In August 2024, I’m excited to combine two of the loves of my life: cruising and LGBTQ+ fiction and romance. I hope you’ll consider joining me on the first Rainbow Readers Cruise! Until then, I’d love to introduce you to one of the attending authors, Trina Lane.
About Trina Lane
Trina is a scientist with a passion for history, music, and photography, she loves to travel and experience new places but is terminally shy around people she doesn’t know. When the zombie apocalypse occurs you’ll want to find her because she’s a crack shot, and promises to take out those nasty decomposing flesh eating vermin before they have a chance to make your their snack. Her favorite aunt gave her a romance novel in middle school, and made Trina promise not to tell her mother about it. Her first novel was published in 2009, and her love of this genre has only grown over time. Her choices in reading and writing material are as diverse as her Apple Music library, which contains music from Mozart to Metallica. Her one concession is all stories must have a happily ever after ending—did we mention she’s incurably romantic? She’s the mother of a very strong willed and sweet little boy who frequently makes her smile and grimace within seconds of each other. She firmly believes that the sweetness comes from her and the other part is her husband’s fault. She loves to hear from readers and her greatest wish is that we all strive to achieve bigger dreams.
Interview
If drinks by the pool are already a given, what are you most looking forward to about the Rainbow Readers Cruise?
I’ve never been on a cruise before or to the Florida Keys! So, the experience of exploring both makes me really excited. I’m also looking forward to the smaller, more intimate gathering than some of the conferences I’ve been to in the past. It seems like there is going to be a great mix of narrators, authors, and readers, and being able to mingle with all these creative minds can be really inspiring.
Which of your books would you recommend as the best way for readers to get to know you before meeting you on the cruise?
I’ve been published in gay romance since 2010, so there are a fair number of choices to pick from. Over time my writing has matured, refining my preferred genres and storytelling. For somebody who is new to reading my work, I would recommend they start with my Heart of Texas series. This includes Shards in the Sun and Windows in the Mist. I believe that both these books can give readers insight into my writing style and expectations of how I develop relationships in my stories.
Of course, my newest series Got Your Six is a good option, too. This is a military-themed series that includes one book for each branch of the service. Currently, books 1 and 2 are available. Zero Control features Army Sergeant Major Rick Davis and his race against time before the world is forever changed by a super weapon with artificial intelligence. Northern Currents was just released on March 26th! Coast Guard rescue swimmer Jacob Sanders and the man of his dreams must navigate their way across the state of Alaska in the dead of winter, battling freezing temperatures and the unpredictable forces of nature.
Which of your characters (from any story) would you most like to go on a cruise with?
This is such a tough question! I think I would really love to vacation with the cast from An Imperfect Reunion. The book itself features all the characters from my Perfect Love series when they decided to take a group vacation. Each of these characters holds a special place in my heart, and their personalities embody everything I love about life. I think being on a cruise ship with them would be fantastically hilarious and provide opportunities for intimate conversations that can change a person’s life.
Even if you don’t use this trip as fodder for a future project, most stories require a bit of research. Can you tell us the coolest thing you’ve learned while researching for your work, regardless of whether it made it into the text?
You are absolutely correct that every story requires a significant amount of time dedicated to learning the details about the lives we create for our characters. Because I write stories that often feature men in uniform or individuals whose professions are complex, I spend a lot of time learning about the realities of those lifestyles. Take, for instance, Turkish Delights. Since the book was set in Istanbul, I spent countless hours researching the history of the region, architecture, as well as ancient and modern culture. Since it was the capital city of three major empires (Eastern Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman) I went down so many rabbit holes there were times I had to remind myself that I was writing a fictional romance.
Hey, this is supposed to be a review blog! Recommend your favorite book that I should read and review by another author joining us on this high-seas adventure.
I have been a fan of Josh Lanyon for years and one of my favorites is Lovers and Other Strangers. The novella ties together great storytelling, an intriguing mystery, and of course a sweet love story.
Finally, what other projects are you working on currently?
I’m about to start work on book 3 of Got Your Six. The book is still in the early stages of development but will feature a Navy submarine. At least I think so. 😊I also am in the process of getting my backlist ready for re-publication. So, I’m doing lots of review, edits, and even expanding a few books.
Connect With Trina Lane
Website | Sign Up For Trina’s Mailing List
Facebook | Reader Group | Instagram
Amazon Author Page | Goodreads | BookBub
About the Rainbow Readers Cruise
The Rainbow Readers Cruise celebrates the readers and creators of LGBTQ+ fiction and romance. The cruise departs from the Port of Fort Lauderdale on August 19, 2024, and returns August 23, 2024, with stops at Key West and Coco Cay (Celebrity’s private island). Along the way, meet and mingle with some of your favorite LGBTQ+ fiction and romance authors and creators, as well as attend panels, meet and greets, small group social activities, and the Signing at Sea. Plus, the cruise itself, with fabulous destinations, food and drinks, entertainment, and more. You can find all the details about the Rainbow Readers Cruise on our website: https://rainbowreaderscruise.com.
