Alyssa Rose Ivy: February 2012

So many experiences are different the second time around. I discovered this fall that having a second child is a completely different experience from having your first.The same can be said for the second day of school, the second time you make a dish or go on a certain hike, and the list goes on. As I finalize Perilous Light and get ready for its March 30th release, I can't help reflecting on how different the experience is this time. Like all other "seconds" it's all about expectations.This time I have a much better idea of what to expect from the publication process, but on the flip side there are also more expectations both my own and those of my readers. I can only wonder how different it will feel on the third time around.

This week I have the pleasure of welcoming Nancy Straight to the blog! Nancy is the author of the romantic and suspenseful Destiny Series!

Can you tell us a little bit about the Destiny series? The Destiny Series trilogy is a Paranormal Romance with enough suspense to keep “thriller” junkies interested. It’s about a couple that are thrown some pretty terrific obstacles and the only truth they know are that they should be together. The heroine is strong, intelligent, witty, and has an exceptional moral compass.

What’s next? Do you have any other books/series in the works? I am always envious of authors that are able to work on multiple projects simultaneously. Unfortunately I’m not one of them. Destiny’s Wrath published the end of January. A week later I began my current project. It’s also in the Paranormal Romance genre. The series is currently untitled but it is about a girl that loses her mother only to find a family she never knew.

What is your favorite part about being an author? The feedback from readers! There is nothing more exciting than getting a note or tweet from someone that just finished a book and says something like, “I read until 3 a.m.” I love the Destiny Series, but I have been floored by the kind words and compliments from both people I don’t know and other authors that I admire.

What do you do when you are not writing? I have two sons, a husband, three dogs and a full time job, so my days are pretty full. I’m fortunate to have many things in my life that I love, in addition to the love of writing.

What are some of your favorite books and what do you look for in a good book? Alyssa – You know I loved Beckoning Light! Others I think every Paranormal fan should read are: Shelly Crane’s Significance Series, Charlotte Abel’s Channie Series, Shannon McDermott’s Beg for Mercy, and Nicole Williams’ Eden Series. I look for real emotions to jump out of my kindle and drag me through the story. Laughter, tears, joy – each of these books gave me a physical reaction when I read them.

If you found a hidden gate in your backyard, where would it lead to? Wow, great question! I live in Charleston, so I routinely look for the hidden gate you described in your book, LOL! There are so many places that I love, Pattaya Beach in Thailand was wonderful and I would like to go there again someday – I think that’s where my hidden gate would take me.

Tell us four random things about yourself. I served in the US Marine Corps for ten years. I LOVE the Big Bang Theory on CBS. I’m furious with HBO for screwing up Charlain Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse Series in their True Blood adaptation. I am technologically challenged and have a blog to prove it – I’m working on improving my blog but have been focusing on writing the last couple weeks.