Interview with Judy Serrano, author of 'Linked'

Judy Serrano holds a Master of Arts in English from Texas A&M University, Commerce. She is the owner of Make Cents Editing Service, and was an adjunct professor at a local college. Currently she teaches high school English and is a freelance writer for certain on-line publications. Judy also writes romantic suspense and paranormal romance novels. She is the author of The Easter’s Lilly Series, The Linked Series, and Ivy Vines, Visions.

Although originally form New York, Judy resides in Texas with her husband, four boys, four dogs and now two cats. She sings and plays guitar when she has time and enjoys singing with her very musical family in church when she is able.

Her latest book is the paranormal romance, LINKED.

For More Information

• Visit Judy Serrano’s website.
• Connect with Judy on Facebook and Twitter.
• Find out more about Judy at Goodreads.

Title: LINKED
Author: Judy Serrano
Publisher: 6K Publishing
Pages: 273
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Daphne Foster is a substitute teacher stuck in an English class, waiting for that dreaded parent-teacher conference. With much preparation and anxiety, she encounters the unforgettable Charlie Cross. His charm and good looks, win her over but rumors of his involvement with organized crime make his continued disappearances disturbing.

In walks Heathcliff Vanderpool, creating a love triangle of unusual sorts. Unknown to Daphne, Heathcliff and Charlie are old friends: Older than she could have imagined. With Charlie away on business, Daphne and Heathcliff discover a passion between them lying beneath the surface. As their souls link, pulling away from Charlie becomes next to impossible. Will his involvement in organized crime consume them both before she’s able to get free? When you become “linked,” the choice may not be your own.

For More Information

• Linked is available at Amazon.
• Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble.
• Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.

Thank you for this interview!  I’d like to know more about you as a person first.  What do you do when you’re not writing?

I have a very busy life. When I’m not writing, I am teaching high school English. When I’m not teaching,  I am attending activities for my boys. But if you’re asking what I would like to do if I had free time, I would say, write, read, go to the gym, or spend time with my family. Those would be at the top of my list.

When did you start writing?

I wrote my first book when I was 12. Yes, 12 years old, and writing romance. It just progressed from there. When I started going to school for my undergraduate work, I had a teacher who inspired me to publish. My first series, Easter’s Lilly, was in the works at that time, and I was rockin’ and rollin’, writing one book after another. Writing is the wind that blows my crazy ship around. So grateful for the calms before the storms.

As a published author, what would you say was the most pivotal point of your writing life?

The most exciting time in my writing career was when young people started reading my books. I was a substitute teacher for 10 years in my hometown, and the girls who were in my classes, started reading my books. They weren’t avid readers before, but they fell in love with Lilly (The Easter’s Lilly Series) and began to devour them. From Lilly they went to Linked and from Linked they went to Ivy Vines, Visions. Now they are readers. THAT is what drives me.

If you could go anywhere in the world to start writing your next book, where would that be and why?

In a cabin by the water. There is something peaceful about the water. I wouldn’t care where, as long as I was able to kick back, relax, and let the characters in my head out for a little time on their own.

If you had 4 hours of extra time today, what would you do?

Write, write, write, and write.

Where would you like to set a story that you haven’t done yet?

Well, that’s an easy question. Italy. I have always wanted to go, and once I finally do visit, I am sure my next book will go from there.  Most of my stories start with something I know, or have a little bit of knowledge about. New York, Las Vegas, Arizona… these are all places I have spent quite a bit of time in. Who knows what will be next.

Back to your present book, Linked, how did you publish it?

Linked was originally published by Black Rose Writing. They have my entire Easter’s Lilly Series. After two years, I went to 6K Publishing. Don’t tell anyone, but I have an “in” with the owner. (He’s my husband)

In writing your book, did you travel anywhere for research?

I didn’t travel anywhere, but I did do a lot of research on Mafia. Yes, this is a book about the vampire Mafia. Lots of fun stuff!

Why was writing Linked so important to you?

I didn’t actually start with the idea of vampires in mind. I was a substitute teacher, and I wanted to write about my experiences. Before I knew it, the men in the main character’s life were involved in organized crime, and next thing on the agenda was they were taking a bite out of law enforcement. It didn’t take very long before I was very deeply invested in my characters. I fell head over heals in love with Dante, the brother of the main character’s boyfriend, that I created a book just for him. (First Blood).

Where do you get your best ideas, and why do you think that is?

I always start with something real. I call that my spring board. I jump off the board with real life, and fall into the waters of uncertainty. My characters always take me on their adventure not the other way around, so I never know where we are headed until we get there.

Any final words?

Please visit me at www.JudySerrano.com and check out some of my books. I would love for you to stop by my Facebook page and “like” it while you are there. Here you will see all the upcoming events and exciting new novels that are coming out in the near future. Thank you so much for visiting with me today. I hope you all have a wonderful new year!