Featured Author: Danielle Stewart

The highly rated contemporary romance novel, Chasing Justice, is book 1 in the Piper Anderson series. Its author, Danielle Stewart is here today to tell us about it.

About the book:

Piper Anderson has been given a fresh start in the picturesque town of Edenville, North Carolina. But her plans of settling into a normal life are derailed when she witnesses a prominent judge in her community committing a violent assault. Running from her own past and fueled by a passion to make the judge answer for his crimes, Piper is forced to decide if she’ll play by the rules or achieve justice in her own way.

Complicating things further, Piper finds herself fighting a powerful attraction to rookie cop, Bobby Wright. Although she’s increasingly enamored with Bobby, his staunch belief in the justice system is in stark contrast to her own. She may not share his opinions about the effectiveness of the law, but she certainly can’t deny how safe she feels when she’s in his arms or how every kiss leaves her desperate for more.

For Piper, the idea of finally living an ordinary life with a man to love is tempting. However, fate keeps placing the judge, quite literally, in her path. Will she decide the only way to win is to be as wicked as the judge, but with righteous intentions? And more importantly, will Bobby choose to let her go, or follow her as she crosses the line and takes justice into her own hands. 

Interview with Danielle Stewart:

How long have you been writing, and how did you start?
 
My first real attempts at writing were in sixth grade. My teacher told me I had a real  talent for it and that feedback stuck with me. I think when you are eleven years old and  someone pays you a compliment it really makes an impact. 
 
How did you come up with the title of your book?
 
Titles and covers are by far my least favorite part of the writing process. Settling on a  title was really difficult but ultimately I think I flipped a coin. I couldn't take the stress! 
 
Do you have another job outside of writing?
 
I chase a three-year-old. All day! All Night! I'm a stay-at-home mom. 
 
The hardest job in the world. Truly. How would you describe your book in a tweet? (140 characters or less.)
 
Chasing Justice takes a right versus wrong and makes you wonder what you might do if it were you. 
 
How did you create the plot for this book?
 
Talked! My writing process consists of calling my sister and talking out a plot. Then  driving around in my car and talking out loud to myself.
   
Do you outline, write by the seat of your pants, or let your characters tell you what to  write?
 
I outline in my head and then sit down and just write.

Do you ever get writer’s block? What do you do when it happens?
 
I complain... A lot. To anyone who will listen. 
    
How do you get to know your characters?
 
I give them a voice. I let them talk to me whenever they have something to say. 
 
When you start a new book, do you know what the entire cast will be?

Nope! Sometimes I am as surprised as everyone else who joins the story. 
 
Which character did you most enjoy writing?
 
I love writing Piper. She has been through hell, and she isn't all that aware of social norms. This can be fun.
 
I’m constantly on the lookout for new names. How do you name your characters?
 
My street team, "Danielle's Dynamos," help me with names. We're always looking for new   
members of the group! 
 
Tell us about your favorite scene in the book.
 
My favorite scene in the book is when Piper finally reveals here past to Bobby. It's been  so long since she's had to speak these things out loud and it speaks to how much she cares for him. His reactions shows his feelings for her. We've all been afraid to share things with someone, and I think it's nice to see it work out well. 
 
What song would you pick to go with your book?
 
Tough question! Something by Adele. 
 
Who are your favorite authors?
 
Jodi Piccoult, Nicholas Sparks, Nora Roberts. 

What books have you read more than once or want to read again?
 
I have read the Great Gatsby too many times to count! 
 
How long is your to-be-read pile?
 
Since I've started writing full-time I've switched to audio books. It's helped me keep up 
with my reading and I can multitask. I'm down to one kindle book a week now. The rest are audio. 
 
I love audiobooks! I, also, "read" more on audiobook than anything else. If you could decide who would read your audiobook, who would you choose?
 
Meryl Streep.
 
Love her! What book are you currently reading and in what format (e-book/paperback/hardcover)? 
 
I'm reading Ruth Cardello's Rise of the Billionaire. It's the sixth in the series and I'm so hooked.
 
Where’s home for you? 

Charlotte NC 
 
Name one thing you couldn’t live without.
 
Family. 
 
Your last meal would be... 
 
Pizza. Lots of Pizza
 
You won the lottery. What’s the first thing you would buy?
 
An RV to travel the country.
 
You’re given the day off, and you can do anything but write. What would you do?
 
A day at the beach with my husband and son.

 

From the author:

Writing is a way to make a lot of different people do exactly what you want them to  do. When I can’t get my toddler to listen to me, I turn to my characters. They always  cooperate!
 
I currently live in Charlotte, North Carolina with my husband and three year old son. I  have perfected the ability to write in a noisy house and create story lines while folding laundry.

Connect with Danielle:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon