Blog Tour - Nowhere to Hide by Nina D'Angelo (Interview and Book Review)

I was excited about Nina's second book in her Stephanie Carovella series so jumped at the chance to be involved in her blog tour.   Please check out her interview, play list and my review of Nowhere to Hide. 

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Interview

1.  What inspired you to write Nowhere to Run/Hide?

Believe it or not I used to write romance – years and years ago. I never thought I’d write crime but as I got older, I became fascinated by criminology and profiling and found myself reading more thrillers. Nowhere to Run actually happened by accident. I never planned on writing the novel. I didn’t even have a plot when I started it or an idea of what it would be. I was home alone one Saturday night and was just writing. Somehow I ended up with a prologue, than a chapter and then another chapter.
Nowhere to Hide I started thinking about while I was in the process of finishing Nowhere to Run. I realized I wanted to continue the story and show how Stephanie Carovella was evolving and also show a different side to her. I thought that it would also be interesting to reveal more about her past and her parents killer. It developed from there. I’m actually already chomping at the bit to write book three, which will see Leigh Walker back and deal head on with the Jesus Christ Killer. 

2.  What books have most influenced your life most?

I grew up reading widely. The first books that really influenced me as a writer were actually Jackie Collins’ Lucky Santangelo series. I loved the style and the grit. Jackie Collins created characters that were damaged and flawed and that appealed to me.
I’ve also been influenced by Kiss the Girls by James Patterson, The Stand by Stephen King and The Mummy by Anne Rice. 

3.  What author has influenced you the most?

James Patterson, probably, has influenced me the most. He has a style I can relate to. It’s fast paced, on-the-edge-of –your-seat thrill writing. He doesn’t delve heavily into forensics. What I love about his style is that he writes about the emotional impact his killers have on the characters.

4.  What book are you reading now?

I just finished reading Amanda Grace’s The Truth about You and Me – it was different and very bittersweet. I have mixed feelings about the book.

5.  When did your desire to write start?

I have always written from a young age. I started working as a freelance music Journalist when I was 17 and spent close to 15 years working in that industry. I started playing around with fiction again in my mid twenties and wrote a few novels that I’ve never published (But I will) before I started writing Nowhere to Run. Now I could not imagine working in Journalism again because fiction is definitely my forte. I just love writing. 

6.  Do you have any advice for other writers?

Write from the heart. Write passionately and do it every day. It could be a letter or a journal or just words on a page, but do it. And read widely. Read the genre you’re writing in, read other genres. The only way to get better as a writer is to do both. It’s about practice. Get to know the industry as well –find Betas you can trust to tell you the truth about your work, find editors you know you can work with and the same goes for formatters and designers.
Believe in yourself and never stop chasing your dreams. If your heart tells you that you’re a writer and you can’t imagine a world in which you’re not writing then you probably are. 

7.  What can readers look forward to in the future?

You can expect to see more of Stephanie Carovella and Gena Evans. Deadly Secrets, which is the third book in the Stephanie Carovella series has been pushed back to next year now but it will be out there.
I also have a spin off series planned, which will introduce readers to Dominique Arlington, who you see briefly in Nowhere to Hide.
Due out in October is Damaged, which is the prequel to Nowhere to Run and a romance. For all of you who wanted to know more about Dominic and Stephanie’s lovestory, this is it. I also plan on writing another prequel about Jake Carlisle and Gena Evans.
I’ve also got a paranormal series planned in which LA is the portal to hell, a slew of crime novels planned and a romance series based on the Carlisle brothers (Yes ladies, Jake and Jesse aren’t the only Carlisle boys out there.)
So, I’m going to be busy writing!!!!

8.  Who or what inspires you?

My peers have been a huge inspiration to me. I’ve seen the struggles Jenn Sterling went through before she hit the big time with The Perfect Game. She’s an amazing writer and such a beautiful personality, and she’s awe inspiring. I’m also inspired by the likes of James Patterson, who is a master at controlling his own works – from the marketing, to the writer and editing and distribution. He makes you sure he is heavily invested every step of the way and that’s inspiring.

I’m also inspired by people in life. Every character in my novel is someone I know. I use the names of real people. From the characters I murder, to the serial killers. Take Leigh Walker for example, he’s based on an ex boyfriend. Jase Devlin and Ben Reynolds are based on my two best friends – who are names Jase and Ben. Aspects of Stephanie Carovella’s life are taken from my own experiences (obviously not the whole being stalked by a serial killer thing). Every character you read about is either someone I know or a blend of people I know. 

9.  If you could be a superhero, what would your supernatural power would you choose? 

I’d love to time travel. I love history and what better way to write about historical events or realistic events in your novel than if you’re there to experience it?

10.          Which is your favorite movie?

Seriously? You want me to name only one???? I’ll name five off the top of my head. She’s the Man, The Notebook, Psycho, Kiss the Girls and 10 things I hate about you. 

11.          What kind of music do you like?

Anything and everything. I own over 8000 CDs from my days as a music Journalist but I have to admit hard rock and country are my favorite genres.

12.          What advice would you give to someone who wants to publish a book?

Publishing a novel is not as easy as it sounds. Learn the business. Learn how to network and talk to other authors. Don’t expect success to happen overnight. Writing is fun, but there’s more to publishing a book than writing and you need to be prepared for that. It’s time consuming. It can sometimes be heartbreaking and exhausting, but ultimately it’s worth it. Research what you’re getting into and what you need to do to publish a novel. Don’t go in there blind. Get to your your audience, your readers and the bloggers. Bloggers will become your best friends. Respect them as you would other authors because the reality is you need them more than they need you. They can help make or break a career and remember they’re in the industry because they love writing and reading as much as you do.
Also realize that this industry is like every other industry. It’s tough. There are people in the industry who are bitchy and who will stomp over you given the chance, but there are also some amazing people out there too – fellow authors, bloggers, formatters and editors who give a damn and are passionate about writing as you.
Last but not least, trust your gut and love what you do.

13.          Do you have a message for my blog’s followers? 

Hi everyone. Thank you for taking the time to get to know me and visit this wonderful blog. I hope you all enjoy the interview and Nowhere to Hide and I can’t wait to share more with you later on this year and in 2014. – Nina.

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Book description

Stephanie Carovella came back to Los Angeles to face her past and nearly lost her future to a serial killer.
Now she has a chance to start a new life with a new man.
But is that what she wants? While she battles Jase Devlin, the man who won't stop until they are together, she gains the attention of another serial killer.
This time it's the copycat killer; one who will stop at nothing to possess her.
Can she survive the madness of another killer? Will she give in to Jase Devlin's advances? And will she see the real threat before it's too late?
Or will Stephanie Carovella discover she has Nowhere To Hide?

Excerpt

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Holly frantically ran down the muddy track. Feeling her feet slip and slide against the wet surface, she stumbled, crying out when she fell to her knees. Her heart beating wildly, she instinctively put her hands out in front of her, dropping them to the ground to protect her fall.

She bit back a sob, the slow and steady pace of her attacker’s footsteps drawing closer. She had to get up. She had to escape. The thought echoed through her mind, spurring her on.

Staggering to her feet again, she involuntarily placed her hand to her head. A wave of nausea hit her as she felt sticky blood on her fingers.

Pushing forward, she forced herself into a steady pace, refusing to let the throbbing of her head stop her from moving. Tremors ran through her body. Why her? Why had he attacked her? She’d been walking from the library to the university car park when he had taken her by surprise, hitting her from behind.

The force of the blow had left her reeling and she’d dizzily turned around, just in time to see the tire iron come down again. She’d managed to lift her arm up to ward off the blow, screaming in pain when his weapon connected with her wrist. When he’d raised the tire iron to hit her again, she’d lashed out, shoving him hard with her good arm. He’d stumbled backwards, and she’d used the opportunity to escape. Sprinting past him, she’d headed for the university car park, her heart racing frantically.

She could still hear him behind her. His footsteps sped up from a slow and steady pace into a fast jog. He was getting closer and closer, she panicked. He was going to get her.

Why had she taken the shortcut? When she’d left the library, she’d automatically taken the quicker route. It was a shortcut she’d taken countless times before during the day, but never at night – or at least not until tonight. Why had she been so stupid, she chastised herself. Ducking her head slightly to avoid an overgrown branch she narrowed her eyes, focusing ahead of her to the university car park, as it came into view.

Pushing her body to its limits she burst out into the opening, her breathing coming in short pants of exhaustion. She headed towards her car, jerking her handbag off her shoulder. Frantically ripping it open, she searched for her car keys, ignoring the items spilling onto the concrete.

Unable to resist, she craned her head back toward the shadowed path, relief flooding through her when she realized no one was behind her. Taking a deep breath of reassurance when she reached her car, she unsteadily unlocked the door to her yellow Volkswagen.

Quickly getting into the car, she locked the door. Fumbling with the car keys, she whimpered when they fell to the floor. With trembling fingers, she searched the car floor for her keys, breathing a sigh of relief when she located them.

Sitting back up straight, she glanced out the window, realizing he was standing in front of her car, a gun in his hand.

“Dear God, please no,” she whispered, watching helplessly as he raised the gun and aimed at her, his eyes lighting up in pleasure at the terror on her face just before he fired.

 About the Author

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Nina D’Angelo is a freelance writer and photographer. After graduating from Deakin University in 2005, with a Bachelors Degree in Journalism and Public Relations, Nina briefly worked in P.R. Not satisfied with her profession, she returned to freelance writing. Since graduation from University, she has written her own TV series, produced a music show for three seasons, worked for several music magazines and her photography was published in Aqua Pulse.

Her first novel, Nowhere to Run was released February 2013. It is the first in the Stephanie Carovella series and currently available through Amazon. It will soon be available through itunes and Barnes and Noble.

Nina’s second novel, Nowhere to Hide, is due for release in August 2013. It is the second in the Stephanie Carovella series. Nina has already started working on her third and fourth novels. Her third novel, not yet titled is due out in December 2013 and the fourth novel, Deadly Secrets – the third in the Stephanie Carovella series is due out December 2013/January 2014.

To find out more about Nina D’Angelo, please see below:

Official Website: http://www.ninadangelo.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ninadangeloauthor

 

 Review

4 Stars

I'm not sure I enjoyed this as much as Nowhere to Run as much of the same ground was covered but it was still an enjoyable rollercoaster ride and it was great to revisit the characters again.

The mystery of the killers (there were two), as well as the historical serial killer information was intriguing and while I tried to avoid the guessing game, having failed miserably with the first book,  I found it was easier this time around.    

The only thing I would like to see less of in future stories would be the indiscriminate adoration of Stephanie (I'm sure she's lovely but seems to be a little too irresistible), so it was rather refreshing to see the obsession by the killers to play out differently to the possessive lust of the killer in N2R.    I also hope Stephanie becomes more involved in cases that don't centre around her as I would like to see what she does in a more objective scenario. 

A fast paced read which I highly recommend to anyone who is looking for an intriguing thriller.