Interview with Author Sharon Srock and a Christmas Giveaway!

Welcome to Readers Write to Know! I asked you, my readers, what questions they would ask their favorite authors if given the chance, and the authors visiting my blog answered them! This week, I’m so happy to introduce you to my friend, Sharon Srock. Every time I speak to her, I enjoy it. I saw her just a couple of weeks ago, so it’s a treat to have her on my blog now. Sharon is giving away a copy of her Christmas novel, Hannah’s Angel, so read on to see how you can enter to win a copy!

Tell us a little bit about yourself: I can’t tell you how much I hate that question, LOL. If you say too much people think you’re blathering. If you say too little people think you’re a snob…  OK. I’m about to celebrate my 63rd birthday.

I retired from a civil service job with the USAF on the last day of January, after 32 years of service. Immediately thereafter my husband and I were blessed enough to full fill one of my life long dreams and travel to Australia. It was an AMAZING trip. We have a HUGE family with 6 kids between us. 4 of those kids are married and have blessed us with 20 grandchildren. Add in spouses and the 10 great-grands and it’s a fun filled circus during the holidays.

After avoiding God’s call on my life to write for more than 20 years, I finally became an obedient child and started writing my first novel almost ten years ago. God has been faithful and I am releasing my fifteenth title on Oct. 29th.

My stories are about ordinary women using their faith to do extraordinary things. Lots of friendships, love, forgiveness, and a little romance along the way

Tell us about your current release: The book releasing later this month is Jesse, book 4 in my Sisters by Design series. Here’s the blurb:

SHE’S READY FOR A SECOND CHANCE

Jessica Cooper married the love of her life right after high school graduation only to have her happily-ever-after dreams burned to cinders the night her husband broke her arm in a fit of rage. Twelve years later Jesse says yes to Garrett’s proposal, convinced it’s finally her turn to have the life and love she’s always longed for, with a man who can be trusted to hold those dreams safe. When Garrett is accused of the unthinkable and her ex-husband turns up on her doorstep, offering apologies and undying love, who should she believe?

THE TRAP THAT COMPASSION BUILT

Garrett Saxton is a respected, by-the-book high school counselor. Everything changed the night one of his female students showed up after-hours hysterical, and begging for his help. Unable to send her away, he calls for a chaperone and offers what comfort he can until reinforcements arrive. Now he’s accused of rape and paternity by the student he tried to help and his future with Jesse is ending before it began.

THE OBSTACLE COURSE OF LOVE

With a manipulative ex-husband who will stop at nothing to get what he wants, career ending accusations, and the threat of legal action, everything seems to be spiraling out of control. How can Jesse and Garrett overcome the challenges to their happiness and salvage the promise of a life together?

Whats the first major news headline that you can remember and what do you remember?I was in the second grade when President Kennedy was shot. I remember my teacher coming into class with tears in her eyes. We were sent home early and like most, we were glued to the television for the next few days. I remember John John’s funeral salute to his father.

Who was your first Screen/Musical Crush? Oh man…my walls were covered in posters when I was twelve or thirteen.  I had a fleeting thing for Paul from the Beatles, but really…It was Davy Jones from the Monkees who stole my heart. That accent…those eyes…Be still my heart. I had a “kissing poster” from 16 MAGAZEEN taped up just right and Davy got a good night kiss every night.

What advice do you have for aspiring writers? I’ll pass along the best advice I ever received. Join a writer’s group. I didn’t even know there was such a thing. One of my friends actually found the Edmond, OK chapter of ACFW and sent me the info. I walked into that first meeting and those people just took me in. The first thing I learned was that I wasn’t crazy. The voices in my head were normal. Can you imagine?  That was just the beginning. They took a wanna be writer and molded me into the real life item. Best thing I ever did for my writing and my sanity.

Do you write your books for your own enjoyment or more for what you think people would want to read? I wrote the first two books in my Valley View series just to shut up the voices in my head. I thought if I put the things they were whispering about on paper for them they’d go away and leave me alone. Thankfully that didn’t happen. Instead they went and got their friends and now they’re whispering too.

Do you talk out plot lines with others, and if so, whom? As I’ve said, getting involved with the members of my local writer’s group saved my sanity. That process yielded a close friendship with two other writers. We tend to bounce things off each other.  Since one of those friends is my editor, it works out very well.

How difficult is it for you to make sure those who are asked to review actually do review? Does this limit your thoughts on ARCs?I have a wonderful  street team and a spreadsheet. I only hand out book links to those who ask by private message, that way the link isn’t posted somewhere for everyone to see. Then I make a note in the spreadsheet. I make another note once the reader posts a review. I seldom hand out a new link if the previous book wasn’t reviewed. I love my readers but I can’t hand out free books jut for the fun of it.

How old were you when you wrote your first book? I started my fist book at the tender age of 54.

Find Sharon online:
Sign up for Sharon’s newsletter
Visit Sharon’s website: www.sharonsrock.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SharonSrock/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6448789.Sharon_Srock
Free novel: THE WOMEN OF VALLEY VIEW: CALLIE

Sharon is giving away an ebook of her Christmas novel, Hannah’s Angel! See below how to enter: