Category Archives: Interviews

Introducing Sandra Brewster, Women’s Fiction Author

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Interview With an Author

 

solosam1 (1)What is your name?

Sandra Brewster

Do you have any pen names?

No

Tell us about where are you from?

Currently, I live in Chilliwack, BC. It’s where corn comes from and is about an hour east of Vancouver. I grew up in Squamish, BC which is the stop light between Vancouver and Whistler. I married my husband while there and we moved regularly. We spent 5 years in Northern BC with 24 hour daylight in the summer and 4 hour daylight in the winter. We then spent years all over Ontario.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

I work in a Walmart pharmacy. For fun and recreation, we plan trips, go for walks, hikes, garden, read and have almost finished renovating our house.

When did you start writing stories?

The first story I remember putting on paper was in Grade 8 or so. It was about a bank robber who escaped on a plane. I’ve had stories running through my mind for as long as I can remember. I wrote my first manuscript in 1990. We had moved to Ontario, and I was so homesick. The story in my head started to keep me up at night and I wrote it down so I could purge those thoughts and I could sleep. Work, babies and life got in the way and I stopped for a few years. Then my mom had a stroke. All she could do was read and she very quickly read through the library in their small town. I then opened the part of my mind again and allowed the stories to flow to entertain her.

What or who inspired you to write stories?

I don’t know. I’ve said often that I’m just the keeper of the hands that type. Where the ideas come from? How the puzzle fits together? I don’t know, I just type and let the story form. I learned early on not to delete anything until the entire story is finished, you never know what fact is going to be important.

What is your favourite genre to write and why?

I would say it’s Romance, but to be honest, I don’t like that label. It brings up a vision of Harlequin Romances and bad Christmas movies. People trying to hide from their feelings and avoiding the one they care about ‘in case they find out.’ Most of what I write is a couple fighting to stay together and dealing with the problems the world deals them.

What is your favourite genre to read?

I like to read Women’s Fiction and Suspense.

Who is your favorite Author and why?

From years ago, LaVyrle Spencer, I love her writing. Nora Roberts has a varied style and I like a lot of her books. Blood Brothers and my current favorite is Under Currents. Danielle Steel and a lot of Daniel Kalla’s work.

What was the first story you ever wrote?

I don’t think it even had a title. It was about a bank robber who escaped on a plane. My first full-length novel finished is IN HONOR OF HIM. My first full-length novel started is Nobody Needs to Know.

What happened to it? Did you save it or trash it, and why?

The bank robber was trashed. I gave it to a teacher to read and was told it was too predictable. The two novels are on tap to be self-published.

Are there any sub-genres that you would considering pairing together?

I would love to be able to write suspense and crime stories. A personal touch of a couple fighting together is what I love.

Do you have more fun writing the scenes, or creating the characters?

I like dialogue the best. I get to say all the things that I wish I’d said when I was having the conversation.

You’re an Indie Author, so tell us, why go Indie? Why choose to self publish?

I’m not interested in fighting to become a best-selling author. I don’t want to be pushed to sell, sell, sell. My whole point in getting my books published was to hold them in my hands with a beautiful cover. That they’ve been well received and people love them is icing on the cake.

Tell us how you work. From pen and paper, to your fingers dancing across the keys, do you find yourself cozy and warm with a cup of tea and a blazing fire? Or do you hide in your dungeon, slaving away on your latest masterpiece; the words of wisdom flowing from your fingers as the story is born? Tell us how you write?

Music! There must be music. When I wrote full time, my kids were in school. I would write while they were in school. Spend the evening with them and then write till the early hours of the morning. I mostly typed all day. First thing the next morning, I would print out what I had written the day before and would make hand-written notes on it. Many a time, I would write a paragraph or thought which was further along in the story and then spent the rest of the day trying to catch up to what I’d written. In my novel, No Matter What, I wrote the ending first.

Social Media Links

Author Website

Facebook

Reviews:

Shattered Badge Shattered Trust

 


So finally sat down to read the book tonight and yeah it’s now 3:33am!! I absolutely loved it! The story made me laugh, feel anger and cry! The author definitely has the gift of a story teller ? Her writing has a good amount of wit and sarcasm to it as well which I love in a story! I love the attention to detail and can tell she did her research for the backgrounds and jobs for Jill and Logan. This is great at helping develop depth to the characters and helping me feel like I really know them and be able to sympathize with them. I thoroughly enjoyed those 4 hours lost in her imagination and I give it 5 stars!! ??????????

****

This book captured me as I read through the chapters. There was always something going on and then the least expected occurred. So many emotions were encountered including bringing tears to my eyes. Well done Sandra Brewster this is a wonderful read.

****

Absolutely loved this book. I immediately fell in love with the characters and couldn’t put the book down til it was done. The writing is fantastic. I felt like I was there with Logan and Jillian through it all. An absolute must read. 5 out of 5 stars from me ? ? ? ? ?

****

Sometimes I don’t finish mystery novels because I get bored with them. This author however, blended mystery and romance in a way that kept my attention throughout. It was difficult to put it down at night. You may lose some sleep when you read this book.

****

Well written with a great ending. Showed lots of insite into the sometime failed law enforcement procedures. Sandra should be compared with Sandra Brown.

It’s Only a Name

I honestly cannot put this book down, I’m halfway through and so far, there has been so much that hits so close to home. I understand Devon, I understand why she feels and thinks the way she does. She has become a friend of mine and I find myself rooting for her!

****

I encourage everyone I know to read this book, I promise, you won’t regret it. You’ll be finding yourself thinking about it, thinking about Devon, about Jarrett, anxious to find the time to read more.

****

It is amazing! So accurate. I loved it! Not living it but revisiting the how and why. An absolute must read, either cautionary or for recovery.

****

I absolutely love it! I know I’ll be so sad when I’m finished. You’ve truly outdone yourself with this one, I can’t wait to start the next!

****

 Author Bio 

Most children have imaginary friends. I was no different. I spent hours in my room telling myself stories and creating lives for my “friends”. Where most people grow out of this stage, as I grew older, the lives I’d created became more intense as I understood more of the world.

As an adult, letting my mind wander as I tried to fall asleep began to keep me awake as I tried to keep all my stories straight, and the only way to sleep was to purge my mind of the characters by writing it down.

My mother had a stroke and once home from the hospital, the only way she could entertain herself was by reading. She very quickly read through the library in the little town she lived in, so I told her to give me some time. Typing as fast as I could, I turned my scraps of paper and stories into six novels to send to her so she had something to read.

I have since written a seventh and have three more in various stages of completion.

On the personal side, I work OTC at a Walmart pharmacy and am the wife of a retired RCMP Constable. We live in Chilliwack, BC and have two grown children.

 

 

 

 

 

Introducing Rob Shackleford, Historical and Sci-Fi Author

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Interview With An Author

 

What is your name?

Rob Shackleford

Do you have any pen names?

No

Tell us about where are you from?

I live in Australia, at a mountain area called Mount Tamborine with my partner Deb and our cat Mr Moo. This is our escape after living on the coast, so can be considered our Green escape.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

I have foolishly started a new business in the importation of a water filtration bottle called a Paany! It essentially removes germs from your drinking water. I was approached by people I used to work with and decided – what the heck – I can always do with more money! I suppose I like the thought of humanitarian aid applications, though that is a tough gig.

Oh, why do we do these things?

I am also engaged in the steady renovation of our house and gardens, which is good for my soul. There is something about green things growing that heals. I also go to the local Men’s Shed to learn how to make things out of timber and iron and, now travel has been largely stopped, do a little hiking and getting into wild places.

When did you start writing stories?

I started about 13 years ago. My first book, Traveller – now Traveller Inceptio, was completed 3 years later.

What or who inspired you to write stories?

Traveller Inceptio is a mix of science fiction and historical fiction that examines how members of 21st Century Western society could survive the world of the 11th Century.

I was inspired one day after I had been ripped off by a crooked business partner. I was pretty depressed and sat on a beach, imagining how the location would have looked 100, then 200, then 1000 years in the past. Fortunately, I lived close to the beautiful beaches of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia and the exercise of imagining the location before resorts, powerlines and phone towers brought to mind a very different world.

The next step in the tale was to imagine how modern humans would survive ‘back then’. Then – how could such a journey be possible?

The story was born

Besides a lot of my own research, being banned from my library for being so late with returning books, and making every effort to be truthful and conscious of Australian Aboriginal historical sensitivities, the rest was a lot of fun.

What is your favourite genre to write and why?

I love to read good science fiction and love to write the same. I accidentally immersed myself into historical fiction because that is where the story led me. I also love history, and my father is a very dedicated genealogist, so to merge the two genres was fun.

What is your favourite genre to read?

Science fiction and historical fiction – they have to be good though!! Careful, well researched work only!

Who is your favorite Author and why?

I don’t think I love one author only.

I dearly love the works of George Orwell, Colleen McCullough (The Rome Series), JK Rowling, Bernard Cornwell, Arthur C Clarke, Andy Weir, and so on. These are authors of tales of imagination, of new worlds described with not too much waffle. I especially love a clever tale. Stephen King can provide such tales as well.

Occasionally there are authors like Yann Martel (Life of PI) and Gregory David Roberts (Shantaram) where the painting of the mental picture with words can be magical. I always aspire to such a skill.

What was the first story you ever wrote?

I wrote Traveller. That was the short story that became a book that became a series.

I also wrote a few children’s books that were loved by those who read them. I am awaiting my daughter to illustrate them before I take that area any further. That has only been 10 years.

What happened to it? Did you save it or trash it, and why?

Traveller Inceptio was called Traveller and was liked by those who read but, I realize now, rambled on and on. It was finally edited by an English ex-publisher who essentially tore off my arm and beat me over the head with it.

After being shortened, chapters removed, waffle disposed of, tears shed and resubmitted to another editor, I was told I actually had a great story.

Traveller (crappy name – since then how many TV shows and books have that name?) was renamed Traveller Inceptio – meaning beginning. I was advised it was a unique tale, yet since then there has been Game of Thrones, Vikings, and Outlander – all terrifying similar in some respects, but not close enough.

After I was approached, Traveller Inceptio was submitted to vanity publisher Austin Macauley and wasted 3 years sitting around doing nothing.

I have written 5 other novels, including 2 others as sequels to Traveller Inceptio – written because readers and reviewers insisted. Reader encouragement and love of the story has given me encouragement to keep on going.

Thankfully stories continue to make themselves manifest.

Are there any sub-genres, that you would considering pairing together?

I have written a few novels as experiments – a disaster novel with a gentle sci-fi touch, and also a gentle sci-fi in a format similar to Dean Koontz. I find inspiration in looking at odd occurrences changing people as they try to survive in life

I think action and a little adventure and romance is always useful, because that is what happens to real people and makes a story worth telling. I never appreciate gratuitous sex or violence in a story.

 Do you have more fun writing the scenes, or creating the characters?

I really enjoy creating the characters. My first book, the research team for the Transporter were my first real characters. One character, Phil, was essentially based on my son. His friend, Yeti, was also one of my son’s friends by the same name. Believe me when I say the language, stunts and stupidity in which these guys engaged were based on real-life.

I really like to get into the character and hopefully make them a real, three- dimensional believable people. That’s my goal anyway.

Once the character is realistic, I like to place them into the story. The scenes, remarkable as they might be, are part of the character’s experiences. I like to see how a certain person would behave when exposed to the realistically extraordinary.

You’re an Indie Author, so tell us, why go Indie? Why choose to self publish?

Writing is like ‘The Voice’. It doesn’t matter how good you are, or even if you are any good at all. It’s all about being recognized as commercially viable.

I have heard tell that JK Rowling of Harry Potter fame would never be published if she had tried today, because she was poor and nobody would care. Agents don’t want to take a risk. They aren’t really that well paid in most cases. They want a sure thing. So do publishers. That is why there are so many questionable books by best-selling, established authors, celebrities, cricketers and footballers.

So how does an unknown, non-celebrity author break through that?

The desire of so many to be recognized as a credible author makes for a fertile field for rip-off artists ad conmen. Vanity publishers charge fortunes and do nothing for their authors, while we all agonize over if we are truly good enough. What makes it worse is how some of the “Best” new authors touted by some publishers are rubbish.

There is a long and winding road for any author today, and part of that is to find someone like Claire here who is willing to take the risk and help.

Self-Publishing is only the start and, while this may get nowhere in terms of private-jets or Lamborghinis, is the domain of those who don’t want to quit

Tell us how you work. From pen and paper, to your fingers dancing across the keys, do you find yourself cozy and warm with a cup of tea and a blazing fire? Or do you hide in your dungeon, slaving away on your latest masterpiece; the words of wisdom flowing from your fingers as the story is born? Tell us how you write?

I have a study with nice light and a grevillea tree outside where the lorikeets love to squawk and feed.

My best time is in the morning. I am definitely a morning person when it comes to clarity of mind and the ability to place fingers to keyboard. Sometimes, as I go through my day, I get a thought or garner a point that needs to be included in any of the novels I have under way or completed (not published – when they’re published that’s it – it’s too late), so I jot that thought down on paper and make a point of researching further before I add or change the text.

Yes, sometimes I have a lot of scattered pieces of scrap paper sitting on my desk.

Inspiration comes when working in the garden, driving, hiking, chatting or watching You-Tube, which is my preference to normal TV. To be honest, some of what I watch would be scientific and historical, so potentially boring to many, but the research goes on.

 Social Media Links

https://robshackleford.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Rob–Shackleford–Author–631222523675665/ https://www.instagram.com/rob_shackleford_/
https://twitter.com/robshackleford
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robshackleford9999/

Book Reviews


Traveller Inceptio

Bookroom Reviews

http://www.bookroomreviews.com/traveller-inceptio-by-rob-shackleford-a-time-travel-adventure/#.YaQdRWBByUl

Traveller Inceptio is a fantastic book.431 pages of great writing,fun and interesting characters. Excellent history lessons. If you liked the History Channel’s Vikings you will no doubt love this book I think I understood this book a little better because I watched that show. —->Time Travel is COOL

Artisan Book reviews

Traveller Inceptio by Rob Shackleford – Book Review

Traveller Inceptio is an entertaining, enjoyable and gratifying read, filled with action, adventure and a touch of romance. Rob Shackleford’s exemplary writing style is smart, clever and creative, drawing readers in from start to finish. I am eagerly looking forward to the next book in the Traveler Inceptio series by Rob Shackleford. Highly recommended by Artisan Book Reviews for both men and women, and all insightful, passionate and curious readers!

Traveller Probo

NN Light

Title: Traveller Probo: Traveller Book 2 (Traveller Series)
Author: Rob Shackleford
Genre: Time Travel, Science Fiction Adventure
https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/post/traveller-probo-bookreview

My Review:

A tour de force in time travel fiction. Incredibly detailed, the author has a keen eye for creating imagery. If an avid fan of time travel, then this book is for you as it will transport you to the past.

If you are a new reader, you will be captivated by New Zealand. The complications that happen in New Zealand take this story into a fresh new turn. The scenes are gripping, realistic and simply draw the reader in.

The portrayal of Special Forces members shows the author has a good appreciation of this special group. The training illustrated for the would-be travellers rings true with accuracy. The continued use of the media’s view helps keep the book grounded. You get a real-world feel for this series with tv and radio personalities involved.

A brilliantly written book that easily draws in a reader. It wasn’t long before I was dreaming about scenes from this book as I read it. The powerful writing simply imbues a reader’s soul.

The book brings to the forefront an important ethical question that is valid today. When is it okay for people of ‘superior’ ways to help those who have ‘less’? In this book, it is the context of the present and past. In our world, it has been the question generally of western civilization and local populations. How does one objectively rate the impact of ‘oh we can help them’ in terms of today? Each reader can grapple with these ethics in their own way. This book does a lovely job of highlighting this contentious theme.

One can’t help but admire the moral and ethical nature of Hunter. The international intrigue and suspense in the 21st century keep this book also with a foot in the present. Recommended to fans of the original book. Recommended to all lovers of the time travel genre. This book will have wide appeal and should be a bestseller.

My Rating: 5 stars

Anthony Avina – Author

https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/2021/11/04/traveller-probo-traveller-book-2-by-rob-shackleford-review/

The Review

This was such an adventurous and thought-provoking follow-up to the author’s equally exciting first book in the sci-fi series, Traveller Inceptio. The world-building and character development the author employs here is masterful, as the time-travel element allows readers to experience both the present-day individuals going back to study these ancient civilizations and the historical figures who encounter these strange individuals. The action kicks off from the get-go, with a mission to New Zealand’s past taking a bloody turn, and the balance the author finds with the political and social intrigue of the present with the action and history of the past was so amazing to read.

The attention to detail and imagery the author uses throughout this narrative was so vibrant and engaging that it felt almost cinematic in quality. I could easily picture this as either an ensemble cast film or streaming series, exploring these vast sets and time periods while employing a unique sci-fi twist that will keep readers engaged throughout the narrative. The themes of morality and western civilization’s mindset that superior technology, intellect, and resources give them the right to change or dictate how others operate and live their lives was felt in every chapter of this narrative and kept readers’ minds active as well entertained.

The Verdict

A brilliant, gripping, and heart-pounding historical fiction and sci-fi read, author Rob Shackleford’s “Traveller Probo” is a must-read novel. The intrigue and mystery of the growing missions and the back-room dealings surrounding the Traveller tech will keep readers on the edge of their seat, and the shocking cliff-hanger endings for both established and new characters alike and their missions will have readers eager to devour the next chapter in this epic series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

 

Author Bio

An English-born Australian, Rob Shackleford has also lived and worked in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, with a varied career that has included Customs Officer, Scuba Instructor, College Teacher and management roles in too many places.

With degrees in the Arts and Business, he is mad keen on travel, Scuba diving, Family History, martial arts, astronomy, and playing Djembe and Congas. Despite that, he is actually not that boring.

Rob is father of two and has made his green escape with his lovely lady into Australia’s Gold Coast hinterland.

 

Introducing Jenzy Montague and learn about her children’s books.

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Interview With An Author – Jenzy Montague

 

 

Tell us about where are you from?

Everywhere, LOL I was born in Missouri. I call Colorado my spiritual home. I loved it there and would move back in an instant. I’ve lived in California, Montclair, New Jersey, and now Virginia. I love mountains and college towns. Virginia gives me both. Even though I live an hour from Charlottesville, Virginia, I consider that home too. I’m a history nut so much history to glean from this area!

What do you do when you’re not writing?

Tag team with my daughter and hubby in homeschooling my three precious grandbabies! If not a nose in a textbook, I’m sewing and working with my crafts. I love to get outside and dig in the soil with my gardening. My youngest grandchild loves mother earthing with me.

When did you start writing stories?

I wrote stories when I was a child. I got serious as an adult but put it on hold so I could enjoy my biggest achievement, mothering my daughter. I would always jot down notes about stories that were in my head for years. I was a single mom. I had to be the breadwinner. I worked in a corporate world until I met my hubby.

Since the pandemic, I found myself having time to re-visit my thoughts of getting serious in my writing. It was my daughter Nikki that kept me on track making it happen.

It also was the pandemic that made me realize I needed to write a children’s story about Covid-19 from a child’s point of view. Watching the concerned looks on my grandbabies’ faces, I just had to do something. Noah just popped in my head. Even his name conveys our surviving the pandemic. It is the new norm. Perhaps even a new beginning. With all the stories that were already in my head, it took a pandemic to shake me loose.

What or who inspired you to write stories?

Children. Even when I was one myself, I was compassionate about little people’s feelings, their thought patterns. I wanted to be heard and it would come out on paper.

What is your favourite genre to write and why?

Children’s literature at present. However, I have some notes that I plan to dabble in someday.

What is your favourite genre to read?

If I do not have my nose in a children’s book reading to my littles, I am reading the school curriculum for lesson planning. However, during my downtime, I love historical, paranormal, and fantasy stories.

Who is your favorite Author and why?

Nicole Strycharz. She is a multi-genre writer and I just get lost in her books!

There are other amazing authors I love too. There is Daisy St. James and Lisa K Miller. They both write paranormal romance. Reading these talented women’s works is like a vacation away from the real world for me!

What was the first story you ever wrote?

LOL As a child there was Humpless, the Humpless Camel. I dare say I was very little. In reality, it was Cynthia’s Thankful Halloween.

What happened to it? Did you save it or trash it, and why?

My amazing illustrator, Mara Reitsma, has joined forces with me to publish Cynthia’s Thankful Halloween. Mara turns my world of characters into the exact picture I have in my head. It is like we are of one mind.

My little character Cynthia has been a part of me for years. All I did was tell Mara, and she got me. Then there is you, Claire. You have the talent to frame it to perfection. I am happy to say Cynthia will be a reality hopefully in time for 2021 Halloween. As for Humpless, well, he is still in the file. LOL.

Are there any sub-genres that you would consider pairing together?

Not sure just yet. Possibilities way back in my mind at this time.

Do you have more fun writing the scenes, or creating the characters?

Creating the characters because for me they create the scenes.

You’re an Indie Author, so tell us, why go Indie? Why choose to self publish?

Why not? There is a world of amazingly talented authors out there but cannot reach the goal or luxury of being published. Hats off to the authors who have been traditionally published. After all, they are and have been our inspiration. I choose to support my pen and paper with the Indie world because the drive is for our work to get out there and be read. Without both traditional published and self-published, we would not have such a world of choices to choose from. Makes the reading world so rich!

Tell us how you work. From pen and paper, to your fingers dancing across the keys, do you find yourself cozy and warm with a cup of tea and a blazing fire? Or do you hide in your dungeon, slaving away on your latest masterpiece; the words of wisdom flowing from your fingers as the story is born? Tell us how you write?

LOL, I am usually working side by side with my daughter, Nicole. Our desks are next to each other, with a bookshelf in the middle. Both computers are ticking away with yes, a cup of tea or, most likely, coffee in the early morning. If it is further on in the day, most likely there are children running back and forth screaming at each other or calling Mom, Grandma…Not sure to this day how we do it, but we do. Chaos keeps you on your toes or, for us, our minds working our fingers on the keyboard.

Social Media Links

Noah’s Book Link: http://mybook.to/iamasuperherobyjenzym

Website: https://gaiasgirl101.wixsite.com/jenzy-myworldbooks

FB Page: https://m.facebook.com/MyWorldBooksbyJenzy/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/JenzyMontague/e/B095J8CZ53/

 

Author Bio 

Jenzy, a graduate of the Institute of Children’s Literature, has lived in many parts of the United States throughout her life but settled in Virginia with her family.

She homeschooled her daughter and aided many moms with their journey in homeschooling. She assisted with and tutored children of special needs in phonics, reading, and math.

Now, grandma to three precocious grandbabies. She joins her daughter in homeschooling them.

Jenzy’s been telling stories from childhood to grandmotherhood.

She prefers being in a cubby with pen and paper, capturing the thoughts of children. She shares that hearth of imagination with her daughter, who is also a writer. The only other place to be, she says, is enjoying her brood of three in their little classroom where she teaches!

EXCERPT FROM NOAH

I Am a Superhero A Kid’s Thoughts on Covid-19:
Available Now

Now, Mommy is my schoolteacher and school is at home. We have to stay home ‘cause there’s a sickness that hurts people. I keep forgetting the name of the sickness, so Mommy has to remind me it’s called Covid-19. I don’t like that name, so I just forget it! We have so many rules now.

We have to social distance from people. We have to stay six feet apart. That’s like as long as my dad lying down on the floor. The sickness can jump that far! Everyone wears masks. I don’t like not seeing faces, only eyes. Are they smiling or are they sad? I sing happy birthday every time I wash my hands, and it takes forever!

NEW RELEASE

Cynthia’s Thankful Halloween:
Releasing Soon

A windy start for October, just perfect for Halloween, thought Cynthia. She was the new member of the haunted house on the hill, at the edge of town. Even in the ghost world, a little ghost needs a family, and this house came with one. It wasn’t easy being a ten-year-old little ghost who just moved in and getting a new family too.

Just a few weeks ‘till Halloween. She must practice being scary. The moon would be full this year on Halloween, and her name meant moon. She had to be the best fright ever!

Vanity Radio Interview Scam…

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I had an email yesterday from an author asking about a radio interview with Kate Delaney and Emmy Award Winner form America Tonight. I can honestly say I’ve never heard of these type of interviews before so being me, I went on a research trip to look into it. I was drawing blanks from google until I typed in Kate’s name and radio interview scam, then I found something. Of course it is from the wonder ‘WRITERS BEWARE’ site and written by ‘VICTORIA STRAUSS.’

If you are offered an Interview for Kate Delaney, Ric Bratton or Al Cole, (there are probably others too) then you NEED TO READ VICTORIA’s research which you can find HERE.

Be Careful out there.

Who Is She? Claire Plaisted: an Interview from My Archives Copyright 2017 #Author’sCorner | Pattys World

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Hello everyone. Earlier today, while doing some more computer maintenance, Casey Mathews, founder of WebFriendlyHelp.com unearthed a whole ton and half of old documents I thought were long gone. Oh, they may be buried in the archives of this blog, but seriously, who knows for sure? And furthermore, who’s got time to go digging round…
— Read on pattysworlds.com/2021/02/27/who-is-she-claire-plaisted-an-interview-from-my-archives-copyright-2017-authorscorner/

Partner in Crime Book Services

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I’d like to introduce you to one of my Contractors for Editing. Partners In Crime Book Services. They do a lot more than Editing, and they are excellent with their work. What they do shows a top business you can trust, it highlights a wonderful Mother and Daughter team.


Partners in Crime Book Services is a family-owned and operated small business, run by longtime promoter Annie Smith and her daughter, USA Today bestselling author Lily Luchesi.

Founded in 2019, PIC has grown from promotion to offering a myriad of services for authors and publishers, including:

The aforementioned book promotion (which includes blog posts, groups, pages, and Twitter)

Editing (proofing, developmental, and line included for a single price)

Formatting

Graphic design (covers, banners, teasers, and logos)

Newsletter management

Social media management (Facebook pages and groups as well as Twitter)

Facebook event management

Giveaway management

ARC reader management

And special bundles for new releases or publishing packages.

One could say PIC was formed back in the 1970s when Annie and her late mother would promote musicians. Her mother, Mary, founded the first fan club for The Black Crowes, alongside another fan, when they were starting out in the industry. From there, the two women did local PR in Chicago and West Hollywood for bands such as Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Guns N’ Roses, Cinderella, Poison, RATT, Enuff Z’Nuff, and more.

Annie also ran Aerosmith’s fan club; her job was drawing and making up the puzzles for their newsletter, which was some of the earliest newsletter marketing.

Promotion ceased in the early 1990s when Annie had her daughter. Then it picked back up with a new crop of bands beginning in 2005, with bands like My Chemical Romance, The Used, Aiden, Kill Hannah, Vampires Everywhere!, New Years Day, Falling in Reverse, Street Drum Corps, and Stitched Up Heart, Pretty Awkward, as well as others.

Annie and Lily were first on board with Hollywood Waste Records, an imprint of Century Media Records, as their Trainwrecks (the name of their street team). After a few active and entertaining years in the music scene, the duo took a break as Lily began to focus on her writing career.

Applying what she knew firsthand and from Annie’s past, Lily took to marketing her books right away, using Annie as an unofficial PA to find readers across all forms of social media, as well as ARC readers and street team members.

With advice taken from others who were in the industry longer than she, Lily began learning newer marketing techniques, such as Facebook events and newsletter swaps, and how to brand herself as an author. She also began teaching herself graphic design to create teasers eye-catching enough to garner reader attention online.

In 2011, while still working in the music industry, Lily also ran a successful book blog under her birth name, and via those reviews, she built a rapport with authors, even giving advice on their ARCs and how to improve them. That was how she began editing when one of them asked her if she would look over his short story before publication.

Lily edited for three years before quitting to focus solely on her books and improve her craft, as well as did blurb doctoring and critique.

In 2019, during a time of personal change in their lives, it was brought to Annie and Lily’s attention that they could begin offering their services for a fee to authors in need. From there, Partners in Crime Book Services began to blossom. (The name for the company came from Carson Cole Allen a musician in the bands Escape the Fate and Me Vs. Myself, when he called them partners in crime while they were doing music promo.)

Their first clients came from Lily’s former publisher, and from there the business grew and grew, taking off from extremely humble beginnings to garnering clients from around the world, in various genres and with varying needs.

The duo love what they do; seeing their clients succeed brings them joy beyond words.

Find PIC online via:

 Facebook – Partners in Crime

Website: Website – Partners in Crime

Twitter: Annie Smith, PA

Interviewing Author – Jane Risdon

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We’d like to introduce you to Jane Risdon, one of our latest clients who recently released an anthology of shorts called Undercover: Crime Shorts. This book already has five 5 star reviews with readers enjoying the twists and turns within the stories.

You may have already heard of Jane Risdon. Jane is one of our Ghostly Writers and has a story in each of our Ghostly Writes Anthologies. Introduction over here is the lovely, creative murder mystery author, JANE RISDON.

What & Who Inspires you to write?

Nobody inspires me. I am self-motivated and have always wanted to write. I may get ideas from overheard conversations, situations, and experiences I’ve had or come across in my ‘other life.’  Working in music, television and the movies is great fodder for a writer. Anyone who has spent time in Hollywood knows what I mean.

How did you get into writing? What was/is your journey like?

I have always written, even as a child, and  I’d always promised myself that when my life on the road managing recording artists, songwriters, musicians, and record producers – with my musician husband – either got quieter or I decided I’d had enough, I’d spend my time writing the crime novels I’ve wanted to write since reading Agatha Christie as a youngster.

Who would you like to thank for supporting and assisting you to where you are today…?

Firstly my husband who has always supported me in whatever I’ve done, and secondly best-selling, award-winning author and life-long friend, Christina Jones. We got to know each other in the late 1960s when she was a rock journalist and fan-club secretary to my husband’s band. She’d always wanted to write with me and has encouraged me for years. We eventually wrote Only One Woman (Accent Press Ltd) together….published May 2018.

Thirdly, Margot Kinberg, author of the Joel Williams series of crime novels and Associate Professor, who kindly allowed me to contribute two short stories to one of her anthologies having read some of my other efforts before. She has always been the first to encourage me and introduce me to her writing/reading friends.

You are a Guest Blogger and wish to let people know something new about the writing world what would you write about?

I’ve written more guest blogs than I can shake a stick at. I always decide what I think the blog wants to say to its readers and what they expect from me and take it from there. I could write from a character’s perspective, or give in-depth detail about my writing process, or a particular book or story I’m working on or have just published. I do this regularly and enjoy it a lot. I always try to make it unusual – provide unknown facts perhaps, and to inform and entertain as well. I often write about my previous career in music and before that when I worked for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Whitehall and had quite a few adventures during the Cold War.

Tell us three things about your life that you love.

I love that I am still married to the same person I met aged 16 – 51 years ago – and with whom I have a son and now 3 gorgeous grandchildren.

I love that we have shared a fabulous career in the international music business with so many adventures and unreal memories and experiences.

Mostly I love not having to deal with hormonal-enraged female artists and testosterone-fuelled musicians any longer who came so close to being annihilated it is unreal.

If you could work anywhere in the world to write where would it be and why?

I’ve lived and worked all over the world including America, Singapore, and Taiwan to name a few places, and I guess being back in England is the bee’s knees for writing. For adventure and excitement – I’d go back to Hollywood and Los Angeles. That place is totally out there and unreal.

Choose one of the next three as a pet. Which one would it be and why? SNAKE, SPIDER or LIZARD

I cannot stand any of these so I’d not have any. Whilst I like animals, fish and birds (in general) I cannot stand anything near me which creeps, crawls, slithers or flies. We once managed a rock guitarist who kept a tarantula in his room – he lived with us for a year – and the sound of it eating crickets which he had sent through the post weekly, nearly finished me off. My sister-in-law kept a boa-constrictor in her sitting room and the sight of that eating its micro-waved rats and mice used to drive me demented. No pets whatever they are thank you very much.

Your muses are singing and dancing, totally annoying you. What music are they listening to? Do you like it or does it make you want to run screaming?

I keep hearing tell of muses. I’ve never had one, not got a clue what one is, and I am not sure I’d stand one. As for music – dear god! I’m married to a professional musician, lived all my life working with musicians, living with musicians, sharing hotel rooms, tour buses and whatever as well as eating, sleeping, and dreaming music 24/7 for the last 51 years – I enjoy silence – it is precious. Besides, listening to music for pleasure is something I’ve not done in yonks. Put music on and I’ll analyse it in detail: the notes, the tempo, the production, the performance and so on and so forth. Listening to music was my life. Now I just want peace and quiet. Unless my husband is playing his guitar – I can cope with him.

How did you stumble into Indie Publishing? What made you choose this way?

I am actually signed to a traditional publisher – Accent Press Ltd – for all my writing: novels and novellas etc., – but I am free to go elsewhere or self-publish if I want to publish collections of short stories or one-off short stories not covered by my contract.

My co-written novel with Christina Jones, Only One Woman, is my most recent publication with Accent.

I have contributed to 15 anthologies, online newsletters and magazines – before and during my publishing contract. Mostly Flash Fiction and short stories – not covered by my contract.

Recently, with Plaisted Publishing House, I have put out my first collection of crime short stories – Undercover: Crime Shorts, which I’d discussed with my publisher prior to going the self-published route. They cannot publish collections by a solo author – only anthologies with several authors – so I thought, blow it, I’ll do it myself.

When I was involved with music I used to write articles for music magazines, and if I had to I’d create press releases and bio’s for artists if I wasn’t impressed with their record label’s marketing department’s efforts.

Tell us about your book cover designer. Who are they? Where did you find them?

The designer for the cover of Only One Woman was in-house at Accent Press. They sent us several ideas which were what the publisher wanted basically and in the end, after a few alterations, we went with the cover you see today. So far we have 53 5* reviews on Amazon alone and on GoodReads and other book review places we have more than I know, so I guess the cover is successful. Most readers love it.

The design for Undercover: Crime Stories, was chosen by me from one of the online design sites you can find. I gave it to Claire and Mara at Plaisted Publishing House and they did the rest with consultations with me.

Marketing is the bane of our writing careers. How do you go about it? What’s your secret?

I do marketing every day – and of course, my publisher does as well. Whether it is for Only One Woman or Undercover: Crime Shorts I do the same. I spend a couple of hours every morning hitting the Facebook Groups, doing blogs, articles and if involved, blog tours. I am constantly looking for new ways to make something sound/look fresh. It is never-ending.

My work in music has helped me understand marketing – how to hone it down and change it for whichever outlet or entity I am aiming at. The secret if there is one, is keep at it all the time, putting your name and book out there and eventually via osmosis you’ll begin to make an impression and when someone is wondering what to read, give as a gift or whatever, the chances are your name/book will pop into their head.

CHALLENGE TIME – Write a short poem or story of no more than 500 words.

The Letter – Jane Risdon – under 500 words.

Haunted by the neat sloping writing on the blue Basildon Bond paper which lay accusingly on her writing desk the old woman sat locked inside her thoughts.  She couldn’t bear to pick the letter up to read it again, but there was no need really.  The contents were not unexpected after-all.  She’d been waiting nearly forty years for something like this to happen.  And now it had.

Every knock at the door, every strange hand’s address on an envelope had filled her with such fear the like of which she could never share.  She had never told. The only reason she had an answering machine on her phone was so that she could screen her calls.  Just in case.  Now, there on the desk along with all her bills and other correspondence, the letter lay, the words terrorising her silently across the darkening room.

She didn’t ask herself how or why.  She knew the answers and had known this moment would come eventually, either in the form of a visit, a phone call or a letter.  Forty birthdays had come and gone and with each passing one she had agitated in case this time, it would be the one; the day when she would have to face her past.

Long ago she had put away the photo, the little sepia image now faded with age and fingering.  There was nothing she could have done even if she had wanted to, and she wasn’t even sure any longer if she had ever wanted to do anything.  At first, it was not a matter of choice but necessity, but there had come a time, many years later when she supposed she could have, possibly should have, tried.

Soon it would be over.  Of course, she could ignore the letter but that might force a visit, in person, without warning.  She could pretend it had never arrived and feign ignorance if anyone queried its receipt.  Her stricken mind tried to battle with her emotions.  Part of her needed this to happen, craved it and dreaded it, fought against it and longed for it.

Her tired faded eyes moved across the room to stare at the blue ghost beckoning her.  A date and a time had been suggested and if she didn’t respond the writer would understand, after all, it must be an awful shock after so many years but hoped that she would consent to a meeting, without strings of course.

Without strings, the old woman mused.  There were always strings, and there would always be strings.  She sighed heavily, tears brimming as she stood and made her way over to the letter.  She picked it up, reached for the telephone and dialled.

What do you do when you aren’t writing?

I spend time listening to my husband playing his guitar – songwriting or messing around – and we both love long walks in the countryside or in gardens or around old villages, churches, and cathedrals etc. I am a photo addict and love to take photos of the places we visit – we belong to the National Trust and have done ever since we were young and managed to get a few hours off (on tour in the UK) when we’d wander off to look around a stately home or gardens. Overseas we loved exploring places where we were not in danger of meeting tourists. If I get time I usually write a blog post with information and photos taken on one of our ‘jollies.’

Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/JaneRisdon2/

https://accentpressbooks.com/collections/jane-risdon

https://www.janerisdon.wordpress.com

https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00I3GJ2Y8

https://twitter.com/Jane_Risdon

https://www.goodreads.com/JaneRisdon

https://www.instagram.com/janerisdonwriter/

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/janerisdon2/

Interviewing Mara Reitsma – Forever Touched

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What can I say about Mara Reitsma. Wonderfully creative who writes great stories and builds worlds with astounding success. Her short story ‘Forever Touched’  and Poem  are a wonderful addition to ‘Love from The Otherside’ – A Ghostly Writes Anthology.

Introduce Yourself and where you’re from.

My name is Mara, and I live in Canada. No, I do not live in an Igloo, though it would be kind of cool, I live in a house, on the West Coast of British Columbia. It rains here, a lot, which gives me ample time to warm up with my laptop and finish a story or two; when I’m not enforcing a peace treaty between my three children. There is never a dull moment around here. I’m either entertaining my minions, writing, or doodling. If I stop, my head would literally explode.

Anyhow, I love to write, and so far, have managed to squeeze myself into the following anthologies ?

*The Ghostly Writes Anthology 2017 – Primrose Point

*A Treasure Chest of Children’s Stories – The Secret of Dry’r

*Ghostly Writes Valentines Anthology: Love from the Other Side-

Tell it to The Rose & Forever Touched

* We Are The Devil’s Daughters:
Zahara, Madrina & Euphamia

*Sins and Secrets Series:
Ezrianna, & coming soon, Ambrosia

* The Devil’s Daughters Crossover Series, with Mark McQuillen, includes:

Legends, Chronicles, Judgments, Distorted Pasts & coming Mar 24 th, Illusions of the Present.

Now, because writing doesn’t seem to be enough, I’ve also taken to graphic design for covers and promo art, and got a few hand-drawn coloring books out there. One for the inspirational seeker, and another for those who can’t say it at work, and should color it instead. Both, are only available at Lulu.com!

*Emotion Commotion

*Lewd, Crude and Totally Rude- A Folio of Foul Language
I told you, it never stops.

Tell us about your writing journey?

I’ve been writing since I was a child. Always had a story to tell, just wish I’d actually written most of them down. I have what’s called ‘Word Salad’ and it flat out means that my mind works ten times faster than my mouth can keep up. So yes, I get my merds wixed up. My fingers, however, are able to keep up, and voila; but that was only one part of the problem. The second half, was having so much information stuffed into my head, that I had to start writing it all down. If I didn’t get those stories out, I’d literally go insane; though it didn’t end with the stories; which also, don’t seem to end.

I have written novels, taken part in various anthologies, created cover and promo art, as well as dabbled with a few book trailers. My mind just doesn’t stop. So here I am, not totally bat-shit crazy, hoping someone else will enjoy my insanity with me. 

What is your story about?

I have two contributions to the anthology, one short story and a poem. Un-related as of yet, but as most of my stuff has a way of finding a place in the Universe I have created with my co-author, Mark McQuillen, only time will tell.

 First up, is Forever Touched. A short, sinful story with a wicked ending. Though it has yet to secure its place in our Verse, it has quite the potential, and was based on a true story, of a friend of a friend of mine. It starts off with a young man who seems to have forgotten the last few days and awakes in an elegant farmhouse surrounded by older men. As the story plays out, he starts to remember bits and pieces. He suffers from flashbacks of what he believes to be a dream, but soon enough that dream turns into a nightmare, and a game played with friends, at a party that never should have taken place, leaves the young man with a devastating future. How was he to know it would steal his soul? How was he to know how deadly the woman truly was?

My second piece is a poem called Tell it to the Rose, and bears a description of the Guild and the Petals who frequent its halls. A spicy little endeavour, made to lure you in. The Guild resides in the Verse created by Mark McQuillen and I, and is used by the Petals to covet secrets that most would have soon seen buried. With their chapterhouses located all over the Verse, the Petals seek out those lonely warriors, in hopes of trading skin for secrets. They’re sinful assassins, working their wiles with the knowledge that secrets fall during the most pleasurable moments. You can find more about them in the Sin and Secrets Series, or the Devil’s Daughters Crossover.

Why did you choose this topic/genre?

I’ve always just written what comes to mind, and with friends like mine, a lot, comes to my mind. There are always tales of intrigue or mention of a dream, and well, one thing leads to another and bam, we end up with a story. And they say I’m the crazy one, they’re the ones feeding me ideas; but in all honesty, I’ll try writing anything once, twice if I like it.

Why publish in the Ghostly Writes Anthologies?

Why not? I have stories to tell, people, how could I pass this up? It was a lot of fun, and the people at Plaisted Publishing House are super easy to work with. Professional and courteous, always working to make the anthologies even better. I’ve worked with other anthologies before, but none have been as resourceful and on the ball as Claire and her crew, always willing to help out. They are knowledgeable and informative as to what’s happening throughout the publishing process, and leave me feeling that my script is in good hands, with good people. I don’t think I could work with anyone else, they’ve set the standards too high.

Share your experiences of helping each other in the Ghostly Writes Group.

The best part of all this, was getting to know some wicked new Authors, and getting to create covers and promos to my heart’s content. But really, there are so many of us out there, doing our thing in our own way, and watching as each piece was put together to create the Ghostly Writes Anthology, it blows my mind. So many stories, so many different takes on the ghostly realm…  You guys rock, you really do, cause you love what you write, and you write what you love, and now, I get to read it all. It was a pleasure working with everyone, and I’m in for the next round!

Thank You for Participating

 

Interviewing Karen Hansen – Stay

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Friday has arrived and it is Karen Hansen’s turn to tell you about her extraordinary self. Such an accomplished young woman who is going places. Karen’s short story in Love from The Other Side – A Ghostly Writes Anthology is called Stay.

 

Introduce Yourself and where you’re from.

 My name is Karen Hansen, and I am from an amazing fast growing city in New Zealand called Rotorua. We are the birthplace of tourism in our country, and the posterchild for geothermal activity. To be honest, we live in the Rotorua Caldera, INSIDE a volcano. Crazy and Wonderful huh!

Growing up, I moved house a number of times – but the place I identified with most was a little yellow cottage in Tiketere on the outskirts of Rotorua. This cottage sat on the complex of ‘Hells Gate’, so named by George Bernard Shaw. “George, a famous Irish playwright living in England, visited the area for a week (in the early 1900’s) and on looking at the thermal park decided that this must be the gateway to Hell, which his theologian colleagues talk about.

He was well known as an Atheist, however after being here a week it is understood that he changed his ways. Our people were so taken by the playwright that from that time on, they allowed the area to be known in English as Hells Gate.” (Hells Gate Histories and Legends, 2018)

As a child of HELL(s Gate) I played with sulphur instead of sand, bamboo forests instead of tree houses, played with free roaming peacocks instead of caged birds, cooked kai (food) in natural geothermal cooking pools and swam under the largest hot waterfall in the southern hemisphere.. all in my back yard.

As an adult I have a close affinity with nature, studying herbal medicine and spiritual tradition from many cultures. I am  a social entrepreneur, with a passion for people empowerment and social change through multi-media and artistic expression. I have three beautiful children, and am currently completing my BA of Creative Technologies and creating out of the box high end events with a community arts focus.

Tell us about your writing journey?

My writing journey began when I was 5 years old. My Mother used to write poetry, and I remember being inspired by a piece she wrote entitled ‘Self Confidence Story’. She wrote this at a time when she was at her lowest point, in hospital. I have carried those words with me forever:

 

“I am a castle,

A fortress:

Built upon a rock,

In the midst of an ocean

of unfriendly faces,

unknown entities,

and nameless perils.

I fly my banner in the face of the world!

Whatever happens,

I shall triumph,

may occasionally falter,

But NEVER fail.

Though time may rip at my walls,

And batter at my gate,

I will not give in…

I shall survive…

I AM A WINNER” 

(Gillian Hansen, 1988)

 When I was about 9 years old, I started writing my own poetry. I wrote my first childrens book “Karen’s Burglar” when I was 12, although that is sitting unpublished (to date). Around this time, I began writing horror inspired stories along the line of my favourite authors at that age: R.L. Stine and Francine Pascal. None of these survived.

Over the years, I have written articles, speeches and media releases for companies such as Miss Burlesque New Zealand. However, Fantasy, SongWriting and Poetry are my favourite mediums.

I am currently working on two non-fiction books on life coaching and philosophy, and two fantasy novels “Pictures of the Lost” and “Ysabel’s Gate” I am aiming to have one of each released in 2019.

What is your story about?

‘Stay’ is about a love that transcends time. “A love so powerful, it stopped her heart”. It follows the main character Annie, through her lifetime – and a star crossed relationship. I won’t say much more, as it’s only a short story! You’ll just have to go read it 😉

Why did you choose this topic/genre?

I chose this genre, as I have always been fascinated with the paranormal … and you know… I’m a terrible romantic! I cried writing my own story.

Why publish in the Ghostly Writes Anthologies?

 The Ghostly Writes Anthologies is a fabulous platform! I’m all about empowering the people, and it offers indie authors all over the world the chance to submit their work and be included in a number of collections. I am honoured to have this, my first piece of published work, accepted and printed for the world to see! Onwards and Upwards .. Watch out world!

Share your experiences of helping each other in the Ghostly Writes Group.

The Ghostly Writers Group is full of creatives, which is my kind of place to hang out. We all lift each other up, and offer constructive criticism and our own talents to help push the industry and the platform further. Thanks Plaisted Publishing, for offering such a great space and putting in many hours of complimentary work in order to bring our stories to the world.

Thank you for participating.

(Thank YOU for the opportunity, the love is reciprocal!)

 

Interviewing Lynn Mullican – Raven’s Hill: The Ritual

Anthologies, authors, Information, Interviews, readers

Today I’m introducing you to multi talented author, editor and graphic artist Lynn Mullican. Lynn has published several short stories in our anthologies and last year she made the book cover for our main Halloween Anthology. It is great.  Here is her interview.

 

Hi, I’m Lynn Mullican. I’ve worked in Research and Statistics under the Bureau of Labor Statistics federal program for twelve years. I’ve been married to the love of my life for 30 years. I have three adult children, five grandchildren, and two furry kids (cats), which I’ve nicknamed, my boys. I enjoy dancing, reading, martial arts, archery, camping, hiking, and spending time with my family and friends.

I started writing when I was seven years old, and grew up watching the old horror movies with Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, and Vincent Price. With that, I became interested in the darker side of the psyche’ and the paranormal. Since then, I have enjoyed using a component of the old classics, twisting it, and making it something of my own. I like to indulge my readers and make them question life, the reality vs. the myth.

Though, most of my work falls within the horror and paranormal genre, I make sure to mix in the psychological aspect, something I feel is important when writing. One example is my Bad Elements series, which falls within the mixed category of horror, thriller, paranormal, erotica, adventure, and martial arts.

Another example is my Awakening series, a sci-fi, horror, and psychological thriller. Currently, I have several stories in the works; a religious horror novel, a zombie story, the fourth in the Bad Elements series, the third in the Awakening series, and a psychological thriller. Those are only some of the stories I have started.

My story, Raven’s Hill: The Ritual is about a couple, Gisela and Nate, who begin having marital problems when Nate starts acting strange. About the same time, a stranger, Asmodeus, comes to town and women begin disappearing. When the Sheriff comes to question Nate about the women’s disappearance, Gisela questions her trust in Nate.

I had already written Raven’s Hill for the Ghostly Writes Valentine’s Anthology in 2017 which told of a brief and haunted love story. After writing it, I felt I needed to delve further into Gisela and Nate’s relationship.

I already had an idea for Raven’s Hill and Raven’s Hill: The Ritual and felt it would be a good fit for the Ghostly Writes Valentine’s Anthologies.

There’s no better experience than coming together as a team when working on a project, particularly on the Ghostly Writes Anthologies. I enjoyed it immensely; the input, the collaboration, and the contest. Combined, it was a great experience. I look forward to working with everyone again.

THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING