Interview on a Facebook Group

Here is the first official Fan Club Interview! I left a lot of things out that I wanted to ask, simply so I can do another interview. Read my reaction at the end

I love that you dedicated the series to your Mom, are there any hidden messages or character mannerisms that are for your mom or from her?

Reyna- My mother always told me I could be whatever I wanted to be; I wish she could have been here to see this happen. I know many people say she sees from above; but anyone who has lost a loved one knows it’s not the same as if they were here. But to answer your question I actually came up with the title for book one after a saying she used to say. I had heard it said in regards to numerous situations that I needed to stop looking through blind eyes. Other than that much of Janie’s boldness that transpired through the series and saying whatever came into her head was much like my mother.

Book one (Looking Through Blind Eyes) is the longest book in the series, how long did it take from start to publish?

Reyna-This is a long story so I’ll give the cut down version. I started this book nearly 20 years ago. But due to life and frustration over trying to get it published (this was before the day and age of self-publishing over the net) I had put it on the back burner. Then, in the Fall of 2011 I began concentrating on it full time, determined to get it published. I sent it the publisher’s in late March/early April. Once it was accepted it took about six weeks to go through the complete publishing process. For the other two books I switched publishing companies so it doesn’t take nearly as long now.

What in your life, if anything, caused the characters to become who they are?

Reyna-Nothing happened that made me think up these characters; unless you want to say my obsession with the mob. I love learning and reading about the mafia. Initially that is what brought about the storyline. Oddly enough two of the characters got their names from songs. Janie from Aerosmith’s Janie’s got a gun; Daniel from Elton John’s Daniel; Malachi I’ve just always liked the name; and Rico’s name is actually short for Federico. However, there is an FBI task force that concentrates on the mafia known as RICO, which I thought was a good play on words.

If you could choose only ONE character to come to life, who would it be and why?

Reyna-This is an easy one: Rico. He is my ideal man. He is a tall and a fine specimen of a man. He loves unconditionally and goes above and beyond to prove his love. Yes, I know he’s a hit man in the mob. But that is not who he is deep down. He looks at it like a job and not who he really is.

I’m not sure if you realize this (wink) but you officially have three names now, Mary, Beth and now Reyna. Would you like to tell the story of the three names?

Reyna-Yes I have realized this (smile). Mary is actually my first given name and what appears on all official documents. Not many people call me this; the only people who do are official people like businesses and work. Beth is my nickname given to me by my mother. It comes from my middle name, Elizabeth. As for Reyna, well I’ve always like the name Renee. However, I wanted something unique and different from Renee. So, I Googled the name Renee and looked at variances of it. Many people think it is Native American because of my admiration for them. However, it is actually Scandinavian, Latin, and Spanish and means counsel, song, and queen.

What’s next for Reyna?

Reyna-Well I will continue writing and have several story lines in the works. This is something I love to do and will continue no matter the popularity of the books. This wasn’t just a one time thing.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Reyna-Well I’d like to have a large array of books out there; with at least one of them on the New York Best Seller’s List. I would be thrilled if by this time this series has been made into movies. However, that’s not why I write; I write because I have so many stories that I want to share with others. Reading good books takes people out of the stresses of their lives and takes them to an entirely different world and that’s why I do it.

Any inside information on upcoming projects?!?

Reyna-Well I am currently working on a paranormal fiction titled “Angels and Arrows”. It is about a young girl that finds herself in the throws of an obsessed spirit of a man. It tells the story of how she grew up seeing spirits and how she came to be obsessed by this spirit; and how this spirit pushes those that try to get close away. Until she meets someone that isn’t afraid of the spirit and stands their ground against the dangerous spirit.

Favorite food:

Reyna-Chicken. I love chicken of any kind. I’ve said numerous times if not for chicken I could be a vegetarian.

And the last hard hitting question of this interview…single or taken?

Reyna-I am single but currently happy with my situation. I see those around me having relationship problems and think: “Wow, I am so glad I am single.” However, it does get lonely and I am not ruling out any future relationships. If the right person came along then I would definitely be open to it.

Jens Final Thought:

I believe that in 5 years Reyna (Aunt Beth as I like to call her) will be exactly where she desires to be. There comes a time in everyone’s life when you wake up one day and realize “Damn, this is what I’m supposed to do with the rest of my life” and in my opinion, that day came for Reyna 20 years ago, and what we have is an amazing story, full of twist, turns, and characters you can’t help but fall in love with. As some of you may know by now, Reyna is my aunt. So my question regarding her mother (my Grandma) being “in” the characters, is because certain phrases or actions in the storyline would make me say “that reminds me of the time Grandma said this or did that.” When you read a book, if the Author hasn’t provoked SOME sort of emotion from the reader than it’s easy for the reader to get bored with the story. For me, several emotions were provoked (eh,hem, some we won’t talk about here) but I have to say personally, the characters in the book made me feel close, if only for a moment, to the one person I wish more than anything could be here to enjoy Reyna’s success, give me the advice I so desperately need, and to see just how amazing her Great-Grandchildren are. They would all have thought she was just as amazing and warm as Jason and I did growing up. Even when she was lecturing.