My guest today is Allison Pearl, author of the romantic suspense “Love and Danger in St. Claire” series. Allison, I’ve enjoyed reading Glazed Suspicion. I especially liked the characters you created and the small town setting. Thank you for joining me today. I’m excited to introduce you to my readers.
Let’s get started by telling us a little bit about yourself.
I’m way more boring than my books. I’m a bit of a country girl who has lived in a lot of different places. But no matter where I am, I tend to be doing the same things: reading and playing with my pets.
What is your series about?
My ‘Love and Danger in St. Claire’ series is a collection of stories about the folks living in a small Pennsylvania town that has a few secrets buried underneath its country charm.
Were there any surprises that came up as you wrote your story?
Well… I’m not much of a planner or brain-stormer. I think of an idea, sit down and see what happens. So, to me, even the next sentence is a surprise.
How did you come up with the names of your hero and/or heroine?
When choosing names, I always focus on syllables and what names will sound kind of sing-song-ish together. Do I want a one to one syllable ratio, two to two, or a mix? Then, I just plug different names into the rhythm as I’m writing and hope they stick.
Are you a plotter or a panster?
I wish I was a plotter, but the word ‘Outline’ is not in my vocabulary. The words ‘caffeine, deadline, and all-nighter’ replaced it a long time ago.
Do you reward yourself when a book is finished?
I reward myself when I finish a sentence. It’s a problem. Not for my books but for my waistline. I always snack when I write. My favorite writing snack is puppy chow. At least, that’s what I call it. I think in stores it’s called Muddy Buddies.
If you didn’t write books, what would you do for a living?
I’ve always wanted to own a used bookstore. I love recommending books to people and I love those cool little things about used books. Like notes in the margin, signatures on the front page, and old library stamps. All those little pieces of someone else’s history make the books so special.
Share your favorite excerpt from your book:
I love the back and forth between Josh and his sister, Lizzy, and this excerpt is a good example of that:
Nikki had disappeared upstairs. He thought he’d heard her crying as she fled. Lizzy stood by the staircase, gripping one of the white spindles. When she turned and glared at him, her jaw clenched. “Let me see. Nikki running upstairs upset after you say something stupid? Hmm… ” She tapped her bottom lip. “I think we’ve been here before, haven’t we, Joshie?”
What’s next for you as an author?
I think I’ll be living in this series for the near future. There’s still a lot of unanswered questions and hurtles the characters need to overcome. Look out for Book 3, Sprinkled with Sabotage, coming out in October.
Where can readers find you online?
To keep in touch and get updates on new releases follow my Facebook page ‘Books by Pearl’ at www.facebook.com/allisonnicolepearl/ or follow me on Twitter at @AllisonPearl5 and Instagram at @allisonnicolepearl.
Book three in the series, Sprinkled with Sabotage, will be released in October.
Carol Underhill 