Author Spotlight & Giveaway featuring Gale Stanley

Gale Stanley

Today on my author spotlight I would like to introduce you to a great new author that I just discovered. I had the privilege of reading and reviewing Gale's book "Call of the Wilds" and it was fantastic. You can read my review here. In the October edition of RT Magazine "Call of the Wilds" was given a 4 star review. You can read more about that here.







Gale has agreed to participate in my author spotlight today and she has generously given me two prize packs to giveaway.

Interview: 

Tell us something interesting about yourself.

I always wanted to play the piano but my parents wouldn’t or couldn’t afford it, so they arranged for accordion lessons. Don’t ask. It wasn’t my idea. The lessons lasted a week. Well, I’m not one to give up. We just bought a secondhand piano and I’m trying to teach myself to play. If I can learn Jingle Bells by Christmas, I’ll put it on You Tube.

How long have you been writing and when did you first decide you wanted to be an author?

I think I always wanted to write but my parents didn’t consider it a real job and I was pushed in another direction. I went from laboratory technician, to real estate sales person, to surveyor/CAD manager. So there I was working a full time day job, and I was also reviewing for RT Book Reviews magazine and writing personal memoirs for the Cup of Comfort anthologies. I had an idea for a story and two characters rattling around in my head and it eventually became CALL OF THE WILDS.

What do you think makes a story great?

I’m all about the characters and I try to make mine good well-developed characters that readers can love, hate or relate to. I love characters with traumatic pasts that influence their present actions, but who grow and overcome their conflicts. I think the werewolf is the ultimate romantic hero, a complicated mix of tortured loner and alpha bad boy. It's a combination that's hard to resist.

What is the hardest part about writing a book?

Sending it out into the world and then waiting and hoping the readers will like what you’ve done.

I think that’s harder than submitting to a publisher. Being an avid reader myself, I know I’m tough to please and I want a good story for my hard-earned bucks. So I think it’s great that reviewers give readers a heads up so they know what to expect.  

What are your current projects or books that are coming soon?

I submitted BLACK WOLF GORGE Book 3 to the publisher. The working title is CAPTIVE. This one moves between Black Wolf and New Mexico.

And I have two contemporary MM romances coming soon from Silver Publishing. SILENT KNIGHTS will be released in October. POINT OF BEGINNING will be released January 2011. It’s the first book in a series – THE GENTLEMEN’S CLUB. I’m working on book 2 now.  

Now, about "Call of the Wilds":

Describe "Call of the Wilds" in one sentence.

A veterinarian caring for endangered animals in the Pennsylvania Wilds discovers a species she hadn’t counted on when she meets a sexy Lycan and risks her life for love.

How did you come up with the title?

The location is the Pennsylvania Wilds and the peaceful setting called to Karin as well as Malcolm. And then there’s a nod to Jack London’s book, where the protagonist is a dog. It’s one of my favorites.

Did you have to do a lot of research for this book? On wolf behavior perhaps?

I did do a lot of research, but I’ve been interested in wolves for awhile. I’m a longtime member of Defenders of Wildlife, and I support their campaigns to stop illegal wolf killings. I think the wolf is a misunderstood animal. Although they're powerful and predatory, they live in a society where cooperation, commitment and communication is the norm. We can learn a lot from them. 

I love to ask this question. How long did it take you to write "Call of the Wilds"?

Way longer than it should have. I was still working a full time day job which didn’t leave a lot of time for writing. And the story went through a lot of changes. I had two characters I loved, Malcolm and Karin and my original idea was a sci-fi plot on cloning. Then it became a vampire story. But Malcolm wasn’t happy until I finally realized he was a Lycan. After that it all just fell into place. Well not exactly, but at least we were going in the right direction. I think it took about three years to finish it.

We all have to know (or I have to know). When does book two come out?

MATING CALL is scheduled for a November release but I don’t know the exact date yet. It’s an unconventional love story that brings back some familiar characters as well as some new ones. 

Can you tell us anything about book two such as who the hero and heroine are going to be? Or is that classified? :)

Not anymore. Siren posted the blurb so I guess I can reveal it here.

[Erotic Paranormal Ménage a Trois Romance, M/F/M, Shape-shifter, Bondage]

Human contact is the last thing Sable wants and the she-wolf lives wild to avoid any chance encounters. But when a hunter sees her transform into his quarry, she becomes fair game. Jude and his twin capture the feral creature but lust blurs the line between captor and captive.

Finally, is there anything you would like to say to your fans or potential readers?

I just want to say that I feel fortunate to finally be doing what I love. Throughout my life, reading has entertained me in the good times and provided escape in the bad. I feel honored when I can do that for someone else and I love hearing from the readers. Thank you all for your support. I appreciate each and every one of you.

 

Your giveaway question?

Okay, here goes. If you could shape-shift, which of these animals would you choose to be - Mountain lion, bobcat, elk, black bear, gray fox, or coyote?

Thank you for participating in my author spotlight. I know your time is valuable. Its been a real pleasure.

Thank you for having me. It was fun and I always love meeting the readers.

You can learn more about Gale Stanley here: 

http://galestanley.blogspot.com/

http://booksblurbs.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/gale.stanley.author

 

Gale's Books:

"CALL OF THE WILDS"

Black Wolf Gorge: Book 1

SirenBookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/call-of-the-wilds

Amazon Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/galestanley

Amazon Paperback: http://tinyurl.com/Callof-theWild

[Siren Classic: Erotic Paranormal Romance, Shape-shifter] Veterinarian Karin Stone leaves the crime-ridden city for a job in the Pennsylvania Wilds, working with the only wildlife she can trust—the four-footed kind. But when she loses her heart to a hot-blooded alpha, she becomes the target of a jealous she-wolf.

"MATING CALL" 

(Coming November 2010)

"Black Wolf Gorge: Book 2

SirenBookstrand: Coming soon!

http://www.sirenpublishing.com/galestanley/

[Erotic Paranormal Ménage a Trois Romance, M/F/M, Shape-shifter, Bondage] Human contact is the last thing Sable wants and the she-wolf lives wild to avoid any chance encounters. But when a hunter sees her transform into his quarry, she becomes fair game. Jude and his twin capture the feral creature but lust blurs the line between captor and captive. 

"SILENT KNIGHTS" 

(Coming October 2010)

Silver Publishing http://silverpublishing.info/index.php?main_page=product_book_info&cPath=2&products_id=88

Release date: October 16 2010

[A Contemporary GLBT romance]

Paul Stanton thought he had it all, a great job, a beautiful condo and a stable relationship with his soul mate. When his lover dumps him for another man, Paul is forced to rethink his life. He visits his childhood home in rural Pennsylvania rather than spend the holidays alone in San Francisco. But only a few days with his family is enough to convince him that you can't go home again.

Paul leaves for the airport in the midst of a snowstorm. Stranded in the woodlands, a chance meeting between him and a hunter is his only option for survival. He knows the type. A backwoods bigot like the men he grew up with. But what choice does he have? A few days with the Mountain Man convinces Paul there's more to Andy Reynolds than meets the eye. But is it enough to bind two men who have nothing in common except their sex?

Giveaway:

This giveaway is going to be a little different than normal. If you haven't heard I am participating in the "Welcoming the Fall Giveaway" and Gale's two prize packs are included. 

So, when you answer Gale's question in a comment with your email address I will give you 5 entries into the giveaway to win one of her prize packs.

1. Leave a comment with the answer to Gale's Giveaway question. If you leave your email address I will also email you if you win.

2. Sorry this giveaway is only open to US residents because of the shipping costs. Sorry :(

3. The giveaway closes on September 29th and the winners will be drawn on October 1, 2010. If I don't hear from you to claim your prize within 48 hours I will have to draw a new winner.

4. Don't forget to enter my "Welcoming the Fall Giveaway" to increase your chances of winning one of Gale's two prize packs. Click here

Good Luck!!