Interview with novelist F.A. Carroll

I have F.A. Carroll in the hotseat today. We’re talking about his new novella, Emilee Anonymous.

Bio:

F.A. Carroll lives in Branford, CT, and is a lifelong Connecticut resident.

He began his writing hobby as a novice screenwriter and polished his talent through years of edits and rewrites.

Welcome, F.A. Please tell us about your current release.

Emilee Anonymous is a story about the ones left behind after a suicide. It goes to the darkest edges of where we end up when we die. At 104 pages long, it is a quick, but powerful read.

What inspired you to write this book?

It began as a significantly darker genre. After seeing the effect of suicide first hand, it changed the story, I believe for the better.

Excerpt from Emilee Anonymous:

Every so often, she appears from out of nothing, dancing with a child-like innocence across my kitchen floor. Her hair pulled back perfectly in a low pony, and her face concealed with enough stage makeup to add ten years to her age. I always buy into the moment, sit up from my drunken slouch and give my full attention. Her never-ending smile stretches cheek-to-cheek and it never leaves her face. She taps her tiny feet against the tile floor, raising her hands to her lips while blowing kisses toward my face. I pretend to catch them in my fists and store them in my pocket. That always made her smile. It still does. Flawlessly, she ends the routine without a hitch, bends her knee with an unbalanced curtsy, smiles, and waves goodbye. I beg her to stay — I plead for her to speak with me but she never does. In a flash, she disappears just as quickly as she appeared. The room goes dark. And the shadows return. Nevertheless, she isn’t actually here. It’s merely a drunken mirage I made up in my mind. They’re the memories locked away deep down inside which emotionally trigger unwillingly. Her kisses never find my face and my happiness fades away. On one hand, I’m happy to endure the pain of being able to see her. On the other hand, I could live without it. Although the choice isn’t mine to make.

***

What exciting story are you working on next?

Dead Flowers (Never Sent) is currently in edit.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

As a teen in the 80’s, I wrote lyrics.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I am a single parent raising my third and final child. She is who I write for. My fulltime job is as a master gardener at a high-end condo complex on the Connecticut shoreline.

I write 6 days a week. 1 hour each morning before work, and 2-5 hours after.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I enjoy adding in actual events and friend’s names. Usually subtle and overlooked.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A songwriter.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I have had an amazing opportunity to befriend a few elder, successful authors through my work. Dr. Richard Selzer, a beautiful man who has guided me in my journey. Without his guidance I’d be still in edit. He told me to let the world read it.

Links:

Website | Twitter

Thanks for being here today, F.A.!

Special interview with humor/memoirist Chelsea Walker Flagg

I have a special interview with Chelsea Walker Flagg about her humorous memoir, I’d Rather Wear Pajamas.

During her virtual book tour, Chelsea will be awarding a $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky, randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!

Also, the book will be $0.99 during the tour. See links below.

A little bit about the author:

Chelsea was once obsessed with cats, longed to live in a big city, didn't think she would ever have children, and aspired to be an attorney. She now lives in Boulder, Colorado as a stay-at-home mom and comedic writer with her husband and three daughters. She has no current plans to own a cat.

Please tell us about your latest release.

I’d Rather Wear Pajamas is a funny memoir about stumbling my way through my 20s in order to discover that my path through life is different than what I expected it to be. As the mother to three young girls, being true to yourself is an important topic to me. I wanted to share my experiences with them, but didn’t want it to be too heavy or preachy. So, it came out funny and light-hearted instead, which is much more true to who I am. So far, it’s gotten great reviews and feedback. I couldn’t be more thrilled with how it’s all turning out.

Excerpt from I’d Rather Wear Pajamas:

“FTL’s biggest client was a fabric design company that made nothing but Hawaiian prints. I’m actually pretty sure they no longer make anything, but rather spend good chunks of their time suing other companies who copy their designs. For me, it meant perusing catalogues and clothing websites in search of items with designs similar to this company’s retired fabrics. How great a job is that, by the way? I was getting paid to look for shirts with palm trees and hibiscus flowers on them. This whole law thing was too good to be true.

My best assignment came when FTL caught wind that a men’s underwear line was infringing on our client’s design name. She came by and dropped a stack of male lingerie catalogues (yes, they exist) on my desk to go through in search of this name. I spent the better part of a week looking at pictures at mostly-naked men with socks stuffed in their skivvies.

Nobody knew what to do with me. On one hand, studying oiled-up men in scandalous poses just had to be against any number of company policies. On the other hand, I was legitimately doing work in an effort to make the law firm money, so they couldn’t discourage it. In the end, they just left me alone. And that’s how I learned that you can buy men’s briefs with pre-padded butt cheeks.”

Do you ever wish you were someone else? Who?

I used to want to be Audrey Hepburn because she’s just so dang adorable. She’s one of those people you just want to pick up and put in your pocket, you know? I love how quirky she is and how she can do anything, no matter how goofy, and it only endears you more to her. Plus, that British accent.

What did you do on your last birthday?

I take my birthdays very seriously. Very. Seriously. We were in Costa Rica for my birthday last year getting peed on by monkeys. Truth.

What part of the writing process do you dread?

The part where I have to reread my work again for the hundredth time to make sure everything looks okay. When you’re writing humor, there’s a really fine line between being funny and just being stupid. After reading your own jokes over and over again, they all just start to sound really stupid to you.

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?

Sure, who doesn’t? When I’m having a hard time writing, I snap my fingers and a whole team of people comes out to pour me a glass of wine and give me a massage. Wouldn’t that be nice? But really, I close my computer and come back to it later (usually around 3am when a good idea wakes me up).

Links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest 

Book links:  The book will be $0.99 during the tour.

Website | Amazon | Goodreads | Barnes and Noble 

Thanks, Chelsea!

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Interview with novelist Catherine MacDonald

A new week starts with an interview with Catherine MacDonald. She’s chatting with me about her historical coming of age story, A Modern Woman: A Jazz Era novel.

Welcome, Catherine. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am a former school teacher and currently I run a large RV dealership. I have written ten books. Frankly, writing keeps me sane in this crazy world we live in. I am a wife, mother, and nana.

Please tell us about your current release.

A Modern Woman is set in Reno, Nevada in 1923 during Prohibition. Lily is a beautiful young woman who finds herself caught between the old-fashion values of the past and the new emerging values of the modern era. She is still a virgin and has promised she will wait for true love and not give herself to every man like Marie. Lily wants a career, to wear a smart suit, and earn her own money. As soon as she’s old enough to vote, which just became reality three years prior, she will. She does not want to be meek and timid like her mother.  She finds herself serving illegal liquor in a speakeasy involved with murder and corruption. She meets handsome Joe Caponi and her haunting eyes seem to look deep within his soul and see the man he hopes to be one day. Against society and family constraints, fate intervenes and brings two people who are destined for each other, together.

What inspired you to write this book?

The entire medical marijuana situation is similar to prohibition. Did you know there was a loophole in the law that allowed doctors to write prescriptions for alcohol during Prohibition. History certainly repeats itself.

Excerpt from A Modern Woman:

There was a commotion at the front entrance and Lily looked that way. The door burst open and a swarm of police rushed in swinging their black clubs in the air and yelling, “Raid!” A tall portly officer blew his whistle and yelled, “No one leave the room. You’re all under arrest.”

What exciting story are you working on next?

A fable entitled The Buddha and The Bear.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

As a young girl. I used to write plays and perform them for my neighborhood.  I wrote in college, but did not become serious until after my children were older.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

No. I run a business during the day. I have learned to write in the corners of my life.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I like to write with my feet on my de-tox salt rock. It gets all the negative stuff out of me.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a performer. In fact, I did that growing up. I wanted to be a teacher, and did that for twenty-five years. And I wanted to own my own business. Some days I wonder what was I thinking!!

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Thanks for listening and I hope you read the story. Lily Diamond is an interesting girl!

Links:

Website | Amazon | Facebook

      

Thanks for being here today, Catherine!

Interview with mystery/thriller author Sharon Sterling

My special guest today is mystery author Sharon Sterling. We're chatting about her novel Fatal Refuge. It's the second novel in a trilogy.

Bio:

Sharon Sterling, formerly Sharon Hickey, was born in Colorado and spent some early years in Missouri. She now lives in (and loves) the state of Arizona. During her earlier adult life she was a stay-at-home mom and later went back to college to obtain a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Northern Arizona University and a Master of Social Work degree from Tulane University in New Orleans. She returned to Arizona to work in a mental health clinic as a crisis counselor, and subsequently in a medical hospital, a psychiatric hospital, and in private practice. 

She still works part time as a psychotherapist. She began to write her memoir in 2012 but swiftly decided it was too scandalous, and turned it into her first mystery/thriller, The Well. A second novel features the same (and some new) characters. Fatal Refuge, was released several months ago.

Welcome, Sharon. Please tell us about your current release.

Fatal Refuge is set in present day Yuma, Arizona and nearby Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. Yuma's notorious wild-West history and the upper-desert environment of the Refuge set the stage for murder and suspense. My background as a psychotherapist flavors the story with a deeper taste of the characters' motives and desires.

What inspired you to write this book?

A friend who had read The Well said she liked the book but wanted to learn more about a secondary character, Kim, who is an Apache woman of iconic stature and beauty. My friend wanted to hear more about her Apache heritage, her family, and her personal and intimate challenges. Fatal Refuge is about all those things.

Excerpt from Fatal Refuge:

Kim left Yuma in the stillness before dawn and reached the turnoff to Kofa National Wildlife Refuge before the sun mounted the eastern peaks for its daily assault on the land. Her jeep bumped along the dirt access road headed due-east when the first shafts of daylight struck her high-boned cheeks like a challenge.

She parked the red Jeep Cherokee in the tiny dirt lot at the trail head and with confident, long-legged strides began her hike into the Refuge. The trail soon faded to nothing. Undeterred, she bush-wacked over the rocky soil, skirting boulders, brittle bush shrubs, bear grass, and desert agaves.

After an hour she slowed her pace and quieted her steps, wary she might startle the endangered pronghorn antelope she sought. Three months before, she had teamed with volunteer Marines from the base in Yuma and with local Fish and Wildlife agents to trap, transport and release three dozen of the endangered species here. She had actually touched the delicate young animals, stroked their tan and cream coats and felt the warm breath from their nostrils on her hands before watching them rise on wobbly, tranquillized legs and escape into the hills of their new home in the Kofa. It had given her a certain sense of ownership. But where were they? She smiled to herself and answered her own question. Living up to their reputation as the ghosts of the desert.

So far she had seen scant signs of life – a few turkey vultures soaring, distant against the thin blue sky, the surreptitious chip-chip of awakening cactus wrens, the scuttle of a lizard.

While she walked she felt the sun’s rays stab the burnished-copper skin of her forearms and press a skull-cap of heat on her blue-black hair. The shards of sunlight were so intense they had pierced the atmosphere, drained from it the last drops of moisture and stilled the feeble breeze of early morning. Reluctantly, she pulled a cloth hat from under her belt and put it on.

With an Indian’s acceptance of the natural world, she neither welcomed the heat nor resented it. After all, in late spring, at only ninety-seven degrees, this part of the Sonoran Desert was not yet threatening spontaneous combustion.

What exciting story are you working on next?

Another book featuring Kim Altaha and Allie Davis is in the works. It will be the third and last book of the Arizona Thriller Trilogy.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I have enjoyed reading and writing since childhood. At around the age of thirteen I decided I wanted to write books with fascinating and mysterious themes.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

Since I work only two days a week as a psychotherapist, I have more free time than some writers. Taking care of my dog, reading and staying in touch with friends and family occupy my spare time.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

My writing quirk is that I abhor violence and blood-shed in real life. I look away at gory scenes in the movies; wouldn't watch a slasher film if you paid me, but I don't mind writing about those things.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

At one point in my life, I thought about becoming a doctor or a psychiatrist. I didn't have the advantage of an early education, so those things weren't possible, but I love to write and am very happy with my two vocations at this time.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

The characters in my book are like real people because they can be selfish, petty, and make foolish mistakes, but always are learning and somehow becoming more mature and more loving people.

Links:

Website | Amazon

Thanks for being here today, Sharon. Happy writing!

Interview with humorist Ben Mariner

Today’s special guest is Ben Mariner. He’s chatting with me about his post-apocalyptic humor book, Apocalypse Wow.

During his virtual book tour, Ben will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit his other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:

Ben Mariner is the author of Apocalypse Wow as well as The Many Lives of Zane Montgomery, which definitely sold some copies to some people. He currently lives in Denver with his wife and animals. He enjoys mozzarella sticks, dunk tanks at carnivals, and solving crime with his psychic powers and best friend/sidekick.

Welcome, Ben. Please share a little bit about your current release.
Apocalypse Wow is about a 30-something guy who’s life is going nowhere. One day he meets the girl of his dreams and falls completely bum over noggin almost immediately. The two go on the perfect date, and then he wakes up to find out that a week has passed since the date and the world has ended in the interim. Thinking pretty much only himself, Jack sets off on a cross country road trip with his friends to find the love of his life.

What inspired you to write this book?
I don’t really remember where the idea for this book came from. It happened sometime in high school which was, sadly, over a decade ago. The idea just kept coming back to me over and over again, so eventually I just sat down and got it all down on paper.

Excerpt from Apocalypse Wow:

A man who could best be described as homeless was standing in the middle of the merry-go-round as the metal saucer twirled slowly around. His clothes were filthy, and the hair that stuck out the bottom of his tin foil hat was matted and disgusting. In his hands he held a piece of cardboard that was about three feet by three feet with black writing that read: THE END IS NEAR. For some reason, I couldn’t help but stand and watch the man slowly rotate over and over again, reading the sign each time it came around. I found myself wondering three things. First, why was he standing in that abandoned park instead of on a street corner that people other than me frequented, so that he may spread his message? I would think that everyone would like to know that the end – whatever that entailed – was near. Second, why do all homeless doomsday prophets have to be so vague? Don’t they think we’d like a more exact date on when the end would occur? A time, a day…something? And third, just how in the hell does a homeless guy afford markers to make a sign anyway?

I decided to let the more important mysteries of the universe figure themselves out and continued on my way to work. After all, the only apocalypse I cared about was the PlayStation game of the same name starring none other than the incomparable Bruce Willis. Man, that guy rocked my world with his unrelenting machismo. By the way, I’m not gay. I just thought I’d clear that up. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

What exciting story are you working on next?
Up next is the follow up to Apocalypse Wow. It takes place a year after the events of the first book and everyone is hot on the search for Jack Winters. I’m really excited about it because I feel like it adds a lot of depth to the first book and, hopefully, readers will enjoy it even more.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

It all depends on what you consider a ‘writer’ to be. If it’s someone who has sold at least one copy of something they’ve written, then I’d say a few years ago. If it’s someone who has written stories on a regular basis that other people have read, then I’d say roughly high school.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
Sadly, I can’t afford to write full time right now. During the day I work in the IT department of a major satellite television provider. Nothing major. Nothing exciting.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I don’t know if I do anything that’s really all that interesting. I just like to sit down and zero in. No distractions. I put on some music just to keep other outside noise drowned out. Oh, and I also like to have sit in a bathtub full of rainbow Nerds. I think that’s pretty much par for the course with writers though.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Green Power Ranger. That dude was legit. Especially after he turned into the White Ranger. Though I never understood why his helmet looked like a tiger but his zord was a falcon.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I just want people to read and enjoy Apocalypse Wow. I don’t care about becoming some millionaire famous author who has every book turned into a movie. I just want people to pick up a book I’ve written and think it’s good enough to recommend to someone else. Hopefully I’ve accomplished that, and I wish everyone happy reading!

Links: 

Twitter | Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon

Thank you for being a guest on my blog, Ben!

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New interview with YA historical author Annette Oppenlander

I’m happy to welcome Annette Oppenlander back to Reviews and Interviews. Today we’re chatting about the second book in her historical YA action/adventure trilogy, Escape from the Past: The Kid.

You can check out the interview about book 1, Escape from the Past: The Duke’s Wrath.

During this virtual book tour, Annette will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:

Annette Oppenlander writes historical fiction for young adults and anyone who loves stories set in the past. When she isn’t in front of her computer, she loves indulging her dog, Mocha, and traveling around the U.S. and Europe to discover amazing histories.

“Nearly every place holds some kind of secret, something that makes history come alive. When we scrutinize people and places closely, history is no longer a number, it turns into a story.”

Welcome back to Reviews and Interviews, Annette.

Thank you for hosting me again, Lisa!

Please tell us about your newest release.

In The Kid, book two in the Escape from the Past trilogy, time-traveling gamer, Max, intends to return to his friends in medieval Germany, but mistakenly lands in the Wild West of 1881 New Mexico. Before Billy the Kid can help, Max is taken prisoner by ruthless bandits who think he has a claim for a goldmine. He also meets a beautiful American Indian girl…Well, I don’t want to give away the story.

What inspired you to write this book?

Growing up in Germany, I’ve always been fascinated with the Wild West. I remember watching westerns with my father and reading books about pioneers, American Indians and the gold rush. After I moved to the U.S. I continued reading historical fiction set in the eighteen and nineteen hundreds.

I chose Billy the Kid because I see him as a tragic character who encountered a string of bad luck and was basically set up to fail. He isn’t much older than Max and it’s easy to see how any young man could’ve had Billy’s fate. The second important character is Chief Nana, A Warm Springs Apache warrior, who in the summer of 1881 rode a 3,000 mile vengeance war against the U.S. Army. He was never caught nor were his fifteen or so warriors. The amazing thing about him was his age. He was around eighty years old then and had a bad leg.

Excerpt from Escape from the Past: The Kid:

From my higher vantage point I noticed a dust cloud growing rapidly larger. And from it grew an apparition of terror as I’d never seen.

Two dozen Indians galloped toward us, fanned out like the tip of an arrow. They rode bareback, their faces painted black, red and white, their long oiled hair flowing behind them. They wore leather pants with loin clothes and nothing but beads and feathers around their necks.

“Indians,” I mumbled. I hadn’t even realized I said something except that Wade whipped around and followed my gaze.

“Injuns, Boss,” he shouted. “Looks like Comanches.” He ripped his gun from the saddle holster, the other men following suit.

The next moments were a blur. I felt myself slide off the donkey and race to the wagons for cover. The settlers were scrambling underneath, getting in position. The girl raced to grab the two little kids and shove them under the wagon.

I watched in fascination. As if time had slowed to a crawl, the Indians, shrouded in a dust cloud, drew near. Their faces looked hideous with the war paint, but their cries were what made me tremble with terror. It sounded like something out of this world, eerie whoops that curdled my blood.

I had no weapons. Even if I’d had any, my body was stiff with panic.

What’s the next writing project?

I just finished the third book in the trilogy, Escape from the Past: At Witches’ End which takes Max back to the Middle Ages. The manuscript is currently in editing at the publisher. My current writing project is a story about two teens growing up during WW2 in Germany. It’s a love story based on my family, but it is ultimately a story of forgiveness.

What is your biggest challenge when writing a new book? (or the biggest challenge with this book)

The biggest challenge with this new book set in wartime and postwar Germany is that I know the characters. It’s quite emotional for me to write about my parents who went through hell and barely survived the war. Maybe that’s why it’s taken me twelve years to write their story.

If your novels require research – please talk about the process. Do you do the research first and then write, while you’re writing, after the novel is complete and you need to fill in the gaps?

I do a lot of research up front to get a good feel for the era my story is set in. I’ve got to understand the lifestyle of people, their daily habits, the landscape, food, jobs, the way they look at the world. I read several books before I start and research libraries and archives.

While writing I continue to research because I always come across questions along the way. For instance what does a pair of nylon stockings cost in postwar 1952 Germany? Between six and twelve Deutsch Marks, a fortune, considering that my twenty-year old mother only made DM100 a month.

What’s your writing space like? Do you have a particular spot to write where the muse is more active? Please tell us about it.

My primary writing space is my office. I’m fortunate to have a nice large room and spend most of my time there. On occasion when my back aches or I need a change of scenery I move to the couch. I work with two laptops so I’ve got my big one for the desk and a little Mac for the sofa.

What authors do you enjoy reading within or outside of your genre?

In historical fiction I love James Alexander Thom who has written a number of books set during the 19^th century. My favorite is Follow the River. I’ve read J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” many times because I never grow tired of this sweeping tale. Regarding craft, I love Don Maass’s books. They’re all good and if everyone followed his advice, we’d have many more bestselling books. I also enjoy Sarah Waters, Suzanne Collins and J.K. Rowling. Actually, I could go on for a while…

Anything additional you want to share with the readers today?

Something that readers and reviewers have told me is that my stories appeal to reluctant readers, particularly teen boys who love action/adventure. The first book in the series, Escape from the Past: The Duke’s Wrath has been highly recommended for school and library collections by the Midwest Book Review. Reviews are beginning to trickle in for The Kid so stay tuned.

Links:

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter 

Buy links:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

Thank you for coming back to Reviews and Interviews!
Thank you for having me, Lisa.

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