Today I am glad to introduce my readers to another great author I have met Ally Shields. She has agreed to come here today and tell us a little more about herself...
1) Tell us a little bit about your book Fire Within (Guardian Witch Book Two)? What are the main highlights?
This story is the second in my urban fantasy series. The heroine, Ari Calin, is a fire witch. As a Guardian, a supernatural cop, it is her sworn duty to protect the humans and Otherworlders who reside in the Olde Town district of a small Midwestern city.
When the book opens, Ari's reporter friend Eddie has been arrested for murdering a vampire. Ari refuses to believe he is guilty—in spite of his confession. When a second vampire dies, Andreas, the sexy, charismatic vampire she dated and split from eight months ago, joins her in the hunt for the real killer.
But Riverdale may have a special kind of serial killer who's looking for its next vampire victim. The roles of hunter and hunted become blurred. And while Ari might feel like killing Andreas at times, she doesn't want anyone else to do it...
2) Tell us a little about yourself. What is an interesting fact that you would like to share with the readers today?
I have been a full-time writer for five years, after leaving behind a career as a lawyer and juvenile court officer. I am a coffee addict and hang around Twitter way too much.
3) What is your favorite part about writing?
The first draft, the creation of the story. My characters always surprise me at this stage but doing or saying things I hadn't consciously planned.
4) What are you working on right now? Is it top secret?
I'm just starting book five in the series. The title is Stirring the Flames and most of it will take place in Europe, primarily Italy and Germany. To tell you more than that would definitely be getting way ahead of the published story.
5) Bologna or Ham? Definitely ham! or pork chops, or bacon...
6) Do you listen to music when you write?
Not on a first draft, because I start singing along and get distracted. When I'm revising, I sometimes use music to get in the mood for a particular scene. I particularly like music during fight scenes or really schmaltzy moments.
8) What genre do you like to read?
I read a lot of mysteries, paranormals, thrillers and some romance.
7) Where can we find your books? (See links below)
9) Anyone you would like to give a shout out to? My critique partner, Kath Marsh. Without her help my books would never have been good enough to be published.
10) How long have you been a writer?
All my life. Unlike most kids I loved composition in school. In high school I wrote the school news for the county paper, and in college I was a reporter for the college newspaper. I was a journalism major before switching to education and eventually going to law school. All along the way, I never quite writing, and I have file folders full of stories. I've become a professional writer over the last five years, and my first book was published in September of 2012.
11) Do you write any poetry or make any kind of art outside of writing?
I've done parodies of well-known poems for parties or other occasions, but nothing of a serious nature. I can't draw or paint, but I admire those who can. I love music and stage plays.
12) What advice would you give to new authors?
Keep writing. Go over and over your material until you're sick of it. Then let it rest and go over it again. The only way you can improve your writing is by doing more of it.
13) What is the most important thing you have learned about marketing your “brand”?
I'm still learning. At this point I realize branding is important, and that I need more contacts within my genre. The two big groups I currently belong to are mystery and romance writers. It would be helpful to find a thriving paranormal group. I do have a website that is dedicated to urban fantasy and to my series. The internet has become a huge marketing tool, with all the social media sites and bloggers like you that are willing to help us get the word out about out books. Which brings me to the reason for today's visit. Fire Within was just released last Friday, and I'm eager to tell your readers about it.
Quick Peek Excerpt:
(A few days after Eddie confesses to killing the vampire, his mother calls Ari and hints she may be responsible for the death. That is in less believable than Eddie, but Ari agrees to talk with her at the office.)
Ari was pouring the first cup of coffee when Thelma West arrived.
“Thank you for seeing me. I’ve been so worried ever since we talked. I now know I need to tell you everything.”
“Why don’t you have a seat,” Ari said, handing her the coffee. “Tell me what you meant by Eddie was protecting you.” Ari studied her as the woman gathered her thoughts. Another dress, this time with a sweater. Sturdy pumps. Large straw handbag placed beside her chair. Carefully combed curls.
Mrs. West set down her cup. “I told Eddie I was going to shoot Jules,” she announced, her voice flat. “I was angry about the bonding, and Eddie said it would somehow work out. As if it could! So I told him my plans. I wasn’t going to let that vampire…that vermin…ruin our family. Do you understand? Jules was stealing my daughter’s life. Worse than killing her.” Mrs. West’s look was defiant. “I practiced killing him in my head. Just like shooting rats at Granddaddy’s farm, and I’ve had plenty of practice at that.”
Ari was speechless. She’d never expected such bitter hatred from this woman. The flat voice made the confession even more chilling.
Mrs. West looked away for a moment, then brought her focus back to Ari. “I’d do anything to protect my children, and shooting him was the only way to save her. Eddie had every reason to believe I shot that…thing. I needed to save Lorraine from herself. She was bound to a godless creature, and she…she wanted Jules to make her one of them.” The woman shuddered at the thought. “I didn’t want my only daughter, my baby, to burn in hell.”
Buy Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Fire-Within-Guardian-Witch-ebook/dp/B00BQN1YUU/
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fire-within-ally-shields/1114797385?ean=2940016295343
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-firewithin-1112003-139.html
Author Contact Links:
Website: http://allyshields.com
Blog: http://allyshields.com/blog.html
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ShieldsAlly
Facebook: http://facebook.com/AllyShieldsAuthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6527209.Ally_Shields
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/allyshields