Please tell us about your writing.
I write romantic suspense which means I weave a suspenseful and gripping element through the romance in my novels. The suspenseful element is not the driving force of the story. The romance between my heroine and hero, their internal conflict, the reason they can’t be together is what drives the story. Tossing a sniper into the mix, evil-out-of-control drone or nasty cyber criminal at my characters while they are working through their issues, and seeking a much deserved happy-ever-after is fun, okay, super-fantastic fun. [Insert loud MUWHAHAHA laugh here].
Can you explain the title without giving too much away?
This is a very interesting three book series to write and the title plays a big part. In the first book, The Eyewitness, my heroine, Emersyn D’Azzo is a bystander with a perfect view of a horrific crime. Hence, The Eyewitness. The three D’Azzo siblings, Emersyn, Tessa, and Ethan, witness this crime in their own unique way and it tears their lives’ apart. And the reader will discover how each character finds their own peace within each of their own stories. But let me assure everyone, while the last book will have a final resolution, each book is a stand-alone novel.
What was your journey as a writer?
My journey began right about the same time as my youngest child began filling out college applications. I have always dreamed of writing a book. I would caress the books on the shelves and think, “I want to do this one day.” So how did I finally get up the nerve to write that first page? Well, I owe that kick in the pants to my sweet sister, Mary. She called one day and told me she quit smoking. Thank God! I asked what I could do to help. She shot back the challenged, she wouldn’t smoke that day if I sent her several pages of my first book. I, of course, had never written a thing, and didn’t have a clue what I was doing. But if it helped Mary not smoke, I typed away, and sent her the first awful pages of In the Shadow of Evil. At the end of the year, I finished my first full length novel and Mary was so free for a year.
What are your future writing goals?
My most immediate future goal is to finish the next two books. Once the D’Azzo series, is in the world, I want to try writing something a little calmer, maybe a romantic suspense comedy. I not sure that sub-genre exist, but I’m going to give it a try.
Whom do you see as your ideal reader?
My ideal reader is someone who loves suspense, mystery, and romance, but a wonderful happy ending. My stories revolve around family, usually a big, loud opinionated, but loving family. Some of my readers will love the romance, the journey my characters take to find love, something we all want in our life. But other readers will love the suspense element, and enjoy the ride I give them. It starts in chapter one and doesn’t let go until the very end. I twist things around in such a way that hopefully nobody can figure out how my hero and heroine will ever come together until I’m ready for them to experience their well deserved happy-ever-after.
When you have time, what would we find you reading?
I have a very hard time reading while I’m in the middle of a project. I constantly find myself analyzing how the author constructed the scene, and what he/she did to pull me into the story. I end up closing the book and getting back on my laptop. Once the novel is complete, I read like crazy. I love all kinds of different authors from Nora Roberts to JK Rowling. When I’m not reading fiction, I love science magazines like Spectrum. I’m always searching for new ideas for the next book.
What do you learn from your writing?
Persistence. Commitment.
Who has been your biggest supporter?
My amazing family!
How are you promoting your work?
I have all the normal social media sites like a website, blog, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, etc. Just this month, I launched a new close group of Facebook called Nancy’s Corner. It’s a place where readers can have a weekly personal relationship with me. I encourage them to drop in and invite their friends who they think might like my books. It’s a page where if you just would like a happy thought sent your way or a prayer, then that’s what we’ll all do for you. Also, any promotional give-aways, Advance Reader’s copies of my books, this group gets first dibs.
What advice can you give to aspiring writers?
Just
write. That’s the biggest hurdle. Seek out workshops and conferences in your
genre where you can really develop your craft. The publishing world isn’t
always a nice place. Rejection is real, hard to deal with, but part of the
dream. Don’t allow it to stop you in your tracks. When you are ready to jump
into the pool, feel free to seek me out. I’ll hold your hand through it like so
many authors held mine. Here is what I had taped to my laptop. Improve. Develop a thick skin. Write through
it all.
Where can our readers find a copy of your work?
Here are all the links if you would like to stalk me. But…the best way to keep in
touch is to sign up for my Newsletter and/or
join Nancy’s Corner.
And finally, as an author, do you have any quirks
or habits that help you write better?When I’m stuck on a scene and written myself into a wall, for some crazy reason, brushing my teeth always clears a path.
Thank you for being my guest today. I wish you the best of luck with your writing.
Zrinka, it was wonderful being here. Thank you. I left behind a short blurb and excerpt for your readers. AND…I have a giveaway. Hint: The answer is in the excerpt.
Blurb for The
Eyewitness:
Fans of TV’s Blue Bloods will love this dynamic new
suspense series.
Maryland PD forensic scientist Emersyn D’Azzo
has an explosive past with her father’s younger, sexy partner, Detective Alec
Pearce. Then an ill-timed kiss destroys the thin line of trust between her and
her dad, just before tragedy strikes and someone guns down her father.
The fatal bullet turns out to be tied to the
ongoing spree of random sniper kills across the state, but Emersyn knows this
wasn’t a random act of violence and is determined to find the killer.
To do so, she’ll need to rely on help from
Alec, whom she doesn’t quite trust but just can’t resist. When they discover a
connection to a decades-old disappearance of a college student, their
investigation takes a deadly twist. Can they learn to trust each other with
their hearts to save their lives?
The excerpt for The Eyewitness: In this scene, Emersyn did something that she
needed to do, but in the process, hurt Alec deeply. As always, they spend a few
moments getting along before they turn back into vinegar and oil. But no
worries, I eventually give them a good shake. They mix together just fine.
Enjoy! J
Emersyn opened the
driver’s door then faced Alec. He moved in close, the back of his finger
brushing away the moisture on her cheeks. She didn’t pull away when his hand
rested on her waist. “I’m sorry, Alec. I thought clearing my father’s office
would help.”
“You don’t owe me an
apology. I get why you came here, and it is me who should apologize. I took my
mood out on you.”
He tucked a loose strand
of hair behind her ear. Emersyn ached to press her hand over his and feel his
heat on her face. But at the same time, a new sense of self-preservation
prickled across her skin. Who could she trust? Her own mother had warned her
that she really didn’t know the man in front of her.
Fear had a way of
distorting reality. Her world had become so damn confusing she couldn’t find
balance. She slipped her hand into her pocket and fingered the flash drive. The
small piece of plastic could be nothing—or it could be everything.
“Em, where did you go?”
She faked a smile. “Just
thinking about work. I keep expecting an email from security requesting my
badge.”
He drew her close,
wrapping his arms around her, his warmth calming her immediately. She couldn’t
pull away. She needed this—something else she couldn’t understand.
He finally dropped his
arms and took a step back. “I know Angela McCain well. Regardless of how she
feels about you right now, she will get to the bottom of what happened
yesterday.”
“I keep running the events
through my head. The fire had to come from inside the walls, but there was no
burning smell.”
“The fire marshal and CI
team are on scene. This wasn’t a lab accident, and they aren’t treating it as
one.”
“Why haven’t they
questioned me?”
“I’m sure they will at
some point.” He lifted her chin. “Something else is wrong. I see it in your
eyes. What else happened?”
“Nothing.”
“You are a terrible liar.”
He let her go, resting his arm on the roof of her car. If he was trying to make
her feel trapped, it worked.
“From my house to here,
what could have possibly happened?”
“What do I have to do to
get you to trust me, Em?”
The annoyance in his voice
set her back up. “I’m not getting into this with you in the parking lot.”
“Answer my damn question.”
And they were right back
where they always seemed to fall, at each other’s throats. She tossed her
shoulder bag into the front seat. Hell, if it was a fight he wanted, then maybe
a good bitch-slap was what she needed to clear her head. “For starters, you can
stop pissing me off with things like this.” Emersyn knocked his arm off her car
so she could drop into the seat. He blocked the door when she tried to close
it.
“How, Em? I walk into a
room, and your blood starts to boil.”
She couldn’t get the
shields up fast enough. “You could at least pretend you don’t despise me, maybe
treat me once in a while like you treat Tessa.”
He knelt and reached for
her hand. “I don’t despise you.”
“Now who is lying?”
~~~
GIVEAWAY
My simple pleasure
is sipping my favorite coffee while reading a great book. I’m passing that on
to you. Answer the question below for a chance to win a digital book from my
backlist—including The Eyewitness,
and winner’s choice of a $5 Starbucks or Teavana tea gift card. Hint hint—read
the excerpt.
What is my hero’s favorite name for my
heroine?
Buy links---if you
want to post them:
Amazon Canada: http://a.co/5T5Xdkt
Zrinka, I am so thrilled to be here today. Thank you again for hosting me and helping spread the news about my new romantic suspense novel, The Eyewitness. To Zrinka's readers, if you have any questions, please ask away. I would be honored to answer them. Hugs!
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