Sarah Butland's Blog, page 21

15 Minutes a Day

Following your dream and living through passion starts with Baby Steps, as I previously discussed but these steps can so easily start with just 15 minute increments.

Most people take longer than that to get to work, wait for a doctor, or their coffee to be ready (total combined through the day) but this small portion of time every day can do so much.

Take Just 15 Minutes For You

Whenever I mention this idea to others- be it writers, cartoonist, musicians, etc – they seemed surprised at first. Then there’s hesitation and the usual – but I’m too tired, too busy, I have other priorities and don’t we all! It takes just a moment of listening, nodding and agreeing to all of this before they realize it’s not even a half an hour that’s been suggested.

It can be easily done by getting up a bit earlier or going to bed a bit later, maybe even just being a bit more organized with your day to allow a time saver.

It’s worth it, you’ll see, as new opportunities will start appearing, you’ll feel better and have something to show for it.

From personal experience I know if I buckle down and start writing that nagging story idea I’m filled with new ideas, new paths are created and I feel so relieved and hopeful.

So try it today – go now and take 15 minutes and stop when that time is up. Don’t make yourself feel guilty that you’re not cleaning, reading or playing with your kid by going over that time. Enjoy it and pretty soon your entire world will change to allow you even more time to be you!

Thanks for trying and reading,

Sarah Butland

Work and More Work by Linda Little

Work and More Work is the first book review that went live on The Pictou Advocates page and I’m so happy I can share it with all of you.

Since reading the book and writing the review I was fortunate enough to be taught by Linda and have a deep admiration for her devotion to writing and her books. A wonderful lady living in River John, Nova Scotia, Little is surrounded by wonderfully creative people such as Monica Graham and Sheree Fitch. It’s a small town with a lot of spirit and it seems very fitting that Work and More Work was born here.

Be sure to visit Pictou Advocates site to read my review in full as I’m sure you’ll soon want to be reading it to your own children!

Thanks for reading and supporting local,

Sarah Butland

Smoke & Pearls by Marianne Rice

Sidney Mitchell, granddaughter of a wealthy Dallas icon, loses her beloved Grandpop and her world slips off its axis. When a handsome stranger sends a smile her way at the funeral, she welcomes the distraction and accepts his lunch invitation. He quickly becomes an important figure in her life, helping her forget her grief and focus on her future.

After working a twenty-four hour shift, firefighter Max Harmon is involved in a fatal accident. While paying his respects at the funeral of the victim, he is knocked off his feet by the beautiful blonde with the sad eyes. They’re both looking for an escape and turn to each other, finding friendship, laughter and incredible chemistry.

Sydney loves that Max is unaware of her heritage. For the first time, she’s not worried about a man using her for her family’s wealth. Their passion burns hot until she learns Max is the reason her Grandpop is dead. He may be charming, kind and sexy, but she can’t forgive him for stealing her Grandpop from her, and for starting the cover-up she’s sure is there.

Will their newfound love be strong enough to battle through the betrayal, or will their relationship go up in smoke?

Excerpt:

“Max,” she warned. Her stomach growled and she giggled. “We need food. I’m not great in the kitchen but I can help.”

“You can sit on the counter naked and be my inspiration.” He kissed the tip of her perky nose and climbed out of bed, rummaging through his drawers for a pair of shorts and a clean shirt.

“That doesn’t sound very sanitary.”

“Sounds freaking sexy to me.” He winked at her from the doorway and headed to the kitchen with a shit-eating grin on his face.

 

PURCHASE LINK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N9TC7TO/

 

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Marianne Rice writes contemporary romances set in small New England towns. Her heroes are big and strong, yet value family and humor, while her heroines are smart, sexy, sometimes a little bit sassy, and are often battling a strong internal conflict. Together, they deal with real life issues and always, always, find everlasting love. When she’s not writing, Marianne spends her time buying shoes, eating chocolate, chauffeuring her herd of children to their varying sporting events, and when there’s time, cuddling with her husband, a drink in one hand, a romance book in the other.

 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Marianne-Rice/e/B00SICUIRM

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarianneRiceaut

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mariannericeaut

Website: http://www.mariannerice.com/

STAYING GROUNDED by Marianne Rice

A Rocky Harbor Novel

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Limitless Publishing, LLC

Graham Riley enjoys the laid-back freedom of a pilot’s life—until one choice puts his career in jeopardy…

Graham loves his job—it allows him to escape his troubled past and the stigma of being a murderer’s son. But after an altercation with a drunk passenger is posted on social media, he’s forced to go on administrative leave until his name can be cleared. To get his wings back, he must attend anger management classes, and to avoid the media frenzy near his home base in Texas, he heads to Rocky Harbor, Maine.

Responsible therapist Maggie O’Fallon wants a stable relationship with a man who’s not going anywhere…

Maggie grew up with parents who were never around, physically or emotionally. Needing steadiness in her life and in a relationship, she only dates men with normal jobs. But when Graham walks into her office and flashes his charming steel-blue eyes at her, she’s at a loss for words. Torn between her ethics and her heart, Maggie asks Graham to see a different therapist so they can explore the chemistry between them.

He has everything she’s been looking for—except stability…

Maggie touches something deep within Graham and he panics, pushing her away, too scared to face his feelings. But when a private investigator threatens to discredit not only Graham, but Maggie’s practice as well, he is faced with two choices. Fight…or take flight.

Battling a lawsuit and his heart, Graham must decide what’s more important—the life he thought he wanted…or Maggie. Maggie might be the only thing that will ever help Graham

Stay Grounded.

 

PURCHASE LINKS:

Kindle Unlimited

Paperback

MEET THE AUTHOR: Marianne Rice writes contemporary romances set in small New England towns. Her heroes are big and strong, yet value family and humor, while her heroines are smart, sexy, sometimes a little bit sassy, and are often battling a strong internal conflict. Together, they deal with real life issues and always, always, find everlasting love. When she’s not writing, Marianne spends her time buying shoes, eating chocolate, chauffeuring her herd of children to their varying sporting events, and when there’s time, cuddling with her husband, a drink in one hand, a romance book in the other.

 

Limitless Publishing: http://www.limitlesspublishing.net/authors/marianne-rice/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarianneRiceaut

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mariannericeaut

Website: http://www.mariannerice.com

Baby Steps

Waiting for the Universe to offer you what you think you need/want can be brutal, especially for the impatient. Many people I know dream big and then are too tired to think small so dance in circles just hoping someone grabs them to bring them into the world in their head.

But it takes more than waiting, dreaming and dancing (though you can make all three aspects of that fun, too) to get to the place you deserve to be in. Whether it’s a better relationship, job, better shape, or more financially secure there is something you can do!

Don’t worry about the how, though

Easier said than done but succeeding in your life is not all about figuring out how to get that bigger pay cheque or fancier car, it’s about enjoying where you are right now but showing the Universe you’re ready and willing.

Taking even just baby steps in any direction will boost your outlook, energy and overall well-being. It’s not about knowing the how and figuring out how to make that happen, it’s about being in love with what you do and the path will show itself. So take that tiny flashlight and start wandering the road, you’ll soon find a brighter and more efficient flashlight to light the best path for you, whatever and wherever that may be and will lead.

What have you done today to get you on a path to your future success?

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

NaNoWriMo Drop Out

I wish I could say I did it – completed or stayed on par with the 50000 word goal of National Novel Writing Month but alas it has beaten me again.

I’ve been writing, loads more than many previous months, just not all towards the novel and not the minimum word count requirement per day.

I’m not a quitter, that’s for darn sure, my priorities just shifted and November is just not my month for novel writing. It’s interesting though, the minute I started focusing on my work in progress, new opportunities came my way and they were amazing!

So all in all, I may start writing more towards the novel before the 30th as I figured out a major part of the plot line and am excited to get back to it… just as soon as everything else is handled.

How are you fairing with your progress this month?

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

author of Being Grateful, Being Thankful

NaNoWriMo Here We Go!

I’ve been distracted, holding back and using excuses and trying to hide behind other obligations and personal control issues. Not anymore!

I’m letting go, getting focuses and committing, for the second time, to completing National Novel Writing Month. I have a start, a mission, leaped over the first hurdle that often slows me down and I’m going for it.

Have you set a monstrosity of a goal you never thought it possible to meet? Did you far surpass it or give up on yourself along the way?

I have a tendency to know I want it, to ask for it and then put it low on the priority list and hide my embarrassment when others ask about my progress. Just twenty minutes into November 1st 2016 I am exposing myself to all of you by telling you my objective to finish Dancing to Silence (working title) this month PLUS post updates on here more regularly.

Did you bite off more than you can chew ever? Share your story, motivate me and express yourself by commenting below.

Thanks for reading and supporting,

Sarah Butland

Happy Anniversary to Renee Kennedy!

As an author of many books I often forget to celebrate my past successes, in particular the date of publication for each book. This makes me especially enjoy when I can celebrate another authors publishing anniversary such as I’m doing today for Renee Kennedy and her book Love Me ~ Like That.

Please read on to learn what I did about Renee and her writing plus family!

1. I learned you used to be a banker and wondered if you find a big difference between crunching numbers for a company or putting together letters for a reader?

It’s much more fun to write books! Getting to live in an imaginary world where money isn’t a concern is awesome. I loved my job because I could help others, sometimes finding other solutions to their problems than just a loan. It was rewarding at times, but I didn’t care for the collecting aspect of the job. I don’t like confrontation and when customers couldn’t pay their loan back, it could get hairy sometimes.

2. #Sassy, #Southern, #Sexy is listed as your tagline on your author Facebook page – are you referring to yourself, your style of writing or what you love to read and write?

Well, it refers to my writing but some of it refers to me. I am certainly southern and I’ve been called sassy. I love to read sexy books and escape reality.

3. Who would you choose – Cash or Hendrix?

I would pick Hendrix, he has been called (by fans) as the love child of Nicholas Sparks and E.L. James. Cash is a gentleman in public, but he knows how to be a devil in the bedroom. Plus, I could never be under someone thumb like Hendrix wanted to have Bailey.

4. Would you recommend your books to your son, Braxton? Or his suitors?

Oh NO! First of all, Braxton hates to read. Second, it would embarrass him too much. There’s things an 18-year-old doesn’t want to know that their mom thinks about. There’s a part about an orange, that I would probably have to buy stock in oranges if he read it.

5. Who do you write for?

I write for myself. Love Me – Like That is very near and dear to my heart, it has my grandparent’s true love story in it. Most things about the grandparents, in the story, are true things my own either did or said. I dedicated the book in memory of them.

6. Who is your favourite author?

I have so many! The couple that I look up to and that has really helped me along this journey, would be Maggie Adams and A.D. Ellis. I recently discovered Lauren Blakely and Vi Keeland and I really enjoy their books.

7. What is your favourite drink to have while writing? While reading? Do you snack while doing either?

Here is where my southern starts showing. I love sweet tea. I see many authors post about wine and I do like it, but I prefer my tea. There’s always a gallon in my fridge. I love snacking on trail mix or gummy bears while I write, the only problem is that I get so absorbed in the story that I could eat the entire bag in one sitting.

8. Do you write primarily on the computer or by hand?

I write on my laptop. I can’t type as fast as I write so it slows me down enough to think about what I want to say. Also, it saves me time in the long run.

9. Do you prefer to read or listen to audiobooks?

There are some books that I prefer to read, but I got addicted to audiobooks when I lived 45 minutes away from work and didn’t have as much time to read.

10. With the launch of your book Love Me Like That in audio format, what do you feel the narrator adds to your story?

Her affliction of certain words really gives my book a different personality, I can listen to Cash say his sweetly dirty things to Bailey and just sigh.

11. Anything you’d like to add?

I would like to thank all of my readers who love Cash as much as I do! I love hearing from you guys, it makes my day!

Renee Kennedy BIO:

Renee Kennedy grew up in Decatur, AL and has been married to her high school sweet heart for 23 years. She currently lives in the Houston, TX area with her husband Jason, her son Braxton. She also has one son that is serving our Country in the military, Brett.

She loves living in Texas but she’ll always be a Bama girl and that is where her heart remains. Renee has always been an avid reader but never dreamed of writing a book, until reminiscing about her grandparent’s love story, Bailey’s story popped into her head. Her grandparents played a significant role in her life growing up, so sharing a little piece of them with the world; helps keep them alive in her heart.

When she is not reading or writing she loves to cook and try out new recipes. You can often find her hanging out with her family and friends or stalking her own favorite authors.

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TITLE: Love Me~ Like That (Love Me, #1)

PUBLICATION DATE: October 15, 2015

GENRE: New Adult

BUY LINKS:

Amazon

B&N

iBook

Goodreads

Synopsis:

It’s a battle between her head and her heart.

Bailey Reynolds never thought she would ever in her life have to choose between someone that will give her everything she wants in life and someone that makes her feel like she is everything in his life. How does this southern spitfire choose between what her heart wants versus what her head tells her she wants?

Hendrix~

Can make her dreams come true

Reaches in the sky and buys any star she desires

Wants to set up a perfect life for her with everything she needs or could want

But every so often can’t dry her tears

He’s not perfect but he was until ~ CASH

Cash~

Sets her world on fire.

He is everything her heart wants but, not necessarily what her head wants.

He creates his own stars and catches all her tears.

But is love enough?

Sometimes life is full of hard choices but that is when the biggest blessing take root.

TITLE: Love Me~Without Regret (Love Me, #2)

PUBLICATION DATE: January 29, 2016

GENRE: New Adult

BUY LINKS:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2af0PE4

Goodreads: http://tinyurl.com/gvso9sb

Synopsis:

What happens when vigorous forces are pulling in opposites directions?

Lizzie tells it like it is and doesn’t want anything serious because she can’t put her heart on the line. Clay’s not her type, but she would like to get him into the bedroom and out of her system.

Clay is a laid-back, go with the flow guy who doesn’t ever want a causal relationship again. He’s been burned once, but it was a scorcher. He sees something special in Lizzie.

They almost agree on something…

Lizzie refuses to have a one night stand with him because it would ruin their friendship.

Clay won’t have a one night stand with her because she deserves so much more.

Will Clay’s past creep back in and play havoc with their already vulnerable hearts? Will everything they’ve worked to protect be tarnished in the process?

TITLE: Love Me~Through the Storm (Love Me, #3)

PUBLICATION DATE: May 17, 2016

GENRE: New Adult

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON: http://amzn.to/29PcfNN

Goodreads: http://tinyurl.com/z5ml23c

Synopsis:

My life is a mess and I’ve got more women wanting a piece of me than I’d ever know what to do with. But, my mouth still waters for that delectable piece of forbidden fruit. For my own sanity, I should cut all ties with her but it’s too late. My heart is already involved and she needs me, now more than ever.

I’m not the kind of person people love. She’s the only one who has ever found me worthy.

They’ve tried to keep me away but for me, it’s always been her and it always will be. I’m here and ready to go to battle to keep her. It doesn’t matter that her family hates me, she’s mine and I can’t let her go.

My past is a hurricane and I can only hope she’s able to weather the storm.

An Interview with Renee:

What made you decide to sit down and write your story?

I love to read, I got tired of reading about millionaires and step-brothers. I wanted to write something that was more realistic but still romantic, steamy and maybe would make people smile.

Where did the idea for Love Me ~ Like That come from?

The idea came to me while remembering my grandparents which I miss dearly. My grandfather told me a thousand times about his and my grandmother’s love story. It’s more beautiful than I did it justice or any I have ever read.

Was there anything in particular that inspired you?

Music, I was at a Luke Bryan concert and he was singing these wonderful love songs. I’m not sure if it was the gyrating of his hips or his words but I thought a butt like that… I mean songs like that need to be written about.

Are you working on any new books right now?

Yes, I’m finishing up my 1st draft of book two, Love Me ~ Without Regret. It is about the best friend of the girl in the first novel.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers or new authors?

My advice for aspiring authors is to not let anyone hold you back. You have a story that you want to tell and readers want to read that story. Then find an awesome editor.

What is your favorite genre to read?

I’m a hopeless romantic so I love romance books, but I like stories that have a reason to be written. If you can take out all of the steamy parts and there still be a great story, one that will stick with you a month or year later, and those are my favorites.

Are there any books that sparked your writing career?

I would have to honestly say that I have two indie authors that I admire and their books really stuck with me.

One of them is A.D. Ellis; author of For Nicky was the first author I ever reached out to. For Nicky is the perfect example of a book that you can remove all of the steam and the story left is absolutely amazing? Ellis takes these sensitive subjects and writes them in a way that gives such respect. She is who I want to be when I grow up, even though I’m older than her.

The other author is Maggie Adams, she writes these sassy steamy stories that are a hot mess and have a little suspense in them. Adams first book, Whistlin’ Dixie, was a book that caught my eye by its cover. She could not have picked a better cover to convey what was inside. I love her characters they are realistic and she has knack of making you want to know more.

Would you like to nominate a book for next month’s Book of the Month?

I would like to nominate Sawyer by A.D. Ellis for a future month’s book.

Praise for Love Me~Like That

This book Gah! I loved this book! The author really sucks you into the story and makes you jealous of all the time Bailey gets to spend with Cash, your new book boyfriend! Definitely one for the favorite’s shelf! – Kris Hack

This book is written by a first time author & she really makes you feel part of the story. I couldn’t put this book down! I highly recommend this book to everyone over the age of 18.- Denise Veach

Thanks Renee and Happy Anniversary. Now I’m curious about oranges… I’ll need to read your book and buy an orange.

And thank you for reading!

Sarah Butland

author of Being Grateful, Being Thankful

Now Meet Pierre C Arsenault of Mysterious Ink!

I had the pleasure of interviewing both Canadian authors, Angella Cormier and Pierre C Arsenault, about their newest release – Oakwood Island. I’m going to post their responses in separate parts so you can enjoy meeting them both: Angella this week and Pierre will be next week.

Check out my review of the book here.

Enjoy!

1) How old were you when you read your first nightmare inducing book? Did it cause you to have nightmares?

Pierre: I’ve never had a book induced nightmare, ever. The only book I ever read that made me squirm a little was Gerald’s Game by Stephen King. One scene in the book was hard to read and made me squirm due to what he was describing in pretty gory detail. But with that said, no nightmares for this guy.

2) When did you fall in love with this genre?

Pierre: I’ve always loved the mysterious. It doesn’t matter the genre for me as long as you make it mysterious. With that said, horror or supernatural and suspense make great bedfellows with mystery.

3) Who in this book do you feel you’re most like and why?

Pierre: I don’t see much of myself in the characters in this book. They’re all fictional but if I had to name one then perhaps Burke as he is sarcastic at the wrong times just like I tend to be.

4) Has any book or movie scared you yet?

Pierre: When it comes to movies sure, but not enough to make me fear the boogie man. Some movies are just too well made. Also there’s the boo factor in them as well. Where they set scenes to make you soil your trousers, but I’ve never read a book yet that has had the same effect. Not that they’re not well written, but I just can’t get past the words on the page and am usually too engrossed in knowing what comes next to worry about getting scared. The only thing that scares me is that as a species, we condone violence but find ourselves entertained by it. That is scary.

5) I find your writing is much like the infamous and very successful Stephen King and you say he’s a favourite of yours so I wonder: What is your favourite Stephen King book?

Pierre: I have two favorite books which makes this an interesting question.

First, my all-time favorite story is The Green Mile. The tale and how it unfolds is sheer master storytelling. And the movie adaptation was so incredibly well done by some talented people that it helped catapult actors into stardom. Actors like Sam Rockwell and Michael Clarke Duncan’s careers were made by those roles created by King.

My second favorite book is at the top of this list, not just for the amazing grand story that it is but the experience it was to the read it. This was a book that as I was reading it, I would get home from work the first thing I would do is sit on the stoop and read a few pages. Under The Dome has a large cast of fantastic characters who all have their own struggles under the one thing that plagues them all. One of the best page turners I’ve ever read and a really inspiring book to a would-be writer like myself.

6) How do you write collaboratively – do you each write in sections and mash it together or do you pick up where the other gets stuck? Have you ever had any dramatic creative differences in this book or any others you’ve worked on together?

Pierre: Collaborations are probably different for everybody that attempts them. Angella and I work well together, however after publishing six short stories and one novel together, I feel that we’ve not yet found our groove at this time and I think we never truly will. I say this because, depending on the project, depending on what said groove requires. For instance, not all the stories started the same way. Some started with a seed of an idea that came from myself or Angella and then were developed. Each story is a bit different on how they came to be. Some tales I wrote the bulk of the dialogue, others I merely helped plot it out. One thing’s for sure is that in our collaborations, what you’re reading is usually written into story form by Angella as she is a much better word crafter than I. But with all that said, Oakwood Island is a different beast on its own as it was not written like the rest of our collaborations. The setting of Oakwood Island and some of its inhabitants like Maggie, Ryan, Norah and Amy, Nancy and Robert and more were all created by Angella before I ever took the ferry and made it to the island. Once I was there though I was enthralled. To this day, I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Angella and create the rest of the characters and turn three short stories into the novel that it is now. This was an amazing adventure and I hope to go back to Oakwood Island with Angella sometime in the future.

7) What’s next for both of you?

Pierre: I will let Angella divulge her works and pursuits but as for me, I’ve started what I hope to be my first solo novel and it’s a bit of a departure from what I’ve written so far. A murder mystery that is a bit light hearted. How can a tale of murder be light hearted, you’re wondering? Bear with me and I will hopefully share it with you once it’s done. With that said, that is one project. I’m also putting together a multi-authored anthology and with the stories that I’ve got coming, I will finally have enough to complete the manuscript. This will be a fascinating project as it will feature short stories from many writers, including myself and Angella; although those will not be collaborations but solo written stories. As for works together, we have many ideas in the bank but both of us are doing some solo works at this time. But we do plan to work together again. That’s just way too much fun not to, not to mention the reward of sharing accomplishments with a great friend.

8) If Oakwood Island was made into a theme park which character would you play or would you prefer to be a spectator or not go at all?

Pierre: I’d want to live there. Just for a while though as I have other places that I must see as well. But if I had to be a character I think I’d want to be Jack for one day. Just for one day. Although I’m tempted to say I’d also like to be the thing with the teeth that eats people. But we’ll leave it at that so I don’t give too much away.

9) Of all the animals mentioned in this book- crows, moose, werewolves, humans – which animal is your favourite?

10) Is there anything more you’d like to add?

Angella: Yes, a huge THANK YOU, to you, for having us on your blog once more. To your readers, for taking the time to learn more about us. To our readers (new and seasoned) for their support and for following us on this road and for reading our stories. We will have our official Oakwood Island Book Launch on Saturday October 8th from 1PM to 3PM, at the Moncton Public Library. For more information, contact me at Angella@MysteriousInk.ca or by visiting our Facebook page or website (www.mysteriousink.ca).

Pierre: I always wanted to tell stories, though as a movie buff I always assumed that if I ever did it would be in the movies somehow. But now having discovered that I love writing, more than my other passions I want to continue to tell stories. Whether they be in collaboration or on my own. And I hope that I get to continue sharing them with the readers who take a chance on my works. Also I hope I get to collaborate with Angella on many-many more works. We already have a lot of ideas brewing or noted for future works and so stay tuned.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

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Meet Angella Cormier and Celebrate Oakwood Island!

I had the pleasure of interviewing both Canadian authors, Angella Cormier and Pierre C Arsenault, about their newest release – Oakwood Island. I’m going to post their responses in separate parts so you can enjoy meeting them both: Angella this week and Pierre will be next week.

Check out my review of the book here.

Enjoy!

1) How old were you when you read your first nightmare inducing book? Did it cause you to have nightmares?

Angella: I don’t recall having nightmares stemming from a book directly. Some might have given me the backdrop to scary dreams though. Books like Phantoms by Dean Koontz or The Mayfair Witches trilogy by Anne Rice. I do remember the movie IT, based off the Stephen King book, provided me with a fear factor large enough for me to become coulrophobic. And if you don’t know what that is, just watch the movie and look for the red balloon.

2) When did you fall in love with this genre?

Angella: I’m not sure I can pinpoint when, as it was more of a cumulative and gradual thing for me. However, I do know that it began when I was a young child. There was one large hard cover copy of The Grimm Brothers Fairytales at the St. Antoine Public Library. I must have sat at the same back table there dozens of times reading out of that book, taking in every word, my mind aflutter with visions of old witches, big bad wolves and morphing ravens. I wonder if they still have it on the shelves. 

I remember reading The Adventures of Tintin and I would be enthralled by the mysteries he faced and that he had to solve. Nancy Drew Mysteries was another big one. I also loved TV shows like Unsolved Mysteries, The Edison Twins (who remembers THAT besides me?) and also the popular show Are You Afraid of the Dark.

Combine those with an overactive imagination and lots of free time and you have the beginning pieces in place for a future horror lover. I do enjoy reading mysteries and horror books that have some supernatural or paranormal elements, but I don’t limit myself to any one genre or subgenre for that matter. I especially enjoy reading stories that show how the characters will react and deal with being pushed to their most extreme limits and how that will change them after the fact, be it good or bad.

3) Who in this book do you feel you’re most like and why?

Angella: I would have to say Norah. She does what she has to do, even if it means sacrificing her own wants and needs in order to protect and care for those she loves.

4) Has any book or movie scared you yet?

Angella: Of course! Especially when I was younger. As mentioned before, Phantoms by Dean Koontz and the movie IT played a part in my love of horror, as it fed the imagination monster. Here are a few more that I can recall left me with some kind of impression:

Books:

Phantoms by Dean Koontz. This one marked me for life! Especially the oven scene. That’s all I’m going to say. LoL (I was a teenager when I read this one, mind you).

The Mayfair Witches: Taltos (book 3). When it comes to characters, Anne Rice has to be one of the best. It wasn’t so much what was happening in the book (plot), but more so what was happening to her characters that had me recoiling. From a psychological perspective, seeing the main character go through so much, left me wondering how anyone would deal with some of the things that happened to her.

Movies:

The Exorcist, Christine, Pet Sematary, The Shining, Watcher in the Woods (that’s an older one, with Betty Davis!)

It takes a lot more to scare me these days when it comes to fiction. I watch a lot of horror movies and shows, and read as much as I can, but I don’t get the same sense as when I was a teen or young adult. I think the closest I get to that feeling these days is when I read or watch something in the True Crime genre. Knowing that monsters ARE real and sometimes live among us, trapped in the head of someone that could be sitting next to me on the bus or in the neighborhood is much scarier to me now than fiction.

5) I find your writing is much like the infamous and very successful Stephen King and you say he’s a favourite of yours so I wonder: What is your favourite Stephen King book?

Angella: Wow, thank you for that HUGE compliment! He is one of my favourites and picking just one book could prove difficult. I also have not read them all (yet) so this is strictly based on the ones I have read thus far. It might seem odd, but it was one of his collaborative works with Peter Straub called The Talisman and its sequel Black House that I must say I was most impressed with (so far). The genre is a bit different, as it has elements of fantasy, but still reads as a horror. Under the Dome was a great read too. As for his short stories, I really loved Big Driver. I still have quite a few of his books to read still, so these may change in time. 

6) How do you write collaboratively – do you each write in sections and mash it together or do you pick up where the other gets stuck? Have you ever had any dramatic creative differences in this book or any others you’ve worked on together?

Angella: Generally speaking, when we collaborate, we get together to work on the characters, plot and story idea. We take notes and go back and forth with ideas until we both feel comfortable with the story and how it will unfold. We try to be as detailed as possible with the who/what/when/where/why’s when we are working together. Once that is completed, I take the notes and outlines and write it all out. Sometimes though I need some help with certain aspects, so it has happened that Pierre has worked on parts of stories when I couldn’t quite find the wording I needed. We then read it over, make edits together as we see fit, and then it goes to our publisher and work together on the rewrites/edit recommendations once those are sent to us.

The process can be a long one but it’s very rewarding once the story is completed. We get to celebrate the achievement together, which in and of itself, is amazing. To be able to share the love of storytelling with a good friend is very rewarding.

As for creative differences of course sometimes we have disagreed on certain things that we wanted to include or exclude in a story, but we take the time to communicate and compromise. That has been the key to successful collaborations. It works for us. 

7) What’s next for both of you?

Angella: There is always something in the works, isn’t there?