Author Interview: In the Shadow of Malice by Nancy Weeks

In the Shadow of Malice
by Nancy Weeks



Genre: Suspense/PR
Publisher: Crimson Romance


About the Book:
Adam Blake, ex-CIA operative, has gone to great lengths to keep his identity a secret from his maternal grandfather, who controls the most brutal crime syndicate in Eastern Europe. The moment he lets his guard down, the unthinkable happens and his best friend, the mother of his child, is tortured and murdered. To protect his daughter, he must seek the help of his father’s family—who has no idea of his existence. What Adam could have never foreseen is the unusual attachment between his daughter and her most unlikely protector. 

After months of living in an emotional vacuum after her roommate’s murder, Calista Martin takes a chance and befriends a handsome regular at the diner. What is supposed to be just a ride home hurls her headlong into Adam’s world of murder and revenge. To add to an already explosive situation, Adam’s traumatized little girl refuses to release her hold on Calista. Knowing what it’s like to lose a loved one, Calista insists on staying with Adam to protect Anna.

After Calista risks her life to protect Anna, Adam begins to see the waitress from the diner in a different light. But the Vasnev threat is heating up and Calista, while willing to help him, really doesn’t trust him. Can he find a way to eliminate his enemies to become the father Anna deserves and the man Calista needs—or will he fail again, taking his future out of his hands forever?

IN THE SHADOW OF MALICE: Amazon | BN | iTunes  

IN THE SHADOW OF EVIL: Amazon | BN | iTunes 

IN THE SHADOW OF GREED: Amazon | BN | iTunes 


PRFL would like to extend a very warm welcome to Nancy Weeks, author of In the Shadow of Malice. Nancy, to begin, can you tell us where you're from, and where/ fromwhom did your love for writing come? 

I was raised in what is known as the Rio Grand Valley in the southern most point of Texas. My husband and I met at the University of Texas in Austin and moved the day after our wedding to Maryland where I have lived ever since.  As for where my love of writing came from, that’s an interesting story. I use to hate writing, especially research papers and essays. I started reading romance novels to escape homework. It took me several years before I discovered the absolute joy of writing down the stories that have lived in my head for years.

Can you say that your journey to publication was difficult?

I don’t think my journey to publication could be called difficult. I expected it to be a lot worse than it was. I made a lot of rookie mistakes querying my first manuscript before I discovered the amazing writing groups available in every shape and form.

How do you overcome I-suck-at-this, that little voice in your head that tells you your writing isn’t good enough?

I call ‘I-suck-at-this’ my doubt monster. It’s a persistent little bugger but I have to take control of it. It all boils down to having faith in myself. I know that if I don’t have faith in myself, how can I expect others to have faith in me? So, I yell at it daily, hourly to just shush it up. I push the doubt down and focus. I make myself write--keep my butt in the chair and my fingers on the keys. If a scene isn’t working, I sit there until it reads the way I think it should. Of course, my sweet mom, [my angel] is sitting on my shoulder whispering in my ear that I can do it!

What is your dream vacation?

There are so many places I would love to go, but all I really need is time alone with my sweet hubby. We take long car trips together and have such a great time. Last summer, we put almost 9000 miles on my new van. One great plus---I can write in the car!

Describe your writing style in five words.

Intense, intriguing, suspenseful, strong characters, and familial—my stories have a loving family support group surrounding my hero and heroine.

What movies are you currently excited to see?

I have spent the last four months living in my writer’s cave finishing the fourth book of my Shadow series. I’m in serious need of some down time. Honestly, I have no idea what’s coming out. I’m planning for Mother’s Day weekend to make a pan of homemade popcorn and watch ….something. Since Harry Potter is playing, I may just go through that series then watch the Lake House for the third time---then on to Captain America and the new Thor movie.  I seem to watch what I write.

What are you currently reading?

I’ve started two of my fellow Crimson Romance author’s books, Perfect Partners by Stephanie Cage and The Cavanaugh House by Elizabeth Meyette.

If you weren’t a writer, what other careers would you pursue?

This is a hard one. The one position I’m most proud of is being a stay-at-home mom to my son and daughter. It was a very hard decision to make but the best thing I could have done for them. As for what I wish I could have been---well, I’m living that dream.

If you could create a holiday of your own, what would it be called?

National Nap Day!

For people who haven’t read your series, how would you summarize the plot?

Each book in my Shadow series [In the Shadow of Greed, In the Shadow of Evil and In the Shadow of Malice] is stand-alone novel, but they all share a similar premise, the exploration of each brother’s journey to find his happy-ever-after. As law enforcement officers, the five brothers’ lives constantly intersect with the worst that mankind has to offer. While each brother feels his world is too dangerous to share with that one special woman, fate butts in and gives that extra hard push—and my heroes fall hard.

Falling in love for any one of the McNeil brothers isn’t your typical fall-in-love. It changes their understanding of the world. When the women they love are threatened, the brothers combine their talents and are relentless.

What are two of your pet-peeves?

This may not be a pet-peeve, but I hope there is a special hell for those who harm children, women and animals.

To you, what makes a good story?

I usually have no problem getting lost in the story, but what makes me keep turning the pages is great conflict and chemistry between the hero and heroine.

What usually turns you off about a story?

Honestly, I don’t believe in stories where two strangers go straight from flirting right into a heated sex scene before page five. Old friends, rivals, lost loves---yeah, that’s believable. Complete strangers….I just don’t see it.

If you could collaborate with any author, who would you choose, and why?

I’m taking the chicken way out of this question. There are just too many wonderful authors I would love to collaborate to even list here.

What is on your night stand?

My Kindle and a glass of water.

What is your favorite book?

I love so many books---too many to pick just one.

I had such a wonderful time being a guest on Paranormal Romance Fans for Life. Thank you again for hosting me. I would love to give away a digital copy of my latest release, In the Shadow of Malice to one commenter. So---please don’t be shy. Ask me anything.

((Hugs to all))

Nancy C. Weeks

Thank you so much for joining us today, Nancy! We really enjoyed the visit. Good luck and great sales with In the Shadow of Malice.

About the Author:

Nancy C. Weeks has loved happy-ever-after romances since she was in her early teens. While still in college, she met and married her hero and spent the next several years honeymooning and working overseas. Today, she lives in suburban Maryland with her husband of more than thirty years. Her two children are in college and she spends her days out on her deck writing as the local bird population keeps her company. She loves to hear from her readers.

Author Links:
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