Tina Pollick's Gabriel

Tina Pollick has joined me today to talk about her Paranormal Romance, Gabriel.


About the Author:

When Tina Pollick isn’t writing paranormal romance about Heavenly hunks, and smart, sassy women, this RN enjoys a quiet home life with her husband, children, two horses, two dogs, cat, chickens, guineas, well sort of quiet.

Tina has just finished her first Urban Fantasy novel, GABRIEL, A Kematian Hunter Series and is working on the first book of another Urban Fantasy series, SOUL BROKER.

You can find Tina Pollick on Facebook and Twitter. Stop by and say hello.




Tina, thanks so much for joining me. What do you do when you are not writing? 

Laundry, clean the house, play taxi driver, and the list goes on and on. :) 

Do you have a day job as well? 

I’m a registered nurse, I do seasonal work from home chart audits. I also run my husband’s business.

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

I started writing the second week of June I finished this novel August 4th. This is the first novel I’ve written.

How did you choose the genre you write in? 

I love to read paranormal romance. I guess that’s why I write it.

Where do you get your ideas? 

‘What if’. Seriously what if questions are the foundation of my stories. My husband loves to watch all the learning shows on tv and while I’m watching and then I think ‘what if’ this happened. Then an idea starts to form and before I know it I have an idea for a new story.

How and why did you start writing? 

I always wanted to write a novel and I decided to go for it. Before I knew it GABRIEL was born.

What is your favorite part of the book? 

Hmmm, that’s like asking me to chose which one of my kids are my favorite. *laughs* I guess the answer would be the same. Whichever kid is cleaning their room is the favorite in that moment. Same for GABRIEL it depends on what kind of mood I’m in. I like the humor that’s throughout the book, so I’m going to say… all of it. :) *blows kisses to both kids* I love you both the same. :)

What was the hardest part to write in the book? 

The fight scenes were really hard. I had them really girlie, but some critique friends help me ‘man’ them up. :)

Is there anything you wish was different about the book? 

For my first novel, I’m going to say no. I learned a lot while writing this book. I’m using that knowledge so the next books go a little smoother. 

If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why? 

That’s a tough question. There are a lot of people I’ve lost, but I’m going to say my grandma Kazmerski. She was a big influence in my life. She passed away before I graduated from nursing school. She was a nurse too. I’d like to tell her how nursing has changed, tell her about my books, talk about my kids, and just hug her. 

What was your life like before becoming an author? 

Nothings changed. Ask me in a year maybe I’ll have a different answer. :)

How personal is your writing? 

All fictional. If you think a character resembles you in real life it’s a coincidence. All characters are 100% made up. 

What is your writing routine? 

I like to write in the evenings, but that’s family time so I’m trying to learn to become a daytime writer. I’m not a morning person so it’s really challenging some days. *laughs*

Which comes first: The character's story or the idea for the novel? 

The character. Then I throw in my ‘what if’s’ and a story is born. 

What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published author? 

Write. You can dream about writing your whole life or you can pick up a pen and paper and write. Once you have something written, whether it’s a novel or short story, find someone to help you edit it. Make sure you have a good support system. 

Do you ever experience writer’s block? 

Yeah I have. I realized it was because I was freaking myself out. Once I got past the freaking out phase, the words started to flow again.

Do you work with an outline, or just write? 

I’m a halfster. I do a very rough one page outline. And by outline I mean I draw squares on a page and fill them in with a few words. I like to know where the story is going, but I also like it when my characters take me to unexpected places.

If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your novel or getting it published that you would change? 

I tried to get an agent before I decided to submit directly to publishers. Trying to get an agent was not a pleasant experience. I didn’t get any negative feedback it was more the lack of feedback or responses I received. GABRIEL almost remained in my computer. I didn’t know very much about agents or publishers at the time so I really took the lack of response personally. Luckily I belong to an awesome critique group, and the girls picked me up, dusted me off, and sent me out again. Giving up is hard to do when you have a great group of friends cheering you on. 

What are you working on now? 

I just finished a novella PR, SOUL BROKER. Now I’m working on the sequel to GABRIEL, which is called RAPHAEL. Notice a theme here? :) I also have another new series that I’m in the planning stages. 

How did you come up with the title? 

I suck at titles. The MC is Gabriel so the title is GABRIEL.

Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with? 

GABRIEL is the first in a seven book series. You’ll see reoccurring characters throughout the series. 

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment? 

I was told by a critique that my story sucked. That was hard, especially when the only art that was read was the prologue. My skin is getting thicker, but unkind words are… still unkind words.

The best compliment. Another critique compared my style to Sherrilyn Kenyon. I love her books so that was a huge compliment. One that I’m not sure I deserve, but it was appreciated nonetheless.

Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans? 

Read GABRIEL. *laughs* I don’t have any fans, so I have plenty of room to jump on board. I’m pretty down to earth so if anyone has a question about the book, please contact me on my website. I’d love to hear from you. 

Where do you find the most inspiration to write? 

The love from my family. You can’t fail when you’re surrounded by support, encouragement and love.

I couldn't agree more. So, onto some not-so-regular questions...
Have you ever gone out in public with your shirt on backwards, or your slippers on, and when realizing it, just said screw it? 

Ummm, no. I did go to work once with two different shoes on. They were both navy and it was early and…

Do you prefer fuzzy or tube socks? 

Neither. I like to be barefoot. 

Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point? 

I used to once upon a time ago, but then I have to mess it up when I take an afternoon nap so who cares. Just kidding, about the nap. *laughs* 

Be honest, how often do you wash your hair? 

Everyday during the summer, but every other day during the winter. My hair is long and it gets dry in the winter, so I try not to abuse it too much.

Do you get road rage? What pisses you off the most about other drivers? 

I don’t, but my husband is horrible. I get pissed off when I’m riding with him. *laughs* 

Do you go out of your way to kill bugs? Are there any that make you screech and hide? 

Oh for all that’s freaking holy, I hate spiders. I mean stand on a chair and scream, hate them. When my kids were really young, I would kill them and show them it’s no big deal, all the while screaming on the inside. Now my kids kill them for me. 

Which of your characters would you like to meet in person and why? 

None, they all spend way too much time in my head, yelling at me to get their story written. Yelling to get more time on paper. Yelling that I didn’t give them enough action. *laughs*

Oh, I absolutely know what you mean there. Can you tell us about your upcoming book?

Blurb:

When demons sunder ancient bonds, a love-match between a valiant archangel and a selfless nurse brings humanity's last hope -- but demon-taint may destroy them both. The prison the archangels have guarded, housed deep within the earth is destroyed, releasing Kematians (demons) to feed upon humanity. The angels are losing the battle again as the Kematians ability to regenerate hampers the angel’s ability to destroy them. Gabriel is stabbed by an Angel Killing Sword; he’s accepted his fate that he will die; only to be revived by Calla’s ability to heal. Calla Stevens, RN, tries to find who or what is killing the victims that are coming into the ER, only to be infected herself when she comes face-to-face with the Kematians. Calla has saved Gabriel once, is she’s willing to trade her life for his this time? Archangel Gabriel struggles with new emotions as he discovers Calla is his soul mate. He strives to defend humanity, with the assistance of his brother Archangel Michael and new human friends. Gabriel will have to choose whether he will live or die when his future with Calla is destroyed.

CONTENT WARNING: Spicy sex.

Book can be purchased here:
Evernight ,Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookstrand, All Romance e-Books, Sony, Apple, Chapters-Indigo/KOBO, Coffee Time Romance and Rainbow Ebooks.


Excerpt:

“Are you kidding me? You weigh maybe a hundred pounds soaking wet. What do you think you’re doing walking alone at night?” She noticed Eric looking down at all five feet three inches of her, scowling. “Let me give you a ride home.”

Eric’s radio went off. “Shit. I have to go, Calla, another attack. Call a cab, please.”

“Yeah, sure.”

He hurried away. Calla walked in the opposite direction, towards her house. She took this path three to four days a week on her way home from work. There wasn’t any way she was going to call a cab.

She heard footsteps closing in behind her. Alarmed, she wrapped her hand around the can of mace in her pocket and picked up her pace.

The footsteps were gone. Had she imagined them? Calla turned her head to look but she was alone. “Get it together, chicken. You’re scaring yourself now.”

She rounded the corner nearing an alley. A trickle of red blood flowed from it, creeping onto the sidewalk. Calla stopped in front of a pathway as uneasiness washed over her. Fear and ethics battled within her. Ethics won, but her legs felt like lead, and they weren’t moving. She forced herself to take a few steps and spotted a mound lying next to the wall.

After several tense seconds, she tightened her grip on the can of mace and slowly made her way towards the heap on the ground.

This is exactly how all the stupid girls are killed in the movies. They go walking right into danger, and boom, they’re dead.

Approaching the mound, she trembled. As she moved closer she saw a tanned foot sticking out from the trench coat. Calla bent down, her chest heaving, hands shaking as she reached the foot and gave it a quick shake, but nothing happened. Relax, before you hyperventilate and end up on the ground, too. Breathe, Calla, breathe.

She stood, crept forward, and reached for what she hoped was the head. She knelt down and pulled back the thick trench coat. His head turned to the side, face badly beaten, eyes cracked to reveal a glimmer of the brightest green she had ever seen.

“Holy shit!” She jumped back, startled.

The man didn’t move. She bent down again this time reaching for his neck. The pulse was weak. She had already used her gifts twice this evening, and her body still ached from the two previous failures. “Focus. You can do this.” She struggled to turn the man onto his back. When she finally rolled him over there was a knife, with a green hue as if the metal was oxidized, protruding out of his chest.

“Of course there’s a knife,” Calla murmured to herself.

“I’m going to try to help you,” she whispered in his ear. She knew she might not be able to save him, but she had to try. If she could pull the knife out in a quick motion she could heal him. She placed her hands around the hilt of the knife and pulled. Nothing happened. “Maybe if I get some leverage.”

Calla straddled the man, planting one tennis shoe on each side of his limp body. She bent down and wrapped both hands around the hilt and pulled with everything she had. The knife began to move—barely—but it was moving. It felt like pulling a rubber boot stuck in thick mud. After a few more attempts the suction released, and the knife was freed.

She collapsed on his chest and sat up, placing both palms on the bleeding wound. “Please, oh please let this work.” Calla focused on the wound, gathering energy. Then her hands began to glow. Sweat dripped matting blonde hair to her forehead, and her vision began to dim. “I won’t let you die,” she promised.

Then darkness embraced her.

Thanks again for meeting with me, Tina. Gabriel sounds fantastic!