Meet Nancy Kay

Please welcome, Nancy Kay! Thanks for joining me this month, Nancy. I look forward to learning more about you.

[Anne]Name one of your favorite books as a child.

[Nancy] Very early I loved 'My Friend Flicka', followed by subsequent series including 'Thunderhead' and 'Green Grass of Wyoming'. However, my first romantic read was a book entitled 'I'll Find My Love' published by Berkley Highland Books and written by Joan Dirksen.

[Anne] Do you have a favorite author?

[Nancy] Tough one, where do I start? Initially, I'd say Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. I loved her books, and believe she got me hooked on romance. She was a true pioneer of the romance genre.Yet, I can't overlook my absolute devotion to Nora Roberts.

[Anne] Out of all the books you’ve read, which one comes immediately to your mind? If there is a favorite scene you remember, please share.

[Nancy] The closing scene in Nora Roberts Chesapeake Blue made me sad. But, only because the Chesapeak Bay series had come to an end. It warmed my heart knowing Seth was at peace as he looked back on members of a family that took him in, loving him unconditionally, and looked forward with Drusilla, the love of his life.

[Anne] Your favorite vacation spot (whether you have been there or not)?

[Nancy] Once again, I must admit at least two. My daughter did her junior year of college in Bologna, Italy and for our twenty-fifth wedding annivesary my husband and I traveled to Italy. Charleston, South Caroline is a close second. The culture and cuisine there are exceptional.

[Anne] Which would you rather have: A custom closet or a custom kitchen?

[Nancy] A closet, hands down. I am constantly trying to organize and a spacious closet catering to my every need would be heaven. I'll leave the kitchen to my husband, a fantastic gourmet cook!

[Anne] It’s Saturday afternoon and you’re home alone. What are you wearing? And yes, you must have clothes on.

[Nancy] Comfy slacks and a pullover.

[Anne] What’s your favorite dish?

[Nancy] Almost all seafood, with she-crab soup high on the list.

[Anne] Other than writing, what do you enjoy doing?

[Nancy] I enjoy travel, great plays and long walks. Though spending time in our sunroom, either alone, with my husband, close friends, or my daughter and her family while talking and sipping wine tops the list.

[Anne] You’ve just landed a multi-book contract with a major publisher! Which vehicle would we be more likely to see you driving after you’ve collected your huge advance: a Hummer, RV, truck, muscle car, or BMW?

[Nancy] None of the above! I may opt for a classic Volvo or be practical and get a Honda CRV.

[Anne] What’s your favorite television show? Movie?

[Nancy] I watch very little television. In the past I enjoyed ER and JAG, but in my humble opinion, most recent shows lack depth and promote overindulgence to a fault. As for a movie...hmmm, I loved a little known production entitled 'First Night.' And of course all the early James Bond Movies with Sean Connery.

[Anne] You’ve won a talent show! What act did you perform?

[Nancy] I danced a sexy, sensual tango.

[Anne] Would you rather have the power to be invisible or be able to fly, and why?

[Nancy] Fly. Then I could avoid all the crazy drivers on the road today.

[Anne] What was one of the most surprising things you learned during your journey to publication?

[Nancy] The choice of many publishing houses surprised me. I have respect, and trepidation, for how market driven the publishing industry has become. Granted, they are in business and must make sound decisions. Yet, I tend to consider writing an art, and forcing an artist to paint a certain picture in order to sell goes against the grain, don't you think?

[Anne] I totally agree, Nancy. What was the most interesting research you did for a book?

[Nancy] Once more, my answer has two parts. My husband is a former Pennsylvania State Trooper, and, though always aware of what he did on the job, it wasn't until I began writing suspense and he helped me with details that I learned so much more about the job and the man. Second, my stories are set in and around the Great Lakes. Though I've lived near the lakes for many years, I love writing about the area and look forward to expanding my stories - of course requiring some travel for further research! - to other towns and villages surrounding all the Great Lakes.

[Anne] Where do you go when you need to get inspired to write?

[Nancy] I go for long drives, listening to music or for long walks, often on the beach.

[Anne] Do you have any writing quirks?

[Nancy] I talk dialog out loud when I'm driving alone. Getting inside my character's heads this way helps a lot.

[Anne] What do you think makes a good story?

[Nancy] Characters readers will love. I've read stories with excellent plots and story lines but hated the characters. Villians, I understand, but I must admire and sypathize with other main characters. As a reader, if I can't relate to, or empathize with individuals within a story, then the story has failed.

[Anne] What are you working on now?

[Nancy] I'm working on the second story in my 'Deadly Triad' series. I love giving characters I introduced in previous stories a future of their own. It's a continuim, a passing of time and character growth.

[Anne] What's one of the more interesting experiences you've had with one of your readers?

[Nancy] My first release was July 1 and I've not yet interacted with readers. I look forward to every experience with my readers being interesting.

[Anne] Complete this scene: It was raining. The man came out of nowhere, and before I knew it....

[Nancy] he shoved me beneath the overhang and pinned me against the wall with his lean, hard, body. Fear blasted through me. I gulped in air, preparing to scream like a banshee. Then a shaft of light slanted across his face, and the scream died. "Can't have you getting all wet," he murmured, and flashed a familiar grin before his warm lips closed over mine.

[Anne] Wow! Awesome response, Nancy.

Nancy's Bio - The first romance I remember reading was Mrs. Mike--lovedthat handsome Canadian Mounty. Kathleen Woodiwiss created powerful heroes, and Suzanne Brockman, men of action. The thread that wove these very different stories together through time was unforgettable characters. I fell in love with each and every one of them. So, six years ago I vowed to create heart winning characters for/my/readers and joined RWA.

I live in the heart of wine country along the shores of Lake Erie in Western Pennsylvania. My husband, a former member of the Marines and the Pennsylvania State Police Department, is a built in advisor for military and law enforcement issues.

My stories are romantic suspense with a hearth and home slant. I strive to make them interesting and authentic by drawing from life experiences.

I've worked as a bank teller, veterinary assistant, fitness instructor, and am currently working part time at an exclusive bra boutique. But writing has become my focus and, I've discovered, is a constant learning experience.

Wherever I go I gather ideas for my stories. But some of the best ones come to me in my home office as I sip hot tea and snow blankets the landscape outside my window.

Visit Nancy's website: http://nancykayauthor.com/