Not So Silent Night
Not So Silent Night
By
Sheri Velarde
Bio:
Sheri Velarde, lives in New Mexico with her husband and their two dogs.
Being an avid reader since an early age, she has wanted to be a writer for as long as she can remember. She has been writing all her life, but only recently started to actually try to pursue her dream of writing for a living. She specializes in all things paranormal and that go bump in the night. Her heart truly lies in exploring unknown worlds or adding the supernatural to our world. If it goes bump in the night or has magical connotations, Sheri writes about it.
She is constantly putting out new material with various publishers, so it is best to keep up with her on her website www.sherivelarde.weebly.com.
In her spare time Sheri is an artist, jewelry designer, independent comic writer/artist and freelance non-fiction writer. Hiking in the mountains, going to live concerts, art openings, museums, and hosting intimate dinner parties.
Author Links:
Website/Blog: http://sherivelarde.weebly.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sheri-VelardeKelly-Ryan/632892500084202
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sher_V
Blurbs:
Another lonely Christmas approaches for Anna and her life of penance—until an otherworldly distraction appears and changes her life.
Anna is a lonely woman, running her dead grandmother’s flower shop. She hates Christmas and could not feel more lost when a handsome and mysterious Russian, Alexander, walks into her shop and her life. Each has secrets that they are harboring. Just as their passion erupts, the good old boys in town threaten to ruin everything. Getting to know each other is tough for most couples, adding in magic does not make it any easier. Now with a pack of werewolves out to destroy them, things become intense. They find themselves in a fight for their lives. Can their newfound love give them the strength to win against this threat and trust in the future?
Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0187T305M
Excerpt:
She had almost finished cleaning up in back when she heard the bell on the door ring less than five minutes before closing. “Seriously? Can’t people let me get out of here on time just one damn night?” she muttered to herself as she stormed toward the front so she could wait on her customer and then get the hell out of the store.
Anna whipped around the corner in a huff, not caring if she scared the latecomer away. She stopped in her tracks and almost forgot what had pissed her off when she saw the customer in question. The most breathtaking back view of a man she had ever seen stood just inside the doorway, and her brain stopped working for the moment. Wow, who knew broad shoulders and a great rear could stop a woman in her tracks? While she gawked like an idiot, the man turned around and proved to be even more distracting from the front. This guy was like a wall of muscle, perfect body attached to a very masculine and handsome face with the deepest blue eyes Anna had ever seen.
“Sorry, I know you are about to close, but I need a gift of flowers,” he said when he saw Anna. He had a very thick eastern European accent that she thought might be Russian, which of course only made him hotter. She noticed his eyes taking her in, and she couldn’t help but stand a little straighter, showing her curves off to her advantage while she absentmindedly ran her fingers through her long, wavy, raven hair, which most men seemed to love.
It took Anna’s brain a few moments to catch up before she could speak. Her previous anger and frustration vanished, replaced by eagerness to help this particular customer. “No problem at all. Do you have an idea of what kind of gift you are looking for? Is this for your girlfriend or wife?” Anna held her breath as she waited for this mystery man to answer, a bit annoyed with herself that she cared so much about what he might say.
Author Interview:
Please tell us a little bit about your current projects?
I just released my very first novella, Not So Silent Night, on the newly formed Stoker Publishing, a venture that my husband and I are just getting started. This is a re-release that has been re-edited and reworked and I think it is better than ever. It’s a steamy paranormal romance. I am about to start edits on a short story for Torquere Press’ “Snowed In” Anthology which will be out in January. I am also working on a vampire anthology of my own that will be out in time for Valentine’s Day. On top of that I am working on two novels. One is the sequel to my romantic fantasy Quest for Redemption and the other is a time travel/steampunk epic. I hope to have both out next year.
When was the moment that you knew you had to be a writer?
I have been writing since I was a youngster, making up my own stories and worlds just to entertain myself. However I didn’t really consider becoming a publishing author until about 5 years ago with some encouragement from my friend Kelly.
Who gave you the one piece of writing advice that sticks with you to this day?
I devoured everything that Stephen King has to say in his book “On Writing”. It’s full of great advice and I still turn to it from time to time for inspiration when the writing life seems to be getting me down.
Describe the “perfect” hero. What about the “perfect” hero for you?
A perfect hero is a good man who brings out the best in his love interest and treats her as an equal, someone who has a partnership with his significant other. My personal perfect hero is my new husband. He loves me so much that he makes me want to be a better person for him.
What are some of your favorite pastimes? Do you have any hobbies or collections?
I make my own independent comic books for fun. I also paint and make jewellery and put them on my etsy store. I collect comics as well. I also love to collect anything Slytherin from Harry Potter or anything from Lord of the Rings. And books. Reading and collecting books is probably my biggest hobby.
What has been your biggest adventure to date?
Taking a trip through Southeast Asia about a decade ago. I was younger and healthier, hiking to remote and beautiful places that many people will never get a chance to see. That was quite a few years ago and I am glad that I did that. I was diagnosed with ms last year and my long hikes may be behind me now.
If your fairy godmother waved her wand and whisked you away to the location of your choice, which place would you choose, and why?
Paris, especially now after the tragedy that recently happened there. I lived there once and it is where my soul feels most at home and I just want to hug some of my friends who live there. Now I would love to share it with my new husband.
When it comes to food, are you the adventurous type who will try anything once, or do you prefer to stick to tried and true foods and recipes?
I will try anything once. May never try it again, but I can do it once. Unless I am feeling down, then it is tried and true comfort food for sure, for me that is pizza or spaghetti.
How do you describe yourself? How would your family and friends describe you?
I think my friends see me as confident and adventurous, a real people person with a lust for life. I see myself as a shy nerd who likes to stay in. I am actually somewhere in between I think.
What is your favorite comfort food?
Spaghetti with a glass of red wine.
What is your favorite season? What do you love about it?
I love winter. I love the snow and the cold. I love skiing and hockey! And hoodies!
What is the one modern convenience that you cannot do without?
The internet. As much as I hate it at times, the internet. It is a love/hate relationship. I love how I can use it for research and to network. Sometimes I hate it when it stops working or for some of the cyber bullying that takes place on the internet. My internet is down as I write this and boy am I missing it at the moment.
What is this romance writer’s idea of the “ideal romantic evening”?
Dinner with my husband in a small and quaint Italian restaurant, followed by a romantic walk through a museum or art galleries, maybe followed by dessert in a quaint café with lots of conversation. Then we would head home for some snuggling and more.
What project are you working on next?
I am working on two novels, one is a follow up to my romantic fantasy Quest for Redemption, this one will take place in the fairy realm and I am super excited to go there. I am also working on an epic time travel/steampunk piece called Rivals Out of Time. I have been researching this one for a long time and can’t wait to get it out in the world. I am working hard on the next publication for Stoker Publishing, a collection of vampire stories for yours truly. I also just came up with an idea about a couple finding romance later in life that is practically writing itself.
Any place we can find you in person or on the net this month or next?
I’m highly active online and I will hopefully have a booth at the Albuquerque Comic Con in early January.
