Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews: Interview with paranormal romantic suspense author Barbra E. Ross

Author Barbra E. Ross joins me today to chat about her new paranormal romantic suspense, A Mortal Indiscretion; Author’s Cut.

During her virtual book tour, Barbra will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too.

Welcome, Barbra. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

I live in Michigan and am a nurse by day, lover of fiction at night.

When people ask me what my book is about, I pause a moment because it is not so simple to describe. It is a vampire romance, I say and then, I pray that doesn’t scare them away. Because what are books really? I believe that books are a way to escape the daily routines of life.

I wanted to take an ordinary man and put him in fantastic situations. To bring a bit of fantasy down to reality. It is a love story at its heart. If I can take the reader on a journey and give them a laugh, cry, or simply bring a smile to their face, then it is all worth it. This story helped me through rough times in my life, and I can only hope it will do the same for the reader.

Please share a little bit about your current release.

This is the first book in a series. It is the story of Justin, a mortal man that happens to fall in love with a woman unlike any other. What he does not know is that she is a vampire. It is the story of their love.

What inspired you to write this book?

I really wanted to create a different kind of vampire romance that gives the readers an experience where they feel as though it is happening before their eyes.

Excerpt from A Mortal Indiscretion; Author’s Cut:

Chapter 7 excerpt.

“Yes Justin. And then, maybe you will go running to that girl. Maybe you should go after her right now. There may still be a chance.”

“No. I don’t run away. That is your thing.”

She sighed and sat on the edge of the bed, naked. She turned her back to me. I looked at her back, so sexy. Shoulders strong and defined. She had her arms across her chest. She knew I was going to ask the questions. I think she was mentally preparing herself for the blows.

“Go ahead Justin. Ask.”

“First of all… You’re not gonna tell me that you have to work in the morning, are you? Because I ain’t falling for that shit anymore,” I said. It just slipped out of my mouth. Like I didn’t have a filter between my brain in my mouth.

“No. I suppose you would not.” She turned to look at me.

“And you are staying here with me, right? I am going to have the pleasure of your company during the day? Right?” I pressed, as I felt my anger rising.

“Yes, I will stay. But I cannot go out with you during the day. You will have to keep the shades drawn. It is just not that simple to explain,” she kept her head down as she spoke these words.

“Fine. I can handle that. Tell me, what exactly would happen if I did open the shades Ambra?”

“I would burn up and die,” she stated, flatly.

“What are you Ambra? Are you ready to tell me to my face now?” I was insistent. “Because I really need to know.”

“I am…” She started and then, she became silent again.

“Say it, dammit! I want to hear you say it to me,” I was really getting pissed.

“I am a monster,” she whispered.

“What? What kind of monster? You tell me God dammit!” I yelled.

“A vampire,” she said it so quietly, keeping her back to me.

“You turn around and say it to my face. You have kept this from me for so long. I want you to look me in the eye! I deserve it!” I grabbed her shoulders as I yelled at her. She turned to me, tears flowing down her cheeks.

“Justin, I am a vampire.”

What exciting story are you working on next?

I am currently working on the third installment in the series called Zeus. It is an epic tale, involving time travel with a backdrop in Ancient Greece and Rome.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When readers began to contact me, and tell me how much they enjoyed my story. I did a book signing event at Barnes and Noble with other local authors and a fan came just to meet me. I was very touched.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I am a dialysis nurse full time. I write on my days off. It is hard sometimes when I am working overtime. But, I set a schedule and stick to it, writing as much as I can when I have free time.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I really try to bring my characters down to earth, make them believable, as if they were one of us. I think it is important to care about the characters. I have seen many films, and read many books where the story was good, but I just did not care what happened to the characters. I want to feel what they feel or at least understand how they could feel that way. So, when I write, I try to become them, and respond the way they would.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I really wanted to write and direct films.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I just want to thank them for giving my book a chance. And thank you for the chance to be on your blog.

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