In 140 words or less, tell us a little about yourself.

Wife, mother, business owner, retired registered nurse, lover of any sentence containing the words travel or road trip, consummate optimist; that pretty much sums me up. 

 In 140 words or less, tell us why the Dark Side of Valor would make a great addition to our personal library.
Dark Side of Valor is about  former teen-aged runaway, turned child advocate, Lelia Freeman.  When she is summoned to Washington to serve on a subcommittee that aids children of a war-torn, African nation, she stumbles onto sinister political secrets.  She is kidnapped while overseas and must depend on a tall, dark mercenary to save her life.  But he has secrets of his own. 

How did you come up with the premise for Dark Side of Valor?

Dark Side of Valor started off being a totally different novel.  Initially, I did not choose to write about teen runaways and teen homelessness.  The novel was originally about a woman held captive in a foreign country and she needed to escape back to the United States.  So, I began to research runaways from foreign lands.  Every time I’d type in the search parameters, books, reports and articles popped up about teen runaways and homeless teens.  After several hours, I gave up and read one of the articles, then another, then a report, then a life account.  After about an hour, I was sitting in front of the library computer blubbering.  As I finished reading, I had to write their stories and out of their stories, Dark side of Valor was born.  

What’s the main theme for Dark Side of Valor?
That no matter what situation you find yourself in there’s always hope.

 What was the most difficult part of writing Dark Side of Valor?

The atrocities that homeless teens and runaways endure on the streets are horrific.  Tempering the graphic details of their lives while being true to their plight was difficult.    

What genre is Dark of Valor and who is the target audience?

Dark Side of Valor is a suspense novel.  The target audience for the novel is anyone who loves suspense novels, thrillers or fast-paced novels.  Also, young people who are struggling with hopeless situations.

What’s the best thing a reader has told you about Dark Side of Valor (or one of your books)? 

Actually two reader put tears in my eyes.  Angelique, from APOOO Book Club said, “The word valor can best be described as personal bravery, courage, and fearlessness in the face of danger. In Alicia Singleton’s debut novel, Dark Side of Valor, she encompasses all these things through her main character, Leila Freeman. Dark Side of Valor tells the story of Leila Freeman, a child advocate who has dedicated her life to fighting against the nightmares of her youth that currently trouble the youth of the present. ”

To read more of Angelique’s review, click here.

 Libby from Libby’s Library said, “I’ve been trying for several days, to decide how to go about this particular book tour/review.  Is this novel going to become a classic?  Probably not. Will it be on a top 10 list? I’m guessing, no.  Will masses be lining up to purchase it? Nope…and that’s a darn shame, because if I had to rate DARK SIDE OF VALOR, on a scale of 1 – 10, I’d give it a 12.

Folks, this is what a good book is all about. 

• Great Plot
• Well Developed Characters
• Fast Moving
• Gripping
• Suspenseful
• Filled with Detail & And an ending that will leave you satisfied, yet wanting more.

All this – without gratuitous sex, foul language, or graphic repeated violence… just for the sake of violence.

 Alicia Singleton’s DARK SIDE OF VALOR proves that there are still authors that can write a story that stands on its own legs…not resorting to “flash and filth”!

 Bravo Ms. Singleton…I look forward with great anticipation, to your next book.’”

What can readers expect from you in the future?

The research for my next suspense has taken me to a South Carolina swamp, a rice plantation where one of Mel Gibson’s movies was filmed, on a Civil War naval battle ship, and a graveyard.  It was phenomenal!  I hope to take readers on a thrill ride they won’t soon forget.

 Is there anything else you would like to share with APOOO readers?

Please connect with me through my website,  Facebook , Twitter, email alicia at aliciasingleton dot com; and I’m also available through Skype and conference calls for book club chats.  Thank you so much for the opportunity to chat with the APOOO Readers.  It’s been a great honor! 

Alicia it was a pleasure hanging out with you at APOOO.  Many blessings on your literary endeavors.