Hi readers! It’s time for another author interview. I love these because I crave to know about the creators behind the books I adore. It’s like peeling back the curtain and seeing the wizard of Oz. It’s my pleasure to introduce you to Sheila Kell. She’s a bestselling, award-winning author who writes incredible romantic suspense. Trust me, you’ll love her books. I asked her for an interview, and she agreed. So, grab you favorite hot beverage and join us. Sheila, take it away…
What is your writing process?
I’m a morning writer. I go to bed early each evening, so I can wake around 4am. I feed the cats and make coffee, then it is off to my desk. I write until the noise starts and I lose my train of thought.
Do you have any odd writing habits?
I don’t know if it’s odd, but when I’m thinking, I pet the cat on my desk (there is always one) without thought. It soothes my mind and helps me focus.
What book do you wish you could have written?
Fourth Wing – the fantasy building is so thorough and the story sucks you into a world that only a brilliant imagination could have created. I’m not a fantasy writer, so I give big props to those who are.
Just as your books inspire authors, what authors have inspired you?
Julie Garwood was the writer who turned me from thrillers to romantic suspense and eventually writing. While others were there in spots, she was always there. I will miss her writing.
If you could cast your characters in the Hollywood adaptation of your book, who would play your characters?
Wow, I hadn’t thought of this. I’m horrible with actor names, so let me consider for a moment. Okay, for Cassie, I’d like Jennifer Garner. For JD, I’d love Chris Hemsworth – not so much that he epitomizes JD, but because I’d love to meet him.
How important are names to you in your books? Do you choose the names based on liking the way it sounds or the meaning?
Names are very important to me. I generally choose them from names I’ve heard, readers who inspire me, and names I’ve read. I don’t care for meaning. I’ve never looked them up. I have to like the way it sounds and feels for the character.
What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?
Publishing my first novel - and it being a huge success - after a publisher told me to read Writing Romance for Dummies.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Old. No, really, I have no idea. I make no plans except to continue writing.
Have you always liked to write?
Yes. When I was in high school, I wanted to be a journalist. Then, I saw how little they made and changed my mind.
What writing advice do you have for other aspiring authors?
You just have to write. Don’t think about grammar and punctuation or whether it is good or crap, just keep writing. I’d shoot for at least 500 words per day, then it will grow to 2,000+.
If you didn’t like writing books, what would you do for a living?
I’d love to read for a living, but since I’d be too poor to eat, I’d go back to running colleges.
Are you a plotter or a pantster?
I used to be a serious plotter. Now I’m a weird mix of the two. I plot lightly and then go for it. I find I’m getting what I want out of it much easier and less stressfully.
Do you read your reviews? Do you respond to them, good or bad? Do you have any advice on how to deal with the bad?
I read the reviews from time to time, especially when I first release a book. I don’t respond although I did thank readers in the past. As for bad reviews, you are going to get them. I received a 1-star on Goodreads on a book that hadn’t even released yet and my advance team hadn’t received it either. No words, just the 1-star. You just have to remember that some people are miserable and like to create misery for others, don’t let them. Not all books are for everyone. Let it roll off your shoulders.
What is your best marketing tip?
Do it! I’m terrible at this, so giving advice might not be wise, but I’ll try. Stay consistent but don’t oversaturate. I attempt to do a 3:1 – three personal or funny then one book. It’ll help you build your audience more.
What is your least favorite part of the publishing / writing process?
Writing the blurb for a book. I mean, how can you take thousands of words and put them into three hundred or so? I hate it!
Is there one subject you would never write about as an author? What is it?
Aliens. I don’t think I could write about aliens and alien relationships. It seems a bit too weird, even for me.
Do you have a favorite spot to write? What is it?
In my new home, it’s at my new desk. It’s a standup desk, so I sit in the morning to write, and raise it sometimes in the afternoon to edit. I have a cat wall above it, so standing distracts the cats too much sometimes.
Is there a certain type of scene that’s harder for you to write than others? Love? Action? Racy?
I’d go for the sex scenes in the books I have them. In this series – Coastal Investigation – they are closed door scenes, so I enjoy it much more. It’s hard to write about an active sex life when I have none.
Is this your first book? How many books have you written prior (if any?)
This is not my first book. I have a steamy romantic suspense series with twelve books. This series has two. Read Between the Lines being the second.
What are you working on now? What is your next project?
I’m working on two books – one for each series. I’m halfway through both, so we’ll see who gets their book first.
Do you write naked?
No. I mean ew, my chair.
What is the biggest fib you’ve ever told?
Probably my weight when it used to be on the driver’s license.
Have you ever been in trouble with the law?
Besides a speeding ticket, no. Thank goodness!
Have you ever gotten into a fight?
Characters often find themselves in situations they aren’t sure they can get themselves out of. When was the last time you found yourself in a situation that was hard to get out of and what did you do?
Do you drink? Smoke? What’s your vice?
No and no. I am a latte – hot and iced – addict. I drink them non-stop when writing and editing.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
I’d love to fly. The wind in my face – no traffic – it’d be awesome!
What’s on your bucket list (things to do before you die)?
I haven’t sky-dived yet. It’s about the last thing on the list.
Do you have any scars? What are they from?
Wow – yes. I have one on my shin from a childhood cheerleading fall. One on my chin for a childhood fall. One on my right knee for a replacement. And, one on my right heel for some Achilles work.
Thank you, Sheila, for the fantastic, insightful interview. Readers, scroll down to check out Sheila’s new release plus enter her giveaway to win a $25 Amazon gift card.
Title Read Between the Lines
Author Sheila Kell
Genre Romantic Suspense
Publisher The Wild Rose Press
Book Blurb
Ardent fan to serial killer
From Romantic Suspense BEST-SELLING and AWARD-WINNING Author | What happens when someone goes from bestselling author to suspected murderer because of their writing? In Sheila Kell’s highly anticipated novel of treachery, secrecy, and romance, Cassie and JD rush to find a killer while their growing relationship is threatened on two fronts.
Cassie McKay and JD Walker are in a fix again. This time, Cassie’s author friend is suspected of murder.
What stirs the FBI’s suspicions is that the killings are playing out exactly as she wrote them, but before her book is published. It’s up to Cassie and JD to clear the author’s name before it’s too late.
As Cassie and JD attempt to find the killer, cope with Gus’s odd affliction, recruit one of JD’s exes, argue with Cassie’s former FBI husband, and more, they continue to navigate their new relationship throughout these obstacles.
Read Between the Lines is the second book in the Coastal Investigation series. If you enjoy thriller whodunits, you’ll love this installment of Sheila Kell’s new romantic suspense series.
Excerpt
As I come up behind the woman, the excitement in me thrives as she moves her hair to one side so I can access her neck. Instead of nibbling on the silky skin, I ask in a low voice, “May I tie you up?” I produce a red silk scarf in front of her. The blood-red color is a specific detail I must follow.
Hesitantly, she replies, “You won’t hurt me, will you?”
Slowly, as I pull the scarf around her neck, I whisper, “Only ’til death.” Then, I tighten the scarf. Of course, she struggles. Being prepared, I wear long sleeves and keep my head averted so her nails didn’t dig in and grab my DNA. Any deviation could ruin things.
In reality—not TV or movies—it takes four to five minutes to strangle a victim. But only if enough pressure is consistently applied. A fighting, bucking woman makes it harder to keep the scarf tight. But I’ve prepared for this mission by working out and strengthening my muscles. So, I entirely close off her trachea in less than five minutes.
Disappointed, I wish I could have witnessed the essence of life flow from her eyes. Oh, the power to have in one’s hands—life or death. My woman talks about killing many times, but I have not realized—until now—that she means for me to do her bidding. And I have. More than once already.
Continuing to prepare the scene for when she is found, Shawna—I think she said her name was—is stripped and maneuvered on her straightened bed covers. Thankfully, petite and thin equates to lightweight in my arms.
Before I get down to business, I put on gloves extracted from my wallet and tidy up her bedroom. It isn’t bad, just clothing she probably tried on for the evening out. I hang everything, sniffing her scent as I go. While not part of the plan, I can’t help myself….
After setting the complete scene, I position Shawna with her arms out to her sides. The challenging part comes after I extract a knife from my pants pocket. I’m not squeamish with blood, but I’m not a fan.
Opening the knife, I lean over Shawna and slowly carve a cross over her heart. Nothing extravagant. Each line is approximately two inches in length. Once accomplished, I add the final piece. The one which shows I am my woman’s willing puppet in these murders.
Almost salivating, I carve the number three on the lower right quadrant of the cross. Making the number readable is more complex than the “one” or “two” I carved into other women–too many curves in the number. I can’t wait until number four when it will be lines again. My dick gets more rigid thinking about the next kill. The final kill.
Standing, I clean the knife on the sheets and survey the area to ensure I have left no prints or noticeable shoe tracks. Since we entered the home, I haven’t touched a thing without gloves—nothing traceable that I was here.
I step out of the room, taking one final look at my handiwork, then shut her bedroom and the front doors.
Once more, I remain hidden in the shadows until I reach my car. The walk is more terrifying than anything else. I may be seen, which would ruin everything.
The only thing left is to dispose of the gloves and knife which hold our DNA. I toss them at some point on my trip home. Getting away with this crime makes me almost come in my pants. I lower the windows and allow the breeze to hit my face. Euphoria.
I know the woman I love isn’t through with her murder list. I know it like I know the back of my hand. She is savage and bloodthirsty and will want more victims before it ends. And how will it end?
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub)
📱eBook
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/read-between-the-lines-sheila-kell/1144274706?ean=2940186135401
Other platforms coming soon!
📖 Paperback
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/read-between-the-lines-sheila-kell/1144274706?ean=9781509253760
Other platforms coming soon!
Giveaway –
Enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card:
Runs January 10 – February 25, 2024.
Winner will be drawn on February 26, 2024.
Author Biography
Sheila Kell writes about the romantic men who leave women’s hearts pounding with a happily ever after built on memorable, adrenaline-pumping stories. Her debut novel, His Desire, launched as an Amazon #1 romantic suspense bestseller, later winning the Readers’ Favorite award for best romantic suspense novel.
Having left behind her days in the United States Air Force and time as a University Vice President, she can usually be found nestled in the South Mississippi, where she lives with her cats. When she isn’t writing, you can find Sheila with her nose in a good book, dealing with the woodland critters who enjoy her back patio, or wishing she had a genie to do her bidding.
Social Media Links
Visit Sheila’s website: https://www.sheilakell.com
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Find Sheila on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheilakellbooks
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Find Sheila on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sheilakellbooks
Follow Sheila on BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sheila-kell
Follow Sheila on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/sheilakell
Find Sheila on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/sheilakellbooks