Thursday, March 3, 2011

Author Interview - Anne Albert - Romanctic Suspense

 

 
Deanna:  Everyone, thank you so much for joining us on location today. Is this not the most beautiful place? Anne, thank you so much for inviting us to this location. It’s amazing! I don’t think I’m the only one who will immediately feel the tranquility here. What a great setting for your trilogy. Tell us about your virtual location setting.

Anne:  Love to! We’re on fictional Piedmont Island. It’s an island off the north eastern coast of Minnesota, and it is surrounded by the largest fresh body of water in the world, Lake Superior. It’s a glorious place of rugged rock cliffs, rolling meadowland, primal forests and serene natural beauty. But be forewarned, Piedmont Island is a community where troubles outnumber residents!

Deanna:  I’m originally from Michigan and love Lake Superior and the UP of Michigan. Tell us a bit about yourself that our readers might not know.

Anne:  Whenever the weather permits, I often write while sitting in my car. Parked. In my driveway! I call it my “cone of silence”. My very own writer’s cocoon, if you will. I’m certain at least one of my neighbors thinks I’m a little odd, but it’s a wonderful place to write and I plan to keep on doing it.

Deanna:  I have to admit, that writing place is a new one for me! What one line best sums you up as an author?

Anne:  I write mystery and romantic suspense stories that chill the spine, warm the heart, and soothe the soul…all with a delightful dash of humor.

Deanna:  Do you write under a pen name?

Anne:  Yes, I do. I’ve always been an intensely private person, so I chose Anne K. Albert because it is a combination of my daughter’s, mine, and husband’s middle names. That my pen name’s acronym just happens to spell AKA is a wonderful bonus because I adore a play on words!

Deanna:  What are your favorite books to read?

Anne:  The same kind I like to write - cozy or gentle mysteries and romantic suspense stories. I can’t resist a puzzle to solve, a handsome hero, spunky heroine, and a happily-ever-after. It’s also very important to me that the villain gets his comeuppance in the end. Plus, I prefer that all morbid details, harsh language, and intimacy to be ‘off stage’. For that reason you won’t find any of those in my stories.

Deanna:  Do your books have a common theme or are they all different?

Anne:  The theme for both DEFENDING GLORY, first book of my Piedmont Island Trilogy series, and FRANK, INCENSE AND MURIEL, first book of the Muriel Reeves Mysteries, is betrayal.

I recall reading somewhere that most authors do have a common theme that runs through their work, and obviously, I feel very passionate about betrayal, especially when it’s by a friend or family member. Using another person for personal gain, outrages me to the very core.

That said, I’m working on the second book of the Piedmont Island Trilogy and the theme is addiction - which suggests I’m not yet addicted to betrayal!

Deanna:  Tell us about “Defending Glory”.

Anne:  My debut novel tells the story of a woman who believes unconditionally in the Lord, and a man who is convinced there is no master plan, no purpose in life, and most certainly, no merciful God in Heaven.

Suffering from survivor’s guilt and unable to resume his career with the FBI, Mac McKeown moves to northern Minnesota to start over as a general contractor and forget that fateful day that changed everything. When he discovers the body of his nemesis on Glory Palmer’s property, along with a warning for her to leave while she still can, Mac realizes his past has come back to haunt him and an innocent woman’s life is in grave danger. He vows to keep her safe during construction of the retreat, but can he protect his heart as well?


Deanna:  I love suspense and romance tied into one novel! What are readers saying about Defending Glory?

Anne:  One reader reported I kept her up until 2:00 A.M. because she just had to keep reading! Another admitted she finished Defending Glory in a single sitting. It’s such a thrill to know people are enjoying my debut novel.

Deanna:  Congratulations, Anne! You’re also the author of another series. Details please!

Anne:  What happens when a gullible intellectual joins forces with her sexy high school classmate, now an even sexier private investigator, to find a missing woman the week before Christmas? FRANK, INCENSE AND MURIEL, that's what. Add an embezzler, kidnapper, femme fatale, and Muriel's zany but loveable family to the mix, and the result is a holiday mystery with a delightful touch of humor.

This first book of the Muriel Reeves Mysteries series was released in e-book format November 2010. The print version will be available mid 2011. This series is a combination of all that I love about writing and reading. I love to solve a puzzle. I love the chemistry between the two main characters, and I adore the antics of Muriel’s eccentric family. This was a fun, entertaining book to write, and I can’t wait to start the second book of the series.

Deanna:  What one how-to write book is a must on your bookshelf? Why?

Anne:  I own dozens of how-to write books, but the one I continually reach for is Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight V. Swain. It’s the most technical and in-depth of any how-to book I’ve ever read, yet whether at the beginning, unpublished or published stage of my career there is always some tidbit of information to improve my writing. To paraphrase Shrek, this book is like an onion. It has so very many layers!

Deanna:  Our viewers are anxious to visit your sites. Where can they find you on the web?

Anne:  They can visit my website - http://www.annekalbert.com/.

I also have three blogs:

Plus, I’m on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/AnneKAlbert)

Thank you so very much for featuring me today, Deanna. It was great fun!

Deanna:  It's been a pleasure having you here today, Anne. I know our readers have enjoyed this interview! Is there anything else you’d like to add before we end here?

Anne:  For those interested in a chance to WIN a copy of the ebook Defending Glory, they only need to leave a comment and on Saturday a winner will be drawn.

       I’d love to chat with those who wish to leave a comment or question…..so fire away!

2 comments:

  1. Love your book cover~beautiful. Really enjoyed your interview. I love that you write in your car. You are the first one that I heard that from. Cars are very comfy and quiet. Did you always want to be a writer and how did you get your start?
    Sue B
    katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com

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  2. Hi Sue, I love the cover, too! I came to writing rather late in life. I honestly never thought 'real' people wrote books. For some reason I figured authors were like aliens...everyone's heard of them, but few people have seen one!

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