Devil’s Food Cake, Josi Kilpack – Author Interview
TITLE: Devil's Food Cake
AUTHOR: Josi S. Kilpack
PUBLISHER: Desert Book
PUBLICATION DATE: January 1, 2009
PAGES: 341 pages
GENRE: Fiction, Contemporary Culinary Mystery
With her son Shawn at her side, her reputation on the line, and a full cast of suspicious characters, Sadie Hoffmiller is once again cooking her way through a case that offers far more questions than answers. It’s been years since author Thom Mortenson has been back to Garrison, Colorado. As part of the library fundraising committee, who invited him to speak, Sadie Hoffmiller wants everything to be perfect—right down to the homemade Devil’s Food Cake she made herself. Murder, however, was not on the menu.
When Thom’s manager ends up dead on stage, Sadie does what any woman with a history of solving murders does–jumps right in to offer her guidance and expertise. The police, however, are not very appreciative. In fact, they’d rather she just go home. But can Sadie help it if she keeps stumbling over information? Can she help it if the people intricately woven into the deception keep crossing her path? The more she learns, the broader the spectrum becomes and when the police refuse to take her seriously, Sadie has no choice but to sidestep them altogether in the pursuit of justice.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW...Thanks to Pump Up Your Book Promotion I was given the opportunity to interview Josi Kilpack.
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
No. I never even thought about being a writer until a few weeks before I sent in my first book. I had been a voracious reader for several years and then written a book while on bedrest—but although it was fun, I didn’t write it intending to get it published; I didn’t know anything about publishing. I just had a good time. After friends encouraged me, however, I did find out how to submit and only then did I imagine what it would be like to be an actual author. It was a strange thing to contemplate . . . it still is, really.
Tell us a little bit about your new book.
Devil’s Food Cake is the 3rd book my Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery Series. Sadie has helped coordinate a fundraising dinner for the library, only to have it come to a horrifying end when a man is killed on stage. This is the third murder she’s been involved with in six months so she, of course, considers herself an expert. However, the police don’t agree but even when she tries to step out, aspects of the case seem to come to her. So, she ends up all wrapped up in things.
What inspires you and motivates you to write the very most?
I just love the feeling of accomplishment and knowing that in my small way I am trying to make the world a better place—at least for those people who, like me, love to get lost in a good book. I enjoy the challenge of stretching in new ways as well.
Is there an established writer you admire and emulate in your writing? Do you have a writing mentor?
I don’t really have a writing mentor, but I have many writers who inspire me either with their writing or with their struggle too write. Mary Higgins Clark is a writer who inspires me on both ends—she worked very, very hard to become a writer, but not at the expense of her family. I also love her writing style and the sheer grace of who she is. I admire CS Lewis for both his words, and his passion in writing them. I’m lucky enough have some fellow writers as my best friends and they inspire the heck out of me because of their individual strengths that pull them through hard times. They are likely the closest I have to mentors because they encourage and applaud me all along the way.
Location and life experience can sprinkle their influence in your writing. Tell us about where you grew up and a little about where you live now - city? Suburb? Country? Farm? If you could live anywhere you want to live, where would that be?
I grew up in Salt Lake City Utah, and currently live less than 50 miles from the home I grew up in. I was the third of nine children—my dad was a teacher and my mom stayed home. I grew up very independent and industrious; two things that I think have been huge factors in my writing. I’ve always been headstrong, a little cynical, and felt . . . different. Maybe that’s why I make up characters, because I sometimes feel like I don’t fit very well in real life. About 11 years ago we (my husband Lee and my kids) moved to Willard, which is a tiny little town on the east side of Willard Bay, in between Brigham City and Ogden. We’re both city-folk, so it took some adjustment but we can’t imagine living anywhere else. We have chickens, a dog, 5 acres of land we lease to a local farmer, and plenty of yard work to keep us and the kids busy. Honestly, if I could live anywhere in the world I’d live right where I am. I’m not here by accident—I’m here because of hard work and intent decisions that resulted in this. That said, I think I could be happy living anywhere so long as my family was with me. My husband and I sometimes fantasize about living in a down town area, or a condo with landscapers, or back in a suburb—we like the adventure and challenge of the idea. And yet we are both very content right where we are.
Bring us into your home and set the scene for us when you are writing. What does it look like? On the couch, laptop, desk? Music? Lighting, handwriting?
It’s 4:30 in the morning and my laptop is open on the kitchen table. There are piles of schoolwork, dishes from last night, and some coats flung over the chairs. My daughter is practicing piano in the other room and other than the light above the table, the house is dark. I’m nursing a mug of Pero, I’m wearing warm socks, and hunching over the computer in a way that my chiropractor continually reminds me not to do. The dirty dishes are calling to me, but I’ll do those after I wake the kids up for school at 6:00 and I’m trying very hard to just keep my To Do List fuzzy in my brain while I focus on my “vacation” which is whatever book I’m working on. I’ve got an hour and a half until my day explodes, after which my writing will come in little bubbles of time I steal from something else. But right now, this minute, I’m without any other obligation. Let’s hope I can use the time wisely.
Do you watch television or movies? If so, what are your favorites? Do they inspire your writing?
I adore TV and movies and the TV is almost always on when I’m home. I know people say it’s bad for you, but, well, if I have to have a vice, there are worse things. I like criminal Justice TV, so I watch a lot of City Confidential, American Justice, Cold Case, and Law & Order. I also like shows like I Survived and How Clean is Your House, and a Toddlers & Tiaras reminds me there are lots of “characters” in the world. If I can’t find a show that interests me, I love to watch movies—The Scarlet Pimpernel, Lord of the Rings, Return me. I get all kinds of inspiration from things I watch. Everything from character ideas, to setting, to plot twists—I love borrowing from other people’s brilliance, then making it my own.
How has being published changed your life?
Publishing has changed my life in every possible way. I’ve met people I’d have never met before, researched and learned about topics I would never have known about. I’ve learned to speak in public, I’ve learned to really listen when people talk to me. I’ve learned the feeling of accomplishment I get when I finish a book I’ve worked hard on. For me, publishing has opened a world I’d have never known existed—but it’s not really “Publishing” that made the change—it’s developing the gifts God gave me into the talents I’ve used to take me there. That’s the amazing thing about gifts, abilities, and opportunities that come our way—if we grab onto those things and add our work and determination, life blossoms. Publishing is one way in which that has happened for me, and I marvel at that all the time.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR...Josi Kilpack’s first LDS novel was published in 2000 and has since been followed by 6 additional LDS titles. Her seventh novel, Sheep’s Clothing, won The Whitney Award for Mystery and Suspense in 2007. LEMON TART, the first book in Josi’s new Sadie Hoffmiller culinary mystery series released January 2009; book two, ENGLISH TRIFLE was released in August 2009 and the third book, DEVIL’S FOOD CAKE will be out in Spring 2010. In addition to her writing, Josi enjoys reading, baking, traveling, and snuggling with her sweetheart, Lee. They now live in Willard, Utah with their four kids, a dog, and a varying number of chickens.
The Highlander’s Sword, Amanda Forester – Author Interview
TITLE: The Highlander's Sword
AUTHOR: Amanda Forester
PUBLISHER: SourceBooks Casablanca
PUBLICATION DATE: March 2, 2010
PAGES: 352
GENRE: Fiction, Historical Romance
A quiet, flame-haired beauty with secrets of her own...
Lady Aila Graham is destined for the convent, until her brother's death leaves her an heiress. Soon she is caught between hastily arranged marriage with a Highland warrior, the Abbot's insistence that she take her vows, the Scottish Laird who kidnaps her, and the traitor from within who betrays them all.
She's nothing he expected and everything he really needs...
Padyn MacLaren, a battled-hardened knight, returns home to the Highlands after years of fighting the English in France. MacLaren bears the physical scars of battle, but it is the deeper wounds of betrayal that have rocked his faith. Arriving with only a band of war-weary knights, MacLaren finds his land pillaged and his clan scattered. Determined to restore his clan, he sees Aila's fortune as the answer to his problems...but maybe it's the woman herself.
FROM THE BOOK FAERY REVIEWS...My review will come out later this month but so far the book's got me interested. In the meantime, I wanted to share with you all my interview with the author, Amanda Forester. Feel free to ask her a question while you're hear as she should be stopping by later to say hello.
How did you come up with the idea for The Highlander's Sword?
I've always had storylines floating around in my head. The challenge for me is to place my basic idea for a love story into the historical setting. Of course that requires lots of research, which is a lot of fun!
Who was your favorite character and why?
It's hard to pick a favorite character - I love all my children! I identified with my heroine, I fell in love with my hero, but the funnest character to write was Chaumont, a knight errant, who mocked my hero whenever he took himself too seriously.
What was the most challenging part of writing The Highlander's Sword?
The begining. I must have revised the start of my novel so many times I've lost track. In my first version, I had several chapters that provided what I now regard as back story. With every subsequent version, more got cut off the beginning, until about four chapters had been left on the cutting room floor. It was hard to do, but now the story starts when my hero and heroine meet and the pace moves much faster!
Who or which authors inspired you to become a writer?
I have loved Jane Austen since I first read her in junior high. I still have that original paperback that started my love of historical fiction. More recently, I went to a writers conference where I met so many great authors who were tremendously encouraging. Historical romance author Gerri Russell went out of her way to help me and Cherry Adair sponsored a "Write the Damn Book" challenge, which was the incentive and motivation I needed to write that darn book!
How long have you been writing and what advice do you give aspiring authors?
Though I have always had story lines floating around in my head, I never gave myself permission to write them down until a few years ago. For me, I needed to let go of being afraid of what others might think of me and be willing to put myself out there and be true to myself and my story. For aspiring authors I encourage you to try to shake off that internal critic and give yourself the freedom of finding your true, unique voice.
What does your personal library look like?
I have books everywhere in my house. Bookcases tend to get shoved on any spare wall or corner. My husband and I have a lot of differences in what we like to read (oddly my husband is not into romance novels like me!) but the one thing we agree on is our love for history.
When you're not writing, what are you doing? Family? Other work? Hobbies?
I am a mommy of two and I work part time in addition. The combination keeps me very busy! After taking care of the kids, going to work, and writing in the evenings, my main hobby right now is sleeping - I hope to do a little more of it some time in the future!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR...Amanda Forester holds a PhD in psychology and worked for many years in academia before discovering that writing historical romance novels was way more fun. She lives in the Pacific Northwest outside Tacoma, Washington with her husband, two energetic children, and one lazy dog. You can visit her at www.amandaforester.com.
Breakfast In Bed, Robin Kaye – Author Interview & Book Giveaway
Rich, the epitome of "anti-domestic," can't cook to save his life, and his idea of cleaning his apartment is to invite his mother over. But he's ready to settle down, and he can't stop thinking about the ex-girlfriend who got away. When he notices that his soon-to-be-married friends cooked and cleaned their way into their women's hearts, he asks his friend Becca to help transform him into a nurturing man to win back his ex. Rich is the only guy who's taken the time to know Becca for herself. She decides she'll give him the makeover he's asking for, though she'll be damned if she's going to turn him into a domestic god for another woman. She wants Rich for herself, but how can she convince him that her kitchen and her bedroom are the only domestic locales he desires?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR...Award-winning author Robin Kaye is a professional writer and winner of the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart award for her first novel, Romeo, Romeo. Once it was published, Romeo, Romeo won the 2008 Best Contemporary itRom (Italian Romance) Award by Romance B(u)y the Book, the 2009 HOLT Medallion Contest First Place Winner for Best Romantic Comedy and the 2009 NJRW Golden Leaf Award Winner for Best Single Title. Her romantic comedies feature sexy, nurturing heroes and feisty, independent heroines. She lives with her husband and three children in Mt. Airy, Maryland. For more information, please visit http://www.robinkayewrites.com/. - FROM HACHETTE BOOKS
AUTHOR INTERVIEW...Thank you Robin for taking the time out of your busy schedule to sit down with The Book Faery Reviews for an interview about your latest novel Breakfast In Bed.
THE BOOK FAERY REVIEWS: What got you into writing romance?
ROBIN KAYE: I never read romance before 2000. I used to read all my father’s books and grew up reading Sydney Sheldon, Harold Robbins, Wilbur Smith, Robert Ludlum and the like. One day my sister in law gave me Bridget Jones’ Diary. Then I got hooked on Jane Austen and started writing fan fiction. After about three chapters, I went off on my own. I learned it’s much easier to make up your own plot. Once I finished the tome, I never looked back. I took an on-line class on point of view (which I desperately needed) and began writing my first book, Romeo, Romeo.
TBFR: What was your inspiration behind your novel Breakfast In Bed?
RK:I’m from an Italian family and it always bothered me that the boys got off scott-free when it came to cooking and cleaning. They were usually treated like little princes. Many of them grew up expecting everyone to take care of them, and for the most part, they got their way. The last thing I wanted was someone who needed to be taken care of, so I always steered clear of those guys and wondered who would want to marry a man like that?
When I wrote Romeo, Romeo and Too Hot to Handle, Richie, the heroine’s brother was an Italian prince. It wasn’t his fault, it’s just the way he was raised. When he is dumped by his girlfriend because she doesn’t think he is “marriage material,” he decides to learn to be a Domestic God. He just needs a coach. Enter Becca, she agrees to coach him and then the sparks start to fly.
TBFR: Who was your favorite character to write and why?
RK: That’s not fair! It’s like asking me which of my children is my favorite. I can’t say I have a favorite but I can say that I think the characters I have the most fun writing are the secondary characters like Vinny or Aunt Rose. They provide a lot of the humor and those two just crack me up.
TBFR: If Breakfast In Bed was being discussed by a book club, or a few friends meeting over coffee, what about the book do you think would drive the most discussion? (a particular character, event, theme)?
RK: Everyone usually starts talking about Rich’s antics while trying to learn to cook and clean. All were mistakes I’ve either heard about or experienced. Though I did have to call my friend who trains Maytag repairmen to ask how one starts a fire in the dryer.
TBFR: Are you currently reading anything right now? What is it? Do you have any favorite authors?
RK: I’m reading Libby Malin’s book, My Own Personal Soap Opera and I’m really enjoying it. As for my favorite authors, there are soooo many. I hate this because I always forget someone so here’s a short list… Louis Nizer, CS Lewis, Jane Austen, Richard Adams, Barbara Samuel, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Susan Donovan, Rachel Gibson, Maureen Child, Susan Mallery, Elizabeth Hoyt, Jennifer Crusie, Suzanne Brockmann…the list goes on and is a really long one.
For more about Robin Kaye and her books, you can find her at:
OFFICIAL WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK
NOW THE GIVEAWAY...Thanks to SourceBooks, The Book Faery Reviews is giving away 1 set of the Domestic God Trilogy (Romeo, Romeo, Too Hot to Handle and Breakfast in Bed).
MAIN RULE – Be an e-mail or RSS subscriber AND tell me in the comment section “WHAT DOMESTIC ABILITY ALL MEN SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO”. (if this rule is not followed then no others will count )
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Giveaway is open to U.S./Canada residents only that do NOT have PO Boxes. This giveaway will run now through midnight on January 30th, with winner being announced February 1st. Winner will be chosen using Random.org from all valid entries and notified via email. Winners will have 48 hours to contact me before another winner is chosen. Please check your emails AND your spam folders for an email from me if you are a winner.
Author Interview with Mutiya Vision (The Land of Expression)
Thank you David and Mutiya Vision for giving me the pleasure of reviewing your book The Land of Expression and taking the time out for an interview. For those who have not yet read the review, you can read it here and get a chance for your very own copy (if it's BEFORE 12/14/09). Now the interview...
AUTHOR INTERVIEW...
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you became a children's book author.
Well, I didn't set out to become a children's book author, it's something I developed into. As a child, I lived through some chaotic challenging times, and experienced things that I was powerless to control or prevent and as a result I spent a lot of time escaping into the mind field of imagination. Writing for me became my release. It was my best friend, a life saver. I could weave my pain into beautiful poems or stories that could have me believing I spent a summer vacation on the Nile during the course of a weekend at home. As I grew older and began to share my stories, I learned my writing had the ability to take people on a journey and move them feel things. With the stroke of a pen, my words could make them laugh or cry, or do both at the same time. What an awesome power for a child to realize they possess. That's when I believe writing became my passion. When I became an adult, I remember using my writing to dabble in stand-up comedy and later in open mike's at spoken word events. I had poems that were selected to be published in anthologies and won some contests as well. Somewhere in the course of things I graduated from college with a Bachelor's degree in Business and I met my husband David.
Now I knew from the moment I met him that he was an extraordinary spirit. He was charming, witty and had the mechanics of a great mind, like a philosopher. But shortly before I met him he had experienced a tragic, life changing event that turned his world upside down and inside out. He was hit by an armored truck that obliterated the car he was and unfortunately he was left with permanent injuries, and in permanent pain. So, he was in the process of self-evaluation and picking up the pieces of his life, trying to rearrange them so his life would still be meaningful and productive.
He had two wonderful daughters, and was confined to bed for long periods at a time. Since he couldn't do the physical activities he used to enjoy with them, he would bond with Vina and Corin by entertaining them with two things the accident didn't take from him, which were his imagination and his oratory skills. He'd sing made up songs that required everybody to participate, and he'd weave electric stories off the top of his head about everything you could imagine. And he'd tell them with so much drama that everyone, including me captivated and hanging on his every word. Anyone who knows a child can appreciate the skill level it took to entertain a two and nine year old child for an entire weekend from the confines of a bed. So that's when I discovered breath of his talent for creating.
Later when we married, I remember us having intense conversations about all aspects of life that would inspire him to write a piece about the topic and me to write my own version. Somewhere between sharing them, we developed an appreciation and respect for each others talents. I think that's when it dawned on us that if we collaborated, we could create transformative works that would use our gifts to enrich the lives of children, families and the world at large. And that's what we set out to do. Fourteen years later, we are parents to seven children and, the authors of 10 children's books. We just found out our book "My Choices Make Me Who I Am" won the National Best Book 2009 award in the children's Educational category. That's it in a nutshell.
Tell us about your current book. Give a short summary; tell us about your publisher, and also how you got the idea for this book.
The Land of Expression is our latest book. The setting is an imaginary world called The Land of Expression. It utilizes colors to illustrate how we are each important in creating the landscape that is our world.
Black is the main character who is bullied and excluded because the other colors of the rainbow don't know how to blend with him. As a result of their rejection, Black finds himself in a world where there is no place his beauty is welcomed or respected. Just as he is being overwhelmed by sadness, he is rescued by Mother Father Creator. The solution throws the Land of Expression into a tailspin until everyone finally realizes that each of them have unique gifts necessary to the survival of their world. In the end everyone learns to honor and recognize the good in each other.
As far as publishing, I never had an interest in pursuing the traditional route of seeking a publisher. I believed in the power of what we had to offer and didn't want to waste a moment trying to convince an established publisher to add it to their catalog. I was an implementer. I had an entrepreneurial spirit, and a problem solving mind. Since I'd spent a life-time bridging the world of reality and imagination, I felt empowered to work backward by taking a dream and bringing it to life. That's when Vision Works Publishing was born. It became the foundation to launch books that tackle issues relevant to children, dealing with self esteem, adapting to life's challenges, overcoming disabilities, the benefits and rewards of perseverance, the necessity of tolerance, coping with bereavement and the toxic effects of bullying. 20,000 sales later Vision Works Publishing is growing, and continues to be a rich resource complementing homes, schools, and institutions throughout the world.
What is a typical writing day like for you?
It varies, as a writer and publisher I wear both the creative and business hat and spend my time navigating the two worlds which require different skill sets. As a mother with 5 children at home, I tend to write during solitary moments like in the wee hours of the night and day. If I do not feel compelled to write, I try never to force myself. I tend to do my best writing early in the morning after an idea has simmered overnight. Sometimes ideas comes to mind and I spend hours pouring them into the computer or on a notepad, or napkin or whatever I can find to write on when the moment of inspiration hits. When I'm not swimming in new ideas, I go into the story basket and develop ideas from other moments of inspiration.
What do you enjoy most about writing for children?
I enjoy the sheer honesty of their reaction. Whether you watch a child engaged in reading your book or you are reading to them - you know immediately whether you hit the mark. They don't tend to stick with a book past a few words or pages if you don't have something that captures their attention and imagination. I love that children finish our books over, and over again. I love it when children let us know how our stories made them feel good inside. I love when parents tell me our books have been a favorite bedtime choice for the past year. I love when teachers tell us how our books sparked in depth conversations in class about important social issues, or how our book helped a child work through an issue or tough time. That's when I know we've done our job. Making sure the story is relevant and doesn't talk down to children.
What is the most difficult part of writing for children?
It begins when you conceive a story, and create the cover. When the book is produced the work really begins. We acquire reviews for marketing material, collect contact information and e-mails for e-blast campaigns, conduct blog tours, book tours, award campaigns, National book event promotions, author appearances, and book signings. We creating lesson plans, author workshops, and direct market to schools / child based organizations. We use book marks, posters, postcards, target media campaigns, radio and TV interviews, press kits, our distributor and our website to get the word out. The most important thing about marketing is to remember to follow every lead and follow up, follow up, follow up!
Do you make school visits? If so, please describe a typical school presentation.
Yes, one of my favorite parts of writing children's books is the platform it gives me to connect with our intended audience. My presentations are usually a 45 minute marathon that centers around themes relating to our books and topics schools may wish me to address with their students. It is an exciting journey of story telling, an activity and conversation about the world and the power children have to impact their destinies in a positive way. The workshops are designed to empowering students to move through life with greater confidence, help them find their purpose and use their talents to make the world a better place. I inspire children to pursue their dreams and understand the importance of evolving into a greater version of themselves. There is "share time" where students get to share their activity with the group. At the end we have a "hot seat segment" where students can ask me any school appropriate question.
What are you working on right now?
I'm working on an auto-biographical children's book entitled "Little Arm & Me". It's a story about a very handy and capable girl born with one hand. It reflects her journey to maintain her dignity while finding her place in a world that that sees her as disabled and incomplete. In the end she realizes that she cannot let the world's limited perception influence how she sees herself. As she overcomes adversity, she learns to love herself for the masterpiece she was created to be. Since she was created to be highly visible she decides to be an inspiration to others by living a life filled with compassion and accomplishment.
What is your best tip for aspiring children's book authors?
Aspire to live the fullest life possible and be an interesting person. I think it adds depth to ones writing and enhances the passion of your story. Also I'd say to remember to write from your heart about things that move you. I think it adds a sincerity that will help more readers relate or connect to what you're trying to share.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS...David & Mutiya Vision are parents of seven children. Their experiences have led them to produce a series of empowering children's books and character building workshops. They're designed to entertain, raise the human spirit and strengthen mental development in children of all ages. They are the authors of 10 children's books. For additional information, please visit: www.VisionWorksPub.com.
Thunder and Blood, Stacey Voss: Interview & Giveaway
When Sarah Ingram and her sister Christine left Thunder Bay on a chilly November afternoon, they thought that they were going on a weekend getaway, leaving their problems behind. What they didn't realize was that they would end up in a world that was, in many ways, very different from their own, but in others eerily familiar. Separated almost at once, the two women found themselves struggling to come to terms with the reality of their situation. How could they tell friend from foe? How did this world become so different from the one they knew? Was it possible that there could be more to the vampire stories from their own world than simple myth? - FROM THE BOOK BACK
AUTHOR INTERVIEW...
Which author(s) inspired you to write your particular genre growing up?
I read a lot of Anne Rice in the past. I haven’t actually read a tonne of vampire books, but I did read Twilight last fall. When I wrote Thunder and Blood I think that the vampires just came to me as something that went well with the fog. I read a lot of different genres and authors, depending on my mood and the season. What I really love is when I find an author that I like who has a lot of books out (especially series) so that I can collect and read them all. Right now I have full collections of Dean Koontz, Orson Scott Card, Robert Jordan, Patricia Cornwell, and a few others.
How did you come up with the idea for Thunder and Blood and how long did it take you to complete it start to finish?
I first came up with the idea when I was a teenager, driving the back roads around Thunder Bay, probably thinking about boys at the time. I drove into this incredibly thick fog which was exactly the same as that described in my book. At the time I was terrified that I would go off the road or be hit by oncoming traffic, but after I got home I thought about how cool it was. It stuck with me and became my inspiration for Thunder and Blood.
I had a false start writing the book when I was about 24, and that draft was lost during my move to Germany when I was 30. In November 2007, I decided to participate in Nanowrimo and used that idea to fulfill the 50,000 word in 30 days requirement for the challenge. So the writing took me 30 days. I didn’t pick it up again or even read it at all for almost a year, then I edited it over about five months. So the answer to your question could be anywhere from 30 days to 10 years.
Are you a full time novelist or do you wear another "hat" during the day?
I’ve had to stop working due to some health issues, so I’ve been staying home and just doing novel stuff for the last three month. Before that I was a teacher. I taught English in Germany and Computers/Business here in Canada. Writing has quickly grown into a full-time job for me lately, although I’m sure glad my husband has a fantastic job because it sure doesn’t pay like a full-time job.
Do you have a special writing area where you write your stories or do you write anywhere?
I generally write at my desk, but I take a notebook with me wherever I go when I’m working on a book. That way, if I have a free moment, or an instant of inspiration, I can write by hand.
Are you currently writing anything right now and can we get a sneak peek?
Right now I’m just finishing up a short story that takes place just before Thunder and Blood and will tie in with both Thunder and Blood and its sequel, Thunder and Ice. I’m not done writing Thunder and Ice yet, but will start working on it on November 1st, for the 2009 Nanowrimo challenge. This year I’m planning to do 75,000 words in 30 days. It should be interesting and definitely challenging, as I’ll still be on my tour at that time.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR...Stacey Voss was born and raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. She wrote Thunder and Blood while living with her family in Wuppertal, Germany. The story takes place in her hometown of Thunder Bay, reflecting Stacey's yearning to feel close to her roots once again. At the end of 2008, she and her husband (along with her eleven-year-old daughter and two cats) decided to move back to Thunder Bay permanently.
CHECK OUT STACEY VOSS HERE:
Twitter * Facebook Group * Facebook Fan Page
Goodreads * Shelfari * MySpace
Gather * Cafe Press Store
THE BOOK FAERY REVIEWS...Thank you Stacey for taking the time out to spend time with us at The Book Faery Reviews!
To the readers...The Book Faery Reviews is giving away ONE copy of Thunder and Blood. Stacey Voss is hanging around today to answer any questions you may have for her. For your FIRST entry, please leave her a question that you would like to know of her and/or her book Thunder and Blood.
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This giveaway will run til October 31st and announcing the winner November 1st.
Your Family Constitution, Scott Gale: Author Interview 8.20.09
![bookcover[1]](http://tbfreviews.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/bookcover1.JPG "bookcover[1]")
Today Scott Gale, author of Your Family Constitution: A Modern Approach to Family Values and Household Structures is being interviewed at The Book Faery Reviews. You can also see his guest post at Wife and Mom of 3 where he talks about how you can tell if your family is out of control and what you can do to fix it.
Thanks Scott for taking the time out to talk with our readers. Now on to the interview..................................
It seems like, from looking at your Web site, that your book focuses on some big-picture values for families. Do you think it's easy for parents/families to fall into familiar habits and to lose sight of the big-picture values they want to stand for?
The book focuses on how parents can identify their own big picture values and then translate those values into effective boundaries and structure. Parents and families are so busy, and our culture moves so fast, that often they don’t take the time to step back and truly understand themselves and create a vision for their family.
If they are getting by without significant problems, then they apply the “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it” strategy. The fallacy of this strategy (or lack thereof) is that taking the time to focus on what is truly important saves time, reduces frustration and creates a proactive approach to your child’s development. We all have an idea of what kind of adults we’d like our kids to become...they key is tapping that information and using it shape their development.
What is the most common pitfall you see that leads to problems in families?
The most common pitfall that leads to problems in families is the tendency to focus on the “irritants” rather than the underlying problems. For instance, I argued incessantly with my oldest son about getting to bed, getting outside instead of playing video games, and taking responsibility to do chores. I grew increasingly frustrated as I tried different approaches to fix these problems. What I ultimately realized that these issues were symptoms of greater problems, lack of clarity and consistency. Once I figured that out and created our Family Constitution to help clarify expectations, boundaries, rewards and consequences, the bickering over the irritants faded because everyone in my family knew the consequences of their actions, good or bad. As the arguments disappeared, emotional boundaries came down and we were finally able to spiral in the right direction.
How did your own family's experiences lead you to writing this book?
My family’s experiences inspired me to create our Family Constitution out of sheer necessity. My wife and I had no clear vision and we struggled to stay on top of things. My kids were frustrated and confused because our rules were reactive and subject to change based on circumstance. We needed clarity and consistency in our lives, but I never knew how to achieve that.
Then one day I took the Constitution template from my fantasy football league and modified it to create clear structure in our everyday lives and family interactions. It worked well and many of my friends commented on how much they liked the concept, so I decided to share it through this book.
You mention overlooked signs that your family is going out of control — what are those, and is it difficult to judge? A lot of people feel, at any given moment, things might be a little out of control, I suppose.
Every family is going to fit the description of “out of control” at certain moments, but there are definite signs of more chronic challenges with control. The first is that there is no identified plan or vision. Once parents hit the point where they are simply reacting and trying to keep up without clear direction, it is very difficult to regain control without focused effort. The reason is that life inevitably speeds up, instead of slows down like we all think will happen. If we don’t take the time to think through our approach, the tendency to simply react to external forces takes over.
The second sign is that negative emotion begins to interfere with everyday interactions. If people continually argue, they fall into a defensive stance, paving the way for further argument. My son and I argued all the time because I was frustrated that he wouldn’t take responsibility, while he was frustrated because he felt like I was picking on him. The wild card was that I had never communicated my expectations clearly, so we went round and round in circles until our mutual desire to have a good relationship became hidden behind emotional barriers.
The third sign is that a family repeatedly has communication failures. Once again, all families will have some communication challenges, but it is a continual pattern that is most concerning. When people struggle to communicate, the natural reaction is to stop sharing feelings and ideas. This leads to poor coordination and lack of expectations. Perhaps the single most important change we made was incorporating a regular family meeting into our lives. This gives us a forum to talk about issues, coordinate our efforts, lay down expectations and monitor our success.
The final sign is a little bit more difficult to judge, as it requires true introspection. This sign is a significant gap between our actions and our priorities. I worked very long hours to try to provide for my family, but my emotional availability to my family was suffering. Until I spent the time to examine myself, I never realized there was such contradiction. Introspection is hard, but if a parent follows the path that I lay out in my book, they should be able to assess how well-aligned they are with their priorities.
The idea of "Your Family Constitution" seems to imply having rules ahead of incidents, as opposed to figuring out what to do afterward. Is that accurate? And how much is that a family-by-family basis, as far as what should be included?
Yes, anticipating issues and resolving them with structure before they become problems is the essence of Your Family Constitution. We make better decisions when the emotion of a crisis is absent. Looking forward allows a family to openly and honestly discuss concerns and objectives. Parents and kids can work together to use that information to guide behaviour and choices through clear boundaries, rewards and consequences.
The specific issues and resolutions are definitely going to vary from family-to-family, but the process will be very much the same. If a family has a regular forum to discuss issues and ideas, they can use those meetings to sort out most problems. Larger issues, often associated with teens, such as driving, dating, and paying for college, require more thought and discussion. Fortunately, we most often know when these issues are approaching and can focus on them early. I suggest pulling out the calendar with the family at least once a year to identify the big issues on the horizon. Once the issues are identified, schedule some time to talk when you won’t be interrupted. With proper discussion, resolution to any problem is possible.
Do you think the role of the father is changing over time? If so, how?
The role of the father is definitely changing. In the past, our role was “bread winner” and disciplinarian. Now, fathers play a much more prominent role in day-to-day activities at home (if we allow ourselves to). This boosts our job as role model and gives us more opportunity to interact and make a pronounced impact on how our kids develop.
How important is it for parents to find a balance between their own personal needs and wants and that of their children? How does someone even go about that?
This is the million-dollar question. Don’t forget to throw in career needs into that mix of competing influences. For years I fell into the trap that so many parents do, distributing attention according to which fire is hottest. The problem is that career needs were always most urgent, followed by family, then by personal. This left me as a very busy worker who rarely found personal time to re-charge. This charge to urgency reduced my effectiveness in all of my roles.
Parents need to step back and take time to prioritize, coordinate efforts, and communicate. When these three elements come together, parents can spend their time in accordance with importance rather than urgency. Parents who are organized, knowledgeable of and aligned with their priorities, and revitalized by pursuit of some personal interest will be much more balanced and prepared to deal with the many challenges of parenthood.
How much do you think "family life" changes depending on geography of the U.S.? Do you think expectations/norms are different in California than they would be in the Midwest?
Geography plays a huge role in our development, but not in our effectiveness as parents and families. California has a different culture then the Midwest. Our interests, pace-of–life and even the approach to relationships is different. However, the one thing that is universal is that we are all guided by the human spirit and all want to raise great kids to carry the torch through the next generation. The exercises of understanding ourselves, communicating effectively with our family members, and planning for the future translate into improved family relationships and better quality of life, regardless of what region that life takes place in.
What do you think is the biggest danger or challenge for families today? Do you see that changing in the next few decades?
The biggest danger I see is the pace of “progress.” I have seen the generation gap grow the technological advances during the 20-30 years between generations has grown exponentially. As a parent, there are too many things in cyber space to worry about, so I have to try and instil the fundamental values early on and hope that my kids carry them through. I simply can’t police everything they do...and don’t want to.
During the coming decades, I see the pace continuing to ramp up. The transfer of value sets and good sense from mom and dad to their kids will become even more important. As a society, we can’t afford to let kids exist in an isolated bubble playing video games and watching YouTube. My kids will have to actively seek to engage with my grandkids and introduce them to active pastimes. They’ll have to fend off evermore seductive video games and passive uses of time.
How consistent are you in following your own advice? Do you catch your author side sometimes at odds with your practical fatherly side?
I will be the first to tell you my family is far from perfect. We have made tremendous progress, but still have a long way to go (and always will). I’ve come to the realization that satisfaction as a parent and a person is about improvement, not perfection. If my family is getting better, I am happy.
I definitely sometimes have trouble following my own advice. But, I always do follow a couple of important pieces that I discuss in the last chapter... “Make the effort” and “Have realistic expectations.” If I find myself or my family straying from our rules, I accept it and then try to fix it, rather than deem it a failed experiment and give up. Again, we are not pursuing perfection; we are just trying to steadily improve.
Is there anything else you want to add that I didn't ask about?
The only other thing that I would add is that the process of building structure around your values takes time and effort. If anyone is looking for a “quick fix,” I’ll save them the effort and let them know that there are no sustainable “quick fixes” when it come s to family. Family is such a blessing, it is worth the effort to do it right.
Also, if any of your readers would like to create their own Family Constitutions, I have an online template and coaching services to help them achieve their goals. They can visit www.yourfamilyconstitution.com for details.
THE BOOK FAERY REVIEWS...Thanks again Scott for taking the time out to share with us. I personally am going to change my approach when it comes to the kids. The book was an eye opener for me and it was so easy and quick to read. Be sure to stop at his site because it has a lot of good information!
READERS...Scott Gale is letting me give away a copy of his book Your Family Constitution. Leave a comment telling me that you want to reconnect with your kids and/or how important family is to you with your e-mail address for 1 entry in. The giveaway ends 11:59pm Sunday, August 23rd.
To get additional entries, do the following and get 1 more entry for each:
1) Blog Giveaway or Post on Facebook
2) Tweet about it making sure you add @farrah1230
3) Become an e-mail and/or RSS subscriber
Norm Applegate, Blood Bar – Author Interview 6.09.09
I got the pleasure of interviewing Norm Applegate thanks to Pump Up Your Book Promotion virtual book tours this month. Blood Bar is Norm Applegate’s third book in his Kim Bennett series. You can visit his website at www.normanapplegate.com to check out all kinds of links to horror sites, authors, actors, and other good stuff.
Title: Blood Bar
Author: Norman Applegate
Paperback: 324 pages
Publisher: BLACK BED SHEETS BOOKS (January 31, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 098225301X
ISBN-13: 978-0982253014
Available: Amazon.com and on the Kindle
When and why did you begin writing?
Started writing in the 90’s while traveling to sharing my experiences with my wife. But began my first novel, Into the Basement in the mid 90’s. It took me a couple of years to get into the daily habit of writing, and reading everything I could about developing a story, it took awhile to find the zone
Always wanted to write a book, didn’t know how, thought it was beyond my capabilities, but while working in New Zealand it began. The hypnosis career changed my life, and realizing nothing is impossible, began writing short notes, tales, and just life experiences to my wife back in the States.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
That moment was when a few readers, strangers actually, people I had never met, sent me emails, or talked to me about something I wrote. The book was Into the Basement, abduction, torture, murder, the usual romantic stuff that makes you squeeze your thighs tight, warms your face, and blush sinfully. It surprised me, thrilled me to know people liked what I liked...I wasn’t alone from that point forward, my dark side had an outlet, freedom.
Do you have a specific writing style?
Yes, I have found my voice. I weave factual information into the plot. For instance, in Blood Bar, a vampire tale, the references, and murder descriptions to Jack the Ripper are all real, as are the unknown facts about the Brooklyn Bridge, did you know John Roebling the builder, died before the bridge was complete, tetanus, cut on something they believe, I think he was bit by a vampire. Let me show you what I mean, here’s an excerpt from Blood Bar
How did you come up with the title?
Blood Bar, A Vampire Tale...what the hell is a blood bar? Sounds creepy, but intriguing. The premise for Blood Bar, was what would happen if you found out you were turning into a vampire. Where else to be initiated but a bar. So I built the plot around my murder mystery sleuth and heroine Kim Bennett, she’s in my first two novels, murder at a bar for vamps, gothic dressed men and woman, and your basic role playing vampires, however it’s fertile ground for picking up fresh meat...if you like that sort of thing. Are you going ask if blood bar exists, I can’t disclose that here for fear of being arrested...blushing sinfully.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I’m lucky, I have a mentor, USA Today’s best selling author David Hagberg. My writing has improved because of his influence, if you haven’t read his works, do it now. He writes realistic CIA terrorist novels.
What are your current projects?
Just finished re-editing Into the Basement, was never happy with what my previous publisher did to it. Next is the screenplay to Basement, written by Nicholas Grabowsky and myself, we have a producer/distributer interested, and the movie is cast with Courtney Gains, then my next novel in the Kim Bennett series that I’m tentatively calling Black Sun Rising, is another vampire tale. You can go to www.intothebasementthemovie.com to read more about the cast, director J.L. Botelho, and see his trailer for Into the Basement...it’s wicked, prepare yourself, you don’t want little kids watching this, seriously don’t let your kids see this.
EXCERPT FROM BLOOD BAR...
The Grand Central book store of Manhattan was a seven day a week operation with study rooms along the outer wall for scholars and students researching the one of a kind gems that couldn’t be found anywhere else in the city.
It was eleven-fifteen in the morning as Kim followed the owner to the back of the building, and with Cheyenne staring at volumes of documents, sensed he was way out of his league in this world of academia.
“You should have called before showing up here,” Professor Albert T. Mortimer told Cheyenne. They walked down a narrow hallway out of sight from everyone and Kim felt her strength coming back.
Mortimer opened a door for Kim. “You look like you’ve been through hell. You might have considered dressing a little more appropriate, we take this place very serious.”
Not as serious as what I’ve been through,” Kim said and realized she did look like shit, bloody clothes, drained face, and barely smiling it’s not surprising she was getting the look from everyone.
Cheyenne immediately laid the document out on the table, switched on the overhead lamp, and turned to Mortimer. The large rectangular desk in the middle of the room now held something that few people had seen before.
Albert T. Mortimer eyed both of them and then backed away. “This is real or you both wouldn’t be here I take it.”
Kim nodded, he had her full attention.
Leaning over the Testament, Mortimer adjusted his glasses, securing their fit against his nose and raised his chin. “Have you seen the news in the past half hour?” Mortimer asked.
“Are we mentioned?” Kim said.
“You tell me, an Indian and a brunette are wanted for questioning about leaving the scene of an accident.”
“It was no accident. Are you going to help us or not?” Kim said.
Mortimer had read more about the vampire community than any other mortal before him. He had interviewed hundreds of people in search for the truth behind the folklore. Politicians, religious leaders, law enforcement and historians, if any one knew about the Black Testament it was Mortimer.
As Professor of Chemistry at Seton Hall University in New Jersey, Mortimer had spent the last 18 years researching ancient alchemy, related physics and their relationship to life after death, which explained his interest in vampires.
“What’s this seal at the top?” Kim pointed to a round imprint in the document.
Picking up a large jeweler’s loupe, Mortimer adjusted it to his right eye.
“It’s the Roman Emperor Domitian.”
“So, does it mean anything?” Kim asked.
“He is mentioned in the Apocalypse and is called The Beast.”
Kim studied the letters, and with her penchant for numbers and memorization, realized in the Greek Gematria A.KAI.DOMET.SEB.GE totals 666.
“You said the beast?”
Mortimer peered over his glasses, looked at Kim, nodded, and wasn’t quite sure where she was going with the question.
“Domitian was an interesting leader, infamous in his sexual exploits and he had a wife that participated.”
Kim smiled, “The Roman orgy, what year was that?”
Mortimer paused, “He ruled the Roman Empire between 69 and 96 AD,” and thought Kim was very quick to pick up on the sexual thing.
“It’s speculated that the Book of Revelation was written during his reign before he was murdered in a conspiracy. Interestingly, he believed in an astrological prediction that he would die around noon, and was always restless when the sun was at its fullest.
“The vampire fear of the sun,” Kim whispered. “Doesn’t the Book of Revelation suggest that 666 is the number of the beast?”
“And the Devil,” Mortimer said.
Kim couldn’t help herself, “It’s the sum of the squares of the first seven prime numbers, 22 + 32 +52 + 72 + 112 +132 +172 = 666.”
Mortimer shot a glance at Cheyenne, she was right, “It’s also a palindromic number.”
“True, pure symmetry the number remains the same when you reverse it.” Kim said.
Mortimer was having a newfound respect for Kim. “You’re a lot smarter than you appear,” he said
“Oh really, did you know if you sum all the numbers on a roulette wheel it totals 666, how about the first Apple computer sold was priced at $666.66?” Kim’s voice had a bite to it and Mortimer understood the shot she took at him was well deserved.
Cheyenne was silent. This number game was beyond his capabilities and he was surprised with Kim’s knowledge.
“Are we finished playing games?” Kim said.
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Mortimer went back to studying the document. “It’s real, the Black Testament. I never thought I would see it.”
“What can you tell us, any idea where the rest of it would be?” Kim asked.
Mortimer was doing something obvious to Kim, he was hesitating. He had seen a clue and wasn’t sure if it had meaning or not.
“What is it?” Kim pushed.
“Look here,” Mortimer pointed to the last date where the Testament was ripped. “Maybe it’s just a coincidence but there was a time capsule put in a supply chamber in the Brooklyn Bridge on that date.
“The Brooklyn Bridge?”
“Yes, inside the bridge are cathedral-like chambers. You could call them a vault or catacombs. The bridge engineer...”
“John Roebling,” Kim interrupted.
Again, Mortimer was taken by her knowledge. “Yes, he designed the space to be used as a vault for the national treasure.”
“Like London Bridge,” Kim said.
“Exactly, and today you can tour the towers.”
“How do we get there?” Kim turned to Cheyenne. “Subway or car?”
“Car, we drive over the Brooklyn Bridge, take the first exit which is Cadman Plaza West, and the entrance is under the overpass.
Mortimer looked at Kim, “I wish I could join you.”
“Sorry, this is serious work and you’re not dressed appropriately.”
Blood Bar - Amazon.com
You can read The Book Faery's review here.
Cherly Brooks, Outcast: The Cat Star Chronicles – Author Interview…5.28.09
"Sold into slavery in a harem, Lynx is a favorite because his feline gene gives him remarkable sexual powers. But after ten years, Lynx is exhausted. Thrown out without a penny, discarded and heartbroken, Lynx vows he'll never give a woman pleasure again. Then he meets Bonnie, who needs him and loves him. And she's determined to never give up until she brings his passion back to full power..." - FROM THE BOOK BACK
FROM THE BOOK FAERY REVIEWS...I have to admit, when I first got the book, I wasn't too sure about it but couldn't put it down! For not having read any of the previous books in the series, I didn't feel as if I was missing too much. I'm now going to have to pick up the others in the series. Talk about out of this world sex! But don't let that make you think that there's nothing more to it because you'll find yourself turning the pages anticipating love and hope. It will get your heart rate racing as you imagine the possibilities! Brooks will have you "purring" with delight as you read the 4th novel in The Cat Star Chronicles. Recently I had the pleasure of getting the inside scoop from Cheryl Brooks, author of The Star Chronicles. Hope you all enjoy today's interview as much as I did.
The Book Faery Reviews: What or who inspired you to write erotic sci-fi/fantasy? How did you come up with the idea behind The Cat Star Chronicles?
Cheryl Brooks: I was never happy with what I was finding to read. I wanted more erotic content and hated the way the door always seemed to be closed on the best part! The science fiction genre has appealed to me since I watched that first episode of Star Trek, but the action/adventure aspect was always the focus, and I wanted the focus to be on the romance. I'd written many contemporary romances over the years, but the idea of a sci-fi romance was always in the back of my mind. Then I read a story about a woman who had to pose as the slave to a dominant male, and I thought it would be so much more fun if the man was the slave. With that in mind, I began writing "The Rescue" and had tons of fun with it. I didn't think it would ever be published, but it was bought by the one and only publisher I sent it to, later being retitled The Cat Star Chronicles: Slave, which was published in April 2008.
TBFR: Of the books already out in The Cat Star Chronicles, who’s your favorite character so far?
That's very hard to answer because I've liked them all, and my opinion changes with each new character I write. However, since I started with Cat and Jack in Slave, they have to be the sentimental favorites.
What does your family think about your erotic story telling? It has to be a fun topic at family gatherings or perhaps the girls all come up with fun ideas to help you incorporate them into some of the stories?!
I'm something of the black sheep in my family; erotic stories are rarely heard from my sisters, and never from my husband's family. However, I get plenty of input from my friends!
TBFR: What’s your typical writing routine or day?
I check my email and blogs first and then check in on them periodically throughout the day while I write. Sometime in there I cook and eat three meals, take care of my horses and my family; the rest of the time I write, even after dinner when most folks are watching TV—which is one reason why I have no idea what's going on with the popular shows that everyone talks about!
TBFR: How long did it take you to write each of the books in the series? Have you completed The Cat Star Chronicles series and just releasing the books one at a time or are you still writing?
It's difficult to say how long it takes to write a book because I'm doing several things at one time. I work full-time as a nurse, plus there are revisions, edits, and promotions for the books that are finished. And no, the series is not completed! I'm still working on the fifth book, Fugitive, and have about a third of the sixth book, Hero, written. After I wrote Slave, I began writing a prequel to it, but had to rewrite it after discussing the series with my editor, who wanted five more in the series. That book became Warrior, and since then I have written Rogue, which was released in March, and Outcast which will be out in June. I tried to write one every three months, but found it to be impossible because the process becomes more complex with each book. A book every six months is the best I can do at this point.
TBFR: Any plans or projects in the near future you’d like to share with the readers?
The Cat Star Chronicles includes a total of six books, and I have signed for two other books after that; they may be part of the series, or they may be something completely different. I have several contemporary romances already written, and would like to publish some of them eventually, but that remains to be seen!
"Thanks for the interview, Book Faery!" - Cheryl Brooks< >< ><-->
Judi Fennel, In Over Her Head – Author Interview…05.25.09
He lives under the sea...Reel Tritone is the rebellious second son of the ruler of a vast undersea kingdom, and he's always been fascinated by humans...
She's terrified of the ocean...Marina owner Erica Peck would never go swimming willingly - but she's forced into the water and is nearly eaten by a shark. Luckily Reel is nearby to save her, and he discovers she's the woman he's been searching for...
Before she knows it, Erica is off with Reel on a wild underwater adventure to recover a stolen treasure, battle a jealous sea monster, and, of course, defy a death edict from the kingdom's high court. But even if they make it through their madcap mission alive, can they find a way to stay together when she hates the water and he can't survive on land? - FROM THE BOOK BACK
FROM THE BOOK FAERY REVIEWS...The first thing that comes to mind for me as I read In Over Her Head is the The Little Mermaid (keep in mind this was BEFORE I interviewed her to discover this was what she had in mind as well). But of course this version of The Little Mermaid is far too delicious for little ones. Reel is definitely THE fish under the sea that will have you panting and wishing you were in Erica's place discovering a beautiful underworld and braving the underwater sea monsters alongside a hot merman. Right from the first chapter Judi had me engaged and wondering how the next scene will take place. Not once was a disappointed or felt slowed down while reading. The imagination was delicious for this first time Mer reader. I'm looking forward to the next book in this new series with Reel's twin brother Rod.
Along with today's book review, thanks to SourceBooks, I had the wonderful opportunity to interview the In Over Her Head author, Judi Fennell, about her fantastic novel and I wanted to share it here with you all!
"Thanks so much for having me here to talk about my debut novel, In Over Her Head, which comes out June 1 from Sourcebooks." - Judi Fennell
The Book Faery Reviews: What was your inspiration to In Over Her Head?
Judi Fennell: I was working on a series of modern-day paranormal twists to fairy tales and I wanted to twist The Little Mermaid. It just so happened that when I was working on the story, I saw the movie Failure to Launch, which, aside from the blatantly nautical tie-in, had a hero that spoke to me (and Matthew McConaughey can speak to me any time he wants…) Put the two together, and voila! Reel Tritone, devil-may-care, ne’er-do-well with a heart of gold. Who happens to be a merman.
TBFR: How did you go about creating the characters and places? Are any of the characters or places you wrote about significant to you?
JF: The characters just sort of flowed (pun intended because it’s so darn easy) once I started writing. I had to get Erica in the water, so voila! Her sleazy ex-boyfriend Joey showed up. Reel needed a sidekick and Chum appeared in all his blabbermouth glory. An Oceanic Council? Check. The twin brother with the punny name (Rod)? Check. Three sisters with ocean-themed names? Check. Nasty sea monster? You got it. This one was so easy to write. As to significant characters/characteristics: the heroine, Erica, has my phobia of the ocean. Not the deep, and not the water, but what’s in the deep water. I should never have seen the movie, JAWS as a kid. But I did and even though I know it’s irrational, and I try not to let myself be guided by that fear, I am uncomfortable in the ocean. The good thing about this is it made writing about her fear, and her feelings when she wakes up under the sea, very easy and, I’m told, very real.
TBFR: Who was your favorite character to write?
JF: Honestly, I had a blast with every single one of them. From Reel’s smart-ass-ness, to Erica’s never-say-die attitude, to Chum the remora’s snark, and Great White Vincent’s bravada, Ernie the pelican’s no-nonsense practicality and his wife Amelia’s earthiness, this was a cast of fun characters.
TBFR: What was the most challenging part of writing the book?
JF: All the oceanic research and the fact that there’s absolutely NOTHING on the floor of the North Atlantic. And figuring out how to get them from the eastern coast of the US to Bermuda in a way that wouldn’t take days and days of swimming. Luckily, Google Earth exists to make my life easier.
TBFR: How long did it take to finish this novel?
JF: I’d dabbled with it here and there as I was involved with several online, American-Idol-like contests with another story, Beauty and The Best. When another contest was announced in mid-July and dozens of people who knew me from the other contests emailed me to please enter, I had a month to finish it. (I hadn’t planned on doing another contest, but when fans email you asking for you to, you do it.) I worked my tail off (yes, pun intended) and got it done in a month. Truly, this story wrote itself. Or, I guess I should say, the characters wrote it for me. And it was wonderful.
TBFR: If your book was being discussed by a book club, or a few friends meeting over coffee, what about the book do you think would drive the most discussion? (a particular character, event, theme)?
JF: Ha. This one’s easy because it’s the one question I consistently get: How do mermen have sex? (And my answer? I have a good imagination, and think of the mythology. Other than that, you don’t really expect me to spill those beans, do you?)
TBFR: Ok, can't help it, I just HAVE to ask the question every reader starts wondering when reading a good book. If your book was made into a movie, what actors/actresses would you like playing the main roles?
JF: If Matthew McConaughey passes (with Sandra Bullock or Kate Hudson), I could see Zac Efron, playing Reel, and Anne Hathaway playing Erica. The story would play for a mid-twenties or early thirties age (yes, I know Zac would have to “age” for that, but he’s got the perfect mien to play Reel.)
TBFR: Do you write during set hours of the day or do you write when the mood hits?
JF: I write ALL THE TIME. As I write this, it’s quarter to midnight and I have the original Dr. Dolittle playing on my DVR. This is after 8 hours of writing today, and another three or so of getting ready to go to an upcoming conference. This is my full time job. And I love it.
TBFR: When you're not writing one of your novels, what types of books do you most enjoy reading? Do you have any favorite authors?
JF: I enjoy anything that’s engaging. I love all genres of romance, I like to read non-fiction, especially books about the Tudors. Historical fiction, a la Philippa Gregory. I discovered Katie MacAlister when contest judges likened my voice to hers and I really enjoy her humor. I love Julia Quinn, most especially When He Was Wicked. That’s my favorite Bridgerton story. Jill Barnett wrote my favorite book ever: Bewitching. It’s right up my alley and it was a total fan-girl squealing moment when she gave me that wonderful cover quote for my third book, Catch of a Lifetime and the quote for my website.
TBFR: There are many today who've decided to pursue their writing dreams. Do you have any advice to those working on their first novels?
JF: Divorce yourself from your writing. Honestly. Once the story is out and you’ve poured your heart and soul into it, divorce yourself. Be willing to have others look at it for constructive criticism. Be open to it. Be willing to make changes. Work on craft. Publication is as much a business concern as it is a creative process. And a lightning strike of luck.
TBFR: Are you working on anything now you'd like to share with us?
JF: I’m finalizing edits for the next two books in the series. Wild Blue Under comes out in November and is about Reel’s brother Rod (yes, you’re supposed to chuckle. Or groan.) He’s The Heir to the Mer throne who has to go on land to bring back a Half-Mer princess. The problem is, she doesn’t know she’s half-Mer and the last thing she wants to do is head off halfway across the country with a stranger, to an ocean she’s allergic to. Deathly allergic.
Catch of a Lifetime comes out in February 2010 and is the story of one of Rod and Reel’s sisters, Angel. Angel is bound and determined to win the coveted directorship of the Mer-Human Relations Initiative and she’ll do anything to get it. Including coming onto land and pretending to be a Human. But when the Human she falls in love with finds out she’s got a tail, well, their world gets seriously rocked.
Thank you so much for having me, and I’d like to offer your readers the chance to win one of three romantic getaway beach weekends* by visiting my website to register: www.JudiFennell.com.
*Merman not included.
Amelia Grey, A Duke to Die For – Author Interview…4.20.09
"Responsibility is the last thing the carefree Duke of Blakewell is looking for when it arrives on his doorstep in the form of a beautiful young lady. In a sequence of unfortunate events, the guardianship of Miss Henrietta Tweed falls to Blake.
Blake doesn't know if he's irritated or impressed by Miss Tweed's boldness, but he can't be responsible for her. His feelings for the seductive and captivating Henrietta are far from what a guardian should feel for his ward. Finding it hard to resist his desire for her, Blake decides the only honorable thing he can do is find her a suitable husband.
Henrietta Tweed has been controlled by men since her parents died when she was a young girl. She's not interested in her roguish new guardian finding her a husband.
All of her previous five guardians have died, causing her to believe she is cursed. Not wanting the appealing Duke to die because of her, she tries to warn him off. Blake isn't one for superstitious nonsense, even though mysterious accidents are happening that put him in danger.
Blake considers possible suitors, but eventually rules them all out and concedes that Henrietta has captured his heart.
But has he pushed her away for too long?
Henrietta must find a way to escape the curse, and Blake, before he becomes the next "duke to die for.""...FROM THE AUTHOR SITE
FROM THE BOOK FAERY REVIEWS...I love a romance stories from the Regency period. The passion that comes with the romance when it's supposed to be "forbidden" since women are supposed to be innocent and men who entice are considered rakes and rogues. The stolen kisses and intimate touches when nobody seems to be around brings more heat to the story. The thing I like about romance is that even though we all know it ends the same where the boy gets the girl, the story in between is what makes it different. The curse that seems to follow Henrietta and her Guardians is what makes this one different while an older gentlemen is about to invest in a hot air balloon venture with a lady who wishes to turn riding hot air balloons into a traveling business. I've read many romance novels from the Regency period and several of Grey's novel's but I don't recall ever reading one about hot air balloons and curses. A Duke to Die For was a fast read filled with great passion. For the one who loves a good romance without too much passionate scenes, this one's for you. Not too tame yet not too wild...
Thanks to SourceBooks, I was able to snag a copy of A Duke To Die For AND
interview Amelia Grey on her novel.
INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR...
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Book Faery (BF): What was your inspiration to this book?
Amelia Grey (AG): I’ve been fascinated by the British since I was in grade school and the Beatles took America by storm. I love books set in Regency England, and I’m fascinated by the titled few. I wanted to write a trilogy so my first thought was that I’d make one a duke, one a marquis and one an earl, and was the start of The Rogues’ Dynasty, and it’s been great fun!
BF: How did you go about creating the characters and places? Are any of the characters or places you wrote about significant to you?
AG: Since I wanted 3 titled gentlemen, I had to make them cousins rather than brothers. And I had to make sure they were all different. So in the first book of the trilogy A Duke To Die For you’ll meet the Duke of Blakewell. Blake is a carefree, undisciplined rogue who doesn’t know anything about responsibility. And of course the first thing I did was to saddle him with tons of responsibility by making him the guardian of a lovely young lady.
BF: Who was your favorite character to write?
AG: My favorite character to write in A Duke To Die For was Sir Randolph Gibson, aka Gibby. I love it that older people feel free to say most anything that comes to their minds. Gibby is no exception. He adores the attention the cousins give him and never lets up on them.
BF: What was the most challenging part of writing the book?
AG: The biggest challenge for me in A Duke To Die For was trying to make sure I made everything as historically accurate as possible. It’s amazing at the little details that can get past you that someone will catch. It's always a struggle with Regency romances.
BF: How long did it take to finish this novel?
AG: It took me about 2 and a half months to write the first one hundred pages of A Duke To Die For because I was trying to get to know not only the hero and heroine but also the other two cousins who would have the second and third books in the trilogy, A Marquis To Marry and An Earl To Enchant. And at that point I knew Gibby would also be in all three books so I had to make sure I had all their characters firmly in mind. It then took me about 4 months to write the rest of A Duke To Die For.
BF: If your book was being discussed by a book club, or a few friends meeting over coffee, what about the book do you think would drive the most discussion? A particular character, event, theme?
AG: I’m thinking it might be the fact that my heroine thinks someone placed a curse on her. Some people believe in curses and some don’t so I would assume that would make for a lively discussion.
BF: If your book was made into a movie, what actors/actresses would you like playing the main roles?
AG: Well Prince William would be my first choice, but if he wouldn’t agree to step into acting shoes I’d settle for Robert Pattinson. He was to die for in Twilight and I’d have to choose Keira Knightley for Henrietta.
BF: Do you write during set hours of the day or do you write when the mood hits?
AG: I have set hours to write. I’m usually at the computer 5 days a week from about 9:30 to 4:30. I seldom work at night or on weekends.
BF: What types of books do you most enjoy reading? Who are your favorite authors?
AG: I am a devoted romance fan, and romances have always been my favorite books to read. I read all kinds of books except horror. I enjoy Sandra Brown, Amanda Quick, Jo Beverly, Mary Balogh, Joan Johnston, Kat Martin, Linda Lee, Stef Ann Holm, well the list goes on and on…
BF: Do you have any advice to those working on their first novels?
AG: Yes. Do not give up! If you really want to be a published author keep writing even if the rejections keep coming in. And don’t be afraid to send out your book once you’ve written it.
BF: Are you currently working on another novel and if so could you give us a sneak peek?
AG: Absolutely. I’ve already finished A Marquis To Marry and it will be out October 2009 and I’m working on An Earl To Enchant which will be out April 2010. I’ll enclose a short blurb about them.
A Marquis To Marry October 2009
Based on true events regarding five-strands of pearls, A Marquis To Marry is the story of Lord Raceworth, a man determined to find the thief who stole his grandmother’s pearls. The trail leads him to Susannah Brookfield who is searching for the pearls as well. She swears the elusive necklace belongs to her family, not his. Soon the two join forces to find the thief. But after a night of unexpected passion, Susannah wonders if the real danger lies with the thief, or in the arms of Lord Raceworth.
An Earl to Enchant April 2010
In An Earl to Enchant, Arianna Sweet has a secret. Her recently deceased father discovered a formula which could be the fabled fountain of youth. But because of suspicious circumstances surrounding her father’s death, Arianna is certain whoever killed her father is after her too.
For help, she turns to Lord Morgandale, the rake of London Society. After years of living on the edge of London’s underground intrigues, Lord Morgandale wants only to accept his title and live a quiet life at his country estate. But once Miss Sweet arrives, the notorious bad boy finds himself in the unaccustomed position of having to keep the enchanting innocent out of harm’s way.
Thanks again to SourceBooks for giving me the opportunity to interview Amelia Grey on her latest book.
Getting the privilege to interview a well known author is an absolute honor.
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