Welcome Allyson! Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I always hate this question. Okay, so here goes nothing. I’m
a wife and mother. I home school my four children and have three on the Autism
spectrum. In my free time, yeah like that happens often, I knit.
What is the most romantic thing your significant other or
anyone has done for you? That’s a hard one cause my hubby has done a lot of
things that are romantic. I guess one
would be at times he’ll make supper for the both of us after the kids are in
bed. We can sit and relax and talk.
Awww. See, now that
is romantic. Do you ever write in your PJ’s?
Oh my goodness, yes I sure do.
What are your pet peeves?
Lying. I can’t stand when people do this. I guess though my
biggest one is when I see those who have Autism or any special needs getting
treated wrong.
Cats or dogs?
I have 3 cats.
White wine or red?
Either
Coffee or tea?
Both. Coffee in the morning is a must and then sweet tea in
the afternoon.
Vanilla or chocolate
ice cream?
Chocolate.
What are 4 things you
never leave home without?
My purse, cell phone, mascara and car keys
Laptop or desktop for
writing?
Laptop
Where and when do you
prefer to do your writing?
I’d prefer to do it in the morning but that isn’t always
possible when homeschooling. I sneak time in throughout the day when the kids
are doing their school work. Usually, I sit in the recliner to write.
If you were deserted
on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?
Oh, this question could get me into a lot of trouble. Let’s
hope hubby doesn’t read this interview. LOL Channing Tatum, Chris Young and
Luke Bryan.
Now those are some
great ones to have along! An actor you have a crush on?
Channing Tatum
What is a movie or TV
show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?
DR. Who
What made you decide
to be an author?
I was going crazy 5 years ago stuck in a snow storm with the
kids. I remember waking up with this idea in my head. At this time, I’d not
written anything since high school. Only a couple friends knew that I wrote and
back then it was mostly poems. This idea for a YA book wouldn’t go away, so I
got my two oldest daughters going on their schooling for the day, and then sat
down at the computer and started typing. The book just poured out of me. That’s
when it all clicked and I knew I wanted to be an author.
How did you choose
the genre you write in?
ell, that took some time. I first started writing YA
(nothing published there yet.) I then went into another genre under a pen name,
but after awhile got bored of writing really hot. So, I guess the sweet genre
picked me. I’ve always written romance and suspense. Both are something that I
love.
Are you a punster or
a plotter and why?
I’m a plotter. It just works better for me this way to know
where things are going. My characters still surprise me all the time though.
Is there a particular
author who may have influenced you?
Yes, there is one who really did influence me as I switched
genres. That’s Julie Lessman.
What is your all time
favorite book?
I can’t pick just one. There are too many!
What is your favorite
sentence or quote in your new release?
That would have to be from the heroine’s daughter Hannah.
Actually there are a couple from her that are my favorites.
How much trouble did
your characters give you while writing your new release? Which one?
A lot! Mark was a pain in the behind. He didn’t want to
admit how tortured he was. Shelby didn’t want to admit how much she cared for
Mark. I wanted to slap them both.
Where do you get your
ideas from?
Everywhere.
How did you choose
your title?
I just picked a few and asked feedback from some close
people to me.
How do you cure
writer’s block?
By slamming my head on the computer…not really but at times
I want to. I usually go clean, cook, play with the kids, knit or something
else. It always passes.
Do you have any
advice for an aspiring writer?
Yes. Don’t give up … no matter what someone tells you. It
takes a lot of hard work to get published. Keep working on polishing your craft
and learning. And of course most importantly, keep writing.
What sacred advice
have you been giving by another writer?
To never give up and push through when something isn’t going
right with the book. Don’t be afraid to break the rules at times as well.
Where can your
readers stalk you?
Tell us about your
new release:
After a bitter divorce, Shelby Johnson is looking to
rebuild a life for her and her daughter, Hannah, while avoiding the thing she
mistrusts most: men. Her resolve is tested, however, when her brother’s best
friend, Mark, moves in across the street and her long-buried feelings for him
return. Can she possibly open up her heart again? Is she willing to let herself
love? When someone threatens her life she quickly realizes that her heart isn’t
the only thing on the line and she turns to the only man she feels she can
trust.
Reliving everything he lost overseas, Mark Daniels goes
back to his hometown to try and live a peaceful life but instead gets caught up
in Shelby’s troubles.. He knows she needs someone to protect her but can he be
that man? Except, being near Shelby again is making him feel things he’d rather
never feel—again. When his past comes to haunt him in a way he never expected,
he vows to protect Shelby and her daughter until his last breath.
Excerpt
“Stay right here, sweetie.”
Reaching in, she picked up the
paper. At first, the words written on the thing didn’t register. She had to
re-read them twice.
Keep
quiet or else.
Her hands shook. A lump formed in
her throat. When Mark walked out to the car, their gazes met. She noted the
concern on his face as he stared at her.
“What’s the matter, Shell?”
She tried to talk, but nothing
would come out. When he rushed to her side, she gave him the note. The words
had been created with letters out of magazines or something, glued to the
paper. She tightened her hold on Hannah. Someone had put the paper there when
they were a few feet away. Why?
“Take Hannah and move to the
sidewalk.”
Shelby nodded then moved to where
he told her. He pulled out his cell and punched in a number. Mark moved with
determination as he talked on the phone with the police. Within moments, a
squad car showed up. So much for not having attention on her while she was out
with Mark. Who had put the note in her car? Better yet, how did they get in
when she’d locked the car?
“Shelby,
do you have someone mad at you?” Detective Moore asked as he shut the door to
his car and made his way over to her.
