Interview: Stephanie Tyler + Giveaway

Filed in Giveaways , Interview , Stephanie Tyler , The Danger Lover Posted on July 18, 2011 @ 6:00 am 35 comments
It’s our great pleasure to welcome multi-published New York Times Bestselling Author Stephanie Tyler to BLI today. Stephanie wowed lovers of military romantic suspense with her Hard To Hold trilogy in late 2009 and early 2010. Then in October 2010, Lie With Me, the first book of her awesome Shadow Force series was published which was followed quickly by book II Promises In The Dark. Fans have had to wait a while but I’m delighted to say, In The Air Tonight, Mace Stevens and Paige Grayson’s story is to be released on July 26, 2011, and Stephanie keeps up the sexy, riveting, fast paced storytelling she established in the first two books of her series. Dell Books is the publisher for the Hard To Hold Trilogy and Shadow Force series. Stephanie has also co-written the ACRO series of novels with author Larissa Ione under the pen name Sydney Croft.Lea: Stephanie! Welcome to BLI, it’s such a thrill to chat with you today!

Stephanie: You too!!! Thanks for having me here! 😀
Lea: Stephanie, can you please tell us a bit about yourself?
Stephanie: Well, I’m lucky enough to be writing full time, which means I’m also lucky enough to stay home with my kids (and a very awesome nurse for my daughter and babysitter for my son.) I mean, hi, I get to be in pjs all day and make shit up for a living. There’s nothing better than that in my eyes. Writing is my dream job, and although the way I got here wasn’t ideal, I feel like I can use my gift to make other people feel better / escape when reading my books, the way authors helped me get through tough times in my life.

Lea: Please describe a typical day of writing, are you a planner or pantser?
Stephanie: I’m a pantser, which makes things a bit difficult when I have to write a synopsis for my editor. I’ve learned to just dig enough into the story to give her a sense of what will happen. If I know too much ahead of time, I don’t want to write the story. I’ve tried to plot, outline, etc. I know it just doesn’t work for me, but I always encourage everyone to try the opposite method of what they’re currently doing, just in case it they discover it does work for them.
I wish I could plot / outline. I’m sure it would be easier in many respects. For me, I have to write at least 150 pages of a book before I can do a synopsis. I also write out of order and am typically working on 3 or more books in varying stages at once. This process, again, works for me. I can keep on moving along if I get stuck on one book and I’m able to write faster this way.
Lea: The Shadow Force Series is about men who are special forces trained but they also engage in mercenary activities outside of their military missions. They are totally alpha males, lethal in combat, enjoy the adrenaline rush of extreme danger, and each are rather dark and tortured for their own reasons. Can you talk a little about the series and the inspiration for the Shadow Force?
Stephanie: I love the whole idea of a brotherhood and family being family regardless of blood ties. For men used to working in teams (SEALs, Delta, etc) I think this is a natural pattern. You trust these men with your life – literally. There has to be love and respect there, a sense of, we take care of our own, and that extends to other family members.
As for where the characters came from, the thing is, I actually wrote most of IN THE AIR TONIGHT first – about two years earlier. Well, I came up with the idea for it maybe eight years ago but wasn’t ready to write it. And after I started, I realized that this book couldn’t come first in a series, that there were other characters I needed to introduce first. So, you see, the out of order thing colors all aspects of my writing life.
Lea: What can we expect of In The Air Tonight?
Stephanie: While I think it’s got the emotions and romance I typically write, it’s a bit different because of the setting. I’d say it’s a cabin romance and more of a psychological thriller. The men of Shadow Force are healing, looking for some downtime and unfortunately, they find themselves dealing with a new problem.
Lea: Mace Stevens. Another stellar Stephanie Tyler strong military hero-Damn. You really tugged at my heart strings with this one Steph! Mace carries a heavy burden because he was captured and tortured while on a mission, and one of his teammates and bestfriend Gray (heroine Paige’s stepbrother) was killed. Mace is a man of few words, very, tortured, most view him as suspicious and rather, it think, antisocial, but there is much more to his complex character. Would you be willing to share more about Mace with readers today Steph?
Stephanie: Well, I really believe that past is prologue, and that a person’s background and childhood shapes their character, for better or for worse. It always fascinates me how some people push past bad childhoods to become heroes and others can’t escape their past. So for me, Mace’s past is the key to his complexity. He’s fiercely loyal to his friends, especially to Caleb. He knows secrets aren’t always a good thing, but he understands their necessity.
My agent always says that my books portray the military men realistically – they’re heroes but they pay a heavy price for that title. They’re strong in more ways than the physical. And they’re more than a little damaged. And I think that makes for the best kind of hero, because when they fall, they fall hard. And I love heroines who don’t try to change these men or tame them, but rather, just accept and love them for who they are.
Lea:I agree with your editor – your voice is perfectly suited to military suspense and you portray these men realistically.

Paige Grayson, had met Mace through his association with her stepbrother 4 years previous to the opening of In The Air Tonight. She is a fascinating heroine who is gifted with psychometry-which enables her to divine information about people through touch. She is an RN and works in hospital Emergency Rooms using her gift to help. However, Paige also has an extremely tragic past that has haunted her from the time she was a child. As with your heroes Steph you always develop unique heroines for your novels, can you share a a little more about Paige’s background and history and what causes her to seek out Mace?

Stephanie: Paige is Gray’s stepsister – we met Gray briefly in PROMISES IN THE DARK. Gray was Mace’s best friend and he’s been killed on a recent Delta Force mission. When Paige finds herself in trouble because her past comes back to haunt her, she heads to Mace, as Gray once directed her to do if she was in trouble. Mace, in turn, knows all about Paige’s background and has promised Gray in the past he would always help Paige, no matter what. But he’s got a psychic woman and a friend with amnesia who might tell her too much and it’s got the potential for major drama.
Paige’s background was a tough one – I saw the potential for controversy and wanted to make sure I handled it delicately. I’d seen an interview on Columbine and started to wonder about the families of the school shooters – what happens to them? Do they really not know what was happening under their roof? And how do they go on with their lives? In a way, some of the family members could be considered victims, too, albeit a much different kind, and I knew I had to balance this right, because in no way did I want to minimize the suffering of families who have lost their children to school shootings.
Lea: Oh, I think you handled Paige and her brother’s history extremely well.

In The Air Tonightis set in upstate New York, it’s winter with swirling snowstorms and darkness draws in early. I found the setting certainly added to the suspense and sense of foreboding that permeates the plot of this story. Do your characters come to you first when you are constructing a story or do you get a visual of the setting first?

Stephanie: It’s usually characters first – but then again, these characters typically come to me formed. So I always knew Mace owned the bar upstate. I just kind of let the characters show me the story – I think that’s why the writing’s always so much fun.
Lea: All the books in the Shadow Force series have the name of songs, In The Air Tonight is of course inspired by the famous Genesis song sung by Phil Collins. IMHO it is perfect because it emulates the suspenseful dark tone of the novel. We’ve talked about this before but can you share with readers how the idea for the titles of the Shadow Force series came about?
Stephanie: Titles are always a tough thing for authors – typically, we pick one, get attached to it and our publishing house wants a different one. Sometimes it’s because the title we want is too close – or the same – to a recently pubbed book. Other times, it’s marketing who thinks a different title would do better. Lie With Me (Book 1) was originally Don’t Look Back (YAY for Boston)…and I don’t remember why that got nixed. But one of the editors came up with Lie With Me and I really loved that title. For book 2, I wanted Promises in the Dark and they said no. At first. And then a few months later, my editor was like, I really like that title now. And so I was determined to do my song title thing for the rest of the series and my editor and I just had fun picking the songs and reminiscing about how much we liked certain ones, etc. I don’t even really love IN THE AIR TONIGHT as a song, but the intensity and haunting quality SO fit this book.
Lea: The next Shadow Force Book is Night Moves, Kell Roberts and Teddie Lassiter’s story and it will be published on September 27, 2011 (WOOT). Where will you take Shadow Force fans in Night Moves?
Stephanie: NIGHT MOVES is Kell’s story – but it’s also Reid’s as well. Those two are so close and I found I couldn’t separate their stories. In NIGHT MOVES, the men are working a job in Mexico for Dylan when Teddie Lassiter literally runs through their op. She’s a woman in trouble and Kell and Reid realize they need to help her. But both men are still recovering from the mission gone wrong detailed in IN THE AIR TONIGHT.
Lea:Just to clarify, Cameron, (LIE WITH ME), Caleb, Mace, Gray, Kell and Reid are all members of the original Delta Force team. Dylan (Caleb’s brother) was too, however he left the force and became an independent Mercenary prior the start of LIE WITH ME. Zane Scott from PROMISES IN THE DARK is a Navy SEAL and is also Caleb and Dylan’s brother. Each of the guys is becoming attached to that special heroine along the way. 😉

Would you advise new readers to read the Shadow Forceseries in order Steph or do you think each of the books can be read as a standalone?

Stephanie: You know, I’d recommend in order, because of the secondary continuing storylines. I do try to recap in each book so people won’t be lost but for the best reading experience, I think reading the series starting with book 1 always works best for all the series out there.
Lea: As a reader, I agree and definitely feel your series should be read in order. 🙂

What can we expect next from the desk of Stephanie Tyler?

Well, right now I’m working on my new paranormal series for NAL – the first book, DIRE NEEDS: A Novel of the Eternal Wolf Clan comes out March 6, 2012! I’m so excited about this series – alpha wolves! Also, I’ve been asked to contribute a story to the SEAL of My Dreams anthology – it comes out November 11th and all proceeds are pledged to the Veterans Research Company – a non-profit foundation supporting veterans medical research. You can find out more about it at www.SEALofmydreams.com.
I’ve also signed with NAL to do a new Romantic Suspense series tentatively called Section 8. But I’m not going to talk about that one just yet. 😀
Lea: Ooooh sounds intriguing – can’t wait!!

How many books will be in the Shadow Forceseries Steph? You also have an exciting paranormal series upcoming can you tell us a little about it?

Stephanie: Right now, Night Moves will most likely be the last one, although I have plans for a novella or two from the world.
As for the Eternal Wolf Clan series, it’s about a pack of six remaining Dire Wolves, their Were counterparts and a group called the weretrappers who are trying to use the wolves for their own nefarious purposes. It’s lots of romance and suspense and magic and I’m excited about it. And I’ve seen the gorgeous cover – hoping to be able to share soon!
Lea: Can you summarize In The Air Tonight for us twitterstyle (in 140 characters or less)?

IN THE AIR TONIGHT is an emotional rollercoaster of a thriller with romance, villains, military men and sex and love. (I didn’t count…;))

Lea: Now can you tell us 3 reasons why people should read your books?
Stephanie:
  • Alpha military heroes.
  • High emotion.
  • Lots of romance.
Lea: Yep, that’s your Awesome books!! 😀

Stephanie, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to join us here today. It’s been such a delight to talk to you!

Stephanie: Thanks again for having me – and you know, for you, anytime!
Where to find Stephanie:

Facebook

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~*~*Giveaway*~*~

Stephanie has generously offered paperback or eBook copies of In The Air Tonight to one lucky winner and a copy of of one of her backlist books to one lucky winner, this includes choice of one of the Shadow Force novels (Lie With Me or Promises In The Dark) or the Hard To Hold Trilogy to one lucky commenter!

Winner #1 will have a choice of a copy of In The Air Tonight or a copy of a backlist book.

Winner #2 will receive the remaining book.

All you have to do is leave a meaningful comment about the interview.
(You can read our full giveaway policy here)

Please leave us a way to contact you.
(Email in blogger profile or twitter name – no way to contact you – no entry).

This giveaway is open worldwide!

Giveaway ends on Saturday, July 30, 2011; and we will announce the winner on Sunday.

Good luck!

Photobucket
Copyright 2010-11 Book Lovers Inc.

About Lea


Lea is an animal loving, tree hugging vegetarian who lives in Toronto, Canada with her family, which includes three dogs. She is a prolific reader and has been blogging and reviewing since 2008. Lea is a contributor at the USA Today HEA Blog and an active member at Goodreads.

Share This Post

Subscribe and stay up-to-date

Via E-Mail:

Follow us via RSS, twitter and facebook:

35 Comments

Join the Discussion
  • debbie July 18, 2011 at 8:24 am

    Thank you for the great interview. I can't wait to read your paranormal series when it comes out.
    I would love to read your books.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

    Link
  • mrsworldwidewebb July 18, 2011 at 9:00 am

    I have read the AcRO series and I loved them. I guess I will have to read these now too..man will I ever catch up my TBR pile? I doubt it! LOL Thanks for the interview and I do love paranormal too!

    mrsworldwidewebbATcoxDOTnet

    Link
  • Natalija July 18, 2011 at 9:32 am

    Greetings from Italy!
    Thank you for the great interview! I have never read any of this author's books, but I have read a lot of great reviews. Romantic suspense is my all time favourite genre & I would love to win one of her books.

    Good luck to everyone!
    natalija (dot) shkomare (at) gmail (dot) com

    Link
  • Victoria July 18, 2011 at 10:32 am

    Hi Stephanie!

    Excellent interview. Somehow I missed that you had actually started this series with In The Air Tonight.

    It amazes me that you're able to write several projects at a time and keep it all straight.
    I have all of your books and love them all. Thank you.

    Will Seal Of My Dreams be available via Amazon?

    vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

    Link
  • _yay_ July 18, 2011 at 10:34 am

    Great interview!
    I like the whole "family" idea and couldn't agree more. You trust someone with your life..and they certainly do have each others backs…you become family. Read Lie with Me and loved it btw!
    sk_86(at)gmx(dot)de

    Link
  • ferishia July 18, 2011 at 10:41 am

    Great interview! Your new series sounds very interesting. I also need to get back to reading the ARCO series. I'm looking forward to reading more of each!

    Link
  • Raonaid Luckwell July 18, 2011 at 11:00 am

    Pssst.. Stephanie (UNDEROOS)

    But yes, I enjoyed your books and well I gotta get the second book of the Acro series to further my reading.

    I too can't wait. Remember you promised the Cajuns to me (LOLOL)

    Link
  • Estella July 18, 2011 at 2:38 pm

    I enjoyed the interview.
    This series sounds great.
    I like that the guys are like 'family'.

    Link
  • bluesun1218 July 18, 2011 at 3:48 pm

    I first read your Acro Series with Larissa Ione and fell in love, would love to read more of your work!

    bluesun1218@dishmail.net

    Link
  • Jane July 18, 2011 at 3:54 pm

    High emotion is must for me to enjoy a book and throw in some alpha military heroes and I'm good to go.

    janie1215 AT excite DOT com

    Link
  • Na July 18, 2011 at 4:09 pm

    Shadow Force is a new series to me and looks like a complete thrill ride. I am glad there is a strong secondary strong line, because it gives me something to anticipate and I can keep following my favourite characters while being introduced to new ones. Aplha males? Check. Rich in emotions? Check. Romance? Check! I'm hooked =)

    Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Link
  • Jen B. July 18, 2011 at 8:04 pm

    The Shadow Force series sounds great. I totally love military novels. Thanks for the giveaway.
    jepebATverizonDOTnet

    Link
  • marybelle July 19, 2011 at 12:48 am

    You cannot go wrong with Alpha Military Heroes. It's the testosterone I guess. Gets the heart pumping.

    Link
  • Maureen July 19, 2011 at 4:52 am

    Congratulations on the new book Stephanie! Romantic suspense is a favorite of mine and when you add in a military hero I think the story really becomes intense.
    mce1011 AT aol DOT com

    Link
  • Tore July 19, 2011 at 6:43 am

    Thanks for the great interview.I love paranormal books. I can't wait to read your series and books. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

    Link
  • Mary G July 19, 2011 at 8:00 am

    Awesome interview Steph & Lea. Loved hearing about your writing process. Can't wait to read this one. Normally I don't try to win books but I'm shamelessly entering here because your books are that amazing.

    cmjg@rogers.com

    Link
  • Karen H in NC July 19, 2011 at 8:08 am

    Hi Stephanie,

    Thanks for a great interview. Love those covers too! I've never read your work, but I think I'll start just so I can hold those books in my hand and stare at the hot covers! LOL Well, maybe for the Alpha Military Heroes, High Emotion and Lots of Romance too! Thanks for the giveaway!

    kareninnc at gmail dot com

    Link
  • Jennifer Mathis July 19, 2011 at 9:54 am

    im so excited for the Eternal Wolf Clan novel to come out
    meandi09@yahoo.com

    Link
  • Chele Blades July 19, 2011 at 11:34 am

    really loved the ACRO series…so sad to read the end…

    i would love to win a copy of your book as a solo author

    seachele71@hotmail.com

    Link
  • Kathy July 19, 2011 at 1:49 pm

    Love Love Love Stephanie's books! I just finished Promises in the Dark and look forward to the next in the series. I enjoy the military aspects and, of course, the romance. 🙂 Thanks for the excellent stories.
    kamfamtk at gmail dot com

    Link
  • Chelsea B. July 19, 2011 at 3:21 pm

    Fantastic interview! I'm all about "lots of romance"! 🙂

    justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

    Link
  • Di July 19, 2011 at 9:01 pm

    Love the descriptions of these books & the characters. Military suspense & romance are fabulous. And will definitly be getting Seal of My Dreams – great concept & cause!

    sallans d at yahoo dot com

    Link
  • Kaetrin July 20, 2011 at 4:51 am

    Please count me in for the giveaway – I think I need to start with book 1 – I love military heroes and a continuing story arc in a series (so long as there is a HEA for the main characters of course! 😀 ).

    hankts AT internode DOT on DOT net

    Link
  • Ju Dimello July 20, 2011 at 2:44 pm

    I now have her first 2 books..and so if I'm not entered in the giveaway, I'll surely be hunting down the next 😉 LOL!!!

    I loved her other "Blaze" books too…

    But still…. do enter me in!

    judimello AT gmail DOT com

    Link
  • mbreakfield July 22, 2011 at 12:36 am

    Great interview! The books look really good and the covers are awesome. thanks for the giveaway
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Link
  • hellokittiexoxo July 22, 2011 at 1:19 pm

    Hi Stephanie! Great interview. I'd love to win this contest! Thanks for doing this!

    @Monica_Rewiako

    Link
  • m.ceschini July 22, 2011 at 9:48 pm

    Great interview! It made me very interested in reading your books! I can't wait.

    email: m.ceschini@msn.com
    twitter: @maddieluvs2play

    Link
  • Donna July 23, 2011 at 7:31 am

    Drawings of Dire wolves are always much more intimidating than photos of younger species. Can't wait to read the series and see what you do with that. Maybe you'll carry over some of the military attitude from your other series?

    Thanks,
    Donna
    donnafisk at bellsouth dot net

    Link
  • Amy July 24, 2011 at 1:53 am

    Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
    I've read the ACRO books and really loved them. I would love to read Stephanie's books. The heroes sound really badass, and with them being Navy SEALs, it fits right in with my current craze!

    angeldream3[AT]gmail[DOT]com

    Link
  • JessS July 25, 2011 at 2:57 am

    Mmm, those three reasons really make me want to read your books. I haven't actually yet (though I haven't really read anything to do with military) but I'd love to. Great interview!

    jessicamariesutton(at)msn(dot)com

    Link
  • Camille July 25, 2011 at 6:21 am

    they're song titles?! *facepalm* what a DOH moment for me, miss completely oblivious! Great interview and while I've had these books recommended to me over and again I haven't gotten to them yet >_< though I do love your work as Sydney Croft! finished that series at least lol

    midnite dot fantasy at gmail dot com

    Link
  • Lisa Jo @ Once Upon A Chapter July 25, 2011 at 3:02 pm

    I do love this series! Perfect blend of suspense and romance…which is a really important factor for me in all my romantic suspense novels!

    I love the ARCO series as well. I've read them all a few times!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    lisa(at)onceuponachapter(dot)com

    Lisa @ Once Upon A Chapter

    Link
  • Morticia Knight July 26, 2011 at 1:42 pm

    Interesting interview. I like Stephanie's comments about her writing process, and having a few books going at once _ I can relate! It's nice to know there are successful authors using this method.
    I'd be interested in reading this series based just on the description of the protagonists being dark and tortured – it sounds intriguing. Thanks for the interview.

    auriel3000@yahoo.com

    Link
  • StacieDM July 28, 2011 at 12:30 pm

    Hello Stephanie!
    Congratulations on the new release. I think the upcoming anthology, SEAL of My Dreams sounds wonderful. I remember seeing the original photo that is used on the cover. Not only is he gorgeous but the scar on his back shows how willing he is to put himself in danger. I think the anthology will do a great deal of good. It is a wonderful idea.

    user1123 AT comcast DOT net

    Link
  • donnas July 28, 2011 at 11:22 pm

    Great interview. Congrats on the release! Looking forward to reading it and what you have coming next.

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

    Link
Previous Post
« Next Post
»
© 2011 - 2024 Book Lovers Inc. Powered by Wordpress
Luvo designed by Internet Marketing In conjunction with Template Wordpress , R4 DS , Best SUV.