Willow Rose - Nail-Biting Page Turners With Unexpected Twists

Willow Rose is a multi-million-copy bestselling author and an Amazon All-Star Author with a portfolio comprising more than 90 novels. Several of her works have ascended to the top 10 across all genres in the Amazon stores of the US, UK, and Canada. Her literary prowess extends globally, with over six million books sold and translations in numerous languages. Renowned for her knack for crafting fast-paced, nail-biting page-turners with unexpected twists, Willow Rose has earned the moniker "The Queen of Plot Twists" from her devoted fanbase. When she is not writing or reading, you will find her surfing and watching the dolphins play in the waves of the Atlantic Ocean.  As our Author of the Day, she tells us all about her lastest book, Rest in Peace.

Please give us a short introduction to what "Rest in Peace" is about.

In Rest In Peace we meet Sarah Chapman. She’s recently separated from her husband, and in the opening scene we see her driving down their street, angry and drunk, ready to face him and tell him off. The next day she finds herself in jail for the murder of her ex, but she claims she is innocent, even if she was holding the gun as the neighbor ran to help. She’s good friends with FBI profiler Eva Rae Thomas, who is also the only one doubting that Sarah is guilty.

"Rest in Peace," delves into the complex world of crime, deception, and personal struggles. What inspired you to write this particular story?

I had a friend who was in a fight with her ex-husband and she was so angry with him, I worried she might actually hurt him. She didn’t and she was in her right to be angry, but the thought lingered still. What if something happened to him? Wouldn’t we immediately think she was involved?

The protagonist, Sarah Chapman, finds herself in a harrowing situation, accused of a crime she claims she didn't commit. What motivated you to explore the theme of innocence versus guilt in the context of such a gripping mystery?

I wondered what would it take to murder someone you used to love? Could we all reach that breaking point where we just snap? And what if we did tell people around us that we wanted to murder our ex, and then something happened to him?

FBI profiler Eva Rae Thomas plays a pivotal role in uncovering the truth behind the murders. What challenges did you face in developing her character across multiple installments of the Eva Rae Thomas FBI Mystery series?

It’s always challenging to have the same main character throughout many books, since it’s limited how realistic it is to have this much happen to one person. The challenge is to make it plausible but also personal for her.

"Rest in Peace" is described as a chilling installment in your bestselling series. How do you balance maintaining the tension and suspense throughout the narrative while also advancing the overarching storyline of the series?

I just always wonder, what is the worst that can happen to this person right now? It doesn’t matter if it’s a character only in this book or in the overarching storyline. Something terrible can always happen.

Lies and secrets are central elements in your book, contributing to the intrigue and complexity of the plot. How do you approach weaving together these intricate layers of deception to keep readers engaged and guessing until the very end?

Often I don’t know exactly who did it till I’m more than halfway through. If I don’t know, then the reader won’t either. I have two or three possible suspects that it might be, and then finally settle on one of them as we approach the end.

What was your greatest challenge when writing "Rest in Peace"?

Time. I had set up a very tight deadline and it was hard for me to make it. But I did, so yay for that. Other than that it was Eva Rae’s boyfriend. He was hurt in the previous book and I didn’t want him to be too weak and whiny or even bitter. I wanted him to come out of the storyline strong.

The setting of Florida's Space Coast adds an interesting backdrop to your story. How does the location influence the mood and atmosphere of the novel, and what significance does it hold for the characters?

I try to make my characters visit places I do around here, and make it Florida-like with swamps and stuff like that. And heat. It’s always hot.

Your fans often refer to you as "The Queen of Plot Twists." What techniques do you employ to ensure that your twists are both surprising and satisfying for readers?

I make sure that every chapter leaves you wanting more, so you’ll keep turning them till the end.

With over 90 novels under your belt, what keeps you motivated and inspired to continue writing, particularly within the thriller and mystery genres?

I try to shake it up from time to time. Like I will change the scenery by letting my characters go on trips to other places, sometimes in Europe or here in the States. Or the Bahamas, I love writing about Bahamas. And then I try to change the plots enough so that it won’t be boring.

How do you navigate the challenge of maintaining freshness and originality in your storytelling, especially in a genre that thrives on unpredictability?

I try to write a book that I would want to read. I read a lot of other authors and get inspiration from them as well.

What do you hope readers will take away from "Rest in Peace" ?

To not say you'll murder your husband in anger, and not drive around drunk.

What are you working on right now?

I’m working on the 4th in my Billie Ann Wilde series. It will be out in the fall.