Top Selling Authors: Get To Know Them Better

Featured Interview With Paris Singer

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Brussels, Belgium, but was raised in southern Spain. Right now I live in Australia, but who knows in future (though it’ll probably be Spain). Cats seem to accompany me wherever I go.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
In my early years the adults told me I had to read, so I didn’t and detested the very idea. As soon as it wasn’t a theme, I began reading anything I could. Then, my first creative writing assignment occurred in English class. The very thought of creating my own story, my own world…It blew my mind and adrenaline surged through my body.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favourite writers I would say are Dean Koontz, Neil Gaiman, Oscar Wilde, Charles Dickens and Arthur Conan Doyle. But there are far more, I’m sure.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The Skull Collector is the dark story of a nameless little girl who loses her parents and is found and sold to a doll-maker. Shifty as he is, he tells her he will bring her parents back to her if she will collect skulls for him to use in his doll-making. She reluctantly agrees and sets off, with a strange little crow by her side, meeting dreadful people and bizarre monsters along the way, all the while trying to avoid the mysterious Violinist who is hell-bent on getting his hands on the skulls she collects.

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Paris Singer’s Website

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Featured Interview With Lou Silluzio

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My name is Lou Silluzio and I immigrated to Australia from Italy in 1957 when I was nine. I live in Melbourne with my beautiful wife, Roberta. I am a proud father of three and an even prouder grandfather of six.

Following a very successful career in building and real estate, a health scare convinced me to pursue my long-held dream of becoming a writer. I also wanted to leave a legacy for my grandchildren and so my children’s series was born.

I have written nine children’s books all based on the true-life adventures of my grandchildren. I hope my tales will impart life lessons for young readers.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve loved books for as long as I’ve been able to read! But I only began writing much, much later in life. As I’ve noted above, a health scare propelled me to pursue my dream of becoming a Children’s Book author. I also wanted to leave something for my grandchildren that was special and personal to them. What better way than to take a story from each of their lives and tell it in a picture book. I also wanted to make sure the stories had lessons in them that other children can learn from. For example, I have two grandchildren who had very different attitudes to dogs – one was terrified of them and one terrified them! I wrote written two books about their journeys to understanding dogs and becoming friends with them, one entitled ‘Felix and Jedi’ and one ‘Camillia and Chilli’. These two titles should be out by Christmas.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
At the moment, I’m reading ‘Fifty Great Short Stories’, compiled by Milton Crane. Some wonderful authors feature in this book including Hemingway, O’Hara, Steinbeck and Joyce to name a few. The writing is like eating the finest piece of dark, Belgian chocolate.

I draw inspiration from many authors but in particular an Australian Children’s Book author by the name of Anna Walker. She not only influenced me but also helped and guided me into the world of becoming a Children’s Book author.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I wrote the book ‘Max, The Boy Who Didn’t Believe in Christmas’ after my son told me a story about his son. He had decided that Santa Claus wasn’t real and was trying to convince his other siblings this was the case. He tried to stay up to catch the real Santa but I won’t reveal any more as I wouldn’t want to spoil the book! Suffice to say this delightful tale will help parents deal with the inevitable question ‘Is Santa real?’ in a thoughtful and inspiring way.

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Lou Silluzio’s Website

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Featured Interview With Iza MacLeod

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in Coventry/Warwickshire, UK, but later moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina to study Spanish. I lived in Argentina for over three years and I have also lived in the south of France (for eighteen months). I now live in Mallorca with my husband and dog, Jack, who I found on the streets of Buenos Aires in a remote neighbourhood, and who barked and growled when I was mugged by two men on a bike just two blocks from my house in Argentina. Apart from the mugging, Jack is as quiet as a mouse.
I’m a vegan. I don’t want to be different, or awkward, I just don’t wish to eat animals or for any of them to have to suffer to provide me with food, clothes, bags, accessories or cosmetics.
Returning to the subject of books, I’ve written two romantic fiction novels, Buenos Días Lucy London, which is largely set in Buenos Aires, and, Katie Cannes, which is mostly set in the south of France.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Thinking back to primary school, I loved reading and was a strong and interested reader.

I didn’t start writing until I was thirty-three. My career took me on another path, but an unplanned change in my circumstances, which can only be viewed as unfortunate, actually gave me the chance to write, and that’s when I discovered my passion for it. I knew from that moment that I will always write – I find great comfort in it, and it delights me when fans love my work – it spurs me on to produce more writing.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love reading romance and women’s fiction, particularly those set in foreign lands which teach us about other ways of life. Travel opens your mind, and if you don’t have the opportunity or means to travel literally, then travel literature’ly’. Really, I find escapism in books that take me on an adventure to a different country, and I don’t want to go to the tourist traps! Gregory David Roberts definitely takes you off the beaten track in Shantaram.

Tilly Bagshawe inspires me. I think she’s such a clever writer, and I aspire to be able to write like she does.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Buenos Días Lucy London is on price promotion until 14th November, 2015. Based on my experiences of learning Spanish in Argentina, it is a romantic fiction novel set largely in Argentina and England, but also takes you to a few other parts of the globe. Lucy London is twenty-seven, English and on on her travels, with little expectations. However, despite being headstrong and impulsive, she discovers that no matter where she goes in the world, love will have its way.

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Iza MacLeod Facebook Page

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Featured Interview With Olivia Howe

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Florida and raised in a small town in Maine. I own a book blog called Beautifully Broken Book Blog. I’m a book manager for several authors for Booktrope. I have five books published: Dark Love (Book 1 in The Dark Love Series), Seeing Red (Book 2 in The Dark Love Series), Killer (Episode 1 in The Killer Novella Series), Savage (Episode 2 in The Killer Novella Series), and Pretty Bird. I have TWO cats: Mimi and B.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve always kept a journal my whole life. I realized my love for writing in eighth grade English class. My teacher gave us an assignment to write a short story. I finished mine quickly and loved every second of it.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Favorite authors: Stephanie Meyer, Nicholas Sparks, Ella Emerson, Susan Ward, Amy L. Gale, and many more.
Favorite Genre: Romantic Suspense, Mystery.
Inspirations: My family, especially my three nieces: Melissa, Mariah, and Aubrey.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Pretty Bird

Kenna loses her forever, Derrick, in a tragic plane crash that kills everyone on board—150 people, including the love of her life. People keep calling her lucky, but she feels the opposite. Now she has to move on with her life without Derrick in it and no strategy for getting past this senseless tragedy.

Investigators tip her off that there may be more to the story… behind the crash, the menacing Company that controls people, and even her dead boyfriend.

When someone tries to kill Kenna again in her own home, she is shocked into action and starts to uncover the truth about the corruption and craziness around her, finding herself and her heart again in the process. They say that time heals all wounds. Kenna has a chance to find out if that is really true.

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Olivia Howe’s Website

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Featured Interview With John M. Daniel

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Minneapolis and spent most of my childhood in Dallas. In 1960 I went off to college in California, and there I discovered I was not a Texan. I’ve been a Californian ever since. I lived on the San Francisco Peninsula for twenty years, then in Santa Barbara for twenty years, and in Humboldt County for twelve years and counting. My wife and I live with a feisty princess tabby named Raney. What Raney says goes. She walked in out of the countryside and has taken over our hearts and most of our space.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I started on THe Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which remains one of my favorite books. It was the first book I ever read on my own. The first of many, many, as it turned out. When I was a teenager I discovered the author Richard Bissell. I decided I wanted to be Richard Bissell. Reading his hilarious yet thoughtful novels I knew I had to be a writer. I started writing stories in college and I’ve been a writer ever since, as well as a bookseller, an editor, a publisher, and a teacher of creative writing. I can’t decide whether I like writing better than reading, or vice versa.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
AS mentioned above, my favorite writer is Richard Bissell, even though he died long ago. I now like Richard Russo, Ann Pachett, Louise Erdrich, Geraldine Brooks, Elmore Leonard, Simon Mawer, Alice Hoffman, Jane Gardam, Timothy Hallinan… Don’t get me started. I read contemporary fiction, mostly, including mystery fiction. I write contemporary fiction, too, and my most successful books have been mystery novels, two of which–The Poet’s Funeral and Hooperman–earned starred reviews in Publishers Weekly.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My newest published book is The King’s Eye, available only as an ebook. It’s my first venture into fantasy fiction, and it’s inspired by David and Goliath, the Odyssey, and the Wizard of Oz, for starters. Here’s a brief synopsis: The kings and queens of the Farther Isles have gathered at the castle of High King Rohar, as they do every year on the Summer Solstice, to pledge their loyalty. But before the ceremony is over, the Giant Clobber from the Isle of the South Wind storms into the Great Hall, steals the High King’s crystal left eye right out of its socket, then disappears into the night. The High King offers to reward anyone who will slay the Giant and bring back the crystal eye. The reward: half of Rohar’s island kingdom and the hand of his daughter, Llanaa, in marriage. The only one to stand up to the challenge is Prince Frogge, a twelve-year-old boy from the Isle of Fens. Frogge finds a partner, Rodney Trapper the goatherd’s so–tall, strong, and seventeen–and together the lads set out on their quest: to sail to the Isle of the South Wind and to do battle with the Giant Clobber in the Meadow of Mayhem. It’s a fight no one believes they can win. Their adventures take a full year, during which they travel from Isle to Farther Isle, in a boat that sails by itself, guided mysteriously by the Stars. The King’s Eye is a story romantic and magical, full of love and death, heroes and scoundrels, bravery and cowardice, danger and high hopes. This tale will delight anyone old enough to read and young enough to believe that a goatherd’s son could win the heart of a princess. I know this book is fun to read, because it was so much fun to write. It took me a few months to write, and the trip was fabulous.

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John M. Daniel’s Website

Featured Interview With Shawnda Currie

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Well, I am a wife and a mother of two teen aged boys. I also work full time as a Resource Management Support Clerk. I grew up in Northern Ontario and after I was married I moved around with my husband to Alberta, Nova Scotia, and Manitoba. We currently live in Eastern Ontario.

I am a huge animal lover. Currently I have two cats and a dog. My kids always try to get me to go to the Humane Society because they know I won’t leave there without an animal! I would love to run an animal sanctuary.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
There is close to a nine year age gap between me and my younger brother, so I spent a lot of my time entertaining myself as single children can attest to. I read often during those years, and also played with imaginary friends to act out tales of fantasy and adventure. I was told on numerous occasions that I had a very active and vivid imagination. I took that as a compliment. I grew up during a period when we played outside, and where TV and video games were not the norm in every household. I took advantage of my local library and didn’t necessarily have a favorite author though I did read many V.C. Andrews novels as a teenager. I didn’t own a computer until I was in my twenties.

I always said I was going to write a novel one day but didn’t get serious about it until 2009 when I wrote the rough draft of book one of The Evolved Trilogy: Altered – Revelations of the Evolved. Because my husband and I moved around for work, I didn’t actually publish until 2012. The first book gave me the motivation to complete book two and three: Broken – Afflictions of the Evolved & Choices – Complications of the Evolved. Please check them out if you enjoy YA about time travel and psychic abilities.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love Alyson Noel and highly recommend The Immortals series and The Soul Seekers series. I tend to read young adult fiction since that’s the genre I write. There’s too many authors to list that inspire me but I do have a variety of authors on my bookshelves so I can appreciate different styles of writing.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Without giving too much away, I am working on a zombie novel. It focusses around a group of teenagers that experience firsthand the start of an outbreak. I thought it would be fun to start at the beginning of the end instead of just telling a story about surviving the aftermath.

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Shawnda Currie’s Website

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Featured Interview With Elisha Neubauer

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
The founder of European Geeks Publishing, Eleventh Hour Literary Press, and a self-proclaimed nerd – Elisha is obsessed with faeries, witches, science fiction, the paranormal, and all things Buffy the Vampire Slayer & Doctor Who.

Spending over a decade managing high volume businesses for others, Elisha decided to take a step back and focus on her own passions; leading her to open European Geeks Publishing and Eleventh Hour Literary Press. Elisha is an editor, reviewer, and freelance writer when not hard at work for European Geeks. Originally from the UK, Elisha now lives on a small family farm in Florida with her German husband and their three children, as well as an assortment of animals – peacocks, ducks, chickens, goats, pigs, and horses.

Her children’s book, Mr. Edmund Goat and the Elusive Clover, illustrated by Alyssa Savery, launched July 19th, 2015 and her fantasy novel, RED, is scheduled for late 2016

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve been obsessed with books since I learned to read. I began writing my name at the age of two and I just kept going from there.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I’m a scifi and fantasy reader at heart, but I’m also into period pieces as well. I’m pretty happy with any fictional book though. I’m a huge fan of epic storylines – that includes tv and movies. I’ve always been attracted to Doctor Who and Buffy the Vampire Slayer and other epic stories. I don’t like to give up a story, so with books and tv alike, I love when the story just keeps going and is multifaceted.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Mr. Edmund Goat and the Elusive Clover is a children’s picture book that teaches children about the value of friendships, while showing them that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence. The book was a collaboration between a close friend and I – she drew the pictures and I wrote the storyline. It took us approximately six months to complete the book in its entirety as she hand painted each picture in the book.

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Elisha Neubauer’s Website

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Featured Interview With Curtis Edmonds

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My name is Curtis Edmonds. I’m a lawyer by trade. I represent people with disabilities, most of them poor, most of them dependent on government services, and I try to convince government officials and insurance company lawyers that they ought to think before cutting off services to poor, needy people with disabilities. It is harder work than you think.

I am from the black-dirt suburbs around Dallas. We lived in a trailer park when I was little, on the outskirts of town. My dad was a preacher at a little country church just off the new interstate highway. He got tired of being poor and did something about it, and he and my mom got their master’s degrees in teaching and spent their careers teaching poor kids in work-study projects. I went to school and then to law school and decided to be a junior politician; that lasted ten years or so before I found out that I wasn’t quite up to taking the next step, whatever that was. I decamped from Texas and ended up in Atlanta, which was the style at the time.

I married a Jersey girl and now live in a red-dirt rural town north of Princeton. I drive to work every day on two-lane country roads through Garden State farmland, dodging Lance Armstrong wannabees on bicycles with twee little yellow windshirts. I have twin daughters that know that Daddy wrote some books, but not “Rainbow Fairy” books, so they’re not important.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’m not fascinated by books. Are fish fascinated by water? Books just are; I’ve always had something to read somewhere. Even when I was living in a basement apartment in Atlanta, eating ramen noodles and cold pizza, I had money for books, and when I didn’t have money, I went to the library. Books are a part of the ecosystem.

I got the idea for the first big project I wrote in 2001, right around the time of 9/11, although it didn’t have anything to do with 9/11, it was just a coincidence. I’d been writing movie reviews online for a few years, and was getting good at it, and I thought I could do something else for awhile. It was about baseball–the concept was that a modern-day player was getting close to breaking Joe DiMaggio’s hitting streak. It was a good book, or at least I thought so, but I couldn’t get it published and really it needed a lot of work that I couldn’t manage to do at that time. (You won’t ever get to read that one, sadly. I can’t even re-work it. I wrote the silly thing before the social media revolution, and social media totally permeates sports media now, so you’d have to tear it all down and build it back up again and that’s more work than I want to do.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
The first author I ever remember getting excited about was Tom Clancy–I loved that the stories took place over this huge canvas, using all this new technology and that the good guys always won. But most of the techno-thriller genre is played out, or else it’s dominated by people who can’t write that well, I transitioned into military historical fiction, mostly because of Patrick O’Brian, but I also love the Flashman series, and Hornblower, and of course anything Bernard Cornwell writes.

But the best writer living is Mark Helprin, and I’ll stand in my cowboy boots on Phillip Roth’s coffee table and say that.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
After my second book got rejected by literally every conceivable agent that could have rejected it, I decided to junk the idea of writing a novel and spend a little time writing short stories. I was able to get a few of them published on the McSweeney’s website, which cheered me up no end. What nobody tells you, though, is that once you start programming your mind to write that way, you kind of keep doing it. And McSweeney’s didn’t take everything I wrote (although I have a better hit rate than most people, or I think so). So I had a lot of short stories on my blog, and then when I put together my author website, I transitioned them over there.

So I was interviewing for this job–a job I was pretty confident I was going to get–and I got called in for a third interview, and the guy I was interviewing with started quoting me stuff I had written on my author website. Long story short: I didn’t get the job I wanted because this guy willfully misread something I’d written. So I decided to convert my author website to a personal resume website, and that meant that all the short stories had to go… somewhere.

So I put them together in a short story collection, LIES I HAVE TOLD, which is up on Amazon, and isn’t selling particularly well. But the stories are good, and you can read them, and tell me whether you liked them, and I wish you would.

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Curtis Edmonds Facebook Page

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Featured Interview With Judy Penz Sheluk

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the only child of very strict European immigrants. My mother nurtured my love of reading by reading to me every night when I was a young child. When I was about seven, she got a part-time job in the book department of Zeller’s department store. Every week, she would bring me a new Nancy Drew book. It was better than chocolate!

My father used to do the TV Guide crossword puzzles with me. We always did them in pen. It was a great way to learn words at a young age that would otherwise not be in my vocabulary. If I didn’t know what a word meant, whether it was in a book or in the crossword, I was expected to look it up in the dictionary. I can still remember looking up “titian,” which was the color of Nancy Drew’s hair.

I left Toronto when I was in my early twenties, and have moved around some, but I have always lived within a two-hour drive of the city. I currently live in a small, but growing, town about 90 minutes northwest of Toronto.

I currently do not have any pets, but had a golden retriever mix, Sandy, growing up. I’ve also owned three purebred golden retrievers as an adult: Einstein, Ranger and most recently, Copper, who died in December 2014 at age 12 1/2. I do some volunteer work with Golden Rescue, and will likely put in an application for a rescue dog soon. I don’t miss the dog hair, but I miss everything else about having a dog.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I can’t remember a time when books weren’t an important part of my life, but the first time I read In Cold Blood by Truman Capote I was mesmerized. In a time long before 24/7 news on television, he painted a picture of the Clutter family and their killers, Dick Hickock and Perry Smith. I read that book when I was about 10 years old and it’s haunted me ever since.

I’ve always written in journals or notebooks. I started freelance writing for magazines in 2003 after years in the corporate world of finance. I began taking workshops and courses in Creative Writing and had three short stories published when I began writing The Hanged Man’s Noose on Christmas Eve 2012. It had started life as a short story, but I knew there was a novel in there. It took me about a year to write it, and about the same length of time to revise it and find a publisher.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I read a variety of books, but my go-to is mystery. In my teens I read every book by Agatha Christie and Ngaio Marsh. My favorite current day authors are Louise Penny, Tana French, John Sandford, Sue Grafton and Michael Connelly. I also enjoy reading short crime fiction anthologies. When I’m not reading mysteries, I still tend to be drawn to darker novels. Two of my favorites are Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden and The Way the Crow Flies by Ann-Marie MacDonald.

I find inspiration everywhere. Every story starts with “What if such-and-such happened? The premise behind the Hanged Man’s Noose—a greedy developer comes to a small town with plans to build a mega-box store on the town’s historic Main Street—came about when I read about a community in Toronto (Kensington Market) fighting a proposal to bring in a Walmart. I thought, what if that happened in a small town, where the shop owners were already struggling to make it? How far would people go to stop it?

I also have a blog on my website, where I interview other authors I admire. I enjoy hearing about their writing processes and getting their stories out there to potentially new readers. The other thing I write about on my blog is my personal writing journey. That series has been very popular. I share the highs and lows of getting published, along with advice and my experiences along the way. I hope that in doing that, I can inspire others.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Here’s the official blurb:

Small-town secrets and subterfuge lead to murder in a tale of high-stakes real estate wrangling gone amok.

Journalist Emily Garland lands a plum assignment as the editor of a niche magazine based in Lount’s Landing, a small town named after a colorful Canadian traitor. As she interviews the local business owners for the magazine, Emily quickly learns that many people are unhappy with real estate mogul Garrett Stonehaven’s plans to convert an old schoolhouse into a mega-box store. At the top of that list is Arabella Carpenter, the outspoken owner of an antiques shop, who will do just about anything to preserve the integrity of the town’s historic Main Street.

But Arabella is not alone in her opposition. Before long, a vocal dissenter at a town hall meeting about the proposed project dies. A few days later, another body is discovered, and although both deaths are ruled accidental, Emily’s journalistic suspicions are aroused.

Putting her reporting skills to the ultimate test, Emily teams up with Arabella to discover the truth behind Stonehaven’s latest scheme before the murderer strikes again.

——————————————————————————————

I’m often asked if my main characters are based on me, or on people I know. The short answer is no, although I am a freelance journalist, like Emily. The difference is I’m still waiting for that lucrative undercover assignment! As for Arabella, she owns an antiques shop, and I’ve been the Senior Editor for New England Antiques Journal since 2007. It was fun to incorporate some of that knowledge in the book. Arabella has an ex-husband, Levon Larroquette. In my mind he looks like a young Kris Kristofferson (google A Star is Born). Imagination is a wonderful thing!

To make characters seem real, writers also have to give them quirks. Emily is a bacon eating vegetarian (okay I admit it, I’ve never quite been able to give up bacon) and more than a little bit naive. Arabella is slightly more jaded, and her motto is “authenticity matters.” She also considers carrot cake a serving of vegetables. I admire her thinking!

The Hanged Man’s Noose is available in print and ebook at all the usual suspects, including Amazon, B&N, Chapters.Indigo, and Google Play.

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Judy Penz Sheluk’s Website

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Featured Interview With Vicki Tapia

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Growing up in a small town on the plains of eastern Montana, I was anxious to see the world (i.e., move away). After college, I left for 8 years, living in Michigan and then Washington, eventually realizing there’s no place like home, happily returning to Montana in the 1980’s. I’m the mother of three grown children, and proud nana of seven grandsons and a granddaughter. My husband, Mini-Schnauzer and I live in south central Montana, where I enjoy writing, reading, photography, travel and long walks under the “Big Sky” of Montana.

For over 30 years, my passion was teaching, working with thousands of women and babies as a breastfeeding educator. During my career, I spoke at numerous Lactation Conferences, both nationally and internationally and co-wrote many lactation articles and case studies, which have appeared in different lactation journals, as well as being referenced in books.

I’ve written one full-length book, Somebody Stole My Iron: A Family Memoir of Dementia and this summer I was nominated as 2015 Best Woman Writer for the High Plains Book Awards, which encompasses entries from 7 western states and 3 Canadian provinces.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Probably around the time that I was 10 or 11, I began to devour mysteries…Trixie Belden in particular, fancying myself as a girl detective. I also devoured a series of books about Penny Parrish written by Janet Lambert. Eons ago! I loved the way sentences were put together and delighted in how the stories unfolded. I realized even then what power an author had in her pen.

I began writing things down when I received a diary for my birthday, around the time I was 13. Diaries were most unsatisfactory, however, as there was never enough space to hold my thoughts. By the time I was 16, I’d abandoned diaries for ledgers, whose blank pages were open white space waiting to capture my many thoughts, oftentimes filled with teenage angst, along with my frequent, probing questions about the meaning of it all.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Historical fiction is undoubtedly my favorite genre. Escaping into the historical fiction and fantasy time-travel of a Diana Gabaldon novel is my idea of a great time. I’m inspired by her engaging writing style and find myself saying (or thinking) “ken” and “dinna” weeks after finishing one of her novels. I’d love to have her talent for writing characters. She’s added to my vocabulary base with her knack for including so many interesting words.

I enjoy Barbara Kingsolver and credit her book The Poisonwood Bible with changing the way I view life. Her books are thoughtful and remain in my mind long after I’ve finished the read.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Somebody Stole My Iron: A Family Memoir of Dementia is my first full-length work, inspired by my struggle to find practical and helpful information as a caregiver for my parents. After my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and my father with Parkinson’s-related dementia in 2004, I became the nearest family caregiver. Since journaling had been a part of my life since I was 16, it seemed only natural for me to keep a diary of our journey down what I call the “rabbit hole of dementia.” Writing became my therapy and a way to cope with the emotional ups and downs of our lives for the next 5 years. It was during this time that my journal morphed its way into a memoir, filled with stories and lessons, insight and hope. The memoir is written with an honest transparency, often humorous, and I don’t hesitate to share the painful details of my family’s experiences with this devastating disease. After spiral-bound Kinko print copies were made as a memento for each of my family members, the manuscript then languished on the hard drive of my computer for several years with sporadic downloads for friends and friends of friends in similar circumstances. After hearing these readers tell me over and over how much reading this book helped them on their own journey, I was inspired to find a publisher. Nine years passed from my first journal entry to the publisher’s release date.

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Featured Interview With Jocie McKade

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Howdy! I was what I like to call a company brat. My family was moved a lot by the company my mother worked for so I attended LOTS of schools and lived in LOTS of places. Right now, I’m a Midwest girl and live in a very rural area. I have an office mascot — Diesel the Wonder dog. He is part Jack Russell, part, I’m not sure. He was a pound puppy and is, wow, almost eleven years old!

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was one of those nerdy early and voracious readers who could read before they went to school. I actually wrote my first full length novel at twelve. It was horrific, I mean it was a fire-starter, but it taught me a lot. I have written most of my life — as a journalist, advertising, marketing and for magazines. I’d written dozens of books, but they gathered dust as I raised a family and worked a ‘real’ job – the kind with a paycheck and benefits. Then, after my hubster went through cancer I realized if I wanted to grab this dream I needed to go for it. I published my first novel only about five years ago.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I read everything! Seriously, stick a cereal box in front of me, I’ll read it. About the only genre I don’t read is horror – mostly because I’m a coward and I can’t afford the leave the lights on all night. I love thrillers, mysteries, romance, and anything with humor.

My writing isn’t necessarily inspired by other authors. Honestly, people who have the tenacity to stick it out, even when that is the toughest thing to do, they inspire me. When I get rejections, or a bad review, I usually read a story about someone who overcame real difficulty and it puts those rejections in perspective pretty fast.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Baer Truth is the first book in the series, The Three Baers. Yeah, I couldn’t resist that pun. The story smacked me in the head in the great state of Wyoming. We were taking a family trip to Yellowstone, stopping in Cheyenne at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. (Can you say hot cowboys?) Anyway, my mind rambles often and it went, ‘what if one of those beef ranching country cowboys feel for a city born, vegetarian? The Baers were born.

The first book, Baer Truth finds Abby Clark stranded alongside a road in Wyoming in January. She soon comes across a downright grumpy Joe Baer. His ranch is being lost, his family is in shambles and they aren’t exactly a match made in heaven.

Abby has not clue about anything on a ranch, and she’s well, a klutz and disaster follows her like a dark cloud. Hired as a cook on the ranch, she soon worms her way in the cowboys hearts and eventually into Joe’s.

Here’s an excerpt of her arrival at the Hidden Rock Ranch:
“Please, call me Mike.” He smiled, starting the engine. Making a hard u-turn, the truck slid across the pavement.
Abby fastened her seatbelt and grabbed the handle above the window.
The truck fishtailed across the ice, but Mike didn’t slow down. “I hope you don’t plan on going shopping very often.” He turned the wipers on. They screeched painfully across the glass. “It’s a fair piece to the nearest store. We plan far in advance for shopping trips, so you’ll want to keep a list for pantry purchases.”
They pulled off the main road onto a gravel road. He made several more turns onto smaller and smaller gravel roads, until they reached a rutted, one-lane dirt road. Suddenly the dirt road gave way to a smooth blacktop drive that wound around snow-covered banks, atop which a red snow fence ran as far as the eye could see.
“I think I’m going to have to drop breadcrumbs to find my way in and out of here.” Abby couldn’t remember ever having been so far from civilization. “Tell me, do you ever get snowed in back here?” As far as she could see in every direction was nothing, absolutely nothing, except hills, snow fence, trees, snow, and huge mountains.
“Occasionally we’ve been snowed in for a few days. We’ve got snowmobiles and we can get out for supplies with them.”
A lump formed in her throat that refused to be swallowed.
“We’ve also got the Cat and the Deere with plows and shovels.”
Abby had no clue what he was talking about, but as long as those things could get her out of this desolate wilderness, she liked them.
“Nobody’s lived at the cottage for awhile. I had the boys go in, knock down the spider webs, and make sure no snakes or anything was living inside, but they don’t always get everything. You aren’t afraid of spiders and such, are you?”
The lump on her head began to ache. Mike’s expression was kind, but odds were she was about to face those things, afraid or not. “I can’t say I care too much for them.”
“Well, snakes are hibernating this time of year. But they can move about when you start disturbing them. I’ll have the boys leave you a hoe just to be safe.” The truck slid across the blacktop road. Mike chuckled. “That was fun.”
Abby pushed a hand against the dashboard, her mouth becoming suddenly dry. “A hoe? What do I need a hoe for?”
“For hacking the snakes’ heads off, honey.” Mike was matter-of-fact.
“Hack its head off?” The ache in her head turned to throbbing and was joined by a rumbling nausea deep in her stomach. “Couldn’t I just call you or one of the men to come and–” she shuddered– “hack the thing?”
“Sure, but we’re usually out in the field or up at one of the cattle barns. It could be awhile before one of us could get it for you. By then it could disappear under the floor only to pop back out in the middle of the night and snuggle up with you in bed.”
“They’re cold-blooded, you know, and they like to find a warm spot to sleep. So it would be best if you just hack them when you see them.”
Her head swam. Her vision turned gray and began sliding into black. She had gone from a bad dream to a horrific nightmare. Abby pinched her thigh, wincing at the pain. Awake. She was awake. The nightmare was real.

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Featured Interview With Rosemary Morris

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in Surrey and South East England. Subsequently I lived in Kenya where I was privileged to see herds of wild animals, cheetahs, leopards and lions etc., as well as visiting the beautiful white sand beaches fringed with coconut trees. I then spent four years studying Sanskrit literature, which rivals the Odyssey and the Iliad, and much more in an ashram in France with four of my five children. We then returned to England, where I now live contentedly in Hertfordshire. I don’t have any pets but I do have an organic garden where I grow herbs, fruit and vegetables which I put to good use in my organic garden.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I can’t remember a time when, as the saying goes, my head was not buried in a book. I have always read voraciously and my favourites are good friends, which I re-visit. For as long as I can remember I made up stories and enjoyed writing and wrote my first novel when I was in my very early twenties.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My bookcases are so full of fiction and non-fiction that I will either have to de-clutter for find space for a new bookcase. I enjoy classical Indian Literature such as The Bhagavadgita As It Is translated and commented on by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada, The Mahabharat, the long story of dispossessed orphans who fought an epic battle on the instructions of Lord Krishna, and the fabulous Ramayan, the story of Lord Rama, the perfect husband and king, whose wife Lady Sita, was kidnapped.

I enjoy biographies and history books as well as my favourite genres historical fiction and well-written historical romance. As for my favourite authors, they are too numerous to list but one author, Elizabeth Chadwick who writes mediaeval novels is outstanding.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My recently published novel, The Captain and The Countess is set in England during Queen Anne Stuart’s reign, 1702-1714.

The Countess of Sinclair is beautiful, fashionable and wealthy widow, who seems to have everything a lady could desire, so, why does heart-rending pain lurk in the back of her eyes?

Captain Howard’s life changes forever from the moment he meets Kate, the intriguing countess and resolves to banish her pain.

Although the air sizzles when widowed Kate, victim of an abusive marriage meets Edward Howard, a captain in Queen Anne’s navy, she has no intention of ever marrying again.

However, when Kate becomes better acquainted with the Captain she realises he is the only man who understands her grief and can help her to untangle her past.

My fans have been kind enough to let me know that The Capatin and The Countess, which is rich in history, de3scriptions of clothes and perfumes, old London and sumptuous food brings the past to life.

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Featured Interview With Liwen Y. Ho

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I immigrated to the U.S. from Taiwan when I was a child. I’ve lived in California since then, and my hubby and I are raising our family here.

We had a sweet cocker spaniel for ten years and after he passed we got two guinea pigs that our kids named Cutie (because she’s cute) and Roundo (because she’s round).

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve always loved words and used to read up to three books a day as a child. I wrote my first work of fiction, a children’s story called A Rainbow of Nine Colors, when I was in elementary school for an assignment. I happened to find this story a few years back when I was cleaning out a closet and submitted it to a writing contest. It is now a published picture e-book with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (formerly Meegenius.com)!

I began writing books for grown-ups about two years ago. I never imagined myself as a fiction writer, but as life has taught me, never say never! I actually really enjoy it. So far I have two romance series out, one called Taking Chances and the other Seasons of Love.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite genre to read is of course romance (I’m a romance writer!). I also enjoy memoir type books, too. My favorite fun and clean romance author is Susan Hatler. Francine Rivers is also another of my favorites for her poetic writing style.

I’m honestly inspired by real life. They (the proverbial they) say to write what you know, so I write characters based on myself or people I know (though it’s all fictionalized, don’t worry!).

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest release is a Christmas-themed short story titled The More the Merrier. I named the male character after one of my favorite superheroes (The Flash) as well as my maternal grandfather. The female character is a little bit (okay, a lot) like myself; she’s perfectionistic and proper and likes to play it safe. It’s a friends-turned-something more kind of story of unexpected love – I just love those! It took me about a month to write. The most challenging part of the process was remembering to add Christmas elements to it because I wrote it in the middle of an August heat wave!

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Featured Interview With J.D. Cunegan

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m a 2006 graduate of Old Dominion University who’s been writing — in one form or another — since I was in middle school. I grew up loving comic books, and that love influences my storytelling even today — despite the fact that I write in prose instead of in panels and word balloons. Some of the most fantastical stories can be some of the most hard-hitting and honest, telling truths about life through the lens of the impossible and the extraordinary. I live in Hampton Roads, Virginia — near the Chesapeake Bay — and much of my time not devoted to my day job is otherwise taken up in books.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I read my first issue of X-Men when I was 11 — it was during the Chris Claremont/Jim Lee — and that was what sparked the need to create it. I began writing my first stories after that, eventually graduating from terribly-written and horribly-drawn X-Men fan fiction to only marginally better original stories featuring original characters. Many of my characters have grown as I have over the years, and I’m as comfortable with who they have become as I have with who I’ve become — especially Jill Andersen, the main character of my debut novel Bounty. I created her when I was 15 years old, and she is now by most prized creation.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I still read comic books to this day — primarily superhero books, but as I’ve gotten older, I find my tastes have expanded. I don’t limit myself to a certain genre — I’ve read and loved murder mysteries, supernatural epics, romances, eroticas, spy thrillers… you name it, I’ve probably read something like it. More than anything, I derive inspiration from television shows — in large part because I discovered Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel when I was in college, during a low point in my life, and those shows re-ignited my creative spark. Without those shows, I probably never make it far enough to write and publish a novel.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My debut novel Bounty, which I self-published in June, is a murder mystery/superhero/sci-fi hybrid story of Baltimore homicide detective Jill Andersen, who also doubles as the costumed vigilante Bounty. The novel details a murder case that ties back to her origin as Bounty and threatens to expose her secret. In August, I self-published a short story called Boundless, detailing Jill’s first night as Bounty.

In January, I’ll publish Blood Ties, the second novel in the Jill Andersen series. I’ve also begun writing the third novel in the series, titled Behind the Badge, and I have two other on-going books from separate genres that I hope to have published by the end of 2017.

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Featured Interview With Courtney Hunt

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
An attorney by day, I live outside Washington, DC with my own Prince Charming and our son. I was born and raised in the greater DC area and just never left. I write smart, funny contemporary romances featuring strong heroines and the sexy heroes who steal their hearts.

Unfortunately, due to my son’s severe allergies, we are not able to enjoy family pets at this time. I love to feature past fur babies in my books. My beloved cat, Frank, appears in The Lost Art of Second Chances and my sister’s dog, Casey, appears in Once a Bridesmaid.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My mother and father read to me all the time as a child. One night, my mother, no doubt desperate to get me to go to sleep instead of pleading for one more chapter, started skipping pages. Exasperated, I grabbed the book and insisted I’d do it myself. I’ve been reading ever since.

After being such an avid reader, becoming a scribbler wasn’t far behind. I think I wrote my first “original” story when I was around six years old. I’m sure we’re all terribly grateful that The Tales of Mr. Rabbit were tragically lost in a basement flood some years ago.

Though I stopped writing much other than term papers in high school through graduate school, I was always a reader. Eventually, I picked up a pen again and here we all are.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I’m pretty much willing to read anything and everything. I especially love to read all kinds of romance, from contemporary to paranormal to historical. My favorite authors would be a massive list. I’ll just pick a few: Nora Roberts, Barbara Samuel, Jenny Crusie, Anne Stuart, Lisa Kleypas, Susan Mallery, Kate Morton, Lauren Willig, Claire Cook…the list could go on for quite a while.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Once a Bridesmaid is the second book in my Always a Bridesmaid series. The series centers on a group of professional bridesmaids finding their own happily-ever-afters. After Lauren’s best friend (and boss) Erin, finds love in Forever a Bridesmaid, Lauren’s comfortable single existence and roommate status is shaken up.

The book opens at a bachelorette party with Lauren mistaking wedding photographer Kyle for a stripper. She then indulges in a wild, one-night-stand with him. But, of course, things can never be that simple. After fate (or Cupid) throws them together again and again, they become friends and eventually fall in love.

I wrote this book in 5 to 10 minute increments as my young son was out of school for the summer. I figured out that I can get in 500-700 words during an episode of Calliou–more if I wear headphones. 🙂

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Featured Interview With Leonide Martin

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Born in New Orleans and raised in southern Louisiana, I went to California in my early 20s to get a masters degree at UCLA. My professional career in health (nursing, nurse practitioner) included teaching at UCLA and Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA. Taking early retirement from the University, I continued working as an FNP at a rural clinic in the Sierra Foothills near Nevada City, CA. I lived for 15 years as a member of the Ananda Spiritual Community and followed the yoga and meditation practices of Yogananda. My spiritual studies included the Feminine Divine and I became an ordained Priestess of Isis. In the late 1990s I became fascinated with the Mayan culture, amassed a huge archaeology and anthropology library, and traveled to Maya sites in Mexico, Belize and Guatemala. I studied with Mayan elders Hunbatz Men in Mexico and Aum Rak Sapper in Guatemala, becoming a Maya Solar Initiate and Fire Woman. It became clear that part of my life mission was to bring this advanced, magnificent culture to a wider audience through historical fiction. After living 5 years in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico my husband and I returned to the US and settled in Oregon, in a small town in the northern Willamette Valley. This brought us into fortunate contact with Oregon’s amazing wine country, renowned for Pinot Noir that has bested the finest Burgandy from France. Now we’re “wine fanatics” to quote David and have developed a rather refined and upscale palate (much to our budget’s distress). Our lives are enriched by two gorgeous white Angora cats, brother and sister, who have Mayan names. My other pursuits are gardening, putting up food, cooking, walking in nature, singing in choir, and of course, reading good books.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
As a youngster, I was encouraged to read by my grandfather who sent me books and discussed them with me. Early on I was reading classics and became especially taken with historical fiction. I remember writing stories in a spiral notebook around age 10-11, during my Western adventure phase (loved Zane Grey). Writing became part of my life, through a college prep high school and into college for advanced degrees. While on faculty at UCLA, I was recruited as third author on a famous maternity nursing textbook, when the lead author recognized my writing skills. Over the professional years I wrote many books and articles, delivered untold speeches and made national organization keynotes. Fiction did not re-enter my writing life until after retirement and the “call” to ancient Mayan culture. My first novel was published in 2006, about the indigenous understanding of 2012 and the end of the Mayan calendar. The Mayan Queens series followed about the lives of four great Mayan queens of Palenque. I’ve now finished three of this 4-book series.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Historical fiction is by far my favorite genre, ancient worlds in top place, especially Egypt, Greece, India, and the Mediterranean world. I do read widely among genres, with preference for action/adventure, space fiction, futuristic fiction (but not dystopic worlds), and some suspense.

My favorite contemporary authors are L.M. Ironside, Michelle Moran, Cheryl Fluty, Sherry Jones, Douglas Preston, Michael Crichton, and John Grisham.

Authors who inspire my writing are Marion Zimmer-Bradley, Mary Renault, Margaret Mitchell, E.M. Forster, Colleen McCullough, Anita Diamant.

Authors I read just because they’re fun are Elizabeth Peters, Ann Charles, Carl Hiaasen, Neil Gaiman, Colin Falconer (Naked Series).

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The Mayan Red Queen: Tz’aakb’u Ahau of Palenque is the third in the Mists of Palenque series about four great Mayan queens. Although her birth date and name are not known, I call her Lalak because her formal royal name is quite a mouthful. She was the wife of Pakal, most famous Mayan ruler who brought the great city Palenque (ancient Lakam Ha) to its apex of political and creative prowess. Very little is known factually about Pakal’s wife, for there are few inscriptions and portraits of her. She came from another nearby city, bore Pakal 4 sons, participated in ascension to the throne rituals, and was buried in a rich tomb adjacent to Pakal’s own mortuary pyramid. Taking those bits of data about her, and copious research on Pakal and Palenque of his times, I created her character and story line mostly based on imagination. A shy and homely girl whose childhood was somewhat chaotic, her marriage is arranged by their parents who have motives of their own, and Pakal is already in love with a beautiful woman who does not have the right blood lines. Lalak is overwhelmed by the complex royal court, her mother-in-law’s hostility, and her husbands aloofness. She struggles to find her place and win Pakal’s love while coping with loss and heartbreak. She must find inner strength and assert her rightful position. She recognizes her destiny to play a pivotal role in Pakal’s mission to restore the spiritual portal that was destroyed in prior enemy attack. Through learning sexual alchemy, she brings the immense creative force of sacred union to rebuild the portal, but first Pakal must come to view his wife in a new light.

Ultimately this is a beautiful love story of two unique people, both possessing mystical qualities and shamanic abilities, who must reach through complexities and preconceptions to discover who the other truly is. Their character arcs show marked changes and it was gratifying for me to see this development unfold. Writing this Mayan queen’s story was the most challenging to date, because so much is known about Pakal and his times, and he is so greatly admired by Mayanists. I also had fun with the characters of their sons, making one a dark but magnetic personality. He is featured as a major actor in the next queen’s book. It took me over a year to write this story, mostly because I had to sort through huge amounts of research and kept re-checking the story timeline for accuracy to known historic events. Authors are not supposed to love any one of their “children” creations most, but I can’t help favoring The Mayan Red Queen.

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Leonide Martin’s Website

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Featured Interview With J. R. Lindermuth

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in a small town in Pennsylvania’s anthracite coal region. The Army and then a career as a newspaper reporter and editor took me around the world. Now I’m back in my hometown again, living in the house where I grew up.
I’ve been a dog-person most of my life. Since the loss of my most recent ‘friend,’ a border collie named Shannon, I haven’t had incentive to replace her.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Like many writers, I was an early reader. Our community had no library until I was in high school. Fortunately, my dad had books ranging from the classics to mysteries and Westerns. As I got older, I started emulating some of the writers I admired. Eventually it became something I ‘had’ to do. When I entered the Army, they recognized that I had some ability and sent me to J-school. That provided me with a career which paid the bills as I learned to write fiction.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I can’t really name one favorite writer; there are too many I admire and love reading. And I’m always discovering new writers who make me envious. I have eclectic tastes in reading and devour both fiction and non-fiction, though mysteries and history are primary choices.
I have a broad streak of curiosity about many aspects of life. That provides an unlimited source of inspiration for writing. I don’t understand people who complain of being bored.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest is Something So Divine, an historical mystery set in rural Pennsylvania in the 1890s.
When a young girl is found murdered in a Pennsylvania rye field in the autumn of 1897, Ned Gebhardt, a feeble-minded youth known to have stalked the victim, is the prime suspect. Incidents involving another girl and gossip stir emotions to a frenzy, nearly leading to a lynching.

Evidence against Ned is circumstantial and there are other suspects. Influenced by the opinions of Ned’s stepsister and Ellen, a woman who has perked his interest, Simon Roth, the investigator, is inclined to give Ned benefit of the doubt. Then he discovers damaging evidence.

Still unwilling to view Ned as a cold-blooded killer, Roth puts his job and reputation in jeopardy as he seeks to assure a fair trial for the accused.

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Featured Interview With Claire Fullerton

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I had the great fortune of being raised in Memphis, which is a vibrant city on the Mississippi River. It is steeped in an old Southern culture that flavors everything from cuisine to music and was a wonderful place to grow up. I now live in Malibu, California with my husband and two German shepherds, who run the show. I am the author of two novels: one is a paranormal mystery titled, “A Portal in Time” and the other is literary fiction, titled “Dancing to an Irish Reel.” I am a 4 time award winning essayist and I consistently contribute to magazines. I have also appeared in 5 of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I started writing by keeping a journal at a very young age. I believe this lay the foundation of my writing career, for it taught me the art of specifics, clarity and brevity. I think a writer learns by doing, and I therefore recommend keeping a journal for any aspiring writer. Sooner or later, it leads to stories then a writer has something to submit. And as for books, I remember reading “That was Then, This is Now’ by S.E. Hinton and being carried away to a place so visually real and believable that it seemed I knew the characters personally. It’s a simplistically written book, which just goes to show writing is about straight forward honesty. I have always loved those books written in the first person because it gives me the sense of knowing to whom I am listening. I love honest, confessional writing that makes me feel included in the narrative. Reading a book in this tone is an emotional investment, and it shares insight into what it means to be human. I like to write in the first person for this same reason, be it in a magazine piece or a novel.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I am a big fan of Pat Conroy, author of “The Great Santini,” “The Prince of Tides,” and “South of Broad,” to name a few of his books. His impact on me boils down to one thing: he showed me what is possible in writing, that there is beauty in language and if wielded deftly, there is the possibility of communicating the nuances of human nature, wherein, I find, a crucible exists that is the juxtaposition of sorrow and joy, hope and fear and all of the attendant variables that go into this business of living from a human, emotional level. I think this crucible exists in us all as a driving force. Also, I identify with what I see as a consistent theme in Conroy’s work: his sense of place as an influential character, and in Conroy’s work, that place is the South. And as for my favorite genre, it is literary fiction because this is the genre wherein the reader considers a commentary on life. Other authors I admire are Donna Tartt, who wrote “The Goldfinch” and Anne Rivers Siddons, who has authored 24 books, all set in the South.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
“Dancing to an Irish Reel” is literary fiction set on the western coast of Ireland. Hailey Crossan is twenty five when she leaves the record business in Los Angeles and takes a trip to rural Ireland, where she is offered a job at the Galway Music Center that is too good to turn down! So there this American is, in unfamiliar terrain where everything is eye-opening and new. When she meets a dark-haired Irish musician named Liam Hennessey, a confusing relationship begins, which Hailey thinks may be due to their differing cultures. But a handful of colorful Irish friends help Hailey navigate the Irish culture and Hailey comes to realize it may be that Liam is afraid of love. The book has been called ” A sensitive and lyrical tribute to Ireland and the wonders of falling in love,” and I loved this reviewer saying this. I paid much attention to Ireland’s unfathomably beautiful landscape and its charismatic people. But this is a story that could have been set anywhere, because it portrays the unpredictability of new love with its excitement and hopes, but also its confusion and uncertainty. It’s what Hailey does with this uncertainty that makes the story!

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Claire Fullerton’s Website

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Featured Interview With Laney Smith

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born at St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock, Arkansas. I grew up in Texarkana, Texas and moved to Colorado in my early teen years. I lived there until I moved to a little town, south of Memphis, Tennessee called Walls, Mississippi. Then, I moved back to Colorado and currently live in Southern California. I do have pets. I have three kitties – Gizmo, Bear and Splat. I’m not a cat person at all. So, it works out pretty well because none of the three of them know they’re cats.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve enjoyed writing my entire life. At various stages in my life, I’ve had friends that encouraged me to write a book. It’s come from so many different places at various times throughout my life. So, I finally decided there has to be something to that. I have started so many books as the years have gone by. Nothing ever took hold. But, with Lock Creek: One Year’s Time, the words started flowing and they just wouldn’t stop. I wrote that one by hand. When I finished writing it, I actually had two books. So, the first two in the series were written in two of those five subject, spiral notebooks. All my attempts before – it just wasn’t time, for whatever reason. The words started flowing and there’s so much behind this series that I realize now, it was just meant to be. I can’t make the words stop, now. I’m so thankful for that. I want to entertain people. I like to sing, but that doesn’t mean I’m good at it. I like to pretend and I can pull off a pretty good joke. Beyond that, I’m not much of an actress. So, I get to tell fun stories. This is what I was born to do.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I like to read Nicholas Sparks and Stephen King. I don’t have a favorite genre. I also like reading true crime stories. I read erotica, sometimes. I’m all over the board. I participated in The Roses anthology with five other ladies. Those five women are amazing authors and I’m honored to have worked alongside them for that project. We did that project to raise money for cystic fibrosis. So, it’s inspiring when people come together and use their talents for a cause. Every one of those stories will pull your heart strings and I like that. I like to “feel” something when I read. Those stories get me. Aside from that, I have friends, family and readers that constantly encourage me. I have fellow authors that support me. I’m truly one of the luckiest people. I have a very strong support system. I have readers that end up being “friends.” That happens a lot, actually. So, that’s inspiring. There’s a lot of magic with this series and this entire experience, really. It’s like nothing I could’ve ever even wished for.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The latest book is a horror novel. My youngest son wanted a book that makes him feel like some of his favorite scary movies. He kept reading books and getting discouraged because he’s looking for a certain punch. So, I decided I could write one for him. He loves it. But, it’s about a family that moves into an old plantation home. I don’t want to ruin anything, but there’s an antique wheelchair that is a bit problematic. The man of the house thinks he’s going to drive a ghost out of his new house, only to discover there’s so much more to it than one simple ghost. There’s ghosts, demons, secret passages, the wheelchair, a pond, psychics, voodoo, the talking dead… This one has so many creepy elements to it. My son reads it and he just gets more excited about it. So, I’m guessing that I found something that makes his hair stand up. Mission accomplished. It’s strange because it’s not the genre I typically write. But, my friend and fellow author, Alex Black gave me a nudge and convinced me I could do it. It’s due to be released before Halloween. So, we’ll see soon enough. But, I’m proud of it. It’s unnerving. It’ll give you chills.

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