It's Alive! And Here's Sarah Ballance!

April is the Bloggiest Month H.C. is in da House

It's Alive! And Here's Sarah Ballance!

I'm delighted to welcome my first guest on the Noble Romance Authors Blog Tour – the wonderful Sarah Ballance.

A full-time author and mom, Sarah writes romance and romantic suspense from a spot suspiciously close to the setting of her second novel, RUN TO YOU – a sexy beach-inspired mystery with a murderous plot. She and her husband of nearly 14 years (he calls them "long, LONG" years) have six young children together, all of whom are adorable when they're asleep. The aforementioned husband oversees the household each evening so Sarah can write, further demonstrating his commitment to the cause by volunteering to help her research "the good parts." (She's never had to ask twice.)

Welcome to the blog – can you tell me a little bit about how you came to be a Noble author?

Sheer luck! I wrote nonfiction and had no plans of ever taking the leap into fiction. All it took was me telling someone "I can't" for me to realize I would, if nothing else than to prove myself wrong. Six months later I'd finished my first novel, and after some basic research I chose to submit to Noble. My screening process started and ended with the fact that I couldn't dredge up anything negative about them, and that was enough for me at the time. Fortunately they meet my newer, much more informed standards as well, LOL.

My theme for 2011 is music. Is music important to you in your life and your writing?

It somewhat surprises me, but yes, it is. Music is linked to every one of my stories in ways I can't explain. It breathes an energy into me that I can pour into my work, building a near-tangible connection between myself and my characters. I don't think I could write without it.

Do you have a song that sums up the situation or relationships of any of your characters? (feel free to post if there are no copyright restrictions) Do you listen to music while you write? Or have you ever been inspired by a piece of music to write a story?

I'm not sure how this happened, but each of my stories has a theme song of sorts. The words themselves aren't always related to the plot, but the song catches the spirit of the work. By the time I'm deep in a manuscript, the song is so intertwined with my words that it feels like an old friend – one of the uber-inspiring variety, LOL.

What songs do you consider especially romantic?

I guess I'm showing my age, but I love 80s country. My husband and I dated to a lot of that music (although even at the time they were the "old songs") so all it takes is a note and I'm back to those first feelings of love. It doesn't even matter what the song is about – it's all there when I think about him. I also like the 80s "hair" bands – Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Guns N Roses, Poison … who knew they'd ever be considered romantic? LOL. It's just that awesome feeling I get. Love it!

What songs get you in a sexy mood?

Any song I love will do it. Once I'm in a music-induced stupor of happiness, anything goes. (Or, uh, make that almost anything. Don't want to give the H any more ideas … he's had plenty on his own!)

Places to find Sarah Ballance:

Mattie James can't pinpoint exactly when she lost control of her life, but the moment she decided to take it back made the front page of the local paper. Desperate to dodge the fallout— and the tabloids—she jumps at the chance to spend an off-season week in a tiny resort community by the sea. Making the trip with her ex-lover is a complication she can live with; coming face to face with a dead woman is not.

The last thing Sheriff Wyatt Reed expected to find on the storm-ravaged beach was a beautiful blonde with a jealous sidekick, but one look at Mattie left him wanting more. Their first date takes an ominous turn when he gets the call that a woman was found murdered. With a killer on the loose and a troubling lack of suspects or motive, Wyatt has to put his feelings aside to focus on the case. But his vow not to become personally involved is shattered when he discovers Mattie's life is on the line, and this time the truth leaves her with a deadly choice . . . and nowhere to run.

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Thanks so much for having me! Readers, you can continue the Noble Authors Blot Tour by clicking here to check out Justine's interview with Cherie – or, to be sure of being entered for the grand prize, just push the button!