Interview with Ally Shields - Author of the Guardian Witch Series

An Interview with Ally Shields - Author of the Guardian Witch Series

(D.R.) Welcome, Ally. It is good to have you here for an interview today and to be able to give readers some insight on you as a person, not just a name on the cover of a book. Will you please tell us a little about yourself, like where you are from and how you started your writing career?

(Ally) Ally Shields is my pen name; actually it was my mother's maiden name, but it had an appropriate sound to it when I started writing fantasy. I grew up in the Midwest and still live near the Mississippi River that is the setting for my series. Like most authors, I have written all my life, but five years ago I left my career as a lawyer and juvenile court officer to write full time.

(D.R.) I have experienced writer’s block in the past. Have you experienced writer’s block as well?

(Ally) I've had non-productive periods in my writing, but never what I would call writer's block. My imagination is always working on another scene, another story. But I do write myself into corners and have to really work to get my storyline back on track. Sometimes these issues work themselves out over night. More often I brainstorm with a friend or my critique partner.

(D.R.) Writing for many authors is a way to pass the time or a hobby. Do you write as a hobby or do you write full time as a means to provide an income for you and/or your family?

(Ally) I write full time, but luckily it is not my main source of income. As a fairly new author on the market, I and my dog would starve if we relied on the royalty checks! :) I take my writing seriously and treat it as a full-time job.

(D.R.) Since you use a pen name to publish your novels, do your close friends and family know you write and do they know your pen name?

(Ally) Yes, they all know and are very supportive. In fact, I made sure my family was okay with using my mother's name before I signed the first contract. I've made no secret that Ally Shields is really Janet L Buck and both websites feature my books. I chose to use a pen name because of branding; the other series I'm writing - not yet ready to be published - is very different, a contemporary spy thriller. I hope to publish that series under my own name.

(D.R.) Most writers have been influenced by other authors through the years. Can you tell us the author or set of authors that influenced you the most for your particular genre?

(Ally) In the urban fantasy genre, I'd have to pick Kim Harrison and the early Anita Blake books by Laurell K Hamilton. But my fantasies are written within a mystery framework, and I owe that mystery/suspense flavor to a long list of mystery writers, including Sisters in Crime, a writers' organization dedicated to crime fiction.

(D.R.) If you could pick one of your books to be made into a movie, which book would you pick? Who do you envision playing the major roles in the movie?

(Ally) Since I think my series should be read in order, I'd start with Awakening the Fire (Guardian Witch #1). I have trouble envisioning anyone real in the roles that exist in my head. My characters are distinct to me and not "like" anybody else. Having said that, if I had to cast someone, maybe Charlize Theron for Ari and Chris Pine for Andreas.

(D.R.) Do you currently have any works in progress? Can you tell us what the book is about and when readers can expect to find it available in ebook or paperback?

(Ally) I'm ready to start edits on book 3, Burning Both Ends (summer release), and I just turned in Blood & Fire, book 4 (which should be out sometime next fall). I have about three chapters written on book 5, entitled Stirring the Flames, which takes place mostly in Italy. I can't tell you much about these stories without risking spoilers, but readers can expect to see new mysteries and lots of evil characters! :)

(D.R.) Are your books currently available in ebook format and/or in paperback? Where can readers find your books?

(Ally) Both books are available in several ebook formats. Awakening the Fire is also in print, and Fire Within will be soon.

Purchase Links for Fire Within:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Fire-Within-Gua...
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fire-...
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/prod...

(D.R.) Where can your fans find information on you and your books on the internet?

(Ally)
Facebook: http://facebook.com/AllyShieldsAuthor
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/allyshi...
Blog: http://allyshields.com/blog.html
Official Website: http://allyshields.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...

The Fire Within by Ally Shields

A hidden evil stalks the city…

Ari Calin refuses to believe her human friend Eddie murdered a vampire—in spite of his confession. Her human partner Ryan thinks the case is a slam dunk, even though there’s no weapon and no witnesses, but Ari’s not about to let her friend take the rap without finding out more.

When Ari attends a charity event on the arm of a handsome werewolf, she finds someone she never expected to see again—Andreas De Luca, the charismatic vampire she used to date. When their eyes meet across the room, memories come rushing back. His kiss, his touch, a savage death…and a terrifying magical bond. A reconnection is the last thing she wants. Only by staying away and forgetting Andreas can she hope to avoid the Legend of Ramora.

But when vampires keep dying, one thing becomes clear: Riverdale has a serial killer on its hands, and Andreas could be next. Ari begins to fear there’s more to it, though. Something truly evil is stalking the city, waiting to take control…