D.R. Graham has a different take on the biker romance
D.R. Graham, author of One Percenter, book one in the Noir et Bleu Motorcycle Club series, comes out today. D.R. shares how her new MC release is different.
D.R.:
"Suspend what you think you know about motorcycle romances, specifically one percenters. This book will totally blow that preconceived notion out of the water ... in a good way!" – Goodreads Review
When I tell people I have a New Adult book series about an outlaw motorcycle club releasing with Entangled Publishing, they say, "Oooh, like Sons of Anarchy? I loved that show."
I have to admit I had never seen an episode of Sons of Anarchy before I wrote the series. And, although fans of the television show will enjoy the emotional intensity of One Percenter, I approach the biker world from an unexpected angle — as experienced through the eyes of the tough 18-year-old daughter of a high-ranking member.
The next most common thing people say is, "Ooh, are your books like the erotic biker romances? I love those. I had no idea you wrote erotica."
Again, everyone is surprised to hear that I had never read an erotic biker romance before I wrote the Noir et Bleu Motorcycle Club series. There is an epic and everlasting love story between Tienne and her sexy, tattooed biker boyfriend, Aiden, but One Percenter isn't steeped in high-steam sex scenes made popular by other biker books.
"So, what are your books like?" everyone asks.
As a therapist by profession, all of my books explore the psychological complexities of characters in love, transition or crisis. I was always taught to write the book I would want to read. I strive to create action-filled stories, fascinating young and new adult characters dealing with emotionally difficult situations, and unique or behind-closed-doors worlds that the general population does not typically have access to. My heroines are resourceful and strong-willed. My heroes are sexy bad boys, but good men who make perfect book boyfriends.
One Percenter, the first book in the Noir et Bleu Motorcycle Club series, was inspired by a real-life funeral for a full patch member of an outlaw biker club. I was struck by the image of the innocent little kids exiting the church holding hands with their big, bad, biker dads. I immediately wanted to tell the story of what it must be like to grow up loving the people the rest of the world is terrified of. Ninety-nine percent of bikers are not criminals, but even the 1% who do make a living doing illegal things have families who love them.
After growing up in an impoverished and sometimes violent environment without supportive role models, Tienne struggles to figure out who she is and how to ensure that she and her younger brother follow a different path than their parents did. She has to learn how to act, feel and think like a regular person to fit into the 99% society. When faced with the most tragic event in her life, Tienne is forced to figure everything out fast and re-evaluate who she can, and always could, count on to have her back.
My research for the Noir et Bleu MC series was done partly by interviewing retired police officers who worked on the integrated gang unit and specialized in outlaw motorcycle clubs. Also, by reading every non-fiction biker book I could get my hands on, and by watching almost every documentary ever made on biker gangs. Combining true crime information with my experience as a therapist, I have tried to create a realistic look at the dangerous and secretive biker culture within the fiction of a gripping romance and emotionally wrought family drama.
The second book in the Noir et Bleu MC series, The Handler, releases in April. My stand-alone New Adult novel RANK, about cowboy brothers on the rodeo circuit in the aftermath of their father's death, comes out in March.
Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy.
About One Percenter:
99% of bikers obey the law. The other 1% make their own...
Eighteen-year-old Tienne Desrochers grew up in the rough world of the Noir et Bleu Motorcycle Club. Bikers. Family. Outlaws. But after her dad's murder, Tienne decides she's had enough. She refuses to end up like her drug-addicted mom. So she grabs her younger brother and leaves it all behind...including her boyfriend, Aiden Gyllenhall.
More comfortable in the middle of a bar fight than at a country club, living with her wealthy aunt and uncle is an adjustment, to say the least. No swearing. Designer shoes that pinch. And charming corporate types like Leland Crofton instead of super-sexy, tattooed Aiden. But even the upper class can't escape the toxic touch of underworld violence. And this time, Tienne won't just learn who she really is—she'll learn who has her back.
Find out more about DR and her books at www.drgrahambooks.com.