Authors Interviewing Their Characters: Katie Golding and Billy King

Contemporary Romance author Katie Golding interviews Billy King, a cowboy-motorcycle racer returned home for the holidays in her upcoming debut FEARLESS; the first novel in her Moto Grand Prix series. 

KG: Hi Billy! Thanks for finding the time to talk to me today.

BK: Yes, ma’am. Always happy to lend a moment when need be. 

KG: Can I get you anything? Some bottled water? A shot of whiskey? A place to set down your Stetson?

BK: Some water would be nice, thank you. I don’t drink. And I’ll keep my hat on, if that’s all right. My hair’s probably a mess. 

KG: Well then, why don’t we start by introducing our readers to who you are and what you do for a living? 

BK: Okay. I’m Billy King, and I’m . . . just a normal country guy from Memphis, Tennessee. And I happen to race motorcycles for a living. 

KG: The MotoGP circuit, correct?

BK: Yes, ma’am. Kinda like Formula-One, but with motorcycles instead of cars. 

KG: That sounds very exciting. And very dangerous. 

BK: It can be. Sorry to say I’ve lost some buddies to some pretty bad wrecks over the years. But the sport has come a long way in terms of safety measures, and I’ve always been a bit of an adrenaline chaser. 

KG: You had a pretty bad wreck yourself a few years ago. It caused some problems for your knee?

BK: Yes, ma’am. Had to have a couple surgeries to get it sorted out. But it’s thankfully all better now.

KG: I’m glad to hear that. Your official bio says that in high school, you already had a very promising athletic career—both your football and baseball team won the State Championships with you at the helm as quarterback and starting pitcher. Did any of that help you transition into a motorcycle racing career? Was it always a dream for you?

BK: Honestly, I had never even heard of it back then. I mean, I knew people raced motorcycles, like motocross and stuff, but I didn’t know nothing about the MotoGP circuit or all the countries they go to. It’s a big sport in Europe, and the fans really get into it over there. But we don’t race much in the US anymore. Just come to Austin every April, now. 

KG: So how does a high school quarterback from Memphis, Tennessee end up racing motorcycles in Europe?

BK: Well, I was working as a farmhand at Hargrove Ranch, and I um . . . somehow ended up with the keys to the rancher’s daughter’s bike? Got caught by the county sheriff going a little too fast over the speed limit, and he reported it back to the owners. The horse trainer over there at the time—Frank, he’s my manager now—well, he had this theory about putting bull riders on the moto circuit. And once he saw me ride, well, the rest was kinda history. He got me signed with some sponsors, and I’ve been racing ever since. A good ten years now, and I hope I have another ten years left in me.

KG: Oh, that’s right! I forgot you were a bull rider, too. Do you still compete in the rodeo arena?

BK: I still rope competitively from time to time, but I don’t ride bulls no more, no ma’am. My brother does, though, and he’s real good at it. One of the best there is. 

KG: You’re referring to your younger brother, Mason King. He also races on the moto circuit with you, correct?

BK: Yes, ma’am. And he’s doing real well at that, too. Our family’s real proud. 

KG: I’m sure they are. Two professional athletes, and you were just crowned MotoGP World Champion again, is that right?

BK: That’s what my bosses tell me. But yes, ma’am, I’ve been real fortunate in my racing career. Had a lot of good luck come my way, and I’m real proud to be representing my sponsors. 

KG: Gotta say, Billy, I’m sensing modesty may be a bit of an issue for you.

BK: [Laughs.] I never heard that one before. 

KG: I’m sure you haven’t. So now that you’re home from the MotoGP circuit for the next few months, do you have any plans for how you’re going to spend your winter break?

BK: Well, there’s always the goats that need prepping for winter, so I’ll probably be pretty busy around the house taking care of the animals and whatnot. It’ll be nice to get some riding time in with my horse, Gidget, and maybe some dirt biking with my brother. 

KG: No travel plans? Not one for spending Christmas in the Bahamas?

BK: No, ma’am. I travel more than enough during the year as it is. I’m glad to be home come November. I just want to hang out with my friends and family, eat too much Thanksgiving dinner, set up the Christmas tree, and do my best to avoid the mall while getting my shopping done. Pretty normal stuff.

KG: And is engagement ring shopping included in that? I heard a rumor wedding bells may be in your future. 

BK: [Long pause.] Well, you’d have to talk to Taryn about that. 

KG: Taryn Ledell, the Superbike racer, you mean. And champion barrel racer when she’s home in Memphis, is that right?

BK: Yes, ma’am. That’s the one. And only. 

KG: Well, I certainly wish you and Taryn, and the rest of your family, a very restful and Merry Christmas, Billy.

BK: Same to you and yours, Miss Katie. 

 

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BIO:

Katie Golding is a racing fan with a writing problem. The recovering cheerleader lives in a small town outside of Austin, Texas; mom to a future philanthropist, and wife to a superman. Her writing playlists range from 80s love songs, 90s grunge, 00s punk, to new age underground in less time than it takes her to burn dinner, and she is currently at work on her next romance novel—unless she’s tweeting about it. Represented by Kelly Peterson of Rees Literary Agency. 

Follow her on Twitter: @KatieGolding_TX

Subscribe to her website for updates: www.KatieGoldingBooks.com

 

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FEARLESS

Billy King may be smiling under his black Stetson as he waves for the MotoGP press corps, but the plain truth is the motorcycle racer is hurting: for his horse back in Memphis, for his girl with one boot out the door, and thanks to an injury that’s not getting any better.

With his racing contract contingent on his latest injury remaining a secret, Billy bolts home at the end of the international circuit―resolved to heal, and ready to win fellow racer Taryn’s heart a second time. Hopefully, before the love of his life is gone for good. But broken hearts don’t heal overnight, and the cost of forgiveness is sky high…unless Billy can prove his heart is home to stay. 

Coming July 28, 2020 from Sourcebooks Casablanca. Available for preorder:

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/sv36kdh

B&N: https://tinyurl.com/s8whaup

Indie Bound: https://tinyurl.com/yx5obvnn

 

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Interviews