Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Welcome, Becky Wade! + GIVEAWAY




Y'all. Today I am thrilled to pieces to be hosting one of my all-time favorite authors, Becky Wade. If you haven't read her newest release, Falling for You, what are you waiting for?! :) It is AMAZING. And the perfect summer read. (If you're wondering, the first book in the series, True to You, is spectacular too.) So without further adieu, let's get this interview started! -- Ashley


Ashley: Welcome to the Alley, Becky! I’m so excited to chat about Falling for You. 

Becky: Thanks so much for inviting me to join you here!

A: Becky and I thought it’d be fun to talk about who would play Corbin and Willow if the book were made into a movie. (Just to clarify— the movie is only happening in my dreams!) What are some thoughts you have, Becky?

B: I find this conversation — the Who could play these characters in a movie? conversation — endlessly interesting!  I definitely have thoughts, which I’ll share at the end of the post.  But since I love to find out from readers who they envision as my characters, I asked for input on my Facebook author page.  Here are a few of their suggestions for the role of ex-NFL-quarterback Corbin Stewart:



 Karen Klepsteen said, "In my mind, Corbin has to be someone who looks good in a baseball cap (since one is mentioned in the book). Therefore, I give you Chris Evans.”

B: Well, in my book Chris Evan is never the wrong answer.  To any question.  He does indeed look good in a baseball cap. He’s six feet tall and Corbin is taller, but the muscles are right.  There’s a wholesomeness about his look that I adore but that might not be quite right for a hardened rascal like Corbin. What are your thoughts, Ashley?

A: And Corbin is indeed a hardened rascal. I think it's a fair point. But then again, you don't get the title Captain America for nothing.





"Corbin should definitely be an actual football player, in my opinion, and my favorite is JJ Watt,” said Jessica DeCoster.

A: This guy's got some good publicity behind him, donating to charitable causes, just like Corbin! And it's hard to beat the fact he actually plays football. But I have to admit, I like to picture Corbin with a little bit more scruff. Anyone else?

B: Jessica makes a good point! It's hard for a professional actor to play the part of professional football player. Hmm. I wonder if JJ would be interested in the role? Look at those arms! Be still my heart.






"For Corbin: Travis Fimmel,” suggested Stacy Simmons.  

B: I have to say, I see a lot of merit in Stacy’s choice!  I’ve seen Travis in Vikings and his charisma, inner forcefulness, and determination are right in sync with Corbin’s.  Also, his age is about right.  And his features are hard, as are Corbin’s.  Ashley, what do you think?  

A: I don't know, y'all. There are pictures floating around the internet of Travis with a three inch long beard. Would Willow let Corbin neglect his manscaping like that? ;) Trim up that beard, though, and I can definitely see it.






Here are a few of the women who readers nominated for the role of Willow Bradford, professional model:




"My pick is Julianne Hough for Willow,” said Nicole Cook.  

B: Yes!  Julianne’s face and hair look very, very similar to my vision of Willow.  The only drawback…. Willow’s 5’9” and Julianne is 5’3”.  Hmm.  Perhaps a pair of stilts or crafty camera angles would solve this dilemma.

A: I LOVE this choice. Because I could totally see Willow starring in a televised production of Footloose or having an alternate career as a ballroom dancing judge. (Did I mention I love Dancing with the Stars?) Seriously-- the hair, the facial features... it's a great match! 





Jen Wade said, "I can totally see Carrie Underwood as Willow.”

A: Ohhhh... this is a great choice too. I like to say I'd nominate Carrie Underwood to represent women everywhere because she's just so darn likable. And gorgeous. And a little feisty. As an added bonus, I could completely imagine Willow keying Corbin's "four wheel drive" in the beginning of the book. Sorry, y'all. You knew I had to go there.

B: Carrie radiates a Willow-Bradfordesque calm for sure. Also, her make-up is awe inspiring. Never in my life has my make-up looked even half this good. Never.






"I would pick Blake Lively or Rosie Huntington Whiteley for Willow!” said Natalie Pawlak.

B: Blake definitely does have the right sort of classiness and composure.  There’s something mature and thoughtful about her and both of those qualities reflect Willow’s personality well.

A: I agree. And I like how she has something unique about her persona and features. I imagine Willow to be that way too. There's almost a whispy-ness about her, which I realize makes no sense at all. But I completely see her fitting in as a model.






B: Before we wrap this up, I thought I’d open my computer files to you so that you can see the people I chose for the roles of Corbin and Willow.  Confession: I don’t base my characters on any one person.  I often have a few inspiration photos that I glance at from time to time, but I much prefer to “build” my characters in my imagination.  I want to see them more clearly in my mind than in a photograph.  

(Quick interjection from Ashley-- I love Becky's approach here because it keeps us from falling into the trap of simple description, instead pushing us into deeper levels of characterization. Let that be a lesson to us all, because Becky is a master at characterization!)


That said, Bethany House always asks me to submit photos of my hero and heroine to the art team because they reference them when deciding on the models to hire for the covers.  Thus, there comes a point in time with every novel, when I select a photo that best reflects my hero and heroine.  For Corbin, I sent in this picture of Jason Lewis.


In other photos, Jason doesn’t look like Corbin to me.  But in this particular picture, with the short hair cut, the two dogs, and the intense expression, he does.  Does this jive with the Corbin of your imagination, Ashley?

A: YESSSSSSS. Especially with the strong jawline. It's hard to resist a hero hugging an old dog. I mean, really.




B: For Willow, I submitted this photo of Amber Valetta:

The crisp bone structure, the cool and regal beauty, those almond-shaped eyes!  In my mind, Willow has those same qualities.  Thoughts?

A: Regal is such an appropriate word for Willow, because she really is! I loved how you gave her such a grace, while also writing her with accessibility. We typically see models as flat characters, but Willow has a charm about her that is very relatable. I will say, I pictured Willow's hair much lighter and a little more sass in her smile, more like the model on the cover of Falling for You.









So that's it, friends! Thank you for stopping by today, and a huge thank you to Becky for the chance to chat about her wonderful characters. If you haven't read Falling for You, believe me when I say you need this book in your life. And today just may be your lucky day!

Becky is giving away a copy of her newest release to one of our readers! For a chance to win, simply comment below and help me welcome her, or tell us who you think should play Corbin and Willow in a Falling for You movie!

39 comments:

Sherrinda Ketchersid said...

Oh my goodness! This is one of the most fun posts ever! Thanks for joining us on the blog, Becky!

Caryl Kane said...

I love Becky Wade's books! Thank for this fun post! Love the photos!

Amy Leigh Simpson said...

This is quite the casting call!!! Love it! Congrats Becky!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Ok, I have to second the Carrie Understood nomination. She’s one of my favorite people ever, lol.

Btw I love this book cover😍

Anonymous said...

What a fun post! It’s interesting to know what a character looks like in her minds eye as compared to others. Plus, the final cover is gorgeous!
perrianne (DOT)askew(AT)me(DOT)com
Perrianne Askew

Unknown said...

I agree that Travis Fimmel would be a perfect Corbin! Amber Valetta is the closest to what I imagined Willow looking as I was reading - so fun to cast a book!

Ashley Clark said...

Sherrinda, isn't it so fun?! It was Becky's idea, and I thought it was perfect!

Unknown said...

I am so excited that Becky used my pick of Julianne Hough as one of the choices in this blog post!!!! Even seeing the other choices, Julianne is still my pick. I love all Becky Wade books!

cook.nicole@msn.com

Ashley Clark said...

Caryl, thanks for stopping by!

Amy, I had a feeling you'd appreciate it! :D

Ashley Clark said...

Perrianne, I thought it was so interesting to see what Becky said she had in mind too!

Bethany, Amber is a great choice!

Ashley Clark said...

Shamekka, isn't she the best!?!

Ashley Clark said...

Nicole, I thought your Julianne suggestion was SPOT ON. I can totally see it!

Angie Quantrell said...

Well that was fun! That must be a special treat to get to photo shop and find pictures of character look-alike! Congratulations!

Colleen Capelle said...

I haven't read it yet, but I would absolutely LOVE to😊💖I would say Chris Evans & Julianne Hough for me.Thank you SOOO much for the amazing chance & this awesome interview✨

Patty said...

I haven’t read the book or really know the description, but I love Carrie Underwood. Not sure how tall she is but she has great legs.

I’ve read the prequel novella to the series and really enjoyed it!

Kay Garrett said...

Thank you for the delightful interview with Becky Wade. I'm so excited about "Falling For You" and can't wait for the opportunity to read it. Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to win a copy.
2clowns at arkansas dot net

Glynis said...

All those choices were spot-on! I've read and reviewed the book already, so I don't need a copy, I just wanted to comment on what a fun interview! And also to say that I LOVED this book. So thanks, Becky, for writing beautiful, inspiration fiction with natural, wonderful faith elements. Keep up the good work!

Trixi said...

Hi Becky, what a fun post! Thanks for the giveaway chance, I'm loving that cover for Falling for You!

teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

Angie Dicken said...

This is SUCH A FUN interview! I absolutely love it. Thanks for being here, Becky! Excited for this new release!

Darlene said...

Welcome...

Terressa T. said...

Ok. Now I really, really need to read this!!😍
ttmom42 at gmail dot com

Pam K. said...

It was fun to see all the photos. I loved True to You and want to read Falling For You. Your books just keep getting better! Thanks for the giveaway.

pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

dcall said...

Welcome! I love all the picks actually. I loved this book as well and book 1 as well. I really want to read #3 in the series and can't wait till it comes out.

MJSH said...

Thanks for the fun introduction to your book!

Jen said...

Well this is so fun!! I'd love to win!

Stacy T. Simmons said...

Terrific interview, your book was wonderful too Becky!

Terri said...

Such fun and very interactive! I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Candice said...

So fun! I would watch the movie whoever was starring in it! 😉. Thanks for the chance to win.

Chanel M. said...

I don't like to imagine the characters of the books I'm reading as an actual person either - whether celebrity or book cover model. I also prefer to "build" the characters in my head, too. That said - I really like Becky's choice for Willow and the Julianne Hough suggestion. Perhaps combine the two as a hybrid? ;)

Rebekah Millet said...

What a fun interview! Looks like I wasn't the only one picturing JJ Watt as Corbin. No need to enter me for the drawing, as I already own a copy of this fabulous book. :)

Cara Putman said...

Love everything about this post. Such fun!

BlessednBookish said...

What a fun post. I love all the brainstorming, and I have to admit I agree that Chris Evan's is rarely the wrong answer. ;) I loved the first book in this series and look forward to Willow's story!

Becky Wade said...

Thanks so much, everyone! Glynis, I'm truly grateful to you for reading and reviewing Falling for You and for your very kind words.

Holly Klope said...

I love the The guy who plays Thor very cute. Also love the Wonder Woman girl she is beautiful. When she came running up out of those trenches I wanted to be her. Amazing strong powerful and beautiful.

Winnie said...

What a fun post! I loved seeing picture suggestions for the characters. The cover of this book is one of my favorite ever! Thanks for the chance to win.

Faith Creech said...

I would say Amber Valletta and Chris Evans. This is fun. Would hope this gets made into a movie!
Thanks for the chance to win!

CC said...

I will certainly agree with the Carrie Underwood suggestion. I was first introduced to Becky with her Porter Family series and I was hooked! Greatly enjoy her writing!

Michelle J. said...

Welcome Becky!