As we move from the sultry days of summer to the nippier nights of fall, the temperatures might be cooling but the stories aren’t. Today, we have Amy Mistretta joining us to talk about her newest release, the steamy and suspenseful Secrets Within. Welcome to Coffee Time Romance and thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to join us, Amy. My pleasure! Thanks so much for having me!

To kick things off, could you tell us a little about yourself?

Well, I’m pretty laid back. I have a wonderful husband and two great kids, a four-pound Yorkshire Terrier and a twelve pound cat. My favorite past time is jumping on the back of my husband’s Harley and cruising the open roads.

Secrets Within is an incredibly emotional story filled with quite a few conflicts, namely the community’s way of dealing with Evan’s return after being in prison. How did this plot come about and where did the stunner of an ending come from?

As with all my novels, the plot just came to me one night out of the blue. As for the ending… After the story hit its climax, I wanted to carry out the element of suspense as long as I could, and the ending just seemed to write itself.

Most of your stories have an element of suspense in them. Do you prefer that genre?

Yes, I absolutely love the suspense element, but could never imagine not having the romance involved.

Is there another you would like to venture into?

Not really, I like writing romantic-suspense way too much.

When did you know you needed to become a writer?

That’s an easy one… When my second child was born, I quit my job to become a stay-at-home mom. With two little ones running around, I needed to find an outlet that was just for me, to take me away, as a way to relax. Being an avid reader, I just decided one day, “I’d love to write a book.” And I did, and another, and another LOL.

Do you have any sort of set routine for your writing time?

I write mostly at night, and whenever the mood strikes me.

Any particular habits or rituals you do?

I have to have music on when I write.

If you could live the life of any of your characters, which would it be?

Oh, it’s so hard to choose. If I had to pick one, I’d probably want to live the life of Jessie Logan in “Waves of Fate,” living on the beach, all the money in the world, a sexy rock star living next-door LOL.

I read on your website you work for Soaps.com. Do you find any inspirations from soap operas?

Yes, I’m the news writer and website manager for the One Life to Live and The Bold and the Beautiful divisions. I’ve always been a huge fan of soaps! I get inspiration out of some of the character rather than story ideas.

Describe the perfect day off for you.

Honestly, I would love to sit on a beach all day or in front of a cozy fire, depending on the season, and just relax…

Thank you for joining us today at Coffee Time Romance, Amy. Are there any last juicy tidbits you’d like to share with our readers?

I’m hoping to sell my latest romantic-suspense, “Undying Passions,” in the coming months, so be on the lookout.

Thanks so much for having me today. I enjoyed every minute of it!

Coffee Time Romance wants to thank Ms. Mistretta for chatting with us today, Thank you.  SUPER, Learn more about your favorite authors and their newest releases here.