Kelly Cozzone - Interview

Author Name:  Kelly Cozzone           

Fiction or Non-Fiction:  Fiction

Genre(s):  Romantic suspense

Number of books published:  2 individual, 2 anthologies

Links to published work (Amazon, Smashwords, etc):

http://www.amazon.com/Kelly-Cozzone/e/B00IC411P4/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1433034799&sr=8-1

WYLABWYW: Author Bio

Kelly Cozzone was born in New Martinsville, WV. After spending 15 years in Myrtle Beach, SC, she finally made it back to her adopted hometown, Austin, TX. 

When Kelly isn't writing the mystery stories she loves, she is following her beloved Texas Longhorns. An avid football fan, she spends her fall months rooting on her favorite teams.

In addition to being an author, Kelly writes for Examiner.com and shares her thoughts and stories that strike a chord in her on her blog. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Women.
Kelly has been happily married to her husband for 21 years and has three children who are her life.

WYLABWYW: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Something we won’t find in you author bio on your website (do you work, hobbies, what do you like to do when not writing/working, etc.).  

I work for Goodwill’s retail division.  It gives me the opportunity to help those less fortunate and brings me great joy.  When I’m not writing, or working, I love spending time with my family.  I’m actually a home body. I’m happiest when I’m with my husband and children.

WYLABWYW:  Are you self-published, with an agency, or a combination of the two?

I am currently self-published but am excited to be able to say that in the near future I will be announcing the fact that I’ve signed with a publisher.

WYLABWYW: What inspired you to become a writer?

I’ve always had a vivid imagination and tons of stories to tell.  Now I’m able to fulfill my dream of being an author.

WYLABWYW: Do you have a mentor or mentors?

My main mentors are my amazing Crazy Lady Author sisters. We are a close group of strong women authors. We support one another unconditionally both personally and professionally.

WYLABWYW:  What do you do to prepare for a story?

Once I have a story idea, I research every aspect of it then outline the story.  Once that is done, I jump into the writing.

WYLABWYW: What do you find to be your biggest obstacle in the writing process?

For me the biggest obstacle is finding the time to be able to write.

WYLABWYW:  Where do you write?

I always write in one of two places, my office and curled up with my laptop in bed.

WYLABWYW: Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what do you typically listen to?

I have a playlist on iTunes that I turn on when I’m writing. It’s a total variety of genre’s from classical to rock and everything in between.

WYLABWYW: How much of your book(s), if any, is taken from real life events?

Not necessarily real life events but I love to people watch and gain the majority of my character looks and traits from people I see.

WYLABWYW:   Who is/was your biggest support for your writing career?

My biggest supporter is my husband. He knows how important my writing is to me and does everything possible to make my dreams come true.  Second to him would be my children and my sister, Kristen. They encourage me, travel with me, and give me the kick in the butt when I need it.

WYLABWYW:  What lead to write your chosen genre?

I love action books and movies, it was only natural for me to gravitate towards the suspense genre.  I hadn’t intended on including the romance at first but it was a natural evolution of my characters.

WYLABWYW:  Tell us about your book(s).

My Tropical Series, Tropical Dreams and Tropical Nightmares are romantic suspense journeys. David and Tiana fight for their lives and their love.  They do this all while their enemies are doing their best to not only hurt them but to end their lives.  They are full of action, adventure, betrayal, conspiracy, love, violence with just a hint of sex. 

A Moment in Time is a mother’s journey with her son. It takes Alexa and Eric down the path divorced parents and their children travel.  Throughout the book, Alexa is faced with some of the toughest obstacles mother’s can face and the sacrifice’s she makes in order to do the best for her son.  It’s a heartbreaking story of a mother’s love that also shows the strength and fortitude Alexa has.

WYLABWYW:  Do you have muses you used for your characters?

I do.  But I don’t want them to know they inspire me because then they won’t be authentic. LOL

WYLABWYW: Time to give your support a shout out! Tell us about your crew (cover designer, photographer, editor, videographer, proofreader, swag designer, etc.)

My cover designer is the amazing J.C. Clark. The things she can do with covers is incredible.  Laura Shaw and Carla Ives are wonderful editors.  The biggest shoutouts I can give though go to my PA’s, Trisha Leigh, Kaitlyn Cozzone and Kristen Jordan, they keep me on track and sane; My street team, The Jewel’s of Krusading Lunatics, they promote me, inspire me, keep me grounded but support me in absolutely every way; My two main author groups…The Crazy Lady Authors and the BadAss Book Bitches…these women are everything to me.  I know that they have my back and will support me no matter what but what is most important is they aren’t afraid to let me know when I’ve lost my mind. J

WYLABWYW: What are you working on now, and when can we expect your next release?

I have a release coming out in July and August (Both are a secret for now). My next series is Shadow Securities, Inc. which is a 6 book series that follows a security company and the cases they take.  The first book in the series, Blind Attraction will release later this year.

WYLABWYW: Can you share an excerpt from a work in progress?

Here’s an excerpt from Blind Attraction!!!

Grabbing the file, Michael Dunbar flipped through it. “Brielle Doyle, she’s Lil’s author friend, right?” Stopping on her picture, he whistled as he leaned his chair back. “I won’t mind protecting that hot little number.”

Shooting his friend a dirty look, Colby snarled. “Don’t go there! She’s in trouble and needs our help. The last thing she needs is for you to be slobbering all over her.”

“You never know, she might like it.” He offered jumping to his feet and pumping his hips.

Whistling, Bryan O’Donnell laughed at the expression on Colby’s face. “Sit your ass down before you hurt yourself.”

“Knock it off you two,” Colby ordered trying not to laugh. “Do you think you can ignore your dicks long enough to get through this briefing?”

Looking at his crotch, Michael said, “Dude, he wants me to work! Leave me alone.” Saluting Colby, “We’re good to go,” he announced.

Shaking his head, Colby walked to the dry erase board in the front of the room. Placing Brielle’s picture on the board, he turned towards the men. “Brielle Doyle, single, lives alone. She is an author and has a stalker. We don’t know much about the man other than he approached her face to face for the first time hours before someone tried to break into her home. Handing a file to Michael, he continued, “here are the email communications he’s sent to Brielle. See if you can backtrack the IP address and find out who he is. Also check surveillence cameras in the area around The Artroom and Lily’s store. See if you can spot anyone following Brielle last night.”

“Will do,” Michael replied. “I’ll get on it right now.”

“I’ll be meeting with Brielle and Daniel this morning. Her stalker left a box full of photos he’s taken over the last few weeks. APD is testing the pictures to see if there is any DNA or fingerprint evidence on them. Brielle is determined to stay in her home, I’ll be staying with her round the clock. Until this asshole is caught, she needs to be protected.”

“Man, how did you manage to be the one who gets to play house with her?” Michael asked. “She’d have so much more fun with me!”

“She doesn’t want to be stuck looking at your ugly mug day in and day out.” Colby challenged.

“Harsh man, that’s just wrong.” Michael pretended to pout.

Shaking his head, Colby continued, “Gavin will coordinate everything from here. O’Donnell and LaCroix, you two set up surveillence around Brielle’s house. There’s a vacant house across the street, it will be the base of our operations. I’ve got permission to use it from the realtor. I’ll pick up this keys this morning then, you two can monitor her house and the video monitors from there. Alix, you’ll provide back up for me from the base house. Any questions?”

WYLABWYW:  Do you have any upcoming signing events or appearances scheduled later this year or in 2016?

My next signings are:

Dith2016 in February 2016 in San Antonio, TX - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Deep-in-the-Heart-Author-Event-Texas/678937315518024?fref=ts

Thunder Valley Author Event in Sept. 2016 in Oklahoma City, Okla. - https://www.facebook.com/events/443941915775172/

WYLABWYW: Which new authors have caught your attention?

JoAnna Grace jumped out of nowhere. Her books are amazing. (Psst…JoAnna I’m still waiting on book 3)

Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us all.