“Smart, sexy, and funny” (Publishers Weekly) contemporary romance writer Rachel Goodman is back with a brand new series about a quarterback trying to score in the most important game of his life—the game of love.

Gwen Lalonde is a rising star in the eyes of the elite restaurateurs of the world. But when her celebrity chef boss and now ex-boyfriend fires her, she finds herself playing a different game. Forced to flee San Francisco and return home to Denver, Gwen lands a spot as the executive chef at Stonestreet’s, a new restaurant owned by NFL golden boy and Colorado Blizzards quarterback Logan Stonestreet. When Logan starts pursuing Gwen romantically, she pulls a classic duck and weave and avoids any advances by throwing herself into reestablishing her reputation in Denver.

But Logan Stonestreet is persistent—he didn’t become one of the best football players in the league by throwing in the towel at the first rejection. Something about Logan’s unwavering determination—and amazing body—keeps Gwen around, and soon there’s more that’s sizzling than just the steak on the grill. Things are getting more serious than either side cares to admit, and when Logan suffers a severe injury in the playoffs, they’re both forced to make game-time decisions. The perfect romance for football fans and foodies alike, Intercepting the Chef is a delicious read that’ll have you hooked until the very last play.

Sounds good, right?

Thank you for having me on Adventures of a Book junkie again! I’m so happy to be here.

1. Please give the elevator pitch for Intercepting the Chef.

Recipe for love: Take one feisty, hot-tempered chef, add in one wholesome, All-American NFL quarterback, stir in ambitious career aspirations, a healthy dose of lust, and two bruised hearts, shake well, serve hot, and enjoy.

2. What sparked the idea?

The idea came several years ago when my husband and I were eating at Elway’s steakhouse, a restaurant owned by former Denver Broncos quarterback and NFL Hall of Fame inductee John Elway. As we were enjoying our food, I found myself wondering about what other professional athletes do once they leave the sport, how they cope with the change. As a competitive swimmer myself, I know first hand how big of an identity shift that can create and I wanted to explore that concept.

I also wanted to play on the idea of two people who are passionate about their careers coming together from cross-purposes. In the case of Intercepting the Chef, Gwen is afraid to succeed, so she holds herself back, and Logan is afraid to fail, so he puts himself (and his health) in compromising positions that he shouldn’t.

3. Why do you love Gwen and Logan and why should we root for them?

Gwen and Logan are my version of wish fulfillment—a sweet, wholesome hero who is too used to putting everyone else first, and a sassy, guarded chef who can’t help but fall for the man who places himself firmly in her corner.

4. Which is easier for you to write: kissing scenes or banter?

Banter, hands down. I can be a sarcastic person by nature, so the quick back and forth between Logan and Gwen came naturally. Kissing/sex scenes have always been hard for me, and it’s something I constantly strive to improve.

5. Without spoilers, what was your favorite scene?

I loved writing the Chopped dinner scene, where Gwen has been tasked with creating a meal using five ingredients that Logan picked out. The scene brought out their competitive personalities and also provided a more casual, comfortable atmosphere for them to get reacquainted.

Speed {ish} round:

1. What is your current guilty pleasure?

I have been binging on the first six seasons of The Walking Dead. I can’t get enough of it. I’m also really into making different versions of pimento cheese (random, I know) from the Southern Living website at the moment.

2. What was the last book you rated 5 stars?

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. It’s dark and twisty and kept me up all night reading.

3. Is there something you like to eat or drink while writing?

Does consuming a bottle of wine count? Kidding. I typically drink hot tea while writing even if it’s a hundred degrees outside (I’m not much of a snacker).

4. Are you a pantser or a plotter?

I do a bit of both. I always know how the book will start and how it will end, but everything in between I decide as I go. Getting to know the characters is an organic process for me, so while I can roughly plot beforehand and even envision some scenes, I have to leave room for surprise and spontaneity. Otherwise, moments like the gala scene in Intercepting the Chef wouldn’t exist.

5. What’s next for you?

I’m currently drafting book 2 in the How to Score series, currently titled Rescuing the Receiver, which focuses on Gwen’s brother Chris and a traumatized, sweet-natured, loyal dog shelter owner.

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6883743Rachel is a mojito lover, cheese enthusiast, wanderluster, book junkie, romance writer, and an enginerd. She is a Colorado native displaced in Texas and an engineer and university professor. When she’s not creating optimization models or traveling the world, eating her way through city after city, she is usually tucked in the corner of a coffee shop, dreaming up stories and typing away on the computer. She lives in suburbia Dallas with her husband and two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Oliver Pancake and Rigby Peanut.

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Huge thanks to Pocket Star for the invite and to Rachel for taking the time.  Make sure you’re checking out her website, following her on Twitter, liking her Facebook page, and her books to your Goodreads TBR pile.

Intercepting the Chef is out now and you can buy it at any of the links provided in the synopsis!

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