Goodreads asked Tara Heavey:

Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?

Tara Heavey In my last three books, I have operated from an underlying theme of healing through nature and the interconnectedness of all living things. So this is what underpins 'Flame'. However, a couple of specific things did influence this individual book.

I live in County Kilkenny, Ireland, which is an area of outstanding natural beauty. On one of my frequent routes, I pass this particular lodge house, with silver, undulating walls, massive wrought-iron gates and an enormous copper beech - standing on guard - as it were. This particular house always fascinated me as it reminds me of a Greek temple, with pillars and steps leading up. It seems out of place in the location, and the woods beyond it add to the sense of mystery. So it had stayed in my mind for a long time, as a potential setting for a novel. And 'Flame' is where I finally put this plan into place.

One of the main characters in the novel is a fox. He doesn't speak but he doesn't have to. He becomes, if you like, a therapy animal to Ember, the young, traumatized boy in the story. This idea came from my passion for animal therapy in general and in particular, from the work I do with The Irish Guide dogs. We share our home with a gorgeous black Labrador called Giselle, who provides puppies who go on to be Guide dogs and Assistance dogs. So, I suppose you could say that she is the inspiration behind Flame the therapy fox!

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