Author Interviews

Author Interview: Olta Totoni

7/10/2018

Meet Olta Totoni, author of Diary of the Time

BBB: Tell us about yourself.

OT: I was born in Permet, Albania (City of the Roses). I have been very fond of reading books and I have been an excellent student. I studied British and American Studies in the University of Tirana. I am specialized in Intercultural Language and Communication. I like writing short stories. Some of my short stories are “Spider Letters” , “The Raven”, “The Storm”, “Dear Centaur”, “The House of the Artist”, “Stockholm’s Syndrome” etc. I am the author of many articles related to political science, literature, culture and most of them have to do with the British and American Studies. My articles are published in Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, the USA, Canada, Mexico etc. I am the author of the book “Diary of the Time” (a collection of articles published in newspapers and magazines. I have been a Guest lecturer/researcher at the University of Tirana for 10 years.

BBB:What inspired your book, Diary of the Time?

OT: My book “Diary of the Time” is a collection of articles published in magazines and newspapers. There are 29 articles and one interview (in English and Albanian). This book contains 14 articles dedicated to the British culture, literature and politics. There is an introduction that is dedicated to the future/aspiring writers and especially those that will be focused on British studies. It is a guide for new researchers that will go in depth of British Culture and academia. There are many things that inspired me to write this book; starting from the small things in life to the biggest ones, from the simple words to the academic terminology. I wrote this book having a particular person in my mind and that is my mother. She encouraged me to write all the articles and motivated me to continue with my academic research. She even had the patience to read my creative work. She read my imagination, unconditionally.

BBB: How did you come up with the idea for your book cover?

OT: The choice of the book cover is not casual. I thought it very well. As far as one part of the book is dedicated to British Studies, I thought that one of the main symbols of Britain, Big Ben should be on the cover. This was accompanied by an article that gives up-to-date information about the Clock Tower. At the same time, Big Ben has direct connection with the title of the book “Diary of the Time”, time is the main motif. Time is very important. The background is blue and that for me symbolizes the freedom and the infinity of thoughts and imagination; those are unlimited and go beyond this book.

BBB: What are you currently working on?

OT: I am currently working on other articles that will be published worldwide. I am exploring British writers and translating excerpts from British literature. Translation is a way of rewriting literature. I am experimenting with words and worlds. I am (re)searching and sharing academic views.

BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

OT: Readers can find more about me in my personal website oltatotoni.wordpress.com. They can find there information about me, ways to contact me, my articles, my interviews, translations of excerpts from the British literature. Facebook Olta Totoni They can contact me at any time if they just would like to greet me or share feedback or just drop a line.

They can find me on Twitter @Olta Totoni, LinkedIn Olta Totoni Researchgate Olta Totoni if they would like to contact me for academic collaboration.

My book can be found in the Albanian National Library and soon available to be sold online.

0 Comments

Author Interview: Kellie Byrnes

6/20/2018

0 Comments

Meet Kellie Byrnes, author of Cloud Conductor

BBB: Tell us about yourself.

KB: I’m an Australian children’s author, a freelance writer, a review and a blogger. I’ve been a bookworm as long as I can remember, and am thrilled to have just released my first book.

Cloud Conductor, a picture book, is about using your imagination to deal with tough times. It is published by Wombat Books, and beautifully illustrated by Ann-Marie Finn.

In the story, Frankie loves to just sit and watch the clouds. She conducts symphonies in the sky and listens to the melodies that only she can hear.
As the seasons pass, Frankie is taken away from her bedroom on the tales she creates. Even when illness means she can’t leave her bed, she can still escape to the beach with shimmering waves or the outback with thundering horses.

BBB: What inspired your book, Cloud Conductor?

KB: Cloud Conductor was one of the first stories I came up with. It was inspired by an article I read about a sick child. This got me to thinking about how difficult and draining it must be for kids when they’re ill and can’t do the things they normally do.

Being someone who has always had my “head in the clouds” quite a bit, I considered that a child’s imagination would be one of the best tools they could use to cope with illness, or at any other tough time. The idea of looking up at the clouds came to mind, and then, when the title ‘Cloud Conductor’ arose, I knew this was a fun way into the story.

BBB: Tell us about your main character.

KB: Frankie is positive, determined, resilient, inventive, dreamy and creative. She loves hanging around with her dog and her friends, and immersing herself in nature.

She doesn’t give up, even when things seem dire, and she is happy to share with and support others.

BBB: What other books have you written?

KB: My next picture book, titled Yes! No. is coming out next year. It will be published by Little Pink Dog Books, and illustrated by the incredibly talented U.K. artist Gabriella Petruso. It’s worlds apart from Cloud Conductor in style, and is a humorous tale about some escapades cheeky animals get up to.

I’ve also written numerous other picture books, plus a junior fiction novel, and am working on other ideas all the time. Too many stories, not enough time!

BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

KB: Readers can head to my website, www.KellieByrnes.com to learn more about me and my work. On the site you’ll find my blog, too, where I review children’s books and interview other creatives.

You can also connect with me on Twitter at @KellieJByrnes and on Facebook at KellieByrnesAuthor, amongst other places.

I’m available for school talks and workshops too, and as a writer-for-hire for publishers, businesses, and individuals. More details are available on my website.

Cloud Conductor is for sale online and in Australian bookstores. My publisher, Wombat Books, ships the book internationally for the same price as Australian shipments, which is fantastic. Booktopia is another great online outlet that’s stocking the book.

0 Comments

Author Interview: Jeffy Edie

5/18/2018

0 Comments

Meet Jeffy Edie, author of An American Song: Nazareth Road

BBB: What inspired your book, An American Song: Nazareth Road?

JE: What was my inspiration for my book? 1972 was a very dramatic year for me, because of a number of emotional, and shocking event's in my life. But one of these event's was something that was wonderful, if not a very brief experience. I now would call it, "a God experience", or an "infilling of the Holy Spirit", for lack of better terms. At the time I had this mental, emotional, and Spiritual experience, which I've never had since, I had just turned 18 years old, and I believe there was a reason for that, at that age. All of the experiences of that year, and before, but especially 1972, would be burned in my memory, and later in my life, I felt compelled to write about it. My book is a political/fiction. The fictional story, was based on my own, and other friends experiences, as most fiction is. The political commentary, current, and historical is my opinion, and I think I have some good insights that others might find interesting. It's straight forward, and basic common sense very well informed opinions which people might find themselves in agreement with. One issue that I felt very strongly about at that time was the fact that, any 18 year old whose parents could put him in a college, could get an exemption from the draft. I still think that this was very unfair. It was blatant socioeconomic-class discrimination. I have 2 older step brothers who were drafted into the Army, for their high school graduation present from Uncle Sam, and each given an all expenses paid 2 year tour of combat duty, in the jungles and rice patties of Vietnam. Thank God they came home in one piece and alive. I was never drafted, even though I couldn't afford college.

BBB: How did you come up with the idea for your book cover?

JE: The book cover design was my idea, and done by my first publisher, Kitty, at Ravenswood Publishing. the title, and subtitle, "An American Song: Nazareth Road", refers to the popular music of the time in the book, the 1960's and 1970's, and other times. The many great songs of the time, and how this music illustrated the time, and America. "Nazareth Road", the subtitle, is the name of the street my family lived on for some years. It's on the east side of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and is the street that Walter grows up on. I wanted a book cover that said "Irish Catholic American, working poor young man." I'm half Irish, with Italian, and Norwegian. My mother was from Boston, and my dad was from Chicago, just like the parents of the main character in my book.

BBB: Tell us about your main character?

JE: The main character is Walter McGinn. The real Walter McGinn was a good friend of mine in South Boston, where I moved to, at 20 years old, and lived there for 20 years, until 40 years of age. I just used Walters name, for the main character of my novel. the character Walter, was my age, and experiences the same things I did, and others I knew experienced at the time. The lack of a college education, and no skilled training, made it hard for young men like myself to find a decent paying job, especially with the very bad economy in Michigan at that time, with the auto makers laying off workers, because they weren't competing well with the new foreign auto imports. Walter, and his friend Virgil, move to Florida, in hopes of better jobs, and better weather, in the winter time.

BBB: What do you think readers will find most appealing about your book?

JE: What will readers like about my book? the fictional story is a very real honest human story, and is not sugar coated. It will make you laugh out loud, and maybe even cry a few tears. My book is substantial, and nothing frivolous or stupid in it. It's making a statement, and commenting on the current political atmosphere in the USA. Although, the political commentary on current politics ends in 2015, before the election. Very early on, in my book, I describe my take on the JFK assassination, and how it affected the country, and the McGinn family. No, I don't believe the official story, of the lone nut gunman. I make a lot of historical political commentary which I believe is pertinent to today. the result of much research, and fact checking, which is being made difficult now a days, thanks to dishonest people who're trying to push a selfish agenda, by making facts hard, if not impossible to find.

BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

JE: Anyone can find me on my Google+ and my book is available on Amazon.

0 Comments

Author Interview & Giveaway: Ann Simas

5/17/2018

0 Comments

Meet Ann Simas, author of Here and Gone and many other books.

BBB: What inspired your book, Here and Gone?

AS: Being a short question, you’d think I’d have a short answer, but I don’t. When I sat down to write Here and Gone, it was a totally different story, with a different title. It was that title that inspired me to write the book, which was intended to be a Christmas romance.

The concept for the book began to change as I wrote. For one thing, as usually happens because I plot as I go, ideas pop into my head that lead me down a different path. Before you know it, I’m writing a different story, with different lead characters. My female protagonist (Hannah) has a different history than the woman in the other book and my male protagonist (Noah) is a county sheriff, rather than a cartoonist. By the time I’d written half the book, I knew it also had to have a new title. That other book will still get written the way I envisioned it, but Here and Gone has its own path, one that is an emotional roller-coaster for Hannah.

BBB: Tell us about your main character.

AS: Hannah Clarke doesn’t like the ocean, but her husband Jason has a sailboat and when their son Jay reaches age five, he insists he’s taking the boy out on the boat. Several hours later, Hannah is notified that her husband and son perished when the sailboat capsized. For the next two years, one police detective hounds Hannah unmercifully, labeling her a person of interest to the media, insinuating that she had something to do with Jason and Jay’s deaths. The community picks up on that and harangues and harasses Hannah verbally and with hateful graffiti on her home. When she’s finally had enough, she sells her home and relocates to Colorado, where she lives under the name H.L. Mason, the pseudonym she’s been using as a scientific illustrator.

Her goal is to start a new life, though she’s still grieving the loss of her husband and son. She doesn’t expect to hear from her sister’s husband that he’s sure he saw Jason and Jay at the Denver airport. Hannah has faced adversity and beat it, only to face it again in an way that’s even more insidious. Along the way, she discovers the courage to carry on and the ingenuity to succeed.

BBB: What do you think readers will find most appealing about your book?

AS: Sheriff Noah Ward notices footprints in the fresh snowfall when he drives by Hannah’s house on his way home. He decides to stop and make sure no one’s living there who shouldn’t be. He follows the footprints to the back patio door and notices Hannah inside, on the floor. He tries the door and finds it unlocked.

Hannah has been betrayed and she decides to do something about it. With the help of Sheriff Noah Ward, a former Navy SEAL, she could accomplish her goal. The problem is, after being harangued by the cop in San Diego, she has trust issues with law enforcement. The other problem is, she and Noah experience an instant attraction for each other. Now that Hannah knows her husband isn’t really dead, she feels compelled to honor her marriage vows, regardless of her husband’s infidelity. Together, she and Noah make a commitment not to have an intimate relationship, which does nothing to quell their feelings for each other, proving instead that true love runs deep.

Not only is Here and Gone a thriller, it’s also a love story, and both will leave you breathless.

Buy links for Here and Gone:
US   https://amzn.to/2Iyylkq
UK   https://amzn.to/2HW8fLB
CA   https://amzn.to/2vWuDPY
AU   https://amzn.to/2FoonQQ
Free read on Kindle Unlimited

BBB: What are you currently working on?

AS: I just finished book 4 in my Grace Gabbiano Mysteries, Quilted to Die, and it’s now with my editor. The series is set in Coburg, Oregon, a small town in the Willamette Valley with a population of just over one thousand. I’m excited that I’ve been accepted as a vendor at the 2018 Coburg Quilt Show, July 20-21. Since Quilted to Die takes place at that very event, it will make its debut there, along with my other books.

While I wait for editorial comments on QD, I’m working on book 6 in my Christmas Valley Romance series, Angels on the Rooftop. This coming November, I’d like to introduce three new CVRs, so when Angels is complete, I’ll move on to Back-Door Santa after that, and if all goes well, Gingerbread Junction. These are romances that are a little bit spicy and laugh-out-loud funny at times. Many of the characters introduced early-on recur in later books, and the owners of the Christmas Valley Inn, Nick and Kris Kringle, appear in every story.

BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

AS: My books are available worldwide on Amazon.com in both paperback (free ship with Prime) and ebook format. Paperbacks are also available on my website (free ship within the U.S.), https://annsimas.com, where you can also read about me and each one of my books.

Amazon and other links for Ann Simas:
US https://amzn.to/1AJ3Rl3
CA https://amzn.to/1MUoZgT
UK https://amzn.to/1N285hU
AU https://bit.ly/1JsypOh
Free read on Kindle Unlimited
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2EUVhtn
Ann Simas, Author on Facebook: https://bit.ly/2yxRotW

Here & Gone Winners Choice Giveaway
eBook or Signed Paperback

a Rafflecopter giveaway

0 Comments

Author Interview: Sarah Baethge

5/7/2018

0 Comments

Meet Sarah Baethge, author of The Illumination Query

BBB: Tell us about yourself.

SB: I’m 36 years old. I got a National Merit Scholarship, but I never finished college. I’ve self-published a few short stories and one novella on Kindle.

BBB: What inspired your book, The Illumination Query?

SB: I wrote and for a short while published a story called The Speed of Darkness (you can read it free off Google Drive http://goo.gl/392iWP I do plan on eventually re-writing that one because I’m not happy with its ending,) but because the old story started quickly, without much explanation, I wrote The Illumination Query as a prequel for it.

BBB: Tell us about your main character.

SB: Ronald Carpenter is a zookeeper who gets trapped into working for an evil company called the Eclipse. Dr. Nigel Hunter who works for the company is something of a mad scientist who experimented on himself. The two of them end up facing each other as enemies.

BBB: Tell us about your illustrations.

SB: I actually went and made 8/7 drawings of readable letters that use fonts that are supposed to look like handwriting.

BBB: How did you come up with the idea for your book cover?

SB: I wanted something simple, and in my story Nigel Hunter keeps the letters that I tried to make real looking in a notebook, so I made the cover look like a notebook.

BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

SB: Readers can connect with me on the following sites:
My Blog
Goodreads
Facebook
Smashwords

0 Comments

Author Interview: Aisha Khan

4/22/2018

1 Comment

Meet Aisha Khan, Author of The Little Angels: Feel the Goodness

BBB: Tell us about yourself.

AK: I am Aisha Khan from Toronto Canada, a homemaker & a mother of two beautiful girls Anaya & Aiza Malik.

BBB: Tell us about your book, The Little Angels: Feel the Goodness.

AK: It’s about an effort of two little girls who want to help to the Poor, have equal rights of Education & Good Food like other rich kids in the Society.

BBB: Tell us about your main character.

AK: Coco & Loco are the main characters. Two sisters, one of them focuses on Education, Mobile School while the Second one focuses on Healthy Nutritious foods for Poor Kids in the Society.

BBB: What do you think readers will find most appealing about your book?

AK: I feel they will appreciate the efforts of both girls. Sometimes, we ignore the little kind gestures which we can make but we don’t since we believe only the Govt. or Powerful People are responsible to change this world, while it’s a collective responsibility of everyone in the community. Any little kind move can have a Big Impact.

BBB: How did you come up with the idea for your book cover?

AK: It’s about flying high in the Sky and feeling good.

BBB: What are you currently working on?

AK: It’s a new Project about Single Moms & Challenges of Divorce.

BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

AK: They can follow me @heylittleangels

1 Comment

Author Interview: Carolyn M. Walker

3/3/2018

1 Comment

Meet Carolyn M. Walker, Author of Immortal Descent

BBB: Tell us about yourself.

CW: I’m a California native, but Florida is now my second home state. Since childhood, I’ve been fascinated with books. Reading and writing has always been a huge part of my life and to say I’m passionate about it is an understatement! Aside from these two loves, I adore lounge music, devour historical documentaries, cherish beach days with the family, and crave Japanese food probably more than any normal person should!

BBB: What inspired your book, Immortal Descent?

CW: As an endless seeker of answers, I couldn’t help but wonder about the mysteries surrounding the taboo topic of immortality. What started as a harmless inquiry, turned into a full-blown obsession, and before I knew it, I was on a creative rampage. I think my thirst for knowledge, that lingering notion of “what if,” and the greater mysteries found in human history was a huge inspiration for my novel.

BBB: What do you think readers will find most appealing about your book?

CW: I think my book is unique in that it blends age-old lore, credited history, and the paranormal in one. The broad term “urban fantasy” is attached to my novel but this is no ordinary urban fantasy. I introduce the completely original Lorn, a mythical creature never before seen, and it brings a new spin on the story of the Nephilim. The Nephilim were the supposed forbidden offspring of the angels and humans (which caused those angels to fall from grace and become fallen angels). My story is different in that takes it a step further to look at the Lorn, who are the proposed descendants of the Nephilim—and they are far closer to humans than we realize. This extended lineage is what makes Immortal Descent different and I think my book would appeal to readers seeking a fresh angle on this story.

BBB: How did you come up with the idea for your book cover?

CW: When I was collaborating with my cover design artist, I told them I wanted to convey the mystery and secrets of time, with ominous undertones hinting that it could break free at any moment. It was a vague and sweeping idea at first, but the more we talked, the more I realized the same elements kept coming up. These were: timelessness, mystery, illusion, and fragility. Then it hit me like a lightening bolt—an hourglass! It was a fragile keeper of time, and within it I could show the idea of a world within a world of mystery. Also, my story is a dark thriller so the ominous woods and the crow over the moon was fitting!

BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

CW: Immortal Descent is truly just the beginning. As book 1 in a series, readers can expect to see more in this story. I keep a blog on my website with interesting updates and additional info about my work, as well as other projects I have underway. Readers can sign up for my newsletter at: https://carolynmwalker.wordpress.com/reader-sign-up/ to stay in the loop.

I’m also active on Facebook and Twitter, where they can follow and learn more about me! Here’s the links to stay connected:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolynmwalkerwrites
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MissWriteWise

1 Comment

Author Interview: Sonya McKinzie

2/12/2018

0 Comments

Meet Sonya McKinzie, Author of Thrive-Her: Women That Walk Confidently and Spiritually from Surviving to Thriving

BBB: Tell us about yourself.

SM: Sonya A. McKinzie is a 15-year and second-generation survivor of domestic violence and advocates for domestic violence victims and survivors. She is a single mother of a remarkable 6-year old princess. As the founder and executive director or Women of Virtue Transitional Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit, charitable and humanitarian organization that advocates for survivors/victims of abuse and acts to spread awareness about bullying, domestic and teen violence prevention she strives to make a difference in their lives. Further she works to empower girls and women to live healthy, productive and fulfilling lives. Sonya holds a MA in Human Services Counseling with a focus in addictions and recovery, BA in Business Management and is a certified victims advocate. She has authored four books of which one was a co-authoring project. She is the creator and founder of the Blog Daily Journeys – Women of Virtue – Darkskinisbeautiful (The name was born through her challenges and struggles with being taunted for her dark skin. The same skin she has come to love and embrace). She is also the creator of the facebook group ThriveHer: Women that walk confidently and spiritually from surviving to thriving. The group is an extension of her November 2017 book release.

BBB: What inspired your book?

SM: Thrive-Her: Women That Walk Confidently and Spiritually from Surviving to Thriving was created based on the foundation of her spiritual walk with God and her past. I think most readers will find the book real, relatable, spiritually defining and uplifting. This project will help readers unmask their trials, hard-knock life experiences, and secrets while being comfortable and transparent in doing so.

BBB: What other books have you written?

SM: I have written Heaven Rain on me, Perfectly Imperfect, co-authored a chapter in the anthology “Soul Source” and my latest book ThriveHer of which three of the books have been best sellers.

BBB: How did you come up with the idea for your book cover?

SM: I had a photo shoot earlier last year and some of the pictures displayed a complete sense of confidence, beauty and regality. When the photographer showed me the picture, I thought “Who is she” and “Is this really me”? After choosing to use the picture, I chose to use a purple orchid in the background, which is my favorite color and flower. Purple is defined as regal, respectable and royalty and purple is the known color for domestic violence awareness – with all these things in mind – the cover was born.

BBB: What are you currently working on?

SM: I am currently working on two projects, one is a compilation of my poems and haikus and the other is a book of guiding words and messages – uplifting and powerful.

BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

SM: Readers visit my web site, blog and follow my social media pages which are located below:

Blog: https://darkskinisbeautiful.wordpress.com/
Web site: http://www.perfectly-imperfect-womenofvirtue.com
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/ThriveHer2017
Facebook Organization Page: https://www.facebook.com/WomenofVirtueTransitionalFoundation
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/womenofvirtuefoundation/

0 Comments

Author Interview: Sharon Crittendon

1/16/2018

1 Comment

Meet Sharon Crittendon, Author of Prayer Plus Faith Equals Miracles: 31 Days of Fervent Prayers

BBB: Tell us about yourself

SC: I was born in Rochester, New York. Subsequently, my family moved to Chicago, Illinois where I spent the majority of my teenage and young adult years. I received my master’s degree from Roosevelt University in Chicago and my doctorate from Benedictine University in Lisle, IL. After earning my doctorate, I married my husband who is now the pastor of Rest-Oration Church in Champaign, Illinois. During my time in ministry and as a pastor’s wife, I have had the opportunity of working with many families who are seeking healing and deliverance, paying particular attention to women. I generally work women who are having trouble moving beyond their past hurt, anger and unsettling experiences. As a conference speaker and facilitator, I have dedicated my time to helping women to move beyond the broken places of their past and realize that there is a bigger, better and brighter future ahead. I declared that 2018 would my year of giving back to others! In this same vain, I have recently started an organized effort to raise money and collect care bags and blankets for the homeless who live on the streets of Chicago. I have dedicated 100% of my book sales to fight against homelessness which is a big problem in Chicago. Anyone who purchases my book will be doing so to help a greater cause, which is to help the less fortunate.

As a young adult, I would sit and read various fiction books which sparked a desire to write fiction books. I had no clue how to get started so I never followed through until recently. Although I have not written any fiction works, based on passions and calling to ministry, I have started a new journey of writing Christian non-fiction, spiritual books.

BBB: What do you think readers will find most appealing about your book?

SC: My book entitled “Prayer Plus Faith Equals Miracles: 31 Days of Fervent Prayer” is a 31 day prayer devotional. Based on reviews that I have received thus far, readers have found that as believers, they are lacking a real and true relationship or daily connection with the Holy Spirit. This is more than just a book, but it is a journey of prayer and communing with our God. Many have found that reading this book has either caused them to start a prayer life or enhanced their existing prayer life. Readers have also found that as they read each prayer daily, that the prayers are focused and effective. This book has helped so many to continue to grow with the Lord and build up their faith.

BBB" How did you come up with the idea for your book cover?

SC: I imagined the title of the book and what that looks like in relation to what the scriptures say about the words in my title which are prayer, faith and miracles. After spending time in prayer and deep thought about what this book means to me and what it can do for the lives of others, the first thought that came to mind was when Jesus walked on water and the disciples had little faith that he had the power to perform this task. It was through our trust and faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, that we can believe that we can do the impossible.

BBB: What are you currently working on?

SC: I am currently working on my next Christian Non-fiction book entitled: “Guard Your Heart: A Guide to Victorious Living.” This is a self-help book for just about anyone who has ever dealt with having a broken heart. It will help readers to understand why they go through broken hearts and how to prevent it from crippling their future relationships. It will be ideal for singles to help them find the right relationship with the person that God has designed just for them and prepare them for marriage. It will also be best suited for those who are seeking spiritual guidance on how to develop a relationship with God, and how to foster healthy holistic friendships.

BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

SC: Readers can discover more about my work by visiting my author page on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692952047. OR, they can follow me on Facebook author page at Sharon Crittenden; on twitter@scrittenden42 and Instagram@scrittenden41.

1 Comment

Author Interview: Elliot Parker

12/12/2017

1 Comment

Meet Elliot Parker, author of Demon, Interrupted

BBB: Tell us about yourself.

EP: Good Morning! My name is Elliot Parker and I am a 38 year old author of Urban Fatasy. My debut novel Demon, Interrupted is out today! I have been transplanted into the deep South from the stark and cold North. My day job is in academia. I have a deep love for science and analytics but me life would not be complete without art. When people talk about right brain and left brain I always feel like I am split right down the middle. Writing for me has always been the perfect blend of both. I can use my analytical brain to plot and structure and scheme, and I can use my creative brain to spark the initial ideas and fill in all the fantasy and finer brush strokes of my stories. I love animals and am constantly finding new ways to add to my menagerie of dogs, cats, turtles, fish, birds, goats, and horses.

BBB: What inspired your book, Demon, Interrupted?

EP: What started my writing journey was the need to connect with an old friend. My best friend from childhood and I had grown apart after high school. We traveled different paths in our lives and our connection had grown sporadic. When we reconnected after years apart she was struggling very outwardly with depression. It helped me to understand and reflect on my own very inward struggles with depression. We both needed a lifeline and it was writing. A joint venture began to write together, and consistently communicate by trading ideas and pages and critiquing each other. What started out as a way to reconnect, turned into fulfilling publishing journey for both of us. My journey was much slower (because she is a WAY better writer than me), but no less rewarding. To this day she is one of the first people I turn to with new ideas or when I need help.

The story of Demon, Interrupted itself was spawned from a kind of “Ah-ha” moment when I recognized that Catholicism has such a deep and rich history. It would be a never ending well of material if I could harness it. How could I use Catholicism the way Rick Riordan uses the Greeks? The Patron Saints were my answer. There are so many each with multiple unique “powers”. What if those powers were real and genetic? What if they could be passed from generation to generation? That is the crux of my fantasy world in Demon, Interrupted.

BBB: Tell us about your main character.

EP: Evangeline Lawson, my main character is the last living descendant of Saint Anthony of Pauda, the Patron Saint of Lost Articles. She has the supernatural ability to find any missing object. Her family has been hunted and systematically extinguished leaving her scared and untrained in her abilities. When her back is against the wall she follows a supernatural trail of breadcrumbs to the world’s most morally ambiguous angel. She will be trained and tested within an inch of her life if she hopes to survive long enough to take her place in this supernatural world (or lead it…maybe).

BBB: What do you think readers will find most appealing about your book?

EP: I hope what readers will find most appealing about my book is the blend of science into fantasy. All my training and education is in research science so even when I am weaving fantastical powers, I try to support it in some basis of science. I am fascinated by Quantum Theory and on an atomic level especially. Things can get tangled quickly when you take into consideration the affects an observer can have. I exploited the theories of observer affects in my novel for many of the powers the character exhibited. What if a person’s will power is tangible? What if they could not only exert it on a particle but expand it to an entire living being? The stronger your will power the more powerful you could be in this world. You don’t need money or prestige to become powerful in this world, you only need to have a strong will.

BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

EP: I love hearing from and connecting with readers. Writing is a lonely endeavor so to know that someone out there in the ether connected with something that I wrote? It brings me such joy! Please find me at my website www.elliotparker.com, on Facebook @authorelliotparker, or on Twitter @AuthorEParker. If you sign up for my newsletter you can get a free prequel to Demon, Interrupted called the Sins of Saint Anthony. Thank you so much!

1 Comment

<<Previous

Here & Gone Winners Choice Giveaway eBook or Signed Paperback

Archives

Here & Gone Winners Choice Giveaway
eBook or Signed Paperback