Ask the Author: Holly Bargo
Answered Questions (22)
Holly Bargo
Russian Lullaby was first produced in e-book and paperback. Some years later, I updated the covers. The content of the books has not been changed.
Holly Bargo
I don't designate certain titles for any season's reading list. I read as my fancy takes me.
Holly Bargo
I took my car in for service. The auto mechanic below the vehicle gave a long, low whistle.
Holly Bargo
At this point, no. I need to take a break from the series. Then, after some undetermined amount of time has passed, I may consider it. I did leave Russian Pride (coming out on September 30) open for a spin-off series beginning with Giovanni's young cousin Paolo and his right-hand man, Ciro.
Holly Bargo
That's an extremely personal question, although it may not have been intended as such. Regardless, my question would be: What makes someone the target of bullies? When reading stories with "broken" protagonists--usually in the new adult sub-genre--these characters come from disadvantaged backgrounds. However, in my experience both as observer and victim, a disadvantaged background has no bearing on whether schoolyard bullies target a particular person. Something else inspires their cruelty and I've yet to figure out what it is.
Holly Bargo
Thank you for your inquiry. I'm glad you are enjoying the series. Russian Dawn, the third book in the series, is due for release on March 31. The fourth and final book, Russian Pride, should come out around August or September.
Holly Bargo
Russian Dawn is scheduled for release at the end of March. I don't have a specific date picked out. The story isn't even finished yet, much less ready for beta readers to review. Here's a quick blurb:
Russian Dawn begins during Latasha and Iosif's wedding. Our hero and heroine head to Costa Rica for a tropical vacation (because we all know that Cleveland is not the honeymoon destination of choice). Latasha catches the notice of the local drug cartel's kingpin who has her kidnapped. Iosif, Bogdan, and Gennady go after her, putting their wet work skills to good use. In order to return home, they ask a favor of Giuseppe Maglione, who calls in the debt for Latasha to pay.
This book develops subplots for Gennady and Bogdan, which will conclude in the next book, Russian Pride, due for release this summer. Russian Pride will feature Giovanni Magione and the as-yet unnamed daughter of Maksim and Olivia.
Russian Dawn begins during Latasha and Iosif's wedding. Our hero and heroine head to Costa Rica for a tropical vacation (because we all know that Cleveland is not the honeymoon destination of choice). Latasha catches the notice of the local drug cartel's kingpin who has her kidnapped. Iosif, Bogdan, and Gennady go after her, putting their wet work skills to good use. In order to return home, they ask a favor of Giuseppe Maglione, who calls in the debt for Latasha to pay.
This book develops subplots for Gennady and Bogdan, which will conclude in the next book, Russian Pride, due for release this summer. Russian Pride will feature Giovanni Magione and the as-yet unnamed daughter of Maksim and Olivia.
Holly Bargo
Thank you! Your kind words of support made my day. Actually, I have no idea what a street team is. I do have a page on Facebook (look up Hen House Publishing) to which anyone can post comments. I also have a G+ page (again, look up Hen House Publishing) and people can post comments there, too. I do, however, reserve the right to moderate comments.
Holly Bargo
That's tough. I'd have to go back to fairy tales, specifically Beauty by Robin McKinley. Beauty and her Beast begin with a definite power imbalance that grows into friendship and trust to finally blossom into a deep and abiding love. Beautiful.
Holly Bargo
That sounds like you enjoyed the books. I'm glad. I hadn't considered writing a follow-up, but you've given me something to think about. Thank you for the interest.
Holly Bargo
I haven't created a special page for any of my books and wouldn't have the first clue how to do so. If you go to my author page, perhaps you can find it there to add.
Holly Bargo
Everyone has a right to his or her own opinion. Goodreads offers subscribers the privilege of airing those opinions, good, bad, or indifferent. I learn from the criticisms of others, but I don't let that stop me from writing. The third book in the series, Russian Dawn, is scheduled for release at the end of March. I intend a fourth, too, which will focus on Giovanni and the daughter of Maksim and Olivia.
Holly Bargo
Hi, Angela. Do you have a question or comment for me?
Holly Bargo
Thank you for asking. Yes, I have two more books planned in this series: Russian Dawn, which will tell Latasha and Iosif's story, is due out by the end of March. A fourth book brings the series full circle with Giovanni and the daughter of Maksim and Olivia. I don't have a title for the fourth book yet, but it will probably be released in the summer of 2017.
Holly Bargo
Thank you for the compliment! I have no intention of quitting the series. (It is a series, not a serial. There's a difference.) The third book, Russian Dawn, is underway and I hope to have it out by the end of March. That will be Latasha and Iosif's story. The series will come full circle with Giovanni and the daughter of Maksim and Olivia. I don't have a title for that one yet.
Holly Bargo
I'd recently read Roxie Rivera;s books and liked them tremendously. I also read some absolutely horrible books and thought, "I can do better than that." A few nights of subconscious noodling brought forth Gia and Vitaly. I did not want to write a fanfic of Rivera's work; I wanted this to be original. Russian Lullaby was never intended to be a series starter. However, readers like you convinced me to write stories for Gia's two college roommates.
Each of the heroines,in these books is,a very distinct and separate personality. Gia has a mob tie through her grandfather. Cecily has none whatsoever. She's a typical, conservative, Midwestern farm girl for whom the mafia and such things are relegated to TV and movies. Latasha is different yet, an inner city girl who has seen the deleterious effect of street gangs upon her family.
Each of the heroines,in these books is,a very distinct and separate personality. Gia has a mob tie through her grandfather. Cecily has none whatsoever. She's a typical, conservative, Midwestern farm girl for whom the mafia and such things are relegated to TV and movies. Latasha is different yet, an inner city girl who has seen the deleterious effect of street gangs upon her family.
Holly Bargo
Russian Lullaby is, technically, not long enough to be considered a novel; therefore, I made the decision not to release it in paperback due to the prohibitive cost. That set the tone for the rest of the trilogy. I do intend to combine all of the books into an omnibus or compilation and release that as a single volume in paperback.
I'm behind on my schedule, but still hope to have Russian Gold published by October 31. I hope to publish the next book--Latasha and Iosif's story--tentatively titled Russian Dawn (that may change), by March 31, 2017. I haven't yet decided whether to add a fourth book to tell Giovanni's story.
I'm behind on my schedule, but still hope to have Russian Gold published by October 31. I hope to publish the next book--Latasha and Iosif's story--tentatively titled Russian Dawn (that may change), by March 31, 2017. I haven't yet decided whether to add a fourth book to tell Giovanni's story.
Holly Bargo
Oftentimes I cannot point to a specific stimulus to say, "That's where I got that idea." Occasionally, it's a feeling of "I can do better than that," after reading something that I thought failed to live up to its promise. Other times it's an idea that simmers in my mind for a good long while before I decide it's cooked long enough to begin developing. Still other times it comes from a character who demands his or her own story. That's how The Tree of Life turned into a trilogy and Tiger in the Snow happened.
Holly Bargo
Depression and anger. Seriously. I write most intensely when life seems to pummel me. The cliched description of the tortured artist probably fits me to a T.
Holly Bargo
I always have several manuscripts in process. One right now is a sequel to The Dragon Wore a Kilt. One simmering on the back burner will be the story of one of Iron Falcon band members following Pure Iron. And others, thus far too undeveloped to mention.
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