Please welcome Allie Boniface on her latest stage of her virtual Book Tour

Please give a warm welcome to Allie Boniface

The blurb for “One Night in Memphis”:

What if a woman, tired of broken hearts and bad choices, traveled a thousand miles to the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, and spent a night forgetting her past in the blues clubs of Beale Street? What if a man who lost his wife to cancer ventured to Beale Street's social scene for the first time in over a year? And what if they met and realized love was still possible for them both?

Dakota James and Ethan Meriweather have both given up on finding happiness in a relationship. When they meet in downtown Memphis, at a crowded nightclub, neither has romance on the brain. But as the evening unfolds, and small talk turns to the stuff of hopes, dreams, and shared loss, a kinship grows that surprises them.

Before the night is over, though, Dakota's past will catch up with her in the form of a violent ex-boyfriend. As dawn approaches, and tragedy threatens to tear Dakota and Ethan apart, both will have to make a decision that could change their lives forever. Is new love worth putting your life on the line for someone you've just met?

Congratulations on the release of the audio edition of your Eppie 2009 winner One Night in Memphis. When you heard it for the first time, did it startle you hear the reader’s interpretation of your characters. Or did they sound exactly as you imagined?
Thank you!Hearing my books in audio format was an interesting experience! I love the narrators Audio Lark matched with my books, and even though a few places sounded different out loud than I'm imagined them in my head, I really think they did justice to my story :)
Did you always want to write and if not what triggered your passion for writing?
Yes, I've always loved writing, since I was a little girl. I used to get caught by my elementary school teachers writing stories in class instead of doing my schoolwork! I think my love for writing came from an early love of reading - I was reading to my stuffed animals by the time I was 3.
Are you a pantser or a plotter? If a plotter which comes first your characters, your settings or your plot?
Oh, boy - I'm definitely a plotter! I need to know where my story is going and how it will end. I have to say that usually the plot comes first - I think of a "what if" situation and go from there.Setting is usually the last thing I figure out.
What kind of goals do you set?
For writing? That depends on the rest of my life, since I have a full-time teaching job. Some weeks I don't get any writing done at all. When I'm in the middle of a writing project, though, I usually try to write at least 500 words a day.
Whose POV do you prefer…hero/heroine/villain?
Actually, I prefer writing from a male POV, whether that's my hero or my villain. I find it easier, maybe because I can get fully OUT of my own head - no female influences allowed!
What is your favoured writing routine? Do you have a set routine and place to write?
I usually write at night or on the weekends, and since I have a laptop, I'll write in my favorite chair, or at the dining room table, or on the sofa...wherever the mood strikes!
What advice would you give an aspiring writer?
Simple: do not ever give up, and develop a thick skin. If you want to become successful in this business, you will inevitably have to overcome bumps along the way. Not everyone will like your writing/your books/your characters/your ideas. Write on, all the same. Some ideas will fall flat. Some will be rejected many times. Do whatever you can to become a better writer, and soldier on.
What do you do to relax?
I work out a lot, which really helps the mind and body. I also read or play my baby grand piano :)
Which do you prefer, background music or silence when you write?
Silence, definitely! I'm easily distracted.
What book are you reading at the moment?
Nothing right now, since I'm in the middle of grading students' papers at school! But I just finished Sherman Alexie's "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian," which I loved.
Who is your favourite writer?
I have a few, both classic and contemporary. I'm a fan of Shakespeare, Dickens, and Austen, but also Stephen King, Jodi Picoult, and YA author John Green.
How do you deal with criticism?
I've tried to develop really tough skin and remind myself that not everyone is going to have the same taste or like my work. I'll be honest, though - it's hard sometimes. We writers work so hard and pour our blood, sweat and tears into a story and its characters...so when readers or reviewers lambaste it, that can hurt.
What do you do when your mind blanks?
Keep writing. The old saying "You can't edit a blank page" is absolutely true.
(I have that quote pasted on the wall above my pc monitor!! LOL)
What books and WIP are in the pipeline for this year?
I have 2 print releases coming out this year, both with Samhain Publishing: One Night in Napa releases in mid-May, and Summer's Song releases in mid-November.
Any tips on promotion?
Do as much as you can with the time and budget that you have. There are many ways to get your name out there electronically, which is great, and they don't cost a lot. You can also buy print ads in some of the major genre-specific publications, depending on your budget and the support of your publisher. I try to look for ways to network with other authors and also book-sellers, anyone who will pick up your book, read it, and tell others about it. I've been fortunate enough to link up with some local authors for book signings, and I've made connections through them. Don't be shy - take advantage of the opportunities that come your way, even if you don't feel totally comfortable "putting yourself out there."
Do you have a link for one of your books you’d like to share?
One Night in Memphis is now available in print, ebook, and audio book - you can find out more about it and my other books at my website, www.allieboniface.com
And here's the link for the book, with a sneak peek listen if you'd like!


And thank you for having me here today!
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