Paranormal

Awakening the Fire with @ShieldsAlly

Awakening the Fire.

Ally Shields, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. Let’s talk about
your book, Awakening the Fire (Guardian Witch Book One).
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Romantic Paranormal
Buy links: Amazon (US): http://amzn.to/Nr8jko
Amazon (UK):
http://amzn.to/Rt0zkb
Barnes and Nobel: http://bit.ly/RPrJ45
All Romance Ebooks: http://bit.ly/U25Q0G
Publisher: Etopia Press
Cover artist: Annie Melton
Length: 83,000 words, 245 pages (approx.)
Heat rating: Sexual tension, PG-13, M/F
Tagline:
While fire witch cop Ari Calin races to stop the violence triggered
by an exotic drug, a werewolf pack is intent on starting a supernatural war.
Blurb:
Ari Calin has sworn to keep the peace in the Olde Town
district of Riverdale, and most of the time the Otherworlders cooperate. The vampires,
werewolves and other magical creatures go about their own business, living side
by side with humans, until the foreign werewolves arrive and an virtual reality
drug hits the streets. When violence erupts, Ari needs more than her witch fire,
weapons and potions to stop the madness.
Teaming with a human police lieutenant and a way-too-sexy vampire
singer, Ari hunts for the enemy—from the vampire strip clubs to the caverns under
the city. Every step draws Ari and her companions deeper into an old feud and closer
to the brink of a supernatural war.
Show More
Show Less
What are your main characters’ names, ages, and occupations?
Arianna Calin, 23, is
a fire witch and a cop for the Magic Council, the ruling authority for Otherworlders.
Andreas De Luca is a
vampire who sings in a vampire supper club—and so much more. Andreas was born in
1786 but he was 29 when he became a vampire and will look 29 and yummy forever.
Lt. Ryan Foster, 34,
is Ari’s partner among the human cops. They work joint cases for the Magic Council
and the Riverdale Police Department.

Interview

What is the most important
thing you do for your career now, as compared to when you first started writing?
I network. When I began writing full time four years ago, my
friends and family didn’t understand why I was doing this. I felt rather lost until
I discovered other writers. Now I network for support and promotion, knowing there
are many out there sharing the same triumphs and frustrations.
What do you enjoy most
about life?
Almost everything. Seriously! I’ve always been curious and enjoy
seeing and experiencing new things, from climbing the pyramids to horseback-riding
through the Arizona
desert. I suppose that’s why writing, reading and traveling top my list of things
I love to do. It’s a way to experience many new worlds. But sometimes it’s the little
things that really catch you off guard. The butterfly in the garden, a particularly
good wine, a sailboat on the lake at sunset.
If you could give the
younger version of yourself advice what would it be?
Get serious about your writing much earlier in life. I wrote
my first book when I was nine—all about a palomino horse. Imagine how many books
I could have written if life hadn’t distracted me along the way! It takes time to
learn the craft. Write, rewrite, and then do it all over again.
Do things your family
or friends do ever end up in a book?
OMG, yes, but they don’t know it! Mannerisms mostly, and sometimes
parts of funny conversations. I try to disguise them so they won’t guess. :) But
I even use people on the street. No one is safe.
What are some jobs you’ve
done before (or while) you were a writer?
I began full-time employment as an English teacher, then a practicing
lawyer and finally a Juvenile Court Officer. The most fascinating years were spent
as a member of C.A.T.T, the Child Abuse Trauma Team that investigated severe child
abuse cases.
What kind of books do
you read when taking a break from your own writing?
I can’t read urban fantasy while I’m working on a new book, so
I usually turn to mysteries like those of J.D. Robb, thrillers like Vince Flynn,
or a light romance. If I need cheering up, I re-read Georgette Heyer to laugh at
her witty dialogue.
In between manuscripts, I catch up with new paranormal releases
from Laurell K Hamilton, Kim Harrison, Charlaine Harris, and anyone else that catches
my eye. I tend to like vampires!
Imagine you get to go
on a dream vacation, but you have only one hour to pack and leave, and it starts
as soon as you finish this interview. What will you take with you and where will
you go?
My laptop, so I could write and check-in by email and Twitter.
My kindle for obvious reasons. Lightweight clothing and my camera. I would return
to Egypt for the fourth time,
do the Nile trip again and see Luxor and Karnak. I love that place!
What is your favorite
holiday and why?
Thanksgiving. Everyone comes home for Thanksgiving just to enjoy
the good food and conversation. No pre-holiday shopping, fighting through the malls,
wrapping packages, or holiday programs to detract from family time. And I rather
like the pumpkin pie, too.
Which statement is more like you:
“I am a vacation spa because I am laid back and relaxed.”
“I am a ten-countries in ten-days tour vacation, because
I do things as fast as possible.”
I’m definitely the ten day tour, and I’ve been on several! If
something needs to be done, I want it done now. I’ll stay up all night to finish.
And I have no patience whatsoever with delayed gratification. Now, now, now. As
soon as this task is done, I can move on to the next challenge, the next fascinating
riddle to solve.

Please Fill in the Blanks

I love pizza with pepperoni and mushrooms.
I’m always ready for chocolate!
When I’m alone, I read or play tug-a-war with my miniature
pinscher, Ranger
.
You’d never be able to tell, but I have an earring collection
in the hundreds!
If I had a halo it would be tarnished.
:-D
If I could be an astronaut, I’d go to the moon or mars.
I can never watch a movie where the hero or heroine dies,
because I cry too much. It’s embarrassing!

Find Me Here

Book trailer: http://youtu.be/xraKddWGIgM

The Romance Lives Forever blog features authors and new books from all genres.