Sunday, September 5, 2010

Sherry Gloag in the Author Spotlight


Cate: Please give a warm welcome to Sherry Gloag. Sherry, will you please share a short bio with us?
Sherry: Since the publication of my debut novel The Brat, published by The Wild Rose Press in October last year, I have had two more books published.  The Wrong Target,a Valentine novella published by eTreasures in January, and Duty Calls, published by Black Opal Books in February, plus two more short stories, one in January and the other in June this year.
I am a Scot, living in the beautiful English county of Norfolk. I love spending time walking and talking with my characters, as long as no one else is around. The great thing about gardening is the plants don’t answer back!  When I have a good book in my hands I forget about time.  And when I’m writing I feel as though I’ve come home.  Well, most of the time.  I also enjoy working with selenite crystal handcrafting gifts and jewelry.

Cate: Congrats on your releases! Tell us about your latest, Duty Calls and where it's available.
Sherry: Duty Calls is publishedby Black Opal Books.
Rafe is introduced to Trudi, by his long-time friend Arthur.  A decade and many changes have passed since their first encounter one stormy night, and they don’t recognize each other.  It is this lack of recognition and later revelations that derails the lives, not only of Rafe and Trudi, but everyone around them to a greater or lesser degree.

Cate: Sounds suspenseful. Please tantalize us with a story blurb or excerpt.
Sherry:
EXCERPT
“Stop the car! Rafe Hawk swung round to face the driver. I recognise this road. You never said the commission to build those retirement units was at Kinsale Hall. You know damn well I swore never set foot in the place again, eleven years ago.  
Rage hazed his vision. You knew Id refuse the commission if youd revealed the location, and because you withheld that vital information, Arthur, this contract is null and void. He shot forward in his seat when Arthur tramped on the brakes.
His friend from their Uni days skewed round in his seat. How long have we known each other?
Startled by Arthur Cliftons question, Rafe hesitated. Whats the length of our friendship got to do with anything? Other than the fact youre stretching it very thin, if you think Ill set foot on Kinsale territory again. He swung open the car door and leaped out, his fingers tunnelling through his windswept hair.
Brilliant blue skies overhead offered a large playground for the early summer sunshine, and the fluffy white clouds sailing by. He saw the high chimney-tops through the trees.
Do you really think Id bring you here without a very good reason? Arthur remained in his seat, his hands on the steering wheel, watching Rafe pace up and down the soft verge beside the open-topped car.
"I can't think of a single reason good enough that justifies you resurrecting events that nearly cost me my life, and possibly cost the life on an unknown woman."

Cate: Wonderful! Can you tell us why we're going to love your hero?

Sherry: Rafe has issues from the past he refuses to face, until, that is, the ghosts of his past rise up and challenge him.  And he is not a happy bunny.  While he fights the inevitable to the bitter end, and faces many personal challenges, his biggest hurdle is allowing himself to fall in love.
Rafe is strong enough to recognize his weaknesses and act upon them if it means winning the big prize.  And he’s determined to win it, and all that comes with it.

Cate: Tease us with one little thing about your fictional world that makes it different from others.
Sherry: Now, you have stumped me with this question.  I’ll paraphrase something a reviewer said about The Brat, “Gloag’s writing is a unique blend of mystery, intrigue, drama, romance and passion.  There is no way to predict what will happen next.”  That may sound kind’a like everyone else, until you realize I didn’t intend to write mystery or intrigue, but I sure liked those kind words, and they set me thinking outside the box for future WIPs, so much so, I am trying my hand at a Regency story.  There’s still a long way to go with that one. 

Cate: What a wonderful review! Congrats. What's next for you?
Sherry: I have just signed a contract with Astraea Press for a novella, From Now Until Forever.  And I hope to write another Christmas story.  I have the idea, the characters names but that’s all so far.  And since most of my stories are character led, they better bustle about if they want anyone to read it anytime soon!!

Cate: Wow, yet another contract - congrats again! What inspired you to draft your first story?
Sherry: The characters? LOL.  Seriously! They turned up, gave me the setting, but more disturbingly, my heroine gave me the opening scene, which in its original format was totally harrowing.  What could I do?  I had to find out if she survived let alone won out in the end!  Although, not the first published, Duty Calls was the first successful story I wrote.

Cate: Love it when characters demand you tell their story! lol Do you have a writing routine?
Sherry: What is this ’routine’ thing you talk about?:-)  I write when I can, and when the muse perches on my shoulder that usually means with as few breaks as she/he can get away with!  Muse and DH have a love/hate relationship.  They love to hate each other.

Cate: Ha! Sounds familiar. :) Where can readers find you on the web?
Sherry:  My website: www.sherrygloag.com
My Blog:
http://sherrygloagtheheartofromance.blogspot.com/
FB:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=689789287
To Buy Duty Calls: http://blackopalbooks.com/index.php/en/component/content/article/28

Cate: Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?
Sherry: What attracts you to ‘picking up’ a book by an unfamiliar author, and what is it that persuades you to buy it?

Cate: Great question!
Readers, Sherry is giving away an ebook of Duty calls to a random commenter... so start commenting. She'll pick a winner next weekend and announce the winner here.
Thanks so much for being my guest Sherry! Best of luck to you.