Name : Shelly Alexander

Where are you from: I’m from everywhere! I grew up traveling the world – I’ve lived in 6 different countries and 8 different states.

 

 

A little about your self `ie your education Family life etc  

I grew up traveling the world, earned a BBA in Marketing, and landed a corporate job before marriage lured me to the beautiful Southwest. After growing up with four older brothers and having three sons of my own, I decided to escape my male-dominated world for some ‘girl time’ by reading romance novels. While reading in the sunshine on the banks of the river, I began to dream up love stories that I’d like to write myself some day.

 

The years passed with me helping to run the family business, volunteering for every field trip and school function imaginable, and incalculable loads of dirty laundry generated by my three active boys. When I survived invasive breast cancer, I decided it was now or never and bought my first laptop so I could start writing down my stories.

 

Now I spend my days writing steamy romances while tending to a schnauzer named Omer, a tiny toy poodle named Mozart, and a pet boa named Zeus. My stories feature strong, independent heroines and sexy heroes, and my plots are filled with real-life issues, unexpected twists, and hefty doses of humor.

 

 

Fiona: Tell us your latest news?

Book 3 in my Red River series, IT’S IN HIS SMILE, will be out June 14, 2016. I’m currently writing book 4, IT’S IN HIS ARMS, and it is scheduled to release later this year.

 

 
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

I wanted to be a writer for years. After surviving breast cancer, I decided it was now or never.

 

 
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I considered myself a writer the moment I started writing because I put my whole heart into it.

 

 
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

Surviving breast cancer was my biggest inspiration.

 

 
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?

Yes, my style is to write the way people really speak and thing, which isn’t always grammatically correct. But it’s certain more real, and that’s my style.

 

 
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

My editor and I brainstorm on my titles. I try to relate the title to the emotional aspect of the books.

 

 
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

The message I want every reader to grasp is that true love really does exist. Strong women can lead emotionally healthy and happy lives on their own, but when you find that one person that is the perfect fit, there’s nothing like it. And it’s well worth the wait, rather than settling for less.

 

 
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic ?

My books are fiction, but I do try to write about real life issues that women deal with both internally and externally.

 

 


Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Some of my books are based on issues I’ve experienced in my own life, but not all.

 

 
Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? a mentor?

Jude Deveraux’s Knight In Shining Armor opened up the world of romance to me.

 

 


Fiona: What book are you reading now?

I’m currently reading The Dirt on Ninth Grave by Darynda Jones.

 

 
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

Yes, I’ve recently started reading J.S. Scott and Terri Osburn

 

 
Fiona: What are your current projects?

I’m working on the 4th book in my Red River Valley series, IT’S IN HIS ARMS

 

 
Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

Definitely the RWA community of writers. They are always people I can turn to.

 

 
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Absolutely. It’s not just a hobby, it’s a career, and I feel very fortunate to be able to do something I love.

 

 


Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

I think every writer has something they’d change about their books. I try not to worry over. Instead, I move on to write the next book.

 

 


Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

I became interested in writing in high school after writing an English paper that my teacher thought would make a great book.

 

 


Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

I want to write stories that keep my readers interested. That’s why I do this – to entertain the readers.

 

 
Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?

I don’t have to travel much, but I do as much as I can. I love to visit new places that I can incorporate into the settings of my stories.

 

 
Fiona: Who designed the covers?

My publisher works with a cover designer on my covers. I adore them.

 

 
Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?

I spend more time revising than I do writing the second draft. Figuring out what should stay and what should be changed while I’m revising is the hardest part for me.

 

 


Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

I learned that I need to keep learning.

 

 
Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?

Keep writing. You can’t keep learning and getting better unless you keep writing.

 

 
Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Thank you. Without you, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.

 

 

Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies ?

I love to hike and travel.

 

 

Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?

Friends – I never get tired of the reruns. Downtown Abbey. The Walking Dead. Turn. Hell on Wheels. Blue Bloods. Any comedy movies I can find.

 

 

Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music

My favorite food is Italian. Favorite Color is purple. I love a lot of different kinds of music – jazz, pop, country, classical.

 

 

Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?

Website: http://shellyalexander.net

FB: https://www.facebook.com/ShellyAlexanderAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShellyCAlexande

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/1NqN4w2

 

 

Book Links:

IT’S IN HIS HEART –   http://amzn.to/1SVGD5F

IT’S IN HIS TOUCH –   http://amzn.to/1RxZ4fI

 

IT’S IN HIS SMILE –    http://amzn.to/1Slcob7