Interview with Shirleen Davies author of MacLarens of Fire Mountain Series. Book 3 is now available. Enter the giveaway and win an amazing prize.

One More Day

Book Three, MacLarens of Fire Mountain Contemporary Romance Series

By Shirleen Davies

Book Synopsis:

Cameron “Cam” Sinclair is smart, driven, and dedicated, with an easygoing temperament that belies his strong will and the personal ambitions he holds close. Besides his family, his job as head of IT at the MacLaren Cattle Company and his position as a Search and Rescue volunteer are all he needs to make him happy. At least that’s what he thinks until he meets, and is instantly drawn to, fellow SAR volunteer, Lainey Devlin.

Lainey is compassionate, independent, and ready to break away from her manipulative and controlling fiancé. Just as her decision is made, she’s called into a major search and rescue effort, where once again, her path crosses with the intriguing, and much too handsome, Cam Sinclair. But Lainey’s plans are set. An opportunity to buy a flourishing preschool in northern Arizona is her chance to make a fresh start, and nothing, not even her fierce attraction to Cam Sinclair, will impede her plans.

As Lainey begins to settle into her new life, an unexpected danger arises —threats from an unknown assailant—someone who doesn’t believe she belongs in Fire Mountain. The more Lainey begins to love her new home, the greater the danger becomes. Can she accept the help and protection Cam offers while ignoring her consuming desire for him?

Even if Lainey finally accepts her attraction to Cam, will he ever be able to come to terms with his own driving ambition and allow himself to consider a different life than the one he’s always pictured? A life with the one woman who offers more than he’d ever hoped to find?

Read One More Day, another heart-warming and romantic story of passion, love, choices, and commitment in the MacLarens of Fire Mountain Contemporary Romance series.

Author Info:

I have been writing most of my life, but only recently began the transition into fiction. Historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and short stories are what keep me reading, so that is the focus of my writing.

I was born in California, grew up between a growing beach town and a small town at the base of the San Bernardino mountains. My mother originally planned to name me Katherine, but she read an article in the paper about a woman named Shirleen shortly before my birth, so instead of having a cool nickname, like Kate, I am simply Shirleen. My mainstays growing up were all the Nancy Drew mystery books; I loved them. Eventually I moved on to mysteries, suspense stories, crime novels, and romance. Pride and Prejudice will always be one of my favorites.

Besides California, life changes have allowed me to live in Oregon, Colorado, and Arizona. Everywhere I have lived has been inspirational in one way or another, giving me the opportunity to meet remarkable people with their own stories to tell. I've sailed, skied, owned horses plus lots of other animals, and ridden various off-road vehicles. I enjoy dancing, fishing, hunting, being the back-seater on my husband's Harley, traveling and, of course, reading and writing.

Prior to transitioning to writing fiction, I worked for Fortune 500 and many smaller, start-up companies. Fortunately, I regained my sanity long enough to start my own consulting firm, which I still maintain today.

My husband and I spend most of our time at our main home in the mountains of Arizona and our second home in Southern California. Between us we have five boys with growing careers and families of their own. So, from my perspective, my life is a success and always an adventure. I wouldn't change a thing; well, except finding more time to write.

I love hearing from readers, so please feel email me at shirleen@shirleendavies.com.

One More Day, by Shirleen Davies

1.       Are you famous is the general question I get when family and friends introduces me to their friends. It always left me with a pause as quick comebacks filters through my mind but ending up saying something like ….”Oh gee thanks” and give a shy smile, silly I know but the idea unsettles me. (a)Does this happen to you and (b) what do you say?

I haven’t gotten that particular question. What I usually get is “Wow, you’re an author. What do you write?” My response includes, “Yes, I am an author. I write historical western romance, contemporary romance, and romantic suspense. I currently have nine (or whatever the number is) books available.” At that point they will ask “where are they for sale?”—which is always a good sign. Of course I respond with where the books may be purchased.

2.       In general do you like to talk about you writing and published books or are you very close-lip about it? If no why?

Talking about writing and publishing is something I do all the time. People are curious and want to know how a book goes from idea to finished product. For whatever reason, the book industry is a mystery to most and anything they learn about it helps them understand the process and well as challenges an author faces when they decide to put their ideas on paper.

3.       What book/s are you currently writing and what is it about?

My current project is a new historical western romance series set just after the Civil War. The series is called Redemption Mountain and book one is titled Redemption’s Edge. Book one will release in October of this year and follows the stories of various men and women who come through the war to find the world they left no longer exists.

4.       Why this particular genre?

I write in two main genres—contemporary romance and historical western romance. One More Day is book three in my newest contemporary romance series, the MacLarens of Fire Mountain Contemporary. I love writing romance and specifically these two sub-genres. I’m also a history buff and have lived on ranches and farms. Writing about life in the western United States, whether in the past or present, holds a strong appeal to me.

5.       What inspire or motivate you to write?

I seem to come up with stories which simply push me to write them. So far, I haven’t experienced typical writer’s block as each day I wake up ready to move on with whatever current story I’m writing.

6.       What is the writing process like for you?

For most stories, I start notes well in advance as ideas emerge. I keep them in a separate spiral notebook for each story and also keep a master binder for the series. Although I write singles, my preference is to write series where readers get to know the characters over multiple books. Once I start writing, I sketch an outline, then keep track of characters and story elements with spreadsheets.

7.       How did/do you teach yourself to write?

I’ve written for years. Only recently did I begin to publish my stories. Over all this time I’ve taken numerous classes and workshops (many online). I am also a voracious reader.

8.       What aspect of the craft do you think is most difficult to learn?

I believe it’s different for each writer. POV (Point of View) may be hard for some authors while character development may be more difficult for others. For me, it’s most difficult to cut out the use of vague words which are so much a part of our speech.

9.       What has been the most encouraging comment someone has made about your writing?

When my first editor sent me a comment which read, “You are now an author.” Her words meant a great deal to me.

10.   What is the best and/ or worst part of being a writer?

The best is receiving all the encouraging emails from my readers. Those comments make all the long hours worthwhile.

The worst is identifying good editors. There are so many and oftentimes their input doesn’t agree. Who’s right and who’s not?

11.   Any advice for struggling writers?

Keep writing and don’t give up. Also, don’t believe there is just one path to publishing. Authors no longer are plagued with just one choice of getting their stories in front of readers. Legacy publishers, self-publishing, or a hybrid approach make it possible for any good writer to get their book out to the public.

12.   What is your favorite genre to read or write?

Historical western romance, contemporary romance, and romantic suspense.

13.   Favorite author?

I have so many I enjoy and the list keeps growing as more Indie authors publish their stories. Truthfully, I just don’t have a favorite.

14.   Do you have a favorite spot to read and write? Share a photo if you have

I have an office with my printer, etc. My preference is my dining room table as it provides a spectacular view of the mountains that surround my town.

15.   What did you do before you became a writer?

I have a BS and Masters in business and have worked in human resources for large multi-national as well as small organizations. I’ve owned a consulting firm for over 15 years and I’m now the senior partner, which allows me to write just about as much as I want.

16.   Was it a life long dream or triggered recently?

Definitely a lifelong dream. I have stories tucked away I wrote years ago. Until the last few years, my life didn’t allow me to live the dream. Now I am.

17.   What do you like to do when not writing? Share a photo

Dancing, exercise, clay target shooting, hunting, fishing, riding on the back of my husband’s Harley, traveling, cooking, and reading. I love horses but sold my last one a few years ago.

18.   Do you have a bucket/ to-do list and would you share at least two things on it?

Odd you should ask as my husband and I discussed this a few weeks ago. I know it sounds strange, but I’ve done everything that truly mattered to me, including my dream to write. We wanted to take a cruise in the Mediterranean, and did quite a long one last fall. Perhaps the last thing would be travel to Ireland, Wales, and Sweden, the ancestral homes of my husband and I.

19.   Most daring thing or experience you have done you would like to share?

Hmmm…racing down the ice-packed, expert ski slopes of Jackson Hole (that was more stupid than daring), possibly my 6500 foot zipline experience, or my various attempts at barrel racing. It’s a toss-up.

20.   This or that questions:

·         Coffee or Tea – Coffee in the morning, Tea in the afternoon.

·         Sweet or savory – Sweet

·         Home make meal or takeouts – Home made

·         Winter or summer – I love both equally.

·         Night-owl or Early-Bird – Early bird.

·         Telephone or visits –  Visits

·         Which social network do you prefer? For pure fun, Pinterest. Because I must, Facebook.

·         Blogger or website? I have both but the website hold more appeal.

·         What does your family say about your career? Supportive or Clueless – Very supportive. I am blessed with an abundance of support.

And Finally

Moto/wisdom in life you live by.

I have had this by my desk for more years than I can remember.

By Winston Churchill”

"Never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.'' 

Connect  with Shirleen:

Website: www.shirleendavies.com

Facebook Author Page: www.facebook.com/ShirleenDaviesAuthor 

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/shirleendavies 

Goodreads:

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