Interview–Sharon Donovan

CTR: Welcome to author Sharon Donovan who’s sharing our themed book party today! First, tell us a little bit about the book you’re featuring today. Things like publisher, release date, ISBN and a buy link at least please! Also a blurb would be nice 🙂

SD: It’s my pleasure to be joining Ctr today for the chosen theme of honoring men and women in uniform. Her Biggest Fan is a thriller filled with twists and turns that will keep you guessing until you turn the last page. It is written in three points of view—hero (Mike) heroine (Tess) and villain (The Master). I used wax gargoyles to draw the reader into the web of suspense. The Master is a clever manipulator hellbent on convincing Tess that dear old Daddy has just risen from the dead and has come back to haunt her. Getting Sheriff Mike Andretti to believe her could prove to be her biggest challenge. To quote a reviewer, “This was a great mixture of psychological thriller, Classic Gothic and old Hollywood glamour. Fans of this well-written genre will definitely enjoy this story.”

Title: Her Biggest Fan
Part of The Men in Uniform series
Release date: September 24, 2010
Author: Sharon Donovan
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
ISBN: 1-60154-813-3
Buy link
http://www.TheWildRosePress.com/Her-Biggest-Fan-P-4234.HTML

Blurb:
From the shadows of the woods, he keeps vigil. The stage is set to drive the pretty
little princess insane. He’s coming for her. And when he catches her, he’ll pounce
on her like the big bad wolf.
After receiving a disturbing fan letter, New York Times best-selling author Tess
Kincaid flees to the Northern California home she’s inherited following her father’s suicide. The manor has been tainted with, every room staged to resemble the way it
was in its glory days. But when Tess calls the police, the chilling props vanish
into thin air.
Ruggedly handsome Sheriff Mike Andretti is called to investigate the reported burning
candles, dancing gargoyles and otherworldly. When he discovers no trace of the eerie
setting, he finds himself caught between duty and desire. Is the woman with the bewitching
green eyes delusional–or is this a trap of twisted wit set by a demented fan?

CTR: What made you decide to write this particular book? Did you have a special uniformed person in mind or just admire them all? Can you give us some story behind the story?

SD: The Crimson line of The Wild Rose Press had a call out for their Men in Uniform series. Although I didn’t have someone in mind, the call out made me aware of how fortunate we are to live in a country where men and women selfishly put their lives on the line day after day to protect us from harm’s way. Whether it be armed forces, those in law enforcement or the heroic Fallen Angels of 911, my hat is off to them and I salute them.

As a former legal secretary in the Court of Common Pleas where I prepared cases for judges, I witnessed first hand the role of a sheriff. Our county sheriffs solemnly escorted shackled criminals from the jail to the courtroom, transported them in patrol cars to state penitentiaries when sentenced, and intervened during a domestic squabbling between a plaintiff and defendant, keeping employees safe as we roamed the halls of justice.

So I knew my book for the Men in Uniform series would feature a sheriff as the hero in my romantic suspense. As far as inspiration for my book, all credits go to my mother, and to pay tribute, I dedicated Her Biggest Fan to her. Here’s a little background.

My mother grew up in the small coal mining town of Shamrock in rural Pennsylvania. Every night at midnight, what appeared to be a ball of fire would illuminate a hillside where a coal mine exploded and many coal miners lost their lives? If anyone tried to get close to the blazing flame of fire, it would disappear. It became legendary in the small rural town, and countless people tried to solve the mystery. While the mystery was never solved, the legend lived on. What do I think? I believe it was the spirit of one of the coal miners that lost his life, keeping vigil and warning curious onlookers to stay clear of a potentially hazardous site.

Her Biggest Fan has nothing to do with a coal mining town, but growing up hearing my mother and her siblings talk about the eerie ball of fire rolling down a hill at midnight sparked an idea for a storyline for a romantic suspense in this author’s imagination.

Using wax gargoyles as props in a century old manor overlooking the rugged cliffs of the Atlantic, the stormy weather of New England combined with creepy music for atmosphere, a best-selling author being stalked by a madman and a handsome sheriff to the rescue, I wrote Her Biggest Fan.

CTR: How about the spouses and SOs of our uniformed protectors—do you know one and sympathize with the special stresses they have to endure? Do you think couples can make two careers of this kind work?

SD: I don’t have first hand knowledge of the perseverance it surely must take, but I would imagine every time I kissed my spouse good bye, I would wonder if it would be our last kiss. I think it is times like these where we put our faith in higher hands and pray.

As far as couples making two careers of the same kind work, like any relationship, true love will always rule the heart.

CTR: What do you think is the special appeal of men and women in uniform, be it military, law enforcement, fire fighters or others? Do they make good romance characters because of this?

SD: Absolutely. In this day of fear and uncertainty, if we didn’t have our uniformed heroes to protect us and our freedom, where would we be? As far as I’m concerned, those who care enough to put their lives on the line make the best romantic heroes. Here’s a little about my hero.

As part of the Men in Uniform series, Her Biggest Fan portrays a man women can look up to and depend on. Sheriff Mike Andretti is the personification of alpha and beta male. He has a soft spot for a pretty woman, but if she crosses him, look out…the dominant male rules.

Sheriff of Hancock County in Bar Harbor Maine, he is ruggedly handsome with shaggy blonde hair and eyes that shimmer like topaz jewels. When he isn’t keeping the island safe from harm’s way, you’ll find him on his ranch tending to his horses and a menagerie of pets. He’s as honest as the day is long and that’s why he has trouble believing Tess. Sheriff Mike Andretti has a love of people, animals and a great respect for the law. And with that warrior tattoo wickedly flexing on his biceps, did I mention he’s sexy as hell. Wink

CTR: Let’s switch subjects a little bit now. Here we are at the start of a brand new year. Are you one of those folks who makes a big list of resolutions and struggles to keep at least some of them or do you take a pass on this custom?

SD: I never make promises I know I won’t keep. Rather than make resolutions, I invite fans and friends and readers to my blog to share a favorite tradition or legend. For those of you who know me and follow my blog, you already know that being a wee bit Irish and a wee bit superstitious, collecting these three things is a passion of mine. Keeping traditions is the backbone of who I am, and the ones passed on from generation to generation are near and dear to my heart. Here’s a favorite from my Irish aunt.

At the stroke of midnight on the new year, open the back door to let out any bad luck that befell you during the past year. Then rush to open the front door to usher in good luck for the new year. You can share your favorite tradition here. You never know what kind of luck might befall. You just might stumble upon a prize for my favorite. Wink!
http://sharondonovan.blogspot.com

CTR: Do you have a goal, plan or dream for something to do this year?

SD: My goal is to complete the sequel to Mask of the Betrayer, do more promoting and spend quality time with family and friends.

CTR: Where do you see yourself and your writing career on Jan 1, 2012? 2020? Even farther into the future?

SD: On August 11th, I suffered a massive heart attack. According to my cardiologist, I died twice on the operating table. After losing four days of my life while fighting for it in ICU, I don’t make predictions of where I’ll be in the future. The future’s not ours to see. What will be will be.
Lesson learned: Live life to the fullest and make every day count!

CTR: Wow, that is pretty awesome. I applaud your courage!! Anything else you’d like to share with our readers today?

SD: I would like to take this opportunity to personally salute the men and women serving in the military, police, fire fighters and law enforcers who keep our country free and safe. Thank you.

Wishing one and all a Blessed and Joyous 2011!

CTR: Thanks so much for joining us today and please come again when you have a book that meets our theme.

SD: Thank you, it’s been my pleasure. I’ll be back in February to chat with readers about Charade of Hearts, Oliver’s story! I hope you’ll join me. In the meantime, read all about it on my website. www.sharonadonovan.com

NOTE: Sharon is visually impaired and uses a speech recognition program so I will be posting some things for her as the day goes by. First one to follow this is her giveaway info!!