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:

The Wild Rose Press / Amazon / All Romance Ebooks

Barnes & Noble / Bookstrand  / Kobo

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 16^th, 2015 through Wild Rose Press.

Author Links:

Website:  http://www.islagrey.com/

Blog:  http://www.islagrey.com/islas-inklings

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorIslaGrey

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/IslaGrey1

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/islagrey

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00MMTEYEK

Thank you for chatting with my, Isla!

Please leave a comment for Isla. Thanks! J