Fabulous Author Friday ~ Carrie Ann Ryan

So excited to have one of my absolute favorite authors on my blog today! Please help me welcome Carrie Ann Ryan.


Without further ado.....

Tell us a little about yourself.

First off, thank you so much for having me here today. I'm really just a typical romance author, if there was anything technical about it. I used to be a chemist by day, a wife, a kitten mother, and author by night. As of a couple weeks ago, I'm just little old me, someone who loves to dive into new worlds, and see where the romance takes her.

Did you always want to be an author?

I've always been in my own head and screamed up new stories, but the idea of sharing them in becoming an author is relatively new to me. However, I wouldn't change it for anything in the world. To be able to let the characters speak and to let others see what I'm thinking, the most amazing thing.

I totally agree.

What is your favorite part of being a writer/author?

I think there are two parts of this, I love meeting new characters in my head and figuring out what they would do if I put them in different situations. And even then they get their own situations, and I have to figure out how to get them out.

But another thing I love, is hearing from readers. When I first started out I had no idea anyone would actually read these I thought, hey, why not try it out and see if I can get one or two readers. Boy was I wrong. And I'm happy about it. I love hearing from readers saying that they love my Redwood Pack boys, and tell me which man/wolf they want to end up with. And now that I'm starting this new series, I can't wait to hear what they have to say about this new group of characters.

I'm one of those and so far Jasper is my favorite to drool over. *giggle*

Tell us a little about your new book.

Dust of My Wings is the first book in my Dante’s Circle series. Here, I have an angel, Shade, who was sent to earth to recover his angel dust. However, things don't go as easily as he'd hoped, since Lily, a lab tech, has recovered the dust first. So now Shade needs to decide how he's going to do his job and not fall in love with the woman with big green eyes.

But underneath it all is another faction trying to destroy him and his secret about the humans that may just blow up everything. In this book you get to meet Lily, and her six girlfriends, who become their own family and are each different and unique in their own way. I'm so happy I get to write a story about each of them and then they all love with along the way.

So yes, this is not a Redwood Pack book, but it's still me. It's still hot, funny, and just a little dark. I can't wait to hear what you think about it.

I already read it and it is FANTASTIC!

What was your favorite part of the book?

I think meeting new people and breaking out a new world. I didn't stick with just werewolves this time, which scares me. I know people love my walls, and I love them too, but keep an open mind and know that the matter what they shifted to their still my characters.

Rate your story in terms steaminess?

Hmm, let's see on a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 is your Nana's knitting project, and 10 is OMG through some ice water on her she's on fire, I think this is around seven or eight. Definitely hot scenes, but it isn't the whole point of the book. But you know me and my hot scenes, so of course I had put a few in there. Wink wink

Dust of My Wings Blurb

            Humans aren’t as alone as they choose to believe. Every human possesses a trait of supernatural that lays dormant within their genetic make-up. Centuries of diluting and breeding have allowed humans to think they are alone and untouched by magic. But what happens when something changes?

Neat freak lab tech, Lily Banner lives her life as any ordinary human. She’s dedicated to her work and loves to hang out with her friends at Dante’s Circle, their local bar. When she discovers a strange blue dust at work she meets a handsome stranger holding secrets – and maybe her heart. But after a close call with a thunderstorm, she may not be as ordinary as she thinks.

Shade Griffin is a warrior angel sent to Earth to protect the supernaturals’ secrets. One problem, he can’t stop leaving dust in odd places around town. Now he has to find every ounce of his dust and keep the presence of the supernatural a secret. But after a close encounter with a sexy lab tech and a lightning quick connection, his millennia old loyalties may shift and he could lose more than just his wings in the chaos.

Dust of My Wings Excerpt

The motorcycle vibrated beneath Shade as he pulled off the side of the road and parked. The rain pelted him, the cold seeping into his bones, but he shrugged it off. He was in northern Washington and this seemed to be the norm in terms of weather.

He lifted his leg and got off the bike, ignoring the stares of the women around him. They watched him stroll, his powerful legs leading to long strides. He’d tucked his wings into the slits into his back to hide the fact he was an angel, but he couldn’t hide his face or the fact that women seemed to fawn over it.

It had been a long time since he had a woman. Not since that were jaguar a century or two ago in a night of deep depression and loneliness for him. But the heat, claws and desperation and only served to fill a physical need that left him even lonelier than before. From then on he left his carnal needs up to his hand. Before the jaguar it had been even longer, but he didn’t want to think about her. The one he’d lost. She was long since gone.

When did you start writing and when did you finish your first book?

I wrote my first story when I was six. It was about Free Willy, and what would happen if he met a young girl, and she would help him instead. It was horrible, that I still have it.

But my first book that I wrote for publication, was a book about a group of seven men, brothers, who lived in the South and have a crazy life. I set that aside for now, because it too was horrible.

Then I met Kade, the hero of An Alpha’s Path, and everything clicked. That was a year ago this month. Who would've thought I'd still be doing it. I'm so happy I am.

It just took the right man to bring it out of you :-)

Where do you get your inspiration, Carrie?

Pretty much through anything.  I'm usually a character author, meaning if the character talks to me through something they'll find a story for them. Who knows I may change it the other way around eventually. If I'm watching a TV show, see someone walk past me, or to see a picture of something beautiful or scary, I can usually find inspiration.

Do you plot and outline or do you just write?  Plotter or Pantser?

Oh I plot everything. I have an outline for my series, and outline for my characters, a timeline for my characters, and outline for my book, and the detailed outlines for the chapter. Some people think this stifles them, but this lets me think about where I'm going some characters evolve. Just because I write an outline doesn't mean I have to stick to it, I can change and add things if I need to, but it's nice to know where I'm going so that way my fingers catch up to my brain.

Do you have another book in the works?

Oh my, I have so many. I'm still working on the Redwood Pack, because I have at least three more full-length novels and a few novellas coming out with that. I'm also working on another series called Holiday, Montana, where the five book series and they all come out between now and next summer. Plus, there's going to be more the Dante’s Circle world. So yeah, I'm a little busy.

You just keep it up, girl, cause I have to feed my addiction. LOL

What advice would you give new authors?  What have you learned about the business?

Write, don't think about writing, do it. And ask for help. You don't know everything about writing, I don't know everything about writing, nobody knows everything. You could learn, listen, and ask. Plus, if you don't love your work how do you expect others to?

Boxers or Briefs? Boxer briefs or nothing at all. *wink wink*

Pizza or hamburger? A hamburger. I don't like pizza. I know, I know don't hate me.

Beer, Wine, or mixed drink? Beer for me. Though I don't like anything to hoppy.

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?  Would you write or read there, or do something else?

I grew up all over the world, but I'd love to be able to go back to the Himalayas, immerse myself in the forest, right. That just sounds amazing to me.

(Character Questions)

What were your first impressions of each other?

Shade:  The first time I saw her I knew I wanted her, but a new it would be easy, after all she was the one holding my fate.

Lily: When I first saw Shade, I thought I'd hit my head, or just still had a headache for the night before. She was beautiful, and so caring, but still bad ass, I mean come on he has a motorcycle.

What’s your favorite characteristic of each other?

Lily: His protectiveness, I know he can protect me but he also knows that I can protect myself. Plus he's training me, so watch out world.

Shade: *laughs softly* I love the way she picks herself up the matter what happens. Plus her eyes.

Lily: Shade…

Shade: I'll tell you how much I love you and how beautiful you are later

Lily: I can't take you anywhere.

Shade: I'll show you where I can take you.

Lily: *clears her throat* Okay, enough of that.

What are your plans for the near future? 

Lily: figure out how to live this new life of mine. I mean, I'm within angel, it's so different.

Shade: I'm just living it day by day for now, as long as Lily is by my side, I'm happy.

***Giveaway Info***

Carrie Ann is giving away an autographed swag pack to a person who comments. Be sure to leave your email address to be entered to win.

Carrie Ann Ryan is a bestselling paranormal and contemporary romance author. After spending too much time behind a lab bench, she decided to dive into the romance world and find her werewolf mate - even if its just in her books. Happy endings are always near - even if you have to get over the challenges of falling in love first.

Her first book, An Alpha's Path, is the first in her Redwood Pack series. She's also an avid reader and lover of romance and fiction novels. She loves meeting new authors and new worlds. Any recommendations you have are appreciated. Carrie Ann lives in New England with her husband and two kittens.

Carrie Ann loves hearing from readers. You can find her at:

Website | Blog | Heartthrob Haven | Facebook Author Page | Facebook Friend | Goodreads |

Twitter: @CarrieAnnRyan | Tumblr

An Alpha’s Path Amazon  Barnes & Noble ARe A Taste for a Mate Amazon Barnes & Noble ARe Trinity Bound Amazon Barnes&Noble ARe A Night Away Amazon Barnes&Noble ARe

 Thank you for being my guest today! 

It was such a pleasure.