Welcome Historical Author of the American West, Jena Galifany as She Discusses her Collaborative book 'Shyanne's Secret'

Scribal Love Welcomes Jena Galifany


Jena Galifany/ M.J. Conrad is an author of Romance, Suspence and Adventure.  Her newest work Shyanne's Secret is available from Whiskey Creek Press.com. 
 

What is the name of your latest book?  And how did you come up with the title?


Shyanne's Secret is my first western novel. I have an author friend with the name Cheyenne and I love her name. I have a tendancy to spell things differently, though, so changed it to Shyanne. I wasn't sure of what type of book it would be but I liked the sound of her having some sort of secret and thus the title. I had the title before I had the story. 


What is this book about?  And what genre is this book in?


In 1880s Oregon, Cole Jackson, a half-blood, falls for Shyanne Bennett, a white girl. An accident leads to Cole's arrest for murder, one he didn't commit. He is lynched by Shyanne's father who believes that his daughter was defiled by Cole. Cole promised to take care of Shyanne, but now it's going to be hard to do. Shyanne lost her mind, knowing Cole died to keep her secret. A few years later, Cole's look-alike cousin, Will Marshall comes courting. 


Who is/are the main characters?  And why did you choose them?


Shyanne Bennett, spoiled white girl. Cole Jackson, half-blood Pauite. Will Marshall, half-blood Pauite and Cole's look-alike cousin. In this day of diversity, I thought about what it was like when it was not acceptable for interacial relationships. The Native American were considered guilty in any situation based on their nationality alone. I wanted to write a story of inspiration where the Native American found justice. 


What is the coolest or best part about your book?  (Any Favorite scenes, the world-building etc..)


I think the best part is the ending when Shyanne finds out why her husband won't sleep with her, or even in the house with her. I'd love to tell you but it would ruin the secret. lol 


Do you have a favorite character in the book?  If so, why?


I suppose I truly enjoyed writing Will's part. He had the most emotional parts, the inner termoil of fighting his own natural instincts and desires due to his loyalty to Cole. Will goes through a lot for his cousin and I like that kind of family loyalty. 


Is this book part of a series?  If so? What can we expect in future books? 


I don't have plans for making it a series but I would like to write more stories like it. I loved doing the research into the world of the Paute people.  


If not?  Will you consider expanding it? 


I might have a go at writing Will's story but I'll have to give that some thought. 


If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? 


I think that any changes would upset the balance of the story. 


Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?


As I've noted, I learned a lot about the Pauite people, their way of life and wars they were involved in in the 1880s. I am part Native American, though a different tribe and it was good to learn of others. I enjoyed working my characters into the history. 


Do you have a publisher?  And if so, why did you choose them?  


I have more than one Shyanne's Secret is my sixth published book. www.WhiskeyCreekPress.com published my ShadowsForge series over the past several years. I found them by seeing the quality of books they published when I was writing book reviews for an online review site, www.Novelspot.net. I have a historical novel, Her Perfect Man, released in October 2010 with www.RedRosePublishing.com. 


They were suggested to me by a fellow author. I chose both for their quality and willingness to work with the author to the benefit of us both. 


If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?


I grew up reading Victoria Holt and Agatha Christie. I adore Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Connan Doyle and love the "willful misdirection" that I try to incorporate in my stories but I can't say exactly where I would have picked that up. 


What books are you reading now? 


The Mark of the Assassin by Daniel Silva, and I read my Bible daily. It's a slow time when I'm not reading 3 to 4 books at a time, though. 


What are the current writing projects that you are working on?


I'm working on Jon's Way, the fifth book in the ShadowsForge series, that follows the British rock band ShadowsForge while they tour England and the United States. I'm working on a non-fiction piece based on several biblical characters. Day Labor has a woman ready to do anything to make her husband happy. It is not quite a romance but has a few interesting turns. The Making of a Shadow is my pilot book in hopefully a new series. Hit man Jake Logan wants out of the racket after being faced with icing two teens who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. What he gets is not the deal he'd hoped for. Amity in the Storm is a gothic paranormal. Only When I Dream is a Sci-fi romance. I have others but I'll leave it at that for now. lol 


Do you write full time?  If not, do you hope to do so one day? 


I would love to write full time but for now I work a fulltime day job and just opened my own used book store to give my family a place to work. I'm there anywhere from 3 to 10 hours a day after I get off from my regular job. I write in my head most of the time and type it in the evening or on Saturday at the bookstore.
 
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated? 


We moved a lot when I was a child so I started making up friends that could travel with me. I have a creative mind and love to entertain others through writing. 


Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? 


The biggest challenge would be to keep the middle of the story from sagging. I start with the ending and love that shocking opening that catches the attention but the middle can be difficult to keep the story moving. I usually have more than one situation going on in a story to keep that from happening. 


Do you have any advice for other writers seeking to get published for the first time? 


Don't ever think you've learned it all. Keep writing, keep reading, and keep learning. Don't take a rejection as a negative. Take it as a learning experience. It doesn't mean your work is not good, only not what they need at that time. If they give you suggestions, learn from them and move on the the next publisher. Don't give up.
 
Thanks Jena for dropping by!


You can find Jena on the web at:


http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=863

Interview with Sue Perkins- Author of The Sky Castles Trilogy

Scribal Love Welcomes Sue Perkins!


Sue Perkins is the Author of the Sky Castles Trilogy.  It is available now from Whiskey Creek Press.

Can you tell me a little about yourself?

I was born in England but my husband and I now live in New Zealand with our dog. For many years we were globetrotters but eventually settled here. Our children are the world travelers now, must be in the blood I suppose.

What genres do you write?

Fantasy - speculative fiction - is my favorite genre but I also write contemporary romance and young adult fantasy. I love the alternate world style of fantasy, it gives me so much freedom to do things the way I want to.

Your trilogy is called Sky Castles - can you tell me where the idea came from?

The idea for the first book in the trilogy, Blue & Silver, came from a song which refused to get out of my head. It took a long time to develop the idea to a point where it was suitable to be published. The next two came along quite quickly after that. Russet & Gold and Ebony & Ivory were two books which just had to be written.

How did you get into writing?

From the time I mastered “joined up writing” I started to write stories. I grew up married my husband, had a family. I still scribbled, but I didn’t attempt to get published. About twenty years ago I decided it was time I sent my work out into the publishing world.

How do you get your ideas? Do you find it difficult to keep track of them?

You would really be better asking how do you choose between all the ideas in your head. Ideas pop into existence at the funniest of times. It could be a song, an unusual item, something on the news. My current work in progress began with a news article about a woman being knocked down by a truck. My method for remembering them. Hmm. I have so many ideas I don't have time to write them all down. I don't lose them though, they nag me so much I tend not to forget the ones I really want to work on.

What piece of advice would you give to someone thinking of becoming a writer?

The same piece of advice I was given many years ago. “The secret of writing is re-writing”. In other words don’t look at your first draft and think it’s a load of rubbish. Edit, re-write and polish it until you think it’s ready and then send it out in the big wide world. Try to be honest with yourself and listen to your critique partners. You don’t necessarily need to accept what they say, but it could spark off a line of thought for you.

Is there something not many people know about you that you'd feel comfortable sharing with your readers?

Ooh, secrets. One thing not many people know is what a great support my husband is. He’s not a great fan of fiction, especially the genre I write, but he’s one hundred per cent behind me with my writing.

Before you go would you like to tell us a bit about your Sky Castles Trilogy?

Certainly. The three Sky Castle books are set on Hejmen. The nobles live in castles which float high above the ground while the ordinary people live in the towns and countryside below. Each book tells the story of a woman dealing with situations beyond her experience. The spirit like Eos have been forgotten by the humans, but all three women are aided and assisted by the spirits as they struggle to survive. I've added an excerpt from "Ebony & Ivory" the third book of the trilogy. Hope you enjoy it.






Ebony & Ivory: Sky Castles Book 3 – Excerpt

The doors were flung open and Tazia took a deep breath before walking towards the group around the big table near the fire. She was pleased to see Jefor had accompanied Robard. At least there would be one friendly face at the ceremony.

Her brother turned to her with a grin, which changed to confusion when he saw what she was dressed in. He shook his head and Tazia knew he realised Halla had been making mischief again.

The tall dark man standing talking to her father turned and she recognised Duke Robard of Ardon. The welcome on his lips began to fade then turned into a fixed smile as she moved towards the group.

“There you are, my dear.” Her father came forward to take her hand. “Looking lovely as usual.”

For one small moment, Tazia wondered if her father was blind, but then realised women’s fashions held no interest for him, so he had no idea how ridiculous she looked. Taking his arm she moved forward.

“Duke Robard, may I present my daughter Tazia.”

“I am pleased to meet you again, Milady.” Robard bowed over her hand and dropped a kiss on the palm. “Especially on such a happy occasion.”

Embarrassment flooded Tazia. Quickly, she dropped her head to hide the blood rushing to her face. Robard led her towards the dignitaries who were waiting to perform the legal duties of the betrothal. The touch of his hand sent a weakness rushing through her body and she longed for this to be over so she could go and hide in her bedroom.

“Milady, if you would sign here and Duke Robard, if you would sign here.”  The dignitary pointed to the appropriate places and she wrote her name, hardly knowing what she was doing.

After the legal part of the ceremony was over, wine and finger food were served. She noticed Robard was attentive but distant and she knew he was disappointed. She’d got the better part of the bargain, while he must think he was lumbered with a half-wit woman for his Duchess.

Thanks Sue For Dropping By!


You can find Sue on the web at:  www.sueperkinsauthor.com

Interview of British Author Margaret Blake, Author of 'A Fatal Flaw'

Scribal Love Welcomes Margaret Blake!

Margaret Blake is an author of historical, contemporary and romantic suspense.  Her newest work 'A Fatal Flaw' is available from Whiskey Creek Press.

So where do you hail?  Where are you from?

I was born in Manchester, England but now live at the coast in the North West of England. I lived in New York for a time and have lived in France, as well as Cornwall in England.

What inspired you to write this book?

A visit to Florida, I wanted to write a romantic suspense with an American cop and as I know Florida (Tampa Bay area) I wanted to set it there. I love the sultry heat and the countryside of Florida, as well as the beaches. I like to think I get to know the “real” Florida as staying there with my family; I do ordinary every day things.  Going to my grandkids sports and collecting them at school.

Do you have a specific writing style?

I can’t judge that. I just write.

What is the name of your latest book?  And how did you come up with the title?

A Fatal Flaw – I thought a long time about the title and this one came like a bolt of lightening. No one knows until very late in the book what the flaw is!

What is A Fatal Flaw about?

A Fatal Flaw is about Kerensa, a Cornish girl and reporter on a local newspaper.  Her mother, to whom she was very close, has just died.  Finding a diary Kerensa discovers that her mother shot a man in Florida.  Kerensa decides to go and find out more about this mystery.  Once in Tampa she meets Ned Rochester, a cop on sick leave.  He wants to help her but she is worried about how much she can reveal to him.

What books have influenced your life most?

Mostly the Bronte’s, I grew up with the Bronte’s and Bronte country was not that far away. As a kid I used to visit Yorkshire to stay with my Aunt, I used to wander the moors with the dog and dream of being a writer like them.  You wouldn’t dare let a kid have that much freedom nowadays!

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

I have never had a mentor.  I don’t like anyone to influence what I do.  I like to paddle my own canoe and see where it takes me.

What books are you reading now?

I am currently reading James Patterson’s “Cross Country” which is scaring the heck out of me.

What are your current projects?

I haven’t been able to write much, I lost my husband in January.  I had two books on the go just before he died.  Just this week I have gone and looked at one and am tentatively writing, but John was my inspiration and my encouragement, so it’s hard to write without him there standing behind me.

Do you find that international audiences are different from your home or native country's audience? 

Not really.  I read a lot of American and British authors and I believe others do too.  I am curious about the different States and I am sure its vice-versa.  My son and his wife and their kids are Americans and they read literature from all over the world.  I don’t think they are unique in doing that.

Do you see writing as a career?

Of course, but it has had to be my second career because unless you are very, very successful, you have to have another string to your bow.  I’ve done all kinds of different jobs but I think that is food to the writer.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

No, I am sure I wouldn’t, not this one.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

I was an only child and spent a lot of time on my own; I started writing stories to amuse myself.

My dad thought that was so cool and always encouraged me.  My English teacher too, who always said she loved my essays.  I did not write “professionally” until I was in my thirties, although I had tons of stories.  It was John who made me do something about it, which is why he always was and will be the “wind beneath my wing.”

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

I just love to write.  I find it stimulating rather than challenging.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

I learned that I could write humour too, something I’ve been reluctant to do.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

If you want to write, write and never let rejections get you down.  You have to keep at it.

Thank you for dropping by!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to chat with you.

You can find Margaret on the web at:  

Margaret Blake – www.margaretblake.co.uk 

A Fatal Flaw is available from www.whiskeycreekpress.com