Please welcome Shirleen Davies author of Hard Landing.
Shirleen will be giving away a $25 Amazon gift card, a $10 Amazon gift card, and two ebooks of Second Summer.
HARD LANDING
By
Shirleen Davies
Thanks so much for allowing me this opportunity to speak to your
readers and share my comments on writing.
1.
What or who inspired you to start writing?
Although I’d written short stories as a hobby,
my inspiration to write what I consider to be “publishable” books came from
other authors, reading their stories and becoming inspired. I can’t tell you
what changed, but one day I woke up and decided to put my stories on paper.
2.
What elements are necessary components for this genre?
First, you need a solid storyline and plot.
Second, strong characters. Both primary and secondary, must be developed who
are capable of presenting the story to readers in a way that will draw them
into the book. Along with these, there should be a time period and background
that provides a context for the story. And, you absolutely must have conflict
throughout the entire story.
3.
How did you come up with your idea for your novel?
Hard Landing is part of my contemporary romance
series, MacLarens of Fire Mountain Contemporary. This book focuses on the
choices and tough decisions that are by men and women who commit their lives to
serving in the military. I attended college in San Diego, which is home to many
Navy and Marine personnel. Over the years I’ve developed strong friendships in
this community and it felt natural to write a story based some of their
experiences.
4.
What expertise did you bring to your writing?
Many friends and family members have served in
the military. Their experiences, stories, and real life decisions, as well as my
own research provided the context for Hard Landing.
5.
What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be
in your bio?
As well as writing, I love to dance, cook, travel,
eat chocolate, shoot trap and skeet, hunt, fish, and ride on the back of my
husband’s Harley. Oh yes, I’d I love to ride my bright red motorized scooter.
6.
As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?
I’m in the middle of my new historical western
romance series, Redemption Mountain, which is set in the years immediately
following the Civil War. The stories focus on the issues faced by the young men
and women who come through the war to face a life far different from the one
they left. Book one, Redemption’s Edge, is scheduled to release in the fall of
2014. I’m also continuing my contemporary series, and plan another series of
MacLarens historicals, which will begin in 2015.
7.
If you could be one of the characters from this book, who would it
be and why?
Great question. The normal answer would be
Jesse, the female protagonist who fights the odds to become a Navy fighter
pilot. However, I believe I would choose Trey, the male protagonist. He steps
up to any situation, gives it his best, and makes the most of what is placed
before him. Although committed to his career, he is also a good friend, someone
others can depend upon.
8.
Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or
hinder your writing?
I do not. I’ve heard equal amounts of pro and
con comments about these groups, and am still on the fence about joining one. I
know they can offer tremendous value and yet many fine authors also warn of
relying on their input as opposed to going with your writer instincts. This
isn’t to say I won’t seek one out at some point. For now, I’m still in a
decision mode.
9.
When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what
or who encouraged you to take this big step?
I never did submit. As I began to write, I also
spent considerable time exploring my publishing options, reading about authors
who published their own works, authors who went only the traditional path, and
others who had become hybrid authors. I made the decision to start publishing
on my own with a goal of submitting at some point, possibly becoming a hybrid
author. I’ve been blessed with great, supportive fans, and a constant stream of
ideas. I haven’t given up the thought of submitting and at some point I may
pitch a series. For now, I’m loving doing it as an Indie.
10. What is the best
and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)
The best advice:
“Just write.” Write every day even if it’s just a couple hundred words.
The worst advice: “Don’t Indie publish. It’s
too hard and complicated.” I’m so glad I ignored it!
11. Do you outline
your books or just start writing?
I do both. I use a brief outline plus notes,
then create a spreadsheet of characters. From that point on I just write.
Keeping the character, plot twists, and storyline from getting out of control
is the biggest challenge when you write without a substantive outline.
12. How do you
maintain your creativity?
I haven’t had a problem so far with coming up
with story ideas. Stories come from many sources and I believe it’s a matter of
keeping an open mind about the possibilities. For instance, last Christmas I
attended a party that included a number of active and retired military
personnel, many I’ve known for years. That’s when I thought, “Why not a story
about them?” That turned into Hard Landing.
13. Who is your
favorite character in the book? Can you tell us why?
As mentioned before, it is Trey MacLaren. I
like his strength of character, loyalty, and love of family. He has goals and
sticks to them, but is able to flow with the obstacles life presents to him.
He’s someone I’d like to know.
14. Sneak peek:
Excerpt:
Jesse moved over, shifted so that she faced him, and wrapped her
arms around his neck. “This is all new to me. I just need more time.” She
leaned down and placed a soft kiss on his lips.
Trey wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close and deepening
the kiss. One hand crept up into her hair and held her steady as she opened for
him, allowing their tongues to explore.
He adjusted her on his lap and unbuttoned her blouse, exposing her
black, lace bra to his view. He let his mouth move down the soft column of her
neck, then lower.
Jesse couldn’t get close enough. She held his head tight to her,
feeling the fire building, and squirming from the intense pleasure. She felt
the cool air fan her skin when he unsnapped her pants and drew down the zipper.
“We’ve never made love in my truck,” he whispered.
“Are you sure?” Her voice was thick, sultry.
“Oh yeah,” Trey ground out as she moved her hand down the hard
muscles of his stomach, then lower.
“Then I think it’s time we do.”
Thanks the Angels
Hard Landing, Book Two
in the MacLarens of Fire Mountain Contemporary Romance Series
In this passionate
Contemporary Romance series, author Shirleen Davies introduces her readers to
the modern day MacLarens.
Trey MacLaren
is a confident, poised Navy pilot. He’s focused, loyal, ethical, and a natural
leader. He is also on his way to what he hopes will be a lasting relationship
and marriage with fellow pilot, Jesse Evans.
Jesse has always been driven. Her graduation from the Naval Academy and
acceptance into the pilot training program are all she thought she wanted—until
she discovered love with Trey MacLaren . . .
. . . Trey and
Jesse’s lives are filled with fast flying, friends, and the demands of their
military careers. Lives each has settled into with a passion. At least until
the day Trey receives a letter that could change his and Jesse’s lives forever.
It’s been
over two years since Trey has seen the woman in Pensacola.
Her unexpected letter stuns him and pushes Jesse into a tailspin from which she
might not pull back.
. . . Each
must make a choice. Will the choice Trey makes cause him to lose Jesse forever?
Will she follow her heart or her head as she fights for a chance to save the
love she’s found? Will their independent decisions collide, forcing them to
give up on a life together?
Hard Landing is the second book in the MacLarens of Fire
Mountain Contemporary novella series—heartwarming stories of difficult choices,
loyalty, and lasting romance. Watch for book three, One More Day, Cameron and
Lainey’s story, in the summer of 2014.
Jesse moved over, shifted so that she faced him, and wrapped
her arms around his neck. “This is all new to me. I just need more time.” She
leaned down and placed a soft kiss on his lips.
Trey wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close and
deepening the kiss. One hand crept up into her hair and held her steady as she
opened for him, allowing their tongues to explore.
He adjusted her on his lap and unbuttoned her blouse,
exposing her black, lace bra to his view. He let his mouth move down the soft
column of her neck, then lower.
Jesse couldn’t get close enough. She held his head tight to
her, feeling the fire building, and squirming from the intense pleasure. She
felt the cool air fan her skin when he unsnapped her pants and drew down the
zipper.
“We’ve never made love in my truck,” he whispered.
“Are you sure?” Her voice was thick, sultry.
“Oh yeah,” Trey ground out as she moved her hand down the
hard muscles of his stomach, then lower.
“Then I think it’s time we do.”
Shirleen Davies writes romance--historical, contemporary, and
romantic suspense. She grew up in Southern California, attended Oregon State
University, and has degrees from San Diego State University and the University
of Maryland. During the day she provides consulting services to small and
mid-sized businesses. But her real passion is writing emotionally charged
stories of flawed people who find redemption through love and acceptance. She
now lives with her husband in a beautiful town in northern Arizona.
Shirleen began her new series, MacLarens of Fire Mountain, with
Tougher than the Rest, the story of the oldest brother, Niall MacLaren. Other
books in the series include, Faster than the Rest, Harder than the Rest,
Stronger than the Rest, and Deadlier than the Rest. Book six, Wilder than the
Rest, is due for release in early summer, 2014. Her contemporary romance
series, MacLarens of Fire Mountain Contemporary, opened with book one, Second
Summer. Book two, Hard Landing, released in April 2014, and Book three, One
More day, is scheduled to release in midsummer, 2014.
Shirleen loves to hear from her readers.
Write to her at: shirleen@shirleendavies.com
Visit her website: http://www.shirleendavies.com
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