Welcome to Debbie Wallace, “Author of sensual, spicy and suspense romances!” Thank you for taking the time to talk with me, Love Romances Reviews and our readers. I have enjoyed sampling some of your work and hope our readers will enjoy them as well. 

Thanks for inviting me today. I’m glad you enjoyed what you read. 

One of the first things our readers want to know about your writing. How long have you been writing?

A long, long time! Since before I received my first typewriter at the age of thirteen.  I can remember writing stories on notebook paper with a pencil. 

What inspired you to write in the first place?

I’ve always had an active imagination. But I think the reason I started writing was because it was a place I could go to escape to a happier place. I loved fairytales when I was growing up, where everything had a happy ending. And of course there was usually a handsome prince involved!  

Is there a specific way you write (outline, go with the flow)?

I usually go with the flow, and then go back later to fill in the gaps. I do have a cheat sheet though with the character’s names and descriptions because I jump from story to story. I have several projects going at a time.

Do you have a routine that you follow when you first start a new story?  

I wish! I’m not very disciplined so I don’t have a specific routine. I know they say you should write every day, even if you don’t feel like it, but I have to be in the mood. I can go for years and not write at all. Of course, being published is a powerful incentive to keep writing. 

Who has been the most influential in your becoming published?

Definitely my daughter and niece because they encouraged me to submit. My daughter read a couple of my books and loved them…of course!  

I see on your website you have one golden rule in writing. Can you tell us what it is and how that came about?

My golden rule is that it has to have a happy ending, meaning romance. I don’t know how it came about, never really thought about it. I just firmly believe that romance stories should end happily, like those fairytales!  

In CUPID'S ARROW we meet handsome Detective Mike Denton and leading lady pretty divorcee Emma. The story begins with a bit of a misunderstanding over a dead body. The situation was sad but yet had a touch of humor. How did you come up with that opening for your story?

Actually my original beginning had Mike meeting Emma over the death of her elderly husband but I didn’t like it. I like to inject humor in my stories no matter what the situation so I came up with an alternative.   

After this initial meeting, Mike and Emma seem to always be thrown together. But past mistakes make them leery of beginning a relationship. Can you tell us a little bit about their history and the forces that seem to drive them together?

Well, Mike’s raising a teenager on his own and the kind of women he has a penchant for run the other way when they realize he comes with baggage. So he’s decided to stay clear of relationships until his daughter is raised. Emma, on the other hand, thought she was happily married until her husband leaves her for a younger model. She’s been divorced two years when Mike comes along.  With a little help from Emma’s match making sister her and Mike are suddenly running into each other everywhere they go.  

 CUPID'S ARROW is your first book with Whiskey Creek Press. I hear you have another book coming out soon with them called THE SENATOR’S DAUTHER.  Can you tell us a little bit about that book?

It’s the story about a woman kidnapped on the eve before her wedding. Her father, a powerful senator, actually arranges for a friend of his to abduct her because he suspects she’s being blackmailed into marriage. Sophie and Brent are immediately and unwillingly attracted to each other but Sophie tries to escape because she doesn’t know the truth. Then a night on Brent’s boat unleashes the passion simmering between them and suddenly they’re both on the run. 

AGAINST THE ODDS is a wonderful book about a sassy woman who is a victim of mistaken identity. This book is packed with non-stop action in the jungle. Can you tell us a bit more about AGAINST THE ODDS?

Sarah’s kidnapped by a gem smuggler, who thinks she knows where his stolen gems are. Clint’s an ex-mercenary who goes in to rescue her because his cousin, Sarah’s best friend, asks him for help. They both have strong personalities so they rub each other the wrong way from the beginning. 

How did you come up with this storyline?

Would you believe I had a dream? 

Clint comes off at first as an overbearing brute. But I found he redeems himself before to long. Is this character based on someone you know in real life?

No, as a rule I don’t like overbearing brutes, but I felt as an ex-mercenary he should have that quality. I made sure Sarah could hold her own with him.  

All of your books that I have either read or heard about are in the contemporary romance genre. Is there another genre that you would like to try your hand at?

Of course, some day.

Why?

I think authors grow, their styles change, and they experiment. Believe it or not but contemporary isn’t the first genre I’ve written, only the first I’ve submitted for publication. I’ve written stories that take place in the 1800’s and in the medieval time period. I’ve also started a time travel. I’m just more comfortable with contemporary. 

If you could spend a day in one of your books, which one would it be and why? 

I’d have to say Someone to Love Me. It comes out in August or September and there’s something about the hero, Luke that tugs at my heart strings. He’s dark and moody, the tortured soul type because of the tragedy that shaped his life. He needs the care and love of a tender woman! LOL 

Who is Debbie Wallace?

I’m a fifty year old happily married woman anxiously awaiting the birth of my first granddaughter. She’s due any day now!  

What are the top three things you would like people who truly know you to be able to say about you?

That I’m trustworthy, caring, and devoted to my family.  

I read that you have had several professions in your life? Can you tell us a little about those?

My first husband and I had a janitorial company for twenty years. We did big commercial accounts.  I also owned an antique business.  

Which one was your favorite?

I loved my antique business. I had a store for five years, did shows, the whole works. 

 Do you currently have a career outside of writing?

Yes, I have a full time job that caters to the tourist industry. It pays the bills! Some day I’d like my writing to carry me, but truthfully, if it just provides me with a little extra by the time I retire in 10 years I’ll be happy. 

You travel quite a bit. Where is one of your favorite haunts?

My all time favorite is St. Augustine Florida. I’ve been going there on and off for thirty years. 

What place would you like to visit that you haven’t had the chance to go yet?

Ireland. I’ve planned a trip there twice and had to postpone it. 

What are your hobbies?

I like antiquing, traveling and of course writing.  

What is the one thing that readers would be surprised to know about you?

That my soul mate and love of my life is thirty years older than me. 

What advice do you have for aspiring or new authors?

Never, never give up your dream, no matter how long it takes, no matter how many rejections you get, and write because you want to. Get your website up and running before you become published, get your own blog, get your name out there! Join some groups because you’ll learn a lot of ins and outs and everyone is very helpful. 

Do you have anything else to add? 

As a business woman I learned early on that you have to spend money to make money. Promote yourself. Take that any way you want. Last but not least, spend your first royalty check on yourself, you deserve it. 

Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk to us at Love Romances. I wish you the best of luck with the upcoming release of THE SENATOR’S DAUGHTER and in your future success. 

Thank you, I enjoyed spending time with you.