Author Interview ~ Kerri Nelson

Today, on the couch here at The Menagerie we are pleased to welcome author, Kerri Nelson. Let's all make her feel welcome. Just to let y’all know, Kerri will be running a contest for this interview. I know, who can resist free stuff! Kerri will be giving away a journal and a promo pack. She’ll draw a winner from all of y’all who post a comment to this interview. Check back here… on this post, and Kerri will announce the winner.

Okay, that’s done. Welcome to The Menagerie, Kerri! Make yourself comfy and let’s get started. First, where are you from?

I’m from the Sunny south in the Heart of Dixie and I’m a true southern belle (insert batting of eyelashes and twirling of parasol here).

LOL, I can relate… we’re so good at that innocent stuff. Too bad no one ever believes us. *sigh* So, tell us your latest news?

I have my first paranormal book releasing from Whispers in September. It is entitled “Soul Searcher” and features a heroine who can see your soul and a hero that is a sexy shape shifting mountain lion.

Ooohhhh… a cat shifter! I have a serious weakness for feline shifters. Congrats on your upcoming release, I can’t wait to see it! When and why did you begin writing?

I began writing poetry in the second grade and haven’t stopped since! As far as novels go, I completed my first novel in high school but it wasn’t until 17 years later that I became published.

I think that’s how it works for all of us. A storyteller is a storyteller their entire life. When did you first consider yourself a writer?

About 5 years ago, when I joined Romance Writers of America and got involved with my local chapter. That was when I really got serious about the pursuit of becoming a professional writer.

That’ll do it, lol. How did you come up with the title?

My current book is a romantic suspense erotica entitled “Miss Taken”. I came up with the title while in the shower! It’s true. I often joke that my muse is a wicked woman who only speaks to me when I’m in the shower or bath tub. Very naughty muse.

ROTFL, yes, well, we know all about naughty muses here. At least you came up with a great title… my muse just brings home more men. What book are you reading now?

I’m reading “Wicked Game” by Jeri Smith-Ready right now. It is absolutely phenomenal. What is not to love about hot vampires and rock n’ roll?

Umm… nope, can’t think of anything, there’s lots there to love. What are your current projects?

I’m working on another paranormal featuring a retired witch. I’m also attempting to pen a regency era time travel romance. They are both keeping me very busy and I hope to share them with readers in the near future. I’ve also just launched a Custom Design Book Trailer Business. I’ve completed around a dozen trailers for other authors and recently won a design award for my work!

All great projects. Congrats on your new business. Do you have any advice for other writers?

I think there is a quote from Walt Disney that goes something like, “if you can dream it then you can do it”. That would be my advice to writers. If you have a dream to become a published author, you can do it. It will take effort, time and a thick skin to tolerate all those rejections…but you can do it. Just keep writing. As long as you love it…just keep writing.

Fantastic advice. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I always come up with my title first. After I have the general concept of my book, I like to give it a name. It is just like naming a baby. That name really helps keep me focused on the book. I also work really hard on writing a good hook for my book (a one sentence description of my book). This can be really difficult but it is a very helpful tool.

Huh, see, I wish I could just name my stories things like “Max’s Story”. Yeah, yeah, doesn’t work that way, leave me my illusions. LOL What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I’m an avid reader, of course. I spend a lot of time online promoting my work and meeting readers and other authors. Other than that, my favorite hobby is baking! I love to bake sweet treats for the family and homemade bread. There is nothing like the way it makes your home smell like…well…home.

*sigh* I love the way my house smells when I’m baking. I’ll have to bug youyou’re your favorite cookie recipe, I collect those. What does your family think of your writing?

My family is extremely supportive of my writing. My husband proof reads all my work and brags about me to everyone. He’s my romance novel hero come to life. My mother is the reason that I’m such an avid reader. She has always been supportive of my writing and even once paid for me to attend a writing class. She’s a huge fan of mine and even told a stranger on an airplane to buy my book after seeing her with an Amazon Kindle in hand!

Gotta love that parental pride, and I have my very own romance hero, too. Love how that worked out. Alright, now for our “nothing whatsoever to do with writing” questions: What were you doing at midnight last night?

I was blissfully sleeping and probably dreaming up some weird scene for a new book! Although, with 3 kids, I’m not always sleeping at this time of night.

Nope, even if it was just one child you might be up at all hours. What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?

A penny. Yep, as a kid, we were rolling coins once and I just decided to see if I could swallow a penny. I did! Yeah for me! My mother was livid. She took me to the doctor in a panic. I thought it was a riot.

*snicker* I can just see her: “Yes, this is my child… I want my money back.” Hee hee… ahem, sorry. What is your heritage?

Irish, Scottish, English, and German. Recently discovered that I’m related to quite a few different Scottish clans. My father is all about the Ancestry.com site. He’s been showing me the ancestry reports that he’s been printing off.

LOL, he and my aunt have a lot in common, then. Have you ever cried during a movie? If yes, which one and why?

Umm…I think the question here is what movie don’t I cry during? Just ask my hubby. I recently watched “P.S. I Love You” and cried my eyes out. Of course, I also recently saw the Season 5 finale of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and cried like a baby when Buffy dies. Even though I’ve seen it about 10 times AND I know that she comes back. Clearly, I’m very in touch with my emotions.

You are cracking me up today. I don’t see what is wrong with crying at the end of Buffy… sheesh that was actually a pretty emotional episode. Are you a morning person or a night person?

I’m definitely a night person. Early mornings are pure evil.

AT LAST, someone else who thinks the same as me! Can you taste the difference between Pepsi and Coke? If so, which do you prefer?

Totally. There is no comparison between the two, in my opinion. I adore Pepsi and often refer to it as either “black gold” or “the nectar of the gods”.

Yet another thing we agree on. If you could wish for anything, what would you wish for?

A cure for (Type 1) juvenile diabetes would be my ultimate wish. My 8 year old has suffered with this disease since the age of 2. It is a monster and I hate it. She is the bravest child I’ve ever had the honor of knowing, but I’d love for her to see a cure in her lifetime. Please support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Thank you.

Absolutely! I’m sorry, but at least there is hope for a cure, she may see it in her lifetime. Thank you so much for hanging out on the couch with us today, Kerri. It was great fun. Be sure you come back and hang out with us some more, and let us know about your new news. :-D

Don’t forget to leave a comment for Kerri to be entered into the drawing for a journal and promo pack.

Kerri Nelson has always been passionate about reading books but when she wrote her first poem in the second grade, she discovered her love of writing. At the age of sixteen, she became a columnist for her local newspaper as the high school correspondent for the weekly "Panther Tales" column. She won the Outstanding Young Journalist of the Year Award for her efforts.

After an education and career in the legal field, Kerri began to pen romantic suspense novels with a legal or law enforcement theme. She currently lives in the sunny south with her romance inspiring husband and her adorable children. When she’s not reading or writing, you’ll find her baking homemade goodies for her family. Kerri is an active member of Romance Writers of America, Southern Magic Romance Writers, Hearts Through History Romance Writers, Celtic Hearts Romance Writers, and Futuristic Fantasy & Paranormal Romance Writers.

You can keep up with Kerri online at her website and blog.

Miss Taken by Kerri Nelson

Tabitha Stuart is the ultimate professional businesswoman who may live in the city that never sleeps but manages to spend her Friday nights behind the desk at the accounting firm of Donaldson & Franks. On a snowy February night, she reminisces over her recent New Year’s resolutions. She’s worked hard to make partner in her firm but now she’s resolved to make her personal life more exciting. She wants to be more like her jet setter, risk taking sister.

As Tabby heads home for the night, she is abducted from her office’s parking garage and held captive by a sexy stranger named Steele. Tall, dark and mysterious Steele takes her to his Atlantic City Casino crime boss and Tabby’s life spirals out of control. She’s being accused of stealing a half million dollars from the casino. She knows that she’s never been there before and that her life is in danger, she must discover why she was taken and how she has ended up in a world that is not her own.

To survive this night, she must solve the mystery behind her abduction and escape from the clutches of the crime boss all while resisting the sexual temptations that she feels for Steele. If she makes it through the night, her life will never be the same, but some mistakes are worth making.....