Available from: Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and TWCS PH
Author Bio:
My Thoughts
Interview
I loved this story. It was profoundly suspenseful and deeply disturbing. At times my concern for the heroine Kali and her daughters was overwhelming. They were really in a dangerous situation and had no real understanding of their circumstances thanks to the legal team of Jeremy Connors and their cover up the true character and violent nature of the sporting "hero" (I use inverted comma's to express my sarcasm at term hero used here - Jeremy Connors is no hero, sporting or otherwise).
In Australia we have several sporting "hero's" who behave in a manner unbefitting the human race and rather than rant about society and it's acceptance of this from such people; I thought I'd interview the author
What do you love most about writing?
I started writing as a young person as a way to express feelings and share stories when I lived in Moscow, Russia. There was no such thing as television, going to the movies, hanging at the mall or playing video games like most kids so writing was an escape. As an adult, it has become so much more. Even with fiction, I can tell stories that can help people. Beyond entertainment, it is immensely satisfying to know your work has made an impact on someone.
What would you consider to be the ultimate success for an author?
Most recently, I learned from a school principal that a “fight” broke out on a school bus over my children’s book, Crossing the Line, as students were taking sides between the Palestinian and Israeli characters and I thought, “A fight? I love it!” That teenagers would be so impassioned to argue over this is amazing! That is the ultimate compliment for an author.
Tell us a little about this She Cries - what was your favourite part about writing it?
She Cries was written with another purpose. I am so absolutely tired of reading about famous athletes doing horrible things to young women and walking away because they are famous.
Are you a “horsey” person?
My horses brought me back in. I really did have a Star. In fact, at the time of the writing, I had three horses and have loved them my entire life. My Star was an old rodeo horse with a bum leg so as I wrote this book and Star gave himself to save Kali’s life, you better know I was bawling as I wrote. I still cry when I read that passage.
She Cries has some rather heavy scenes in them, one in particular is violent From where do you draw your inspiration when you’re writing those tough scenes? Do you have to put yourself in a dark place?
This is the first time I have discussed how my past played into She Cries. I don’t even know if my publishing house knows this … for this reason, this book was incredibly difficult and I walked away from it many times. But it was important to write, it was important for people to see how strong women are and it was important that the women in this book save the women of this book!
She Cries and the themes encompassed by the story have some strong parallels to today’s society (especially in Australia) was there a particular event that prompted you to write this.
When Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger stood accused of raping multiple women, I was stunned after reading a Sport Illustrated article how many people covered for Ben’s behavior. That was my launching point but I have had some bad experiences in my life that I was able to draw from to make it all the more real.
What's next for Alexandra Allred?
I have a few non-fiction pieces I want to get out. My roots are in sports so I tend to gravitate back toward great overcoming obstacle stories but I do also want to work on a new book about a young man who was murdered by his grandmother. It is a horrible, shocking story with twists and turns you can NOT make up! In the fiction world, TWCS will be releasing the third instalment of the Allie Lindell series, The Anniversary Killer in August so I’m very excited about that!
My Rating
❀❀❀❀
Disclaimer
I obtained an ARC from the publisher (via Netgalley) with a view to providing an honest review. The thoughts expressed above, are entirely my own. I don’t like the concept of rating novels as they are subjective to the moment. A five star book today, may be re-evaluated when compared to future novels.
Summary:
Kali Jorgensen is the head instructor at Rainwash Ranch in Horse Canyon, Utah, leading cattle drives for celebrities and CEOs. Living and working alongside her three young daughters and her in-laws is as perfect as life can be since the death of her husband. She’s all about horses and family until a legal team from Houston, Texas, signs on with one problem athlete, his posse, and a world of trouble, and life on the ranch turns upside down.
The Jorgensens are unaware of just how deep the legal woes run with the pampered athlete and just how far the legal team will go to protect his image. Even more alarming is Kali’s unexplainable attraction to the lead attorney.
She Cries is a nail-biting, suspense novel that will leave you signing up for a cattle drive and falling in love with the most unlikely of heroes.
Author Bio:
Alexandra Allred is a former national and professional athlete turned adventure writer turned humorist and novelist. She’s often been called the next Erma Bombeck with a grudge. Her annual Christmas letters, which have frequently made the news, could make the Grinch weep with joy. For a taste of holiday glee, see Blog.
She Cries is a very personal novel for Allred as many of the horses featured in this book are based on horses she has known and loved, including her beloved Star.
Allred writes for Waxahachie Daily Light newspaper, continues to testify in Washington D.C. on behalf of children with asthma and our need for clean air, and she’s never too far from her gym in Midlothian, Texas. You can always drop her a note at her Email Address.
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