Jordyn Redwood – Story Behind the Story – Part 1 of 1

Shannon here: Romantic Suspense author, Jordyn Redwood shares the inspiration behind her latest title, Fractured Memory. Comment or answer the question at the end of this post to enter the drawing for a print copy. U.S. only. Deadline: Nov 12th, 11:59 central time. Here’s Jordyn:

Trust by Jordyn Redwood
            If I asked you what you thought the most important aspect of any romantic relationship was what would you say? Love? Definitely important. I’ve been married almost nineteen years and I know some days I want to put my spouse on the porch with a “Free to good home” sign around his neck. And you know, he feels that way some days about me, too. So, yes, there must be love but is it the most important?
            Of course, there are other qualities. Physical attraction—we all know how physical appearance depreciates after a few decades. Honesty. Depends on how well you are at handling the truth—even those little white lies. Hmm. What quality would you put at the top of your list? Loyalty. Definitely up there. You want to believe that your significant other won’t stray. A sense of humor—always a good thing when in a relationship—to get you through both the good and bad times.
            I’m sure we could come up with a dozen more good qualities, but what would you pick as the most important? For me, it’s trust as defined as believing in the reliability of someone. Will my husband do what I am expecting him to do? And this doesn’t mean bend to my every whim and will. It can be as little as will he pick my daughter up from school as he’s scheduled to do to or as big as will he stay committed to our marriage? I have complete faith that my husband will do these things because he has done these actions and his character proves he adheres to this value.
            Trust, however, is an interesting thing. Most would say it has to be earned—earned through actions. But what if you didn’t have the luxury of time to develop trust in someone and your life was on the line?
            This conflict was the impetus for my latest novel, Fractured Memory. I had watched one of those true life crime shows where a woman’s husband had hired a hit man to kill her. One morning, she’s happily bathing when two law enforcement officers show up at her door insisting she come with them. They want to put her into protective custody immediately.
            Immediately, my author brain cells start to fire. What a great intro for a fiction story and I knew I had to use a scenario like that. Imagine you’re that woman and you open your door to a handsome (of course) stranger who claims that very thing. You must go with him or die (essentially—of course it must be dramatic for fiction!)
            How do you know this person is who they say they are? A badge? Bad guys present counterfeit ones every day. Actions? What if he saved your life in the first few minutes of your meeting as Eli does for Julia in the first few pages of the novel?
            Fractured Memory ultimately explores how trust is developed and earned—and how having trust as the basis of a relationship leads to love.
About Jordyn: Jordyn Redwood is a pediatric ER nurse by day, suspense novelist by night. She hosts Redwood’s Medical Edge, a blog devoted to helping authors write medically accurate fiction. Her first two medical thrillers, Proof and Poison, garnered starred reviews from Library Journal. Proof was shortlisted for the 2012 ForeWord Review’s BOTY Award, 2013 INSPY Award and the 2013 Carol Award. Poison shortlisted for the 2014 INSPY Award and the 2014 Selah Award. In addition to her novels, she blogs regularly at Redwood’s Medical Edge and the WordServe Water Cooler. You can connect with Jordyn via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, her website and via e-mail at jordyn@jordynredwood.com.
About the book – Fractured Memory: United States marshal Eli Cayne saved Julia Galloway’s life once…and he’s prepared to do it again. But his task would be easier if she could remember him—or the murderer who almost put her in an early grave and seems to be hunting her once more. To protect Julia from the latest threat against her life, Eli has to consider the possibility that he put an innocent man in jail. Julia has no memories of the serial killer called the Hangman, though, and no reason to trust Eli. But with the killer getting closer, she must work with Eli to confront her past—and the feelings growing between them.
Can’t wait for the drawing. Get your copy now: Fractured Memory
Question for Readers: What do you think? What quality do you think is most important in a relationship and why? What’s the one quality you would pick above all others that every relationship needs to survive for the long term?

Come back Nov 3rd for Linda Fulkerson!