Today, I’m talking with Alison Bliss about her recent release, Rules of Protection.
1. Jake is a hot hero. What’s your secret to writing sexy men?
Hmm…I don’t know that I have a secret to writing sexy men. More or less, I write what I think is hot and sexy and hope other women agree with me. I do have a strong preference for alpha men and southern gentlemen, though. So maybe those classify as my secret ingredients?
2. What’s been the most exciting moment of your writing career? The hardest?
Releasing my debut book, Rules of Protection, was definitely my most exciting moment of my career, though having three agents offer me representation (pre-publishing) probably came in as a close second. And you may find this hard to believe, but the hardest moment of my career is actually the same answer.
I don’t know that any debut author will ever be prepared for the onslaught of emails, mentions, notifications, promotions, etc… My to-do list was mind-boggling and only got longer closer to release day. Don’t get me wrong, I had a blast.
But can you ever really be prepared if you’ve never experienced something for yourself? So many authors told me to prepare for the crazy, so I did. Or I thought I did, anyway. But I was clueless as to how crazy it would really get.
3. What’s next for your Tangled in Texas series?
So many readers have asked me to write another story featuring Jake and Emily, but my series was never heading that direction. I have always had this certain idea for my Tangled in Texas series that involved three different women telling their own stories in first person POV.
Each book is connected by the characters from the previous book, though, so you will see Emily and Jake in each of the coming stories. They won’t be the main characters, but they will fulfill a need in each of the subsequent books.
4. What made you decide to write romantic suspense?
I don’t know that I ever made a conscious decision to write romantic suspense. I was two chapters in on a contemporary novel when this crazy storyline for Rules of Protection popped into my head and took over my thoughts. I couldn’t think of anything else, so I pushed aside the story I was working on and wrote ROP instead. I’m so happy that I did.
5. What advice would you give to other writers?
My advice is to think for yourself and trust your gut. Only you know what you should be writing. Don’t let trends tell you what to write or watch the market too closely. It changes constantly and you’ll never be able to keep up with it. So just write what your heart is telling you. Chances are, you’ll write the story that you were meant to.
6. What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on the second book in the series, which will feature a secondary character from Rules of Protection. He was a fan favorite, so I’m pretty sure my female readers will be pleased by what’s coming next. After that, I’ll finish out the series with my third book. I’ve considered writing a supplemental novella, but I haven’t cemented that into the plans at this time.
About Alison Bliss
Alison Bliss grew up in Small Town, Texas, but currently resides in the Midwest with her husband and two sons. With so much testosterone in her home, it’s no wonder she writes “girl books.”
She believes the bestΒ way to know if someone is your soul mate is by canoeing with them because if you both make it back alive, it’s obviously meant to be.Β Alison pens the type of books she loves to read most: fun, steamy love stories with heart, heat, laughter, and usually a cowboy or two.Β As she calls it, “Romance…with a sense of humor.”
To learn more about Alison Bliss, visit her website at http://authoralisonbliss.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter to keep up with her latest book news.Β You can also email her at authoralisonbliss@hotmail.com or connect with her on social media.
Facebook: http://facebook.com/AuthorAlisonBliss
Twitter: http://twitter.com/AlisonBliss2
Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/AlisonBliss
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/AlisonBliss2
Thank you for the fun interview, Sonya! Btw, I love your site!! Beautiful! π
Great having you, Alison! π
Great interview! I can’t wait for book 2 π
Thanks, Rachael! I appreciate you stopping by! π
Great interview! I loved this book!!!
Aw, thanks, Dana! Can’t wait to share the next book with you!! π
Great interview Alison, was good to here there will be a little bit more of Emily and Jake.
Thanks, Babs! It’ll be fun to revisit their characters! π
Great book….great author. Cant wait to read her future writings!
Can’t wait to share them with you! Thanks, Wendy! π
Great interview! Looking forward to the next book!
Thank you, Ellen! π
I loved the interview. I have read this book and it was fantastic! I can’t wait for the next book!
So glad you enjoyed it, Sandy! Can’t wait to see what you think of the next one! π
Hi Sonya, thanks for introducing us to Alison. Rules of Protection sounds awesome, and I like your approach to series writing. That’s how I do it too, seems natural to have new main characters but visit old friends at the same time. π
Hi, Lynn! I agree. And I think it’s fun to write a new storyline within the same world I’ve already created. Definitely keeps things fresh and interesting for me…as well as the reader. Thanks for stopping by! π
Another awesome interview, Sonya! And Texas gal, too. π
Yeehaw! π
I’m currently reading Rules Of Protection and so far, I love it. I hope the secondary character you mentioned for your second book in the series is Cowboy?! Great interview, Sonya! Thank you!
Yay! Thanks, Marry! I’m thrilled you’re enjoying Rules of Protection! And all I’ll say is that you’re definitely onto something with your guess. π
Awesome interview! I can’t wait for the next book and I’m already so curious about who the third book will focus on! What a teaser you are mentioning the possibility of a supplemental novella as well!! I love the suspense!! <3
LOL Thanks, Jody! I love that you’re excited about the upcoming books! π
I’m so glad you pushed the WIP aside to write ROP, Alison. As you know, I adored this book and tell everyone I know they have to read it. Hilarious romance like this is a treat. I’m stunned this is your first title and see only good things ahead for you.
Mac
Aw, thank you so much, Mac! I really appreciate it! I’ve had a great response to Rules of Protection thus far, so I’m thrilled that readers are enjoying it. π