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Interview with Mary Ruth Barnes, Author of Where Birds Land

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Where Birds Land?

Finding over 150 pages of interviews with my great-grandmother, I knew her story needed to be told.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Where Birds Land, what would they be?

“On Eagles’ Wings” by Michael Joncas.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I love mystery and crime novels, but I also have a soft spot for historical fiction, which is exactly what I love to write.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The Medicine Woman of Galveston by Amanda Skenadore.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

My favorite scene to write about was when my great-grandmother came upon the land grifters who were trying to take away her allotment.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I love to write when I am looking at the pond or an ocean scene. Water inspires me to write.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

I love what my grandfather taught me to enjoy "the quiet excitement for life" by stopping and listening to the sounds of nature.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Women have the courage and resilience to face many struggles in life and to step beyond them.

Mary Ruth Barnes is the author of the new book Where Birds Land

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Interview with Dame Florence, Author of Lola Chatterley’s Lover

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Lola Chatterley's Lover?

My cousin Brigid George inspired this book. She writes the Dusty Kent mysteries. One day, when we were enjoying a martini together, she was bemoaning the fact that her murder mystery books were appreciated by readers, but were not selling as well as she would like. I suggested she write something more commercial—something with sex in it, like an erotic romance. People love to escape into a romance novel and come out with a happy ending. And you know what she said? “I couldn’t bear to write romance.” I suppose that’s the sort of response one should expect from someone who’s obsessed with murder! Anyway, by the time we’d finished two martinis, I’d laid down a challenge for her: if I could write a successful romance book, she would have to write one as well.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Lola Chatterley's Lover, what would they be?

That’s easy. Giovanni’s theme song would be La Partenza—the tune he whistles as he goes about his work. Lola’s theme song would be The Carman’s Whistle, an old English folk song about a virgin sitting under a myrtle tree.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I don’t have a favourite genre.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

None. I read randomly.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Probably the discussion in chapter one, where Mr. and Mrs. Chatterley dance around the issue of how to explain to their daughter what will happen on her wedding night.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Quirky is my middle name! I wrote much of Lola Chatterley’s Lover outdoors under a massive Moreton Bay Fig tree. To write the scenes featuring Lola’s Italian lover, I travelled to Genova in Italy.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

My current motto is ‘Wander often, wander always’. Goodness knows what that will change to in the future.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Only one thing? Okay, that would be the title: Lola Chatterley’s Lover.

Dame Florence is the author of the new book Lola Chatterley's Lover

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Interview with Tara Jade Brown, Author of The Witch of Rose City

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Witch of Rose City?

One of the main "characters" in the book is the city I live in — it’s the most romantic old town by the lake. I wanted to write a story that uses the environment I love so much. Apart from that, all my books have a “can’t happen but it does” love story aspect to them, and this one needed to happen in the 1700s, as I needed my protagonist to be a witch so that this specific love story between Kathryn and Johann could happen.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I love romance, so I read and write romance. Every book I write needs to have a love story, but with it comes a theme — and in The Witch of Rose City, it would be women's rights, the treatment of women in the past, as well as esoteric healing.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Iron Flame, Master of Crows by Grace Draven, and I’m re-reading (for the fourth time) The Bride by Ali Hazelwood.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Haha! It has to be the one at the hot spring, when Kathryn is trying very hard not to look 😉 I can’t tell more, as it’s a spoiler, since Kathryn takes on a different role than one might expect.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I write with a candle next to my laptop! It’s a must for me, which also means that the best time to write is during the autumn and winter months, as it's dark outside, so the candle fits perfectly.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

“Trust the process.” I picked that up from Dan Brown's MasterClass, and it is such a good motto. I believe all authors would find it useful.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

It ties to the theme of the book, and it would be that what we (humans) are is not just the physical self. There is so much more to us that we only need to uncover.

Tara Jade Brown is the author of the new book The Witch of Rose City

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Interview with Red Dawn, Author of Lord of Frost

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Lord of Frost (Rhiannon Frost Duology Book 1)?

Life. When I first started writing Rhiannon’s story, my house had really been hit by a monster hurricane. I was stressed beyond what I thought I could stand, and this book, her story, became my escape. I’d already begun creating the world of my Unseelie of Atlanta series, and Rhiannon’s story fit perfectly into that world. You can start anywhere in these books, by the way. Each is an independent story with some occasional appearances by recurring characters. I created this world when I started thinking years ago about how it could technically be possible for worlds to exist right on top of each other. What if there was a realm of magical creatures that existed right under our noses, but only those with magic in their blood could see it? What if everything is real?

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Lord of Frost (Rhiannon Frost Duology Book 1), what would they be?

I love making playlists for my books! For Cernunnos, "The Best" by Tina Turner. For Rhiannon, "These Dreams" by Heart. For Lucian, "Remember the Time" by Michael Jackson.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I love to read horror and the vast majority of its subgenres—even some extreme stuff here and there. That surprises a lot of people. I also love a good suspense or romantic suspense. Occasionally, I will also indulge in some of the genres that I write: erotic horror, monster romance, and the odd romantasy. I’m all over the place with my reading interests, but I do really love a good scare and a savage plot twist.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I'll just list the ones closest to me. I'm currently reading If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin. Right behind me are The Oath by Frank Peretti, The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda, and Gilded by Marissa Meyer.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

That's a tough call. But the first one that came to mind is the dance floor scene at a club called Pixie Styx. It's in downtown Atlanta. Ordinary people think it has a "faerie theme," but real fae know that Pixie Styx is the real deal. It's where the fae go to mingle. Our three main characters are all together in the same place for the very first time on that dance floor. For a moment, time literally stands still. I really want to describe the scene in my head right now, but I don't want to spoil anything.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I enjoy writing my books out by hand first before I type them. It doesn’t always happen this way, but often. I like to sit at my kitchen table with all of my notes/outlines, a pen, and a yellow legal pad. Those are my favorites: yellow notepads and blue Bic pens. When I get 20 or 30 pages drafted by hand, I’ll type them up and flesh them out a bit more. This way, by the time the story makes it onto the computer, it’s already been edited twice. You’d be surprised how 10 handwritten pages can grow into thousands more words when they’re being typed up.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

If it costs you your peace, it’s too expensive.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

That I’m not really out here hiding bodies, fighting ogres, riding centaurs, etc. LOL. When I say parts of my books are based on real-life experiences, people never ask which ones; they assume the worst. It’s actually really funny. But seriously, I’m not doing any of that sketchy stuff. I didn’t even have any contractors eaten by barghests in real life. I promise! *laughs manically and drinks more coffee mixed with faerie dust*

Red Dawn is the author of the new book Lord of Frost (Rhiannon Frost Duology Book 1)

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Interview with J.C. Wesslen, Author of Guardian Son

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Guardian Son?

Like many teens growing up in New England during the 1970s, I was drawn to the works of Stephen King. This is where I truly understood the meaning of "unable to put a book down." I undertook Guardian Son as a challenge and a tribute—writing an engaging paranormal thriller that may draw some comparisons to the grand master of horror. As for the story itself, I've always enjoyed the theme of good vs. evil (who doesn't, right?). It was interesting how I'd notice from time to time in my life, there was often a type of payback toward people who had been cruel or hurtful toward others (this was before I fully grasped the concept of Karma). What if the impact certain people had on events was more subtle, yet more powerful and immediate, than we realized?

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Guardian Son, what would they be?

The Seeker by The Who.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Crime fiction. Although Guardian Son may be labeled as a "paranormal thriller," there is a criminal element in this story (mob and FBI). I can't really say I have a favorite genre to write… yet.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Ashes Never Lie by Lee Goldberg and Nightshade by Michael Connelly.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The scene that features Silas Ward confronting Tanner in the woods beyond the stream at the end of Book (Part) One. I tapped the keyboard with white knuckles for that one.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I listen to instrumental music with my dogs nearby.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

With writing and life, I'm learning not to over-explain or overreact. Don't lose your audience. Sometimes less is more.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Writing this book was a stretch beyond my comfort zone. If I entertained or engaged you in any way, even briefly, it will have been worth it. 😉

J.C. Wesslen is the author of the new book Guardian Son

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