What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?
I became interested in androids and AI before it became a major topic of the day, as it is now. This is where the impetus arose for the first book in the Robot and Love trilogy, entitled Robot: A Deadly Love Story. I never really quite intended it, but my books always tend toward a good, satisfying romance as well, so of course this novel has a romantic bent—a very strong one, in fact. And finally, I love the idea of paranormal talents. And so I created an unusual one for my female protagonist.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of your book, what would they be?
For Cassidy, my protagonist in this novel, "Silver Springs" by Fleetwood Mac. For Cassidy's fiancé, perhaps "Moving On" by Sarah Dawn Finer. And for Sam, the android, "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston.
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I have no favorite. I've been tending toward thrillers and suspense novels lately. I love sci-fi, but not space opera or hard sci-fi. I can always get engrossed in a good fantasy. I do like supernatural creatures and, of course, books with a strong romantic bent. Hmmm. This is perhaps why I have so much trouble placing my novels in a specific genre. They tend to be a blend.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
At the library the other day, I picked up Louise Penny and Melissa Fung's The Mandarin and Sarah McFadden's The Tenant. I also have on hand at the moment Kristin Hannah's The Things We Do for Love and Shelby Van Pelt's Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Novel.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
The biggest challenge was to write the struggle scene where characters arrive and leave at different times, guns are fired, and lasers are employed. I wanted this scene to be fast-paced and visual. But for fun, perhaps my favorite to write was the scene where Cassidy, the protagonist, crept to the windows of the home of a woman she has followed, looking for a kidnapped child. The woman comes after Cassidy. This character has been a humorous one in earlier scenes, but in this scene, we see her deadly side.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I don't have any rituals of the type many writers employ successfully. But once I start, I hate, hate, hate to stop for anything. It's a good thing my cats are so precious, or they might never get fed.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
In direct contradiction to the statement above 😬, I try for balance in all things. When I worked, the three pillars of my work were work I could love, work that felt like family, and work that adhered to my moral values. Now that I am retired, I try to balance my life with volunteer work, time with friends {and cats}, writing activities, and me time. Note: housework is not high on my list.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
I mostly wish for my readers to come away with a set of feelings: the warmth of enjoyment, the wonder of a universe where the unfamiliar exists, and a vague, nagging thought that there is more about the world that they really ought to explore.
Cathy Parker is the author of the new book Robot: A Story of Love and Trust (Robot and Love Book 2)
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