Today’s author interview is with the talented Melanie P. Smith, author of The Warrior Series and Hidden Lakes. Please welcome Melanie to XterraWeb ~Books & More~. We hope you enjoy this interview as much as we did. Before we get started, we would like to thank Melanie for taking the time to give us this interview. Start the Warrior Series today with Dusk (book one) available on Amazon.

Amor Libris: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Melanie P. Smith: I was born and raised in a small town just outside Salt Lake City, Utah. I come from a fairly large family so my childhood was noisy and chaotic, but never lonely. I work for the Unified Police Department in the Special Operations Division, which give me great insight when it comes to writing about police, procedure and bad guys. I currently live in West Jordan, Utah with my husband (Lee) and our Border collie, Port (short for Porter Rockwell) who thinks he’s a people.

Amor Libris: Can you share a picture of Port?

Melanie P. Smith: Yes!

Amor Libris: What is your favorite motivational phrase, and why?

Melanie P. Smith: There are so many good ones it’s hard to choose just one. I very strongly believe "If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right." I think my inner perfectionist is showing. Although I couldn’t tell you who said that. I also like "If you don’t try, you’ve already failed." Everyone has a dream but I think it takes courage to follow it.

Amor Libris: What do you like to do when you are not writing?

Melanie P. Smith: I actually have so many hobbies, my problem is having enough time to enjoy them all. I like spending time with my family. I own a Harley and love to go on road trips; especially when we take a new route we’ve never traveled before. I enjoy camping, ATV’s, horseback riding, drawing and reading to name a few.

Amor Libris: What books and/or authors have influenced you the most?

Melanie P. Smith: There are so many good authors out there I don’t think I could choose one that has influenced me the most. I enjoy Lynsay Sands Argeneau series because her paranormal romances have a lot of humor. I also like some of Nora Roberts and Iris Johansen’s suspense novels. Books that influence me the most are the ones that can draw you into the story and make you feel like you are really there. It almost doesn’t matter what I’m reading if the author can describe the place, characters, plot, and events in a way that truly draws you in – those are the books that influence me the most.