Today my guest is Shirley McCoy. C_UserscircPictures2455777[1]
BIO:

Shirley grew up in Baton Rouge, LA and started writing at an early age. Always talkative, when she was eleven she began to put her thoughts on paper, writing stories inspired by some of her favorite writers, Laura Ingalls Wilder and Madeline L’Engle. As she grew older, she developed a love of romance and in 2009 she decided to try her hand at paranormal romance. The result was The Smoke and the Flame and its sequel, the yet to be published, The Wind and the Fire. The Smoke and the Flame is the first novel she has ever completed, although she has written several unpublished screenplays. Recently, she has completed her first novella, Awake, a romantic suspense.

Shirley graduated from Nicholls State University where she majored in History and minored in English. Since graduating (she doesn’t like to think about how long ago that was) she has worked at some of the best libraries in the Baton Rouge area. She makes her home there and enjoys spending time with family members that live in town as well as with those that live out of town. She also loves seeing movies, reading, and going to the park with her niece in her free time.

Currently, Shirley is hard at work on her newest venture, tentatively titled If the Shoe Fits, a re-telling of the classic fairy tale, Cinderella.

INTERVIEW

In 5 words, please describe your “Romance Writing Style.” Creating fantasy and romance.

What is your “girlie girl” thing? I.e. getting your hair done? Nails? Shopping? Gossiping? Chick flicks?
Chick flicks definitely. I love a good romantic film.

This or That:
~ Wine or Beer? Wine, when I drink at all.
~ Sex in the City or Caroline in the City? Caroline in the City
~ Perfume or Jewelry? Jewelry. I love a bit of sparkle.
~ Painted nails or Au Natural? Au Natual.
~ Tall or Dark or Handsome? Handsome, absolutely.
~ Romantic Dinner at Home or Out? Out.
~ Roses or Lilies? Roses because these are my favorite flower.
~ Diamond or Emeralds? Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.
~ Pirates or Ninjas? Pirates (Can you say Dread Pirate Roberts, a.k.a Wesley?)

Do your leading men come from any place in particular? Dreams? Movie stars? Your partner? Past partners?
My leading men are an amalgam of the best I’ve seen whether they are real-life, or movie or book characters.

If your sweetheart wanted to sweep you off your feet, what would they need to do??
A romantic gesture is always appreciated whether grand, like a surprise trip to Europe or simple and sweet like cooking me a meal or sending me a romantic valentine’s day card.

Do you ever daydream about people you see at the park? Airport? Train station? Mall? And build romance scenes around them while you daydream?
Not usually although I did meet a real-life woman who gave me an idea for a contemporary romance. She was a C.I.A. investigator turned elementary school teacher. I said to myself, if there isn’t a story there, then I am no writer.

What do you do in your down time?
I read, watch T.V. and movies. I also spend lots of time with family and friends, especially my husband and my little niece.

When you go to Starbucks or Jamba Juice, what do you order?
Anything but coffee LOL.

When you walk into a book store, where do you head first?
I head either to the new book section to grab the latest by a favorite author or the romance section.

If we sneaked a peek in your purse right now, what would we find?
Anything and everything. I carry pens, paper, wallet, address book, phone, make up, hair brush. I basically carry my whole life in my purse.

In 4 words, describe yourself.
Loving, smart, idealistic, talkative.

Top ten snacks while writing:

Soft batch chocolate chip cookies
M&M’s –peanut
Chocolate chip cookies
Hershey’s kisses
Reese’s peanut butter cups
Mint chocolate chip ice cream
Chocolate ice cream
Popcorn
Chocolate shake and fries
Chips
Hot chocolate

Shirley’s new book is called Awake
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BLURB

Sleeping is overrated. How much could you get done if you didn’t have to sleep?  Dean and Madison are two scientists who have created a drug that makes it possible for people to stay awake. Only, they haven’t. When the two discover that the drug causes dangerous side effects, they try to stop it from going on the market, only to end up on the run from the drug company that wants that drug available for purchase at any cost. Falling in love and losing could be the price Dean and Madison pay in Awake.

Buy links:
Click the link below to purchase for your Kindle

http://www.amazon.com/Awake-Shirley-McCoy-ebook/dp/B00LXP9P4I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405959285&sr=8-1&keywords=Awake+by+Shirley+McCoy

Click the link below to purchase for your Nook

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Awake-by-Shirley-McCoy?store=allproducts&keyword=Awake+by+Shirley+McCoy

Click the link below to purchase in paper back
http://www.amazon.com/Awake-Ms-Shirley-Ponthieu-McCoy/dp/1500574597/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1414946747&sr=1-2&keywords=Awake+by+Shirley+McCoy