Joyce T. Strand's Blog, page 13

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Erin Zarro, Author, SciFi, Fantasy, Horror

Erin Zarro, Author
GRAVE TOUCHED
FEY TOUCHEDErin Zarro likes SciFi and Fantasy because “anything goes.” She places her latest novel GRAVE TOUCHED, the second of the Fey Touched Books, in the science fantasy genre. Reviewers tout her “ability to write with such emotion and feeling” and appreciate her characters, which Zarro attributes to the “distinct voice” she gives each one.
Zarro is working on the third Fey Touched book in addition to the next novella in a series about women rescuing men. She also loves horror and believes it “speaks to the very core of a person.” She lives in Michigan with her husband and cat and, when not reading or writing, enjoys photography and camping and hopes to re-learn French.



Q: What draws you to write in the genres of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror? And in which genre would you place your newest novel, GRAVE TOUCHED (FEY TOUCHED BOOK 2)?
Erin Zarro: I'm drawn to sci-fi and fantasy because anything goes. You can make up your own world, or create a futuristic version of our world (which is what I did with the Fey Touched series) and there are no limits and no rules. As for horror, I think it has a lot to do with the horror novels I'd read throughout my life – horror speaks to the very core of a person in different ways. Everyone has a bit of darkness within. And, I'm on a mission to scare myself. ;)
I'd place my Fey Touched series in the science fantasy genre. There's genetic engineering and time travel mixed with alchemy (magic) and healing. The series is firmly in both, not one or the other.
Q: Can you explain your title, GRAVE TOUCHED – without spoiling the plot for future readers?
Erin Zarro: Grave Touched came along when I thought about the Hunters' afterlife, and what would happen if something went wrong. Except the Hunters don't bury their dead. So it was a challenge to come up with something that fit within the FT world because I really liked the name Grave Touched.
Q: How do you make your story believable? How important is credibility to readers of your genre?
Erin Zarro: Very important. I try to use actual scientific things that could be plausible in a few hundred years, such as telepathy, time travel using virtual reality, and...some other stuff I can't reveal. I try to build from what could happen and go from there. I hope I succeeded. ;) But yes, to tell a good story, it must be believable within the constraints of our world and future.
Q: A reviewer of the first FEY TOUCHED book praises your characters as “fascinating, their motivations clear and their storylines are compelling.” How do you engage your readers to care about your characters in a make-believe world?
Erin Zarro: I think voice had a lot to do with it. When I write characters, they all have a very distinct voice and way of looking at things. I try to go deep into the character's psyche and figure out what makes him or her tick. It's always an organic process – I never plan on those details ahead of time.
There is also my characters' motivations. I gave them some pretty heavy stuff. And that's what drove the story and their character progression.
Q: How helpful was the use of humor either to create your characters or tell your story?
Erin Zarro: I had a lot of humorous moments in FEY TOUCHED, and some in GRAVE TOUCHED. It goes back to a character's voice. Some characters use humor to cope with things. Others are just funny. I like having a bit of comedic relief, especially in tense scenes.
Q: Did you write GRAVE TOUCHED strictly to entertain or did you want to deliver a message or educate your readers?
Erin Zarro: Probably a bit of both. I wrote it primarily to answer a question I had that intrigued me. But I did want to show how important love is, how it can change absolutely everything.
Q: Does the concept of villains vs heroes apply to GRAVE TOUCHED? What makes a good villain? 
Erin Zarro: There were two main villains, and I had a blast writing them. There was a definite line in the sand with my Hunters and the villains. I think a good villain must have a driving force – something he or she wants so badly, he or she will do anything to get it. But I also learned that there was a human side to both villains, and that made them more real to me. So I think they need both a driving force and a human side to be a good villain.
Q: In addition to writing novels, you also have written and published books of your poetry. Do you still write poetry? What can you say in poetry better than in prose? Do you prefer one over the other?
Erin Zarro: I do write poetry sometimes, though not as much as I used to. Poetry is a different form of expression, and there are fewer words to express what you're feeling or thinking, so it's very challenging. I don't typically write formal poetry, but I will occasionally, and that's even more challenging to say what I need to say and follow the rules.
I think some things can be said better in poetry, if they are handled right. I love using metaphor to express myself, and I think it's a bit easier in a poem.
I prefer novel writing, simply because I am long winded. ;)
Q: What’s next?
Erin Zarro: Well, I have a novella in the works that continues the story I started in UNDER HER PROTECTION, an anthology about women rescuing men. I'm also working on Fey Touched book #3, Ever Touched, figuring out plot and character stuff (although I do very little planning ahead), and I have an older project I'm rewriting on Sundays.
Q: Tell us about Erin Zarro. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Erin Zarro: Reading mostly. ;) Photography, watching TV (I have a few series I'm addicted to, such as Game of Thrones and Bones), camping in the summer, and relearning French.
About Erin Zarro
Erin Zarro is a poet and novelist living in Michigan. She's married to her Prince Charming, and they have a cat, Hailey, who she believes is part vampire.

To pay the bills, Erin works as an office manager for a small marketing firm. In her spare time (what's that?), she writes madly. She also enjoys photography, music, website design, and, of course, reading!

She is terribly hard to scare, loves a damn good story, and wants to be a full time novelist when she grows up. She self-published her first novel, FEY TOUCHED, through Turtleduck Press in 2012.  Currently she is working on Fey Touched book #3, Ever Touched, as well as a few other projects. About GRAVE TOUCHED FEY TOUCHED – humans, genetically engineered for immortality and flight, tasked with protecting the rest of the world from rogue Fey...GRAVE TOUCHED – dead souls in search of living bodies to possess, especially those who’ve had a brush with death...When Fey Touched Hunter Emily wakes up in a hospital, she doesn’t know that she was in fact dead. Nor does she know that her lover, Nick, broke all kinds of rules to bring her back. But the grave touched do.Fey Touched Healer Asha does know that her mate, Joe, saved her when her abilities nearly killed her. And she knows the voices in her head are the grave touched trying to stake their claim. Asha needs Joe’s help again, but unfortunately she’s the only one who believes the grave touched exist.The grave touched are plotting to take over the corporeal world, and they’re gaining strength. Only Emily and Asha stand in their way – and both are about to be possessed.Grave Touched. About FEY TOUCHEDAsha is the Queen of the Fey, genetically engineered immortal humans who feed on human souls to survive. But she's running from her people. When she is found by her enemy, one of the Hunters of the Fey, she expects to die. Yet he's oddly intrigued by her, and Asha finds herself falling in love with him, hoping she can find safety and the home she's been seeking. Then she's kidnapped, and everything changes.Fallon is a Hunter. She's looking for her long-lost sister, using an addictive drug to search through the stream of time. Her addiction leaves her dangerously exposed to her enemies but, consumed by her search, she doesn't care...until her fellow Hunters start dying from a mysterious illness. She is torn between duty and desire, and must find an answer before they all die.What Fallon doesn't know is that Asha might just be the key to saving them all, if only she can find her.And time is running out.LinksPurchase Links for GRAVE TOUCHEDAmazon Kindle
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Twitter: @ekendall

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Tom Reitze, Author

Who is Tom Reitze? What kinds of  stories does he write?
Tom Reitze wants to tantalize us by easing us into his writings one short story at a time in a collection he calls STORIES OF A DIFFERENT NATURE. He at least lets us know that he doesn’t write in a specific genre. Rather he says his “genre is somewhat like a tossed salad.”
He has written a book, but he’s holding that back, too. For now, he just wants to let you know about his first short story in his new collection, to be published shortly, titled DATE WITH A CHAIR. He’s only telling us that it won’t make us happy when we read it, but it might stir some controversy.
When he’s ready, he’ll let us know about his next story in our series of interviews. Until then, he’s revealing himself by responding to one question at a time. 
Q: Before I ask you specifically about your first short story, can you tell us what caused you to decide to write and release a series of short stories? Are they related to each other? What can you tell us about them in general? What genre are they?
Tom Reitze: About five or six years ago I wrote a full-length book that I desperately want to publish. I wanted to present my personal beliefs, which are based on logic and those developed by simply living, as a contrast against those that people have by accepting unbending doctrine. I hope I did a good job because it took four years to complete the book. But I will say it was no task of fatigue. I loved every minute writing it. It would be take a big effort to publish it though, so as a first foray into the business I thought I would start with something smaller. I’ve found writing short stories to be very enjoyable. So once I started I kept going.
The stories are not really related. But many of them do have a common thread of the supernatural. But they vary in nature from the series to the comical.
There are different styles of writing that I use, and I cross a wide range of subject matter. I think you will see that as more of the stories are released. I enjoy writing humorous material, but sometimes I’m pulled towards darker side of things. I think it depends on my mood, or perhaps some gray event that stirs my thought process .
Ha! As to genre, they’re splattered all over the place. I think I would get bored not letting my mind wander to any place it wants to. I think my genre is somewhat like a tossed salad.
Q: Do you believe paranormal fiction offers a useful vehicle to both tell your story and to deliver message or educate your readers? Or do you use it basically to make your story entertaining?
Tom Reitze: Yes I think that is true, paranormal fiction is a good method for conveying information. I’m not sure I believe in it, but I do think it is a good way to put some of my ideas out in the open. Many people are interested in the subject; maybe it will draw them to my work. Let the reader decide if what is presented is viable. I never want to present myself as understanding everything. I believe everyone’s opinion counts.
I think the entertainment value is what most people are looking for in these types of work. I also believe you can use the element of the paranormal to capture peoples attention and have them pay a little bit more attention to the details of the story. That way you can convey some ideas people would overlook otherwise. I think that goes for writing humorous pieces as well. Don't get me wrong, I'm not out to present some great insight I think I have. The stories are often presented as nothing more than what you see. Then there are times I will present some that are more serious. The intent then is to have the reader continue to contemplate the story after the last page is turned. You'll have to wait some time for one of those though. They are somewhat rare.
Q: What can you tell us about your first story, DATE WITH A CHAIR? Will it scare us? Amuse us? Make us happy?
Tom Reitze: This first story is not one I created to produce joy and happiness. Those are coming; don’t worry—along with tales of mystery, the supernatural, sheer craziness, and the power of love and kindness. I think this one will capture your attention in that it’s presented in an unusual location, with a strange juxtaposition between the main characters. A third character enters the scene and muddles the situation even further.
This story may present some controversy. I’m waiting myself to see the reaction to a few of the concepts it presents. Will it scare you? It’s not a deep thriller if that’s what you mean. But I think it is somewhat captivating and I hope people read it freely and with an open mind. I hope people capture the basic proposal that is the support of the story, and it makes them think a bit.
Q: What’s next? Or do you prefer to keep it a secret until it’s ready for release?
Tom Reitze: Well, I like to keep the specifics of what’s next locked in my closet. However, I will say again, my stories cover a wide range of topics. You could find any kind of tale popping up next. There are silly ones, and some I hope that might make the reader sit back and think about things a little differently. I hope people appreciate them, and maybe even allow their minds to be opened by a few of them.
About Tom Reitze by Tom Reitze
“I am a very opinionated individual and was sure I knew what was wrong with society and how to fix it. I planned to write a series of editorials and bind them into a book. Before I started, I realized no one in the world would give a damn about what this unknown writer had to say. I decided to expose my feelings in the form of fictional stories, something people would be more likely to read.
My 22 lb. cat, Horus agrees. He is very opinionated as well. 
I am contradictory. I will present one idea at one time, and then write another story that presents the opposite concepts. I like to believe I am a person willing to listen to and consider both sides of an issue. Some of my writing is serious, some of it is supernatural in nature, and some of it is humorous (I hope).”
About STORIES OF A DIFFERENT NATURE by Tom Reitze
“STORIES OF A DIFFERENT NATURE is my first foray into eBooks. One at a time they will sneak out and onto Amazon over the next several months. There is a novella ready to make a surprise appearance “between the stories” as well. Watch for them. Give them a try. Let me know what you think at dragonflybooksandart.com  and review them on Amazon.
Horus and I are ready for you to read the stories. I hope you like them.”
Links
Amazon.com – coming soonWeb page Twitter - https://twitter.com/tomwritez

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Jaimie Hope, Author

Jaimie Hope, Author
THE ROAD THAT LEADS TO HOME:
THE SARA RHEA CHRONICLESJaimie Hope brings us a novel, THE ROAD THAT LEADS TO HOME: THE SARA RHEA CHRONICLES, based on her own experiences. Reviewers say there were “times when I laughed out loud and other times…my eyes were blurred with tears.” Hope admits it is a mixture of romance, new adult, and even suspense. She believes her characters become real when she puts them in “real-life” situations.
Hope also writes children’s books and has published a new adult novel along with her autobiobraphy, and she runs her own business, Back To Basics Publishing and Author Services. She is working on Book 2 of THE SARA RHEA CHRONICLES, along with many other works. When she’s not writing, she likes music, movies, and sports.

Don't miss the excerpt following the interview.
Q: You have based your book, THE ROAD THAT LEADS TO HOME: THE SARA RHEA CHRONICLES, on a true story. What inspired you to write it? Is it about your life?
Jaimie Hope: While I took a lot of creative licenses writing it, this story is based on real-life experience I had after moving back to New York from Florida.
Q: How would you characterize THE ROAD THAT LEADS TO HOME? Is it contemporary women’s fiction? New adult? Memoir? Suspense? Romance?
Jaimie Hope: Honestly, I would describe it as all of the above. Well, maybe not Memoir since I did add fiction to facts. However, it is definitely a Romance and a New Adult book. I didn’t realize it was Suspense until I started getting messages from readers asking if I was going to write a sequel so they could find out what happened.
Q: Your reviewers say the book caused them to feel deep emotions and that your characters were “easy to relate to.” How did you enable your readers to embrace your characters so that they cared so much what happened to them? Were your characters based on real people?
Jaimie Hope: The main characters were based on real people that I know well. While I think knowing their personalities helped, I think putting characters in real life situations gave them their relatability.
Q: How helpful is humor to telling your story and/or creating your characters?
Jaimie Hope: Humor is a key element to character development and plot for me. It helps the reader get out of their own heads and into the story when they can feel they are having fun along with the characters. Also, humor in a character helps make them relatable since most of the humor is by way of sarcastic interaction.
Q: Did you write THE ROAD THAT LEADS TO HOME primarily to entertain or were you trying to educate or deliver a message?
Jaimie Hope: I started out writing this book with the goal of entertaining, but there is most definitely messages in it.
Q: You have also written children and young adult books and your autobiography. Which do you enjoy more—writing a book for adult, child or youth readers? How do you approach one over the other?
Jaimie Hope: Each genre is so different that it’s hard to say I like writing this genre more than that genre.
Children’s books are much harder to write than novels for adults. Trying to write a full story in the confines of a few pages is harder than it looks. Then there is the task of balancing the words of the manuscript. The words can’t be beyond the comprehension of the age group, but it also can’t be so simple that it seems like you’re talking down to them. It also has to teach them something while being entertaining. After that is done,there’s the illustration list to be created. It’s a lot of work, but very rewarding.
That’s not to say that writing for Young Adults or Adults is any easier, it’s not. However, you don’t have page number constraints, your story ends when it ends. You also don’t have to worry as much about your word choice to get your point across. It sounds easier when you look at it that way, but that’s not necessarily true. Being able to write a book filled with as many pages as you deem necessary and whatever words fly out of your fingertips as you strike the keyboard gives you more time for your story to unravel. It’s important to pay attention to the characters and how they’re developing. If they aren’t developing, the story probably isn’t moving. A story that isn’t moving isn’t one anyone wants to read.
Q: Does the concept of “heroes vs. villain” play a part in telling your story? How would you describe a villain? Do you need a villain to have a hero?
Jaimie Hope: I didn’t do the hero vs. villain thing in my story. Readers might disagree with me and argue they thought one character was a villain of sorts, but it wasn’t what I intended. I define a villain as someone who purposefully tries to foil the plot for the main characters. None of my characters did that.
No, I don’t think you need to have a villain to have a hero. All that is necessary for a character to be considered a hero is for them to grow and overcome something.
Q: Your biography says that you decided to become a writer in high school. What made you decide to be a writer? Have you enjoyed it?
Jaimie Hope: I’ve actually had an interest in writing and telling stories since I was very young. At that time, I also wanted to do a number of different things as well. Writing for the school newspaper really fanned the flames and re-stoked the flames of writing for me. Now more than eight years and eleven books later I can honestly say that I wouldn’t have wanted it to be any other way.
Q: What’s next? I assume since this is “Book 1” that there will be at least one more Sara Rhea Chronicle? Other books?
Jaimie Hope: There will always be another book! Book 2 is in the works, so is a new Children’s book and many other works.
Q: Tell us about Jaimie Hope. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Jaimie Hope: When I’m not writing I am usually doing something else in the creative/literary realm. In addition to writing, I am also a business owner. I own and operate Back To Basics Publishing and Author Services, which offers everything from editing to marketing assistance to authors. I am also a blog host with a blog tour company and an Internet radio talk show host.
When I’m not working I enjoy all things music, watching movies and sports.
About Jaimie Hope
Jaimie Hope was born November 3, 1976, in New York. It wasn't until high school, where she joined the newspaper staff, that she decided she wanted to be a writer. After graduation, the author went to college and received an Associate's degree in 1999. In 2002, she moved to Florida where she was an active volunteer in the local historical society and the Deltona Regional Library. In 2006, she moved back to New York where she released her first Children's book, The Adventures of Baby Jaimie. She followed it with a Young Adult novel, Bless The Broken Road. She also published her autobiography, Roll With It. She is planning to re-release book one of her New Adult Romance/Paranormal trilogy, The Sara Rhea Chronicles: The Road That Leads To Home and a new Children's Book series, along with releasing all her other self-published titles under her new publishing company, Back To Basics Publishing and Author Services in the fall of 2014.
About THE ROAD THAT LEADS TO HOME: THE SARA RHEA CHRONICLES
Based on a true story…
Sara's life was going along peacefully until she got the early morning phone call that changed everything. Now she finds herself heading back where she began, home. Not only does she have to deal with a difficult older sister and helping to keep the family’s inn afloat; Sara has to work alongside her high school sweetheart, who still looks as gorgeous as ever and her feelings that she saw all this coming. Her dreams and nightmares seem to come true right before her eyes. It has to all be a coincidence, doesn't it?
Excerpt
“He was with someone when I came home from college.”
“No, not really. He went out with her once. He wanted you to think he had someone since he told you he wouldn’t wait for you. He wanted you to be jealous. Guess it worked. He was crushed when you moved to Florida. He really thought you were going to stay, everyone did.”
“So did I. It just didn’t work out that way.” Reflectively she added, “It's funny how things turn out. When I was growing up, I didn’t think I’d ever leave this area. I never wanted to. Most kids I went to school with couldn’t wait to graduate so they could travel, but James and I just wanted to stay here.”
“What changed?”
“I thought when I came back I would take my place here at the inn, but when I got here, I found out there really wasn’t a place here for me anymore.”
“You’re a Rhea, you always have a place here.”
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WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Kristy Woodson Harvey, Author

Kristy Woodson Harvey, Author
DEAR CAROLINAKristy Woodson Harvey just released DEAR CAROLINA, described by a reviewer as a “great tale of love, complicated family relationships, and heart-wrenching sacrifice.” Harvey tells us that a friend originally sparked her story, and the birth of her own son amplified it emotionally. Set in the South, she also believes that southern lifestyle augmented the plot, although she looks forward to viewing how other areas of the world receive it.
Harvey is working on her next novel about family secrets and what we do to protect those we love, scheduled for release in Spring 2016. When she’s not writing her novels or blogging at Design Chic, she enjoys spending time with her three-year-old son and her husband.

Don't miss the excerpt from the book following the interview.
Q: What inspired the plot for DEAR CAROLINA? How authentic is the story?
Kristy Woodson Harvey: The story was inspired by a friend telling me years ago about a family he knew that adopted a child and essentially ended up adopting the birth mother as well. I hadn’t thought about it in years, but, when my son was born, I had this moment where I started to realize what an incredible gift giving up your child really was. Of course, you always know that, but it hit me on such a deep and profound level, far beyond what it had before. I wondered what would have to happen in a woman’s life in order to be able to give up her child and then, on the flip side, what both birth and adoptive mothers go through in an open adoption. The insecurities and fears…
The story and the characters really came to me sort of all at once, but then I did research as well. I have a lot of friends who are adopted and/or have adopted children, so they were generous with their stories and their feelings, and I read a lot of books on the subject as well. It isn’t “my story,” per se, but, all the same, writing it felt intensely personal. It actually took me months to sit down and write the book because facing Jodi’s story was so emotional for me at that time in my life.
Q: DEAR CAROLINA is described as Southern women’s fiction. How much did your upbringing in the South influence your story?
Kristy Woodson Harvey: The South is such a special place to me, almost more like a feeling, really. I wanted to write a book that captured the South—or at least a particular region of it—and some of the things that make it really special. The importance of family, in particular, is something that was extremely important in my upbringing and the book. And the focus on living near the land and the role that food plays in our lives is something that I think is even more sacred in Eastern North Carolina, where the book is set and where I live now. I learned a lot about it for this book, and it was fascinating.
Q: How relevant is Southern culture to the setting? Could the story have been as effective if set in California, for example?
Kristy Woodson Harvey: I think the South is really almost a character in the book. It influences every aspect. The growing seasons, for example, are critical to the plot, as is a certain Southern dialect. I think the story could have been set anywhere, but the Southern element adds a richness that wouldn’t have existed otherwise.
Q: How would you characterize the genre “women’s fiction?” Do you think it’s different in the South, i.e., are southern women more likely to embrace a different type of story than northern women?
Kristy Woodson Harvey: To me, women’s fiction is anything that tells a woman’s story—and we have diverse and varied ones to tell! I will be very interested to see how this book is received in different parts of the country, but, as women today, I think, no matter where we live, we’re all facing similar challenges—and joys. Juggling children (if we have them) and work and family and following our dreams can be tricky. I do think the South still respects and honors the stay-at-home in a very real way, but there’s no doubt that women are largely finding ways to be great mothers but still pave a way for themselves in the world outside of that. Certainly motherhood isn’t a part of every woman’s story, but women without children are juggling a lot of demands on their time and energy too. In fact, in some ways, I think life has slowed down since I became a mother! So I think Khaki’s story in particular is one that women can relate to no matter where they live. I find it encouraging that my reviewers have been from all parts of the country, and I think the story has largely resonated so far.
Q: Would you characterize DEAR CAROLINA as “modern” women’s fiction? Do you think women’s fiction has changed as women’s interests and roles have changed?
Kristy Woodson Harvey: I’ll have to say yes and no to that question! I think the South in and of itself can tend to be a bit of a throwback (Khaki says that, actually!) so, in some ways, I think there are traditions and roles that maybe don’t even exist in other places anymore. But, in a very real sense, I think both Khaki and Jodi are very modern women. Khaki isn’t worried about cooking dinner and changing diapers. She’s worried about cooking dinner and changing diapers and her coffee table book edits and catching the red-eye to check a sofa in a huge client’s living room remodel. And Jodi is finding her passions and making her way in the world all on her own. There is romance involved, sure, but I think the men in these women’s lives make them more meaningful but certainly don’t define them.
My friends run the gamut from full-time, incredible careers to full-time, incredible stay-at-home moms to something in between, but, no matter what, we’re all making choices every single day and creating lives that we want to live within the constraints we have. I’m 29, so I’m at a time in life where my friends are at every life stage imaginable and we’re all really starting to navigate who we’re going to be for the rest of our lives. There’s no blueprint and there’s certainly no right or wrong, and that is very, very exciting! We’re all learning from each other, and, to me, that’s what being a “modern” woman is all about: choosing the path that’s right for you while cheering other women along on the path that’s right for them.
Q: Reviewers tout your characters as “rich” and with “strong voice.” What makes them so? How do you create characters that readers will embrace?
Kristy Woodson Harvey: These characters are totally real. Khaki is strong and loving, but she can be a little obnoxious and know-it-all. She has good intentions, but she thinks she always knows what’s best for everyone. You feel for Jodi and she’s totally lovable, but, at the same time, you want to shake her at times for decisions she makes. But flawed characters that you can fight for are the best kind, I think, because we’re all flawed and we’re all a little obnoxious sometimes!
I credit the birth of my son for the “strong voice” and not in some sweet and poignant way. When I had him I was sneaking in writing a few minutes at a time and I didn’t have time to worry about what it was “supposed” to sound like. When I let that go, I really heard these characters’ voices and that’s what I think made them come to life.
Q: Why did you choose to tell the story from the perspective of letters from the adoptive and birth mothers?
Kristy Woodson Harvey: I’m not really sure except to say that that’s how the story came to me. Jodi was the character that really kept me up at night and I envisioned her telling this story to her daughter. And it went from there.
Q: Did you write DEAR CAROLINA to entertain or did you intend to deliver a message or educate your readers?
Kristy Woodson Harvey: In all honesty, I wrote it to entertain. But I think there are some definite touchstones that readers can take away from this book, the biggest one being that families don’t have to look any certain way to be “real.” There is a lot of talk in this book about family being the most important thing, and I hope it’s clear that that doesn’t only mean the people in your bloodline. And if you’ve ever wanted to can or make jam or decorate your own house you can probably get some good insight into that as well!
Q: What’s next?
Kristy Woodson Harvey: My next novel is coming out early Spring 2016, also from Berkley/Penguin, and I am beside myself! It’s all about family secrets and the things we do to protect the people we love. Both of these books have a lot to do with motherhood, simply because I was becoming a mother when I wrote them. But I look forward to telling so many other women’s stories in the future. I’m in the midst of three manuscripts right now, and they are all decidedly different from one another.
Q: Tell us about Kristy Woodson Harvey. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Kristy Woodson Harvey: I am first and foremost a mom to my three-year-old and a wife to my incredible husband. My mom and I have an interior design blog, Design Chic, that served as a lot of inspiration for this book and Khaki’s career, in particular.  Plus, it’s a lot of fun! I love to read and write (obviously!) and do yoga. Those are my “must-dos,” but right now, other than that, spending time with my son is my main activity! And he keeps me on my toes!
About Kristy Woodson Harvey
Kristy Woodson Harvey is the author of DEAR CAROLINA. She blogs at Design Chic about how creating a beautiful home can be the catalyst for creating a beautiful life and loves connecting with readers at kristywoodsonharvey.com. She is a Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's school of journalism and holds a Master's in English from East Carolina University. She is a regular contributor for The Salisbury Post, Domino magazine and Houzz. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and three-year-old son.
About DEAR CAROLINA
One baby girl.Two strong Southern women.And the most difficult decision they’ll ever make.
Frances “Khaki” Mason has it all: a thriving interior design career, a loving husband and son, homes in North Carolina and Manhattan—everything except the second child she has always wanted. Jodi, her husband’s nineteen-year-old cousin, is fresh out of rehab, pregnant, and alone. Although the two women couldn’t seem more different, they forge a lifelong connection as Khaki reaches out to Jodi, encouraging her to have her baby. But as Jodi struggles to be the mother she knows her daughter deserves, she will ask Khaki the ultimate favor…
Written to baby Carolina, by both her birth mother and her adoptive one, this is a story that proves that life circumstances shape us but don’t define us—and that families aren’t born, they’re made…
Excerpt
KhakiSalad Greens
I designed a special scrapbook for each of my children. A custom-made blue or pink album with white polka dots and a fat bow tied down the side, the front center proudly displaying a monogram that was given to each of you. I take those books out every now and then. Sometimes I add a new photo or memento. Other times I gaze at the pictures and marvel at how quickly the eyes-closed-to-the-world phase of infancy morphs into the headfirst-plunging alacrity of toddlerhood.
Other times, like tonight, with your book in particular, my sweet Carolina, I sit on the floor of our family room overlooking my favorite field of corn and simply stare at the cover, running my finger across the scrolling monogram. It’s only a name, we have been reminded since middle school in what has now become perhaps the most cliché of Shakespeare’s musings. But, in what is certainly not the first exception to a Shakespearean rule, that name means more than the house your daddy built in this field where we spent so much time falling in love or the sterling silver service that has been in our family for generations.
It means more because that name wasn’t always yours. And you weren’t always ours.
I was, just like a mother should be, the first person to hold you when you were born. Your birth mother, after thirty hours of labor, fainted when she saw you, perfect and round and red as a fresh-picked apple. I felt like holding you first would be like stealing money from the offering plate. But as soon as the misty-eyed nurse placed you in the nest of my arms, you quit crying, opened your eyes, and locked your gaze with mine. That instant of serendipity was fleeting because it wasn’t more than a few seconds that your birth mother was out.
When she came to, and I was there, cuddling this lighter-than-air you that she had grown inside herself for nine long months, I begged for forgiveness. But she said, “I’m glad you got to hold her first. You’ve been here this whole dern time too.”
I had given birth myself before, and that teary first introduction to a new life after a forty-week hormone roller coaster was fresh in my mind, still damp like the coat of paint on the wall in your nursery. But I’d never been on my feet, outside the bed, when four were breathing the air and then, with one tiny cry, there were five. To experience that kind of wonder is like being born again.
Even in that resurrection moment, I couldn’t have known that one day, I would get to hold you, swaddled and warm, all the time. But I did swear that I would do everything in my power to protect you, love you, and make sure you grew up good and slow as salad greens.
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WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Taya Okerlund, Author

Taya Okerlund, Author
HURRICANE COLTRANETaya Okerlund likes to “crash differences” in her writing, and is getting ready to release HURRICANE COLTRANE, a new novel set in Hurricane, Utah, a real town with characters whose traits she pulled from real people. She integrates several themes, including music, family, friendship, polygamy, and the search for an unknown father. She has written the book to be entertaining but hopes young readers “come away more comfortable with themselves and more willing to let other people be different.”
Okerlund currently lives on the San Francisco peninsula, although she has lived throughout the United States, studied in Asia, and has “roots” in Utah. She is working on her next novel—a comic thriller. She likes to spend time with her husband and daughter, and enjoys visiting fabric stores.
Don't miss the excerpt following the interview, and the opportunity to pre-order the e-book version at a discount.
Q: Your novel HURRICANE COLTRANE integrates several themes, including, music, family, friendship, polygamy, the search for an unknown father. What inspired you to integrate these into one story?
Taya Okerlund: I love Chaim Potok’s The Chosen. The most crashing differences are often couched between the closest neighbors. HURRICANE COLTRANEis not a re-telling, but I took a minority American religion and crossed it with its red-headed, oft-despised fundamentalist splinter group.
For Robbie, I pitted a culturally impossible aspiration (music) against immovable family loyalty. 
I have special sympathy for my narrating character, however. Merrill Hinton is emotionally wounded by his mother’s secrecy and embattled by his peers’ judgment. His intrepid mind leads him into a world well beyond his depth and into very deep water.
Q: Your title cites Coltrane, a saxophonist, but your cover shows a photo of a trombone. Is there a reason that you connected the two? How did you come up with the title?
Taya Okerlund: Merrill plays the trombone. Robbie plays sax, though it’s when Robbie has “borrowed” Merrill’s trombone that the two first meet. My publisher wanted to keep some ambiguity as to the identity of the boy on the cover, because it is a dual story arc.
Hurricane is a real town. None of the setting is fictionalized. Since Robbie loves to play jazz sax, I made him Hurricane’s own Coltrane. It felt kind of snappy and my publisher likes it.
Q: How do you help readers engage with your characters? Why do we care what happens to them? Have you based them on real people? Are they heroes?
Taya Okerlund: They are types of real people…portions of people. If you’d asked me whether this story was autobiographical two months ago, I would have denied it flat. But then I was thinking about this very question, and I realized Merrill’s cantankerousness is pulled straight from a difficult period of my childhood. His intelligence more closely resembles my husband. I had no idea I had drawn heavily from an awkward period of my youth until just recently. So my narrating character is a composite of me, and my husband.
I care about my characters. They are the memes of my youth, and they stand for many of my fondest hopes—real friendship, self-acceptance, and self-actualization. I think other readers may care about the same things.
Q: How helpful is the setting to tell your story? How important, for example, is the polygamy community? Could you have told this story in another location, e.g., San Francisco, or would it have been a different story?
Taya Okerlund: The Utah desert was settled at a time inhospitable to life. Without a canal system on par with the ancient Egyptians (no exaggeration) the community that eventually thrived there could never have existed.
Those were my people. They were great survivors, but often hard-bitten and cynical. They were living on the rough fringe of the social fabric…a community of exiles, and I’m not talking about polygamy. The polygamists still are, in fact, exiles, but in a self-imposed way.
Southern Utah is inhospitable, but its landscape is glorious. (If you’ve ever visited, then you know what I mean.) I believe my characters are an outgrowth of that landscape, both rough and yet rich at the same time.
This piece of the country and the people who settled it are important to the story. There are polygamist compounds in Texas and Canada, but this story is unique to southern Utah.
Q: Did your upbringing influence your writing? How?
Taya Okerlund: I don’t know if it was my upbringing per se, but I was a solitary child, and not very clever extemporaneously. I spent a lot of time in my head, often creating dialogues where I could finally respond to people in ways I thought smart. It was excellent author practice.
Q: Did you write HURRICANE COLTRANE to deliver a message, educate, or just to entertain? What do you expect a young reader to take away from it?
Taya Okerlund: Entertainment was paramount. This isn’t a soap-box story. I wrote it to be a fun read and I think I succeeded. But I didn’t disguise who I am. That can’t be helped and shouldn’t be. I hope young readers come away more comfortable with themselves and more willing to let other people be different. I hope they will be a little easier on each other…that they give a pass to the really annoying boy or girl who asks for trouble, and possibly deserves whatever she gets. This because we all have rough edges, and the thing is to keep them exposed so we can wear them down gradually.
Q: Does the concept of “villain vs hero” apply to your story?
Taya Okerlund: Not especially. There are no real villains here. None but misguided, sometimes horribly, humanity.
Q: What was the most difficult part about writing your story? How did you overcome the difficulty?
Taya Okerlund: I had a crisis of confidence at one point during revisions. I pushed through it and pulled the trigger with a smaller press. I do think it all came out well, but I’m still going on faith.
Q: What’s next?
Taya Okerlund: I’m working on a comic thriller. It's untitled, but is about the daughter of a fallen Chinese Communist Party leader arrested for corruption (hint: not really). The Chinese security service is chasing my heroine now and she's got to outrun the service and survive on limited funds until she turns eighteen and can claim the family fortune stashed in Swiss vaults. 
Q: Tell us about Taya Okerlund. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Taya Okerlund: I like to spend time with my husband and daughter, going to beautiful places in nature, relaxing and be quiet.
I like creative work…fabric stores--you should definitely go in after me if I get lost in one. I used to like to travel, but I’m too tired now. I like short weekend trips to Monterey, and food, if I could still eat it.
About Taya Okerlund
“I grew up all over the United States, and studied in East Asia, though my roots reach deep into the southern Utah desert where most of my members still live. I currently keep house on the San Francisco Peninsula with my story-adoring husband and daughter who keep me busy and inspired.”
About HURRICANE COLTRANE
·      Merrill Hinton is a lightning rod in a town named for bad weather. He's an ace in math, but not smart enough to put together the pieces of his puzzling life, especially where finding his unknown father is concerned.·      Musical genius Robbie Stubbs was born in nearby polygamist compound Colorado City. He has the chops to become another John Coltrane, but that will take running away from home, and into a firestorm of controversy--the kind his friend Merrill knows best.·      Merrill sets Robbie onto a course that could rocket them both onto center stage, but being the focus of wide public attention will create serious issues. Robbie's mother is not well, and the shock of her son breaking the family rules like this may put her over the edge.
ExcerptHurricane, Utah, is the sticks. Not the deep sticks, like Virgin, a few miles up the mesa—and believe me, we take it personally if you can’t tell the difference—but it’s still the sticks. Hurricane will never be like Park City or other small towns movie stars put on the map.
The good thing about Hurricane is it’s on the road to somewhere. One of the seven natural wonders of the world, in fact. If you’re visiting the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, at some point you have to find yourself in Hurricane—not because it’s your destination, but because your path lies through it.
For me, Hurricane is a starting point, not a destination . . . hopefully. But for Robbie Stubbs, Hurricane’s a mere pit stop. He is meant for the sticks even less than I am. He is going somewhere, and I’m not talking about the Grand Canyon. By the time I met him, he was already in trouble. But the road between the sticks and somewhere is never easy-going.
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WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Peter T. McQueeny, Author

Peter T. McQueeny, Author
3 FUTURESPeter T. McQueeny has always enjoyed science fiction, and credits a science-centric upbringing and Isaac Asimov with creating that love. So it follows that he would write science fiction. His book of three SciFi stories, titled 3 FUTURES, is “the thinking person’s SciFi,” that “leaves the reader’s mind to run openly through the possibilities of life in the distant future while playing back to the essential qualities of an actual plot running parallel,” according to reviewers. McQueeny says his “only real motive… was to entertain.”
McQueeny plans to continue all three stories in 3 FUTURES and is also working on other writings, which he hopes to publish soon. He lives in Arkansas with his wife, two dogs, and cat. He says he and his wife are foodies and love to cook, and he is a fan of tobacco pipes and heavy metal concerts.



Q: Why did you choose to write science fiction? What is there about building “entire universes” that entices you?
Peter T. McQueeny:I've always been attracted to SciFi.  My dad was a mechanical engineer, which falls under the umbrella of "science", and growing up, science was a big part of my life.  We spent a lot of evenings sitting on the back porch while dad smoked cigars, and we would have "science talk" where my brothers and I would ask questions we were curious about, and try to stump my dad.  During those years, my family went on two or three road trips a year, and we would always listen to audiobooks.  One year, we happened to pick up Prelude to Foundation by Isaac Asimov, and over the course of the next few trips, we listened through the entire Foundation series.  It sparked an interest in me that hasn't diminished in the intervening years.  It was like I found a way to take the science questions that I wondered about, invent new answers, and play with the results.
Q:  3 FUTURES is a collection of three stories – three “new and original” worlds. My SciFi author friends say it is difficult to build unique worlds. Yet you chose to create three. What’s involved in creating a new universe and setting a story in it? Is it easier or more difficult than setting a plot in an already-existing place?
 Peter T. McQueeny: I'd say it's definitely more difficult to create new worlds than to use existing ones.  In a story, you don't always know what granular details are going to wind up being important, but in contemporary settings, you can always draw on your own knowledge of the existing world.  In SciFi, you have to spend that time building a database of little details that you can draw upon as needed.  I think of worldbuilding like stocking a pantry.  You don't need to put the entire pantry in any one dish.  I'm lucky—to me, worldbuilding is the most fun part of writing, so I walked into this project with a well stocked pantry.  The truth is, these stories are part of a grander design that I've been working on for the past five years.  There's a lot more to come, so stay tuned!
Q: Do you agree with reviewers who claim, “Technically, it’s Science Fiction, but really it’s so much more”?  This is “The Thinking Person’s SciFi.” Why? Were you trying to deliver a message? Educate?
Peter T. McQueeny: My only real motive with these stories was to entertain, but as a Philosophy major, "thoughtful" stuff is more entertaining to me.  I'm definitely not trying to preach any sort of message, but I do enjoy playing around with grand concepts, and stirring up people's minds.  I may not be trying to communicate my own ideals, but I try to craft characters with firm ideals, so I'm not surprised if it comes across that way.
Q: What makes readers believe in your worlds enough to become involved in them? How do you create credibility or is believability not important?
Peter T. McQueeny:It's all about character.  If you can create a believable character, readers will accept whatever happens to them.  I think Hidden Deedsand Upon the Summit definitely center on strong characters (whom I plan on developing a lot more in future books), but Walker, The Prophet is part of a much more nebulous and experimental project.  I was surprised that a lot of people I talked to latched onto that story as their favorite.  To me, it's just a vignette, but I think people found it convincing because the world its set in—a post-apocalyptic wasteland—is one we can all envision.  On the one hand, it's kinda unfortunate that it's so easy for people to envision the human race destroying itself, but on the other hand, Walker is a story about people coming back from that destruction. It's the bare beginnings of us rebuilding after a cataclysm, and I think that's an emotional space that many people are familiar with.  So believability has nothing to do with gadgets and "hard" SciFi, it all comes down to emotion.
Q: What influenced your stories in 3 FUTURES? Upbringing? Education? Family?
Peter T. McQueeny: As I said before, upbringing, family, and education were all part of it.  I was brought up in a family to whom science and religion were equally important, so both of those influences pop up in my writing.  But If I were to point to any specific thing that influenced these three, I'd have to give all the credit to Isaac Asimov.  His writing is such a huge influence on me; the way he worked deep themes in without getting preachy, the way he built immense, fantastic worlds and populated them with relatable characters... Asimov has blown my mind so many times.  Everything I write is just an attempt to return the favor.
Q: How relevant are your characters to telling your story? What makes your readers embrace them and care what happens to them?
Peter T. McQueeny:I'd like to think that my stories hinge completely on character.  I try really hard to keep the description and exposition to a minimum, because usually that's where SciFi authors get into trouble.  They're always willing to stop the story dead in its tracks to deliver a lecture, and I try really hard not to do that. 
Whenever I create a character, my hope is that people will care about them because the characters care about important things.  I'm a guy who lives in terms of concepts and ideas, so I create characters who are defined by concepts and ideas. I hope that readers can see my characters taking up the banners of these competing ideas and fighting for them.  That's what makes me care about characters, so it's natural that I ask the same of my readers.
Q: How helpful is the concept of “villains versus heroes” to your stories, or to science fiction in general?
Peter T. McQueeny: I believe that everybody loves an old-fashioned "Good vs. Evil" story, whether they admit it or not.  But I also really love stories that hinge on two competing goals that are both "good" from a certain point of view.  In my work overall, I'd say it's about half and half.  Jim Frankenstein's adventures will pretty much always feature a clear-cut bad guy.  He's an adventure hero, and I like him that way.  But other stories I write are more "realistic" in the sense that everyone is the good guy in their own story.  As a writer, I think it's important to do it both ways, because "Good vs. Good" stories are realistic, but "Good vs. Evil" stories are just plain fun to read.
Q: You are a writer.  “The Seraphim Universe” screams that it is so. What’s your favorite type of writing? Fiction? Blogging? All of it? Why did you choose to write? Besides science fiction what are some of your favorite topics?
Peter T. McQueeny:God, if it can be done with words, I've probably at least tried.  There have been moments when I've loved all kinds of writing.  I did a lot of cookbooks early in my career, as freelance work, and I really loved that for a while.  I do like blogging too, because I feel like there's a more conversational element to it.  But honestly, the thing I keep coming back to is fiction.  SciFi is the most natural for me because it fits in with my mindset.  But what really keeps me doing it is learning about story structure and all the underlying principles of fiction writing.  Every time I read a book about writing, I feel like Peter Parker on the day he discovered that he can climb walls.  I'm just itching to try it out.
As far as why I chose to write, the simple answer is that I was just never good at anything else.  I believe that an intelligent person can learn anything they want to, and I like to think of myself as intelligent.  But with other trades, I always had to work really hard to force the knowledge in.  Writing is completely transparent to me.  Any time I read some fact or bit of knowledge regarding writing, I understand it immediately and remember it forever.  To me, that's how you know what you were "meant" to do.  I'm just following the path of least resistance.
Q: What’s next? Will you be publishing an expanded version of any of these three stories in 3 FUTURES?
Peter T. McQueeny: I've got a lot on deck right now.  Too much, really.  I'm working as an editor with Catharsis, who is about to put out a new book by a great author named Tom Treweek.  I don't want to give away much more, but I'm really looking forward to that project.  As far as my own stuff goes, I plan on continuing all three of the stories in 3 Futures.  I'm in the process of editing the first Jim Frankenstein novel, and I expect to be submitting to publishers by the end of summer (wish me luck!).  Walker, the Prophet is part of a collection of short stories that I've been working on for years, Tales of Unknown Earth.  I hope to eventually publish that with Catharsis, but it'll be a while before it sees the light of day.  Upon the Summit is also part of a larger story, but I have no immediate plans to continue that.  It just depends what takes flight first.  The next thing people can expect to see from me is two short stories.  One is called Deep, and it's currently making the rounds with publishers, so I hope you can find it online soon.  The other doesn't have a title yet, but it concerns the struggles of a farmer on a newly-founded world.  I hope to self-publish that one in the next 2-3 months.
Q: Tell us about Peter T. McQueeny. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Peter T. McQueeny: My wife and I are both big foodies, we enjoy cooking and entertaining.  We're also animal lovers, and we spend a lot of time with our two dogs and cat.  I'm a tobacco pipe enthusiast, and I enjoy collecting and smoking pipes.  I'm also a huge fan of heavy metal, and I try to get to concerts whenever I can.
About Peter T. McQueeny
Peter McQueeny grew up in the suburbs of Kansas City, KS.  He studied Philosophy at the University of Kansas, and spent a decade bouncing from job to job in the restaurant & retail industries.  He met his wife Stephanie in 2008, and after a move to Los Angeles, decided to take up writing full time.  They now live in Arkansas with their dogs Tini and Smitty, and their cat Davy.  Peter enjoys cooking, pipe smoking, heavy metal, superhero movies, and beer pong.
About 3 FUTURES
3 FUTURES  is the ideal introduction to the work of Peter T. McQueeny.  Featuring a conversational foreword from the author, this book is a perfect weekend read for the casual SciFi fan or the neophyte looking for an approachable starting point in this vast and popular genre.
The first story, Hidden Deeds is taken from the series Jim Frankenstein, Rock & Roll Space Priest, which chronicles the adventures of Father Jim Frankenstein.  In Hidden Deeds, Jim travels to Earth's Moon to investigate a possible case of demonic possession.  Instead, he finds government corruption, new enemies, and a monster he believed to exist only in fairy tales.
Walker, The Prophet is the overture to a forthcoming story-cycle entitled Tales of Unknown Earth, which details the trials and tribulations of those who survive Earth's final disaster.  Walker, The Prophetshows us a vignette of human society as it crawls out of the rubble of the past, and gives us insight into the stories that shape it.
Upon the Summit of the City is drawn from The Colonist Saga, a far-reaching group of stories concerning the fate of human civilization as it reaches outward into the galaxy.  In Upon the Summit of the City, we get our first look at Arkat Rowland Hawkes, a seemingly innocuous hypnophobe whose understanding of the universe is revolutionized by an encounter with a strange relic from the past.
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WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: H. L. Katz, Author

H.L. Katz, Author
CAPITOL CRIMESH. L. Katz brings us CAPITOL CRIMES, highlighted by a reviewer as “a suspenseful DC thriller.” Katz describes himself as someone who closely follows current events and has created a novel that he fears could happen. Although he has written his novel mostly to entertain, he encourages readers to pay attention to what’s happening in the world so that we can “take back what is rightfully ours-our own government.”Katz, a husband, father and grandfather, currently lives in the eastern U.S. He is writing a sequel to CAPITOL CRIMES and another novel in a different genre. He works in the private sector and also coaches athletics.






Q: One of your reviewers fears that CAPITOL CRIMES hits “a little too close to home.” How did you conceive of the plot? H.L. Katz: I am an avid follower of current events and situations in every day life that seem a bit out of place. Additionally, I try to understand politics from different prisms not the least of which are geo-political circumstances that surround even the most simplest of decisions. As someone who attempts to understand the motivations behind each of those events, I like to play the writer's "what if" game as in "what if this happened" instead of what may have actually taken place. I know I am far from unique in that regard, but I do believe the plot and its intrigue are fresh and captivating with a heavy dose of reality that indeed hits a little too close to home.Q: How relevant is it to us today?H.L. Katz: I am of the opinion that not only is the plot extremely relevant to us today, but someplace in the deep recesses of my mind, I fear this book may indeed be a case of life imitating art. I have always believed citizens should have a say in how they are governed. Sadly, the American electorate seems to know more about Jay Z and Beyonce, than they do about Iran and a potential nuclear weapon. The only way the governed can be silently imprisoned by those that govern them is because they were busy not paying attention. As our freedoms continue to slowly erode and those in power work daily to make sure they stay in power, the governed are left wondering how that happened and what recourses they have, if any, to change it. CAPITOL CRIMES is eerily relevant and I wonder if that is actually a good thing for our country and the world. 
Q: Your reviewers also appreciate your ability to build suspense. How do you create a “page turner?”H.L. Katz: I actually consider myself an untrained "ham-and-egger" so I am probably the wrong person to ask this question to, but I remember a long time ago a former boss of mine used to say "Never give them too much, but always leave them wanting more." While that applied to my work at the time, I think that sort of advice goes a long way in generating a page turner. I try to stay away from being too spot on in dialogue and look to create a story that not only helps the reader turn the page, but builds a world in which events are far from neat and tidy. On the contrary. Like any great story, the challenges your protagonists face on each page should not only be relatable to your reader, but should take them to a place they have never been and never want to leave. 
 Q: You chose to feature a woman as your protagonist. Why did you choose a woman? H.L. Katz: I was intrigued by the challenges that she presented to me as a writer. While I don't think it's easy to write a male character, giving voice to a woman and making her believable throughout close to 400 pages seemed like something I could not pass up. I like to think I was able to meet that challenge head on, however I will leave it to the reader to decide. Additionally, I think in the political thriller genre, female protagonists are few and far between and most definitely underrepresented. I thought Callie Wheeler would be a refreshing change to the landscape. Again, I believe the readers will let me know if indeed that is the case.Q: What characteristics did you assign her to engage readers? H.L. Katz: I think Callie is a complex mixture of a multitude of characteristics. She has adaptability and confidence. Toughness and loyalty. She's diligent and kind, while also being resourceful, vindictive and manipulating. Readers will be drawn to her toughness and willingness to be brutally honest while at the same time irritated by where it seemingly leads her. Without giving too much of the book away, Callie sets off on a journey that spins her life out of control and calls on all of these characteristics and them some. It is ultimately her wrestling with these and many other characteristics that hopefully engage the reader, move the story forward and make her a complex multi-dimensional character readers care about.Q: How relevant is the concept of “villains vs heroes” in CAPITOL CRIMES? H.L. Katz: I think the concept of villains vs heroes is at play from the first page until the last. Interestingly enough, the concept of hero might be different for each reader. Nevertheless, the hero in this novel may be someone you least expect. There are plenty of villains in Capitol Crimes but only a few drive the plot forward on a consistent basis. Q: What makes an effective villain? H.L. Katz: I think an effective villain stretches the readers’ limits and imagination. I believe an effective villain crosses lines that most people would never cross themselves if faced with the exact same choice and on top of that the effective villain makes their choices with no remorse. On the contrary, the effective villain actually enjoys the havoc he/she creates and builds upon that with each subsequent action. Ideally, the boundaries of the villain then expand almost uncontrollably. The truly effective villain however, never lets you see them coming. There are those you see and those you don't. They both drive the story and while they both conjure up emotions, the one you don't see can be far more dangerous than the one you do. I guess I will leave you with this: is the villain you see more effective than the villain you don't? Q: Are your characters a bit of both?  Is your protagonist your hero?H.L. Katz: Yes, I think some important and complicated characters in CAPITOL CRIMES blur the line between villain and hero leaving the reader engrossed in the moral quandary that makes them question exactly who is what not only during the story, but even after they have finished. Most people, I believe, have tendencies to be both a hero and a villain in their daily lives. But for their own moral compass, they make decisions that lead them to be either. I think the best characters in novels have those same tendencies and characteristics. With that as my guide, the characters in CAPITOL CRIMES are complicated people who wrestle with their own sometimes blurred lines of right and wrong and what they are willing to do or not do to insure their own survival. I like to think it is that very thin line that keeps the reader turning the page again and again.As for the protagonist, well, therein lies the rub. 
Q: How important is credibility to telling your story? What kind of research did you do to assure believability?H.L. Katz: I think readers give the writer a certain level of suspension of belief in regards to fiction, but in a political thriller or a love story for instance, as opposed to the paranormal, the reader expects the story to be anchored to reality and in that sense I think credibility is important. In order to deliver that, I spent hours upon hours of interviews and research on the lobbying trade, along with the inner workings of Congressional and Presidential daily lives. With the help of a few industry insiders, I was able to lend that aura of credibility to the story. Like any author, there are a few times I may rely on the readers’ suspension for fiction, but for the most part, if the story is far from reality in this genre, it tends to fall flat. For a writer's audience to buy into the story, it has to be believable in the readers imagination not just the writers.Q: Does accuracy add to suspense? Do back-story details help?H.L. Katz: I think historical accuracy, which I rely on quite a few times in the book, not only adds to the believability of the characters, but it can add to suspense if used correctly. Because of that, back-story helps the reader imagine the character in a more defined way and can see them living inside the book and ultimately, in the readers mind. In the case of CAPITOL CRIMES, I think accuracy within the back-story actually helps the story move forward and gives the reader a deeper insight into each character. I did struggle at times with how much back-story is enough or too much, but my editor's advice regarding "if it doesn't move the story forward, it doesn't belong" helped me limit how much depth I needed to add. I like to think I got it right, but again, I will leave that for the reader to decide.Q: How helpful was your own background to writing CAPITOL CRIMES?H.L. Katz: More than my own background, I think my relationships with some very influential people in Washington, helped craft the book. My own background as a political observer for many years, drew me to the project, but in truth it was my relationships with people who work in both the Lobbying industry and Government, that were most helpful in bringing a credible novel to fruition. 
Q: Did you write CAPITOL CRIMES strictly to entertain, or did you also want to deliver a message? Educate?H.L. Katz: I wrote CAPITOL CRIMES first and foremost to entertain. That being said, I would be lying if I said I didn't want to deliver a message. As I mentioned before, I think the American people are asleep and while they are not paying attention, a lot of nasty things are happening right under their noses. I believe it is time to wake up and take back what is rightfully ours-our own government. As Thomas Jefferson said, and I will paraphrase due to my lack of eloquence, a citizenry that fears their government, lives under tyranny, but a government that lives in fear of its citizens, that is freedom. I hope the reader will walk away knowing that while they've gotten lost in "The Walking Dead" or "Mad Men" there were some real bad people doing and still trying to do bad things to America and her citizenry. Q: How helpful is humor to telling your story or developing your characters?H.L. Katz: I think humor can be a wonderful tool in getting to core issues and character development without the story becoming stagnant or maybe even blasé. I think all relationships are buoyed in some way with humor and the use of it in fiction lends a certain believability to your characters and invites the reader into a very real give and take they can relate to from within their own lives. Most of all, a writer needs their readers to connect to their story and their characters. Humor offers a tangible attraction for the reader to hold on to and when used intelligently, will leave them wanting more.
Q: What’s next? Will you be writing more novels?
H.L. Katz: I am working on a sequel to CAPITOL CRIMES, which I hope to finish by the end of the summer. I am also working on another story although not in the same genre. I never thought I'd end up writing a novel and getting it published on top of that, but now that I have, it seems I have tripped into the start of something new. While that is exciting, it also has to be revenue-generating for it to become a career. It is my hope that your blog and this terrific opportunity you have given me and many others, will go a step towards doing just that. On that note, I wanted to thank you for your platform and how generous you are with your time. I, for one, am very appreciative of the opportunity. Thank you so much. Q: Tell us about H.L. Katz. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?H.L. Katz: Truth be told, I am a pretty boring person. I am the father of eight children: five of my own, a son-in-law and two daughters-in-law-and a grandfather to four. I have tried my best to raise responsible adults who live a life infused with integrity and character. I believe I have done that based on the actions of my offspring and the lives they have carved out for themselves. Of that I am very proud. Other than that, I have worked in athletics for more than three decades and have developed cherished relationships with my players that mean more to me than money can put a price on. When I am not writing, I like spending time with my wife who is the love of my life and the best decision I ever made, and helping others through acts of kindness that hopefully go unnoticed. I do like to study and do things to enhance my knowledge of all things important and hope each day I have improved the world we live in.  I do enjoy watching and teaching basketball on all levels, but after that, I am pretty much an empty page. Lastly, I try and live every day hoping My Creator is proud of me-I suppose on that, only time will tell. 
About H.L. Katz
H.L. Katz has been a keen observer of the political landscape both in America and abroad for more than three decades. He works in the private sector and has also coached athletics on every level. He has tried to instill in his players a love for life and all that is good. He is a happily married father and grandfather who currently resides on the east coast of the United States. CAPITOL CRIMES is his first book and is currently working on his next Callie Wheeler novel.
About CAPITOL CRIMES
Ripped from today’s headlines, CAPITOL CRIMES is a gripping tale of political intrigue, espionage and personal destruction. Callie Wheeler always seemed destined for great things. She landed the job of her dreams straight out of Law School and rose to prominence as the top lobbyist in Washington, D.C. Mike Ferguson is Callie’s fiancé and a CIA operative. He is in pursuit of terrorists who threaten to destroy America and in the process, discovers information that hits a little too close to home. Kacey Mercer is Callie’s best friend and a reporter at the Washington Post. She uncovers a story of political corruption that has Callie’s fingerprints all over it. As Callie’s charmed life begins to unravel, her enemies in Congress who have plenty of their own secrets to hide, pounce on her misfortune. It is only after Callie discovers how deep the corruption actually goes, that she is forced to choose between America’s demise or her own.

Links
Amazon Apprentice House
Twitter address @coachk09

CHECK IT OUT: Sylvia Stein's CLOSURE Now Available in Audio

Sylvia Stein, Author
CLOSUREAuthor Sylvia Stein is pleased to announce the availability of her novella, CLOSURE, through audio on ACX. Now you can bring Sara’s story to life with the talents of Clay Lomayaku.





About CLOSURE
Garrison James had it all. A terrific home life and a loving family. Together, he and his wife built a successful ranch and construction company. His world changed the day he lost his wife to cancer. He turned to the bottle and became a monster. Sara, his daughter, tried everything to please him.
After years of abuse, Sara’s aunt visits. She recognizes the abuse and removes Sara. The frail girl begins the delicate journey to find herself, while struggling to leave her father and the monster behind.
Despite the emotional and mental scars she carried, Sara manages to start a new life. She is finally happy.
A phone call changes everything.
Will Sara continue her new life? Can she face the monster, or will she find closure?
Excerpt
In the dark corner of a room, Sara James waited until the monster fell asleep.Who was the monster?Garrison James, her father.It amazed her how much had changed in the few short months since her mother, Lila left. It felt as if it happened over night.At first, he seemed absent. Then the yelling, drinking, and angry glares erupted whenever she entered the same room as him. Soon, he began calling her names. When she thought things could not get worse, the real abuse began.He’s not my dad! He’s a monster!Heavy footsteps tromped towards the room. She gulped in jagged breaths and looked to the ceiling while blinking rapidly. A feeble attempt to control her tears.When hiding from the monster found her, she would replay what she did wrong and how he caught her the time before.Don’t cry, she reminded herself, that’s how he finds you.She looked around the once lively home for a sweet reminder of better times. There was a time when the house was surrounded by a beautiful garden. Her and her mother would walk hand in hand and choose which flowers to bring inside. Now, the windows were closed, and the vase that usually held flowers sat empty. No matter where she looked, there was no sign of happiness or life.The house had become a vessel of sorrow and pain.Mommy, think of her.She closed her eyes and forced images of her favorite memories. A brief smile appeared as thoughts reverted her to one of the many times when her mother taught her how to bake cookies.“Oh, Momma, I miss you,” she whispered.The memory of her mother distracted Sara from the harsh reality. However, nearly as quick as the memories arrived, they dissipated, and before she knew it, the monster began lashing out.“Sara! Sara! Where are you?” he screamed.Realizing she had made noise. Sara covered her mouth and began internally praying.
About Sylvia Stein
Author Sylvia Stein began her path to writing when she joined the Writer’s Group on LinkedIn 750 in 2012, and she also started to connect with other authors through the World Literary Café. Her First Debut Novel came in July 31, 2014 entitled, CLOSURE. And CHASING CLARITY, her first YA will be out this Spring 2015.
Links
CLOSURE audio book Amazon
CLOSURE Audio book ITunes

CLOSURE Amazon Kindle and paperback
FacebookTwitter @sylvia_stein07

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Peter W. Cat, Author

Peter W. Cat, Author
LIVING HAPPY: INSIGHTS FROM A BLIND KITTYIt’s not often I get to interview a cat. Actually, I’m pretty sure that, although I have two of my own who are quite vocal, I have never interviewed any cat—ever. So I relished the opportunity.
Peter W. Cat has written a story about how he and his humans have lived happily following his going blind. A reviewer touts LIVING HAPPY: INSIGHTS FROM A BLIND KITTY as “inspirational” without being “preachy.” Pete does admit that he had some help from his humans to illustrate his book and write down his lessons. He is currently working on his autobiography.
Q: It is unusual for a cat to write a book. My cats, for example, sit on any book I’m trying to read or walk on my laptop to prevent me from typing to create one. What inspired you to write LIVING HAPPY: INSIGHTS FROM A BLIND KITTY? Would you characterize this book as your “memoir?”
Peter W. Cat: I went blind in September of 2013.  When my family realized I couldn’t see, they decided to see if anyone on the internet could give them tips on how to help a blind cat.  What they found was a lot of people who thought it would be a good idea to put a blind cat down.  They were horrified that anyone would consider doing that to a healthy animal. I was determined to show my family that my quality of life would not be affected. They were very amazed at how I learned to adapt, and how I re-learned my way around the house.  They were also impressed that I never seemed to get upset when I ran into walls or furniture, and how I still wanted to hang out with them and be a buddy.   
I tend to take things in stride – for example, I didn’t let my bad experience with my first family prevent me from trusting humans. If I did, I would have never found my new family.   And I thought, if everyone could do that, take the positive side of things, and don’t let the negative control you, it makes for a much happier life.  I decided to put what I learned in a book, in the hopes of inspiring everyone to be positive – especially when it seems difficult.  While there are snippets from my life in the book, it isn’t really so much of a memoir. 
Q: Did you get any assistance from your “people” to write your book? Who did the art work?
Peter W. Cat: Yes, I have to admit, Gram did the artwork and helped me type up my lessons.
Q:  Can you give us 3-5 tips from your 20 uplifting lessons?
Peter W. Cat: I sure can. 
Accept change:  I’ve had a lot of change happen to me.  Change is going to happen no matter how hard you try to prevent it.  Sometimes it’s bad change – being declawed or being abandoned.  Sometimes it’s good change – finding a better home than the last one, finding very loving people.  If I had a bad attitude because of the bad change, I would have missed out on all the good things that happened to me.
You don’t know what you can achieve unless you try.   I’m a cat.  I like to sit on high places and in windows. Once I went blind, my world shrank. Getting off the floor meant taking chances.  Up is always easy, but down…down can be scary when you don’t know how far down it.   So I reasoned that if I could stretch up on my hind legs and feel the top of something with my front paws, up and down wouldn’t be that difficult.  Soon I was getting on the couch, the chair, and the bed.  I even managed to get on the dresser, and get down by myself, which really surprised my humans.
Don’t let bad things rule you.  If you hold onto anger, you will never see the joy.  If you hold onto the bad times, there will never be good times. 
Q: One of the reviewers of LIVING HAPPY said, “It's nice to see a positive message that doesn't come across as preachy.” Did you write LIVING HAPPY purely to entertain your readers, or did you want to deliver a message? Educate?
Peter W. Cat: I actually had two goals in mind when I wrote LIVING HAPPY.   The first was to show everyone that life is full of its joys and sorrows, but as long as you stay positive, the sorrows don’t hurt as much and the joys are so much better.  The second was to show everyone that even poor little rescue kitties have value, even if they have a handicap like being blind or deaf, and all kitties can have a good quality of life. 
Q: What makes your book unique from other “how-to-live-happy” books?
Peter W. Cat: Each lesson in my book is from personal experience. My humans always marveled that no matter what seems to happen to me, I always seem so happy and easy going. I’ve survived a serious illness that even my Vet was amazed that I had recovered from. He had given me about a week to live.  My humans were so worried about me, but even though I felt very sick, I still would cuddle on laps and purr. I lived this book, and learned these ways. Positive cats live longer! So do positive humans.
Q: How have you trained your people to focus on you and feed you at the time you require and how do you get them to make room for you on their laps no matter what?
Peter W. Cat:  Actually, getting fed in my house is easy. Gram always feeds us breakfast in the morning when she gets up, again at lunchtime, then once more at dinner. Sometimes if we are really hungry, we just head out to the kitchen and sit by our dishes and she knows we want a little snack.  And if I hear my people heading out to the kitchen and I’m hungry, I’ll follow them out. I’ve learned to listen for footsteps. For example, I can tell when the footsteps stop at the bathroom, it is still night and not time to get up and eat. And if I’m sleeping in the bedroom and don’t hear the call to dinner, my people always come find me and lead me out to the kitchen. 
My people are really very good to me.  They let me do things on my own, but they will help me out a lot. They figured out that I can follow sound, so sometimes if I get turned around, they will snap their fingers and call my name to help me get going the right way.  I don’t like to be picked up and carried around too much because it makes me confused as to what room I’m in and where everything is, but when they pick me up, they always put me back down in the same spot, or next to something like the couch so I know where I am.  And sometimes, when I get really lost or I’m not sure how far down I have to jump, I will meow as loud as I can and they will come in and help me. 
My people love lap kitties, and I love being a lap kitty, so anytime I want to cuddle, they are more than willing to make room for me.
Q: Who are your target readers? Who are you trying to reach with your story?
Peter W. Cat: I had a very nice email from a reader who told me that the one thing that they read that really stuck in their mind was “You’re going to make mistakes”.  They told me that they were a perfectionist, and they would get really upset when they made a mistake.  But something about that particular lesson really made them see that making mistakes is a part of learning, and it’s a part of growing.  
These are the kind of people I’m hoping would pick up my book and really get something out of what I’m trying to say.  
Q:  How important is backstory to telling your story? Humor? Character development? I understand that you live with two other kitties in addition to your people. Are they supporting characters?
Peter W. Cat: My humans might sum up my backstory by saying that if I didn’t have bad luck I’d have no luck at all.  I think it’s significant in showing that cats and humans can overcome anything.  It also illustrates that I’ve lived each lesson, and that if I can overcome, everyone can.  
The two other kitties and I get along. Cats communicate by facial expression. When we meow, we’re talking to our humans. So when I went blind, the other two kitties had a hard time understanding why I kept bumping into them!  But they eventually figured it out, and will even help me out a little.  They have always been indoor kitties since they were tiny kittens, so they have no idea what it’s like to have to hunt for your own food. 
Q: What’s next? Will you write another story?
Peter W. Cat: Yes.  I am working on my next book now. My publisher thought it would be a good idea to write my autobiography. 
Q: Tell us about Peter W. Cat. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Peter W. Cat: I love to sleep on Gram’s bed. She has this big, soft pillow that’s my new favorite spot. I also like to sit with Mom and Gram when they play games or are working on their own stuff.   And I really love it when they play with me.  If I can hear it, I can chase it.
About Peter W. Cat
Peter W. Cat, aka Sneaky Pete, is a pure white cat and is about sixteen years old.  He didn’t always live with his current family – his first family mistreated him and eventually abandoned him outside without any claws to help him hunt or defend himself.  He eventually wandered into the yard of his current home where he was taken in and given all the love and affection he could handle. 
In 2013 Pete suffered from detached retinas and went blind. He was determined to keep his quality of life, and with some help from his Family, they both learned how to live with this latest change in his life. His unofficial birthday is October 31st, because that is the day his new Family officially made him their third kitty member.
About LIVING HAPPY: INSIGHTS FROM A BLIND KITTY
Pete’s life wasn’t always good, but he didn’t let adversity dampen his will to live a happy life. Through his own life experience, Pete shares the lessons he’s learned in his first book so that cats and humans everywhere can live happy.
Excerpt
Little Things Mean a Lot:  A special treat or a special place to sleep – or even a nice pat on the head or a kind word – these always make me feel better.  So when my Family is feeling upset or stressed, I will always give them a cuddle or bump my head against them to let them know that I love them.  Please remember how happy kindness makes you feel and pass it on to someone else.

Links
Amazon Blog/websiteFacebookpage TVInterview
Twitter: @whitecatpete

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Joyce Stewart, Author

Joyce Stewart, Author
BBQ Trilogy
THE BBQ: FIREWORKS SPARK
THE BBQ: LOVERS HOIDAY
THE BBQ: Book 3 - Coming SoonJoyce Stewart has published two of the three novels in her “BBQ Trilogy” and plans to release the third book mid-year 2015. These novels focus on relationships, and reviewers tout the realism of her characters and their relationships. Stewart appreciates the value that humor brings to character development and believes in the concept of villains and heroes to bring readers into the plot.
Stewart, known for her poetry, has been writing poetry and short stories for ten years. She describes her approach as “edgy inspirational writings.” She also writes, directs, and produces plays; and is talk show host of YouTube Channel “Brides and Wives.”
Q: One of your reviewers says of THE BBQ: FIREWORKS SPARK that it is a  “great depiction of relationships good, bad or indifferent. At times, I forgot that these were just characters because their story was real life to me.” How did you create such compelling characters? What made them so real? How were you able to depict such real relationships?
Joyce Stewart: My depiction of real characters is an observation of true to life personalities.  They are based on personal references of strangers, friends, co-workers etc. As a writer you are always absorbing life in “Real Time” as you are going about your day to day experiences.  I was able to dig into my reservoir of imagination to combine what I knew and my “Crazy-zany” imagination to create relationships that people could truly identify with.
Q: You are quoted as saying, “I absolutely loved and hated the process of writing this book.”  What was it about the writing process that you disliked? I know that you also write poetry, which do you prefer writing: poetry or novels? Why?
Joyce Stewart: There were portions concerning the editing and research process that were very new to me and not calculated as a new writer, this became my “Achilles’ heel.”  I definitely prefer writing novels!! Writing novels allowed me to go deeper than just the surface and challenged me to be more than one dimensional.  I had to do my homework. Working with a plot and setting required location, description; and it was very time consuming but I would not trade it for poetry. 
Q: Does the concept of “villains vs heroes” apply to The BBQ Series? What makes a good villain?
Joyce Stewart: Absolutely, it applies to the BBQ Series.  I believe all stories must have good and evil plots or characters to bring the readers interest into play.  My concept of a good villain is one that you can say you may know a woman or man just like them.  They must invoke extreme intense feelings.  They are the ones that you long to see get what’s coming to them.
Q: How helpful is humor in developing your character’s relationships?
Joyce Stewart: Humor, for me is crucial as it brings special kindredness and relatability to a character.  This causes a reader to develop an affection for the story and have more personal interest in how things turn out.
Q: How did you come up with the title The BBQ series and FIREWORKS SPARKS? (Don’t tell us if it’s a plot spoiler!)
Joyce Stewart: I chose this title because it represented something so simple but so engaging simultaneously in regards to the nature or setting of a BBQ.  It didn’t become a series until I came to the last chapter.  I just couldn’t let it go at that point.
Q: What do you consider to be the most important elements of a compelling story?
Joyce Stewart: Choosing characters that are loveable but imperfect, or villainous, but not heartless.  The story line must keep you on the edge chapter after chapter. Having a plot that can be believable without being predictable. 
Q: How helpful are back-story and setting to telling your story? Could your book have occurred anywhere at any time?
Joyce Stewart: For me, they create a beneficial narrative that allows the reader to understand the characters persona.  The BBQ, I feel is more for today’s contemporary woman but it is certainly not limited to this era.
Q: Do you develop your stories from an outline and stick to it; or do your characters push you around?
Joyce Stewart: I make outlines and then make adjustments as I develop my characters.
Q: What’s next?
Joyce Stewart: I’m writing the final volume three as book two launched last year, February 14, 2014 – THE BBQ: LOVER'S HOLIDAY.  I will be completing the trilogy around Memorial Day.  I have many other books on my desktop including a series called “Here Comes the Bride” about five friends and their journey of love relationships.  I also have a book that I will be working on called “My wife, my mistress.”
Q: Tell us about Joyce Stewart. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Joyce Stewart: I love to teach and mentor women.  I’m very active in my church and also am writing, directing and producing plays.
About Joyce Stewart
Joyce C. Stewart, known for her poetry, plays, Watch for the third book in “The BBQ trilogy” near Memorial Day 2015.
About THE BBQ: FIREWORKS SPARK
Most people recognize a fork in the road…
Monica had a visible crossroad just up ahead.  As usual, she wasn’t able to view it. Her uncanny ability to turn her peripheral vision on and off at will, distorted her intuitive wisdom; which is why something as simple as a Barbeque with all its queues, clues and even sparks, left her guessing. Life was about to take Monica off the beaten path – right into the world of a Man of Destiny. The only question was “which man” held her future.
This story of integrity, deception and at times, unbridled love can only be unraveled with a trained eye and an unblemished heart. Monica soon learns that emotions are not the best source of measuring the truth.
Excerpt: Chapter 1: The Intro
Monica stood in the kitchen while her mentor, Leslie, talked on the phone to Pastor Richard (Monica’s Godfather). Leslie’s husband, Charles was in the living room glued to the television’s marathon of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. Monica lived about fifteen minutes away from Leslie and stopped by her house to drop off her birthday gift. The perfume was her favorite, White Linen by Estee Lauder. By their conversation, it was obvious that Leslie and Richard had discussed things that God showed them about her life.
Now ending her phone call, Leslie turned toward Monica.
“Pastor Richard says that he expects to see you today, so please don’t disappoint him.” Though Monica felt like a kid dragging her feet, she hugged Leslie and yelled “Goodbye” to Charles and then began her trip to Pastor Richard’s house.
July 4th Independence Day
Monica sat in traffic impatiently waiting to merge onto the Palisades Parkway. Monica despised any driving that was more than twenty minutes travel, but for the sake of her mentor and Godfather she agreed to go to the Barbeque. July 4th’s well recognized, Grand Finale of all Barbeques of the summer, but to Monica it may well end up being just another religious function. Cars were literally at a standstill and she just took a long sigh. Even her favorite music couldn’t suppress Monica’s inward road rage from asserting itself into her otherwise peaceful personality. Monica swerved her car around a disrespectful man driving a Jeep Cherokee. She saw him coming on her right hand side trying to cut her off to merge onto the Palisades parkway. Monica blocked him and continued on her merry little way. She dialed Leslie.
“Hi, just wanted to let you know that I’m only a few minutes away from crossing into New Jersey, but the traffic is overwhelming.” Monica wished she could just turn back.
“Well dear, sometimes when you’re very close to receiving a breakthrough – you have to do things you don’t always feel comfortable with. You are in an important season in your life Monica,” Leslie said. Leslie felt that Monica needed to remember “the promise”. She was completely aware that Leslie was gifted with wisdom, but at the moment she wasn’t feeling very ‘spiritual’.
Monica was petite; 5’ 3 with an hour glass shape. Her face was attractive with defined cheekbones brown eyes, naturally arched eyebrows and a pronounced nose resembling a Native American woman. Her long hair was worn straight or curly depending on her mood. She debated with herself on what to wear for nearly a week and even today she struggled. Knowing that church folk and strangers would be checking her from head to toe, she had to look her best. ‘It’s funny how men didn’t have that pressure’, she thought ‘They could wear overalls and beat up sneakers—no one would care less.’ However, women had to shine like a peacock. She had a few choices: A halter top denim jean jumpsuit, a beautiful floral ankle length sundress or Baby Phat: leggings with a cute powder blue v- neck mini dress. She decided on the jean jumpsuit since it was cool and sexy combined with 3” cork-heel denim sandals.
About THE BBQ: LOVERS HOLIDAY 
Monica is back after jumping the broom. Monica and her new husband try to keep the honeymoon going in their day to struggles. All newlyweds have a vision and with sparkles in their eyes they pursue it. In time people prove that they are not always who they appear to be. She did not know everything about her husband and neither did he know everything about her. Now as things unfold life get’s muddy and the honeymooners are threatened to lose hope. While trying to make the two become one they create a head on collision instead.
Monica was on her career track; Shawn was on a mission to keep things intact. Selena was all about being the Boss and Brian was Hell bent on proving himself at all cost.
All the players are back but the roles are changing and the game is definitely engaging. God makes promise(s) but it’s up to Monica and Shawn to meet His requirements.
Whether they win or lose, sometimes living “Happily Ever After” means a Lover has to take a Holiday.
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