Aloha to Anne Elizabeth and A SEAL AT HEART

Last week, the Boy Scouts stayed overnight on the USS Missouri.  From her deck, we spotted the Navy's newest Arleigh Burke class destroyer - the USS Michael Murphy.  The ship is named for Lieutenant Michael Murphy, a patriot who is A SEAL AT HEART.  In fact, the state flags on the Mighty Mo were donated by SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One in honor of those SEALS killed in action, including Michael Murphy. 

Anne Elizabeth knows something about SEALS and their hearts.  Tomorrow is release day for her debut single title contemporary romance - A SEAL AT HEART.    Anne Elizabeth is always in my heart .... and she joins us today for a cozy chat!

Kim:  You live in the mountains above San Diego - what is your favorite sight, smell, and sound?

Anne Elizabeth:  Great question! My favorite sights are the sunset over the mountains and the star-studded skies at night. Oftentimes my husband and I will take an evening walk and watch the sunset or sit outside on the back porch late at night and look at the stars. We live on the side of a mountain, so it’s very quiet. Sometimes, we can hear the turkeys flying into the low branches of the tree and the coyotes running in the valley below. 

Sunset over Pearl Harbor

Kim:  You married into the military life. Even though your hubby is retired, you both are active in supporting the SEAL community. What were your first thoughts when you realized there was no turning back ... and SEALs were in your future?

Anne Elizabeth:  I took a deep breath and dove right in. I’ve always been involved in the communities I’ve lived in, previously as an EMT or volunteering at church. Becoming involved in the SEAL Community was another natural step. The best part was...having my husband by my side and having opportunities to help out wherever there’s a need. Being there, when someone is in need, is a gift of the soul.

Kim:  You are a multi-genre published author. Your graphic novels took off ... and then you ventured into single title romance. What are the challenges and rewards of the two different genres?

Anne Elizabeth:  I began writing the teen-rated PULSE world – my comic book and graphic novel series – when I was in high school. The struggles of my characters were ones that resonated in my life such as ‘destiny is a choice’ and ‘stepping up is worth the effort’ and so many more. The rewards are two fold: 1) when I first began the series the writing gave me an outlet to play with scenarios and experiences on paper, to take them out of my head and examine them and then find a resolution; and 2) hearing the responses from readers, friends, and family as they read the finished product. It’s been very rewarding to receive the feedback and to know my main character Tia is bringing empowerment and joy.

With the romance realm, I’ve written spicy and sweet stories for adults. Switching gears seems to fit my lifestyle as I can take the computer whenever Carl and I travel. I’ve been in six anthologies and A SEAL AT HEART is my first novel, so my favorite part would be the research. Talking to SEAL wives and actual SEALS (retired & active duty) is more social and fun then anything else. They seem to enjoy my off-the-wall storylines, and I do my best to honor my husband and community by making the stories as realistic as possible with real facts and applicable languages while protecting the SEALS personal story, or any kind of active duty military stuff.

Kim:  Romance 101 tells authors to write what they know. And you know Navy SEALs! How did you research? What has been the response from the SEAL community to your book? What do you want readers to take away from reading this book and, ultimately, the series? 

Anne Elizabeth:  In reference to what I want readers to take away from the book... “Nobody does it alone.” We walk this world as individuals, this is true, but our community--those people that choose to be in our lives--are precious and they are right there with us. Living or having passed on, their spirits helped mold us...and we are in essence formed by their influence. For better or worse, we never walk alone.

Thus far, the SEALS who have read my book have enjoyed it! I’m thrilled about that! But, my husband is going to take a guff. A SEAL AT HEART is a little on the sexy side. :) 

Hawaiian monk seal on the "Presidential Beach"
Marine Corps Base Hawaii - Kaneohe Bay

Kim:  Hey, SEALS are sexy!  What's next for Anne Elizabeth?

Anne Elizabeth:  Goodness, I am working on edits for ONCE A SEAL—Book II of the SEAL Series—and I’m also simultaneously writing Book III. I turned in several columns to RT BOOK REVIEWS magazine for the Comic Feature column. BTW, there are some amazing interviews coming up! I put together the listing and line-up for Graphic Fiction Workshops at the RT BOOKLOVERS Convention in 2013. Lastly, I finished a script for another short comic. Oh yeah, somewhere in there is the Sourcebooks Blog Tour and Holiday shopping. 

My keiki wear SEAL hats from Anne Elizabeth!

Mahalo, Anne Elizabeth, for joining us today.  I truly thank you for your unlimited devotion to military families!   I posted my five star review of A SEAL AT HEART on Goodreads at this link.  It will be available from your favorite retailers on Tuesday, December 4 (look for my review on Amazon when it is released).   I am giving away a print copy of A SEAL AT HEART to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment or question for Anne Elizabeth.

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, December 8, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 9.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

To learn more about Anne Elizabeth and her books, check out her website at anneelizabeth.net.

Check out my travel blog, ALOHA ON MY MIND, for the Countdown to Pearl Harbor Day at this link.   Anne Elizabeth and I have a mutual admiration for Lt John Finn, recipient of the Medal of Honor for his valor during the Japanese attack on Oahu.   His quote is the first entry in the Medal of Honor Book:

I always remember the day I took the oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. That really meant something to me.