I'm happy to introduce you to a fellow Michigander and an author with a new release. Even though we live in the same state, I met A.J. Norris through the Fantasy, Futuristic, and Paranormal RWA online chapter. Let's get this show on the road.
Welcome, A.J. Tell us about yourself.
I’m from Southeastern Michigan
and live with my husband, son, and two Yorkie mixes. I write paranormal romance
and romantic suspense. In my spare time, I love to go to the movies and watch
my son play baseball.
Where can readers find you?
Website: www.ajnorrisauthor.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/AJNorris_Author
Facebook: www.facebook.com/alisajnorris/
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I first realized I wanted to be a
writer when a story starting forming in my head and I needed to get it out.
That was about five years ago and I’ve been writing ever since. I knew though
that I needed help in order to become a better writer, so I joined a couple of
critique groups and tried to learn as much as possible through research and
just writing my butt off.
What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
I try to write something every
day, although that doesn’t always happen. When I’m writing a MS, I will usually
put down 1500-2000 words a day. Sometimes more.
Where do you start when writing? Research, plotting, outline, or...?
I’m a pantser, so I just sit down
and start writing. I usually have a main character in mind and put them in a
situation and let them tell my how it unfolds. I research as I go along or make
a note to look something up later. After I get the first ten thousand or so
word down, I loosely outline the ending so I stay on track. I need to have the
ending in my sights, otherwise I get lost.
If you could give the younger version of yourself advice what would it
be?
That’s simple: start writing
earlier.
What do you hope readers take with them after reading your work?
My books tend to be somewhat dark
with happy endings. I put my heart into every character and I hope that it
shows. I love stories about redemption and second chances.
Tell us about your latest release.
My latest release is the second
book in my paranormal romance series called Her Black Heart. The first book,
Her Black Wings is where it all began. I recommend readers start with the first
book before reading the second because the sub-plots carryover in the second
book. However, each book features a different romantic couple.
Although, my Dark Amulet Series
is a paranormal romance, some have said it has horror elements. I also try to
use situational humor to offset the darker parts.
Amalya Rivers longs to die and end her lonely
existence—but it doesn’t work out that way…
A former runaway turned criminal, Amalya is murdered and
thrust into a treacherous world full of red-skinned, horned beasts under the
control of the Demon Ruler, Abaddon, instead of enjoying peace and serenity
like she hoped. But saving a young child from a certain brutal death in the
last moments of her life has earned her a chance at salvation.
Elliott the Redeemer wants no part in saving another
soul…
After one too many failures at redeeming lost souls, the
nail-biting, self-pitying Elliott has had enough of his work and would prefer
to live out his eternity on Earth drowning in bourbon. It doesn’t matter that
Amalya has grown black feathered wings signifying the good that still dwells
within her. He can’t risk failure again.
Amalya must save someone from her past in order to escape
Abaddon’s rule…
She has to prevent the now grown child she saved from
committing murder or risk returning to Netherworld with Abaddon for good. She
can’t do it alone, though. Amalya needs the help of the angel sent to guide
her, but their emerging love might not be enough to convince Elliott she’s
worth the risk.
Amalya loves her black wings. She knows she’s meant to be
an angel—and she will stop at nothing to prove it…
Her Black Wings
Excerpt:
“You can touch them if you
want.”
Placing a hand on the cushion at
her hip, he leaned down. He ran a palm along one of the top arches of her
wings. She closed her eyes and moaned, carried away by the new sensation. His
touch felt erotic. What was the deal with that? He seemed to enjoy it as much
as she did. Then he stopped, got off the couch, and went to gaze out the
sliding glass door.
The angel stared outside. When
he didn’t move for five minutes, Amalya became curious to see what he was
looking at so intently through the glass. She pulled herself to a sitting
position. Straightening out her legs, she placed her bare feet on the putrid
yellow carpet. When she took a step toward him, she almost tripped over one of
the shoes Aba had given her. She looked around for the other pump. It was
missing. Damn; she’d liked them too.
She stood beside him about to
take her first glimpse of Earth in ten years. The fact that it had only been a
couple of days for them didn’t matter; she was nervous. All she could see was
an overcast sky, reminding her of the last moments of her life. She had to step
closer to the glass to get a better view. The balcony beyond the door-wall was
enclosed with a black wrought iron railing. They were up high, maybe on the top
floor of a ten or so story building. She expected to see snow on the ground.
Instead, grass covered the courtyard below. What had happened to winter?
Buy Link:
Thank you Diane for the spot.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure to have you here. Best wishes on Her Black Wings.
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