Dust of My Wings Carrie Ann Ryan Book Tour

Hey Carrie Ann! Welcome to My Secret Romance. I am so excited to have you here today! This is Buffy- one of the reviewers for My Secret Romance and a member of your Streetpack Team. When Taryn presented me with the chance to interview you, I jumped on it. I’ve read just about all of your books so I am very familiar with them. I really am looking forward to the release of Dust of My Wings! So, for those who don’t know, please tell us a little about yourself what kind of books you write.

Hi Buffy! Oh, it’s so great to see you here too! LOL So, I'm a paranormal romance author who soon will dabble in contemporary, and loves happy endings. That's pretty much it, I'm quite boring. Though I love reading & writing romance.

What inspired you to write about angels?  And how did you come up with this particular version (more human than Heavenly, etc)?

So this was actually a plot bunny from Rebecca Royce who wanted me to use my science education and try to figure out what would happen if a lab tech got ahold of that Angel dust. I came up with my particular version of Angels from the fact that I wanted to know what would happen if science mixed with something that actually could happen. What if we stumbled upon something we didn't know, and the sciences didn't make sense?

I also don't want to put a godly spin on them, because I don't teach religion, and I did not want to go that way. I wanted to know what happened if Angels were just another genetic trait.

What lies in store in the future of the Dante’s Circle series?  More of the other supernatural species perhaps?

Oh yes, I have so much in store. The whole series revolves around a group of seven friends and what happens when they're introduced to this new world. So each story is a revolver on a different paranormal creature. I have every type you could possibly imagine like bears, cats, pixies, mermen, demons, and so on. I'm so excited!

With the exception of novellas between novels, the Redwood Pack series and Dante’s Circle series are both slated to have seven books.  Is there a reason why seven specifically? 

It's actually a little funny but that worked out that way. They're going to see coming out that one of my other series has five books in another series has four. For some reason I just came up with seven different friends in the Dante’s Circle series and seven siblings in the Redwood Packs series. I totally didn't plan out that way. And, the OCD person in me really wanted to make it even. The whole odd number thing is actually annoying. However since seven is a prime number, I think I'll be okay. And I just geeked myself out. LOL

I’ve noticed that in your Redwood Pack series, book 1’s heroine was a chemist, and in Dust of My Wings the heroine has a chemistry degree.  Is that to put some of yourself in your heroines, or to put one of your other passions in your work?

Again, I totally didn't mean to do this. An Alpha’s Path started off as just a free write to see what would happen if someone with my job, not me at all, found out werewolves were real. With Dust of My Wings, it wasn't even my idea for all these lab techs, rather it was Rebecca Royce's. She knew I had a science background and wanted to see what would happen. I probably won't be writing another science heroine for a little bit. Well, at least for now. Who knows. Mel and Lily are actually really different, and the science that they do is different. Mel is more academic and merely biased, while Lily isn’t a PhD and just does some of leg work.

When writing, do you ever struggle to find a balance between action, romance, drama, etc?

Yes. I'm a plotter, so everything that I do I pretty much try to make sure things are even. But sometimes it's not the balance, but rather the fact that the characters would rather just have action scenes or romance things or drama. Like in my current WIP, these characters refuse to have any romance. They'd rather just hide within themselves, and it's taking a lot to break open the shell. However, that’s the essence of who they are, and makes sense for the story.

What helps you get in the mindset to write?  Music?  Certain time of day?  A glass of wine?

LOL I can't write while drinking. I do have music on in the background, mostly so that I’m not listening to my the air conditioner or something like that. And I do usually have Pandora on with a certain station that has to do with the book I'm writing. So when I'm writing my Montana stories I'm actually looking more towards country, but my current WIP I'm looking more into singer-songwriter music. And I usually write in the morning and late afternoon, and then do all of my Admin things at night. I can't write with my husband looking over my shoulder, so soon as he gets home, I’m pretty much stuck.

Do you have a book that you’re most proud of?  

No. I'm actually proud of all of my books, as each book is a testament to where I was at in my life and writing.

What WIP are you most excited about working on and releasing?

So I’m writing Adam’s book in the Redwood Pack series right now called Enforcer’s Redemption. I think this is one of the books that my readers are most excited about but I am freaking out about. I can't wait for everyone to read it, but this book is slowly killing me. And by slowly I mean OMG. But yes, I'm super excited about this one. And Dust of My Wings, my current release, is a new start for me. It's a new series, with new characters. And I'm actually really nervous and excited about this one.

Authors have different opinions on whether or not to read reviews.  Some say that if they’re bad, they would only bring you down.  Others say that it’s important to read them because they help you grow.  What are your thoughts?

I actually try not to read reviews. Unless they tagged me in them or send me them I’ll read them. Either way I like the post or say thank you to the reviewer. But I try not to read them, mostly because I don't want to get depressed. Reviews are opinions, and readers have every right to that opinion. But I try not to focus solely on that. I'd rather talk to the reader themself, and have an online conversation, or meet them at a conference and talk to him.

What do you think is the most important element in the publishing process?  Having an editor?  Beta readers?  Promo help?

For me, it’s talking it out with my writing partner and then edits. I have a fantastic editor who really understands my worlds, and helps me figure out exactly where I had wanted to go to make sure you get there.

What advice would you give to any aspiring author?

Write. Read. Then write some more. Then read some more. You can't be an author and not read. It just doesn't make any sense. And you can't be an author without sitting down and actually doing the work. Nothing comes easy, writing is hard, but you can do it if you try hard. You may not ever be a bestseller, or make any lists, but you are an author if you actually sit down and write.

Thank you so much for being here, Carrie Ann. I really appreciate it.

Thank you so much Buffy! I really, really enjoyed your questions! And I'll be around all day and week in case anyone else has questions for me and I'll answer them! Thanks again!

 

Carrie Ann Ryan is a bestselling paranormal and contemporary romance author. After spending too much time behind a lab bench, she decided to dive into the romance world and find her werewolf mate - even if its just in her books. Happy endings are always near - even if you have to get over the challenges of falling in love first.

Her first book, An Alpha's Path, is the first in her Redwood Pack series. She's also an avid reader and lover of romance and fiction novels. She loves meeting new authors and new worlds. Any recommendations you have are appreciated. Carrie Ann lives in New England with her husband and two kittens.

Carrie Ann loves hearing from readers. You can find her at:

Website:  http://www.carrieannryan.com/
Blog:  http://carrieannryan.blogspot.com/
Heartthrob Haven:  http://heartthrobhaven.blogspot.com/
Facebook Author Page:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carrie-Ann-Ryans-Author-Page/243643205647654
Facebook Friend:  http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002584098860
 Goodreads |:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5360266.Carrie_Ann_Ryan
Twitter: @CarrieAnnRyan
 Tumblr :  http://carrieannryan.tumblr.com/

An Alpha’s Path

 Amazon

 Barnes & Noble ARe

A Taste for a Mate

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

ARe

Trinity Bound

 Amazon

Barnes&Noble

ARe


Carrie Ann will be awarding Dust of my Wings "swag" packs to one commenter at ever stop, a $25 Amazon GC and necklace to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour and a $10 Amazon GC to the host with the most comments.

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