Welcome to the Streamline blog tour stop
at Refracted Light!
Interview & Top 10 with
Jennifer Lane
How did the idea for Streamline first originate?
There wasn’t one particular spark but rather a collection of topics that fascinated me. I knew I wanted to write about the transition from high school to college, with its promise, struggle, and growth. The focus on swimming came from the advice to “write what you know” (I began swimming competitively at age eight and continued through college.) As a psychologist, family dynamics captivate me. Finally, romance is my genre because it gives meaning and emotion to the story. I first created the character of Leo and he quickly settled into my heart. The rest of the story easily molded around him.
When you were first brainstorming and plotting Streamline, did you anticipate taking on such myriad of emotional/social issues in this novel, or did it just evolve that way?
I outlined the plot but I had no idea I’d veer into so much DRAMA! I get a little carried away exploring character emotion and motivation, and my original draft was over 200,000 words.
Why, specifically, did you decide to center the story around a family who’s suffering domestic abuse? What do you hope your novel says to teens or adult readers who might be enduring the same circumstances?
I wasn’t trying to send a message—I was simply trying to write a compelling story. But the themes of healing and resilience are important to me, inspired by the strength I witness daily in my psychotherapy clients. I have two hopes for readers who have suffered abuse: 1) Tell somebody your story, and 2) Learn that the abuse isn’t your fault.
Can you tell us a little about how you fell in love with competitive swimming?
My two older sisters started swimming on a summer club team in Cincinnati when I was eight. The team needed a fourth eight year old to form a relay so my sisters smuggled me to practice one morning and my love affair with swimming blossomed. I’ve always been strong but had zero technique at first, resembling a white tornado in the water. Swimming has given me lifelong friends, a strong work ethic, a wonderful college experience, and two fulfilling careers.
Having a grandpa who served with the Navy for 20 years and a dad who grew up a “Navy Brat,” I loved that the entire story is set against the backdrop of the U.S. Navy. Do you have personal connections or a background with this particular military branch that prompted you to use it in your story?
Thank you for your grandfather’s sacrifice. My motivation for including the Navy is quite shallow: I think men in uniform are HOT! And the Navy is a natural choice because of my affinity for the water. Navy personnel were immensely helpful for my research.
Which character in Streamline was your favorite to write?
Leo Scott, hands down. Some of his scenes make me want to hug him, and some of his scenes make me want to smack him upside the head. I love how you described Leo’s dichotomous nature in your review, Dani. The paradox of his internal fortitude and his abysmal self-worth is quite vexing.
Leo refers to his dad Commander Scott as C.S. throughout the book, and always with funny descriptions of what the C.S. stands for, like Cruel Sadist, and I was super impressed by the fact that every reference was unique. Did you just make those C.S. combos up as you were writing Streamline or did you make up a list? And do you know off hand how many C.S. references there are in the book?
I’m a big fan of nicknames, and as I was writing, I started trying out new CS combinations. I shared this story with an online community and some readers gave me great ideas for clever CS names–my personal favorite was Cat’s Sandbox hee hee. I don’t have them listed anywhere so I’m not sure how many are in the novel, but I’m always eager to hear more CS ideas. Can you think of any new CS names, Dani?
Dani: Hmmm… How about Cold-hearted Snake? You might’ve used that one though… there were seriously a lot. lol
So what’s next for you? I know you have several adult titles out in addition to Streamline, but do you anticipate diving (Ha! Like that?) into YA again at some point?
Nice! And I hope my first YA makes a big “splash” hardy har. I’m writing the third adult romantic suspense novel in The Conduct Series, slated for release in 2013. My foray into YA has been quite an education and I think I’d like to “test the waters” of YA again and/or New Adult. I just finished reading the fun and catchy Catching Jordan. The YA/NA sports romance genre really excites me with its possibilities.
And now… Jen’s Top 10!!!
1. Favorite movie/actor/actress? Titanic/Wentworth Miller/Kate Winslet
2. Favorite song/singer? “With or Without You” by U2 / The Fray
3. Favorite place you would love to visit? Favorite place = Chicago Would love to visit = Spain
4. One item you cannot live without? My laptop
5. Who would you like to meet? (dead or alive) Ronald Reagan
6. Favorite hobby? Reading and exercise
7. Guilty pleasure? Sugar in all its evilly delicious forms
8. Favorite author and/book? I love so many books but one of my favorites is Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
9. Do you collect anything? Not really, unless you count digital photos that I never print
10. Favorite color? Purple
Thanks so much Jen, for that little behind-the-scenes peek into Streamline! 
A little bit about Jennifer…
People fascinate the psychologist/author (psycho author) known as Jennifer Lane. Her therapy clients talk to her all day long about their dreams and secrets, and her characters tell her their stories at night. Jen delights in peeling away the layers to scrutinize their psyches and emotions. But please rest assured, dear reader, she isn’t psychoanalyzing you right now. She’s already got too many voices in her head!
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About the book…
Seems like Leo Scott has it all: looks, brains, and athletic talent. He’s captain of his high school swim team with a bright future in college and beyond. But Leo has secrets. His mother’s crippling car accident has devastated his family and left Leo to deal with his father’s abuse, battered and alone.
Leo’s girlfriend Audrey Rose is poised for her own share of success. As one of Florida’s top high school swimmers, Audrey dreams of college swimming stardom. But there’s an obstacle to her glorious rise to the top. Her number-one supporter–her father–is in prison for murder.
Part murder mystery, part tale of young love in a military family, this gripping story takes readers on a journey from Pensacola to Annapolis. Leo and Audrey must band together to rise above the adversity they encounter and find their true selves in the process. When everything’s on the line . . . streamline.
You can read my review of Streamline HERE.
The Giveaway…
Omnific is generously providing an ebook of Streamline to one lucky reader!
Please fill out the Rafflecopter form to enter. This is mandatory. Comments alone will not be counted as your mandatory entry. Rules and conditions are listed below the Rafflecopter form.
Happy Reading!
Here I am again
Looking forward to this book! 
Welcome Sarah and good luck!
Hey, Dani! *waves from my porch* From the cover reveal to your incredible review to this interview, you’ve been such a supporter of this novel and I really appreciate it, dear. “Cold-hearted Snake” is a good one! What about Contemptuous Snarl? 😉
Hi there! *waves from MY porch* lol You’re so welcome! I’m glad I was able to be a part of it! And Contemptuous Snarl… it’s gotta a certain ring to it, yes. Hahaha.
P.S. – Going to do my best to stop in at your signing tomorrow night!
Wonderful interview. It’s great to learn a little more about the motivation behind the book.
Dani, that would be awesome to see you at House Wine! *burps*
Sorry to spam your comment box but I noticed the link to your Streamline review wasn’t quite working.
Man, I’d REAAAALLY like to read this one. *hopes*
Fun interview! I found the questions and answers gave interesting stuff about the background of the book. Look forward to reading it.
Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway.