Welcome Sharon Horton – Interview & Draw for Paperback Book
Please join me in welcoming Romance Author, Sharon Horton.
Sharon: Hello! Before I answer Selena’s questions, I want to thank her for inviting me to her blogspot. As a friend and fan of hers, I consider it a great honor to be here. And I’d like to thank you for taking the time to get to know me.
Question: We met without knowing it at a conference a few years ago. Do you want to share the story with our readers? I still laugh at how all that came about.
Sharon: Oh man, I still can’t believe our “almost” meeting. For those who don’t know, Selena and I “met” on one of those Group Loops for Romance Writers. She and I shared some opinions about writing to the point that we exchanged encouraging letters. She was wonderful to me, and I’d like to think I encouraged her. From there, we talked about our experiences with the Romance industry and some of its pitfalls. And then, we suddenly discussed having attended the 2003 Romance Writers of America conference in New York City. We both said we’d been there and then talked about which workshops we had attended. We soon realized we had sat in the same workshop for e-book writers. We finally came to the realization that we sat virtually side-by-side in that same workshop, but didn’t know each other. I can’t tell you about the chills and tears that I felt afterward in knowing I’d missed meeting the great lady who would become one of my best friends. I suppose a face-to-face meeting doesn’t matter in this day and age, but I still can’t believe Selena and I were SO close, yet never knew we shared such a special relationship.
Question: Any interesting stories you’d like to share in regards to researching any of your books?
Sharon: My four books are Romantic Suspense, so I do try to verify facts when it comes to crimes and such. I’ve had the opportunity of interviewing people from the police department, department of justice, and the FBI. As I’m not trying to write a manual for solving crimes, I keep certain descriptions to a minimum. For instance, the hero has a gun, but I don’t go into detail regarding its caliber, make, etc. Too much info would probably distract most readers of romantic fiction. I know it does me. As for interesting stories regarding my research, I think the best was when an editor questioned whether the stalker in my book, Jinxed, was stalking correctly. When I mentioned this to a police officer, I wish I had a camera to capture the look on his face. He was definitely amused at such a ridiculous comment. He said he wasn’t aware there was a “how to” book for stalkers. I still chuckle at that.
Question: What would you say is a quirk that you find quite normal but others might find odd?
Sharon: When I asked my husband about this he said “only one quirk?” The thing about quirks is they’re usually not quirky to those who have them. And to me, mine make perfect sense. I eat lemons like oranges. I can’t swim underwater without blowing bubbles out my nose. I peel the cheese off my pizza and then use my fingers to scrape the sauce and thin bit of the crust until the slice is practically bare. Then I nibble my way to the edge of the crust. Once there, I grab another slice and start all over. I don’t usually eat the crust’s edge. A favorite treat is a pickle-sickle, which I make by pouring pickle juice into popsicle molds. I’m sure my friends and family could come up with more quirks, but I think I’ll stop here.
Question: What do you want to know about the future?
Sharon: That I’ll still be part of it. Oh, and a winning lottery number would be nice.
Question: What is your favorite pizza topping? And if you say, pineapple, I may go all Italian village on you. LOL
Sharon: Okay, I’ll have to admit not knowing what the Italian village reference means, but to me pizza is the most important meal ever. First though, I must clarify what I consider pizza. So many trendy places claim to make pizza, but to me they’re trying to fix something not broken. Pineapple belongs on a diet plate next to cottage cheese and celery. It doesn’t belong on a pizza. A pizza must have a nice thin crust that’s topped with buckets of a smooth and rich tomato sauce. Then there’s the cheese. Cheddar? Feta? Absolutely not! God gave us mozzarella cheese for a reason – pizza! And then there’s the amount of cheese. The word “minimum” does not exist when it comes to the addition of cheese on pizza. The sauce must not be visible. Finally, to top off this perfect food is the topping. Yes, I took a long way around to answer your question, didn’t I? For me, the only topping entitled to become part of a pizza is pepperoni. It must be placed so that no cheese is visible. Now, with all this pizza talk, I think you’ll know what I’m having for dinner. LOL
Question: What’s the one question you wish an interviewer would ask you about your writing, life or your books? Your choice.
Sharon: I always enjoy telling people about my writing and books, but as for being asked what I want to be asked is a tuffy. I suppose, though, that if I could choose a question it would come in the form of a two-parter – “I know Adrian Paul; would you like to meet him?” 
Well, that about wraps things up. Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoyed learning a little bit about me and my writing. I also hope you’ll give my books a try. They’re available in both e-book and print. All can be purchased through book stores and many on-line sites, such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and through my publishers. I also have print books available should anyone want autographed copies. My latest release is Hope and Prey. Below are a blurb and excerpt. You can read about my other books by visiting my website at: http://www.sharonhorton.com.
Hope and Prey named as a finalist in
the 2010 New Jersey Romance Writers
Golden Leaf contest!
“HOPE AND PREY“ has all the elements for a gripping, intense and complex suspense novel, with characters that jump off the page. HOPE AND PREY is a riveting, page turner with suspenseful plot twists and heart-stopping tension.” ~~Selena Robins~~
Blurb:
A date with destiny is not what Kurt Reid has in mind the night he enters the “alley of convenience” he uses to meet informants. Yet destiny is just what he finds in the crumpled form of a young woman. Unsure if this is who he’s come to meet, Kurt approaches slowly. Moments later he finds himself lying flat on his back. Though highly skilled in the art of self-defense, Kurt quickly realizes that the person who has attacked him possesses the same talent. Kurt has just met Andrea “AJ” Summers, someone he senses is no ordinary woman. Discovering AJ has been injured, Kurt brings her to where he and a small group of people operate an underground newspaper. Ignoring Kurt’s suspicions that AJ could be a threat to their work, the team agrees to take her in after learning the same corrupt man they’ve been trying to bring to justice is also after her. Although AJ doesn’t know the reason the man wants her, she seems to hold the key to finally locking him behind bars. And though Kurt tries to deny it, he knows AJ holds the key to something else…his salvation.
Excerpt:
It was dark, but after a few seconds, the moonlight reflecting off the snow illuminated the room. Kurt could see AJ propped on her elbows, looking in his direction. He was just about to lie down when he heard her speak.
“Don’t sleep there.” Kurt froze. That was the second thing AJ had said to him that he wondered if he heard correctly. He could see she was looking at him. The light was shining on her hair, just like the night he’d found her. He stood for what seem like an eternity, then very slowly moved to the bed and sat down.
Placing his hands on her shoulders he leaned forward.
“Are you making a move on me…first?”
“I suppose I am,” AJ whispered.
Kurt’s gut tightened.
Had he misunderstood? She hadn’t backed away when he moved close, but then again he already realized this one didn’t easily back away from anyone.
“You suppose you’re making a move? Don’t you know?”
“Yes…maybe,” AJ stammered. “I’ve never actually wanted to make a move on anyone.” Her eyes lowered. “Or with anyone…until now.”
A smile crossed Kurt’s face, and he lightly stroked the sides of her neck. “Are you sure you want to, now?”
Silence. Then, almost in slow motion they moved toward each other and did what each had wanted to do forever, they kissed. Soft and fluttering, the kiss could barely be felt. As Kurt leaned back from it, AJ gently ran her fingers over his face, causing his eyes to close. When he opened them she was smiling.
He kissed her again. This time, the light, dry kisses gave way to the deep warmth his mouth and body ached for. Gripped by the power of his physical desire, yet careful of her injuries, Kurt gently guided AJ back against the pillow, and for a little while they no longer cared about the world around them.
*******
PRIZE: (To enter the draw, please comment on the blog or ask Sharon a question)
Sharon is giving away a paperback copy of her book (the original version): First Sight To Last ( I read this book, it’s suspenseful, romantic, you will laugh, cry and gasp at the unexpected twist.)
“Love conquered and divided them ~ then it got nasty.”
Posted on May 7, 2011, in Author Interviews. Bookmark the permalink. 73 Comments.
Fun interview, thank you. I loved reading about the quirks.
What a great interview. I love knowing the ways people meet or in this case don’t meet until later. The excerpt is awesome. This book is definitely on my “to read” list. Thanks.
Hi Rita! Thanks for the nice note about my interview. Glad you liked the quirks. I’m full of ‘em. LOL
Angela – I’m so happy you enjoyed the excerpt from Hope and Prey. I hope (and pray) you’ll like the entire book!
Thanks so much for the great intrview! Very entertaining!
And thank you, Tessa, for reading it! It was fun.
Hi Sharon,
Long time fan, first time commenter. What is one of your favorite California memories?
Great interveiw! Your book sounds fabulous and I would love to read it. I do love a good romantic suspense but have not read your books yet. Is Horton your real last name or just your pen name?
Missy, one of my favorite California memories is riding horses with you. But you knew I was going to say that.
Great interview! It appears the two of you were DESTINED to become close friends. Don’tcha just love Fate?
Hi Maeve! Yes, fate is a good one most of the time. You might like to know that in my book First Sight To Last, the heroine’s mother is named Maeve. More fate perhaps?
Hi, Maeve, thanks for stopping by. Yes, I do believe in Destiny and Fate, and quirky people tend to gravitate toward each other. LOL
Hi Quilt Lady! Yes, Sharon Horton is my real name. I knew that if I took a pen name that I’d forget who I was supposed to be when signing books. Therefore, I remained me.
Glad you enjoyed the interview!
The only reason I ask is because Horton was my maiden name and your are the first book author I have met with the same last name, so I thought it might be just a pen name. I will be looking for your books.
Hi Quilt Lady! Horton is my married name, so while it is my real name, it’s not the one I was born with. I’m going to tell my husband about you, though.
What a great interview! Life is strange sometimes when you realize the coincidences in life.
Debby – I love coincidences, and laugh at those who think they doesn’t exist. I’ve had too many to believe they’re not real.
Great interview, got a kick reading about your quirks. Loved the excerpt for the book!
Hey’ya Jean – thanks for the comment! Gotta love quirks.
BTW, folks, I didn’t realize I could reply to each individual comment, so that’s why some are showing up in a different box than your own comment. Live and learn. Chalk it up to another quirk. LOL
Great interview. I love romantic suspense!
Hi Nikki! I hope, if you read my RS, that you’ll enjoy them!
Thanks for the comment!
Hi, I enjoyed reading your interview and excerpt. Hope and Prey sounds great. I’m looking forward to reading it!
Cheryl, this interview experience has been fun. And if you read Hope and Prey, I sure hope you’ll like it.
Hi Sharon, your quirks are too cute. I eat my pizza the same way. LOL Your romantic suspense novels sound great.
Hi Mona! Wow, another person who knows how to eat pizza the right way – with all 10 fingers! Nice to know I’m in good company.
My husband reads my blog, because, well, because he’s supportive that way, and his comment about the pizza eating was…why don’t you gals order crust only! LOL I’m a bit quirky when it comes to pizza as well. Long live the quirky pizza eaters!
Have to say I’m not much of a reader, but just from what I have read I think that could easily change.. Can’t believe little Sharon Lee is a famous writer, It seems so long ago that we were little kids playing, and making many trips to Texas……. sure do miss my life back then,things were so simple and uncomplicated. Good luck to you and keep writting….. Debbie Frenzel
Debbie, you brought a tear to my eye. Yeah, we were a couple of happy Army brats. I think, though, that many would still call me a brat.
Oh, and if people now start calling my Sharon Lee, you’re in trouble. Although my mom would have loved it. Love ya! 
Sharon, I’ve got to say…the way you eat your pizza might be a bit quirky, but you’ve got the ingredients perfect!! LOL! Thank you & Selena for a chance to win FIRST SIGHT TO LAST!!
Hi Robin! Glad to hear you’re a pizza perfectionist too. As for how it’s eaten, I suppose that’s not as important.
Thanks for the nice post!
thanks, never too sure where to post , enjoyed the read as well
Bina – this is my first time posting to a blog, so I wasn’t sure what to do either. I think I’ve finally got it figured out – for now. Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon are any of the books going to go into different books i like the book cover they look so interesting and congrats on th e bookds
Desiree, I’m not quite sure what you’re asking about the books going into different books. If you mean like a sequel, then no. I’m glad you like the covers. The Mustang on Jinxed was once owned by me, but before that it belonged to my BFF, Missy. I think it’s neat the cover artist used it on the book. Thank you for the comment.
The funny thing about quirks is that, yes, they are funny to other people.
Great interview.
Hey’ya Mary! Yeah, I love other peoples quirks. As long as we can smile at one another over them then we’re doing something right. Thanks for the sweet note.
I enjoyed reading the interview and I am looking forward to reading the book. I hope you have great success as an author.
Hi Joan, Thank you for the well wishes. I hope you will enjoy whichever of my books. And I’m glad you liked the interview. I had fun doing it. Thanks again!
Thanks for interview and chance to read new-to-me author.
Hey Liz – Thanks for the nice note. This is why I appreciate Selena’s offer to interview me – gain new readers. I hope you like what you read! Thank you for your comment.
Hello Sharon,
LOL! I love what you said about the future. Ditto!
I want to write a True Crime novel. One author told me to get a PO Box and write to a prisoner. Now I’m not an idiot so I wouldn’t EVER give them personal info. Yet another author told me to interview the people you did. Which do you think would be the best? Interviews? Both? I’m looking forward to your thoughts. Oh, and I’m OCD. If I talked about my quirks we’d be here all day!!
Hi there! Well, before I ever asked police, etc. for advice or insight, I did some homework on my own by visiting the library and finding info on the internet. My stories aren’t true crime, so I didn’t need to verify those kinds of facts. I only wanted some basics so it didn’t seem I was making things up. I never had the need to interview a prisoner, so I can’t really comment on that action. And the police I talked to came to writer workshops, so you might want to check into joining a writers group. Good luck in your writing! And thanks for taking the time to read my interview.
Thanks for the advice, Sharon. It’s greatly appreciated. I want to read your book and gasp!
Great post – but I have to disagree – pineapple with ham on pizza is the only way to go! As for Adrian Paul – of course!
Hi P.L. – LOL on the ham and pineapple pizza. I guess we can’t all agree.
However, as you do agree on the Adrian Paul comment then I suppose I’ll overlook your poor choice in pizza toppings. Thanks for your comment! 
P.L. Adrian Paul…YES I agree. Pineapple must never touch a pizza. LOL What can I say? I’m Italian, we get passionate about our food. Of course, my husband is in your camp, he loves pineapple on pizza. The man won’t eat spinach, but claims he’s getting good vitamins from the fruit on a pizza. LOL
Hi all – I just wanted to take a moment to wish all who are moms a very Happy Mother’s Day! Enjoy it – you deserve it!
I too enjoyed the interview and excerpt. It was fate that you two met lol. My favorite types of books are when they make me both laugh and cry. Yours sounds like it will do both!!
Hi Catslady! By your name, I’m assuming you like cats. Me too! Thanks for stopping by to read my interview. I’m happy you were entertained. If I’m right, and you’re a cat lover then you might like my book, Jinxed. It has cats in it. Hopefully, it and my other books will make you laugh and cry. Thanks again for your comments.
Love the book for stalkers comment. I really like the title of your book too. It sounds like a great story.
Hi Lilly! I still giggle when I think of the stalkers stalking correctly comment. Too silly of that person. Thanks for the comment on my titles – so far, my publishers have let me keep my original titles. I’m glad, too, because I really loved coming up with them. I hope you will enjoy my work! Thanks again!
Thank you all for stopping by and chatting with Sharon, I know she’s enjoyed this as much as I have. I loved reading all your comments and glad that you got a kick out of her. As I said in the blog, if you like books that are filled with emotion, make you laugh, cry, sigh and anticipate the suspense, then I know you’ll enjoy a Sharon Horton book.
Selena – first, thank you again for this opportunity. It was amazing. And second, though hardly a second, thank you for your kind words about me and my books. You know it means a lot coming from you. As for your husband liking pineapple on pizza – well – not everyone is perfect.
But gee, what does he think of Adrian Paul? 
Thanks again, chica!
You are most welcome, Sharon. I just read my husband your response and he said, and I quote in his exact words….”Adrian, who?” LOL! He seriously has no clue who Adrian is.
wow!loved the excerpt. i can’t wait to read the book.
Hi Tammy – Thank you for saying you liked the excerpt. I hope you will enjoy the whole book!
Hi Sharon (waving from across the state to a fellow writer),
How brave to admit to making pickle-sickles and eating lemons as oranges. Great interview!
Hey Sharon! Great hearing from you. I don’t know how brave I am about admitting I’m a weird eater, but I appreciate the comment. LOL Thanks for commenting. See ya later!
Loved the interview! I’m an Adrian Paul fan also! And I must tell
you that, though I love pickles, the glands in my upper throat are
still reacting to the pickle-sicle!
Looking forward to reading Hope and Prey!
Pat Cochran
Hi Pat! LOL on the pickle-sicle comment. The first couple of licks are eye-popping, but after that it’s just like eating a pickle only without chewing. Try one! Glad you appreciate Adrian Paul too. He’s been inspiration in my work.
I hope you will like Hope and Prey. Thanks again for the nice post. 
Enjoyed reading about your “quirks”…made me stop and think what mine are. Of course, I don’t think I have any…other people might think so. Would enjoy reading your book.
Joye – see, our quirks aren’t quirky to us! I hope you like my books. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Enjoyed reading the blog today..congrats on your book…sounds like one I would enjoy reading.
Hey’ya Jackie! Thanks for the nice post. I hope you do enjoy reading my work.
Hi Sharon,
Great interview. Wow that was so interesting how you and Selena met. But romance conferences are like that.
Best of luck with all your writing projects.
Regards
Margaret
Hi Margaret! Yeah, it was pretty crazy how Selena and I crossed paths at the conference, but didn’t know each other then. We proably sat at the same table during one of the meals, although I can’t really verify that. Still, it was pretty neat. Thanks for reading my interview!
Sometimes good friendships are the hardest to make, but when they happen…they last a life time.
I like to call it fate…*S*
Thank you for the great interview, and I always love learning about authors that I like and learn about those I wish to read. I love mysteries and thriller, and its alway good when romance finds it way in too.
thank you fo the chance to when your book. I have added to to my gotta have list.
Thank you!
pommawolf @hotmail.com
Hi! Thanks for the nice post. I had so much fun with the interview that I hope Selena asks for another one someday. I hope you like my book(s) when you read them. Like the interview, I had fun writing them. Thanks again for the comment!
Enjoyed the interview and excerpt. Keep on writing the great books and we will keep buying them. thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win. I hope you choose me, because I look forward to reading the book.
Hi Chris! Thanks for the nice comments about my interview and excerpt. I appreciate them very much!
As for the book giveaway, I’m afraid the drawing has already been held. Selena drew the winner’s name a couple of weeks ago. Sorry for any confusion.
Well, thanks again for stopping by!
I am always looking for some new authors to read books from them. Like your site cause I can check what you have. Thanks for sharing your talent in writing books.
Hello cky15! Sorry, I don’t know your actual name, but I wanted to thank you for visiting my website. It’s always nice to know someone took the tour. Thanks, also, for visiting Selena’s blog and my interview page. I hope you will enjoy my work. Thanks again!