Francis Ray, a native Texan, lives in Dallas. A graduate of Texas Woman's University, she is a School Nurse Practitioner with the Dallas Independent School District. In 1999 and 2000, she was nominated for Texas Woman's University Distinguished Alumni Award.
Ms. Ray's titles consistently make national bestseller's lists. INCOGNITO, her sixth title, was the first made-for-TV movie for Black Entertainment Television. She has written forty-three books to date. Awards include Romantic Times Career Achievement, EMMA, The Golden Pen, Atlantic Choice. WBI Book Award and Borders 2008 Romance Award for Bestselling Multicultural Romance.
THE TURNING POINT, her first mainstream, was a finalist for the prestigious HOLT Medallion Award. At the release event for THE TURNING POINT in May 2001, Ms. Ray established The Turning Point Legal Fund to assist women of domestic violence to help restructure their lives. The fund is administered by The Family Place. February 2005 heralded a personal triumph with the release of her first Christian fiction anthology, HOW SWEET THE SOUND.
Ms. Ray had five books published or re-released in 2010, four scheduled for 2011, and five for 2012. She enjoys writing fiction, where intelligent women through hard work and perseverance triumph over adversity, just as they do in real life.
UNDENIABLE
Kimani
June 21, 2011
When wealthy Texas heiress Rachel Malone defied her powerful father to elope with Logan Prescott, Logan truly believed that their marriage was forever. But that was before a trumped-up assault charge set the whole town—and the woman he loved—against him. With a heart full of pain, Logan fled Stanton—and the bittersweet memories of the passion he and Rachel had shared. Now, eight years later, he’s back — more arrogant and dangerously seductive than ever. And this time the stakes were higher. For Logan clearly wants revenge and he also wants Rachel.
CAT: How often to you get lost in a story?
FRANCIS: Every time I write I get lost in the story. I have to if I'm to connect with the characters so the story will be real. Then, there are the books I read. Getting lost in the story is a wonderful benefit of reading a good romance novel.
CAT: What’s your favorite kind of story to get lost in?
FRANCIS: Although my first romance was a historical, I love contemporary romance novels. I enjoy reading about strong characters dealing with today's problems while falling in love - which always enriches the story.
CAT: What’s the first book you remember reading?
FRANCIS: My first book I remember reading was Grimm's Fairytales. While some of the endings I wasn't pleased with, I enjoyed the magical quality that anything is possible/can happen. The endless possibilities in those stories is one of the reasons I wanted to become a writer.
CAT: Where do you read and how often?
FRANCIS: I read contemporary, paranormal, and historical romances. Unfortunately, because of my writing schedule, I don't read as much as I want to. I try not to read novels when I'm writing. I don't want to inadvertently put anything in my book I might have read in another novel.
CAT: What was the first story you remember writing?
FRANCIS: The first story I remember writing was a lush historical romance, that I never sent to a publisher. My mentor said it wasn't ready, and since she was a well-established
author whom I trusted, I started on another book - a contemporary romance - which did sell. Writing is an emotional journey. You live with the characters so long it's very difficult to accept that you missed the mark, but if readers can't 'feel' the emotions you're trying to convey, immerse themselves in your novel, then you've done the reader and yourself a disservice.
CAT: What’s something you’d like to tell your fans?
FRANCIS: I'd like my fans to know that I really appreciate them and their unfaltering support. Because of them I have written 43 books with 5 scheduled for 2012.
CAT: Do you write while listening to music? If so what kind?
FRANCIS: I write while listen to Country & Western music. There's a lot of stories of pain and joy in the music. The lyrics gives me a lot to think about.
CAT: If you couldn't be a writer anymore, what profession would you take up?
FRANCIS: I'd be a Master Gardener, but I truly hope I can continue writing for a very long time.
CAT: What’s the first thing you do when you finish writing a book?
FRANCIS: After giving thanks, I grab a Pepsi and "think" about cleaning my cluttered office that is filled with research material and papers everywhere.
CAT: What question are you never asked in interviews, but wish you were?
FRANCIS: The question would be who had the greatest influence on you as a writer? The answer wouldn't be a single person. I'd have to start off with my parents who taught me I could be anything I wanted, then my husband and daughter who put up with take-out meals, a not so clean house, and a distracted wife and mother so I could follow my dream. Without their support and belief in me, I wouldn't have published.
CAT: What do you do to unwind and relax?
FRANCIS: I love shopping and sharing new experiences with my daughter, who is also my assistant.
CAT: Which of your characters would you most/least to invite to dinner, and why?
FRANCIS: I'd most like to invite the Taggart brothers, the Grayson clan, and Rio. They're strong, often complex, honest and independent characters who value family and friends.
CAT: What personal dream have you accomplished in writing?
FRANCIS: I hit the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists!!
CAT'S GOTTA ASK:
If you were a t-shirt, what color would you be and why?
FRANCIS' GOTTA ANSWER: Yellow, because it's a happy color and would brighten up people lives.
GOT A QUESTION YOU’D LIKE TO ASK YOUR FANS?
What irritates you most about a hero/heroine?
Francis is giving away a copy of BREAK EVERY RULE to three separate people.