Author Interview & Giveaway: Jonathan Ferrara!

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Author Interview, Giveaway, Jonathan Ferrara

Hi All! I’d like to welcome you to my second author interview and giveaway! Jonathan is one of my favorite YA Fantasy authors, as well as a fellow WordPress blogger and friend. He’s the author of: The Blackwell Family Secrets: Guardians of Sin, Elijah Dart: Angel of Death, and the soon to be released The Ghost of Buxton Manor. 

Biography: Jonathan was born in San Pedro, CA to an Italian fisherman and a mother from New York. Growing up with one older brother, Jonathan had several hobbies: finding the best hiding spots to jump out and scare his mother, discovering new fantasy series, and imagining outrageous, whimsical worlds of magic. He is now happily married, residing in California in the City of Angels. He has two wonderful children–his dog Koda and cat Merlin. 

In addition to writing, Jonathan and his artist husband Aaron run their magical blog at http://husbandandhusband.net and their popular Husband and Husband YouTube channel which has almost 7,000 subscribers!

Thank you Jonathan for taking time out of your crazy schedule to answer some questions!

1. What inspired you to write your first book?

Ugh! Geez…I’m going to skip mentioning the “first” book I ever wrote because I was fourteen and that was a little too embarrassing to mention. I’ll go right to my first “published” book The Blackwell Family Secret: Guardians of Sin. I grew up in a Catholic home. I was even an alter boy and all. Even though I wouldn’t consider myself Catholic as an adult, I still grew up with the stories from the Bible. I was always fascinated about the dark side of religion: Demons, Sin, the Devil himself. I wasn’t fascinated in a morbid sort of way (well maybe a little) but I always thought there was a story there. I wanted to write a story about a boy (who isn’t the greatest person in the world) journeying through the City of Demons, battling the Guardians of the Seven Deadly Sins, to find the goodness within him.

2. You’ve written three books now. What character resembles you the most?

That’s easy! Rupert Buxton from my newest novel: The Ghost of Buxton Manor. He came so naturally to write about and really felt to be mirrored after me.

3. If you were able to bring any of your characters to life to spend the day with, who would you pick and what would you do?

Again, Rupert. I think it’s so fascinating that the book is written from a ghost’s perspective. Rupert is learning about what happens after death. He’s so lonely, trapped for nearly a hundred years in such a grand manor, I feel like I would want to give him company.

4. Do your characters ever seem to hijack the story, or are you always in complete control?

I’m never in control! These characters have a mind of their own and I’m usually as surprised as the reader when writing my books.

5. Can you tell us a little about your writing process? Are you extremely organized, or are you more fly-by-the-seat of your pants?

My desk is organized, but that’s about it. I try to listen to music right before I jump into writing. If the story happens to be a love story, then I’m listening to similar music. If my characters are heading to war, then I’m listening to music that makes you feel like you are on an adventure through a magical world.

6. Music or silence?

Music until I start writing–then only silence.

7. What do you find to be the most difficult type of scene to write? Love? Action? Racy?

That’s a difficult one. I don’t have a typical scene that is difficult to write, but if I do have a break in writing I find I have to start from the beginning and read back. When I was writing The Ghost of Buxton Manor I had been at it for months and about halfway through when my husband and I took a trip to Paris for a week. By the time we got back, I had to start from the beginning of the story. 

8. What is something memorable that you’ve heard from your readers/fans? 

I automatically thought of this review:

“This is one of those books that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Really, really like it. When I needed to take a break I found myself saying Ok. Just one more chapter.”

-Still makes me smile. 🙂

9. Say you were running the 100 yard dash with a new writer. What writing/publishing wisdom would you share before you reached the finish line?

Write what you love and only what you love. Don’t ever write a vampire story only because that’s the type of story selling off the shelf. Make the next trend, don’t hitch a ride on one someone else started.

10. Is there a book/author who has had a major impact on your life?

J. K. Rowling. She has my heart.

11. Where do you see yourself as a writer in five years?

Hopefully still at it, but preferably with some extra change in my pocket. 

And now for some fun, silly questions!

~ If you could pick five authors to sit down and have lunch with, and brainstorm ideas, who would they be?

Any????? Okay, here goes nothing: J.M. Barrie, J.K. Rowling, Mary Shelley, Brandon Mull, Ransom Riggs. I could keep going…

Kim: I’d love to be at that lunch!

~ What secret talents do you have?

I can put a spoon on my nose and leave it there without touching it. I know, not much of a talent, but I think it’s pretty clever.

Kim: Hey! I think that’s an awesome talent and funnily enough I can play the spoons! We could put an act together and go on the road!

~ If you were a superhero, what would your name be and what would your costume look like?

Superjon and my colors would be blue, white, and black. Cape, yes. I think a cape as well!

Kim: Cool! Okay this is just an idea, but since you and Aaron already had a Batman-themed wedding, if you ever renew your vows I think you should each design and dress-up as your own personal superhero!

~ Where is one place you’d like to visit that you haven’t before? 

Ireland in a haunted castle surrounded by friends so I can handle it.

Kim: I’ll be there!

~ If you could have an accent from anywhere in the world, what would it be?

LONDON!!!!!

Kim: That’s my top pick too!

The Ghost of Buxton Manor goes on sale October 12th, and just happens to be the giveaway! Anyone who leaves a comment will have a chance at winning an ebook copy. I’ll be choosing a winner on Wednesday, September 14th. On a personal note, when I reviewed this book a couple of weeks ago, I knew it was going to be one of my favorites of 2016. Well, since then I’ve already re-read it again and I’m amending my initial assessment. I know there’s a few months left in the year, but I can unequivocally say that The Ghost of Buxton Manor is my #1 standout for this year. There’s just no other book that’s touched me so deeply. So good luck to everyone who enters. Once you read this book, you’ll never forget it!

Author Interview & Giveaway: Brandy Purdy

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Adult Fiction, Author Interview, Brandy Purdy, Giveaway, Historical Fiction

Hello everyone! I’d like to welcome you to my first author interview/giveaway. I’m absolutely thrilled that it’s with Brandy Purdy who has quickly become one of my favorite authors of historical fiction. I hope you find this informative and entertaining!

About the author: Brandy Purdy (Emily Purdy in the UK) is the author of several historical fiction novels including: THE BOLEYN WIFE, THE BOLEYN BRIDE, THE CONFESSION OF PIERS GAVESTON, THE RIPPER’S WIFE, AND THE SECRETS OF LIZZIE BORDEN. When she’s not writing, she’s either reading, watching classic movies, or spending time with her cat, Tabby. Visit her website at http://www.brandypurdy.com for more information about her books. You can also follow her via her blog at http://brandypurdy.blogspot.com where she posts updates about her work and reviews of what she’s been reading.

Thank you Brandy for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer these questions!

1. Has your writing process changed at all since your first book?

Not really. I always work at night; there are just too many distractions during the day. I do either the outline or research and notes first, depending on how much prior knowledge I have on the subject and then I start writing. I try to write at least six nights a week.

2. All your books are historical in nature. On average, how long does it take you from the time you begin your research to the actual completion of your novel?

It takes about eight months to a year, depending on what is going on in my life, if anything happens to cause a delay, and my familiarity with the subject and its complexity. Between one and three months of that time is devoted to research and notes.

3. Do you work on more than one book at a time?

I wish I could but I am the world’s worst multi-tasked. I’m a classic movie buff and there’s a line in my favorite Buster Keaton silent comedy SHERLOCK JR about someone trying to do two things at once and doing justice to neither, and that’s me exactly.

4. Is there a certain type of scene that’s harder for you to write than others? Love? Action? Violent?

Happy love stories are the hardest of all for me, I tend to obsess and worry over them the most and whether I can pull it off; I’ve been spectacularly unlucky in love in my own life and at this point I’ve pretty much given up so it’s very hard for me to get into the head of someone who has actually succeeded in that area. If I was ever hired to write a Harlequin romance it would probably be the worst book ever. Recreating Jack the Ripper’s diary (The Ripper’s Wife) was probably the hardest so far. It’s very dark and ugly, violent and cruel, and to have to get into the head of a person like that, it’s not a nice place to go, but it was the most challenging and fascinating writing experience I have ever had and I would love to have an experience like that again. As a writer I prefer flawed and damaged characters to the seemingly perfect or saint-like.

5. Just as your books inspire other writers, what authors have inspired you to write?

Anya Seton’s GREEN DARKNESS was one of the first historical novels I read and it really awakened a love of historical fiction in me and I read FOREVER AMBER by Kathleen Winsor shortly after. I also read GONE WITH THE WIND at a very early age, I think I was about eight, and I saw the movie even earlier. It’s my favorite. I’ve seen it more than 100 times! My family is originally from Georgia and knew Margaret Mitchell as a nodding acquaintance (no interesting stories to tell unfortunately) but I grew up with GONE WITH THE WIND.

6. What is your least favorite part of the writing/publishing process?

I have a love hate relationship with deadlines. They help keep me on track and help to manage my time, but they also place me under a lot of stres, because sometimes things happen that interfere. Take my last book for instance. I had not one but two construction projects going on right by my house which destroyed my sleep schedule, and once it gets off track it is extremely hard for me to get back to what is normal for me; a neighbor with a constantly barking dog that then had five barking puppies; and I developed an eye infection that cost me about a month’s work since I could only see out of one eye, so I was working right up until the last minute, sleeping and working and nothing else, then still had to beg for more time. I was completely exhausted to the point where my eyes wouldn’t stay in focus, and I’m still trying to bounce back. I didn’t want to disappoint anyone by causing a delay in the publishing schedule, hopefully I haven’t done that. I’m still waiting for my editor’s verdict and to find out if any revisions are necessary.

I also hate the unrealistic expectations people who are not writers often have about writers. It can be very frustrating, especially if such people are family or people you see on a regular basis and are difficult to avoid. It becomes very frustrating when instead of finding support and understanding from the people closest to you, you are instead bombarded with constant criticisms because from their viewpoint you aren’t doing well enough (like Danielle Steel or Stephen King) and they think that your being a writer is too hard and not worth it, when really it’s none of their business. It’s not their life or their choice or their passion. I finally got to the point where I refuse to talk about my work anymore with anyone in my life and when they start talking about it I walk away if I possibly can.

7. What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

Be realistic. Don’t look at the writing profession through rose colored glasses. Be patient, don’t expect to succeed overnight. Rejection is a big part of this business, and if you really feel this is something for you, gamble on yourself if no one else will when the time is right. If I hadn’t done that I wouldn’t be doing this interview now. After I finished my first novel I was signed by one of the top literary a genies in New York, but I got nowhere, because I was a nobody from nowhere to put it bluntly and established clients came first. I stayed with them through my second novel, still getting nowhere. I finally decided to gamble on myself since no one else would and I self-published (if you do that make sure you do a lot of research about the different publishers and understand you have to work to get your book noticed, you can’t just sit back and wait for the royalties to come rolling in). That led to me being discovered and my second novel, which began life as VENGEANCE IS MINE, now known as the THE BOLEYN WIFE, was bought by Kensington Books. I was very lucky.

8. You’ve written about some pretty interesting historical figures including Lizzie Borden. If you could go back in time and meet one of them, who would you choose and what would you ask them?

Jack the Ripper; I’d like to know what happened to turn a man into a monster.

9. If you weren’t an author, what would you do for a living?

That’s the scariest question I’ve ever been asked, and one that is very much on my mind lately. I haven’t the foggiest idea.

10. Where do you see yourself in ten years?

These questions are really starting to scare me! Let’s skip ahead to the lighter ones please.

LOL! Okay Brandy. Here’s some fun ones.

Coffee or tea?

Neither. Hot chocolate.

If you were a superhero what would your power be?

Healing. So no one would be trapped in darkness, silence, paralysis, or live their life in pain.

What literary character is most like you?

I’m embarrassed to say my mind is drawing a complete blank.

What secret talent do you have?

Baking red velvet cupcakes from scratch.

Where is one place you want to visit that you haven’t been before?

The Lizzie Borden bed and breakfast. I’d love to spend a night in the supposedly haunted bedroom.

 

Brandy’s next book TWO EMPRESSES will be coming out on January 31, 2017 and it looks to be every bit as exciting as her others! Here’s the synopsis:

On the island paradise of Martinique, two beautiful, well-bred cousins have reached marriageable age. Sixteen-year-old Rose must set sail to France to marry Alexander, the dashing Vicomte de Beauhamais. Golden-haired Aimee will finish her education at a French convent in hopes of making a worthy match.

Once in Paris, Rose’s illusions are shattered by her new husband, who casts her off when his mistress bears him a son. Yet revolution is tearing through the land, changing fortunes–and fates–in an instant, leaving Rose free to reinvent herself. Soon she is pursued by a young general, Napoleon Bonaparte, who prefers to call her by another name: Josephine.

Presumed dead after her ship is attacked by pirates, Aimee survives and is taken to the Sultan of Turkey’s harem. Among hundreds at his beck and call, Aimee’s loveliness and intelligence make her a favorite not only of the Sultan, but of his gentle, reserved nephew. Like Josephine, the newly crowned Empress of France, Aimee will ascend to a position of unimagined power. But for both cousins, passion and ambition carry their own burden.

From the war-torn streets of Paris to the bejeweled golden bars of a Turkish palace, Brandy Purdy weaves some of history’s most compelling figures into a vivid, captivating account of two remarkable women and their extraordinarily destinies.

For a chance to win an autographed copy of her phenomenal book THE SECRETS OF LIZZIE BORDEN, just leave a comment below. If you missed my review of it back in January here it is https://cadburypom.wordpress.com/2016/01/08/the-secrets-of-lizzie-Borden-by-brandy-purdy-5-0-stars/

I’m sorry this giveaway is limited to U.S. readers only. I’ll be choosing a winner on Monday, May 16th. Good Luck!