Romance at Heart Magazine Author Interview: Amy Mistretta

Interview with Amy Mistretta:

Hi Amy. Thank you for doing this interview. I would like to welcome you to the Romance at Heart Interview and Author Grilling session. *bg* We are interested to find out as much about you as we possibly can, so lets get started...

- Please tell us about your latest book.

My latest romantic-suspense novel ~ ,Secrets Within, ~ will be available September 5, 2006 with Samhain Publishing, Ltd.. I’ll tease you with a blurb:
Reese Abbot is content living in Massachusetts away from her prominent family, and the last thing she wants to do is give up her dream job as an architect at one of Cape Cod's most distinguished firms. But the death of her great-aunt forces her to return to Wild Ridge to stake claim on the Victorian mansion that has been in The Abbot family for centuries before her family’s greed allows it to go to the highest bidder.

However, the man Reese hires to help her bring the old place back to life has a disturbing past. Years ago, he was accused and convicted in one of the biggest controversies to hit their small town. Back then, Reese had always believed in Evan Payne’s innocence. Now spending every day alongside him, unable to deny the passion stirring between them, she’s convinced there was more to his case than anyone in the town -- or Evan -- was willing to admit.

Will Reese find more than she bargains for when she seeks out the truth about Evan’s past? Or will her instincts only wrap her deeper into the Secrets Within…

- What can we expect from you in the future?

I have a suspense novel ~ Alone in Forrester Rock, ~ which should be released in June. Right now I’m working on two new romantic-suspense novels, ~ Hopes for a Lost Dream, ~ and ~Tropical Illusions,. ~

- How do we find out about you and your books?

Foremost, you can visit me at my website at: www.AmyMistretta.com. There you’ll find everything pertaining to my career: Available novels, appearances, contests, links for writers, all sorts of goodies!

- How many readers contact you?

I have to say… I have a very loyal following. My readers have been the greatest, sticking by me since my first published book. And with each week, comes about 25 new subscribers to my monthly newsletter, which now totals to over 500 subscribers. It’s the readers who make everything I do worthwhile. I love to hear from my readers and always personally answer every email. I can be reached at: Amy@AmyMistretta.com.

- What is your writing routine?

I am very fortunate to be able to write full-time. After getting the kids off to school, and my husband off to work, I make it a point to write from 9:00am-1:00pm. That’s not to say that my characters don’t wake me up at night, demanding me to go downstairs and write, because they do quite frequently!

- How many books have you written, how many have been published?

It’s been a long road, but I’ve written four novels and have been lucky enough to have them all published. The first two ~Waves of Fate ~ and ~ Cannibury Hill, ~ were with a small press that didn’t have distribution, therefore the novels never made it into the bookstores. I am working on getting them back out-of-print and with a company who does reprints. My third novel, ~ Alone in Forrester Rock ~ will be published with RockWay Press and will be able to be ordered into any bookstore in the US, UK and Canada. My latest release ~ Secrets Within ~ will be available in E-Book on September 5, 2006 and can be found on the shelf at any Borders Bookstore in January 2006.

- After you've written your book and it's been published, do you ever buy it and read it?

Uh… NO! Not right away, anyway. The whole process from the time a book is accepted to its actual release consists of many edits and tons of proofreading. By the time the book is out, I’ve already read it at least seven times. No… I just settle for getting all excited by constantly staring at it on the shelf in my office and saying, “I did it! Now on to the next one!”

- Are you in control of your characters or do they control you?

This is a question I get all the time. I always have it planned out how “I” want my characters to turn out or what direction “I” want them to go. But 9/10, they control me. People find this so strange when writers say this, but it’s the truth. Somehow along the way, these characters create minds of their own—even though they’re all inside my head! Make sense? I didn’t think so… LOL!

- What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?

I’d have to say getting emails from my readers, thanking me for providing them with an escape from their hectic lives. For my work to make an impression on someone like that gives me more satisfaction than you can ever imagine.

- Are there any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?

If you have a passion for reading and writing, with an imagination to go with it, you can create a wonderful novel. Write what you know. Remember…a writer should never force himself or herself to write. We write because we just can’t help ourselves! Most importantly, never give up on your dreams…

- I’d like to thank Rose and Romance at Heart Magazine for giving me the opportunity to be here. It is you who make it possible for authors to come together with the readers!

Thank you very much Amy for taking the time with us and answering our questions. I really appreciate this interruption to your busy schedule. Good Luck, and we will be looking forward to the next delightful creation from your talented imagination!

Yours in good reading,
Rose!

Amy's Site Interview Review Buy Amy's Books at Samhain Publishing
Buy Amy's Books at Rock Way Press