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Monday, November 7, 2016

Featured Author: Alyssa Drake

Welcome Today's Featured Author 
Alyssa Drake!
 

A Perfect Plan (Wiltshire Chronicles Book 1) by Alyssa Drake 

Summary:
Samantha Hastings lived a quiet, peaceful life on her family’s country estate.  With no man to order her around and no stifling society rules to follow, she considered herself blessed.  However, when her brother’s ship sinks during a short trip to France, Samantha receives a request from her sister-in-law to return to town and manage the late Earl’s finances.  Suddenly thrust into society, Samantha faces an unfamiliar world and a pair of very familiar green eyes.

Lord Benjamin Westwood never intended on following through with his rash promise to his best friend.  Now, with Edward’s death, Benjamin becomes the unwilling guardian to Edward’s bratty little sister, who has grown up considerably since the last time they met.  His intention to marry her off to the first available suitor is thwarted when he finds himself falling for Samantha’s unique demeanor.  He lights upon the perfect plan; a marriage of convenience, giving him the opportunity to romance Samantha without distraction.

However, when they discover Edward’s disappearance was due to foul play, Benjamin’s perfect plan begins to quickly unravel.  Now, Samantha is in more danger than either of them realized and Benjamin is running out of time.

Random info: 
This is an historical romantic-suspense novel.  It was published by an indie publisher, Dream Big Publishing on May 20, 2016.  The approximate word count is 74,640 (241 pages).  .

This is a romance, but not overly descriptive (I did let my mother read the book).  Out of 5 I would rate the heat level as a 3 (I consider erotica a 5).



Buy links:



 An Imperfect Engagement by Alyssa Drake
Coming Soon


 

About Alyssa Drake:
Author Alyssa Drake has been creating stories since she could read, preferring to construct her own bedtime tales instead of reading the titles in her bookshelves. Enraptured with all types of writing, Alyssa has tried her hand at short stories, collaborations and poetry. However, her first love has always been books. She thoroughly enjoys strong heroines and often laughs aloud when visualizing conversations between her characters.

Alyssa graduated from the University of the Pacific, with a B.S. in business and a concentration in French literature. Currently she resides in Northern California with her blended family, where she works full-time at a chocolate factory.

She believes everyone is motivated by love of someone or something. One of her favorite diversions is fabricating stories about strangers surrounding her on public transportation. Alyssa can often be found madly scribbling notes on a train or daydreaming out the window as the scenery whips past.

A Perfect Plan is Alyssa’s first full-length novel. Her sophomore novel, An Imperfect Engagement, is awaiting its release date.





Interview With Alyssa Drake:

1. Can you tell us a little about your book?
This is the story of Samantha, the headstrong sister of the deceased Earl of Hastings. She wants no man to run her life, especially not Lord Benjamin Westwood, her brother’s best friend and her supposed guardian. With a long season of eager suitors waiting, Samantha dreams of escape. Unable to fight his growing attraction to his best friend’s sister, Benjamin proposes a marriage of convenience, allowing him to woo Samantha without distraction. When they discover the Earl’s disappearance was due to foul play, Samantha is in grave danger and Benjamin is running out of time to save the one woman he truly loves.

2. What inspires you to write?
I have been writing ever since I was a child, which was more a hobby than an actual job. There are always conversations going in my head between characters, even if I do not write them out. However, my scribbling became more concentrated when I moved to the opposite side of the bay (I live in Northern California). With the increased commute time, I wanted a way to entertain myself while riding on the train. Mirroring the Amtrak Author Residency program, I began writing during my commute. I love the concept of uninterrupted writing. It allows creativity to flow along with the subtle clack of train wheels; I will admit there are times when I hope the door will slide open to reveal Wiltshire instead of the station.

3. Do you have a favorite spot to write?
I love the window seat; I cannot write anywhere else. It allows me to daydream and imagine the characters interactions without being distracted by other things going on in the train like people talking, musicians playing and station announcements.

4.  Do you have any “odd” writing habits?
My best writing occurs in the morning, which is typically when I focus on new sections. Everything is written by hand; this helps to submerge my imagination in the story. Music and coffee are necessities to nurture my creative side. During lunch, I type everything into the computer, using that first opportunity for an edit and re-write. Then I print everything out. Using the printed copies, I make notes, changes, edits and other thoughts along the margins. It is a long process, but allows me to connect more with my work.

5. Do you listen to music while you write?
I love music. I have several Pandora stations set up depending on the scene in which I am working. Samantha and Benjamin’s music is based off the artists Lily Allen & Katy Perry. My bad guy(s) – no hints sorry – are based on the bands Garbage & Muse. For those who are curious, Thomas’ music is upbeat dance songs, like Brittney Spears. Lastly, Daphne, sweet little Daphne. You will learn more about her in the third book. Her music has a tendency toward sad love songs, like Bruno Mars and Alex & Sierra.

6. Using one sentence, can you describe A Perfect Plan?
Love and murder in 1850’s England.

7. Using one sentence, can you describe A Perfect Plan?
I would love to be Hermione Granger from Harry Potter. Then I could go to Hogwarts; I always wanted to live in that world.

8. What are writing projects are you currently working on?
I am currently working on the third book in the Wiltshire Chronicles series, entitled A Perfect Deception. The second book, An Imperfect Engagement is with my publisher, waiting for release date and cover.
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