Sarah Davis's Blog, page 3

Introducing ... Melody Pendlebury

Welcome! We would like to learn more about the author of ,A Girl Called Ruthless. Please tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Melody Pendlebury and I live in Jacksonville, Florida with my husband and my corgi Gatsby. By day I am a reading and writing teacher, and any other time I am a writer. I started out with writing children's books about my dog and have now pivoted to middle-grade/teen books.

My debut novel is ,A Girl Called Ruthless about eleven-year-old Ruthless who will do whatev...

The Coolness of Werewolves: Guest Post by Ashley Meggitt

The past, as L.P. Hartley says in his novel The Go-Between, is a foreign country, and to skit off that a bit we could say the long past is an entirely different world. It’s a world where there is no science, where folklore and folk psychology rule, and where the story is king. It is here that the werewolf was created, bought to life around campfires to help understand events that at the time were unexplainable.

It seems that the first stories of men turning into wolves emerged 100’s of years BC...

Val Penny and Writing The First Cut

A huge congratulations to Val Penny on her new book, The First Cut! Today, Val will be talking about writing.

Welcome, Val!

Thank you so much for inviting me onto your blog today, Sarah.

I have been writing and telling stories all my life. When I was a child, I used to make up stories for my little sister after our Mum put the light out and told us to go to sleep. Later, I wrote documents, contracts, and courses as part of my job, but my time was well accounted for and so I did not create an...

Hummingbird Cake, Bless Your Heart, and Charming Southern Romance by Jess B. Moore

Where are you from? I grew up in the south, and by that I mean the deep south. For most of my life, I have lived in Louisiana, Florida (the panhandle, right up next to the Alabama state line), and North Carolina. If you aren’t from down here, you might not realize, but there are different degrees of southern. Louisiana for instance is a whole different kind of southern than North Carolina.

Do you remember in the movie Sweet Home Alabama when Reece Witherspoon’s character says, “you need a pass...

Introducing Alex Shepherd & Aether Shift

Hey folks! I am back with a new string of interviews and guest posts and other fun stuff planned. Let's get started with a new author that I have connected with (virtually) ... Alex Shepherd.

Her DEBUT novel, ,Aether Shift, releases TODAY (July 16, 2021)!

Alex grew up in the mountains of Montana, USA, in a family that celebrated the outdoors and all it had to offer. Growing up camping, hiking, hunting, and fishing, she developed an intense love of the wilderness and all the creatures in it. Th...

Introducing...Sunny Wells

Back in June, when Inside Voices was published, I liked to check my rankings and reviews. Okay, I still do. About halfway down the page, there was a heading, "Customers who bought this item also bought." The Vegetarian Bat by Juliet Davis and Widows Gone Wild by Sunny Wells popped up.

Now, I know why ,The Vegetarian Bat showed. Juliet is my daughter, after all, and most family members would purchase both of our books. Sunny Wells and ,Widows Gone Wild? I had no idea why that one presented. So, I did what every other normal human being would do...I posted to Facebook. Turns out that Sunny and I shared a hometown connection. What??

Not long after my post, Sunny sent me a message, and we chatted. What a delight to meet and learn more about this wonderful woman! I've now added another line on my bucket list…meet her in person.

Until that time, she agreed to an interview. So, without further ado, I give you, Sunny Wells.

Yay, Sunny! So glad to visit with you again. What is the first story you remember telling (not necessarily writing)?

When I was in 4th, maybe 3rd grade, we had to write a story with a surprise ending. I came up with a little story about a frightening Halloween night written in first person that my teacher thought was marvelous. Ever since that, I liked to write. I did a lot of journaling but never attempted a book before 2019. A favorite English teacher in high school used to say, "You write like a boy," and she meant it as a compliment. I didn't really ever figure out what she meant by that, but I think it was that I didn't use a lot of flowery, emotional language in my writing. That hampers me, though, as I always admire how a lot of authors are able to describe in such detail.

Your writing drew me in and made me feel emotions that I've tried to lock away. It was breathtaking and gut-wrenching, and I loved every moment.

What was your favorite game to play as a child?

I grew up with lots of cousins in the small town where I was raised. We had an idyllic childhood playing the classics like Red Light, Green Light, and Red Rover. Paper dolls were also a big hit with my friends.

I played those games, too, when I was a kid. Now, as an adult, I sometimes play Pink Light, Green Light.

Star Trek or Star Wars?

Well, I have seen a lot of the Star Wars movies, but I can't say that I have been a big fan of either Star Trek or Star Wars. I guess that doesn't make me much of a fantasy writer.

*Gasp* Well, I love them both. And I only care that the movies keep coming! On the topic of sequels, what movie sequel would you erase from history and why?

I'm not big on sequels. I remember being disappointed in Godfather II.

Is it sacrilegious to admit I haven't seen the first one? Because if it is, then I'll keep my mouth shut.

Do you have any writing quirks?

I don't know if it could be called a quirk, but I like to write early in the morning, with headphones on to keep from being distracted, and I usually wear the same thing for each writing session, leggings and a tee-shirt!

Nice and comfy! Sounds like my routine.

What is your favorite color? Least favorite?

I like pink and purple. Also, most of the blue family. Olive green is my least favorite.

If you were to be gifted a superpower that you had to use continuously for 8 hours every day, what would it be?

I'd love to be able to read people's thoughts.

Hmm, that is an interesting choice. I've been told that all you have to do is watch my face to see what I'm thinking!

What are your hobbies (besides reading and writing)?

I love spending time with my grandchildren when I can see them. It's been hard during the pandemic. When I am in Florida, I send my grandkids a card every few weeks, with a little money enclosed, because that's what grandmas do. I also clip comic strips out of the paper to send the ones that make me think of them. Yes, I still read the real newspaper every day.

I also love to walk. Travel is a big love of mine. We usually go on one major trip a year. Of course, the pandemic is affecting that too.

Coffee...cream or sugar, both or neither?

Coffee with half and half, no sugar ever. I am a "coffee purist," so no flavors either!

I like mine black these days but have tried a few flavors. Hazelnut is my favorite.

In Inside Voices, I strategically placed a favored cupcake, French Toast. Yum! What's your favorite cupcake flavor? (I've cupcakes on the brain.)

White cupcakes with chocolate frosting (boy, do I sound boring!).

Not boring at all! I consider any cake flavor to be delicious, except if it has coconut-yuck!

What is one food you could never bring yourself to eat and why?

There are not many foods that I don't eat, but I think I will always draw the line at Rocky Mountain Oysters!

Whelp, I have eaten them. I survived. They didn't make me gag. Much.

Let's talk about something else, shall we?

How about a typical "ask the author" question? What is your favorite author/book?

I love the writing of Elizabeth Berg. If I ever write a novel, she will be my inspiration. Another favorite author of mine is Pat Conroy. I was sad when we lost him a few years ago. His book Beach Music is an absolute favorite of mine. The first book I ever read by myself was Heidi at the age of 5 or 6. I loved that book, and I still like to read children's literature when I am in need of a boost. I go back to Laura Ingalls Wilder and Roald Dahl.

So if you could have written any novel, which one would you choose?

Wish I had written just about any Elizabeth Berg novel…... Or Les Miserables by Victor Hugo!

You've heard of writer's block. Have you ever gotten "reader's block?"

Yes, a couple of years ago, I was experiencing a condition called normal pressure hydrocephalus, and one of the symptoms was difficulty concentrating. It was a very frustrating time, as I would start a book and not be able to concentrate on it, even though I have always been a voracious reader. After being treated for the condition, I am able to read regularly again. I am of the belief that it is okay to abandon a book that you have started and don't really like. Life is too short to read something that doesn't interest you! But I always give a book a chance. I read all of yours, Sarah!

I'm honored to hear that.

How long did it take you to write your book?

It took me about a year and a half to write my memoir. I had a great editor, and she taught me ways to keep going and move forward. One of her best pieces of advice to me was to just write and not go back and read or correct anything. Just keep writing and letting the ideas flow. The corrections and additions come later.

Great piece of advice. Editing is, I find, very challenging. What was the most challenging part of writing for you?

My book is a memoir, not a novel, but the hardest parts to write were when I revisited the memories of my husband's diagnosis at age 52 and the day he died. On the days that I would write those scenes, I would spend the rest of the day immersed in melancholy and sad memories. But I would emerge from those periods stronger and surer that this was the story I wanted to share to help others going through the same experience. Resilience was a theme in my moving forward.

Your writing is so heartfelt and touching. It opened a floodgate of many wonderful and difficult memories with my grandpa: attending doctor appointments to discuss treatments, convincing him to go to the emergency room after one nasty therapy, walking with him and his dog, Guy, through the pasture to check the horses, and driving in the '76 GMC with the windows down with Hank Williams Jr. on the radio. He told me, "You'll always be my little girl," not long before he took his last breath. Grandpa liked to sing "do do do do" and chew Big Red and let me drink as many Dr. Peppers as my stomach could handle. I am so fortunate to have those memories and was so lucky to have had the time with him but find it difficult to not be angry I can't just call him, even after all these years.

My memoir WIDOWS GONE WILD: OUR JOURNEY FROM LOSS TO RESILIENCE was written out of the experience of losing my husband to pancreatic cancer and my subsequent involvement in a hospice support group. There I met the 7 women who joined me in our quest to move forward. I wrote the book intending to help others who have had the same loss and people who are trying to help someone through a loss.

Thank you so much for chatting with me. I thank the Amazon bots for their role in connecting us.

Shine on, Sunny!

You can find Widows Gone Wild on Amazon as well as Ingram Spark. Find more about Sunny on her website: www.widowsgonewildthebook.com

Interview with Jennifer Worrell

So, my second interview of 2021 is with Jennifer Worrell, a fantastic author published with Darkstroke. Her book, ,Edge of Sundown, looks to be a great read. I’ve only tackled the first chapter in preparation for the interview and am hooked. Let’s get to know more about Jennifer, shall we?

So many authors were storytellers before they penned their first novel. What is the first story you remember telling (not necessarily writing)?

I used to make up stories about my imaginary friend Jerry…which I’m pretty sure was the mouse from Tom & Jerry. So I did fanfiction before I knew it was a thing.

How many languages do you speak? Which is your favorite?

Only English. But I learned a few signs in ASL at a former job, and hope to become fluent one day.

You are asked what your least favorite color is, knowing that it will forever be erased from existence. Would you give your answer?

No, because I would probably set off some awful butterfly effect. But would anyone miss Barbie pink? Would the Dream House be a bland white stucco? We’ll never know.

Yes, it probably would set off a butterfly effect. And I would miss Barbie pink.

What are your hobbies (besides reading and writing)?

I am quite dull, so I’ll say baking (though less so now, sadly, with the plague shutting down bake sales). One of these days I want to take up guitar again, and learn how to make jewelry, and take dance or ice skating lessons.

You don't sound dull at all! I enjoy baking...cakes and cupcakes. That's about it. Apparently, I am a horrid cook. I mean, I can burn water, so...

What is your favorite sport to play? To watch? Or, what is your least favorite to play or watch?

What are sports?

Good one! There is a sport that I enjoy. It is called Kubb. Have you ever played it? Did you have to look it up before answering?

I did have to look it up! But it sounds fun!

The zombie apocalypse will happen in two days. You are fully stocked with food, water, and toilet paper. What is the one thing you will have stocked up on as your guilty pleasure?

Gummies. I can eat my weight in gummies. I would have said whiskey, but I should probably keep a clear head.

Most should definitely have a clear head if being chased by zombies, or you might throw all your gummies at them!

What movie sequel would you erase from history and why?

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. There already were two sequels to Raiders. Why replace Harrison Ford as the hero? So many questions.

Ok, another movie question. Star Wars or Star Trek?

Trek. But only the first 6 movies. One day I’ll catch up with the show.

Please don't hate me, but I enjoy the remakes, too.

You won the mythical lottery and are granted the use of a magical creature for one week. What creature would you pick and why?

A mermaid, but only if I get to take on the traits of one too. I always wished I could swim.

That is one thing you would have to ask the genie granting the wish. All those loopholes, eh?

What is one food you could never bring yourself to eat and why?

Balut. I love ducks, I love eggs, but…

Totally understand.

Tell us your favorite "dad joke."

This is a literal “dad joke”! Many years ago, my sister-in-law was hosting Christmas dinner. She brought out a silver serving spoon for the mashed potatoes, a family heirloom from her grandmother and great aunt. After so many years, it was a little dented and misshapen, and my father-in-law said, “Looks like it’s fallen on bad tines.”

Bahahahaha! I wonder if he came up with that on the fly or if it sat simmering for years?

Cake or pie?

Definitely pie. Although ice cream cake is hard to beat.

Ice cream cake! It is hard to beat a slightly melting slice on a hot summer day.

Tell us about your latest book.

My first novel was released in November 2020. It’s about an author, Val Haverford, whose best-seller days are in the past. In order to recapture his glory days, he pens one last book: a dystopian conspiracy theory. He soon discovers his fictional extremists aren’t so imaginary after all—in fact, they believe he’s aware of their plans, and his book is an exposé designed to destroy them. They give him one chance to scrap the project—or Val may be destroyed instead.

This took me about 7 years to write because I am the slowest writer ever, and I took a lot of breaks to write flash fiction and essays too. I can’t write just one thing at a time!

You can find it at mybook.to/EdgeofSundown or etsy.com/shop/JWorrellWrites. It may not change your life, but I do love to give my readers something to think about. I feel like aging, quiet characters are underexplored, so I hope you dig it!

It sounds great. I enjoyed the first chapter…great set up, already intrigued by the MC, Val. Your writing style…love it!

Edge of Sundown

When dystopian fiction becomes real…Val Haverford’s Sci-Fi and Western novels made him a household name. But that was then. A decade of creative stagnation and fading health has left him in the literary wilderness.Attempting to end his dry spell and secure his legacy, Val pens a dystopian conspiracy theory set in a tangential universe where alien invaders eliminate ‘undesirables’ perceived as drains on society.But as he digs deeper into violence plaguing his adopted home of Chicago, he discovers unsettling similarities between his work in progress and a life he thought he left behind. Soon he finds his fictional extremists are not only real—they’re intent on making sure his book never sees the light of day.As he pieces together haunting truths about his city and his motives, Val realizes his last chance to revive his career and reconcile the past could get him—and the people he loves—killed.Will he make the right choice? Or will it be too late?Edge of Sundown is a provocative story that shows how the desperation of lost opportunity can lead to drastic and unexpected consequences.

Final question...Do you have a favorite character that you created? Why or why not?

I wrote a flash story once from the POV of a crass, chain-smoking sword named Thrusty Stabbington that I’m really quite proud of. I had it up on Facebook, but they discontinued the Notes feature, so it will appear in a collection of short stories instead.

Thrusty Stabbington! Seriously? It sounds like a must-read for me! Where can I get a copy?

Thank you so much for joining me today, Jennifer. I wish you success on Edge of Sundown and your many other works. Now, I shall go back to reading your book.

Cheers!

Author bio stolen from Darkstroke:If Jennifer were to make a deal with the Devil, she’d ask to live—in good health—just until she’s finished reading all the books. She figures that’s pretty square.

In case other bibliophiles attempt the same scheme, she’s working hard to get all her ideas on paper. She writes multi-genre fiction and the occasional essay, and is currently working on a collection of shorts and two picture books that may or may not be suitable for children.

Edge of Sundown is her first novel. She’s always been drawn to “what-ifs” and flawed characters, and has never quite mastered the happy ending.

Jennifer is a member of Chicago Writers Association and Independent Writers of Chicago, and works at a private university library. To connect with her and find links to her published works, check out her ,website; ,Twitter or ,Facebook pages; and/or sign up for her monthly ,newsletter.

Links mentioned above: web: jenniferworrellwrites.com twitter: @JWorrellWrites facebook: @JWorrellWrites newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/o7d4i7

Interview with Karen Moore

Guess who I had a chance to interview...if it wasn't Karen Moore, the author of the bestseller, Torn, you ignored this article's title.

Torn was the first Darkstroke book that I ever read. I remember thinking, "I was chosen to be listed with a writer like Karen?" Talk about awestruck (and a bit intimidated). Also, hers was the first I ever reviewed on Amazon.

My review went like this...⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"I normally read fantasy but felt compelled to read Torn. I'm so glad I did - the captivating story introduced me to settings that I wish to visit someday. The characters were vivid and drew me in emotionally. I highly recommend this interesting read."

Yeah, okay, so it was a short and sweet review. And honest. See what I did there? Reviews can be short and sweet and honest and not intimidating AT ALL!

Without further ado, I introduce to you...*drumroll*...the talented Karen Moore!

So, Karen, what is the first story you remember telling (not necessarily writing)?

My father was in the Merchant Navy and would bring back all sorts of tales from his travels. This inspired me to conjure up my own, either with invented characters or else imagining myself embarking on a series of exciting adventures in far-flung places.

How exciting! Isn't it amazing how one person can tell a story, and we can change it in our heads to fit our imagination? I used to read stories to my miniature Schnauzer, Rosie, and imagine that she and I were characters in the tales. Fun times.

What was your favorite game to play as a child?

I loved the challenge of board games such as Cluedo and Monopoly. I would also spend hours playing with a model farm, imagining the escapades of the animals and their owners.

Ooh, those model farms! The tiny animals and fences are great fun for parents to step on...not quite as fun as stepping on Legos, though.

Do you have any writing quirks?

I have a habit of coming up with better ideas as I’m writing. Some of these I can weave into my developing storyline or else I have to go back and see where they will work best, if at all!

Who inspired you to write your debut novel?

Not who, but what. I was inspired by news reports about the plight of large numbers of immigrants fleeing to Europe from North Africa in atrocious conditions and the fact that traffickers were being allowed to operate with apparent impunity for so long. I thought this would make the perfect backdrop for a thriller.

What is your favorite color? Least favorite?

So many favourite colours: dusky pinks and purples, bright orange and yellow, turquoise and green. My least favourite is navy blue – to me, it’s such a boring colour and it reminds me of uniforms and authority figures!

Dusky pink! My fav.

How do you name your characters?

I might choose names that appeal to me, or else go for names that fit a certain era or geographical area. Other names might be acquaintances from the past, but all my characters remain fictitious.

That is a very sensible method with your genre. To head in a different direction, what about fantasy...If you were to be gifted a superpower that you had to use continuously for 8 hours every day, what would it be?

I think I’d most like to be able to fly – that way I could see all the places in the world I’ll probably never get to, and what an incredible sense of freedom!

Definitely need a good pair of goggles, I'm thinking! Would you wear a cape, I wonder?

What are your hobbies (besides reading and writing)?

I love to cook, play tennis, go walking in the hills, and I adore animals.

So we all know about "writer's block." Has it ever affected you?

Not really. I don’t usually lack ideas but sometimes it can be challenging to decide how best to express them and what will work where in any particular storyline.

Getting those nasty words to arrange perfectly can be quite challenging, I agree.

What is your favorite author/book? Can you pick just one?

So many, it’s difficult to choose! I like classical authors such as Charlotte and Emily Bronte, DH Lawrence, and Ernest Hemingway, and William Shakespeare’s great tragedies such as King Lear and Macbeth.

As for contemporary writing, I enjoy a wide range of thriller and crime writers including authors such as Ruth Ware, Will Dean, Michel Bussi, Pierre Lemaitre, and Nordic Noir writers Yrsa Sigurdardottir, Arnaldur Indridason, Johan Theorin, and Anne Holt.

What was your hardest scene to write?

I hate writing love/sex scenes – they always seem so tacky and unauthentic.

I was embarrassed about writing a kissing scene for Inside Voices. As my second novel is urban fantasy, I find the more intimate scenes are definitely harder to write. My goal is not to screw it up too badly.

If you could have authored a book, which one and why?

This is a difficult one. I admire the Bronte sisters for being so ahead of their time and for their superb gothic storytelling ability, particularly in Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights.

I tip my head for that comment. I agree those books are extraordinary. And I've read multiple retellings and have seen the movies. Speaking of movies again, what movie sequel would you erase from history and why?

I never think movie sequels work as well as book sequels. I wouldn’t erase any from history as other people may enjoy them, but I would probably just avoid them.

That's a solid answer.

While we are on movies, Star Trek or Star Wars?

Neither for me, I’m afraid. I’m not a fan of that genre. Give me a good thriller anytime!

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?

Probably a cat as they live life on their own terms.

I just saw something like this the other day and thought it purr-fect for kitties.

*BoredPanda (click on the image for the website)

Cats also conserve energy by sleeping 13-14 hours a day. I could come back as a cat and be happy with that.

What is one food you could never bring yourself to eat and why?

Offal – just the sight and smell of it turns my stomach!

Totally agree with you on that! I like to say, "offal is awful."

Back to writing. On average, how long does it take you to write a book?

My debut novel, Torn, took several years as I was still working fulltime. The second has taken me about a year to write. I’m now on the final chapters and then on to the editing.

Torn is your debut? Great job. I loved it! Tell us more about it, please.

As I said, my debut novel, Torn, took several years as I was still working fulltime. It was difficult to find the time and head space to write at that time, but I loved every minute of the journey. So much so, that I decided to continue the storyline in my second book and make it into a sequel.

I couldn’t claim that reading my novel will change anyone’s life, but hopefully it will keep you entertained for several hours and provide an opportunity to visit Sicily from the comfort of your sofa in these restrictive times. Happy reading!

Torn

Like any mother, Hanna would do anything to protect her small daughter, Eva.

When she discovers that her husband, Luciano, is not all he seems and their blissful life on the island of Sicily is threatened, she wastes no time in seeking refuge abroad. But just as they are settling into their new life in North Wales, Eva disappears.

In a race against time, Hanna is forced to return to Sicily and face the dark world of organised crime in a bid to secure her daughter’s safe return. She must also confront the truth about Luciano’s business dealings and their horrific consequences.

But will Hanna succeed in getting Eva back and bring Luciano to justice?

Or are the stakes just too high?

Thank you, Karen, for the opportunity to chat. Best of luck with your writing... I can't wait for the next one!

And you, reader, check out Torn on Amazon at ,mybook.to/darkstroketorn

Available for #KindleUnlimited

About the author

Karen Moore is passionate about all things noir – crime, mystery, thrillers – and writes in that genre.

She has been writing all her life, mostly for work purposes, and is now delighted to be able to spend more time developing her own creative work.

Her debut novel, Torn, is a dark tale of intrigue and betrayal set in Sicily and North Wales. She is currently working on the sequel.

Karen worked as a tour guide across Europe, North America, and Canada, followed by a career in PR and marketing. She has lived in Italy and France and is now based in Cheshire, England.

Links

Facebook: Karen Moore - Author | Facebook

Twitter: www.twitter/KarenMo35731701.com

Interview with Sue Barnard

Ready to meet another talented author?

Me too! As I have said time and again, I love meeting new authors and getting to know what makes them tick, er, or write. Today, Sue Barnard is with me, the author of multiple books. Check out those covers! Not pictured are the many short stories she has also published.

Hey Sue! Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with me. I have been asking all the authors I get a chance to interview how many languages they speak. So, how about it? How many languages do you speak? Which is your favorite?

I speak French like a Belgian, German like a schoolgirl, and Italian & Portuguese like an Englishwoman abroad. My favourite is any language in which I can order a beer.

My friend, you and I would get along very nicely at a bar/pub.

You have written several books. Who inspired you to write your debut novel?

William Shakespeare. I’ve always loved the story of Romeo & Juliet but have always wished it didn’t end so tragically. Some years ago I saw a list of Things You Must Do Before You Die. The one which leapt out at me was Write The Book You Want To Read. The book I’ve always wanted to read is the alternative version of the story – the one in which the young lovers get the happy ending they deserve. Why, I asked myself, should there not be such a book? And the answer came straight back: Why not indeed? And if it doesn’t already exist, then go ahead and write it.

A bit of a weird question for you. You are asked what your least favorite color is knowing that it will forever be erased from existence. Would you give your answer?

Shocking pink. It’s such an assault on the eyes!

Yes, quite shocking!

If you were to be gifted a superpower that you had to use continuously for 8 hours every day, what would it be?

Curing the world of all known diseases (including stupidity).

Ooh, that is a good one. I'll add that to my superpower wish list.

What is your favorite sport to play?

I enjoy walking and open-water swimming, but I don’t regard either of those as sport. I don’t watch sport at all. Life is too short.

Life is too short. We should all play games and be merry. One game that my family has fun with is Kubb. Have you ever played it? Did you have to look it up to determine if you have?

I tried looking it up, but it isn’t even in my dictionary! So I’m none the wiser, but I’m assuming not!

We discovered it at the Renaissance Festival in Shakopee, MN. Strolling through the packed thoroughfare, back in the time of such things, we came upon a person bent over, his head almost touching the ground. Between his spread legs, he threw a baton at a mid-calf tall wood block in the center of a pitch. Captivated by his significant other's laughter and the fact that we were at the Renaissance Festival where crazy stuff is normal, we drew closer to find out why the person was acting thusly. It was the game of Kubb. The salesperson told us a legend about how the game came to be. He suggested that Vikings used to throw bones across a pitch to knock over skulls. I'm not sure about that, but I have found it also called the Swedish Skittles game. It is quite fun until the dog runs off with one of the kubbs.

The zombie apocalypse will happen in two days. You are fully stocked with food, water, and toilet paper. What is the one thing you will have stocked up on as your guilty pleasure?

Good-quality red wine. Presumably the question of a hangover won’t arise…

So long as you are stocked with pain killers and stay hydrated, I think you would be fine.

If you could have authored a book, which one and why?

It would have to be That Devil Called Love, by Lynda Chater. It’s a modern reworking of the Faust legend, in which the heroine finds out the hard way that youth, beauty, wealth and fame don’t necessarily hold the keys to lasting happiness. I first read it when I was in my 40s and starting to feel depressed about getting old, and I can honestly say that it changed my whole outlook on life. The story is told with great perception and humour, and the whole concept is so ingenious that I’ve often wished I’d thought of the idea myself.

Well, I just added a new book to my TBR pile. It sounds fascinating!

What is one food you could never bring yourself to eat and why?

Tinned peaches. They have all the charm of slugs marinated in their own slime.

Tell us your favorite "dad joke."

I can’t. It’s too rude.

Fine. Maybe a different time. Ha!

Tell us about your latest book

My most recent book is called Finding Nina. It’s a story of adoption and reunion, and it’s based partly on my own experiences as an adoptee. It’s a part-prequel, part-sequel to one of my earlier novels (Nice Girls Don’t) and took about six months to write. I found it very cathartic (even though there were times when I could barely see the computer screen through my tears). It’s available in paperback and Kindle formats from Amazon.

,Finding Nina

1943: A broken-hearted teenager gives birth in secret.Her soldier sweetheart has disappeared,and she reluctantly gives up her daughter for adoption.1960: A girl discovers a dark family secret,but it is swiftly brushed back under the carpet.Conventions must be adhered to.1982: A young woman learns of the existence of a secret cousin.She yearns to find her long-lost relative, but is held back by legal constraints.Life goes on.2004: Everything changes…,FINDING NINA is part-prequel, part-sequel to the bestselling NICE GIRLS DON’T,but can also be read as a stand-alone story.

It sounds amazing! Another book to my TBR pile! Folks, you should check it out!

Do you have a favorite character that you created? Why or why not?

I think it would have to be Lorenzo, the eponymous hero of The Ghostly Father. I didn’t actually create him from scratch as he already existed as the Friar in Romeo & Juliet, but I loved getting into his head and finding out what makes him tick. I’ve often wondered why, in the original play, he behaves as he does – and by giving him what I hope is an interesting and thought-provoking backstory, I’ve tried to offer some possible answers.

I am very thankful for you taking the time to answer some of my questions. Shine on!

Thank you for inviting me to your blog, Sarah. Take care, and stay safe!

Cheers!

More on Sue:

Sue Barnard is a British novelist, editor and award-winning poet whose family background is far stranger than any work of fiction. She would write a book about it if she thought anybody would believe her. Sue was born in North Wales some time during the last millennium. Her mind is so warped that she has appeared on BBC TV’s Only Connect quiz show, and she has also compiled questions for BBC Radio 4's fiendishly difficult Round Britain Quiz. This once caused one of her sons to describe her as "professionally weird”. The label has stuck. Sue now lives in Cheshire, UK, with her extremely patient husband and a large collection of unfinished scribblings.

To see what else Sue is up to:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sue.barnard.7

Twitter: @AuthorSusanB

Blog: http://broad-thoughts-from-a-home.blogspot.com/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Sue-Barnard/e/...

Interview with Bestselling Author, David Robinson

Today I have the pleasure of chatting with David Robinson, author of, well, many bestselling books.

In his words, David Robinson retired from the rat race after the other rats objected to his participation, and he now lives with his long-suffering wife in sight of the Pennine Moors outside Manchester.

He is best known as the creator of the light-hearted Sanford 3rd Age Club Mysteries and the cynically humorous Midthorpe Murder Mysteries. He also produces darker, more psychological crime thrillers.

David produces his own videos, which are a hoot, and he posts them on Facebook at ,www.facebook.com/dwrobinson3 and his YouTube channel at ,www.youtube.com/user/Dwrob96/videos.

Welcome, David! Since you are not from where I am from, I am curious to know how many languages do you speak? Which is your favorite?

Five: English, Spanish, French, Rubbish and Bad. Bad is my favourite. I’m a textbook grumpy old man, and when someone or something irritates me, I’m not slow with the ‘F***s’.

Well, if that makes you a textbook grumpy man, then I speak that fluently along with English and several other species.

Who inspired you to write your debut novel?

No so much who as what. I suffer from arthritis and in order to combat the pain, I took a course in hypnosis. Wider reading on the subject brought up the inevitable queries on hypnotic abuse. Is it possible? From that came The Handshaker, a serial killer using the power of hypnotic suggestion to subdue his victims. It was published by Crooked Cat/darkstroke, but it flopped because by then I was identified as the creator of the light hearted Sanford 3rd Age Club Mysteries. It’s since been republished as Dominus under my pen name Robert Devine… and it’s still a flop.

Well, I think it sounds divine and will have to check it out, as well as your other books!

Seriously, though, I have to ask a fundamental question. Star Wars or Star Trek?

Star Wars. James T Kirk gets on my wick and I never followed the other series.

Okay, so I speak American English and had to look up "gets on my wick!" Please don't hold that against me.

I really enjoy the idea of the Jedi and their mental powers and their connection to something bigger. If you were to be gifted a superpower that you had to use continuously for 8 hours every day, what would it be?

The power to shut politicians’ mouths. I loathe them as a breed.

They are a breed apart, to be sure.

What is your favorite author/book?

John le Carre’s Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. It is the most complete (in every sense of the word) novel I’ve ever read, and it’s a far cry from the absurd world of James Bond.

Like, where did the 007 come from? Alright, I looked it up. Personally, I like the numbers 867-5309 better.

Speaking of movies, what movie sequel would you erase from history and why?

Probably all of them. They’re always a let-down. The one exception is James Cameron’s Aliens (1986). It worked because it was so different to the original.

Sequels have such a hard time living up to the expectations. Just trying to make a bigger and better version of the first doesn't cut it. I do have to say that I really enjoyed Guardians of the Galaxy 2 and hated it simultaneously. That being said, I wouldn't erase it. It follows life and Grimms' Fairy tales...not every story has a happy ending.

Now I am bummed and need a lift. Tell me/us your favorite "dad joke."

YOUNG SON: Dad, I think I need glasses.

DAD: They’re expensive, son.

YOUNG SON: Yes, but I can’t see too well.

DAD: (points to the sky) Look up and tell me what you see.

YOUNG SON: The Moon.

DAD: That’s a quarter of a million miles away. How far do you want to see?

Oh my gosh, that is awesome! You surprised me with that one!

Cake or pie?

You put ’em on the table, I’ll eat ’em.

Right? When there are multiple choices, I select one of each, please. It's only respectful to the baker.

Now for the meat of the interview. Tell us about your latest book that releases TODAY.

Tis the Season to Be Murdered, the 21st Sanford 3rd Age Club Mystery. A Christmas tale with Joe Murray and his best friends, Brenda Jump and Sheila Riley. Basically, it’s Joe, Sheila and Brenda away for the weekend prior to Christmas, staying at Britain’s worst holiday park, when the proprietor and another local man are murdered. I don’t want to go into too much detail, but it brings Joe into contact with someone he helped send to prison years before. It’s not going to change your life but the plot hints at certain contentious issues in modern society, and questions whether leopards can change their spots. Like all the Sanford Mysteries, it’s fun, and the tone is quite light-hearted and cosy. No bad language, no graphic sex or violence. They do okay in the US, but they’re not overwhelmingly popular partly due, I think, to the characters and background which is blue collar Yorkshire. Many of the colloquialisms and much of the humour goes over the head of readers from Europe and the States. Some of the British have problems understanding them, too.

The Sanford 3rd Age Club Mysteries are exclusive to Amazon. They’re short reads (about 50,000-60,000 words, and I usually write them in a couple of months.

Do you have a favorite character that you created?

Joe Murray, the lead in the Sanford 3rd Age Club Mysteries. There’s so much of me in him. He’s short, outspoken, irascible, but beneath it all is a man who believes in law and order and has a concealed compassion for others.

,Tis the Season to Be Murdered

The gloves are off, the loins are girded

Fa-la-la-la-laaa, la-la-la-la

’Tis the season to be murdered…

Has Joe finally met his match – a Yorkshireman even grumpier than him?

In wild, wet and windy weather, Joe and his nephew, Lee, turn up at Rough Riders Caravan Park for a pre-Christmas weekend away together with Lee’s wife, Cheryl, and son, Danny.

Immediately, Joe gets into a confrontation with park owner, irritable, failed artist, Arnold Chew, and within twenty-four hours, Sheila and Brenda arrive in time to learn that two men have been murdered – leaving Joe a suspect.

While Lee and Danny enjoy Scarborough’s Christmas offerings, Joe crosses paths with old friends and old enemies alike, but he’s urgently short of time to pin down the killer.

Is Brenda jealous of Sandra or concerned for Joe? Has Sheila recovered from the debacle of last Christmas? Has Sandra really changed her ways? What is the dark secret of Van Zero? And will Danny ever learn not to be quite so truthful?

’Tis The Season to be Murdered… A Christmas conundrum of the Joe Murray kind in the 21st outing of the Sanford 3rd Age Club Mysteries.

link: mybook.to/Stacseason

I think this book, and all of your other works, sound amazing. Yes, I use a lot of American words like amazing and awesome and right? But that is because they are the essence of what I am thinking. And I think that your books are bestsellers for a reason. Right? They are amazingly awesome!

David, thank you so much for entertaining my questions. I wish you the best of luck with your release of Tis The Season To Be Murdered.

Shine on!

For more information, you can track David down at ,www.mysteriesaplenty.blogspot.com/