Rose McCauley, Christian Author

Happy Tuesday with Ashley Wintters!

I am happy to introduce you to another of my cyber friends from the John316 group--Ashley Wintters

1. Tell us about your favorite book as a child and your favorite book as an adult. Can you see a connection between those books?


My favorite book as a child was (there are a lot to choose from) but I would have to say the one with the biggest impact at an early age was the 'Boxcar Children'....actually I enjoyed that whole series! Now my favorite book is 'Danger in the Shadows' by Dee Henderson. Both books have mystery so I can see that similarity. I guess the Boxcar Children books were a small step toward more of the mystery and suspense but not quite the romance that was added in. :)

2. What is your favorite Scripture? Do you also have a favorite Scripture that encourages you in your writing?

I know it is a lot of people's favorite but John 3:16 will always be my fav. It was the first one I was taught to memorize as a child and the one that has stayed with me most as an adult. 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son...' That is powerful! I can't think of a specific one that I go to for writing but any time that I get stuck or am looking for something, if I pick up my Bible, all of a sudden, there is the answer staring at me! I LOVE how that works.

3. If you could go to any place in the world to research/write a book, what setting would you choose?

Australia. I've always wanted to go there. As a kid growing up I was fascinated by all the animals and the aboriginal tribes. Now I think it would be the perfect setting for a murder mystery :) There are so many possibilities there. There can be water scenes, desert, mountainous, and a whole host of other picturesque scenery. The story line has a hundred different ways it could go from a plot for murder to an actual one or even someone is trying to 'harvest' animals and selling them at an astronomical rate. It would be so much more believable, at least to me, to write a story about a place that I've seen and visited. At least that is what I'm trying to convince my husband of!

4. I often wonder if I would write if I had to do it the old-fashioned way without computers and spell-checks and email. Is there anything about technology that you don't like? Or anything about it that you feel enhances your writing?

Well, my weird quirk for writing is I do handwrite my book before I type it. I love the feeling of having it in front of me on paper and it just flows for me. After I type it up, you wouldn't believe the red and green squiggles under all my words. I can't spell at all so it is like every other word is wrong or the tense. I do love that it checks your spelling but I wish I had something that would check to make sure its the correct word! Sometimes when I'm typing (like at work) I write trail when I'm really meaning trial but spell check doesn't catch it because it trail is a word and is spelled correctly. Technology has made research for me quite a lot easier. If I'm trying to write about a place I've never seen or a police procedure that I know nothing about, just a couple clicks and I've got it in front of me. Of course, I think that also makes me somewhat lazy. Instead of going and doing research physically, I just look on the Internet. If it is police procedure, I could go actually visit with a detective and probably find out more than on line but instead I take the easy route!

5. As a writer how have you had to grow and stretch out of your comfort zone?

I've made public appearances and spoken a few places. Speaking in public is WAY out of my comfort zone. I'm fine with groups, as long as I'm not the center of attention but a few times, this has given me a wonderful opportunity to share my faith. Speaking even in small groups took a lot of effort for me but I have to admit that it can be fun. Explaining how you come up with your book ideas, the writing process, what your book is about or even why you write are fun for me to share. I still get tongue tied but so far no one has laughed too hard!

6. What advice would you give to a beginning writer that you wish someone had given you?

No matter what other people say, believe in yourself and your work. If you believe and are passionate about your work then that will attract others to you who can help and will be passionate about your work as well. If you aren't passionate, why would someone else be?

7. Do you want to add anything about your book such as how to order it?

Shadows of Suspicion is only $2.99 in ebook form and can be bought from any ebook retailer such as Amazon or Smashwords. If you want a paperback book, you can order them through Amazon or directly through me by emailing me at ashleywintters@gmail.com .

Book Synopsis:

Revenge is the agenda…

“Find my sister.”

Rick Reiley’s words were what drove Luke to search mercilessly for Kerry. He is in a race against time to find her and will have to face more than a criminal mastermind to get close to her. He is prepared to give his life for her, but what about his heart?

“…I would like you to meet….My wife.”

Those words from her enigmatic rescuer threw Kerry more than anything else that had happened to her in the last few days…and that was saying a lot! Kerry’s simple life is turned upside down when she is kidnapped and dragged to the middle of nowhere by a madman. She trusts Luke with her life, but can she trust him with her heart?

As Luke fights to keep Kerry safe, the chemistry ignites and the danger gets closer.

Will God protect them while Luke tries to sort out his heart….and capture Kerry’s?

About the Author

Author Ashley Dawn was born and raised in rural Arkansas where she developed her love for writing while helping in her parent's office. She graduated with an accounting degree from the University of Central Arkansas but is currently working as a legal assistant. Ashley has been writing professionally for the past seven years and has two published books. Her first book, Shadows From The Past, was originally published by Tate Publishing and is considered more of a traditionally published book while the second, Shadows of Suspicion, was published by self publication using AuthorHouse. She is currently working on multiple projects including the third in her ‘Shadows’ series entitled Shadows of Pain and also a standalone mystery about a serial killer that remains untitled. Ashley also has a review blog to share her love of reading, Ashley’s Bookshelf, where she reads and reviews books of all genres. (http://ashleysbookshelf.blogspot.com) She and her family make their home in Texas.