Hello Ms. Sherry Hall-Mauro, I'd like to thank you first for taking time out of you busy schedule to do an interview with Fallen Angel Reviews.

Thank you for the honor!

Have you ever used any ideas from the stories that your clients told you during your time as a cosmetologist?

No, but I’ve heard some interesting stories!

What is it about the "Winchester Mystery House" in San Jose, CA. that inspired your current series?

Well, it has always fascinated me. I just fell in love with this enormous, beautiful, and bizarre structure. I love old Victorian houses.

Please tell our readers what your current series is and what it's about?

Well, I have two. The Darkest Hour is a love triangle of unspeakable passion and horror…It is the terrifying and sensual series of two men, one human and one undead, and the beautiful woman torn between them! This trilogy was fun to write, my “nod” to a more romantic version of the classic Bram Stoker’s, Dracula.

The Devour Family Saga as I have come to call it, is a more complex, Gothic romance series. This is the saga of the Devour Family given to poverty and greed, to revenge and passion, to murder and lust-a family that through the generations has been haunted by a powerful curse and the seductive Tate Mansion…Vibrant beauty, Sabrina Ayers is the heroine in this saga. She is a romantic, haunted by her family's dark past, and her clairvoyant abilities.

I read in your bio that the tragedy of September 11th is what made you decide to go ahead with your writing. Do you think it was the tragedy of all those lives lost that made you decide to go for your dream?

Yes, definitely. Life is short…and your life can be changed forever in a single moment. But, I have always found books to be a nice way to escape reality. Sometimes we all need that. I love to read and writing has always come naturally to me.

Could you tell us how you juggle being a single parent with the demands of writing?

Tough question…let’s see. Actually, my whole life was changed overnight. Since the break up of my marriage and the loss of our business, my writing time has been cut down to couple of hours a week, if I’m lucky. I’m working two jobs now, but someday I hope to find more time to devote to my writing again. I don’t want to give it up entirely. It’s my life!

If you could no longer write, what job would be the dream job for you?

An editor? Yeah, that would be a fun job.

What advice would you give an author just starting out?

I’ve said this many times. Don’t give up! If it’s really, truly your passion in life, you’ll succeed.

In your newest release, The Face of Heaven which continues the story of the Devour Women Curse, Do you see any more books evolving from this series?

Yes, I see a LOT more. I was going to do only three books, but I think it would be fun to see where Sabrina takes me. I’m thinking of having her join a paranormal research team and go…well, ghost hunting!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?

Back to writing full-time with an agent and a book contract.

What would you like your readers to take away from reading your books?

My books carry no real moral message…there just an entertaining escape for the avid romance reader looking to read outside the “norm” of romance novels.

How do you celebrate the release of a new book?

Telling everyone, I met that week!

Do you think you'd want to publish the first book you wrote at age twelve?

It would be a children’s book, but yes.

Why do you think the strong heroines you portray in your books readers love so much?

Because “my” favorite characters have always been those types. Scarlett O’Hara for instance, she was stubborn, courageous, vain, but human. I don’t like “perfect” heroines, we all have faults. Sabrina is no different.

Who are the authors that inspired you?

Carolyn Baumann, V.C. Andrews (the late author), and other great gothic authors from the sixties and seventies.

One of your favorite quotes is: "To accomplish great things, we must no only act but also dream, not only plan but also believe"… what does that mean to you?

To believe in your self worth. People, friends, even your own family, can belittle your dreams or tell you that their foolish. If you set your heart and mind to something…anything is possible.

Please tell us about your Works In Progress.

I’m going to try to finish the last two books in my vampire series, and hopefully sometime late, next year put out Tangled Souls in the Devour Family Saga.

Thanks to all your readers and staff! I hope ALL your dreams come true and keep reading!

Again, I'd like to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to do this interview with Fallen Angel Reviews.



Interviewed by:
Donna