A Castillo, Author of Alex Castle

Today we are interviewing A Castillo, author of the short story titled "Alex Castle."
 
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Mr. Castillo is a successful business owner, Single Father, Author, and CEO of a charitable organization. Mr. Castillo was born and raised in Houston TX and moved to San Antonio where he has been living for the past 20 years. He is an avid basketball fan; his favorite team Is of course the San Antonio Spurs. Mr. Castillo is working on a new book series with the lead character of this short story Alex Castle.

Describe the plot of your new short story, "Alex Castle," in a few sentences.
Alex Castle is a guy who one day wakes from a short coma with no memory of his past, upon investigation he finds out he is very financially secure and lives in a huge albeit empty house in San Antonio TX.

As he tries to learn about his past he meets a beautiful young woman who he falls in love with and discovers something about himself that is strange and unique. Then one day the unthinkable happens.

He has one clue a single word that will either lead him to find out about his past or will cost him his life.
 
Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Anyone who likes action, suspense, romance, mystery, and science fiction. This is a short story but it encompasses a large range of human emotions.

Your last book is a non-fiction book about relationships. What made you decide to switch gears and do a short story series?

Author A Castillo.

I get asked that a lot, my interests are varied. I love to help people and I love to entertain people as well. I’ve written several self-help books and advice books but I’ve always wanted to explore my creative side. This short story is one of many rattling around in my brain. It just so happens that Alex Castle broke out first. It’s been well enough received that I’ve decided to create a full length novel and book series dedicated to this one character.

Do you know how many books will be in this series?
Well this short story is the introduction to the series I’m currently working on the first full length novel and have a few ideas for about 2 more full length novels at this point the series will be comprised of 3 books but that may change it really depends on where the character takes me.

Who was your favorite character to write?
Well Alex Castle would be the obvious choice he’s the main character but his love interest was also a treat to create, her character development will grow more in the first novel and I think she will end up being my favorite character.

Are there any authors who have influenced your writing style?
Many, I have always loved to read and I have found the Steven King, Morgan Rice, and Especially Dean Koontz have styles that I enjoy, I find myself becoming part of the story and that’s what I want my readers to feel.

Tell us about your creative process, from initial idea to published manuscript.
Wow that’s a good question, I don’t have a set process, Sometimes the stories come to me all at once, sometimes in bits and pieces and I have to fill in the blanks. But normally when I have an idea for a new story, I like to write it down all my thoughts all my ideas, plots, storylines, specific details that come to mind and then I try to put it all together in a way that makes sense sometimes it works sometimes I have to scrap it all and start over. But the stories and ideas themselves usually guide me.

How do you feel about the increasing popularity of ebooks?I love it, to me it’s a great way to get your story out to many people who don’t have the time to actually sit down and read a traditional paperback or hardcover book. Don’t get me wrong there is nothing like sitting down and reading a great book. But with the world being so much faster nowadays, and in this world of instant gratification. If you can read a book from your phone, your laptop, or your kindle or eBook reader. I’m all for it the point is not the media you use to read the story, but that you read the story.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
It’s a short story and a lot of readers will want to know what happens next, I promise you that you will not be disappointed.
 
An excerpt from "Alex Castle":

My name is Alex Castle, at least that's what my driver’s license says. I woke up in a hospital bed in Houston TX and I had no memory of my life before that day, the doctors couldn't tell me anything other than I had walked in 10 days earlier and collapsed on the emergency room floor. The following is a detailed record of my life at least since I woke up in the hospital. According to my driver’s license I was 32 years’ old and I lived in San Antonio TX. What I was doing in Houston I had no idea, the only belongings I had with me when I came in were a set of house keys, my wallet which included my driver’s license, 2 credit cards, 1 blank card with a magnetic strip with no markings, and 500 dollars in cash. I also was wearing a platinum ring with a black onyx stone and the letter C engraved in gold at the center of the stone.

More Information
Get a copy of "Alex Castle" on Amazon

E.L. Durant, Author of The Time Key

Today we are interviewing E.L. Durant, author of the young teen fantasy novel "The Time Key."

Tell us a bit about yourself.
As you’ll be able to tell from the spelling, I’m English, but also a married, father of two who works in Clinical Research. I live and work in Dorset, England, right in the heart of Thomas Hardy country. Although that part is probably wasted on me as I’m not much of fan; I’ve always preferred contemporary writers. I do like the part of it that means I live by the sea though. And the bit in the coach at the beginning of the school trip, where Luke gets into trouble, is a true story. I still feel mild shame about it all; but not much.

Describe the plot of your new book, "The Time Key," in a few sentences.
On a trip to an historic country house, two young teens are pulled into a painting of a war scene. Unable to return to the house the way they came, they have to work out how to survive, and how to tolerate each other, in this strange new world in order to trace a route back. However, they soon learn that the painting they are in is just one among many, and that they are all portals to other worlds; a multiverse of alternate realities of time, where history is no longer what they once thought, and where the path home will not be straightforward, or maybe even possible. They must use all of their modern knowledge and cunning to extricate themselves from less sophisticated, but much more heartless worlds.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
I hope it will appeal to young teens who like something fast paced, and the puzzles of discovering how characters can extract themselves from tricky situations. I also hope that there will be interest in seeing how small changes in history might impact on the world. What would the modern world be like if WW1 hadn’t happened; if computers had not been invented; if there was permanent war?  And how would today’s thinking offer an advantage to somebody returned to the past?
Although you've written in other genres, this is your first children's tale. What inspired you to write a fantasy fiction for young teens?
This story is based on ones I used to make up for my children when they were young. My son was happy for me to read anything to him, but my daughter preferred me to freestyle stories to her. This developed to the point where I used to spend my day thinking about the next one, or the next part of one that was left unfinished. Then I started to write them down. Once I’d published my adult books (see the ebook question later), I returned to the notes and the chunks of tales I had for my daughter’s stories and tried to turn them into a coherent account.
 
Was it difficult to transition into writing for a younger audience?
I’m not sure that’s one for me to answer. I guess I have to wait for any reviews. It didn’t feel difficult. I’ve never spoken to my children any differently than I would to an adult, and I feel the same about the writing. One difference has been genre - I don’t write adult fantasy – but the imperatives of narrative and characterisation and plot are just as critical. But I think the primary difference has been themes, although one of my adult books, Madness of the Turtle, is a coming of age story with a seventeen year old protagonist called Rico, (my favourite character of mine) so that has perhaps been a bridge between the two.

Tell us about the two protagonists, Luke Morgan and Chyna Blue.
More than anything they are equals. Each may have their strengths, but they are complementary and, as they work together to survive, they come to realise that. In the beginning, they rarely mixed at school and consequently don’t like each other. As time goes on, they grow to respect and like each other and recognise that there is more to a person than first impressions reveal. 

Certainly Luke is fun-loving, and doesn’t take life seriously enough; while Chyna is extremely sarcastic and cynical. They learn from each other as the story develops, and take on each other’s strengths. 

 As the teacher who forces them to team up for the Stately Home visit, says,

“You can groan all you like, but that’s how it’s going to be. You’ve already proved, Morgan, that you can’t be trusted with any of your friends. So, in the hope that some of her brilliance might rub off on you, and that when you get back to school you are able to write a report that is more than, ‘it was a big house, full of stuff’. And in order to keep the good name of this school, Chyna will chaperone you.”

 “And you Chyna,” he spoke quickly with his hand held up to stem her protest at the unfairness of it all, “might well ask what you have done to deserve Morgan? Well, I’m hoping that a few hours in Master Morgan’s company might show you that actively trying to be unpopular is not the only option for you to spend your days at school. For some unfathomable reason this boy is liked. And you are bright. You both might learn something from each other. Now, go on and don’t split up. Because if I catch either of you on their own there’ll be trouble.”
 
Are there any authors who have influenced your writing style?
Graham Greene, Hemingway, Deighton, Steinbeck, Le Carré, were all adult writers I enjoyed in my teens. I liked adventure stories with pace when I was younger, but I also try to involve an element of the storytelling of those just mentioned. As a child, I especially liked Anthony Buckeridge, and Richmal Crompton, although they were very old-fashioned even then. Buckeridge wrote a series of books about two boys at boarding school – they always made me wish I could go away to school – and it’s that joint protagonist, combining strengths and dicing with trouble, I wanted to harness for Luke and Chyna. But I’m not aware that my style has been influenced by any single writer.
 
Tell us about your creative process, from initial idea to published manuscript.
An idea can come from anywhere; the news, a conversation, a song lyric, or a picture. The book I’m writing at the moment ‘The Good Father’ came from the image of a man behind the barbed wire of a refugee camp holding a child up for the press to photograph (although he’s not the Good Father of the title).

When I have an idea, I tend to let it roll around in my head for a while before I write anything down, to see if it takes root. Once it does, then I’ll start making notes and see if the idea is big enough for a whole story, and interesting enough to live with for a year or more. I always want an idea of how it will end at this point as well. I think the ending is the most important part. It doesn’t matter to me if it is a happy, sad, or ambiguous ending, as long it suits the story that’s been told. Once I start writing, I try to work through from beginning to end, but if I get stuck, then I’ll skip ahead and write other parts, and then go back and fill in. Once that’s done, I’ll go back and rewrite whatever is necessary.  When the first draft is finished, I then put it away for a few months and work on something else. I like to put some time and distance between the first draft and the second, because I see the story differently then and I’m better able to see what works and what doesn’t. I’ve done this many times for some books – I’m currently resting one that I initially planned to publish a year ago, but I’ve yet to make it feel right. Once I publish, then the hard part begins; marketing.
 
How do you feel about the increasing popularity of ebooks?
Without ebooks I would still be submitting the first three chapters of my books to agents and waiting for them not to get back to me. For many years, I kept rewriting the same two books, trying to make them more commercial for the occasional vague interest from an agent. But once I made the decision to self-publish as an ebook, and uploaded the ones I had ready, it freed me up to start writing others. Consequently, I love the impact ebooks have had on the industry. It’s been good fun for me.
"The Time Key" is the first book in the trilogy. What stage are you at with the other books?
I have completed the first draft of Book two – Three Samurai – and that is scheduled for later this year, dependant on the success of "The Time Key," and how I get on with the adult books I’m currently completing. While book three is mapped out and I have a clear idea of where that will go and how it will resolve.
 
What can readers expect from the other two books in the trilogy?
Luke and Chyna will develop, certainly Chyna will become more aware of her powers, but also become less cynical, while Luke will become more caring, certainly of Chyna. As for the stories, they will still have the same pacing, but the themes and stakes will become larger as the multiverse comes to recognise who Luke and Chyna really are, and they realise how vast and evil it is. "The Time Key" is quite intimate, as if a spotlight is being shone on Luke and Chyna, but in the others the scale will increase to match the vastness of time and space. The tone is also darker in book two as they recognise the threat they are under, and the terror that is present in the lives of others.

"The Time Key" is primarily about the paintings and establishing the rules of movement within them and how they access the worlds. Book two deals much more with the alternate worlds,especially when Luke and Chyna end up trapped in another world that has developed in a more brutal and terrifying way than their own.

An excerpt from "The Time Key": 

The intensity of the battle had darkened the water and made the sun faint with smoke and fury; the sea was ablaze with burning wreckage as the two Napoleonic warships leant towards each other in final battle. Absorbed by the imagery, Luke had failed to notice that the painting was aglow, or that water was spilling from the bottom of the frame.

The head of a Komodo dragon crashed through a lower panel of the old door, and its shoulders strained at the thicker boards. The second dragon crashed through after and their combined weight broke the door in two, taking the bottom half from its hinges. The yelping of the hunting dogs was almost overwhelming. But they weren’t important to him any longer.

“Luke.” There was panic in Chyna’s voice, as the water swirled around her. She reached out for him. But the water was up to her waist and tugging her away from him.

A loud crash split the air as the clamour of the ships’ guns filled the room. Loud and deafening, the boom of sound wrapped itself around him, and his sense of space and place in the old house was lost.

He had dashed forward, lunging for her hand as the guns had crashed. Yet there was nothing in front of him but a wall of night-dark water. His feet were no longer on the floor, and he could feel himself tumbling toward the painting. He tried to pull back but he had no purchase, nothing to help him resist.

The house, the room, and the two fierce and frightening Komodo dragons, were all lost to him as he was completely taken by the painted sea and the colliding din of war.

All there was to him now was the cold, black water. It was like he had plunged from a high cliff into the deepest, coldest sea; nothing but the suffocating sea. He tried to breathe but it was too late. Was this what it was like to drown, he asked himself?

More Information
E.L. Durant's website
Buy "The Time Key" on Amazon

Allen B. Boyer, Author of Suspicions at Sunset.

Today we are interviewing Allen B. Boyer about his new cozy mystery "Suspicions at Sunset," book 5 in the Bess Bullock Retirement Home Mystery series.
 
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m a husband and father of three young children.  Writing success came early for me.  I had three books published by a national publisher about ten years ago.  My and wife and I also ended up having a child right around the time a book was released.  Needless to say, I took a break from writing when my children were babies.  Once they were older, I was able to get back to my writing.  Cozy Cat Press took an interest in the Bess Bullock Series and we’ve both been happy with the success of the series.

Describe the premise of your series, the Bess Bullock Retirement Home series.
Something else that struck me was taking a character with a natural eye for people, curious behavior, and mystery and placing that character in a retirement home where they would have lots of idle time to watch the fellow residents and uncover little mysteries about them.  Think Sherlock Holmes in a retirement home.

What is the newest installment, "Suspicions at Sunset," about?
The newest book begins on a train.   Book 5 finds my main character returning home on a train from a trip to California for a funeral.  While working her way through her grief, she decides to throw herself into observing her fellow passengers and finding little mysteries around their behavior.  When she returns to her retirement home, she finds a few mysteries there too.  One mystery involes a case of missing oxycodene, and the suspicion that a nurse is stealing it.  From what I’ve read in the news, this seems to be a recurring problem in retirement homes.  It’s unfortunate, but it did give me some inspiration.

Author Allen B. Boyd.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
I’ve had contact with some readers who have had a loved one going into a retirement home and they’ve enjoyed the books because it gives them a positive view of life in a retirement home.  I’ve also had feedback from readers who enjoyed the books because it features mysteries that don’t involve murder, violence, or gore.

What inspirations contributed to this book?
I was always interested in how Agatha Christie designed her novel, Murder on the Orient Express.  The idea of setting an entire novel on a train appealed to me.  I was about a third of the way through the book when my mother passed away.  Her death really led me to think about the grieving process and how there are different levels of it and different ways of coping with it.  That’s when the original idea for this novel changed.

Tell us a bit about Bess Bullock and your inspiration for her character.
Bess Bullock is a retired police officer.  Her father was an officer, too.  She’s a widow.  She has one daughter.  She had a son who died shortly after birth.  She moved to the Honey Hills Retirement Home with the greatest of intentions of embracing the idea of retirement.  However, her instincts as a police officer simply refuse to retire, which leads her to some interesting mysteries involving fellow residents.

The idea for a series came from visiting two special ladies in retirement homes.  The first was my dear Aunt Mae, who simply charmed the socks off the nurses and other residents.  The second was my wife’s grandmother, who read three books a week, took computer classes from a local college at the age of ninety and simply had the sharpest mind around.  She also had a good eye for observing people and a curiosity about human nature.  I thought it would be interesting to create a character out of these two ladies.

Are there any authors who have influenced your writing style?
As readers of my blog know, a writer that I’ve greatly admired is James Joyce.  His use of language and description just amazes me.  I have a collection of his short stories that I read from time to time for inspirtation.  I’ve also enjoyed Alexander McCall Smith’s books.  We are both authors who began with Young Adult book success before making the transition to writing mysteries for adults.  I actually wrote him for some advice when I was looking for a publisher for Book One in this series.  He was kind enough to write back with some words of wisdom.

Tell us about your creative process, from initial idea to published manuscript.
Of course, every author is different.  For me, the process involves writing random scenes.  I’ll have a general idea of what the theme of the novel will be, and in my head I’ll just start seeing random scenes that I’ll write down.  When I have enough scenes, I’ll try to lace them together with a narrative to get the book going.  Once this is done, I’ll have the first quarter or third of my book complete.  After that, the scenes and the story start coming in a more linear fashion.  I can only liken it to doing wind sprints before stepping up to the starting line to run a marathon.  I can see more of a rhythm and flow to my writing in the midle and end of my stories when I read over them.

How do you feel about the increasing popularity of ebooks?
It’s been interesting to experience.  I had three books published about twelve years ago.  Back then e-books weren’t as popular as they are now and most of the royalty checks I got were from print sales.  Fast forward to when Book One of my series came out, and there are more e-books sold than print copies.  It really has been amazing to see.  I also like the function of the Kindle reports to track where the books are being sold.  Being able to see books sold in England, Canada, and Japan is very satisfying to know.

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
I’m the father of three young children, which means my writing time is very limited at this point in my life.  In ten years, my hope is that they’ll be a bit more independent so I have more time to write.  I’d like to continue to grow and develop as a writer.

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
I think the first draft is the hardest for me.  Getting to the finish line of a manuscript can be a challenge.   Once I have a manuscript done from start to finish, the fun part comes in going back over the manuscript, making revisions and polishing passages.  Tinkering with words to make them sound right is what I enjoy about the process.

What do you have in mind for your next project?
I’m currently working on a stand alone novel about two older sisters who are socialites in Washington D.C.   I like the idea of using social connections to solve a mystery, rather than instinct.  Right now I’m about a third of the way into the manuscript.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
I think there’s a lot of interesting mysteries about human nature and I like creating a character that explores that.

An excerpt from Allen Boyer's "Suspicions at Sunset":

    The rhythmic sound of metal wheels tapping on train tracks was something Bess Bullock had grown accustomed to hearing during her trip.  The tapping sound filled the air with the same recurring pattern both day and night.  It had become as natural to her as the scenery out the window or the faces of the other passengers.
    Passing through the train car, she barely drew a glance from the other passengers.  She could easily recall a time when she could catch the eye of any young man when she walked by.  However, old age caused her blond hair to turn gray, her shapely legs to fill with blue veins, and her fashion tastes to become more sensible.  While time had taken away her natural good looks, it had replaced her beauty with a less obvious gift; anonymity.  It was a gift that Bess had grown fond of in how it helped her to observe people and investigate their curious behaviors.
    She watched the man in front of her maintain an easy pace, taking slow relaxed strides through one train car before moving into another one.  Bess struggled to keep up.  Occasionally, the train car would bounce or shift, causing her to grab hold of the nearest thing to maintain her balance.  After one too many bounces her arthritic knee began to flare.  She paused in an aisle.  Her curiosity surged when she watched the man step ahead of her.  The pain in her knee subsided and she continued to pursue him.
    Passing through two, three, four train cars, Bess kept up with the focus of her interest.  She watched his every step and she began to think about how he was walking.
    Finally, the stranger lingered in one train car.  This had seats facing long broad windows.  The glass panes began on the sides of the car and extended up to the roof.  This train car was clearly dedicated to those passengers enjoying the view.  Bess watched the subject of her curiosity settle into a chair facing one of the windows that framed a vast open desert.  She drew in her breath and walked up to her subject.  She stopped next to an empty chair where the stranger was seated.
    Bess looked out the windows and took a moment to let her mind produce the right words to say.  She studied him, noting his perfectly shined black shoes, his navy blue suit and how it accented his bright orange tie.  He was clean-shaven.  His dark hair was slicked back with some hair gel, giving him a sleek professional appearance.  All of it, taken as a whole, was not that unusual.  However, it was the subtle clues that made this man interesting to her.  It was the mystery of his nuanced transformation that was drawing her to him.

More Information
Visit Allen Boyer's website
Buy "Suspicions at Sunset" on Amazon 

Teiran Smith, Author of Rooter

Today we are interviewing Teiran Smith, author of the new adult romance "Rooter."

Describe the plot of your new book, "Rooter," in a few sentences.
Sophie is infatuated with Rooter, the "vicious criminal" next door. After a series of rescues and Rooter saving her life, they embark on a passionate romance. But there are those who will not leave them be. Mike, Sophie's roommate is obsessed with her and Candace, Rooter's crazy ex-friend-with-benefits refuses to let him go without a fight. When Sophie is accused of committing an unforgiveable crime, Rooter ends the relationship and Mike's obsession turns deadly.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Anyone who enjoys a romance filled with angst, drama, and sexual tension, will probably enjoy reading Rooter.

What inspirations contributed to this book?
I wanted to write a story with fiery, flawed, yet lovable characters dealing with real life situations. There are so many cookie cutter romances out there where the characters are super likeable, and sweet, and kind. That's not always real life. Life isn't always sweet.

Author Teiran Smith.

Tell us a bit about the main character, Sophie.
Sophie has been through hell in her short life. All she really wants is a normal life and to know real, unconditional love.  She's much more self-conscious and unsure of herself than she even realizes. Her mother, and only family, never truly cared for her and committed suicide when Sophie was in high school. Her first and only boyfriend stole her virginity by raping her. The only constant, loving presence in her life is her best friend, Miranda and he family. But Miranda's parent's have both recently passed. Sophie now lives with Miranda and her brother Mike. But things are complicated between the three of them since Mike is in love with Sophie, but the feeling isn't mutual. She's completely enamored with Rooter. Her interest in Rooter only makes things more complicated and tense.

Rooter is a self proclaimed bad boy, so even though he's crazy about Sophie (to the extent of learning everything he possibly can about her) he refuses to bring her into his dangerous world. But after coming to her rescue a number of times, he finally gives in and admits his feelings for her. But he has a past and connections that he can't just cast aside. He really tries to do right by everyone although it often times causes more trouble than good. And despite his huge heart, Rooter is seriously flawed and complicated and at times infuriating.

What drew you to the new adult romance genre?
I love the new adult genre. The very first new adult story I read was Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire. I was instantly hooked. I've been writing New Adult stories before it was ever a genre. So to find books by Colleen Hoover and Jamie McGuire was like finding buried treasure! And it gave me the confidence to publish my work.

Are there any authors who have influenced your writing style?
Definitely Jamie McGuire, Colleen Hoover and Katy Evans.

Tell us about your creative process, from initial idea to published manuscript.
My creative process is so haphazard. Something will spark an idea and I just run with it. I don't do drafts, but I do make notes about scenes and dialogue to use throughout the story. I write by the seat of my pants but usually always know my beginning and ending before I start. Once I start writing, I just let my characters take me on their journey. Then, I polish the story in editing. The most difficult part, by far, is writing the book's blurb. I suck at writing blurbs!
 
How do you feel about the increasing popularity of ebooks?
I think it's a good thing, ultimately. They are convenient and affordable. Hard cover books and even paperback can be very expensive. I think being able to buy ebooks affordably has increased the number of books that are being read. Additionally, it has helped make indie authors more visible. Ebooks have completely changed the game in my opinion.

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
I just want to be writing and publishing new stories. Hopefully I will have published several books by that time in both the new adult genre as well as literary fiction.

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
I love writing! Everything about it. I detest the editing process. Everything about it. Ha!

What do you have in mind for your next project?
My next project is the second book in the Double H Romance series, told from Rooter's POV. It will be released in Spring 2016.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
I don't do sweet (in large doses anyway). There is plenty of foul language, some violence, and while Rooter isn't an erotic romance, there is some explicit sexual content. So if you have delicate sensibilities and are offended by any of those things, it may not be the book for you. But if you enjoy angst, drama, highly emotional situations, passionate characters and romance, give it a try!

Book blurb for "Rooter":

Sophie is obsessed with Rooter, the “vicious criminal” next door. After her jealous roommate, Mike, catches her chatting with him, he attacks her in a fit of rage. Rooter comes to her rescue and Sophie quickly falls for him. When she’s attacked yet again, Rooter swoops in and saves her and finally admits his feelings for her. But his secrecy, controlling tendencies, and crazy ex-friend-with-benefits threaten to tear them apart. When she’s accused of committing a brutal crime against Rooter, will he be there to save her when Mike’s infatuation turn into a deadly obsession?

More Information
Buy "Rooter" on Amazon
Check out Teiran Smith's website

Marla Press, Author of I'm a Dog, You're a Cat

Today we are interviewing Marla Press about her book, "I'm a Dog You're a Cat: Love Lessons From Our Furry Friends."

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I grew up in Rock Island, Illinois. I had what you'd call a typical, wonderful small town experience. There were enough people to be interesting but small enough to run the streets. You know, like high school girl gangs. We were so not tough.

We always had dogs and cats so I guess it's natural that I understand their personalities. I went to college in Austin, Texas and ended up moving to Houston later and that's where I've been for the past 19 years.
 
Describe your book in a few sentences.
“I'm a Dog, You're a Cat: Love Lessons From Our Furry Friends” is a shorter version of “Mars and Venus” only with dogs and cats. It offers a quick, easy to understand method to access and understand people and their personalities with an added dose of humor.
 
Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Everyone can benefit from understanding other people's personalities. However, my inclination and observations are that dogs are more likely to care about how people are hard-wired. Ok, as a “dog,” I admit that I'm biased. I think that we care more about what people think of us, thus care about how we act towards them. While “cats” (we truly love you), really kind of have the world by the tail. They act the way they act and everyone needs to just deal with it!

What inspired you to write a book about the personality traits of our feline and canine companions?
I started dating a wonderful man 71/2 years ago. I thought that he liked me but I didn't understand his actions. I would leave town for several days for work and not hear from him. What?! If you like someone you call that person 100 times a day, right? Okay, at least 3!

After consulting a good friend (who we discovered later happened to also be a “cat”), we determined he was a great guy, but he had the personality of a cat. Sometimes aloof, independent, a tad moody; he had most of the traits. It became apparent to me that I in turn was a “dog.” A big, needy, optimistic, overly friendly dog! The new dog/cat "language" helped us understand each other from the beginning. If I'm getting too needy, he'll hiss a bit but I remind him that he can't get mad, that's my DNA. By contrast, when he needs to be left alone for a time, I have to accept that this is his DNA. It works for us and I know it can help others.
 
Have you always been interested in the relationships people have with their dogs and cats?
I guess I have been collecting stories about people all my life. I'm an observer. The dog/cat tie in is something that really just came to me when I started dating my boyfriend (the cat).
 
What was the creative process like for you?
Believe it or it, this was the easy part. When I decided that I wanted to write a book and share the idea, I just started talking to people. Every story in the book is a real life story from someone I talked to. As for the illustrations, I wanted the book to be light, fun and cute.
 
In addition to the text, your book includes beautiful watercolor illustrations. What was the process of working with an illustrator like?
Jim Tweedy is such a talented illustrator/artist. I had bought some of Jim Tweedy’s work before and knew he was the artist I wanted to represent the idea. He understood the concept and I gave him free reign to draw what he saw. It was magical when he sent me a drawing based on a story I provided. I'm told from other authors it's not usually that seamless.
He and I were always on the same page.
 
How do you think reading your book will impact people?
My hope is that it has the same impact on readers as it has had on me in my relationships. It has allowed me to take a very quick inventory when I meet someone, and I can channel my inner cat if the situation demands. If it's a dog I meet, I can be my doggy self. It's really pretty simple and not intended to cause any angst.

Like any personality test (hard core scientific versus light-hearted), most people are a combination of traits. That's what makes people so interesting. However, if the individual is hard wired more one way than the other (cat vs. dog), it then becomes helpful in communicating.
 
What do you have in mind for your next writing project?
I believe that the people that love dog/cat will let me know what would help them the most. I've had people mention using dog/cat as a human resource training module. Also, there have been suggestions of utilizing the dog/cat concepts specifically for children. I've had therapists use the book in family discussions as a way to role-play. The idea has so many legs (8 at least) so I'm open to the next chapter.
 
Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
The next time that they have a party, get together, dinner, shower, etc., play the dog/cat game. It is so much fun to break the ice for those that don't know each other. For those that do, let everyone else vote and see where it goes. It's a blast! Go to the website and take the quiz. There are only 5 questions that will help you determine whether you are more a “cat” or a “dog,” and it will open up conversation for hours.

More Information
Visit the book website 
Buy the book on Amazon

Vivian Amis, Author of The Lotus

Today we are interviewing Vivian Amis about her new thought/spirituality book "The Lotus | Realization of Oneness."

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a teacher of Spiritual Consciousness, a mystic and author who was born in Wiesbaden, Germany. In 1992 I moved to America with my three children after my divorce. During the years 2001-2004 I had a profound spiritual transformation that changed my life.

Describe the purpose of your book in a few sentences.
The purpose of this book is to outline a path to end suffering in our life and so in the world.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Those that are on a conscious path to realizing their true Self and seekers of a deeper meaning to life.

What inspired you to write a book on Oneness?
The inspiration for writing this book while writing my book “I AM”, which covered the topic of how we create our experiences. I saw the need of writing a book that took the reader beyond the mind into the spiritual realm of Oneness.

Tell us a bit about your own experience with the pursuit of Oneness.
I was raised Catholic, when the church could not give me satisfactory answers on questions pertaining life, God and who I am I turned away from the church and turned within. I searched for answers for more than 18 years, until I one day heard God say to me “I am closer than you think”. This was my “aha” moment that took me back, before thought… into silence. There I realized my Oneness with God and all life.

One of the topics covered in the book is about how the surrender of the mind, heart, and soul can be a way out of suffering. Can you elaborate on the surrendering process?
Both Jesus and Buddha were tempted three times. These temptations are the blockages that keep us from realizing Oneness and are the cause of suffering. That is why Jesus said to love God with all our heart, all our mind and all our soul. The way out of suffering is to surrender our attachments, our desires and our life. The process is simple yet not easy: just hand it over and let go.

What was the most interesting thing you uncovered while doing research for the book?
That both Jesus and Buddha were tempted three times and on the same subjects.

How do you think reading your book will impact people?
I think that reading my book may give people the opportunity to heal, be uplifted, and inspired to seek Oneness with the divine in each and every one of us.

What do you have in mind for your next writing project?
I am in the process of writing my next book: The Prayer of Oneness.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
I am offering my e-book free on Amazon August 6th-8th.

More Information
Check out "The Lotus" on Amazon
Visit Vivian Amis' website

Amalia Moerman Pavlidi, Soprano, Teacher & Vocal Academy Founder

Amalia Moerman Pavlidi is a soprano, singing teacher, yoga instructor, and founder of Pavlidi Vocal Academy.

Tell us a bit about your background in music.
I have studied classical singing in Florence Italy. I have studied music theory grade 8 and piano until grade 6. In 2014 I have obtained my diploma in vocal coaching from London with Ria Keen.
I have done performances all over Europe. Last year I signed a contract with a famous ageny which took me a step further to my stage career.

What inspired you to take your love of music a step further and start a vocal academy?
My passion for it! I want to help singers or singing students become complete performers.

What classes or instruction do you offer?
We do offer classical singing classes, contemporary singing classes, music theory classes, piano for singer classes, yoga for singers, musical classes for kids, and vocal coaching classes.
 

Soprano Amalia Moerman Pavlidi.

What experience level do you teach? Do you teach absolute amateurs?
We do teach all levels, from complete beginners to professionals.

In addition to working with students in your studio, you do workshops and seminars online. Tell us about them.
We do offer online workshops which are mostly theoretical. This helps students to know more about singing, about vocal studies about their bodies. We launched it 6 months ago and we already had 2 with huge success. Distance learning worhshops give you the opportunity to learn from wherever you are.

What’s the most rewarding thing about teaching students?
When I see their effort and then their improvement and love and passion for our work.

What do you think are the biggest misconceptions people have about singing lessons?
Most people come and think it is an easy thing to do! You just open your mouth and sing...No!
Singing is a serious art and you need to be determined and committed. To be able to sing you need first to learn technique, to learn how your body works, to learn theory of music, to learn aural skills and in the end to combine all your knowledge and add your soul to your song.

One of the more unique classes you offer is yoga for singers. What benefit does yoga have on singers?
I am very happy for this question. I have studied Yoga and massage therapy. I have noticed so many benefits that I decided to add it to our programs. Yoga is a way to discover optimum body alignment, breathing and metal focus. Some of the  benefits for a singer are:
1.    Increases metal focus.
2.    Improves flexibility, strength, posture and
3.    releases tension from the body.
4.    Relaxes the nervous system
5.    increases body awareness
6.    Give lungs room to breathe

For someone interested in contacting you about taking lessons, how should they do that?
In our webiste we have a contact form a student can dirreclty from there send us a message.
We do also provide our email adress pavlidivocalacademy@gmail.com .

Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I would like to thank you for the opportunity you gave me to talk about my work.

Relevant Links
www.pavlidivocalacademy.com

Pepi Vilana, Author of Murder in Kathmandu

Today we are interviewing Pepi Vilana about her crime novel, "Murder in Kathmandu."

Book description:
The book you have in your hands is the first in a series of stories that have one thing common: mystery, intrigue and the succession of events that the reader must fully to find the assassin.

Tell us a bit about yourself. 
I was born in a small village near Barcelona, called Palau de Plegamans, in 1975. After having won a literary contest in 1989,1990 and 1991, I started to enjoy writing.

I grew up with the novels of Sherlock Holmes and I hope, someday, a child can dream with James Coopersy stories.

Describe the plot of your new book in a few sentences.
Investigation of the murder, an impossible love, ... from the start of the novel we become involved in a crime, adding a great dose of suspense to our reading of the text. The first case of Inspector James Coopersy.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
This book is for anyone who loves crime novel.

What inspired you to write a thriller/detective series?
What inspires me is having an opportunity to write, which is what really enthuses me.
 

Author Pepi Vilana.

One thing that is unique about the novel is that it features two cases that are investigated in parallel. What made you decide to take this approach to writing the story?  
This is a different approach that focuses on surprising to the reader.

Tell us a bit about the protagonist, James Coopersy.
He is a police inspector in New York. James is a tall, curly hair and intelligent. He is an attractive man of 33 with sad eyes. He hasn't forgotten his past, which shapes his present or future.

Are there any authors who have influenced your writing style?
Without a doubt, what most influenced me is sir. Arthur Conan Doyle.

Tell us about your creative process, from initial idea to published manuscript.
I initially had the idea to tell a story, a thriller, but afterward I thought: “What can I do differently?” OK. I'll Take two stories, a part of the book takes place on Nepal and the other part occurs on New York. In my next few novels, there will always be a case will happen in a country from which we can learn.  

How do you feel about the increasing popularity of ebooks?
I feel good, I feel that more and more people are more likely to read than before e-books existed.

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
You never know where your destiny will take you so, I shall continue writing and I continue to work for those who want to enjoy an entertaining read.

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
No, I like clear and simple writing.

Without giving too much away, what can you tell us about the next book in the series?
My next book will be a surprise, a mix of murder, a group of men protecting a secret, revenge, ...

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
This book is not only fun. This book is Nepal, a short but very interesting trip to this country. Unfortunately, all the monuments and places that appear in the book have disappeared by the recent earthquakes. I hope someday my readers may visit Nepal which I knew. 

More Information
Buy "Murder in Kathmandu" on Amazon US
Buy "Murder in Kathmandu" on Amazon UK

Graham Old, Author of Of Madness and Folly

Today we are interviewing Graham Old about his comedy/memoir/fiction book "Of Madness and Folly."

Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Graham Old. I am a working-class Brit, staunchly anti-establishment and a wimpy pacifist. I'd be a revolutionary communist or anarchist, if I could justify throwing bricks at department store windows or guillotining the rich. (Note: I reserve the right to re-visit that intention once I'm rich and famous!) I guess I'm what they call a champagne socialist, if I could afford the champagne.

I am a former missionary, church leader and university chaplain. I have also worked in Social Services and for adults with Learning Difficulties. I am currently a certified Hypnotherapist and work in private practice.

Describe the plot of your new book in a few sentences.
Rob Auldam is a Social Worker with a love of red wine and a diagnosis of Aspergers. Following a drunken incident of self-harm he is admitted as a psychiatric patient. There, he discovers a world of unexpected humour and learns that we are all a little bit crazy.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
I hope that the book will appeal to anyone who enjoys comedy books. Although the content might be considered dark, gritty or 'unsuitable for minors', my intention is that the humour throughout the book makes the raw expereinces within digestible and strangely enjoyable. I also hope that it appeals to people who have an interest in mental health, autism, self-harm or have ever wondered what life inside a 'mental hospital' is really like.

What inspired you to write a fictional comedy memoir?
I think there were three sources that lead to me writing this book. Years ago, my brother and I were talking about the surreal experience of working within social services. We briefly toyed with writing a sitcom set within that environment, but concluded that if it was true to our experiences, it would be dismissed as unbelievable! Although this book is not set within Children's Services, that serves as something of a back-drop.

Secondly, I read the book Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig, which is an account of his journey through depression. I cannot recommend that book highly enough.

Finally, I re-read Philip Roth's magnificent Portnoy's Complaint. Reading Roth and Haig in close proximity persuaded me that it was possible to discuss topics that were deeply theoretical and essential – like ethnicity, sexuality and identity – but to do so in a way that was humourous and engaging.

Tell us a bit about the protagonist, Rob.
I love Rob! I think of him as something like Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory. But imagine a Sheldon who desperately wanted to be liked and was fully aware of his own foibles.

Rob is a Social Worker and also works as a Life Coach. He had a less than perfect upbringing, though in this book you only receive vague details of that. Rob was also diagnosed with Asperger's a few years ago and is probably still in the midst of reviewing his life's history and figuring out the part that Aspergers played in all of that. As such, Rob has experience of mental health and family crisis from both sides of the fence. He is perhaps the epitome of a 'wounded healer'. Yet, rather than giving up, he stubbornly believes he can really make a difference in people's lives. He should probably have quit some time ago!

Rob, as an autistic social worker, is a unique character. What steps did you take with your writing to make his character feel authentic?
I kinda feel like I cheated with this one. Due to my own work in Social Services and in private practice, plus some family insight and personal first-hand knowledge, I can probably relate to Rob more than you might think. However, I wrote and re-wrote every line that he said and every internal monologue he had. I then asked friends and family to read them.

The reaction I was hoping for was 'believable shock'. I wanted people to be offended, but to accept that Rob meant well. If they weren't offended, then I was pulling my punches. If they actively dis-liked Rob, then I had gone too far. I hope I've achieved a realistic balance. I want people to feel for Rob, whilst also thinking that he's a bit of a well-meaning jerk. There's a good tradition of characters like this in British comedy, such as Basil Fawlty or David Brent. Rob doesn't have a malicious bone in his body, though his quick judgements and self-imposed isolation may cause you to think otherwise.

People with autism are not always perceived in the best light in media. They might be treated like non-emotional automatons, or heartless self-centred nerds. I have tried to create a character for whom you will feel some sympathy, perhaps even admitting that you like him, whilst acknowleding his own unique perspective on the world. In a sense, the character of Rob is the most important part of the book.

Humor is a big part of this novel. Has humor always been important to you? Or did it develop as you wrote?
Humour is HUGELY important to me. I guess I have had a fairly unqiue work history, which has included giving sexual advice to adults with learning difficulties, counselling elderly parishoners who have lost their life's Love and mentoring teenage Dads with a glue habit. Humour has been an essential part of empowering people in such situations, often the only effective way to seeing the possibility of a hopeful future. Aside from that, it strengthens the practitoner in such situations.

We all know the stereotype of the bullied fat kid who turns to comedy to win-over his classmates. It's a stereotype because it happens again and again. There is something about the power of comedy that can change people, challenge roles and stereotypes and set us on a new path. I'm not saying it's easy – and anyone who dabbles in comedy whilst talking about ethnicity or prejudice needs to have balls of steel and a sharp wit – but I do believe that comedy can open doors that may otherwise be firmly shut.

So, I wouldn't dream of talking about mental health without injecting humour throughout. To suggest that such an environment is devoid of humour simply devalues those living through it. If you think that nothing funny ever happens in a psychiatric hospital, you are simply refusing to acknowledge the absurdtiy and humanity inherent in such an arena.

Are there any authors who have influenced your writing style?
Charles Bukowski, Matt Haig, Kurt Vonnegut, David Sedaris and Mark SaFranko. I have oodles of respect for authors who can take subjects that shouldn't be funny and fill them with humour. This strikes me as a uniquely human thing to do. Who hasn't had that experience of being in a stressful or traumatic situation and feeling the relief that a moment of humour brings?

Tell us about your creative process, from initial idea to published manuscript.
I tend to start by 'brain-storming'. I don't write any stories or dialogue, but I jot down scenes or headings that occur to me. I'm looking for things that are funny and significant. I avoid any out-and-out jokes, because they seem cheap and lazy, but I'm looking for the ludicrous and authentic.

I then read whatever fiction books I currently have on the go. It's a bit of an act, because I convince myself that I'm just reading to enjoy reading-for-reading's-sake. Yet, it's obvious that I am digging deep for inspiration. I focus on authors who write i) well, ii) realistically and iii) humorously. David Sedaris would be a good example.

I then return to my headings and look for one or two that feel like they have potential. Anything that feels like it is trying too hard to be funny gets rejected immediately. (I'm not just after laughs for their own sake.) I flesh out one or two ideas and at some point I get caught up in the flow of writing. When I look back on my day's work, I might have combined half a dozen of my early ideas without having been aware of it. When I have a handful of 'episodes', I send them off to some trusted friends who have my full persmission to pull them to pieces. They know about my desire to be funny yet authentic and help me to shave-off anything that is lacking in either of those areas.

Recently, it's become important to me to read my work out-loud. When I have the bulk of a chapter, I will read it aloud to get a feel for it. I'm looking for anything that feels forced. I know that something is genuinely funny if I still chuckle to myself on reading it through. Although I obviously know the punchline, it should still be funny enough to provoke a reaction. After all, I still laugh when watching Curb Your Enthusiam, Fawlty Towers or Only Fools and Horses, even though I know what is coming.

Finally, I send out the full book to another group of trusted readers. I give them no idea at all what to expect and that is the most nerve-wrecking. Obviously, not everyone will share my sense of humour or sensibilities. However, at the very least, I'm looking for them to agree that it is well-written and insightful. I then re-read the whole manuscript again and again.

How do you feel about the increasing popularity of ebooks?
In an ideological sense, I don't have a problem with it. However, I personally still prefer to have a book in my hands. If I read an ebook that I love, I will most probably buy a hard copy, just to hold it in my hands.

However, I'm slightly concerned with the inequality that ebooks and kindle deals can bring. Perhaps if Libraries stocked kindles or ipads, so that people could check them out for 3 weeks and make the most of the 99p deals, I'd feel slightly happier with the situation. I'm not sure what the answer is there, but I think it's more than achievable.

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
I'd like to make enough money to buy J. K. Rowling.

Failing that, I would like to write comedy so well that it gets taken seriously. Comedy books can be seen as 'light' reads, which I think does the genre a real disservice. Unless I am completely wrong about all of this, comedy books are able to tackle the 'heavy' subjects in a way that nothing else really can.

If I can be a part of that, I would be thrilled. If I can have a ride at Disney Land named after me, even better!

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
Reading and re-reading the final manuscript. I'd like spell-checks to reach the point where they genuinely know what you mean and we can trust auto-correct to do its job. Frustratingly, when you know what you want a sentence to say, your mind plays tricks on you and you're convinced it actually says that. It's embarrassing to read a manuscript for the 19th time and find a rogue spelling mistake!

What do you have in mind for your next project?
I would like to continue exploring the life of Rob Auldam. As he is based very much on a composite of me and those I have known, we have naturally had some shared experiences. I would like to write about his experiences as a Social Worker, bringing my conversation with my brother full-circle. I would also like to write a little about his experiences of religion from the inside.

In a sense, I want to look at some of the archetypal experiences that many of us go through, yet never talk about. And I want to find the humour within, to allow us to talk about them.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
More of it is based on the reality of my life than I'd ever admit! :)  Also, you probably shouldn't let your children read it. 

An excerpt from "Of Madness and Folly":

I will begin with today, which started - as all good days are prone to do - with a rude awakening.

For whilst I was happily biting Scarlet Johansson's lower lip, Charge Nurse Grace was knocking on my bedroom door and calling my name. It is a peculiar feature of dreams that the mind seems capable of incorporating outside noises and distractions, without them appearing out of place or incredulous. How many times was my adolescent mind indulging in darkly perverse yet deeply satisfying fantasies, whilst my mother was standing at the bottom of the stairs, yelling at me to wake up for school? Yet, my dreaming mind, aroused and unfazed, included my mother's voice within the content of my fantasy, no doubt encouraging me to "Get up!" and "Come-On!", whilst I protested that I didn't need her encouragement and knew very well what to put where, thank you very much!

No, no, we are not yet ready for tales of childhood trauma or the blurred lines of my adolescent mind. Let's return instead to my mind, such as it is, today. Unsurprisingly, the sound of Nurse Grace's voice invited her into my dream, where she knelt at the head of my beloved Scarlet. The sumptuous ruby lips of Ms. Johansson had finally met their match in Grace's generous enticing bosom. A Kenyan woman, with an imposing backside, Nurse Grace was a wonderfully welcome stereotype. As she bent over Scarlet's now smiling lips, Grace's uniform began to slowly unbutton from the top, of its own accord.

I had just about caught a glimpse of the outer lace of a surprisingly seductive purple bra, when the sky exploded into a field of brightness and I awoke to find my door open, my bedroom light on and Nurse Grace standing at the foot of my bed.

"Are you up?" She asked.

I am, in retrospect, painfully aware that my porn movie training - which has consisted of digesting at least half of the content of the entire World Wide Web - should have equipped me to respond, "why don't you check for yourself?". However, I meekly uttered a breathless "yep", whilst sitting up, hoping that my beer barrelled belly would cast its shadow over my Depravity and hide my shame.

"Breakfast", Nurse Grace grumped and swiftly left my room.

And, so began day 29 of my stay at Greenfields Psychiatric hospital.

More Information
Buy the ebook on Amazon UK
Buy the paperback on Amazon UK
Check out Graham Old's Twitter
Find the book on Goodreads

Eris Field, Author of No Greater Love

Today we are interviewing Eris Field, author of the international romance "No Greater Love."

Tell us a bit about yourself.
When I was 17 and had just started my training as a nurse, I met my future husband, a Turkish intern, and developed an interest in other cultures. After several years in psychiatric nursing, I started to write novels. Now, I work full time at researching and writing contemporary, international romances that tend to feature psychiatrists, international charmers, and fascinating cities.

Describe the plot of “No Greater Love” in a few sentences.
For two people—Janan and Pieter—love seems to have passed them by while they have been the dutiful caregivers of their families, but when they fall in love, they share the one night they have. A serious illness and a selfish mother prevent Pieter from returning to Janan, and Janan, pregnant with twins, refuses to seek out Pieter. She has lived without love so long, she cannot bear the thought of Pieter marrying her for the sake of the babies, not for love. Carl tries to contact Pieter but Pieter’s mother who does not want a daughter-in-law from Eastern Turkey does not give him the message. Carl then offers Janan a way out—marriage. He will give her support and a name for the twins that she carries and she will take him home, back to Leiden to seek retribution for his father .Janan knows that accepting Carl’s offer may cost her all chances of a life with Pieter but she chooses to do what is best for the babies.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Women between 35 and 65 seem to like my novels.

I think Turkish-American readers would enjoy the book. There are approximately 500.000 Turkish-Americans in the US and a slightly smaller number in Canada.

What inspired you to write a book about a young woman who must make sacrifices to help her family?
In No Greater Love, Janan’s life has slipped by as she took care of aging relatives. But when love comes, she knows it, and, although Pieter will be gone in the morning, she seizes the chance to have one night of happiness. I have known many women who did not seize that opportunity when it came and later regretted it. I also know some who have seized the opportunity and paid the price as Janan does.

Tell us a bit about the protagonist, Janan.
When Janan was eight, an earthquake killed her mother, father, and twin brother, Tomas. Abandoned in an orphanage in eastern Turkey, she was rescued by an American who had studied copper designing with her father. He and his wife who have no children adopt Janan and she grows up in a small village in Western New York. In that family, is an older uncle, Carl, who had been sent by his father, a Dutch-Jew in Leiden, Holland, as a five year old during WWII to save him from the Nazis. This older uncle, Carl, supported Janan’s desire to go to college when her adoptive parents did not, and now she looks after him. Like all refugees, Janan and Carl yearn to go home, even though there is no longer a home or family for either of them.

One theme of “No Greater Love” is about making sacrifices for the benefit of one’s family. Did you set out to explore this theme? Or did it develop as you wrote?
The story is about Janan, a Turkish-American girl, whoseTurkish upbringing and culture would have taught her that the welfare of the family is more important than the happiness on one person. Her life in American would have taught her that the individual has the right to happiness. She struggles with these contradictory beliefs. Ironically, when she risks everything for her individual happiness, she is saved by Carl’s belief that the family—Janan and her babies—are more important than the individual. Pieter, who risks everything to overcome leukemia so that he can return to Janan, believes that it is right for individuals to seek happiness even if it means turning his back on his family.

Are there any authors who have influenced your writing style?
An early influence was Betty Neels who wrote international romances. In her stories, family honor was highly valued but the right of individuals to love was held even higher.

Tell us about your creative process, from initial idea to published manuscript.
My stories begin when characters make themselves known to me and start telling me their stories. They ride in the back seat of my car and talk to me and to each other. I know what they want, what they fear, and what painful experiences they have endured. From that knowledge, I begin to weave a tapestry of time, places, events, and other people that become part of their struggle to get what they want.

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
I intend to continue to write contemporary, international romances. There are so many fascinating people in the world.

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
I like all aspects of writing. My favorite is research but the temptation is to follow each thread that research uncovers and that can lead you away from the story.

What do you have in mind for your next project?
My next hero is a Peshmerga fighter—a glorious hero.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
Many of us are refugees at some time in our life—fleeing from conflict, disasters, or family rejection—while yearning to return home, even though that home no longer exists.


An excerpt from "No Greater Love":

“To get back to the business at hand. You just gave me a lovely kiss of introduction.”

“A kiss of introduction?” she stammered. “I didn’t know kisses had names.”

“Well, there are lots of different kinds of kisses and names help keep them straight in one’s mind.”

“Is it important? To keep them straight?”

“Oh, yes. Each kiss has a definite purpose . . .and outcome.”

“Outcome?” she squeaked.

He put his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him and, when she did not resist, he pulled her closer. “I am going to acknowledge your kiss of introduction.” He moved his hands to cup her face as he lowered his lips until they rested firmly against hers and then began to move gently. Lifting his head, his breathing rapid, he said, “Now we are getting to know each other better, don’t you agree.”

Touching her lips with her finger tips, she nodded. “After the acknowledging kiss?”

“Then we will use our hands and tiny getting-to-know-you kisses,” he whispered as his long fingers traced her eyes, her nose and her mouth, each touch followed by a kiss.
. . .
“Invitation,” he murmured as he trailed kisses down her throat toward the first button partially hidden in the ruffles of the low neckline of her blouse. He groaned as he unbuttoned his jacket and pulled off his tie. “We aren’t doing this right. He took a step in her direction. “Remember you said when you were shoveling the walk that it would go better if two people worked at it?” . . . he guided her fingers to the first button of his shirt.

. . . ‘She hesitated. “I should tell you that I am not sure . . “

“We will not do anything that you don’t want to do.” . . .

“I am not sure that I know what to do.”

“The process?”

‘Yes. I have read about it clinically of course, but I have had limited personal experience?

“I see,” he maneuvered the hook at the waist band of her skirt and let it slide silently to the floor. “How limited?”

“Very limited.” Her breath was coming in quick gasps.

“My experience has been limited too, but I think I can remember enough to guide us through the process.”

She shot him a frosty look. “You are tall, dark, and handsome.  Somehow I doubt that your experience has been limited.”

More Information
Buy "No Greater Love" on Amazon 
Check out Eris Field's website