Susan Hanniford Crowley's Blog: From Nights of Passion Blog, page 165
November 2, 2016
The Best Laid Plans of Writers and Women by Heather Novak
Hello Nights of Passion Readers! My wedding day was amazing and I can’t wait to share the photos with you all! It was a real life fairytale. As a romance writer, I totally dig fairytales. (YOU ARE ALL SHOCKED, I KNOW!)
After the most amazing honeymoon in Vermont EVER – seriously the changing leaves made the mountains look like they were on fire – we arrived home and I immediately visited my local RWA meeting. I had the honor and pleasure of meeting NYT Bestselling Author, Jasinda Wilder, and her amazing husband. She blew my mind with her industry knowledge, with her career path advice, and her own personal journey.
The most important advice, besides WRITE!!!!, was that every book you write should be written as if it’s the next bestseller. Meaning: Don’t half-a** your books.
I was so overwhelmed with wedding stuff and still am to be honest (thank you notes, finalizing invoices, rearranging the house, catching up with out of state relatives, etc) that I was half-a**ing my next book Threat of Raine.
I don’t want to half-a** a book.
So at the risk of upsetting some readers, I will not be scheduling a release date for the rest of The Lynch Brothers Series until after the new year. I promise you, however, that book two and three will come out back to back. Also, I am planning on making the books full length instead of novella.
In the meantime, you can find me here every Thursday. Now, it’s time to get my word count in for NaNoWriMo! Good things are coming, readers. But it’s best to do them right the first time.
On this day in 2005 – Walt Disney Pictures released “Chicken Little.” It was the first Disney film completely created with computer animation.
Wishing You Laughter & Good Books,
Heather Novak
Find me at:
Twitter: authorheathern
Instagram: authorheathern
Facebook: authorheathernovak
Hunting Witch Hazel: Now available
Threat of Raine: Coming Soon
Rosemary for Remembrance: Coming Soon
Filed under: romance
November 1, 2016
Rose-colored Glasses
I have straightish hair. As a kid, it was straighter and I always wanted super curly hair. I know… why always want what we don’t have. This one is an easy fix though. I simply use a curling iron and with a bit of effort and a lot of time, I’m showing of luscious curls. I bring this up because I’ve been wondering this week why we always seem to want what others have or how our backgrounds tend to shade our perceptions.
This past weekend, I was listening to Marketplace Weekend and they did a quick interview with Anthony Bourdain. I have to agree with the interviewer that he really is a very interesting person and I personally have loved watching and reading his work. In the interview, one of the questions was what was one thing he believed viewers don’t know about his work. He replied stating it could be lonely– that he travels all over, sees tons of beautiful views but that he does it all alone. Of course, this struck me as sad and he is right, that is definitely not something I ever would have thought watching him. Instead, I most likely have wished I could be traveling all over and visiting new places and trying different foods. I have thought probably what many have thought– what an awesome job!
What I’m really reflecting on this week is that there are always different sides or views. We tend to see sometimes what we want to see or even what we don’t want to see. Our backgrounds, our experiences, our beliefs all contribute to the perception we form. That isn’t always necessarily bad, it just is. And as a result, it can mean at times that we see only part of the picture.
Lesson learned? I’m not sure if there really is a lesson, but I’d say that as you look at the world, try to see it the way others might see it. It is not to say you toss out your view, only that you add too it. Make it broader and perhaps we’ll all see a bit more clearly.
Happy writing this week!
Filed under: A writer's life, romance, Toni Kelly
Happy Halloween! Time For NANOWRIMO by Mandy Rosko
I hope you enjoyed your Halloween! I know when I go to visit my nephew I’m going to be bartering for some of his chip bags. We’ll see what he wants in exchange for them❤
But onto bigger and better things. Most notably, NANOWRIMO starts officially right now, and I’ve got big plans to get the first 50K words of my Billionaire romance going this month.
Which means a lot of work for me and time at the cafe ;_; I was hoping to get started right at midnight, but, you know, stuff got in the way, procrastination
October 30, 2016
Halloween Paranormal-Scope with the Giveaway List
Gifts galore can come your way. Enter as many as you like. They all end at midnight on Oct. 31st. All you need is to click on each, read and follow the directions to enter the contests for:
https://nightsofpassion.wordpress.com/2016/10/30/gypsies-witches-and-crystal-gazers/
https://nightsofpassion.wordpress.com/2016/10/30/whos-your-favorite-vamp/
https://nightsofpassion.wordpress.com/2016/10/29/happy-halloween-contest-with-rebecca-royce/
https://nightsofpassion.wordpress.com/2016/10/26/halloween-fun-and-contest/
While I am not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets, I am intimately linked to the paranormal in the world in many ways. So are you.
The paranormal-scope is for entertainment purposes only and is not meant to guide your life by.
The week for:
Aries:
Goblins take off their masks and they are really mild-mannered Gnomes. Don’t judge a person or a book by its cover.
Taurus:
Demons are taken a shine to you. Bribing with treats are in order.
Gemini:
Faeries lead you down a dark path. Just because someone is pretty doesn’t mean they intend the best. Beware.
Cancer:
Vampires have a wisdom that comes with age. Visit someone older friends for advice and fine company.
Leo:
Werewolves love to run free with and with abandon. You wish for that kind of freedom. Consider carefully any life changing decisions.
Virgo:
Goblins are going around wearing the masks of Gnomes. They want to travel, and have everyone think they’re cute. Plan a trip.
Libra:
Elves don’t understand death being immortal. Parties, exploring, and making good friends make immortality more fun.
Scorpio:
A pixie from your past dresses less than the best, but is still beautiful. Look for the deeper beauty.
Sagittarius:
Dragons cherish those close to them. Plan a celebration just because. Spend time with those you love.
Capricorn:
Faeries are creative and try new things. Do the same. Be sensitive to the feelings of others.
Aquarius:
Mermaids avoid dangerous currents. Turmoil with others can be avoided. Listen to others and take the easy way to resolves matters.
Pisces:
Salamanders dance in fire. When it comes to finances, don’t.
-Susan
Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance
www.susanhannifordcrowley.com
Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!
NEW: Vampire Princess of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 2 available in Kindle!
Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 available in Kindle and Print and Nook and Print
Vampire in the Basement, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 4 available in Kindle.
Poseidon’s Catch (mythology romance) available in Kindle.
Mrs. Bright’s Tea Room (steampunk romance) available in Kindle.
A Vampire for Christmas,Vampires in Manhattan, Book 3 available in Kindle.
The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 2 available in Kindle and Print and Barnes and Noble Print
When Love , Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 available in Kindle and Print, Nook, Kobo and Smashwords.
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Filed under: A Vampire for Christmas, Max Vander Meer, Norse, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, vampire books, Vampire David Hilliard, Vampire King of New York, Vampire King of New York In Print, Vampire Maximillion Vander Meer, vampires, Viking, Weekly Paranormal-Scope, Yule
Happy Halloween Parties & 2 Contests with Susan Hanniford Crowley
The other day it was raining and snowing at the same time, but our pumpkins are still ok. They are now carved and glowing. In addition to being here. I am have a party and a giveaway as part of the The Romance Studio Spookapaloosa 2116. To get there, visit http://trsparties.com
My contest for there has to be entered there. To comment on as many of my posts as you can go to: http://trsparties.com/author/shcrowley/
Be sure to also vote for the author down the right hand side of the page.
My giveaway here on Nights of Passion is Worldwide and is for a Winner’s Choice from the one of my currently available ebooks. All are in Kindle and two are also in Nook. See the list below. The contest ends on midnight, Eastern time, on Oct. 31st, and is void where prohibited by law. To enter, comment in the comment box below why you really need that book and include your name and email. Good luck!
-Susan
Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance
www.susanhannifordcrowley.com
Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!
NEW: Vampire Princess of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 2 available in Kindle!
Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 available in Kindle and Print and Nook and Print
Vampire in the Basement, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 4 available in Kindle.
Poseidon’s Catch (mythology romance) available in Kindle.
Mrs. Bright’s Tea Room (steampunk romance) available in Kindle.
A Vampire for Christmas,Vampires in Manhattan, Book 3 available in Kindle.
The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 2 available in Kindle and Print and Barnes and Noble Print
When Love Survives, Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 available in Kindle and Print, Nook, Kobo and Smashwords.
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Filed under: A Vampire for Christmas, Max Vander Meer, Norse, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, vampire books, Vampire David Hilliard, Vampire King of New York, Vampire King of New York In Print, Vampire Maximillion Vander Meer, vampires, Viking, Weekly Paranormal-Scope, Yule
Gypsies, Witches, and Crystal Gazers
I’m so pleased to introduce Liberty Blake. I met Liberty at a conference for the New England Chapter of RWA a few years back. I won a tarot reading with her, which I not only enjoyed but found to be quite eye-opening!
Once upon a long, long time ago I worked as a psychic, tarot reader, fortune teller. Whatever name you want to call it, when you boil it down to its base stock it is all the same, it is one person telling another about future opportunities.
In the past I’ve worked in a reading room, in my own shop, and as a free-lancer.
My first experience of having a reading was a bit nerve wracking. A friend gave me the name and number of a woman two towns over who read. I called her and she had a thick eastern European accent which made communication a little difficult. We finally settled on a day and time, and I showed up at her door at the appointed time.
The woman worked out of her house, and I, a good Catholic girl, showed up alone. (Which I would never advise anyone to do.) I was so nervous, I didn’t know what to expect. Would there be inverted crosses? Was my curiosity leading me into a den of iniquity?
The door opened to reveal a tired looking woman smoking a cigarette. I stepped into the house and she led me into the kitchen where I sat on the edge of my seat and fumbled with an oversized deck of cards as Ava instructed me too.
Within a few months many of the things she told me had come to pass and I returned for another reading, this time with my mother in tow. She needed a reading also.
Not long after that I began babysitting for a woman who was learning how to read palms. I was one of her practice palms. She studied my hand for a few minutes and then told me I’m the one who should be doing the readings.
I was stunned. I had pre-cog moments all the time and even though I often knew what was going to happen before it did I had never considered I could take it further. After all, it’s not what good Catholic girls do.
So I found a novelty store that had a back room set up for five readers to work in, bought a deck of Tarot cards and a book and I learned.
I learned the layouts, I learned the cards, and I learned from the professional readers in the backroom. I also learned that anyone can give you a credible reading, but without some psychic ability, they can’t give you the complete picture. Due to the multiple meanings and how the cards interact with each other in the layout that it takes more than a book and a knowledge of the meanings, to connect the dots.
Unlike Ava, the readers I met in the shop were young, hip, people.
I practiced my readings on friends and family before taking my readings professional. I began with house parties. I made special sachets to give to the people hosting the parties to encourage more readings.
One of my favorite parties took place in an old house where three young women lived. They had ten of their best friends partying in the living room while I read each person in the privacy of the kitchen.
The entire night I had chills running up and down my spine and a disapproving spirit trying to get me to speed up and go home. When I gave the women their gifts they were amazed. The sachets were not the love ones they had thought I would bring, they were sachets to ward off ghosts.
There were several moments of silence before they told me about the ghost that came with the house. He knew I had the sachets and he tried to stop me from leaving them in the house. (If I’m invited back I have lots of true ghost stories to share with you.)
Parties were fun, but draining. So I applied for a job at the novelty store. I had to read the owner and his assistant but when I was through, they were surprised that I had picked up on so many things no other reader had ever brought up before.
Before I knew it I had a long list of regular clients. Most were on a monthly basis, but several were weekly visitors.
Why would people want to see a psychic so often? Love. Money. Loneliness?
Many days I would do twenty or more readings a day. Not good if I wanted to go out with friends after work. I’d walk into a club and be assaulted by so many thoughts I’d barely be able to catch my breath.
One reading during that time still stands out in my mind. I somber man came in and sat down at my table. I did his reading, which was on the bleak side, and hoped he would find a way to turn it around. When I asked if he had any questions he wanted answered he asked me if his wife was cheating on him.
I had him shuffle the cards. I fanned them out and asked him to pick out three cards. I laid them out without saying a word because my heart had hit the floor with the first card.
I struggled to find a way to answer him without telling him what I really saw, so I asked for three more cards—still hoping for a ray of light in the darkness.
It just wasn’t there. I told him the truth of what I saw, but I also told him I could be wrong. I knew I was right, I not only saw it in the cards, but I could see it vividly in my head, but I had to give the poor man something to cling to.
After he left, David, the other reader on duty said, “You shouldn’t have told him. He’s going to go home and beat his wife.”
I shook my head. “No, he’s not a violent man.”
(Perhaps now is a good time to mention there were five tables set up in a U shape for the readers. We were separated by carved wooden screens that gave the illusion of privacy, but when you didn’t have a client you could hear everything being said at the other tables.)
Two days later an angry woman flounced in and slammed her butt in the chair opposite from me. I glanced toward the door and saw two sad-eyed little girls staring in at me.
“My husband was in two days ago and you told him I was having an affair with my boss. You described my boss and his car.”
Was she there to beat me up?
“I’m sorry,” I mumbled.
“Who told you?”
“Nobody told me, it was in the cards.”
“I want you to tell me how I can convince my husband that it’s all over and then help me find a way to continue the relationship with my boss.”
“I can’t do that,” I gasped.
“Look, I don’t want my husband to divorce me, I’m afraid he’ll get the kids, but I love my boss and he won’t leave his wife. I’m not ready for our relationship to end.”
I could see David out of the corner of my eye. If he leaned any further out of his chair he would land on his face.
“Does your husband beat you?” I had to know.
“He would never hit me,” she responded.
In the end she left unhappy. Her husband did file for divorce, he did get the children, and a few years later he met a very nice woman who was glad to help him raise his daughters.
When I read for others I don’t use a Tarot deck. I use an old French Destiny deck. Most people can recognize certain cards and become frightened. Many people don’t hear anything you say after they see “Death” card. They just want to know who it is who is going to die.
No matter how many times you explain to people that the card doesn’t necessarily mean death, it is a card of new beginnings. The ending of one thing and the beginning of another. They still cling to the idea that someone is going to die, even if you tell them flat out what is means in their cards.
I am proud of the years I spent working as a psychic. I helped many people to improve their lives, and according to several I saved their lives by telling them what to have their or their loved one’s doctor look for.
Anyone can buy a deck of tarot cards and memorize the definitions. Tarot decks have seventy-eight cards, and each card has multiple definitions. There are multiple definitions for cards that land in your lay-out straight up and different meanings for cards that land upside down. Anyone can do it and get many things right, but without some active psychic ability and a true respect for the cards they don’t see the whole picture.
Everyone has a bit of the psychic in them. Using the cards can help you to develop that ability, as long as you respect the cards. That is why I had the dilemma with the husband and cheating wife, another reader would have made something up, but I firmly believe that once you start tfw the cards they start showing you the lies instead of the truth.
Even when there is bad news to deliver I always tell my clients, “I’m showing you a road map, it is up to you what paths you choose to follow. Nothing I am saying is written in stone. You can change the direction you are taking at any time.”
Happy Samhain. Or as I like to say, Happy New Year Witches.
I’d like to give an ecopy of The Counterfeit Bride to someone for sharing an experience they had with tarot or palm readings. The winner will be announced in the comments on October 31st. Contest is void where prohibited by law.
Liberty Blake writes about women who know who they are and the men who love them that way. She writes full-length novels in her Boundless Billionaire series and short stories. Spirit Board is currently her only paranormal short.
Sign up for my newsletter here.
Learn more about my books by visiting my website.
Filed under: romance
October 29, 2016
Who’s Your Favorite Vamp?
As you probably know I love vampires. I love the scary ones, the romanticized ones, and the funny ones. I am quite honestly not at all discriminating in my vampire love.
There is a “right” moment for each kind of vampire. One doesn’t always want to scared to death by Nosferatu every second of the night (or day). Sometimes you need a vampire who can bring the romance, one who oozes sex appeal. Other times you need a good laugh. There’s a reason mythology has turned from thinking only of them as monsters that suck you dry.
We like the scary edge of the unknown. We want to believe we could survive it, maybe even change it.
I’m not so sure that fantasy is even remotely attainable. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t dream. Here’s a list of my top five favorite vampires as played by these actors. But please note, this list does change, pending mood, time of year, and new vamps on the scene!
5. Gary Oldman as Dracula
4. Bela Lugosi as Dracula
3. Alexander Skarsgard as Eric
2. Luke Evans as Vlad III
1. Eva Prim, though I’ve not decided who would play her. Eva is a cross between I Love Lucy and Elvira so finding the right actress is taking some thought.
Who is your favorite vampire? Comment below for a chance to win an e-copy of Demons and the Dark Roast, an Eva Prim short story.
Winner will be announced in the comments on October 31st. Contest is void where prohibited by law.
To keep up to date on my writing and other contests join my newsletter here.
Happy Halloween!
Filed under: romance
October 28, 2016
Happy Halloween & Contest with Rebecca Royce
In a world where women are scarce and only the rich get wives, some people dare to try a different way….
Do you suppose they will still be celebrating Halloween in space hundreds and hundreds of years from now?
Hi, I’m Rebecca Royce and I’m so happy to here today! If you read my little introduction here, you’ll see that I’m talking about my science fiction romance books in my Wings of Artemis series.
Crashing Into Destiny (Wings of Artemis #3)
When one man can’t steal her heart,
She gives it to five of them.
Restless and uncertain, Diana Mallory has no idea what path in life she wants to take. Unable to choose between marriage, pursuing a career, or spending her life praying with the Sisters of the Universe, Diana struggles with the course of her future. But when she’s thrown through a black hole, her choices all vanish. Suddenly, her only focus is surviving life on the ice planet.
Life on a strange planet isn’t as it seems. With five men vying for her heart and body, Diana grapples with her feelings for each of them. Each man stirs feelings and desire within her–a yearning she’s never known before. Although the men were not prepared for the woman who crashed into their lives, they’ll do anything for her–even share her. Now it’s up to Diana to embrace the beauty and love that each of them provide, while learning that the universe doesn’t believe in happy endings. Can the men find a way to love her and still protect her from the danger lurking outside the galaxy?
**Reverse Harem, Intense**
#Kindle http://amzn.to/2cKd6Q3
#KOBO http://bit.ly/2cCzzRe
#Apple http://apple.co/2d6TCr1
#NOOK http://bit.ly/2cOnLHP
I hope you’ll check out the books! Comment here telling me what your favorite piece of candy is and one of you can win the Crashing into Destiny ebook! Contest ends at midnight, Eastern time on Oct. 31, 2016. Void where prohibited by law.
Happy Halloween.
Smooches
RR
Thank you, Rebecca, for being part of our Halloween fun!
-Susan
Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance
www.susanhannifordcrowley.com
Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!
NEW: Vampire Princess of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 2 available in Kindle!
Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 available in Kindle and Print and Nook and Print
Vampire in the Basement, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 4 available in Kindle.
Poseidon’s Catch (mythology romance) available in Kindle.
Mrs. Bright’s Tea Room (steampunk romance) available in Kindle.
A Vampire for Christmas,Vampires in Manhattan, Book 3 available in Kindle.
The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 2 available in Kindle and Print and Barnes and Noble Print
When Love Survives, Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 available in Kindle and Print, Nook, Kobo and Smashwords.
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Filed under: A Vampire for Christmas, Max Vander Meer, Norse, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, vampire books, Vampire David Hilliard, Vampire King of New York, Vampire King of New York In Print, Vampire Maximillion Vander Meer, vampires, Viking, Weekly Paranormal-Scope, Yule
October 27, 2016
L.D. Rose Talks About The Legend of Bloody Mary by Stacy Hoff
Happy Halloween, everyone! In honor of the upcoming spooky holiday, I invited back award wining paranormal author L.D. Rose to Nights of Passion. L.D. has her new novel, Black Bullet, coming out in a few days, so she’s in a particuarly festive (and spooky) mood!
Take it away, L.D.!
The Legend of Bloody Mary by L.D. Rose
As a child, every Halloween (and really, at many other times of the year), I tried to conjure up the infamous Bloody Mary in every mirror in my (haunted!) house. Of course, it never worked, but I’ve been fascinated with the folklore and her story, so I decided to blog about it today on NIGHTS OF PASSION. Thank you, Stacy Hoff, for inviting me! Also, stay tuned for a giveaway at the end of the post.
October 26, 2016
What If Everything You Knew Was Wrong? Contest with Rena Olsen by Heather Novak
Hello my dear Night of Passion readers! It is time for my FAVORITE holiday. To celebrate this amazing week of contests, 
please welcome my friend and guest, psychological thriller author Rena Olsen! At the bottom of the blog, you’ll find directions on how to win her book!
Rena Olsen is a writer, therapist, teacher, sometimes singer, and eternal optimist. By day she tries to save the world as a school therapist, and at night she creates new worlds in her writing. Her debut novel, THE GIRL BEFORE, is now available from Putnam! Represented by Sharon Pelletier of Dystel & Goderich Literary Management.
Tell us about yourself!
That is a loaded question. I was born on a cold January afternoon, almost 33 years ago. I came early, and a blizzard hit on my due date, so even then I liked to plan ahead, and some would say that was the beginning of my psychic abilities…
Skipping ahead…I live in a suburb of Des Moines, IA. I work as a supervisor for the 
school-based therapy outreach program at the community mental health agency for children in Des Moines. I have a team of 16 therapists in around 20 schools that I supervise, and I love my job. I live with two plants, both of which I have kept alive for quite some time now, though there have been some touch and go moments. I have six nieces and nephews that I love to spoil, two of which live just a mile from me. I’m a former pastor’s kid, or theologian’s offspring, so I moved around a lot growing up. I’ve lived in the same town for 8 years, which is the longest I’ve lived anywhere. I would love to share my library with you, but it’s only been a year since I moved into my house, so I’m not completely unpacked yet. I don’t like to rush things. I write at night and on weekends, and The Girl Before is my first published book, but the fourth book I completed.
I am holding in my hands your debut book The Girl Before! Tell us about the book.
Heather: This is me on my Honeymoon at Phoenix Books in Burlington, Vermont. When I saw Rena’s book I squealed! …and maybe accidentally left it in the staff recommendation sections…
Blurb: In this powerful psychological suspense debut, when a woman’s life is shattered, she is faced with a devastating question: What if everything she thought was normal and good and true . . . wasn’t?
Clara Lawson is torn from her life in an instant. Without warning, her home is invaded by armed men, and she finds herself separated from her beloved husband and daughters. The last thing her husband yells to her is to say nothing.
In chapters that alternate between past and present, the novel slowly unpeels the layers of Clara’s fractured life. We see her growing up, raised with her sisters by the stern Mama and Papa G, becoming a poised and educated young woman, falling desperately in love with the forbidden son of her adoptive parents. We see her now, sequestered in an institution, questioned by men and women who call her a different name—Diana—and who accuse her husband of unspeakable crimes. As recollections of her past collide with new revelations, Clara must question everything she thought she knew, to come to terms with the truth of her history and to summon the strength to navigate her future.
Reviews: “I couldn’t put it down. The novel is compelling, perplexing, and ultimately uplifting! The unusual structure is a perfect match for the magnetic voice of the central character. I predict this daring debut novel will make Rena Olsen “the girl ahead” among psychological suspense authors.”—Karen Harper, New York Times bestselling author of Upon a Winter’s Night
“A disturbing story, haunting and important.”—Alexandra Burt, author of Remember Mia
“Daring, harrowing, and absolutely riveting.”—Sandra Block, author of Little Black Lies
It also received two starred reviews on Booklist from two separate reviewers.
That sounds brilliant! I cannot wait to sink my teeth into it! (Halloween pun very intended). How do you do your research?
I read. A LOT. For this book I read numerous personal accounts of human trafficking. I also watched the documentary Nefarious, and went to several speakers who spoke about the topic, both those who have been pulled into the world of human trafficking and the agencies who are working to end it. A21.com, enditmovement.com, and Polaris.com were my go-to sources, but I had many others.
Does your research/ your writing ever give you nightmares? Human Trafficking is terrifying.
Honestly, it doesn’t, and I think it’s more because for me writing about dark stuff is cathartic. As a therapist working with kids, I hear a lot of horrific stories. None of them are used in my writing, obviously, but the feelings they evoke fuel some of the darker parts. I always know there is going to be a shred of hope somewhere in the story as well, even when I’m writing the scariest parts, and that helps me through it. My dreams remain mostly random and weird, just the way I like them.
Do you prefer football or hockey? Beer or wine? Chocolate or vanilla?
Hockey, but only if I’m actually there.
Wine, definitely, light and fruity, not dry.
What is wrong with you? Why would you make me choose?? Chocolate cake, vanilla ice cream.
What are some of your favorite songs to write to?
I don’t have music when I write unless it’s instrumental, and even that is rare. If I listen to music, I sing along. If I sing along, the lyrics make it onto the page, or no words make it onto the page because I’ve abandoned my computer to dance around and sing into my hairbrush. I basically need it to be pretty quiet, although I can usually do pretty well writing in a coffee shop or other public area.
Who are some authors you love to read when you find time?
So many. How can I pick? I love finding new authors to read. I love reading things by people I know. I love Maureen Johnson, Maggie Stiefvater, Victoria Schwab, Susan Dennard. Ray Bradbury is an old and always favorite. J.K. Rowling, of course. Rick Riordan. How much space do you have?
(Readers, can I point out that Rena’s and my mutual love for Maggie Stiefvater is a defining friendship characteristic?)
Scariest or silliest Halloween costume you’ve ever had?
This is maybe a bad place to mention that I’ve never been terribly into Halloween. 
It’s not that I don’t like it, it was just never a thing. I lived next to an old country church 
when I was little, and my parents didn’t want to drive us into town to go trick-or-treating, so they bought us candy and we just hung out on Halloween. When we moved to town, I went a couple years, but I was getting too old. I’ve been a princess and a bear. My friends and I once dressed as the “Pussy Cat Dolls” which was pretty much just us in cat ears.
One thing that was a little weird about the town I lived in for a while was that every year you had to be careful because of high schoolers out “flouring.” 
Did you guys ever do that? There was a ban on teens buying flour, toilet paper, and eggs for several weeks before Halloween, and on the night they would get in the backs of trucks and throw baggies of flour at unsuspecting trick-or-treaters, or have all-out flour fights between trucks. The next day the town was covered in broken bags of flour. If the people preparing the bags were really big jerks, they’d add water to the bags. I got bruised from one of those.
I have never heard of flouring – how crazy!
Are you planning on dress up this year? If so, what are you going to be?
I’m a really lazy costumer. So, I
would wear cloud pajamas and carry a water bottle and when someone asks what I am, I would spray them and say, “Cloudy with a chance of showers.” I don’t know if I’ve ever had an “official” costume. I was a “graduate” once, and I wore my mom’s college graduation gown. I was a “street dancer,” so I wore hip-hop gear. I was a hobo one year, so just old clothes. Last year I was Lazy Hermione, so all I did was braid my hair to make it kinky, wear a Gryffindor scarf, and carry a wand.
What is up next for you?
Lunch. Maybe a nap.
JK that’s probably not what you meant. I’m currently working on my next book for Putnam. It’s another psychological thriller that I hope everyone will love. Beyond that, I have many ideas, but I’m not sure which direction I’ll go. Stay tuned!
How to haunt Rena:
Website: renaolsen.com
Twitter: @originallyrena
Facebook: @RenaOlsenWriter
Instagram: @rosmiles
Rena, thank you so much for your very amusing and fun interview! If you’d like to win an autographed copy of Rena’s book The Girl Before, simply post a bad halloween joke in the comments. Please make sure you are signed in. Anonymous comments will be disqualified. There will be one winner and one runner up. Runner up will get a digital copy of my novella Hunting Witch Hazel.
Contest open to United States only, winners randomly chosen. Contest ends October 31st at 11:59pm. Winners will be announced in the comments on November 1st. Contest is void where prohibited by law.
On this day in 1954 – The first Walt Disney television show “Disneyland” premiered on ABC.
Wishing You Laughter & Good Books,
Heather Novak
Find me at:
Twitter: authorheathern
Instagram: authorheathern
Facebook: authorheathernovak
Hunting Witch Hazel: Now available
Threat of Raine: 2016
Rosemary for Remembrance: 2016
Filed under: romance
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