Writer Wednesday: Beverly Ovalle

Please welcome my special guest Beverly Ovalle!

 

1.      What inspired you to write in your genre/s?

I love to read romances so it just seemed a natural genre to write. I started reading gothic romance in grade school and continued to read a wide variety as I got older.

2.      What is the hardest part about writing?

Finishing! I have multiple starts. I just have to do the follow through. Sometimes it seems that I have so many stories in my head they will never all come out.

3.      Tell us about your writing schedule and habits. (What drink do you always have by you?)

They are so sad. I’m surprised I even managed to get one book finished and published let alone three in a one year period. I usually only write on the weekends as with a full time job, I never seem to have enough time. I have to have coffee and something to munch on. I prefer chocolate, but as long as I have something, even saltine crackers, I’m good to go.

4.      Tell us what you love most about your latest book.

The characters just seem to speak to me and it is a military romance. As a Veteran, I love reading military tales.

5.      Who is your favorite secondary character in your latest book and why? Jandro Santiago, Saint’s Primo (cousin). He is just as cocky as Saint.

6.      If you could time travel, when and where would you go?

I would go back to early America. I would love to travel across America in a wagon train and settle a homestead.

7.      If you could be a mythological or fantasy being, who or what would you be?

I would be a dragon.

8.      Rose, sunflower, violet, or lily?

Rose. I love roses, they are the one flower that no matter what I do, I can’t kill them.

9.      If you knew the apocalypse was coming, what authors/books would you take with you to your bug out location?

I would take a book on identifying plants and their medical uses, herbs for medical usage and food, a cookbook, a gardening book, a medical symptom/illness encyclopedia, book on how to build items like solar panels and wind turbines for power and the Dark Series by Christine Feehan and the Cynster series by Stephanie Laurens.

10.  What stories do you have planned for the future?

I am almost done with Willow’s Cry, another paranormal nymph story that continues after Lightning Strike. As soon as that’s done, I’m going to continue working on A Sailor’s Delight, involving Lee Santiago, a cousin to Saint in A Saint’s Salvation. I am also stewing on two more. The story of Jandro Santiago, also someone we meet in A Saint’s Salvation and A Dragon’s Treasure. I have been working on that one for a while, but I keep changing it and I’m not yet happy with it so I just keep plugging away at it.

Wow, Beverly, your list to take to a bug out location is the most practical I’ve seen yet; good job. I can’t wait to read your new book and the ones featuring nymphs!

A SAINT’S SALVATION

by Beverly Ovalle

Published by Secret Cravings Publishing

Released February 10, 2014

Tag Line:

Angel’s life changed the minute Saint saved her from a grenade. Now Saint has a second chance to prove he’s the man for her.

Blurb:

Corporal Nicholas ‘Saint’ Santiago needs to go home to reclaim the man he used to be. To be the man he was before Operation Enduring Freedom slowly hardened his heart. He needs to reconnect to the values and the reasons he is doing what he does. Saint also needs to try to forget the courageous woman he knows was meant to be his.

Petty Officer Angelina Jones’ life changed the moment Saint saved her life. She survived the blast but now has to deal with the fact that she will never be whole. Knowing Saint received a ‘Dear John’ letter, Angelina has no intention of being his rebound romance. She needs to be loved for herself. She needs to forget about the one man she knows was meant to be hers.

They each try to find someone to help them forget.

But what does fate have planned for them?

Excerpt:

A shout from Hamilton brought him back to the here and now. “Hey, Saint, do you see any trouble coming?” On guard at the west wall, Nick shook his head. Not that it was much of a wall, a couple of sandbags holding up a makeshift bullet riddled wooden fence, an illusion of safety and security.

“No, it all looks clear.” Well, as clear as normal, Nick thought. The Seabees and the Army Corp of Engineers had done their best to give them a clear line of site, but the rubble of buildings and piles of rock where there used to be a town never seemed to go away. Rebels constantly hid there, randomly firing at their FOB, a forward operating base in Helmand Provence, making it almost impossible to build a more secure perimeter.

Nick could see kids playing in the dirt. In the distance the locals were harvesting the poppy fields. Some of the largest poppy fields in the world were right outside the walls of the FOB. Beautiful when in bloom, they were more pervasive and did more damage than the terrorists.

“Anymore threats?”

“When aren’t there threats?” Every damn day there were threats. “Why, is there a problem?”

“The brass is making noise. When they do something stupid, we end up paying for it.” Hamilton sounded disgusted. As Hamilton spoke, shots were fired over and through the fence, adding more holes to the dilapidated barrier. Nick and Hamilton hit the ground, rolling toward the sandbags to return fire through the cracks. “See what I mean?”

“Yeah it’s been a while since they shot at us, at least a couple of days.” Nick’s sarcasm caused Hamilton to laugh.

“Probably someone is coming to pick up something from the poppy fields and they want to keep us from seeing who.” Hamilton glanced at him. “You doing okay?”

“Gettin’ there. It was just a shock, ya know?”

“Yeah, damn women. The least they could do is be faithful while we’re out here fighting.”

“Yeah, it sucks. I just can’t help thinking it’s my fault.”

“Fuck. How the hell could it be? You weren’t even there. The bitch knew you were gone, were going to be gone.” They fired shots, aiming at the muzzle flash in the distance. More Marines headed their way, sprinting from cover to cover. Perez came running, bringing out ammo and providing more fire power.

Another crack and Perez went down with a cry.

“Fuck! Medic! Man down!” The cry went out, passed through until the call went to the corpsman, while Nick tried to stem the blood flow. Hands pushed his away. Nick looked up. Petty Officer Jones, better known as Doc, had bandages ready.

“Help me roll this on until we can get him out of here.” Her voice sent a ripple through him. Nick had always ignored the attraction he had felt for her. He’d had his girl back home, and fraternization out here could get him thrown in the brig. Not to mention the brig out here was a hell hole.

Nick was leery about approaching Doc now. The Dear John letter had been a shock. He had known Leila for years. Hell, they had been friends since they were little. Her betrayal was unexpected. Nick didn’t even really know Doc. He could trust her with his life, but he wasn’t ready for another go around with his heart, no matter the attraction he felt.

Nick looked toward the fence line, rifle at the ready. Shots were firing sporadically around him. That’s when he saw it, the trail from a grenade launcher, unmistakable. Shit!

Fun Facts:

The name was changed less than two weeks before publication!

A Saint’s Salvation was inspired by my son’s tattoo

His tattoo says ‘St. Nicholas’ – the original of my book

A Saint’s Salvation took me eight months to write!

The name of A Saint’s Salvation was my editor’s suggestion

The teasers were made from photos from Afghanistan

The Marine in the teasers is my son

He only gave me permission to use his photo because he loves me

He only gave me permission if I cut off his head! LOL

Author Bio:

Beverly Ovalle lives in Wisconsin with her husband Edmond of 24 years and two Chinese Water Dragons. Having her own Dragons is expected as she is dragon crazy and anyone that walks in her house can tell. Her son Nicholas visits when he is on leave from the Marines.  Her daughter Susannah visits to grocery shop in the pantry and to see what might be cooking for dinner.

Beverly has traveled around the world thanks to five years in the US Navy and has worked for the government in one capacity or another for the past 30 years. Beverly and her brothers have travelled most of the continental United States as children due to the station wagon from Hell.  Still active with veterans, she is adjutant for her local AMVETS.

Beverly has been reading romances since her Aunt introduced her to the gothic romance in the fourth grade and is still reading every chance she gets.

 Beverly, it’s been a blast having you here today! I’m so excited to learn more about your newest book A Saint’s Salvation and your process as a writer. Thank you for coming!