Saturday, January 19, 2013

Angela likes the happy-ever-after ending

Welcome Angela. Make yourself comfortable and tell us about your adventure.

Thanks so much, Jean, for inviting me to Adventures in Authorland. 

In which genre do you prefer to write and why?

My philosophy has always been write what you like to read.  If another genre is recommended to me, I’ll read it.  But at the library, bookstore and Amazon, I’m looking at the romance listing.  I like the happy ever after ending.  I’ve watched soap operas for years, so writing romance with twists and turns, but the eventual happy ever after ending just seems natural.

Can you give us some details about your current release?

Magic Moment started about four years ago.  I already had the idea for a hero who goes through life believing he has to be the type of person others want him to be, rather than the person he wants to be.  Chase Donovan is a man who grew up torn between a self-centered, unprincipled father and compassionate, selfless mother.

Then, a colleague of mine, who has children, said she wished that her family could live on just her husband’s income and that she didn’t have to work.  She said since she had to have a full-time job, she had missed out on some important milestones in her kids’ lives.  For example, her oldest daughter took her first steps in day care.  She said she didn’t need a career.  She would be happy just being a volunteer lunch mom at her daughters’ school and going to PTA meetings.      

Some of our colleagues scoffed.  I couldn’t see anything wrong with this woman’s feelings.  That’s how I thought of the character of Laura Roberts, a woman who never aspired for a high-power career, but a simple, unpretentious life as a wife and mother.

The idea of bringing the FBI into their lives, and sending the couple on the run, I needed those twists and turns.  I’ve watched television police dramas and soap operas since I was ten-years-old and the most successful romances, the most interesting storylines, were the ones littered with suspense.

When you are not writing, what are your hobbies, passions, etc?

I read.  I listen to a lot of Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi.  And, baseball.  Or more specifically, my Philadelphia Phillies.  During Baseball season, I even have the radio on, listening to a Phillies’ game, while I’m working on my writing. 

What place inspires you the most?

Places where I lived.  I live in Philadelphia, have spent summers at the New Jersey shore, and went to college in Vermont.  It’s not so much being inspired, but writing about what I know and where I’ve been.  The fictional towns of Magic Lake, where Chase docks his boat, and Sea Tower, where the couple take refuge, are blends of Cape May, New Jersey and Montpelier, Vermont where I went to college.

Do you have any advice for new writers beginning their adventure?

I’m not comfortable giving advice, as in saying to others “you should do this,” but I can tell you what it’s been like for me.  I always keep my mind open to whatever comments others have to make.  I love feedback.   If I think a critic’s advice makes sense, I’ll follow suggestions. 

Have you ever cried during a movie? If yes, which one and why?

I’m very sentimental.  Anything that touches my heart brings tears to my eyes – whether it’s being sad over a tragedy reported on CNN, or hearing O, Holy Night at Christmas, or even being excited for the Phillies’ Roy Halladay as he pitched his perfect game.  But as for movies…a couple of weeks ago, I caught a snippet of The Way We Were.  Although I’ve seen that movie at least a dozen times, the end where Barbara Streisand sweeps a wisp of hair from Robert Redford’s forehead then embraces him, always has me reaching for the tissues. 

Blurb:
When the FBI brings Laura Roberts – a quiet, reserved bookkeeper– in for questioning regarding activities at the warehouse where she works, an uneasy Laura resigns her job – only to be attacked by thugs.

Chase Donovan intends to spend a few peaceful days on his boat getting his head together – and finds a woman being assaulted by two men who say his father told them to do it.

Chase doesn’t want to believe his father could hurt anyone. Laura doesn’t understand why she’s a target. Can they learn to work together to discover the truth – before someone dies?

Excerpt:

As she opened the cabin door, a pleasant, tangy sea breeze tickled her senses. Stiff limbs hindered her movements, but she climbed the stairs to  the deck. The sun blazed in the clear blue sky. The boat teetered, alone, in a vast mass of water. A brisk chill nipped the air, and Laura hugged herself.

“Chase,” she called. No answer. She called his name again, this time her voice having an edge.

He wasn’t in the wheelhouse. She darted back down the stairs. If he had been moving around in the bathroom or “head” as he had called it, she would have heard him.

“Chase.” Panic gripped her. “Chase.”

Her heart pounding, she ran through the narrow corridor and stopped dead in the eating area. Propped up on the stool, he was asleep at the bar with a half-filled liquor bottle and an empty glass. His head rested on folded arms, his breathing deep. A laptop was also on the bar. The monitor was dark, but the yellow light blinked. Laura hit the space bar and print appeared on the screen. Several windows had been minimized.

Clicking on one minimized window, she skimmed the on-screen print and gasped, amazed at the words she read. She clicked another window and saw a search engine page. Chase had been reading articles on women who had been assaulted. Her eyes scanned the list of titles. He had wanted to understand, wanted to know how he could help her. From what she had observed of Chase in the last three years, she never guessed he had this sensitive, compassionate side to his personality. Her perception of Chase had been that of a friendly, but overindulged, self-absorbed playboy.

Who would have guessed?

Bio:
Angela Adams writes and reviews contemporary romances. Her work has appeared in Romance at Heart, Oysters and Chocolate, and The Long and Short Reviews. In December 2011, Whimsical Publications published an anthology, Winter Wonders. Ms. Adams’ short story “Burgers and Hot Chocolate,” was among the collection.

Buying Details:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
All Romance ebooks
iTunes

Books-A-Million
http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Magic-Moment/Angela-Adams/9781440554940?id=5387281849566

9 comments:

  1. Hi, Jean,

    Again, thank you for featuring "Magic Moment" on "Adventures in Authorland." By the way, those of us who enjoy reading your stories are delighted that you decided to end your "hiatus." Welcome back!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your excerpt is definitely an enticing draw, Angela. Best wishes for stellar sales!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Ana,

      Thanks for stopping by, and for your good wishes!

      Delete
  3. Hi Angela,
    I love happy endings too, baseball, and Frank Sinatra. Good luck with your book. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Morgan,

      Thanks for your good wishes. And, I'm counting down the days until the Phillies leave for FLA and spring training.

      Delete
  4. From an old softie who also cries at news clippings, sad movies and stories of inspiration, this was a lovely interview. Your book is waiting patiently on my Kindle. Much luck to you, darlin'.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Vonnie, for your kind words and good wishes!

      Delete
  5. Hi,
    I'm following Angela around the blogs. I too, enjoy the happy ever after. Right on, Angela.
    Marion

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Marion,

      I'm happy to have you follow me around the blogs. Thanks. Your kind words always bring a smile to my face.

      Delete