September 16, 2015

Author Interview with Isla Grey / Asylum Harbor


Today I am welcoming a fellow The Wild Rose Press author, Isla Grey. She is discussing her contemporary romance, Asylum Harbor, and sharing the book trailer for our entertainment.And today is her release day! Yay!!! :D


Hi, Isla! Can you please tell us about your book?

Asylum Harbor tells the story of Devon Brown who packs up and leaves her home to become the new bartender of the Salty Dog on Shell Island.  She’s not looking for trouble or romance, but she finds it in abundance when she finds herself falling for the brash and brooding harbor master, Kerr.

Kerr is looking for anything but romance but can’t help but take an interest in the island’s new, no nonsense bartender.  But when a simple flirtation starts to turn serious, the two find that there are serious obstacles in the way of their “happily ever after”.  When the situation turns dangerous, Devon realizes that even the still waters of Asylum Harbor are no refuge during a storm.

Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press
Release Date:  September 16, 2015

Books Links:

1. What inspired you to write Asylum Harbor?

Asylum Harbor came about while I was on a family trip to the beach.  We took a quick day trip to Shell Island.  Yes, this place actually exists but no one lives there!  During low tide, people visit to find seashells and sand dollars.  The Salty Dog itself is based on a couple of nearby restaurants.  Both are family restaurants and one really does have a stage—sans the silver pole in the middle.

2. I would love to take a trip to Shell Island. Is Asylum Harbor part of a series?

Asylum Harbor is the first in the Salty Dog Series.  I’m currently working on the follow-up to the story and plan on a third after that one is finished.

3. How did you pick the title for your book?

Believe it or not, the title of the book was the hardest part.  I had called it several things while I was writing it and had even come up with the titles for the second and third book.  So, I finally went back through some nautical terms and there it was –Asylum Harbor.  The titles for books two and three stay along the nautical theme.

4. Using a nautical theme is a great idea! What would we find in your heroine’s purse if we went snooping?

Devon is a very basic, low maintenance person.  You’d find your usual wallet, her Jeep keys and lip gloss.  You’d also probably find a hair clip because she likes to keep her hair tied back.

5. Are any of your characters based on real people?

The only character that is somewhat based on a real person is Danny, Kerr’s younger brother.  There was a young man that I knew who was in a horrific accident and had to struggle and work to get his life back to normal.  That’s as far as the resemblance goes however.


6. What are a few things we would find in or on your desk?

Oh my goodness!  My desk is cluttered with pens, post-its, candy wrappers and an assortment of paper clips so I don’t get to use it much.  Even the chair is usually occupied by Daryl, one of our cats, for his afternoon nap.  But some of my favorite things is a picture of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle hanging on the wall above my desk that was drawn by my daughter.  I also have an antique green glass that I use as a pen holder that has been a mainstay on my desk.

7. I like to put art made by my nephews near my desk. :) Is there a teacher (or teachers) you would like to personally thank for his/her influence? 

There was a principal, Mr. Habel, who’s either in his late 80’s or 90’s now who told me XXX years ago to never give up on my writing.  I still haven’t forgotten that.  It has really inspired me to keep going.  I also had two wonderful teachers who aren’t with us anymore—Mrs. Morrison and Mrs. Brown.  You didn’t get out of their class without learning something and both believed in reading.

8. Share three random facts about you.

- I’m a mom to a seven-year-old daughter who has never ending energy.
- I’m addicted to Penny Dreadful, Botched and the Walking Dead.
- Two of my cats are named Loki and Daryl—after Loki in the Thor movies and Daryl from the Walking Dead. (We had a Merle but sadly he’s not with us any longer.)

9. My sister-in-laws cat is named Loki! Do you listen to music while you write?

I’m completely obsessed with music.  I especially love ‘80’s country and rock and have it playing most of the day except when I’m writing.  For some reason, I have to have it quiet when I’m writing or I end up losing my train of thought.  When I’m editing though, I can turn the music back on.

10. Tell us about your writing process.

When I’m working on a story, the first draft is handwritten.  I keep a journal with me at all times—even when I’m going out to the store—you never know when the opportunity to write is going to present itself.  Everything else—edits and rewrites—are done on the computer.  


BIO:

Isla Grey is from Central Virginia and still lives in the same small town she grew up in. She developed a love of writing at an early age and over the years has tried her hand at penning poetry (some good, some not so good), screenwriting, newspaper articles and historical stories. She’s “old school” when it comes to writing and is a hoarder of more pens, post-it notes and writing journals than she’ll ever need. Isla likes to write different types of stories from romance to mystery and anything in between and loves a “happy for now but there could be some bad things coming” feel. When Isla’s not writing, she spends her time being called “Mom, Mama, Mommy” (well, you get the picture) by her daughter who is forever active, even in her sleep. She considers herself an unofficial “cat whisperer” and is a pet human to a plethora of cats that have taken up residence at her home over the years. Isla also enjoys reading a good biography or ghost story, traveling even though “there’s no place like home”, good music played loud and walking.

Isla loves movies and is the movie mistakes editor at Bellaonline.com where she talks about…well…movies.  Her novella, “A Voice in the Dark”, is available now and her book, “Asylum Harbor”, will be released September 16th, 2015 through Wild Rose Press.

Author Links:


Thank you for chatting with my, Isla!

Please leave a comment for Isla. Thanks! J


60 comments:

  1. daryl and Loki are fine names for cats haha and ugg, sometimes the titles can be the hardest parts. Great interview.

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  2. Thanks so much for letting me stop by today, Chrys. I had so much fun answering the questions. LOL...I was the one who named those two cats. Daryl used to have two brothers, Merle, and my daughter named the other one "Jiffy Snowball"--they were all solid black.

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    1. You're so very welcome, Isla! :)

      Jiffy Snowball. Tee-hee. That's funny! I've had cats with the strangest names while growing up. My sister's cat was Monkey. Then there was Miss B, Chubbers, and Woodle...just to name a few. LOL

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    2. LOL! We had a ten pound cat once...his name was Mouse.

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  3. Great interview, Chrys. I've only watched the first episode of Penny Dreadful, but I might have to check out the rest of the series. :)

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    1. I haven't seen a single episode of Penny Dreadful. I'm missing out!

      Thanks for stopping by, Loni!

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    2. Hi Loni,

      I binge watched the first season and have been avoiding spoilers about the second one until I can see it. :)

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  4. Enjoyed the interview! Best of luck Isla with the book!! Yes indeed, 7 year olds have TONS of energy (don't you wish you had just a fraction of what they have?)

    betty

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    1. I think we all wish we could have a fraction of the energy little kids have. I marvel at how hyper my nephews can be.

      Thanks for commenting, Betty!

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    2. Thanks Betty! I wish I had a bit of the energy. She's like the Energizer bunny some days.

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  5. Fun interview. Shell Island... what a great setting. Adding your book to my must-read list.

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Casi! And for putting Isla's book on your must-read list. :)

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  6. Fantastic interview! Congrats to Isla! I know a lot of cats named Loki. I do wonder if Loki likes that fact!

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    1. I don't think Loki would be thrilled about that. LOL

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    2. Thanks Christine! We're afraid to get a dog at the moment because we have a feeling it'll be named Thor by the seven-year-old.

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  7. Wonderful interview! The story for Asylum Harbor sounds intriguing. Good Luck and have a great release day!

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  8. Congratulations on your book release today, Isla! I hope you have excellent sales and reviews!

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  9. That was a very interesting interview. I think Loki is a very cool name for a cat. The beach seems to inspire romance.

    Susan Says

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  10. Great interview, ladies. Love the questions. I love how a title will finally reveal itself when you look hard enough. Great to get to know more about you, Isla.

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  11. Great interview, ladies! I'm just the opposite, Isla in regards to music. I have to have something playing in the background (instrumentals only) when I'm writing. However, during edits, music goes off. I need my full attention. Music is my creative source of inspiration. Wishing you all the best with your new release!

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    1. It's strange--I usually have music going at any other time...except when I'm writing.

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    2. Hi, Mary! I'm just like you. I need music in the background but most of the time there's vocals.

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  12. A great title for the book. Good luck to Isla.
    Wonderful interview Chrys.
    Yvonne.

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  13. I wonder where her Shell Island is located? Shell Island was where a lot of romance occurred (plus a lot of fishing) when I was in high school. The island ceased to be after a storm had closed up the inlet, so one could park at the north end of Wrightsville Beach and hike north along a couple miles of dunes and emptiness... sadly, it is now all developed and there is a road that runs all the way to the north end of what was once "Shell Island"

    Congratulations Isla

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    1. Thanks so much Sage! The Shell Island we visited is south of Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. (I think an hour or so from there.)

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    2. Oh, maybe you could go there and have an adventure, Sage. :)

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  14. The art of handwriting a first draft is highly underrated and forgotten. It's even sadder how many folks these days have forgotten the art of handwriting altogether.

    I love books set on the beach. It's such a fun, appealing setting.

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    1. Thanks so much Carrie-Anne! I've tried writing the first draft on computer, but I just can't do it. There's something about having that pen and paper in hand (and handy) that I love!

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    2. I love to hand write my stories. I don't do the whole first draft on paper but many scenes I do.

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  15. Nice to meet Isla! A desk top littered with candy wrappers is definitely a sign of a dedicated writer. Maybe I need a few more of those...

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    1. LOL! Thanks so much Crystal ! Sometimes it means my seven-year-old has been in the vicinity. :)

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    2. Ugh. I don't have candy wrappers on my desk....LOL!

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  16. Chrys: Great interview as always. Love the questions you come up with.
    Isla: Nice to know I'm not the only one who names pets after favourite characters. Well, if I had a pet I would anyway. Of course I did have two fighting fish when I was younger and I named them Kang and Kruge, so maybe that counts. Like you, I can't have music on when I'm writing. I need absolute quiet. I get so annoyed when I'm trying to write and my neighbours upstairs are making so much noise.
    Congratulations on the release!!!!!!

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    1. Naming a pet after a character shows true dedication.

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  17. I love islands. I wish I lived on one.

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  18. Wonderful interview, ladies. Congratulations on your novel, Isla. What can be more romantic than an island. Great setting. Nice cover too.
    A cluttered desk is a sign of a busy writer, isn't it? My cats like to sit in my lap while I'm typing.

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  19. Nice interview! Asylum Harbor is a great title for a book!

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  20. Congratulations, Isla! Asylum Harbor sounds like a really good read and the cover is a beguiling tease - excellent! Write On, Isla :-)
    Engaging interview, Chrys!

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  21. Love the name Asylum Harbor! Congratulations, Isla!

    Cute names, the most unique name for a pet that we had was Peppermint Patty, our blue canary!

    Hi, Chrys! Thanks for the shout out on FB!

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    1. You're welcome for the shout out. :D You'll be getting another shout out Twitter. ;)

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  22. Hi Isla, Congrats on your published novel. It sounds very romantic! I will be adding this to my to be read shelf on Goodreads. My desk drawers are a mess!! I'm the opposite of you in that I can listen to music while I write but need silence while I edit. Great to meet you Isla. Nice interview, Chrys. :)

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  23. Congratulations to Isla on the book release! Asylum Harbor is a great title and I like the sound of Salty Dog. Don't know why but the setting immediately reminds me of Haven (TV series).

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Claudine! I've never watched Haven...

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