It’s a great pleasure to welcome Toni Andrews today! Toni’s the author of several books, including the Mercy Hollings series — Beg for Mercy, Angel of Mercy and the latest release, Cry Mercy. Throughout the series, the title character struggles to control and profit from her unusual gift — the ability to convince people to do just about anything.

 

Thanks for joining us, Toni! First question…How the heck did you come up with the idea for Beg for Mercy (book one in the series)?

 

You know, I was just trying to figure that out. I think it started with a name—my original working title was Mercy Killing. I remember hearing that phrase and thinking what a wonderful name it would be for a book. I decided it would have to have a character named Mercy and she would have to kill someone!

 

When I first started, Mercy was actually sort of a gleeful sociopath, like the character played by Kathleen Turner in Serial Mom. But it never felt quite right, so I changed her into the darker, self-doubting Mercy, who fears her power and struggles to control it. She became much more interesting and, from there, the book practically wrote itself.

 

You often clarify that your books aren’t true romance, but for those of who lurrrve romance, talk about the struggle Mercy has with relationships, as well as why she won’t give up completely in the love wars.

 

You’ve plotted with me, so you know that I always start off by defining a few things about the characters, including their “Relationship Barrier.” I got that term from Discovering Story Magic, a workshop taught by Robin Perrini and Laura Baker. Mercy’s is pretty huge—she’s not certain she’s human. She tells herself that she’s afraid if she lets anyone get close that she will hurt them. What she’s really afraid of is that they’ll find out she’s not human, and reject her. Having been abandoned at birth and then, later, given up by her adoptive parents, Mercy has some SERIOUS relationship issues.

 

Of course, her innermost desire is to have a “normal life.” That includes love, of course. And, just because she and sexy Sam don’t get together in Cry Mercy, I wouldn’t count him out indefinitely. Sam will absolutely be appearing in future installments.

 

The reviews for Cry Mercy have been fabulous (and congratulations on that!). What surprised you as an author when you were writing this particular book?

 

You’d think that, as a plotter, I wouldn’t be surprised by my own plot twists. But the earth-shattering revelation that Mercy has at the end of Chapter Three (I won’t include a spoiler here) was a complete surprise to me, too. There I was, blithely writing along, and wham!

 

I love it when that happens.

 

You’re widely known as a crazed workaholic who gets more done in a day than most of us do in a month. You write novels, have a television show promoting fellow authors, write articles, critique manuscripts, belong to half a dozen writers groups…Your secrets to success, please?

 

I’ve been cloned.

 

I’m trying to cut back. Seriously I am. I mean it. Really.

 

Okay, actually I’m launching a manuscript critiquing and analysis business called “Book Rx” and I’m in the process of designing some on-line workshops that will be offered through various writers’ organizations.

 

The secret is to be very, very organized. And not to get too crazy when the laundry piles up.

 

Who are some of your favorite authors?

 

I talked a little bit about this Wednesday on Danette’s Chatting Lounge. I have so many, and it changes all the time. I love James Lee Burke, who is such a master that he breaks all the rules and still writes stuff that makes my jaw drop open. I hope he’s taking his vitamins, because if I don’t get a new JLB book every year, I will be very unhappy about it. Stephen King remains a favorite, for his ability to create memorable characters and then really mess with them.

 

For romance, I love Jennie Crusie and a certain upstart named Kristan Higgins—maybe you’ve heard of her? Also, some good rip-snortin’ old bodice rippers by Teresa Medeiros and gothics by Allison Chase. Janice Mott Davidson makes me laugh out loud with the Queen Betsy series, as does Janet Evanovich with Stephanie Plum. And I’m working my way through the books of my fellow Deadline Dames (www.DeadlineDames.com) and having a wo-o-o-onderful time with that.

 

What’s next for you in terms of writing?

 

I’m working on a straight women’s fiction book with four unique point-of-view character. My agent calls it “Sex in the City meets The First Wives’ Club.” I have a contemporary romance proposal making the rounds as well and, of course, I’ll be working on the continuing adventures of Mercy and her gang.

 

Thanks so much for having me Kristan! If you’re not already, follow me on Twitter, where I’m @toniandrews. Now, what’s next on that to-do list….

 

Great to have you, Toni! Get back to work! To buy Toni’s latest, learn about the TV show or follow Toni on cybertour, visit her website: http://toniandrews.com/