Alison Stone and Free Books!

When Dr. Lily McAllister finds her life and research in jeopardy, she must rely on Army physician James O’Reilly to protect her or risk losing everything.

Before we visit today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Moon Over Maalaea Bay, by Harry Wegley, is:

lesamcc@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll email you today to get your mailing address, and we'll get your book to you right away. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways! Subscribers are entered a second time when they comment.

And now let's chat with novelist Alison Stone, author of Critical Diagnosis (Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense, July 2014).

Alison Stone left Buffalo, New York and headed a thousand miles south to earn an industrial engineering degree at Georgia Tech in Hotlanta. Go Yellow Jackets! She loved the South, but true love brought her back North.

After the birth of her second child, Alison left Corporate America for full-time motherhood. She credits an advertisement for writing children's books for sparking her interest in writing. She never did complete a children's book, but she did have success writing articles for local publications before finding her true calling, writing romantic suspense.

Alison lives in Western New York with her husband of twenty years and their four children where the summers are absolutely gorgeous and the winters are perfect for curling up with a good book—or writing one.

Besides writing, Alison keeps busy volunteering at her children's schools, driving her girls to dance, and watching her boys race motocross.

Please tell us three random things we might not know about you.

-- I didn’t discover the joy of reading for pleasure until after I graduated from college.

-- I am addicted to Netflix. I am currently making my way through all the seasons of Bones.

-- I listen to books on tape when I exercise. I just finished The Goldfinch. I logged a lot of miles with that book.

It does make the walk and/or exercise more enjoyable, doesn't it, Alison? I often watch shows on my iPad while I'm on the treadmill now, and it makes me actually look forward to the experience.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Critical Diagnosis.

Researcher Dr. Lily McAllister has dedicated her life to finding a cure for a family disease and now, steps away from a promising new treatment, Lily is attacked. Only the training of army physician James O'Reilly can save her.

As the would-be CEO of his family's pharmaceutical company, James's secret dream is to reenlist. But he can't leave Lily with a bull's-eye on her back. Nor can he stay and stop her from pursuing her goal. No one can, including the stalker who shadows her every move. Still, James has lost too many people he's loved—and this time he refuses to lose Lily.

What is it about Lily that will make your readers care about her?

My lead character, Dr. Lily McAllister, has devoted her life to finding a cure for the disease that killed her mother and now afflicts her niece. I think readers will care about her because she’s smart, selfless and determined.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

I wrote the hero with Ben Affleck in mind.




I didn’t write the heroine with any actress in mind, but now that I think of it, Jennifer Garner would make a great Lily.




Sometimes a writer’s imagination can be triggered with word mapping. If I give you the word challenge, what three words first come to mind, and how would you word a sentence (or 2, if needed) using all four words?

Challenge: experience, death, painful

Life is filled with many challenges and painful experiences, including the death of a loved one.

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. This was a pick by my book club. That’s what I love about book clubs: you find books you might never have read. Without giving too much away, Me Before You explores the relationship between a young female caregiver and a powerful businessman who suddenly finds himself a quadriplegic after a tragic accident. The storyline is unique and the premise really made me think about things I take for granted.

That's what I love about book clubs, too, Alison. That, and knowing you'll have people with whom to discuss the book afterward. Such a pleasure.

What are you working on now?

I am working on copyedits for Plain Peril, my February 2015 release from Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense. It’s set in Amish country. I’m also plotting two other books that were recently contracted by Harlequin. One is set in a small town and involves drug dealing. The other is again set in Amish country. Apparently Amish stories are very hot right now.

Where else can readers find you online?

My website: www.AlisonStone.com
Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads



The book can be purchased in fine book stores and online via the following buttons:




CBD.com


Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

Have you ever read a book where the storyline, characters or something about the book haunted you for a long time? If so, what was it about the story that stayed with you?

Thanks, Alison, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Alison has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, July 21. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Alison's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Susan Lyttek, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of the book.

Also, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer HERE.