Nancy is the author of Meeting Destiny (Destiny series) and her newest book, Blood Debt (Touched series).
Blood Debt is currently available for review in the Making Connections - YA Edition group.
Go to the sign up page on Goodreads to get the book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Her whole life, it had just been the two of them. Before her mother’s last breath, she gave Camille the information she had craved her entire life: the identity of her father. Daring to contact him, Camille was welcomed by an entire family she never knew existed. But nothing comes without a price, as she discovers when her family claims a legendary heritage tracing back to a centaur touched by Zeus.
As she learns the secrets of her Centaur bloodline, she is drawn into a forbidden love with Drake. Her life may be the blood debt required to pay for her mother’s transgressions. The same person who once held her mother captive, and forced her into decades of hiding, now controls Camille. Her only chance is to seek a piece of her mother’s past that will win her freedom and the life she desperately wants.
Thank you, Nancy, for taking time out of your very busy schedule to answer some questions for us today!
Thank you so much for offering to interview me today, I'm thrilled to be here!! The Making Connections group has been amazing for me. This group did a read and review for my first book, Meeting Destiny. As a result of all the reviews, when I had a FREE day on Amazon, over 8000 copies were downloaded in one day. I hope you all know how much of an impact you have to Indie Authors!
When did you first consider yourself an author?
I love this question!! I didn't consider myself an author until after I had already written and published my third book, February of this year. I can even tell you the exact moment that I decided I was an author. I was in the Marine Corps for ten years and let's face it, that's not the most feminine job I could have had. As a result, most of my friends from that time in my life are men. I was out for the evening with my husband and two other couples, who we had served with, and a former Sergeant, Jeff, asked, "Hey, when's Destiny's Wrath going to be available on Barnes and Noble, I don't have a kindle."
Okay, to say I was shocked is an understatement. Jeff is built like a brick house and in our younger days I was convinced he could bite steel and spit nails. I stammered for a minute and asked, "You're reading my books?" When he told me, "Yeah, I couldn't put them down, I read your other two last weekend." Jeff was not even close to my target audience and he was hooked. This was the exact moment that I felt like I was an author.
Tell us about Camille.
Camille is a character I think we can all see a little of ourselves in. She's twenty-two (it's been a few years since I was this age), she lives in the real world, she didn't go to college because she couldn't afford, it and is working a regular job because she's got to live. She's vulnerable but strong, she's witty, and she's doing the best she can. Camille doesn't blindly accept what fate has in store for her and she makes her own way.
What scene in Blood Debt did you have the most fun with?
There was a phone call between Camille and her best friend Daniel, where Daniel is giving Camille some relationship advice. Here is an excerpt that still makes me laugh when I read the scene:
"You know, I saw that on the news last week. People walking down the street, minding their own business, and BAM their lips turn elastic and wrap themselves around a friend's man. Happens all the time. It's a side-effect from the 'Stupid Pill.' Must have refilled your prescription before you lef' town."
What do you feel is the hardest part of writing?
My love of reading distracts me from writing every day. I'm probably the only person on the planet that gets excited when I buy a book that doesn't hold my attention, because those are the weeks I get more writing done! If given the option to read for an hour or write for an hour, I always choose reading. The hardest part is really just convincing myself to put my kindle down!
Who designs the covers for your books, and what is that process like for you as the author?
Dreamscape Covers has designed all my covers. Meeting Destiny's cover was a complete surprise for me, as I had no idea what I wanted. When she sent me the first proofs I was blown away. Once I knew what she was capable of doing I told her what I was looking for, for: Destiny's Revenge, Destiny's Wrath, Blood Debt and Blood Ties (I should have this one in the next few weeks!).
Are there any authors (living or dead) that you would name as influences?
Shelly Crane, Shannon Dermott, Amy Bartol, Charlotte Abel and Rachel Higginson all wrote books I loved and inspired me! After I read their books I reached out to each one and found that not only were they gifted writers, they are wicked cool ladies, too! You can't go wrong reading any of their books; I highly recommend each of them.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
If it's my husband's choice it's helping him with yard work! Yuck!! I have a regular job that I love, so I travel quite a bit. I keep hoping to be in an airport and see someone reading one of my books. It hasn't happened yet, but I look at every e-reader and book that gets pulled out beside me on airplanes! LOL! I have two kids that are a riot to hang out with, they beat me at board games and I'm convinced they cheat when I'm not looking. I recently bought a bowling ball (my first one) and hope to start a bowling league with friends soon.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I don't know if it's a talent or just a personality trait, but I can find humor in anything. Of course, living in a house with three dogs, two kids, and two working parents lends itself to lots of funny situations.
What book are you reading now?
Tiffany King's Meant to Be. I'm loving it so far and it is FREE on Amazon if anyone is looking for a good read. I love it when authors do that: make the first book in their series free so you can test drive it. I did the same thing with my Destiny Series. Meeting Destiny is on me. If you like my writing style, my characters, the plot then it's up to you if you want to read the rest of the series. For those of us that still believe we're in the "rookie" category, it's a great way to get better exposure.
I'm going to be at the Decatur Book Festival in Georgia over Labor Day weekend. Charlotte Abel, Shannon Dermott and I are sharing a table at the book fair, but I'll also get to meet Abbi Glines, Shelly Crane, Amy Bartol, Georgia Cates, M. Leighton, and Tiffany King in person. I can't wait!!
Thanks again Nancy!
Follow Links:
Twitter: @NancyStraight
Blog: http://www.authnancystraight.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nancy-Straight/243616005687882
When did you first consider yourself an author?
I love this question!! I didn't consider myself an author until after I had already written and published my third book, February of this year. I can even tell you the exact moment that I decided I was an author. I was in the Marine Corps for ten years and let's face it, that's not the most feminine job I could have had. As a result, most of my friends from that time in my life are men. I was out for the evening with my husband and two other couples, who we had served with, and a former Sergeant, Jeff, asked, "Hey, when's Destiny's Wrath going to be available on Barnes and Noble, I don't have a kindle."
Okay, to say I was shocked is an understatement. Jeff is built like a brick house and in our younger days I was convinced he could bite steel and spit nails. I stammered for a minute and asked, "You're reading my books?" When he told me, "Yeah, I couldn't put them down, I read your other two last weekend." Jeff was not even close to my target audience and he was hooked. This was the exact moment that I felt like I was an author.
Tell us about Camille.
Camille is a character I think we can all see a little of ourselves in. She's twenty-two (it's been a few years since I was this age), she lives in the real world, she didn't go to college because she couldn't afford, it and is working a regular job because she's got to live. She's vulnerable but strong, she's witty, and she's doing the best she can. Camille doesn't blindly accept what fate has in store for her and she makes her own way.
What scene in Blood Debt did you have the most fun with?
There was a phone call between Camille and her best friend Daniel, where Daniel is giving Camille some relationship advice. Here is an excerpt that still makes me laugh when I read the scene:
"You know, I saw that on the news last week. People walking down the street, minding their own business, and BAM their lips turn elastic and wrap themselves around a friend's man. Happens all the time. It's a side-effect from the 'Stupid Pill.' Must have refilled your prescription before you lef' town."
What do you feel is the hardest part of writing?
My love of reading distracts me from writing every day. I'm probably the only person on the planet that gets excited when I buy a book that doesn't hold my attention, because those are the weeks I get more writing done! If given the option to read for an hour or write for an hour, I always choose reading. The hardest part is really just convincing myself to put my kindle down!
Who designs the covers for your books, and what is that process like for you as the author?
Dreamscape Covers has designed all my covers. Meeting Destiny's cover was a complete surprise for me, as I had no idea what I wanted. When she sent me the first proofs I was blown away. Once I knew what she was capable of doing I told her what I was looking for, for: Destiny's Revenge, Destiny's Wrath, Blood Debt and Blood Ties (I should have this one in the next few weeks!).
Are there any authors (living or dead) that you would name as influences?
Shelly Crane, Shannon Dermott, Amy Bartol, Charlotte Abel and Rachel Higginson all wrote books I loved and inspired me! After I read their books I reached out to each one and found that not only were they gifted writers, they are wicked cool ladies, too! You can't go wrong reading any of their books; I highly recommend each of them.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
If it's my husband's choice it's helping him with yard work! Yuck!! I have a regular job that I love, so I travel quite a bit. I keep hoping to be in an airport and see someone reading one of my books. It hasn't happened yet, but I look at every e-reader and book that gets pulled out beside me on airplanes! LOL! I have two kids that are a riot to hang out with, they beat me at board games and I'm convinced they cheat when I'm not looking. I recently bought a bowling ball (my first one) and hope to start a bowling league with friends soon.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I don't know if it's a talent or just a personality trait, but I can find humor in anything. Of course, living in a house with three dogs, two kids, and two working parents lends itself to lots of funny situations.
What book are you reading now?
Tiffany King's Meant to Be. I'm loving it so far and it is FREE on Amazon if anyone is looking for a good read. I love it when authors do that: make the first book in their series free so you can test drive it. I did the same thing with my Destiny Series. Meeting Destiny is on me. If you like my writing style, my characters, the plot then it's up to you if you want to read the rest of the series. For those of us that still believe we're in the "rookie" category, it's a great way to get better exposure.
I'm going to be at the Decatur Book Festival in Georgia over Labor Day weekend. Charlotte Abel, Shannon Dermott and I are sharing a table at the book fair, but I'll also get to meet Abbi Glines, Shelly Crane, Amy Bartol, Georgia Cates, M. Leighton, and Tiffany King in person. I can't wait!!
Thanks again Nancy!
Follow Links:
Twitter: @NancyStraight
Blog: http://www.authnancystraight.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nancy-Straight/243616005687882
Great interview!!! And fantastic books! I can't wait for Blood Ties. I'm counting the days, LOL.
ReplyDeleteHi Christie! Sheri asked great questions! Glad you stopped by!
DeleteI have to say I am intrigued. The book covers seem mystical!
ReplyDeleteThanks Leena!
DeleteFirst I just wanna say that I LOVED BLOOD BEBT but you gotta wait for my fantastic character interview with Drake at the end of the month to see my review! I am just stopping by to wish my love to ms Nancy and welcome everyone to the coolest new series and a fantastic continueing series!! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Maghon - GREAT to see you here!!
DeleteFOR ANYONE READING THIS COMMENT, Maghon has been nominated for the Nicest Blogger Award and she totally deserves it! Check out her blog and see if you agree! http://magluvsya03.wordpress.com/2012/08/06/im-nominated-wanna-help-me-win/ Please, please, please vote for her!