Special interview with C. A Szarek. Writing multiple genres...

Hi everyone.  Today I welcome a good friend and awesome author Chrissy Szarek. I've asked her the tough questions, and here's her answers....pretty cool huh?

Maggie: Tell us about your new release.

My debut novel, Sword’s Call (King’s Riders Book One) was released at the end of Feb. It’s high fantasy, a classic quest story!

For generations, the Ryhans, ruling family of the Province of Greenwald have been keepers of a sword rumored to possess enough magic to defeat kings. Lord Varthan, a former archduke and betrayer of the king, covets the sword and invades Greenwald.
Lady Ceralda Ryhan, daughter of the murdered duke, gains the sword and flees, trusting only her white wolf, Trikser—magically bonded to her. Cera needs nothing more to aid in her fight.
Jorrin Aldern, half elfin and half human, left his home in the mountains of Aramour to find his human father who disappeared twenty turns before, but finds Cera with Varthan and his shades on her tail instead. His dual heritage and empathic magic will tempt Cera in ways she never thought she’d desire. But can he convince her trust and love can pave the path to redemption or will the epic battle end in tragedy and evil conquer them all?

WHERE YOU CAN FIND IT?
 

Gypsy Shadow | Barnes and Noble | Amazon |Amazon UK | ARe|Smashwords

Maggie: How about telling us a little about your road to publication.

It was certainly arduous at times. I have always been a writer, but I wasn’t sure how to approach publication. But then a few years ago, I joined a group of writers, NTRWA (the North Texas Chapter of Romance Writers of America) and also a critique focused group, GFTWW (Greater Ft. Worth Writers). These two groups of AWESOME writers gave me the direction I needed to get published. These days, there are so many options out there. Agent, going directly to a publisher, self-pub…the avenues are endless.

I decided I wanted to submit to publishers who didn’t necessarily require agents.

I went through more publishers than I can count, and rejections get you down.

But I am a firm believer that when you write a book, or books, publication is a matter of getting your work in front of the right person.

So I kept at it, until I have my right fit. And I did, with Gypsy Shadow Publishing. They’re great, and I am so happy they signed my series. It’s a great home for me and my books.

Maggie: Where did you come up with the idea for this book?

A dream, actually. A very long time ago, I dreamt of a girl with a white wolf, and I worked on this book off and on for about twelve years. Then I finished it in about 6 months when I got serious about wanting to get published, a few years ago.

How did you research for your story? Was it fun?

This is fantasy, so I didn’t research much. I made it all up! LOL!

Maggie: You write both fantasy and romantic suspense.  Do you find it hard to switch between genres?  What are the bonuses of writing two ways?

I actually write more than these two genres. I have a paranormal (wolf shifters) and a contemporary YA, as well as a paranormal YA in the works. I kinda just write what occurs to me.

I do love fantasy! Always have, and always will. I love romantic suspense and I am glad I have these two series going.

Switching back and forth isn’t a problem. It’s just that I struggle to write in the real world (not always in a bad way). When you write contemporary and police related, everything has to be credible, logical. I have a background in law enforcement, but I still need help sometimes, which I’m lucky. I work for a court, and our police dept is available and helpful for my questions.

I guess it’s just easier for me to make up my own world and rules than follow the real ones! Hehehe.

Wow... that's a lot of juggling!

Is this part of a series?  Any plans for other stories based on these characters?
Yes, this is a series. Book 2, Love’s Call, will be out in late 2013 or early 2014.

Here’s the blurb:
Senior King’s Rider Ansley Fraser has been in love with Leargan Tegran for turns, but he’s never noticed her. When she sets out for Greenwald to deliver a message to the duke, she has no idea its contents contain an order that will change her life. Instead, she is focused on visiting dear friends.
Leargan, captain of the Greenwald personal guard, is an honorable knight, so when the king commands him to wed Ansley, he intends to follow orders, even as he knows nothing of the girl.
Ansley ignores her instinct to question Leargan’s sudden interest in her. She wants to fall into his arms—and his bed—even as Ali, her wolf bondmate, growls her reticence.
Her extended visit allows Leargan time to win her affection, but when he falls for Ansley, it takes him by surprise. Will she be willing to give herself to him if she learns their marriage has been commanded by the king? What will it take to convince her he’s not simply following orders?


What was the hardest part about writing this book?

Editing it! Wow. It changed so much over the years. I am happy with the final product, but it is DEFINITELY not anything like what it was when I started it.

What was the easiest part?

Seeing thing through my characters eyes. They told me where the story was headed.

Favorite Scene?

Hmmm…I don’t know that I can pick just one. The spicy scenes, of course. ;)

Where can readers find out more about your new release?

On my website www.caszarek.com or my blog www.caszarekwriter.blogspot.com


What are you working on now?

I am working on Chance Collision, which is the 2nd book in my Crossing Forces romantic suspense series. It a fun book so far! I was a bit blocked but had a FANTASTIC brainstorming session with a few friends last weekend and now I am on a roll!

Collision Force (Crossing Forces Book One) will be released from Total-E-Bound Publishing! I am so excited for this book, I ADORE this couple!

Here’s the blurb:

Badboy, married to his job FBI agent Cole Lucas always gets his man. So when the unthinkable happens and one gets away, Cole grits his teeth and hunts human trafficker Carlo Maldonado all the way to Antioch, Texas, where he collides with Detective Andi MacLaren.
Cole doesn’t do small towns and he doesn’t get involved with women he works with, but Andi tempts him in ways he doesn’t want to acknowledge.

Two murders, her partner shot and leading the investigation on her own, the last thing Andi needs is a cocky FBI agent that sees her as no more than a tagalong.
Widow and single mother Andi is used to being on her own. When Cole gets stuck without a place to stay, crashing on her couch puts them in dangerous territory.

Attraction and passion bring Andi to a place she left behind when her husband died.
Her three-year-old son quickly wiggles his way into Cole’s heart, and he starts contemplating things—family, love—that he’d never planned for himself.

Can being forced to work together make them stronger or will their differences jeopardize their case and their hearts?


And now for the personal questions-

Favourite food?

I love food, I couldn’t possibly narrow it down. How about: Chocolate? Heheh. BIG fan of anything chocolate.

Favourite author?

Anne McCaffrey and JR Ward, but I love so many authors. SO many AWESOME books out there.

Favourite season?

Spring. Not too hot, not too cold.

BIO

C.A. is originally from Ohio, but got to Texas as soon as she could. She is married and has a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. She works with kids when she’s not writing. She’s always wanted to be a writer and is overjoyed to share her stories with the world.

Blog: www.caszarekwriter.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/caszarek
Twitter: @caszarek
I LOVE to hear from readers: caszarekauthor@gmail.com