Author Spotlight: AIR by Nicki Greenwood (Author Interview!)

I am delighted to have Nicki Greenwood visiting today to celebrate her upcoming release AIR! Nicki already has me hooked with the combination of paranormal romance and something I’ve always wanted to do–storm chasing! With other passions in common (horses, writing, renaissance festivals, and chocolate), I have a feeling we could get to be good friends. 🙂 Please help Nicki feel welcome!

 

Storm chasing is a dream vacation of mine (specifically a tornado chasing vacation). How’d you come up with that dangerous occupation for your heroine?

Elsa’s job was definitely a conscious decision based on her character.  She’s an air Elemental, and she has always been the optimist among her siblings, so something that involved saving lives with her power was the natural choice.  Plus, storms are cool. *grin*

I love the combination of a real-world dangerous job (storm chasing) with an inherent power (air elemental). How’d you come up with the concept?

Elsa is one of those rare and wonderful characters who wrote most of her own stuff without me having to dig it out of her.  She more or less “told” me that if she wasn’t going to work on a farm with her siblings, this was what she’d be doing instead.  She’s gutsy, and she’s not afraid of being right in the thick of danger as long as she’s protecting people.

Which was your favorite chapter or scene to write? And why?

There’s a scene where she and Harry face a storm together for the first time, and the dialogue just jumped off the page.  I’m throwing rain at them, and hail, and lightning, and there’s just this beautiful back-and-forth where, even through their disagreements with each other, they work as a team.  I hate to say I fangirled about my own scene, but I totally did.  *laughing*

5 words that describe your romance writing style?

Broken people healing each other (my favorite theme!).

Someday I want to ______?

I am happy to say I’m finally doing it.  I’ve now published five books.  The only thing that would make my “almost-perfect” perfect is to be doing it full-time from my home office on a horse farm!

When/where do your best writing ideas come to you?

I find that if I allow myself time each day to write, the ideas know to show up.  The problem is when they come as I’m falling asleep!  I usually have to get up and jot something down so I don’t lose the idea in broad daylight.

If you were going on a reality TV show, which would you choose?

Oh, boy.  I’m not a reality show kind of girl, but maybe “The Quest” because I’m a medieval and Renaissance nut.  I’d have the garb, anyway!

You wouldn’t be caught dead where?

Bungee jumping, skydiving, etc.  I am a big acrophobic chicken.

Something you can’t resist (your kryptonite)?

Panera Bread.  You totally have to try their chocolate pastry if you love chocolate at all.

This or That: Stilettos or running shoes?

Running shoes … but not because I plan on running!  They’re just so darned comfortable.

What are you doing in your bio image?

I’m at the Sterling Renaissance Festival!  My family goes “in garb” every year, and I was able to get a photo with a couple of the knights.  I love wearing historical garb.  Most of this outfit was purchased, but I made the hat myself. J

And now for the speed round (a la Actor’s Studio). One word answers:

• What turns you on? Intelligence
• What turns you off? Dishonesty
• What is your favorite word? Love
• What is your least favorite word? I don’t have a particular least favorite, but I do dislike it a lot when people mangle the English language with so-called words like “irregardless.” LOL.
• What sound or noise do you love? Hubby J
• What sound or noise do you hate? Shouting
• What profession other than yours would you like to attempt? Horsewoman
• What profession other than yours would you NOT like to attempt? Daredevil
• What is your favorite swear word? Bugger!  (Said frequently under the breath on various occasions, even though I am not British.)
• If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say to you as you enter the Pearly Gates? “All the pets and people you loved are here waiting for you.”  (That would be the best thing about Heaven!)

 

AIR by Nicki Greenwood

Air Elemental Elsa Pemberley is a born idealist.  Instead of resenting her power over the wind, she uses it to help others.  The best way to do that is to chase storms in the heart of Tornado Alley.

She meets her match in Harrison Litchfield, a man fleeing from a past both treacherous and tragic.  Masquerading as a traveling blues singer, he has managed to keep moving … but beautiful Elsa stops him in his tracks.

She makes a life out of chasing.  He’s made a living by running.  When Harry’s past catches up to them both during a devastating storm, there’s only one thing to do: hold on tight with both hands….

Air is not yet available for pre-order, but keep an eye on Nicki’s website page for AIR for release news! http://www.nickigreenwood.com/books/excerpts/air.html

EXCERPT:

Elsa stepped closer, gripping his hands tighter.  “Please let me help you, Harry,” she whispered.

Pain twisted in his chest.  “Why?”

She surprised him when an echo of his pain flashed across her own features.  The downturn of her mouth made him want to kiss her, to erase it, to see her smile again.  “Because there’s people I couldn’t help, and they’re gone now.”

They stood there, frozen, with his hands in hers and that wind fluttering their hair.  Harry sucked it into his chest, wishing it could blow away the ashes in his past and still leave him something to hold onto.  Something permanent.  Something that stayed.  Somewhere he could stay.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nicki Greenwood graduated SUNY Morrisville with a degree in Natural Resources.  She found her passion in writing stories of romantic adventure, and combines that with her love of the environment.  Her works have won several awards, including the Rebecca Eddy Memorial Contest.  Her first book, EARTH, debuted in 2010 through The Wild Rose Press.

Nicki lives in upstate New York with her husband, son, and assorted pets.  When she’s not writing, she enjoys the arts, gardening, interior decorating, and trips to the local Renaissance Faire.

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