Get to Know Christy Hayes

Let's give a warm welcome to Christy Hayes, author of Angle of Incidence. Please check out her website in this post, and let me know what you think of it when you are done.


1. Please tell readers about your current book.
Frist of all, thank you, Freda, for having me! My latest book is called ANGLE OF INCIDENCE. Gwen Perry has the picture perfect life. Her Washington D.C. based photography business is booming, her husband Rob’s law career is lucrative, and after years of trying, they're only a few months away from the birth of their first child. But when fate intervenes Gwen is left childless and feeling betrayed by her husband. When her college friend and fellow photographer invites her to join him at the photography retreat he's leading, Gwen agrees to go to Colorado despite the consequences to her marriage. But Rob’s not the only one with secrets from the past and her trip down memory lane could burn the bridge leading her back home.



2. Who or what inspires your writing?
I like to read about interesting characters I can relate to and what happens to them when various situations arise. I tend to write what I like to read. I’m a big believer in marriage, especially in this day and age when people seem to think it is a temporary arrangement. Finding someone to marry is the easy part. Making a marriage last is what takes work.



3. When did you know you would be a writer?
I started writing when my youngest child went to school after I’d read a book and thought, I can do better than that. I majored in journalism in college so I’ve always had an interest.



4. How long did it take you to write your first novel?
My first novel took probably 9 months to finish. It is terrible and will never leave my hard drive, but finishing a book taught me discipline and led me to educate myself about the craft.



5. What is the hardest part of writing for you?
Right now it is finding time to sit down and write when my kids are out of school. Normally, it is coming up with a plot that is realistic and yet keeps the reader turning pages.



6. Do you have any writing rituals?
Not really. If I get stuck, I’ll read a craft book to help get the creative juices flowing. Exercise really helps, too.



7. Have you written any thing else?
I have five books for sale at Smashwords, Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.



8. Any advice to aspiring writers?
Be patient. Learn the craft. Read a lot. Finish the book and then start another. People who see writing as a quick and easy way to make a buck are going to be very disappointed. You have to love what you do because you probably aren’t going to make a lot of money. Success comes from accomplishment, not dollar signs.



9. Who are your favorite Authors?
Tough question. Maggie O’Farrell, Marisa de los Santos, Nora Roberts, Joshilyn Jackson to name a few.



10. What are your favorite books, or which book has impacted you the most?
I don’t know that there is any one book that influenced me the most, except maybe some excellent craft books by Sol Stein and Donald Maass. I love that there are so many books to choose from in so many varied genres. I used to be a TV junkie, but reading is so much better. Other than the news, I barely turn the TV on anymore.



11. What are you currently reading?
I just finished ACCORDING TO JANE by Marilyn Brant. I’m in the middle of ALICE I HAVE BEEN by Melanie Benjamin.



12. How do readers find out more about you?
http://www.christyhayes.com is my website. I donate half of all proceeds to the organizations listed on my site as a way of giving back.
The reading community is such a happy place filled with the most interesting people. I’m blessed that you asked me to be a part of such a vibrant group. I encourage your followers to take a look at my website and leave a message if they feel compelled. I’d love to hear from them!



Gwen Perry has the picture perfect life. Her photography business is booming, her husband Rob’s law career is lucrative, and after years of trying, they’re only a few months away from the birth of their first child. But fate intervenes and Gwen loses her baby and any chance of having children. Devastated, angry, and on the verge of depression, Gwen tries to deal with the pain of losing their son.
Gwen’s grief seems boundless and despite his best attempts, Rob is unable to reach her, to share her pain, to share their loss. But he is walking a dangerous tight rope; he’s hiding something from his wife that could destroy their marriage. Rob’s fourteen-year-old son, the baby he gave up for adoption, the son his wife knows nothing about, has come searching for answers. Rob never lied to his wife…not really. With every passing year, it became more impossible to confess the secret he’d also managed to keep from his parents. But even the deepest secrets won’t stay buried forever.
Gwen is stunned to learn Rob has a child. When Rob’s parents hear the news, including his gift of music, Rob’s mother is beyond excited to have a grandchild, especially one who inherited her musical talents. His father is furious at Rob for giving up his only chance to have a child. His mother’s elation, his father’s fury, and Rob’s indifference leave Gwen feeling hollow and empty. She agrees to join her college friend at the artists’ retreat he’s leading in Colorado despite the consequences to her marriage and all the things she’ll dredge up from the past.
When Gwen announces she’s going across the country to be with Justin Rappaport, of all people, Rob believes Gwen is taking the first step in ending their marriage. He watches her walk away from their life feeling utterly helpless to stop her. While she’s gone, he is forced to adjust to life without her and struggles to handle the household responsibilities he has always taken for granted.
At the retreat, Gwen tries to rediscover her love of photography and attempts to heal her wounds. She bonds with a female college student and faces another challenge when the girl turns to her for advice. Helping her sort through her options forces Gwen to reexamine what she wants out of life and her relationship with Rob. While constantly fending off Justin’s flirtations, Gwen is thrust back into their shared past--a past she thought she’d buried, a past that could uproot the foundation of her marriage.
Rob is going out of his mind with worry. The retreat doesn't have cell coverage, and the distance he hears in Gwen’s tone when they do manage to connect isn't helping. Desperate for a way to reconcile with his wife, Rob is forced to email her and, much to his dismay, he’s unable to hide his frustration with her leaving and his desperate need to have her back. He tries to be understanding, but he doesn’t trust Justin. Can Rob win back his wife before Justin tears them apart?

Kindle Edition: 390 KB
Publisher: Christy Hayes
ASIN: B004YTI366
Purchase at Amazon