Author Interview with Ashantay Peters || DEATH STRETCH

She’s leery of overprotective men—he’s sworn to protect and serve. 

When Katie Sheridan’s best friend is blackmailed over an affair with a yoga instructor, Katie stuffs herself into workout togs to help identify suspects. Instead of getting fit, she learns yoga can be a killer when the instructor winds up dead. Worse, Katie is a suspect, and finds herself tangling with the sexy, commanding cop investigating the case.

Detective Dirk Johnson knows getting involved with a material witness—especially one as reckless as Katie—means trouble, but his heart and protective instincts aren’t logical. More than once, she rescues herself just before he arrives to save the day. Dirk’s not sure he can keep up with her, but he’ll go down trying.

Blackmail, murder, and adultery teach Katie and Dirk that love obeys its own laws. With passion as the final reward, they find fighting temptation is highly overrated.

* * * *

Hi Ashantasy!  Do you have a process for coming up with character names and book titles?

I love double entrendres, probably because I grew up watching Rocky & Bullwinkle and reading MAD magazine.  Death Stretch’s hero, Dirk Johnson’s name was inspired by the old detective show, Peter Gunn.  Because sex couldn’t be portrayed on the screen then, some of the dialogue written was actually pretty racy. View Hitchcock’s movie, To Catch A Thief, for example.

What inspired your current book? 

My books are inspired by what I know and like to read. I’m kind of an old hippie though I no longer wear tie-dyed shirts, and I like writing about alternative cultures and quirky people. Plus, not too many others write that niche, so my stories are a bit unique.

Please tell us about your current work in progress. 

I’m completing the first round edits on Death Rub, a sequel to Death Stretch.  Contracted by The Wild Rose Press, I’m hoping it’ll release this year.  The heroine is a massage therapist, Maggie Jenkins. Maggie finds her client dead with no one else in the building. Besides a murder investigation, Maggie faces money problems, a high school reunion, an old boyfriend returns to town and she’s being pressured for a deeper relationship by her new love—a man seven years younger than her. Trouble, lots of trouble.

Do you write with music going in the background? What are some of your favorite types/bands?

I rarely listen to music when I write, but I did play Led Zeppelin when I was stuck writing a sex scene for Death Under the Mistletoe. After hearing Stairway to Heaven five times in a row, I nailed the scene. (Grin)  

Name one person, living or dead, you'd most like to meet.

I’d have liked to meet Katherine Hepburn. Her forthright personality has always appealed to me, and I like to think she was unconventional and ahead of her time in many ways.

What is your favorite book genre? Who are your favorite authors?

I write about the contemporary era, but I read mostly Regency and Victorian romances. However, when I want a break from the carriage set, I choose contemporary romance, mysteries, steampunk and light paranormal. My favorite authors include many from The Wild Rose Press lines and Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick.

Quick quiz:

• Favorite food? Whatever is available when I’m hungry.
• Favorite color? The rainbow – too hard to pick just one!
• Favorite animal? Dolphins.  And birds, I love birds.
•  Biggest pet peeve? Greedy people. Actually, that’s more a disgust than a peeve.
• Dream car? A Tesla, but I’d also like a hovercraft.  Whoosh!

* * * * 

Excerpt:

“I told you earlier. You need to be careful.” He released my shoulders but watched me.

“I can take care of myself.”

Dirk snorted, somehow making his honk sound sexy. “Right.”

“Yeah, right, I can.”

He shook his head. “You're one hard-headed woman.” He motioned to Pulaski. “Let's get the bike loaded.”

“Hey, where do you think you're going with my bicycle?”

He pointed to the mangled frame and flat front tire. “You really think you can ride this?”

“No,” I muttered.

“Sorry, I didn't hear you.”

I raised my voice to just under a shout. “I said, no.”

“We'll give you a ride home.”

“I can walk. I've gotten scraped up before.”

“Hey, Matt, you ever see such a stubborn woman?”

“Yeah, my mother, my sisters, my ex.”

Dirk turned to me. “You're coming with us. No arguments.”

Available for purchase:

The Wild Rose Press

Amazon

AUTHOR BIO:

Ashantay Peters loves escaping into a well-written book. Her reading addiction also has her perusing magazines, Internet articles and even food labels. The last is often feebly excused as an attempt to maintain health, but her friends know the truth. She lives in the mountains of western North Carolina, a happy transplant from the much colder (and flatter) Midwest.  She loves to hear from readers!  Give her a holler via one of the links below.

Connect with Ashantay:

Email: ashantay.peters at gmail.com

Website                                    

Facebook

Amazon Author Page