Interview With Sherrie Hansen, Author of SHY VIOLET

This is my fourth interview with Pat Bertram, on the occasion of the release of my new Wildflowers of Scotland novel, Shy Violet, coming May 1st from Second Wind Publishing. Thanks so much for all you do to promote our work, Pat!

You’re welcome, Sherrie. I’m always glad to do what I can to help. But we’re here to talk about you and your new book. What is Shy Violet about?

When a poor choice and some wild fluctuations in the space time continuum leave school teacher Violet Johansen stranded in the car park of Eilean Donan Castle in Scotland, Violet wonders if she’ll ever find her way back to her comfort zone. She has two choices – to trust a piper who looks exactly like someone she dated a decade ago, or a band of nefarious pirates. Pirates. Pipers. People and mistakes from the past that threaten to haunt you forever… A castle that’s been ravaged and rebuilt… Only time will tell if Violet and Nathan’s fragile new friendship survive the storm and see love reborn.

Why will readers relate to your characters?

We’ve all had ups and downs in our lives – a relationship you were utterly convinced was a dream come true, only to realize at some point that it was exactly wrong, even toxic. We’ve all lived through the disappointment, the heartache, and hopefully found, at some point in our journey, that good things come from bad, that all things work together for good, and that rainbows often follow the most terrible storms.

What about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Shy Violet is set in one of the most beloved, picturesque castles in the world, Eilean Donan, near the Isle of Skye, Scotland. The main characters are quite ordinary, American school teachers who find themselves caught up in a drama that revolves around the nefarious activities of some modern-day pirates / whiskey smugglers.

What is your goal for the book, ie: what do you want people to take with them after they finish reading the story?

I always hope that my readers will get lost in my stories, that they will be magically transported to another time and place where they can forget their own troubles and stresses for a time and live vicariously through my characters. For me, reading a good book, just like going on a nice, long vacation, broadens my perspectives and reminds me that there’s a whole big world out there that doesn’t revolve around me or my issues. There’s also a bit of humor in many of my books, and often, a quirky character or two who may bring a smile to your face. I love it when people say they find my books to be entertaining or funny.

Is there a message in your writing you want readers to grasp?

I want my readers to believe that life is filled with second – and third and fourth – chances, that a wee bit of good can come from even the worst situations, and that there is hope – always.

Have you written any other books?

Shy Violet is my third Wildflowers of Scotland novel, and follows Wild Rose and Blue Belle. There is also a prequel novella called Thistle Down. I’ve also written Night and Day, the Maple Valley series – Stormy Weather, Water Lily and Merry Go Round, and Love Notes.

What has changed for you personally since you wrote your first book?

I wrote my first several books from the perspective of a single woman who could only dream about experiencing love firsthand. Fast forward a dozen years, enter one real-life husband, and I know how wild the rollercoaster really is. I feel that I can write relationships, dialogs and certain characters much more realistically – and even a bit humorously – now that I have insider knowledge.

Where can people learn more about your books?

You can find out more about me and my books at:

http://www.secondwindpublishing.com/#!sherrie-hansen/c1scv
http://www.facebook.com/SherrieHansenAuthor
http://sherriehansen.wordpress.com/
http://www.BlueBelleInn.com or http://www.BlueBelleBooks.com
https://twitter.com/SherrieHansen
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2870454.Sherrie_Hansen
https://www.pinterest.com/sherriebluebell/

Sherrie Hansen’s previous interviews on Pat Bertram Introduces  . . .

Sherrie Hansen, Author of “Thistle Down” and “Wild Rose”
Sherrie Hansen, Author of “Love Notes”
Sherrie Hansen, Author of Merry Go Round

Interview with the Characters In FROM THE SKY by J.E. Nicassio

Lucien, Did you get along with your parents?

I never met my parents. Had they lived things would have been a lot different. I would have hoped we would have gotten along.

Lucien, Do you have any hobbies?

I taught myself to play the guitar. And I enjoy calculating the distance between nebula’s within this galaxy and others. A hobby of mine that I find humorous is going down the cereal aisle at Walmart and with my mind I throw the boxes off the shelve at shoppers… something my uncle frowns upon.

Lucien, Was there a major turning point in your life?

When my uncle told my siblings and myself we were not human.

Lucien, What is your most prized possession? Why?

My prized possession is my crystal I wear around my neck. It belonged to my parents.

Samantha, How do you envision your future?

How do I envision my future? I’m not sure what the futures hold but I hope somewhere in it is Lucien.

Samantha, Will you tell us five items in your purse?

Oh geez…What’s in my purse? It would have to be a pop tart, a rubber band, lip gloss, a half-eaten protein bar, and a pack of gum.

Samantha, What in your past would you like to forget?

The accident…I wish I would have never answered Emma’s text. Things would have been a lot different. But then again I might have never met Lucien. I don’t know.

Cassiel, Did anything newsworthy happen on the day you were born?

I wouldn’t actually call it born. “News Worthy?” Conspiracy theorists would agree it was the Roswell Crash…Ha ha.

Eden, What is your most prized possession? Why?

Ask any girl at school and she would agree it’s my hair. It’s perfect!

Michael, What are you afraid of?

Don’t tell this to my brother Lucien or Samantha, but I am afraid that someday soon our secret will be discovered and there’ll be nothing Lucien, I or my uncle or Division Six will be able to do…It will be out of our hands. I’m afraid Samantha could be in danger or worse killed.

Gabriel, Do you have any skills?

Hell yeah! I’m a shape Shifter and I’m not talking werewolf! I soar like an eagle.

Daniel, Have you ever failed at anything?

When Lucien was taken by the government. I should have seen it coming. That’s my biggest failure. I let him down.

Where can people learn more about you?

Readers can learn more about us from Second Wind Publishing and http://www.secondwindpublishing.com/#!product/prd15/3378588341/from-the-sky by visiting J.E. Nicassio’s websites and blog. http://www.authorjenicassio.com http://jen3963.wix.com/author-jenicassio https://authorjenicassio.wordpress.com/ https://fromjenniewithlove.wordpress.com/

Interview with J.E.Nicassio, Author of FROM THE SKY

What is your book about?

From The Sky is about the relationship between Lucien Foster a being from another world and a young woman named Samantha Hunter who is dealing with a tragedy that changed her life forever. Lucien and Samantha come together by accident. From The Sky is a story about redemption, forgiveness and a friendship that grows into a love.

How long had the idea of your book been developing before you began to write the story?

I wanted to write this story for years. I day dreamed and brainstormed on how I would start the story of Lucien and Sam. I always felt there was something more than the stars in the sky.

What inspired you to write this particular story?

My sons inspired me to write From The Sky I always believed in life on other planets. It wasn’t until one day while having a bon-fire with my sons that I came up with the idea. My son had an unusual experience when he was child that woke him from a deep sleep that forever changed him. He saw a light in his room that came in from the window. What-ever it was it was not normal. That is where I got the idea of Lucien his name which mean ‘From The light’.

How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in the book?

A lot of myself is hidden in the characters in the book. I would have to say there is a little of me in Sam and Lucien. I suffered a lot of personal tragedy in my life. I struggled with depression just like Sam. However, I overcame it, but I had no Lucien to help me through it. Some of my goofy habits found their way into Sam’s life like her hair twirling. I am a bit of Tom Boy like Sam. I would have to say Lucien is my idea of the perfect boyfriend. I wish I would have had a boyfriend like him as a young woman. I had a lot of sibling rivalry growing up even full fledge fights a lot like Lucien and Cassiel.

Tell us a little about your main characters. Who was your favorite? Why?

The Protagonist is a rebellious 17-year-old teenager that likes to have a good time without thinking of the consequences of her actions until it’s too late. She goes through a lot of changes, which made her so appealing to readers. She does not trust easy, especially when Lucien is involved. She is very cautious but once you win her trust she will do anything for her loved ones. Lucien is every super hero woven into one. He is strong, smart, and will grow on you. At first, he is odd looking not appealing at all and the more Sam begins to like him the more inviting he becomes.

Did you do any research for the book? If so, how did you do it? (searching Internet, magazines, other books, etc.)

I did a lot of research on UFO’S and Mufon. I even took my Field Investigator exam, so I could be better prepared to begin the writing process. I watch hours of Ancient Aliens, The History Channel and UFO’s Hunter. I spoke with the park ranger from Cibola National Park in New Mexico in length about the terrain of the Sandia Mountains. John Ventre Pennsylvania State Director of MUFON gave me valuable resources about major sightings in Pennsylvania and Colorado he even help me with a major plot dilemma my characters were involved without giving any spoilers it had to do with radar and Groom Lake within Area 51. I spend hours reading on the different types of ET’s and UFO phenomena before I began to write From The Sky.

Do you think writing this book changed your life? How so?

Writing From The Sky has definitely changed my life. I became a MUFON Field Investigator. I am activity involved in managing the local Allegheny and Westmoreland County MUFON Facebook page. I have a more open mind when it comes to things in life we don’t necessarily understand or see.

What was the first story you remember writing?

It was a short story I had to write in nine grade English class. I wrote a horror story. I enjoyed writing it so much. It was my first A! I actually thanked my teacher Mrs. Vanyo in a newspaper interview.

Why will readers relate to your characters?

I hope my readers will relate to my characters, especially Samantha. We all lose people we love at certain times in our life and sometimes more than we think we can handle. The week before I started writing From The Sky, I lost my sister. Four years prior my brother and two years ago my little sister and then my father died last May. We all have tragedy in our life, and often we use substances, some legal and some not to cope. And I hope my readers have someone in their lives they can count on to help him. If not I hope, my story will help.

What has been your greatest internal struggle to overcome in relation to your writing career?

My biggest struggle to overcome in my writing career is the diagnosis of an autoimmune disease called Sjogren’s Syndrome. It attacked me when my writing was just beginning. Luckily, I finished my first novel before it did most of its damage. The disease causes severe dry eyes that impair vision, and cause severe fatigue and joint pain that limit my writing. I write when my eyes will let me do so. I am going to try Dragon software text to type program hopefully it will help if not I will write when I can. I started a blog called Sjogren’s and Me http://mysjogrens.blogspot.com/ to bring awareness and educate people on this faceless disease.

Where do you get the names for your characters?

Originally, Samantha was Sara in the first draft which I got from the Bible, but I liked the idea of calling Samantha Sam for short. Lucien means light, and his siblings are angel names. I named Lucien’s sister after the Garden of Eden because of her beauty. I always wondered if angels were beings from other worlds instead of celestial beings from heaven.

Where can people learn more about your books?

Readers can learn more about my books from Second Wind Publishing and http://www.secondwindpublishing.com/#!product/prd15/3378588341/from-the-sky by visiting my websites and blog. http://www.authorjenicassio.com http://jen3963.wix.com/author-jenicassio https://authorjenicassio.wordpress.com/ https://fromjenniewithlove.wordpress.com/

Interview With Sally Laughlin, Author of “Fly Toward Death”

What is your book about?

There were three all-female aviation regiments in the Soviet Union during WWII. Fly Toward Death is about the female pilots, navigators and ground crews that flew and worked under incredibly adverse conditions.  From women who flew the little, unarmed bi-planes and bombed the German Army at night; to the fierce, female fighter-pilots who fought the seasoned German Luftwaffe, humbling them before their peers.  This is a fictional account, based on actual events, of those amazing women who lived, loved and died bravely during the dark days of World War II.

What inspired you to write this particular story?

I was surfing the Internet one day and came upon an article about Nachthexens (Night Witches) during World War II.  It is what the German soldiers called the Soviet women pilots who bombed them repeatedly at night. I was intrigued about women pilots fighting against the Germans.  I graduated from college with a major in History and never heard about these incredible women and what they accomplished.

Why will readers relate to your character?

I believe that most readers will relate to these characters. I think inside all of us we have admiration and respect for those who go up against great odds regardless of the cost.  These women did not like killing, but they had to try to defend their Motherland from the invading forces.

Did you do any research for the book?  If so, how did you do it?

I read everything I could get my hands on about these women via books, Internet articles, etc.  They interviewed a few of the surviving women (translated from Russian), and I was amazed at the things they went through.

What is your goal for the book, ie:  what do you want people to take with them after they finish reading the story?

I want people to know about these incredible women and what they did under impossibly adverse conditions.

How has your background influenced your writing?

I was a police officer over thirty-five years ago.  Back then I was an oddity.  I had many comments like “Why are you a police officer?  You should be home cooking for your family”. “What’s a woman doing carrying a gun?  Don’t go shooting yourself or the REAL officers.”  I could sympathize with these young women who were not only fighting the Germans but their male constituents’ attitudes.

Have you written other books?

I have written five other books:  One Historical Romance novel and four books in a series of the Science Fantasy genre.

What are you working on now?

Currently, I am working a sequel to both the Historical Romance novel and book five in the Science Fantasy novels.  Plus I am tossing around a few other ideas for another book.

What is the most difficult part of the whole writing process?

The most difficult part of the whole writing process for me –  rewrites, rewrites, rewrites.

Where can we learn more about your book?

From Second Wind Publishing:

Interview With Katie Burgess McClaren, Hero of “Ghosts and Physics” by April Arnold

What is your story?

Oh geez, my story…teachers back in high school always gave us writing assignments like this, and I didn’t know what to say even then. A person’s story is just too intricate…and generally boring to 99% of the world’s non-family population. But since you asked so politely, I’ll give it a shot. My name is Katie Burgess McClaren, and I’m a confirmed English fanatic. I’m also passionately in love with all things sci-fi with an adoration of the fantastical too. I don’t really know what I want to be when I grow up, even though Mick–he’s my boyfriend-turned-husband…you’ll have to read the book–is always reminding me that I’m already supposed to have achieved adulthood. I don’t like that notion because it means there’s a sizeable amount of catching up to do. Anyway, I also have a penchant for ghost-hunting shows, unorthodox clothing choices, and wine of all shapes and sizes. I’m a really nice person in possession of what I think is an awesome sense of humor. I also second-guess myself a lot…most of the time, in fact. And I randomly change the subject. But all in all, most days I manage to hold myself and life together in a successful manner. It’s just a good thing that life is supposed to be about the journey and not the destination because I’ve been reaching some pretty freakish destinations lately!

Do you have a problem that wasn’t mentioned in the story?

Yes, I have a problem not mentioned in the story: roosters! No wait, that was mentioned in the story. The PRIMARY problem at present has been getting stubborn Mick to help me prove my theory on ghosts vs. time-warping people. Well, that was part 1 of the problem anyway. He finally did invent this totally groovy machine which proved my theory irrefutably…but it also got us stranded in 1922. The nice couple we met there were subsequently transported to the present, and we spent the rest of the book’s chapters trying to figure out how to swap ourselves back. Well, and some government agency was trying to steal Mick’s machine. That didn’t exactly help with the problem either.

How do you see yourself?

I’m always honorable but only sometimes healthy. Honor comes easily for me because anytime I’ve attempted dishonorableness, it’s royally backfired! Like if I tell a lie? You can absolutely bet that a) my face will immediately give me away and/or b) I’ll be lying to somebody smarter than I am who already knows the answer to the question they’re asking and are only asking said question to test my honorableness. Being healthy…well, I drink lots of diet soda and sometimes exercise during a sudden onset of Physical Fitness commitment. Okay, so I’m not at ALL honorable when it comes my commitment to Physical Fitness. I cheat on Physical Fitness all the time.

What makes you angry?

Willing, habitual, on-purpose ignorance makes me angry. And orange sports cars. I mean, what the hell??

Do you like remembering your childhood?

I had a pretty great childhood, actually, except for all the forced child labor my parents inflicted. Okay, so that’s a bit dramatic, but working in the cotton fields in the middle of a Texas summer-furnace is not a happy memory. That sweaty experience aside, my parents were rather awesome in that they took excellent and loving care of my brother and me (the cotton fields aside). We lived in a small community outside of Austin where my Dad farmed and did the cow-raising thing. There was a gorgeous creek a mile or so behind our house where I often wasted a lot of time that could’ve been spent studying or cleaning the toilet or getting a real job…stuff like that.

Anyway, when I got old enough, I escaped the country life and moved to Austin proper where I made just enough money to pay rent and support the wine and Papa John’s industries. My brother and I weren’t pushed to “be” anything as kids. That can be a really great thing since I feel like too much pressure is put on children today to know exactly what they want to do/be as adults and know it by age 5 so an educational plan/plot may be established on the first day of kindergarten. Human beings have a bad habit of categorizing their offspring to the point that said offspring feel trapped in one skill, one path, one destiny. Destiny is undefinable and ever-changing. But that’s too much philosophy! What I’m trying to say is that I kind of wish my parents HAD pushed us to be more ambitious. I feel like I’d have accomplished much more far sooner than I have.

What is your most prized possession?

My most prized possession is that killer all-leather outfit that Mick has confiscated and will never let me wear.

Have you ever had an adventure?

Have I ever had an adventure? My entire effing life has officially become an adventure! I wish the adventure would stop! I’m OD-ing on adventure! What I wouldn’t give to be bored and just STATIONARY for five minutes…

What about your past would you like to forget?

What about my past would I like to forget…hmm…well, since my past has become my future and vice versa, it’s kind of difficult to answer such things. I guess anything related to chicken coops or gopher death would be pleasant to forget, and if we suddenly get sucked into the past again, there will probably be something new that’s worth forgetting except that “something” is still in my future in the past…good gravy, where did I put that bottle of Tylenol…

If you were at a store now, what ten items would be in your shopping cart?

Ooo, I like that easy and philosophy-less question…imaginary shopping! What ten items would be in my shopping cart, let’s see…Diet Dr. Pepper, a bottle of Thai lemongrass dressing, a bottle of wine, make-up/foundation, mascara, cleaner for my contacts, sushi, chicken tenderloin, salsa, and cilantro.

How do you envision your future?

How do I envision my future…wow, which one? It could literally shift with a single push of the button on Mick’s electromagnetic field-increasing, time-shifting machine. Our future will forever be decided by circumstances that we and this mechanical marvel have created. Uncontrollable events have been set in motion. Unavoidable outcomes have been initiated. I envision my future as one not of my own choosing. I didn’t mean to get all depressing on you, but yeah…that answer is a truthful one…because I’m honorable.

***

About April Arnold:

http://secondwindpublishing.com is your initial go-to source for my books. They will also be available on Amazon.com in both print and electronic formats. Updates and information on the State of my Writing Union will be posted on my WordPress blog entitled Diabloggical Me. I’ll also be posting information on my Ghosts and Physics Facebook page which is coming soon!

Click here for an Interview with April Arnold, Author of “Ghosts and Physics”

Interview with April Arnold, Author of “Ghosts and Physics”

What is your book about?

Ghosts and Physics is about a girl with a vision. Albeit, it’s a comparatively unorthodox and “out there” vision, but it’s visionary, nonetheless. She theorizes that what we see and/or perceive as “ghosts” may not actually be ghosts at all but, rather, people and things existing in other overlapping times. This story is about how she and her physics-genius boyfriend go about not only proving her theory, but wreaking hilarious havoc with the time/space continuum as well. Of course, sometimes what seems to be a ghost is, actually, just a ghost; so there are a few true hauntings as well!

How long had the idea of your book been developing before you began to write the story?

This plot actually came to me in a gradual kind of way. I love watching all the ghost-hunting “reality” shows, but I’m also into the “what if?” side of solid, provable science…a strange mental balancing act, at times. I had just read an article about a girl who witnessed a person dressed in 1800s garb suddenly materializing in front of her along a roadway. As the materialization occurred, the environment around her also began to shift until the girl herself was very clearly IN the 1800s. This experience lasted several seconds, and then her world shifted back to normal. It was in that moment that Ghosts and Physics began materializing in my mind.

How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in the book?

All my life I’ve been told that good writers write what they know. Therefore, the main character, Katie, and many of her experiences are almost entirely me and mine. The other characters are loosely based on people I know or have known.

How long did it take you to write your book?

This book began as two short stories which I began writing in 2009. Once those were completed, I thought, who in the world is going to have any interest in marketing two short stories? Either you write enough shorts to fill an entire book, or you combine and “thicken” these two plots into a full-length novel. Obviously I opted for the latter. I was, of course, also employed full-time at a “real job,” so I worked on the book until completion in 2013.

How (or when) do you decide that you are finished writing a story?

Stories never seem to be truly “finished.” I could still be organizing, writing, tweaking, rewriting, and editing this book ad nauseum but finally had to simply MAKE myself reach an end point. I knew I wanted to write at least two more books in this series, so I forced my ideas to stop flowing and wait for the next manuscript. Patience isn’t one of my stronger personality traits!

What is the most difficult part of the whole writing process?

Thus far, the most difficult part of the writing process has been the editing. A confirmed grammar and spelling nerd, I always assumed that fixing punctuation and spelling mistakes would be a breeze (I will NOT use Spellcheck as it is a machination of the devil). And maintaining plot continuity? No problem! Yeah, that didn’t work out so well. It’s amazing how many quotation marks get missed when you’re proofing a story you’ve not only written but have already read through twenty times or more. Then there’s the contradictions in character descriptions or actions from chapter to chapter. For example, it can be a real challenge to remember that the red sweater in one chapter still needs to be the color red several chapters later instead of suddenly morphing into chartreuse.

What are you working on right now?

As of this moment, I’m already 80 pages into a second book in the Ghosts and Physics series and have a basic plot outline for book #3. I also have two other books being mentally-written as I create these. Those two lean more toward a “historical horror” genre, if you will, and by “horror,” I mean the intelligent and suspenseful kind…not the “grab a chainsaw and massacre the entire cast” kind.

What writer influenced you the most?

As a teenager, I was heavily influenced by the creative, imaginative writing and storytelling style of Frank Peretti. In more recent years, Joss Whedon and Janet Evanovich have become my greatest influences. In a perfect world, should Ghosts and Physics ever make it to “movie” status, I would love to see Mr. Whedon write the screenplay and direct! I’ve also mentally cast the four main characters (mostly). Katie MUST be played by Emma Stone. I’d dearly love to see James Franco play Katie’s boyfriend Mick. No one but Sandra Bullock should ever attempt the part of Eva, and her husband Timothy would be excellently portrayed by John Cusack.

Describe your writing in three words.

My writing in three words: smart, imaginative, comedic.

Where can we learn more about your books.

http://secondwindpublishing.com is your initial go-to source for my books. They will also be available on Amazon.com in both print and electronic formats. Updates and information on the State of my Writing Union will be posted on my WordPress blog entitled Diabloggical Me. I’ll also be posting information on my Ghosts and Physics Facebook page which is coming soon!

Interview With David Pereda, author of “Twin Powers”

What is your book about?

Twin Powers is a thriller published by Second Wind Publishing. Twin Powers is a deviation from my earlier books in that two of the main characters are 10-year old twin girls, one of which gets kidnapped by members of a child sex ring intent on selling her into forced prostitution. When the Arab human traffickers avoid capture, the father of the girl, Dr. Raymond Peters, and a lethal professional assassin named Marcela team up to investigate. The search for the girl takes the unlikely pair – a man who has sworn to save lives and a woman who kills for a living – to the Middle East in the hunt for the mysterious mastermind, Mohamed. Working against the clock, Raymond and Marcela must pull out all stops to save the girl and flee Dubai before Mohamed and his band of thugs kill them.

What authors have influenced your writing style?

So many authors have influenced my style that I don’t know where to begin. Hemingway, Conrad, Shakespeare, all the Russian writers, especially Dostoyevsky and Chekov, were great influences in my life. When I was a kid I read everything written by Max Brand and Zane Grey. During recent years, the greatest influence on my writing has probably been Harlan Coben. Someone once wrote a review of one of my books and called me the Latino Harlan Coben. I was very proud of the comparison since I consider Harlan Coben the best thriller writer today, but the Latino reference left me a little cold. I don’t want to be the Latino anything. I want my writing to be recognized as that of David Pereda, without a qualifying adjective in front of my name.

How long have you been writing with the hopes of publication?

I’ve been writing FOR publication since I was in college. I published my first short story in the USF literary magazine when I was a sophomore; my English teacher submitted it for me. The following year I submitted to the magazine myself, and I had my second published short story. Since then I have published dozens of articles, several poems and eight novels (one under a pen name), but I have never published another short story.

How did you get started?

I guess I always wanted to be a writer. I wrote my first novel, a western, when I was ten years old. My proud uncle Antonio typed it for me. I titled it bombastically, Dave Patterson, The Temerarious. After that, I wrote a few short stories that I never published, or even tried to, until I got to college.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I’m definitely a plotter, although I turn into a pantser from time to time. I plot my books in detail and then change a big portion of them as I write them. It’s called poetic license, I believe. Often it’s not even me who changes things; it’s my characters who get together and decide to change the book. Sometimes I disagree and put my foot down and say no; but most of the time, they convince me to make the changes.

What genres do you enjoy reading? Writing?

I enjoy reading and writing thrillers, romantic suspense, and mainstream novels.

Who is your favorite character from your book?

My favorite character is definitely Marcela, a beautiful, but lethal, lesbian assassin who won’t take any crap from anyone. She has amber eyes and looks like Halle Berry on steroids. In Twin Powers, Marcela, for the first time in her life, falls in love with a man, Raymond Peters.

Describe your writing environment and your process. Are you an early bird or a night owl?

I’m an early bird. I’m usually up by 5:30 in the morning to exercise. Because I need to take my daughter Sophia to school by 8:00 and I teach at A-B Tech afterwards, I’m unable to write in the morning, except on weekends. Usually, I write in between noon and 3 pm when I go pick up Sophia from school, and at night.

I have an office at home. I write on a laptop surrounded by hundreds of books, family photos, paintings and some of the writing, running, and horse show-jumping awards I have won. My daily process is similar to the one Hemingway used. I sit down, review the last thing I wrote, revise it and write some more.

Of course, before I get down to the daily routine, I outline my novel in detail, develop character sheets, determine how many words I’m going to write, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera….

I know you are a college instructor, so which is more fun, writing or teaching others how to write?

Writing is my passion, so it is – or should be – more fun. I say should be because often it is a painful process for me, getting that right word, that right sentence, that right paragraph, that right chapter, that right novel. The reward in writing comes at the end, when the book is finished and you know is good.

On a daily basis, teaching is more rewarding. I love to see my students triumph. It gives me a sense of accomplishment and makes me feel proud that I could help them take one step closer toward achieving their goals in life.

Who’s your muse? Is she a constant companion, or do you need to lure her into your writing?

Thank God I don’t have problems writing. I don’t have a muse per say, either. If I do, it’s a silent and invisible muse. I can confide to you, however, that my beautiful girlfriend is a great distraction — but I enjoy being distracted by her. She makes me happy, and unlike all those artists who claim to create better when they suffer, I write better when I’m happy. Who wants to suffer, anyway?

Where can we find out more about your book?

From Second Wind Publishing http://www.secondwindpublishing.com/#!product/prd15/3646416451/twin-powers and Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Twin-Powers-David-Pereda/dp/1630661112/

And you can read excerpt here: http://wp.me/pkaaX-ys

Interview with Christian Jennette, Author of “Ties That Bind”

What is your book about?

Ties That Bind is a novel that follows its main character, Kristen Bradley, as she navigates her way through a very difficult situation. Kristen’s passion is acting, but she has been so busy with nursing school and a troubled relationship, there hasn’t had time to step foot on stage. So when the opportunity to join a local theater company arises, she jumps at the chance, and it isn’t long before she’s drawn in deeply to the tight- knit group. The company, Riverbend Community Theater, is like a family, only it’s ties are stronger than blood – so strong, it’s almost cult-like. All its actors bow down to one very powerful director. Just when she thinks she’s found her place in the word, Kristen learns that something dark exists behind the surface of Riverbend’s perfect facade, and that the charismatic director she’s learned to trust and confide in not only controls his actors onstage, but off as well.

Ties That Bind is the story of a vulnerable young woman who quickly learns that things aren’t always what they seem, and that the line between maintaining her coveted place with the company and having to walk away forever, is as thin as a tightrope. The question you’ll be asking yourself throughout the book is, “Will she fall?”

How long did it take you to write your book?

From start to finish, this book took me a year to write. I did most of the work during my kids nap and bedtimes, because otherwise they’d be dragging me away from the computer! There were days I could sit and write twenty or thirty page without stopping, and other days I’d drum my fingers on the keyboard, completely at a loss. During the year, I had a four month period where I didn’t write one word because I was stuck and unsure where the story was going. I thought maybe I’d never finish. Then one day it just came to me, and I did.

How much of you is hidden within the characters in the book?

There’s quite a bit of me in Kristen, the main character. They say “write what you know,” and Kirsten is a character who goes through a lot of intense emotions. It’s hard to write about feelings you’ve never experienced, and I needed my readers to sympathize with, and understand why Kristen does the things she does, whether they make sense or not. I’d have had a hard time portraying her accurately if the emotions she went through in the book were completely foreign to me. Kristen’s story is not mine, but her emotions are. I’ve been in her shoes many times.

Who is your most likeable character?

My favorite character is Owen. Ah, Owen. Would it be wrong to say I developed a little crush on him while writing this book? (Sorry, Honey). Owen is the world’s most awesome guy. He’s a fellow theater member, and though he hasn’t a clue what Kristen is going through for much of the book, he ends up being her biggest source of support without even realizing it. He’s also funny and sexy. He brings a bit of romance to the book, and who doesn’t want a little of that?

Do you think writing this book has changed your life? How so?

Absolutely. This book started out as an interesting story swirling around in the back of my mind. I joked from time to time about putting it to paper, but never thought I’d be able to accomplish such a feat. Then one day I sat down and wrote the first sentence, which led to the second, the third, and so on. Before I knew it I was halfway through this story, which was rapidly becoming a full-length novel. Then I toyed around with the idea of self-publishing, but thought I’d see if anyone would be willing to pick it up first. A few months later I had a publisher interested, and the rest is history. I guess what I’m getting at is this: My book went from an impossible feat to a palpable reality. I now know that I can accomplish anything – even things I never set out to do! I learned that there’s creativity within me I didn’t even know existed and would encourage anyone out there with a story to tell, to do it. Just write that first sentence. That’s all it takes.

Does writing come easy to you?

Not really. Like I mentioned, while writing Ties That Bind, I’d have nights where the words would just flow out of me effortlessly. I could write page after page without even looking up from the computer screen. Then I’d hit a slump – writer’s block I guess – where I had nothing to offer. I’d sit and try to write, but no words would come. Through this process I realized I’m not in control. When the creativity flowed, it flowed, and when it stopped, all I could do was be patient and wait for it to come back.

If your book was made into a TV series or a movie, what actors would you like to see playing your characters?

Oh, that’s a fun one. I think every author dreams of their book becoming a movie, and enjoys the task of casting – even if only in their minds! For Ties That Bind, I can’t imagine a more perfect cast than one including Hugh Jackman, Alexis Bledel, and a young Simon Baker as Owen.

What writer influenced you the most?

Hands down, my favorite author is Elizabeth Berg. I love her writing style, and her stories fall right into the genre I prefer to read and write. They’re very true-to-life. Her characters are always multi-faceted, so you can relate to all of them in one way or another, which helps you fall right into the story. Once I start reading one of her novels, I can’t put it down. I always close the book at the end and think, “Wow, that was awesome.”

What are you working on right now?

My current work-in-progress is a novel entitled The Depths of the Sea. It’s about a mother suffering from post partum depression who drowns her beloved son in an episode of sleep walking. She doesn’t remember a thing. I have one more novel on the horizon that is much more light-hearted, a comedy even.

Where can people learn more about your books?

Through my publisher’s website – SecondWindPublishing.com, on Amazon.com, and on my Twitter (@CHJennette) and Facebook page (Christian Jennette – Author).

Interview with Velya Jancz-Urban, author of “Acquiescence”

What is your book about?

When Pamina Campbell learns of a murder committed over two hundred years ago in her Connecticut farmhouse in order to avenge an unforgivable crime, she accepts that she has no idea how the universe works, except that it requires acquiescence at every point. Two plot threads twine in Acquiescence, as one woman calls to another across three centuries. One story, featuring Susannah Mathews, takes place in the late 1700s, while Pamina’s story is set in modern day. Pamina learns that disaster – the sort of disaster that leaves you numb on a park bench or aching for your husband to come back to you – can be a freaky thing of beauty. As Pamina and her family try to piece their lives back together in their 1770 home, little do they know that secrecy, homophobia, and a ghastly confession await.

Is there a message in your novel you want readers to grasp?

The message in Acquiescence is that even though a person may have no desire to re-live a challenging or difficult time in their life, the obstacle can play a role in shaping who you become. If you allow adversity to become an opportunity for growth, you may become a different person.

Do you have a favorite snack food or favorite beverage that you enjoy while you write?

While I don’t have any particular type of snack or drink at my side as I write, I did have a food-incentive-as-reward for when I received my first Offer of Representation for Acquiescence. Although I don’t eat them (because years ago I gave up corn syrup, GMOs, and wheat), I’m crazy about Vienna Fingers cookies. A year ago, when I started sending out query letters, I decided to buy a package of Vienna Fingers and keep them on top of an exposed hand-hewn beam in our kitchen. I promised myself that on the day I got my offer, I would welcome “corn syrup coma” and gobble down the entire twenty-four pack, along with a cold glass of raw milk. The enticing red and yellow package stared down at me every time I walked under the beam. With every rejection letter, the rounded-end finger-shaped cookies taunted me. I could almost hear them sneer, “Ha! Ha! We’re safe up here. You’re never gonna eat us!” And then, came my Offer of Representation from Second Wind Publishing. As I triumphantly dunked each crème-filled vanilla cookie, every “unfortunately, this manuscript does not fit our needs at this time” rejection drowned in the glass of milk.

What advice you would give to an aspiring author?

The best advice I would give an aspiring author is a quote by literary agent, Dan Lazar: “The best rule of thumb is always to start the story where the story starts.” This was one of the stumbling blocks in my first drafts. Where does the story start? Until you, the author, have that straight in your mind, the story’s flow won’t be right. Also, although it’s difficult, being able to summarize your book in one sentence clarifies its goal.

If you could have lunch with one person, real or fictitious, who would it be?

If I could have lunch with one person, it would probably be Alva Vanderbilt. Ever since my first trip to Newport, Rhode Island as a little kid, I have been fascinated by the Gilded Age. I was never envious of Alva’s life, just intrigued by her drive. I love the fact that she went from a seen-better-days Southern belle, to an unconventional multi-millionaire American socialite, and then became a major figure in the women’s suffrage movement. For our twentieth-fifth wedding anniversary, my husband bought me a set of her “Votes for Women” china.

Which is more important to your story, character or plot?

Character is the heart of story. Readers relate to stories through character. Plot frames the conflict and action. Why would we want to pick one over the other when we can – and should – have both?

What is a talent you have that no one knows?

–           As a hands-on science teacher, I can identify any bone that comes out of a regurgitated owl pellet.
–           Although I’m an atheist, I can recite the books of the Bible – Old and New Testament – in order.
–           From hours of quizzing my pre-teen son, I still know all 100 answers to the 4-H Poultry Showmanship questions.

Why will readers relate to your characters?

Every family has a moment that changes everything. Things happen – things you can’t even imagine – and in a minute the world is changed. Readers will relate to my characters because, just as in real life, they’ll like some and despise others. In my novel, Acquiescence, the Campbell family finds the courage to overcome adversity, realize that love never dies, and accept that there are bigger forces out there that know no limit. They learn that it’s not what happens to you, it’s how you deal with what happens to you, and that the best revenge is living a happy life.

What famous literary character is most like you?

Although I look like Liza Minnelli, I think my personality is similar to Ma Joad’s in John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. I’ve never decapitated a chicken, but, like ‘Ma,’ I’m the backbone of my family.

When we first meet Ma Joad, she is a strong woman. When we see her in the very last chapter, she is a strong woman. Her strength only grows throughout the course of the novel. In fact, her initial strength transforms into a different kind of strength – one that it is dead set on survival – the survival of her family. As her family meets obstacle after obstacle, Ma Joad keeps it together. She is the strongest supporter of family and togetherness. Ma expresses this best when she directs Rosasharn to breast-feed the starving man at the novel’s conclusion. Both Ma Joad and I know that even the most horrible circumstances can be surmounted with grace and dignity.

Did you do any research for the book?

Moving into a 1770 Connecticut farmhouse ignited my interest in the colonial era. Behind the walls of our house, surprises and secrets waited to be exposed, and this became the spark for my novel, Acquiescence. While researching my novel, I became obsessed (in a good way) with colonial women. I wanted to find out what life was really like for them – the stuff we’ve always been curious about. How did they deal with menstruation at a time when women didn’t wear underwear? How about sex and birth control, childbirth, sickness and medicine? I put together an entertainingly- informative presentation called Colonial Goodwife: The Not-So-Good Life of the Colonial Goodwife (www.colonialgoodwife.com) to help promote my novel, as well as to let today’s women see that although we have a long way to go, it’s amazing how far we’ve come.

3 words that describe your writing style

Breezy, honest, unpretentious

What’s next for you?

I have a hands-on science children’s fiction series under contract. As a hands-on science teacher, (www.howcoolisthat.name) I know that the new importance placed on standardized testing doesn’t leave enough time in a school day for hands-on activities. Standardized tests don’t encourage a love of learning. A kid is more than a test score. I offer inquiry-based, hands-on/minds-on science activities like Dissecting Owl Pellets, Making Chicken Mummies, Grossology, Shampoo Analysis Lab and Gotta Brain/ Getta Helmet!. Not every child can participate in one of my classes, but soon they will be able to take part through my book/science kits with the summer 2015 launch of One Lucky Mealworm! and Whooo Eats What?

I’m also cooking up a follow-up to Pamina’s story titled Woman on the Rock.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your work-in-progress?

Working title: The Woman on the Rock

For forty years, Chuck Ehrismann stared at a black and white photo of an unknown stunning woman – the only clue was ‘1949 Keansberg, New Jersey’ penciled on the back, but Chuck suspected she was family and held the key to his own identity.

Where can we learn more about you and your book?

Acquiescence is available from Second Wind Publishing: http://www.secondwindpublishing.com/#!product/prd15/3391685311/acquiescence

Links

Website: www.acquiescencethebook.com
Website: www.colonialgoodwife.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vjanczurban
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Acquiescence-and-Colonial-Goodwife/1554841878108700?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cgoodwife
Blog: https://colonialgoodwife.wordpress.com/

Author Bio

Velya Jancz-Urban, and her Acquiescence protagonist Pamina Campbell, have a lot in common. Both are teachers and hoodwinked Brazilian dairy farm owners, and both share a 1770 Connecticut farmhouse with a spirit woman. Velya has been married for 32 years, and is the mother of two grown children. She has a few too many rescue dogs and cats, is happiest with a fresh stack of library books, loves thrift shops, and is passionate about alternative medicine. Velya is the creator/owner of How Cool Is That?!” (Hands-On Science) (www.howcoolisthat.name), as well as the East Coast Facilitator for Earth Adventure’s Earth Balloon. She teaches throughout NY/NJ/CT/MA. Her entertainingly informative presentation, The Not-So-Good Life of the Colonial Goodwife is a result of the research completed for this novel.

Interview With Author Donovan Galway, Author of “Uriel’s Gift”

What is Uriel’s Gift about?

Environmental terrorism, the self-destructive insanity of the human race, multi-national corruption and greed, murder, and a young terminally ill girl with enough love in her heart to risk everything to help a dying fairy.

What inspired you to write this particular story?

The cover art. I did an image of a dying fairy and my wife and I spent a few hours on a beach in Spain talking about what might have killed her, if she was the last of her kind and whether or not we’d even know if the fairies were gone. We have driven many other species to extinction, some with severe environmental consequence. What would be the penalty for this one and are we next? She has been a strong influence in most of my story lines and character development, but this was the first truly joint effort she and I completed and the diversity of the characters and complexity of the story reflects the pair of creative minds merging.

Do you always design your own covers?

Yes. My first publisher had one of his artists try it and I showed them what I wanted. I’ve been doing them ever since. I’ve done a few for other authors.

Tell us a little about your main characters. Who was your favorite? Why?

This story has so many strong characters, the mysterious stranger with the rapier wit, the hard-nosed detective with the dark past, the cruel mother and the devoted father who was creative to a fault. But I think my favorite has to be Karen Gabriel. She started out as a cold and fiercely driven loner but evolved into a passionate, adventurous heroine, retaining the intelligence, drive and incorruptible spirit of the original character and adding to it with concern for the environment and for people she didn’t even know, for passion and love of companionship, and a willingness to embrace the worst of her past and use it to grow. Her journey leaves me wondering what she’ll do next.

Who is your most unusual/most likeable character?

Terrence the hunter. He is by his own admission superior to humans but learns to envy them for their simple complexity. Ageless and timeless, he knows everything and shares with Mike the origins of the universe and our place in it. He changes from villain to hero to comic relief and back during the course of the story, keeping the reader wondering if they’re supposed to fear him, respect him, cheer for him or hate him. The one consistent feeling is that they like him start to finish.

At what age did you discover writing?

25. I was in school studying journalism and found myself writing papers for upper classmen. I wound up writing different things. News articles and commentaries, advertisements, short stories, poems and prose. I changed my major to literature and was soon inspired with the foundation for my first novel.

Does writing come easy for you?

God no. It’s often agonizing. But I can’t imagine NOT writing. Even the brief period between works is painful and the writing soon starts again whether I like it or not. That it’s hard is not the issue. A manager I knew once told me “Any job’s hard if you apply yourself.”

Do you have a favorite snack food or favorite beverage that you enjoy while you write?

Cheez-its. Almost impossible to find in Northern Ireland but they got me through studies, all-nighters and creative marathons.

What was the first story you remember writing?

“The Sentence” Terrible rushed, poorly structured psychological thriller with two-dimensional characters. I would have given up if it hadn’t been plagiarized and re-released. If they thought it was worth stealing, I must have done something right.

Who gave you the best writing advice you ever received and what was it?

When I finished my first, albeit unpublishable book, my mother asked me why everyone in the book was me. “How long can someone walk around with clenched fists and clenched teeth?” By learning to how to create diverse, credible characters, I learned how they could turn the story, add depth, surprise me. Take a group of people and place them in an exceptional situation. The greatness in the few quickly separates them from the masses and you have your heroes.

How many stories do you currently have swirling around in your head?

2⅔. I’ve got a murder mystery based on actual events that has to come out soon. I’ve got a period romance set in the pioneer days of early America, and a re-working of one of my original pieces that never received proper distribution efforts despite being a great story. I love the characters in this one and need to get it out there.

What do you like to read?

Techno-thrillers featuring eco-warriors.

What writer influenced you the most? Benchley. The master of suspense, he rivaled Hitchcock in his ability to show me the world through the eyes of the hunter and the prey.

What one book, written by someone else, do you wish you’d written yourself? The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins. He said what I think every time someone tells me what I should believe.

If your book was made into a TV series or Movie, what actors would you like to see playing your characters?

Eva Longoria as Karen Gabriel, the powerful, beautiful, intelligent executive heroine who takes on the Mega-giant corporation.
Aaron Eckhart as Terrence, the mysterious, persuasive, sarcastic stranger searching for the last fairy.
Ben Affleck as intuitive and courageous private investigator Mike DeLago.
Jason Bateman as Will Billings, inventor, store owner and devoted father of Feryl Billings
Lana Parrilla as Pamela Billings-Trudeau, self-centered estranged mother of Feryl Billings.
Carl Urban as Dr. Everett Trudeau, tolerant step-father to Feryl Billings.
Daniel von Bargen as CEO Victor Albean.
John Leguizamo as reporter David Mercado
Ashley Greene as Uriel, the last fairy.

I wanted Elle Fanning to play Feryl but she went and grew up on me. Dang. Naturally, writing is for the story rather than film aspirations, but like so many others, I draw from real people, either in my life or in films to flesh out characters. It helps to be able to hear their voice or see the subtle expressions to know if you’re being consistent.

If you could have lunch with one person, real or fictitious, who would it be? Without question.

Muhammed Ali.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself or your books?

Everything I write, published or otherwise, belongs to my wife. None of it would exist without her so I legally give her everything I have, regardless of its worth.

Where can people learn more about your books?

Second Wind Publishing website http://www.secondwindpublishing.com/#!donovan-galway/c1ap8 and the usual places. Amazon, Google, or by liking me on Facebook.