It’s a pleasure and an honor for author Shirley Hailstock to visit today to talk about her latest release, Running Wild in Reno.
Tell me about your latest book.
The book is titled Running Wild in Reno. It’s my second entry (first was Hot Nights in Honolulu) in a series written by 13 different authors. All the books have some type of ticket and a reference to True Springs, Pennsylvania. There is a fountain there that legend says will help you find your true love.
Running Wild in Reno is about a woman on the run from fugitives she is unaware of. Sable Ballantine doesn’t know who they are or why they are looking for her. Hiding out in Reno as a dancer, she meets police officer Brett Emerson. While he’s the last person she needs to get involved with, she can’t seem to stop herself. And sooner, rather than later, things get complicated as the forces looking for her close in. Does she run and leave Brett or take a stand?
Why did you decide to write it?
One of my favorite plots is the bad boy or bad girl turned good. The initial idea was to write the heroine as a bad girl, but like a lot of stories, the characters had different ideas and took me down an alternate path. It became a woman in jeopardy story. While I didn’t know why she was running, the character didn’t either. Of course, we eventually figured it out.
What do you want readers to learn from the story?
Stories always teach you something. I want the readers to have an enjoyable experience and to see (in their minds) or feel some of Reno. I love settings, and I’ve been to Reno (more than once). I wanted them to love my characters and their fight for love even with obstacles in the way and to learn that love means protecting someone else, even if they don’t know it.
If you could pick another profession, what would it be and why?
Music and/or dance. I love singing and dancing, and if I could begin over again, I’d practice that piano earlier than I started and give myself more practice time. I can spend hours watching musicals and singing all the words and all the parts. I’d like to write the music, arrange and produce the music rather than perform it.
What’s the best part of being an author?
Creating the story. I usually get the plot first, and then I find the right characters to tell the story. I love the part where the germ of an idea blossoms and the characters inevitably arrive to tell me that it is their story and they are going to tell it. There’s also the part about not having to get dressed to go to work. That’s not me. I work better when I’m not in bed clothes. When I stay in my night gown or pajamas, I don’t get much done because somehow my brain is telling me to take a nap.
What’s the worst part of being an author?
All the things that are not writing: promotion, marketing, editing, etc. I’d love to be able to just write and let someone else do all the other stuff. However, I also like control, so I am in there checking that all the steps that need to be done are complete and I’m proud to have my name on the book cover.
What’s next for Shirley Hailstock?
I don’t think I mentioned that I’m a hybrid author (writing for both a traditional publisher and doing self-publishing). Next, I have a book due to my traditional publisher (Harlequin) in their Heartwarming line. It has no release date yet. I’m working on the final edit now. After that I want to do more self-published books.
Do you have anything you would like to add?
For readers, it is so important to an author that you leave a review of a book you’ve read. Other people read the reviews and may buy the book based on what you say. So do an author a favor and leave a review.
Use my affiliate link to purchase your copy of Running Wild in Reno by Shirley Hailstock.
To learn more about Shirley Hailstock, connect with her:
Newsletter signup: https://madmimi.com/signups/136297/join
Website: www.shirleyhailstock.net
Email address: shirleyhailstockfan@gmail.com
Facebook: facebook.com/shailstock
Twitter: twitter.com/shailstock
Instagram: instagram.com/shirleyhailstock/
Thanks for showcasing me.