Stanalei Fletcher @StanaleiFletch Proving Ground #Audiobook #Suspense

RW:    Tell us about yourself, your family, where you live.

SL:     I’m old enough have 8 grandchildren ranging in ages 6 months to 18 years old, but young enough to still have to work a day job. I live with my soulmate of over 23 years near the heart of the Rocky Mountains. We enjoy all four seasons and especially enjoy working a garden for fresh vegetables during the spring, summer, and fall.

RW:    How many hours a day do you spend writing?

SL:     I don’t spend nearly enough hours a day writing. I end up counting my hours by the week. I do strive for at least 8 hours a week. This is an area I need to vastly improve upon.

RW:    What is the best thing about being a writer?

SL:     The very best thing about being a writer is getting use all those great baby names. You know; the one you couldn’t use for your own kids? I LOVE that part.

RW:    Who are your favorite authors?

SL:    My favorite authors: Alistair MacLean, Tom Clancy, Kristan Higgins, RaeAnne Thayne, James Rollins, Christopher Moore, and Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens.

RW:    What makes a good book?

SL:     For me what makes a book good is a great hook that draws me in, solid plot logic, and last but certainly not least—heart. The story needs characters that I care about.

RW:    Why did you decide to write?

SL:     I didn’t just decide to write one day. I think it’s been in my make-up since a child. But I did decide I’d try to learn the craft better and write for the purpose of publication. That decision came from the realization that I loved the process of creating story. Being a writer was something I wanted to become.

RW:    How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?

SL:     Much of who I am informs my characters and the plot lines in my books. Drawing from familiar backgrounds keeps the story foundation strong for me.

RW:   What about your family? Do they know not to bother you when you are writing, or are there constant interruptions?

SL:    It’s just my husband and I in the house and I have designated days that are set aside for my writing time. He is very supportive and respectful of that time. If there are family interruptions, then they are usually of an urgent nature or it because I allow the occasional baseball game to divert my attention.

RW:    What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?

SL:     I sleep to recharge my batteries. There’s nothing like a good power nap. J

RW:    What is your secret guilty pleasure?

SL:     Chocolate. Except that’s really not a secret.

 PROVING GROUND

Northstar Security Series book 1.

Now available in audio. Narrated by Charles Henderson Norman.

Screw-ups don’t get second chances. That’s what Caitlin Malone believes when she returns to Oregon after failing her first Northstar Security assignment. When she inadvertently stumbles across a plot to steal deadly pathogens from the bio-lab near her hometown, she sees a chance at redemption.

USDA Forest Ranger, John ‘Mac’ MacAlistair, doesn’t want to babysit the motorcycle club holding their annual rally in his national forest. To make matters worse, Caitlin is attending the rally with Mac’s estranged uncle. Having her home again brings up feelings that are better left buried.

It’s early September. Any spark will send the dry timber into a raging fire. The terrorists are counting on that distraction to work in their favor. When Caitlin is trapped by the wildfire, her only hope of rescue is pinned on Mac, the man she’s tried two years to forget. Before they can share their feelings, Mac and Caitlin must first escape the burning forest and stop the terrorists from releasing the deadly pathogens.

Excerpt:

The fear Mac had carried since Sean’s call lifted, was replaced by a sensation of overwhelming relief that took him by surprise. He’d been on search and rescue missions before and was always glad when they found a missing hiker. But finding Caitlin was like finding a lost treasure, one so precious, he never wanted to let her out of his sight again. He smiled, but it faded as he shined the light on her face. “You look like hell.”

Her face was completely covered in dirt and soot. The whites of her eyes looked huge and stark in the beam of the flashlight. A red bandana across her forehead kept most of her hair out of her eyes, but her braid had unraveled and hung in wild disarray down her back. Twigs and grass tangled in the long strands spoke volumes of her race for safety. Mac couldn’t recall when he’d seen a woman look more bedraggled, yet utterly breathtaking.

Stanalei Fletcher

Stanalei Fletcher is the award-winning author of the Northstar Security Series. She has over twenty years of training in the martial arts and holds the rank of Sandan, a third-degree black belt, in Aikido.

After a taste of life on both U.S. coasts, she now resides near the beautiful Wasatch Mountain Range with her husband. Together they enjoy backcountry dirt trails on a RZR, visiting our National Parks, or exploring museums and ghost towns.

Contacts:

Author Website: http://www.stanaleifletcher.com/

Blog: http://www.stanaleifletcher.com/blog/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/StanaleiFletcher

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StanaleiFletch

Amazon Page: http://www.amazon.com/Stanalei-Fletcher/e/B00AGK42W6/

Buy Links:

Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/Proving-Ground-Audiobook/B0798356PP

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Proving-Ground-Northstar-Security-Book/dp/B07982KXP8/

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/audiobook/proving-ground-northstar-security-series-book-1-unabridged/id1340388890

The Wild Rose Press

https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/audio-books/5707-proving-ground.html

Meet Stanalei Fletcher, Author of Beyond Duty: Northstar Security, Book Three

RW:    Has your life changed since you became a writer?

SF:   I’m not sure if my life has changed much since becoming a writer. It seems like writing or making up stories is something I’ve always enjoyed. But since becoming a published author, my life has become much fuller and richer. Besides crafting stories, I fill up my empty hours with all things related to writing and publishing, such as promotions, blogs, and scheduled meetings with other authors in my local writing chapter. Some days it seems I’m constantly on one project or another. I love being busy, and that means I treasure those rare quiet moments even more when they appear.

RW:    How does reader feedback matter to you?

SF:   Reader feedback is critical to my writing process. Whether it’s from my critique partners, beta readers, writing contests, or fan reviews, I balance the good and the critical, and search out gems that allow me to see my story through another’s eyes. When a reader comments on something that affected them, it helps me better understand my responsibility to my audience. I want to continue to improve my craft to produce the best story and entertainment I can.

RW:    Where do you hope to be five years from now?

SF:    Five years from now, I hope I’m still writing and still offering stories that my readers love.

RW:    What kind of research do you do for a book?

SF:     I do all sorts of research for my books, from our friend, (and sometimes foe), the Internet, to on-location, if I can. I have bookshelves with all sorts of topics, and I pull ideas from the news. If I’m delving deeply into the tech world, I want to be certain of my facts. I work hard to keep all that research on the fringes of the story. It can be boring, or even cumbersome, for readers who want to journey with the characters to find themselves in the middle of an info dump. When I can provide the information needed to advance the story within the character’s scene or dialog with just a few well-chosen words, I feel like I’ve hit the lottery!

RW:    Do you feel humor is important in fiction and why?

SF:    I love humor in fiction and in real life. I love to laugh and always try to find the lighter side of life. In fiction, I think humor brings out the poignant moments with greater clarity and allows the characters to grow. That said, please note that I don’t write humor. I believe writing humor should be left in the hands of those truly gifted writers who can pull it off.

RW:   If money were not an object, where would you most like to live?

SF:    I would love to live a rural area, where the nearest neighbor is a few acres, if not a few miles away. I’d love to be in the foothills of a mountain range, surrounded by pine trees and aspen. But I don’t think I’d survive well without my cable, so that would need to be part of the package, as well.

RW:   If you came with a warning label, what would it say?

SF:    My warning label would be: “Obsessive Worrier.” Which is probably why I love humor so much. It allows me to bury my “worry wart”.

RW:  After you've written your book and it's been published, do you ever buy it and/or read it?

SF:     I do buy my books after they are published. I confirm a few different e-book formats to make sure they are correct. I also have hard copies for book signings and giveaways. I’ve always intended to read through a purchased copied, but have yet to do it. I suspect I’m ready to keep working on the next story and not go backward to the older stories.

RW:   What is the single-most important part of writing for you?

SF:    Actual writing, crafting the story, and filling that blank page. Without starting, you cannot finish.

RW:   What do you hope readers take with them after reading your work?

SF:    I would love my readers to take a sense of satisfaction, of time well-spent after reading my work. I would love for them to see that second chances are important, and flaws can be overcome on the way to growing stronger.

RW:   Thanks so much for visiting today. I’m down to just a few books to review, so I’ll be grabbing this one as soon as it comes out, although by then it probably won’t show up on Roses & Thorns until early next year. I always seem to be posting a few months ahead of my reading.

Beyond Duty: Northstar Security Series, Book Three [Releases 10/12/16]

The Plot:

Northstar Security agent, Riley O’Neal, balks at posing as anyone’s husband for an assignment. Nevertheless, to rescue the kidnapped wife of a U.S. Senator, he’ll perform his duty and do his best to resist the charms of the very woman who deceived him on a previous mission.

U.S. Army Lt. Mary “Chip” Anderson is uneasy about the undercover assignment to pose as newlyweds. Concealing her attraction to Riley while staying focused on the task, may be the biggest challenge. Despite efforts to remain objective, enforced proximity ignites emotions and a desire to make the fake honeymoon real.

When Chip is kidnapped during a botched rescue attempt of the senator's wife, both women become pawns in the case that threatens the nation’s security. Riley must remain objective, save the women, and avert the threat. But after that, how can he convince Chip that she wants to wear his ring forever?

Your Bio:

Stanalei’s love of writing romance stems from reading favorites such as Grimm’s Fairy Tales, Barbara Cartland, and Alistair MacLean. She has over twenty years of training in the martial arts and holds the rank of Sandan, a third-degree black belt, in Aikido.

After a taste of life on both U.S. coasts, she now resides near the beautiful Wasatch Mountain Range with her hero, who just happens to be her best friend and husband. Together they enjoy backcountry dirt trails on a RZR, visiting our National Parks, or exploring museums and ghost towns.

Beyond Duty—Excerpt:

Riley felt immobilized by the significance of the gold glinting under the florescent lights. As though on cue, they both reached for the rings. When their hands collided, Chip snatched hers back and balled it into a fist.

He picked up the smaller ring first, and rolled the smooth metal between his fingers. He strode around the table and stopped in front of the petite lieutenant. She stood her ground.

Taking her left hand, he heard her draw a breath. His gaze locked onto the violent storm brewing inside her gray eyes. The temperature inside the room increased. His breathing matched the rise and fall of her chest as his ears filled with white noise.

Her slender hand trembled ever so slightly when he slipped the band onto her fourth finger. It fit perfectly. He stared into the dark pools of her eyes, like a man dying of thirst in the scorched desert. Uninvited, the timeless words from the marriage ceremony echoed through his head. “With this ring…”

Contacts:

Author Website:  http://www.stanaleifletcher.com/

Blog:  http://www.stanaleifletcher.com/blog/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/StanaleiFletcher

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/StanaleiFletch

Amazon Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Stanalei-Fletcher/e/B00AGK42W6/

Buy Link:

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=1009