Thursday's interview -- Anastasia Amor.

Today's interview is with Anastasia Amor. Quite a romantic name. She's another author I met at EPICon and enjoyed time chatting with her there. We share an interest in Astrology.I enjoyed learning this since often my characters are developed by using Astrology and The Warrior of Bast has some of its roots in that subject.



1.What's your genre or do you write in more than one?



Hi Janet and Readers. I’m Anastasia Amor. It’s a pleasure to be here to talk about my novels. My interests are diverse. Right now I’m writing the fourth Adie Sturm Mystery-Romance. Earlier this year, I completed a Paranormal-Fantasy Romance and I’m also the author of an Erotic Romance. Website: http:/AnastasiaAmor.com for FOUR STAR reviews, Nominations, readers’ comments, news and buy sites. e-mail: Anastasia.Amor@hotmail.com for autographed copies

2. Did you choose your genre or did it choose you?



I grew up influenced by powerful women in literature and films. Nancy Drew, Honey West and Emma Peel sparked my imagination. Yet Adie Sturm is different--a modern heroine. Intelligent and tough, with a brown belt in karate, she is very aware of her sensuous side. Creamy-rich, sinfully delicious men like chocolate vie for her attention when she tears herself away from investigating.

And let’s not forget the setting… the icing on the cake. After years of exploring Mayan ruins, researching the culture, and indulging in delicious food drowned in chocolate sauce, I was inspired by the sandy white beaches, and clear blue Caribbean waters. Murder and sex mingle with mystery as Adie leaves the chilly winds of Canada for the sizzling heat of Cozumel.



3. Is there any genre you'd like to try? Or is there one you wouldn't?

A paranormal-fantasy-romance set in Havana was my latest novel. The magic of Santeria, a past life in revolutionary Bolivia, and a steamy romance with a present-day doctor combine with fantasy for the start of a new series.

A travel bug has led me to ancient ruins in Europe and North America. A future genre might be a historical-romance.


4. What fiction do you read for pleasure?

I enjoy suspense and mystery. Another interest is the paranormal. Esp, astrology and spirits have always been particularly intriguing for me. I tend to read both fiction and non-fiction in both these areas.


5. Tell me a bit about yourself and how long you've been writing,

I have psychology and education degrees from University of Western Ontario and Wilfrid Laurier University. The itch to write came early but was put aside with raising my children and teaching. Painting, travel and karate expanded my horizons further. In 2006, I realized my goal. The first Adie Sturm Mystery was published two years later.

My books are available at Whiskey Creek Press as well as Amazon, in print and e-format. Amazon.com and whiskeycreekpress.com

6. Which of your characters is your favorite?

What woman wouldn’t want to be Adie Sturm? As an expert in karate and weaponry, she overcomes dangerous opponents but only if necessary. She’s a woman with heart. Although there are two powerful men eager to help, Adie is way too self reliant to depend on the alpha males to come to the rescue.

7. Are there villains in your books and how were they created?

Newspaper articles and my own life give me plenty of ideas. A police detective friend has been extremely helpful in creating the MO of some of the killers. The other villains in the mystery, erotic or paranormal novels are either male or female rivals eager to cause chaos and conflict. Reality is stranger than fiction when it comes to encountering odd characters for my novels.

8. What are you working on now?

I am writing the fourth Adie Sturm Mystery set in, where else, Canada and Cozumel. The island is known as the biggest dive centre in the world, perfect for a dive-murder mystery.

9. What's your latest release and how did the idea arrive?

A holiday in Puerto Rico inspired the erotic romance, EXPLORING IRRESISTIBLE (2009). It was basically a romance gone wrong.

10. Tell me about your latest book and how it came about. Enclose the opening of the book around 400 words.



THE CURSE OF THE CARNAVAL: AN ADIE STURM MYSTERY (Epic Finalist 2011) is the third in the series (released 2009). The murder of two Canadians in Mexico and the circumstances surrounding the crime inspired the plot of this “no way out” novel. The following year I returned to Cozumel for the Carnaval to see it through the eyes of my fearless heroine, Adie Sturm.



Chapter 1

Dark-red blood dripped on my toe.

It rolled under the double strap of my sandal and hid camouflaged by the scarlet leather strap. Like a bottle of rich cab-merlot carelessly spilled, the blood pooled at my feet. Crimson droplets speckled the oak grain of the table. But there was so much more…on the couch…on the white marble floor. Puddles of red rain.

A sickly-sweet smell permeated the room.

Someone had draped the man’s face and chest with a white fluffy towel the edges brushing the floor. A shroud no longer white. Blood-soaked terry cloth.

It wasn’t a question of whether help should be called. Not anymore. No one could lose that much blood and live. Gulping down the bile rising in my throat, I brought my hand to my mouth and backed away to the entrance.

* * * *

Hours ago…

I’d been standing with Janine on the powdery-white beach of the Primavera Hotel—the most exclusive hotel on the island of Cozumel.

“Not a problem,” I said. “I’m going up to change anyway. I’ll get the garter for you. Promise.” I had flown in from Toronto to be her bridesmaid and was wearing the silver-metallic bikini and sandals to prove it.

“Thanks, girlfriend.” Janine grinned widely. “If you weren’t right next door, I wouldn’t have asked. Our rooms are in the other building. But take your time, no hurry. Dean said he’d take a nap before the real party begins.”

I touched her arm. “I’m so sorry I arrived too late. There was an engine malfunction. I was afraid I wouldn’t get here till tomorrow. When I got in, I changed and rushed over to the beach but the ceremony was already over. You forgive me?”

“No worries, Adie. Everything else went as scheduled. It was out of your control.” Staring out at the Caribbean, she murmured under her breath, “Sometimes things are.”

When I’d met Janine a few months ago, I’d been entranced by her vivacious personality. She was like a beautiful colorful bird, flitting about, chirping happily. Now I sensed an underlying sadness. This wasn’t the Janine I knew.

I gave her shoulders a little squeeze. “Don’t think about anything except your happiness today, Janine. After all, it is your wedding day and we’re all here to celebrate it.”

Her fist tightly clenched her gold cover-up. Looking down at her hand, she loosened her grip. “I’m so lucky you’re here. Without you, I don’t think it would have been quite the same.”