I’m really pleased to have Krista Ames on my blog today.
CERI: Welcome Krista! I’m looking forward to getting to know you!
KRISTA: Hi Ceri, thanks so much for having me today. I am currently a stay-at-home mother of 4, 3 girls and 1 boy ranging from 6 to 13. Needless to say there’s a lot drama in my house. I am married to a fabulous and supportive husband and we live in Northern Michigan. We also have 2 chocolate labs, they are 2 ½ years old and sisters. As if our house wasn’t full enough, we also have an older tiger cat we call Tiger who has only 3 feet. It’s unusual yes but he’s a great pet, lazy but friendly. Then we have a 9 month old kitten, partially tiger print and the rest white. She’s a very playful thing and keeps the rest of the animals, kids included, on their toes.
CERI: Whoa! Sounds like a busy household! I have 4 kids at home too, though mine are 12-21 (got the hubby, cats and 1 dog-I know the feeling). Sometimes it’s amazing we can get stuff done! When did you start writing?
KRISTA: I started my writing probably 5 years ago now. I’d only ever read and I read a lot of books. My library of paperbacks is extensive, just ask my husband. He’s learned not to say too much these days though, that library is sacred to me J. One day an idea just popped into my head and I thought “hey I can do this” so I just started jotting down ideas. It’s funny but that very first WIP is still not finished. It’s a little over 40,000 words but took a side track into a storage file so I could write some short stories which I now have published.
CERI: I love paperbacks… heck I love any kind of book. My husband doesn’t raise an eyebrow when I bring an armful home now and again either. A lot of writers jump from one wip to another (raises hand). It took me over 20 years to finish one manuscript. I’m glad you’re sticking to it. What does your writing area look like?
KRISTA: I would love to say I have a beautiful writing office with a huge window overlooking the water but in reality, I sit at the dining room table most days. There’s a lot of room so I can spread out and I can be part of the hustle and bustle of my household. When the kids get too loud I’m pretty good at tuning them out. My husband has made plans to create a built-in desk in our room though so I can have some private time. I’m super excited about that. Right now I’m sitting in an overstuffed chair in my living room with my laptop on the foot stool and my dogs are sitting comfortably behind me in the chair lol.
CERI: Oh, what I’d give for my own office (even if it was in my bedroom) but like you, I’m in the dining room too. No animals at the moment. But I guess wherever we can be productive works. Where do you get your ideas for your stories from?
KRISTA: My inspiration for stories comes from a variety of places actually. I can hear a song on the radio and it will give me an idea. Movies or commercials too and my oldest daughter has even given me some great ideas. I run all my ideas by my husband too so when he gives me his opinion that helps my thoughts along too.
CERI: Music is wonderful inspiration. I love that you run your ideas by your husband. He sounds awesome! What’s your favorite genre to write? How many do you write?
KRISTA: Well right now I’m only writing contemporary romance but I read a lot of different genre’s so my hope is to branch out eventually. I’d love to write a shapeshifter/paranormal story and a romantic suspense. Mystery might be fun as well.
CERI: Sounds like me. I’ve mainly written contemporary but branching out. It’s nice to flex those creative muscles and climb out of the box sometimes. What is your typical writing day like?
KRISTA: My typical weekday writing day starts at 6:45 when I get up to get my kids around for school. They are on the bus about 7:30 then I spend some time with my husband before he’s out the door by 8:30. Then my house is quiet and I can get busy. I have until 3:30 when my monsters run back in the house and it’s total chaos until about 9:30 when I can again sit at my laptop and work til my husband gets home from work. Most nights I even work after he falls asleep. That’s my favorite time to write actually, late at night. Last night in a span of about 2 ½ hours, I wrote 2,200 words before I got to the point I couldn’t stay awake anymore.
CERI: I wish I could stay up late to write. I would love to have some quiet time too. That’s an awesome word count. Okay, now time for the quick questions.
Pick one word to describe yourself: Happy Favorite animal: Horse Favorite comfort food: Sea salt and Cracked pepper potato chips Spring, summer, autumn or winter? Autumn definitely Favorite book: I think I have a favorite for every author I like but the first one that popped into my head for this question was “Colters’ Woman” by Maya Banks Favorite movie: That’s a tough one too, I have many but I would have to choose “Pride and Prejudice”, the version with Kiera Knightly. If you weren’t a writer, what would you want to do? I always wanted to be a veterinarian Best vacation ever: Any vacation that I get to spend with my husband. Our yearly weekend retreat is Mackinac Island. We fell in love with the Inn at Stonecliff. I highly recommend it. And no, we don’t take our kids on that trip. http://www.theinnatstonecliffe.com/. There is nothing quite like the manor house. Breathtaking.
Oh, I love the Kiera Knightly version of Pride and Prejudice! I find it far more romantic than the Colin Firth version.
Can you share your latest release with us?
Book description: My newest release is a novella titled Second Chances and is put out by Ruby Lioness Press.
Blurb:
If you could get a Second Chance…
When the love of Dana’s life leaves without a word, she is forced to move on with her life. Despite loving him, she believes she will never see him again but, little does she know, she’s being set up for a night that will change her life forever.
Nicholas, A Navy man, did the only thing he could to save the woman he loved. Driven by a secret, he disappeared and now returns, years later, with hope for love. With one opportunity, will he be able to make things right, or is it just too late? Will she deny any desire for Second Chances?
Excerpt
He watched her knees buckle a bit as Dana clutched at Amy’s arm, never taking her eyes off him. She said something he couldn’t make out—he never was good at reading lips. He was good at reading body language, however, and he knew in an instant what she meant to do just as she turned and made a dash for the patio door. Instinctively, he propelled himself forward, his body miraculously unfrozen. He had to go after her. He was the reason she was bailing after all. He knew from the look on her face. He passed Dave and Amy and shook his head when Dave tried to speak.
“Don’t. I’m sorry. I have to go after her.”
He closed the sliding door behind him and stood on the deck, searching the darkness. She wasn’t there. She couldn’t have gone far. She didn’t know anyone else here, and he doubted she was familiar with the area. He descended the stairs and walked out onto the yard along the water’s edge. Where’d she go? He started walking and, with relief, caught sight of a silhouette against the water toward the end of his property.
He approached her quietly. She stood, arms hugging tightly around her middle, and held her shoes in her hand while the gentle waves splashed up and over the seawall. Damn, he wanted to touch her. It’d been so long. He couldn’t deny the growing ache pushing against his heart and a sudden tightening of his groin at the sight of how well that dress fit her curves, but this definitely wasn’t the time for his libido to come to life.
He wanted to turn her, hold her in his arms, and nuzzle her beautiful neck just below her ear like she’d always loved. Would she still like it? Maybe she wouldn’t. Maybe he didn’t know her anymore, but he couldn’t stop himself. God, he wanted this woman still. He wanted her to know how very sorry he was for hurting her, and why. But she wouldn’t welcome his touch, especially now. He was certain of it. She’d likely administer a low blow, which he would totally deserve, and bolt. She was unpredictable that way. He loved that about her, too.
He was only human, however, and he couldn’t not touch her. She knew he was there—he’d seen her form go stiff at his presence. Careful not to scare her, he slowly ran his fingertips over her bare shoulders and down her arms, feeling her shiver at his touch before she took a step away.
“Don’t, Nicholas,” she said in a low, shaky whisper.
Enjoyed the interview…always great to meet another Michigander!
My hubs and I are huge fans of Mackinac Island too…it’s a place we used to go to every year for a weekend and we have friends that own a few businesses up there so my daughter was lucky enough to work there for 3 summers. It’s such a magical place. My goal at one point was to stay on every B&B on the island…lol
Love the premise of your book…sounds like a terrific read. Congrats on your writing and release!
Hi Christine, nice to meet you too! I agree. Oh we love Mackinac Island. That would be alot of fun staying at all of the B&B’s but we seem to be stuck on Stonecliff. Thanks for visiting today.
Hi Krista. Your story sounds fabulous. I grew up in Northern Michigan and love to visit Mackinac Island. As child I was fascinated by the “no motorized” vehicle thing (we lived out in the middle of nowhere so we had to use a car to reach civilization).
Cerian Hebert 
Very interesting. Best of luck with Second Chances.
Enjoyed the interview…always great to meet another Michigander!
My hubs and I are huge fans of Mackinac Island too…it’s a place we used to go to every year for a weekend and we have friends that own a few businesses up there so my daughter was lucky enough to work there for 3 summers. It’s such a magical place. My goal at one point was to stay on every B&B on the island…lol
Love the premise of your book…sounds like a terrific read. Congrats on your writing and release!
Thanks so much for having me today Ceri, i enjoyed answering your questions. It’s so fun to talk about my writing 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by Callie!!
I’m glad you came by!
Hi Christine, nice to meet you too! I agree. Oh we love Mackinac Island. That would be alot of fun staying at all of the B&B’s but we seem to be stuck on Stonecliff. Thanks for visiting today.
Congrats on your new book! You’r household sounds like mine!
Hi Krista. Your story sounds fabulous. I grew up in Northern Michigan and love to visit Mackinac Island. As child I was fascinated by the “no motorized” vehicle thing (we lived out in the middle of nowhere so we had to use a car to reach civilization).
Best of luck with your book.