Welcome, Shirley Martin

1: Thank you so much for being here, Shirley Martin.

First up is the obligatory question. When did you first begin writing?

First,Ro, thanks for having me. I started writing in the

early ‘90s. 

2: Great, so What or Who inspired you to write? 
Writing was something I’d always wanted to do. After my sons were grown, I decided that would be a good time to start.

3:Sounds like many authors. Tell us, what do you like the most and least about writing? 
I love getting ideas for novels. I don’t like the research.

4:Ah yes, the research, very time consuming. What do you for fun and relaxation when not writing? 
I love to walk and read. Also enjoy listening to music, mainly country and pop from the ‘40s and ‘50s.

5:I love 50s music. Are there certain authors you like to read?

Books We Love has some great authors, including you. Also Margaret Tanner, Sydell Voeller,Ann Herrick. All of BWL’s authors are great.

6:Thank you, BWL does have great authors. Tell us one thing you’d most like people to know about you?

That even though I’m not a very outgoing person, I’m interested in others.

7:Okay, tell us about your current novel, where we can find it and your website/blog.

 My last published novel is “Temptation.” It’s a contemporary vampire romance. My website is www.shirleymartinauthor.com

8: Do you have any tips for aspiring authors?

Yes, always set a time for writing and don’t let anything interfere, unless it’s an emergency. Write one novel at a time.

9: Great advice. I've read that some authors base their characters on real-life people. Do you?

No, I get my characters from my head.

10: And where do you get your ideas?

From everywhere. I got the idea for “Magic Mountain,” my WIP, from a book I read, “Lost Treasures.”

11: That's interesting. Tell us one thing no one knows about you?

That I was once engaged to a man from Beirut, Lebanon.

12.Wow, that is interesting. I'd love to hear more some day. Okay, back on track. Who’s your favorite author and what’s your favorite book?

I have several favorite authors and favorite books.  My favorite book is “Illusion” by Frank Peretti.  I also like Ted Dekker, Dean Koontz, and Terry Brooks.

  This excerpt is from my contemporary vampire romance, “Temptation.”  You can get it here:              http://amzn.com/B00MOZDM4K

           

Jennifer stepped outside on the brick patio, needing to escape the continual bragging of the stockbroker whose only subject was himself.  Closing the French doors behind her, she shut out most of the noise and laughter from the party inside, a welcome relief.  Surprised she had the patio to herself, she rested her hand on the iron railing and inhaled the cool November air, her gaze absorbing the magnificent houses and lush foliage of this elegant Coral Gables neighborhood.  Some day she hoped to have a home of her own, but she knew she could never afford a spacious mansion such as this.  But that was fine with her: a more modest house would suit her nicely.  The fragrance of night-blooming jasmine drifted her way, carried by a light easterly breeze.  She stared upward at the clear sky where a sprinkling of stars and a couple of planets overcame the competition of bright city lights.  She’d return to the party in a few minutes, but for now, she wanted time to herself.  She’d had a rough week and wanted just a few moments alone.

“A beautiful night, isn’t it?” 

“Oh!”  She swung around to stare at the stranger,. “You scared me!  You shouldn’t sneak up on a person like that.  I didn’t hear the doors close.”  Dressed in a black suit, white shirt and dark tie, he stood a few feet away, next to the door.  Tall, dark, and handsome.  The cliche slipped easily from her mind, but it was true.  At least his hair was dark, but his skin was the palest she’d ever seen, as if he never got enough sunlight.  On him, the combination was fascinating.  If Helen of Troy had a face that could launch a thousand ships, this man had the good looks to send a rocket to Mars.

He smiled.  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you.”  He nodded toward the party inside.  “It was getting much too noisy in there.”

She tilted her head at him.  “I didn’t see you there.” 

“But I saw you across the room, and I wanted to meet you.  I hope you don’t mind.” 

 His dark eyes focused on her.  Those eyes!  She could gladly sink into them and never come up for air.