Hi everyone! Thanks so much to Rachel and Bitten By Books for letting me stop by again. I’m really excited to be here. This time around, I’d like to tell you about my latest book, Asylum Harbor, a contemporary romance with some suspense and action/adventure thrown in. Devon Brown moves to the remote Shell Island to start her new job as the bartender of the Salty Dog. But if she wanted to avoid trouble, she’s sorely disappointed. She finds plenty of it—most of it in the form of Kerr, the reclusive and moody harbor master for Asylum Harbor. There’s also a vindictive stripper and liquored up ferry boat captain to contend with and that’s just the beginning.
Despite a bumpy first encounter, Devon and Kerr develop an unlikely friendship which begins to turn serious. There are some who aren’t too happy about this and make it their mission to destroy whatever happiness the two are trying to find together.
I loved writing a story that takes place on an island, just off the mainland. So where did the idea come from? It started after a trip to Shell Island. Yes, this place actually exists but it’s uninhabited aside from some seagulls. Visitors go there during low tide to find sand dollars and seashells that wash up on the beach. If you go there, wear plenty of sunscreen and don’t volunteer to ride the Sea-Doo when the waters are choppy. Just a warning!
So, do Devon and Kerr find happily ever after? Well, I can’t give that away. I always like to say “I write a ‘happy for now but there could be some bad things coming’ story”. Since Asylum Harbor is the first of three (hopefully) stories in the Salty Dog Series, there’s still plenty of trouble to get the people of Shell Island into.
Excerpt from Asylum Harbor:
“You already got dibs on this one Kerr?”
Porter shot an evil glare at the opposite end of the bar and looked back toward her. “I’ll see you tonight.” He flicked his tongue. “After work.” He raised his glass in a mock toast and chugged it in one gulp.
The lights dimmed for Victoria’s dance of the night. Devon watched Kerr, who was usually headed for the exit by now, and breathed a sigh of relief when he remained glued to his seat with his back to the stage. He wasn’t staying for Victoria’s peep show. There must have been something about this Porter character that got under his skin in a bad way.
Devon was eager for the quick break. She hustled to the back as the chords to “Simply Irresistible” began to pelt over the speakers and ran some cold water over her forearm. A red welt was beginning to show where Porter had held onto it. She hoped he would be gone by the time she got back.
Making it out before mid-song, Devon rounded the bar when someone snagged her wrist and thrust her hard against the bar, knocking the wind out of her. She could smell Porter’s alcohol-laced breath as his weight pinned her under him. One of his grubby hands shot under her shirt while the other wrestled with the button on her pants. “Let’s give them a real show.”
She struggled to reach the Equalizer, but it remained hidden, out of her grasp. Devon hoisted her knee toward his crotch, but Porter lost his balance and fell backward before she could make contact.
Kerr towered over him. “Get your hands off her.”
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About Isla Grey
Author Bio:
Isla Grey is from Central Virginia and still lives in the same small town she grew up in. She developed a love of writing at an early age and over the years has tried her hand at penning poetry (some good, some not so good), screenwriting, newspaper articles and historical stories. She’s “old school” when it comes to writing and is a hoarder of more pens, post-it notes and writing journals than she’ll ever need. Isla likes to write different types of stories from romance to mystery and anything in between and loves a “happy for now but there could be some bad things coming” feel. When Isla’s not writing, she spends her time being called “Mom, Mama, Mommy” (well, you get the picture) by her daughter who is forever active, even in her sleep. She considers herself an unofficial “cat whisperer” and is a pet human to a plethora of cats that have taken up residence at her home over the years. Isla also enjoys reading a good biography or ghost story, traveling even though “there’s no place like home”, good music played loud and walking.
Isla loves movies and is the movie mistakes editor at Bellaonline.com where she talks about…well…movies. Her novella, “A Voice in the Dark”, is available now and her book, “Asylum Harbor”, will be released September 16th, 2015 through Wild Rose Press.
Connect with Isla
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Bitten by Books
Who are some of your favourite authors?
Hi Minna,
There are so many! JK Rowling, Ransom Riggs and Stephen King are the more current ones. I also love the classic authors as well.
Where do the your ideas come from?
Hi Lisa,
I think just from everyday things happening in the world…different places or people that I see.
Hello! What writers have influenced you?
Hi Susan,
I think one of my biggest influences would be Daphne du Maurier who wrote “Rebecca” and Charlotte Bronte who wrote “Jane Eyre”.
Welcome, Isla!
Hi Clif! Thanks for having me here today! I’m so excited to be talking about Asylum Harbor and tons of other things!
Whats the hardest thing about writting? and Whats the easiest thing?
Hi Diana,
Oh my goodness, sometimes the hardest thing about writing is finding the time to actually write. I have a seven-year-old so I don’t get to sit down for long. Hmmm….sometimes the easiest part is the conversations between characters…depending on the situation.
Live in Galapagos Island or Great Barrier Reef
I would love to visit those places….especially the Galapagos!
spiders and enclosed spaces
I’m right there with you with enclosed spaces. Some of my other fears are snakes and heights!
Marvin Gaye By Charlie Puth
Moves Like Jagger by Adam Levine and Maroon 5
Abracadabra by Tony DeFranco and the DeFranco family
Callados by Camilo Sesto and Angela Carrasco
If I Die You by The Band Perry
who’s been your biggest inspiration to write?
It’s my daughter. She inspires everything I do. My grandmother was also a big inspiration.
whose your biggest supporter?
My daughter is always interested in what I’m doing. She’s my biggest encourager at the moment.
Congratulations on the release of Asylum Harbor! Who is your favorite character from your writings? Was this character easy or difficult to develop? Was this character based on someone you know?
Hi Bonnie,
Thanks so much! I think Kerr was my favorite to write…he’s so moody, a good guy who’s not TOO good. I had to be careful when writing dialogue for him so as not to make him too sensitive at times. I think he’s probably a combination of different people.
What are the next five songs on your Ipad or listening device?
Unless you’re a fan of Finnish music, you have never heard of any of these:
Indica - Vuorien taa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxKx9GHPrzk
Tiktak - Lopeta
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yqqj43qWfPc
Pave Maijanen - Lähtisitkö
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLlNe6vyokI
Aikakone - Keltainen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhhT0tBPM-I
Maarit- Tuuli ja taivas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVFuXbrQ1SA
What scares you?
Bullies.
Author questions
I am terrified of snakes.
I would love to live in Hawaii.
Bonnie,
I’m right there with you about snakes. (I just saw one earlier today so I sat in my car for the longest time until he was gone!)
Hi Isla, whats your fav movie of all time? I cant choose, lol
Hi Dina,
Now that’s going to be hard to answer. I have a list of about ten that I like: 13th Warrior usually ranks really high, Titanic, The Full Monty, A Fish Called Wanda, The Mummy and I also liked The Mummy Returns. There are tons of them!
If you could only give ONE piece of advice to newbie authors and writers, what advice do you think is the most important one to give? One PRO to becoming an author? One CON to becoming an author?
Hi Raonaid,
The one piece of advice I remember getting XXX years ago was from one of my school principals which was “Don’t Give Up On Your Writing”. That one has really stuck with me. One of the PROs would be I get to share some of my stories with other people and I also get to meet new people. The CON would have to be…I don’t have a very thick skin so I tend to take criticism personally. (I know I’m supposed to toughen up but….it’s just hard to do.)
Hi Isla or should I say Neighbor since I live in West Virginia! Congratulations! Asylum Harbor sounds great and I love the cover! I’d love to visit Shell Island and find a sand dollar or maybe some sea glass! What kind of drinks or snacks do you like when you write?
My answers:
1. I’m old school and I usually listen to the radio as I work in the kitchen. Other times, I’m reading, watching tv or working inside or out and that’s without music. Yes, I know, my kids are appalled, too!
2. I don’t like spiders and snakes. And that ain’t what it takes to love me. You fool, you fool. I don’t like spiders and snakes… Actually, I don’t really mind spiders but I abhor snakes and I really, really don’t like heights, either!
3. I’d like to live in a small town close to a beach, maybe somewhere in the Carolinas. I think it would be wonderful to take a short walk and there’s the ocean and beach!
Hi Betty,
Howdy Neighbor! I recognize that “Spiders & Snakes” song! LOL! I’m with you 100% about snakes and heights! I hate them both.
So, we have common ground, Isla! I love your name and I wonder if it’s a pen name? If you would prefer not to answer, no problem!
There are different songs being played at the Salty Dog throughout the book. What are the next five songs on your Ipad or listening device?
—- What a fun question! I have varied tastes… hehe!
Female of the Species – Mercedes Lackey Filk
Can’t Talk About it – Abney Park
Within Temptation – Stand My Ground
Fur Immer – Warlock (aka Doro Pesch)
Lord of the Flame – Inkubus Sukkubus
Devon is afraid of the open water in Asylum Harbor. What scares you?
—- Spiders… One time, there was a spider on the window, opposite side of the pane of glass… but I could NOT sleep near that side without taking care of it. Heck, I spotted a spider while doing dishes. It was eyeballing me, so I sprayed it with bleach water. LOL. Also, I cannot walk over a bridge – meaning the ones that cars drive over. It terrifies me for some reason. My mother use to have to talk to me and put me near the car side to help me across.
At the beginning of Asylum Harbor, Devon is moving to Shell Island. If you could pick any place in the world to live, where would it be?
—- there are many places I would like to visit… to live I’m not so sure. Although, I would love a place that doesn’t get cold (why I hate living in West Virginia. It can be really cold)
I’m actually from Virginia. I know what you mean about bridges. There’s one off of Interstate 64 that bypasses Richmond if you’re headed toward Williamsburg. I slow down to a crawl and everyone in the car has to be quiet when I’m driving across it…it scares me to death.
Actually I am from Ohio, moved across the river into West Virginia!
I mean walking walking across a bridge. There is one bridge, a toll bridge, that goes from Parkersburg to Belpre Ohio… I hate whenever hubby drives over it. The hubby hates whenever a train comes and we are stuck on the bridge at a standstill. It freaks him out.
Hi, Isla!
Welcome to Bitten by Books. Congratulations on your new release.
It is fantastic to have you with us today.
My question for you is; do you have a favorite book or series that you have written so far????
If so, which is it and why???
Hi Brandy,
Thanks! I’m excited to be here today. Actually Asylum Harbor is my favorite at the moment. I’m currently working on the follow-up to it and I just really love writing these characters and getting to see where they’re headed.
Since others were doing it, I thought it would be fun too. I reshuffled my Ipod and these are the first five songs that popped up:
Pour Some Sugar On Me (Live) - Def Leppard
Roam - The B52s
Edge Of A Broken Heart - Vixen
Wish You Were Here - The Bee Gees
Layla - Derek and the Dominos
We have a wet weekend coming up. What is your favorite thing to do on a wet weekend at home?
Hi Emma,
We call those lazy days! I love a good rainy day. Usually I spend it watching a movie and doing something fun with my daughter!
Kerr is an unusual name- is it his last name? Short for Kerry? I’m entirely wrong?
Hi Bethany,
Kerr is his last name. I’ve come up with a first name but that won’t be revealed for a while.
What scares you? Alligators/crocodiles. They are gross, prehistoric killing machines.
Live anywhere? I’m pretty content with where I live now (Northern VA.) I like having all 4 seasons.
I’m down here in Central Virginia. Looking forward to fall finally getting here…along with all the festivals that come along with it.
Are there any other genres you would have an interest in writing ?
Hi Michelle,
I’m sorta toying with a paranormal story at the moment. I’m hoping it’ll be my next series.
Have you ever felt discouraged and how did you keep going?
Hi Ann,
I have to admit, sometimes I do get discouraged. I just have to step away and do something else until the characters start talking to me again.
Do you like sports?
I’m a football fan!
don’t have a playlist
snakes
Hawaii
Do you have a favorite stand-alone novel?
I think my favorite stand alone novel would have to be Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. I don’t know how many times I’ve read it.
Who is your favorite Muppet and why?
If you found a genie, what would be your three wishes?
Hmm…right now, it’s Sloan’s “Gimme That,” Diane Coffee’s “Green,” Ulysses’ “Crazy Horses Ride The Snake,” Ken Stringfellow’s cover of the Honey Cone’s “Girls It Ain’t Easy,” and the Replacements’ “Bastards of Young.” Subject to change!
I’m afraid of eye injuries, losing loved ones, and never finding true love…
I love where I am, but San Francisco or London might be fun!
Do you have any current favorite shows or books?
Hi Amy,
There are three shows that I really like….Penny Dreadful, Walking Dead and Botched!
Love Walking Dead, for now I’m watching Fear of the Walking Dead until it comes back and I just started Penny Dreadful
1. There are different songs being played at the Salty Dog throughout the book. What are the next five songs on your Ipad or listening device?
Like I Can by Sam Smith,
Mad World by Michael Andrews,
Pure Imagination by Josh Groban,
Tell the World by Eric Hutchinson,
and Circus of Your Mind by Paloma Faith
2. Devon is afraid of the open water in Asylum Harbor. What scares you?
Creepy crawlies and the unknown
3. At the beginning of Asylum Harbor, Devon is moving to Shell Island. If you could pick any place in the world to live, where would it be?
Somewhere in the UK like the English countryside or Irish countryside but near enough to visit London or Dublin for a day trip every once in awhile.
if you could go anywhere in the world on a Vacation where would you go?
Hi Stacey,
I’ve always wanted to go to London and Prague!
trying to find someplace different to go on vacation next year Any suggestions.
I’m determined to go back to Maine one day. I loved my trip there years ago.
Does your travel influence your writing & vice versa?
Hi Mary,
I think the places that I’ve been to influence the places and people that I write about. (And food…definitely food!)
Devon is afraid of the open water in Asylum Harbor. What scares you?
Sharks, all kind of insects…
At the beginning of Asylum Harbor, Devon is moving to Shell Island. If you could pick any place in the world to live, where would it be?
There are many places I would like to visit… to live I’m not so sure.
What is your favorite food?
Hi Natalie,
I don’t know if I have a particular favorite food…it usually depends on what I’m craving. We do have a Koto nearby that has Japanese food that you’re likely to find me at! And for something quick…Panera Bread…although I’ve been cutting back lately!
What was the most recent book that you absolutely loved?
Hi Dovile,
I read Hollow City by Ransom Riggs not too long ago. It’s the second in the Ms. Peregrine story…can’t wait for the third!
who is your favorite author?
Hi Thomas,
I have so many favorites….JK Rowling, Stephen King, Ransom Riggs….then I love some of the classic authors too…Charlotte Bronte, Edgar Allen Poe, etc…
Wheres your favorite place to write?
Hi Amanda,
Believe it or not, the best place I can write is the car pool lane at my daughter’s school. I get there an hour early just to get some writing in.
How many books do you release in one year ?
Hi Alexandru,
I’m old school when it comes to writing so I handwrite my first draft. (Plus I’m a little slower at writing than other authors. I also get sidetracked by other book ideas and have to write a little on them.) So I’ve been averaging about one a year.
I don’t have an iPod or a listening device. But I have an eclectic listening tastes
I’m afraid of heights.
my own private island in the Caribbean.
Who is your dream casting for Devon and Kerr if Asylum Harbor was made into a movie?
1. Bon Jovi - Always
Taylor Swift - All too Well
Delta Goodrem - Wings
Joe Moore - Symphony
Paloma Faith - Only love can hurt like this
2. Heights!
3. A tropical island or small country town sound great, but I am pretty happy where I am.
To answer your author questions:
1) Like I Can by Sam Smith
Mad World by Michael Andrews(Adam Lambert)
You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding
I’ll Be by Edwin McCain
2) I am totally scared of the unknown.
3) I would love to live somewhere in the UK like the English countryside or Irish countryside but near enough to visit London or Dublin for a day trip every once in awhile.