Interview with Erin Marie Bernardo, author of Scent of the Past

Please join me in welcoming Erin Marie Bernardo, author of the historical fiction novel Scent of the Past, to A Literary Vacation!

Hello, Erin, and welcome! Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts with us. To start us off, have you always been a writer?

I suppose so. I remember writing from an early age. I always kept a journal, wrote poetry, and more often than not found myself writing short stories when I was bored, or on long road trips. I can even recount a few scripted puppet shows for the neighbors. It was a means to pass the time, but ultimately I wrote because I enjoyed it. However I never intentionally set out to become an author. It never crossed my mind as an option. It just happened.

 

 

That's amazing. When do you get time to write?

After midnight when my household is asleep.

 

 

Wow, that's dedication! Can you tell us what your writing process looks like?

 

 

I have had many authors tell me to write every day, even if it is for 30 minutes. Unfortunately my brain is not wired that way. I need to immerse myself in the story every time I sit down—think about my characters, reread a few chapters, research a few things—to open the creative pathway. Once I get going I like to write continuously without interruption for two to three hours.

 

 

I know most writers are also big readers. Who are some of your favorite authors?

I had the pleasure once of planning an event for Jodi Picoult, and she was absolutely lovely. She is a huge influence in the world of fiction and cannot go unrecognized. I am also a huge fan of the Australian author Kate Morton.

 

 

Picoult and Morton are two of my favorites as well. What books have influenced your life the most?

 

Most of the books that I would consider influential I read as a child. These all made an impact on me in some shape or form, and I would consider them my foundation.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Watership Down by Richard Adams
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

 

What do you enjoy doing when you're not writing?

 

 

My family and I live on a small hobby farm. I have chickens, goats and even a milk cow. When I am not working, or writing, or being a mom, I enjoy spending time around our property. Collecting eggs with the kids, riding 4-wheelers through the pasture or working in my [usually overgrown] vegetable garden. I am very committed to sustainable farming and an organic way of life, so if I can find time to can my own produce or source healthier food options you’ll find a happy mama in me as well.

 

What is your next novel about? Can you share?

Blackbird’s Bounty is another historical fiction novel that crosses planes between the past and the present. It is not a time-travel book like Scent of the Past, but rather connects present day with events that happened in the mid-1800s. The story—about a ghost— is set a few years before the start of the Civil War on a prestigious sugarcane plantation in Louisiana. If you enjoyed Scent of the Past, you will undoubtedly love Blackbird’s Bounty.”

 

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts with us, Erin! Everyone, please continue below for more information about Erin and her novel, Scent of the Past!

 

  

Publisher: Scent of the Past

Pub. Date: March 31st, 2016

Pages: 314

 

Genres: Historical Fiction/Dual Timeline/Time Travel

 

A secret diary. A forgotten past. Another time.


When people think of time travel, they think of the clichéd manufactured kind. Of giant electronic machines with flashing lights and buttons calibrated to shoot you into the past with one press. But it doesn’t work that way. You need a reason, a connection, and—most important—a link. But you can’t choose when and why you go. That would be too easy, and we’d all be snapping our fingers in hopes of seeing lost treasures of yesteryear. It must choose you.

Close cousins Addison and Elissa live in present day New York City and lead somewhat ordinary lives. When uncertain circumstances surrounding a set of antique perfume bottles sends them back to eighteenth-century France, they must uncover the truth behind their travel.

Disaster strikes when Addison finds herself in a nearly identical situation to a mishap she experienced in the present—the witnessing of a murder and release of a secret. Only this time the truth could destroy the entire French monarchy. With Addison’s head on the line, the young women search for answers before Addison suffers her unlucky fate twice. It is only when they discover the haunting connections to life in the present, that they understand why they both were sent, and why a repeating past...may not always be such a bad thing.

 

 

Buy the Book

 

Amazon

 

 

About the Author

 

 

Photo Credit: MyHoney Photography

Erin Marie Bernardo is an American writer of historical fiction. She has a degree in Communication Studies from the University of Minnesota, and is the author of the time-travel novel, Scent of the Past. A lover of historic places and days forgotten, Erin's novels connect the past with the present.

Erin is currently at work on her second novel, Blackbird's Bounty, set in the bayou of Louisiana – and is actively seeking a home for her children’s collection, Beautiful and Extraordinary Barnyard Stories, based on true events from on her farm.

Erin lives in Tennessee, but has roots in both Minnesota and Washington State. She is married with two young children.

 

Find out more about Erin on her website, and connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

 

 







Interview with B.R.A.G Medallion Honoree Pam Lecky

Please join me in welcoming B.R.A.G Medallion Honoree Pam Lecky to A Literary Vacation today! Pam is an award-winning Irish historical fiction author. She is a member of the Historical Novel Society and has a particular love of the late Victorian era/early 20th Century. Her debut novel, The Bowes Inheritance, was published in 2015 and was awarded the B.R.A.G Medallion; shortlisted for the Carousel Aware Prize 2016; made 'Editor's Choice' by the Historical Novel Society; long-listed for the Historical Novel Society 2016 Indie Award; and chosen as a Discovered Diamond Novel in February 2017.

Currently she is working on two new novels; Kashmir Velvet, a Victorian crime novel set in London and Yorkshire and The Carver Affair, a Victorian crime novel set in her native Dublin. Earlier this year she published In Three-Quarter Time, a short love story set in the WW1 era in Dublin which will also form part of a US/Irish Anthology due to be published later this year. April 2017 saw the publication of The Lighthouse Keeper, which is a contemporary short ghost story.

 

 

 

 

First off, thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and answer some questions for me, Pam! Historical fiction is my all-time favorite genre and I’m always amazed at the myriad perspectives authors find to highlight for us readers. How did you decide where to set your award-winning novel, The Bowes Inheritance?

 

Hi, and thanks for hosting me, Colleen.

There are several settings in the book, both in Ireland and the North-West of England. As an Irish writer I wanted to use settings I was familiar with so it made sense to start off in my home town of Dublin. I have been lucky for most of my working life to be located in the beautiful Georgian quarter of Dublin, around Fitzwilliam Square. In the late Victorian era, many of the fabulous houses had become lodging houses and some were even tenements. So I start the story with the two Campbell sisters, Louisa and Eleanor, in a lodging house on Herbert Street. They are the last remaining members of a once affluent and proud County Galway family and are living in genteel poverty.

To up the tension I had to transplant them to unfamiliar ground, as the original premise for the story was a young woman inheriting a property and having to fight to keep it. I have always been fascinated by the complex relationship between the Irish Ascendency and the British gentry. Although often related, the Irish were always looked down upon as second-class. So, I decided to take Louisa and transplant her into a slightly hostile environment in England. As I have a great love of the sea, I searched for a suitable coastal location. I am also a keen family historian and had discovered that my great-great grandparents had spent time in Carlisle in the 1840s, so I centred my location search in Cumbria. You can’t set a novel in Cumbria and not use the Lake District! Lake Buttermere is the setting for a wedding which takes place in the book and is also the place where my two main characters finally admit their feelings for each other. Most of the action takes place in a fictional coastal town called Newton (which is a mix of several coastal towns on the Cumbrian coast).

 

 

Is there anything in particular that draws you to write historical fiction? Are there any specific times in history you gravitate towards or do you just enjoy history in general? Do you also enjoy writing contemporary stories?

 

 

There were a lot of influences in my childhood and the earliest one I can remember was actually television. Historical dramas in particular caught my attention, even though at that young age I didn’t really understand the stories. Ah but the costumes, the architecture and the way people behaved – something clicked. My father was a great reader and encouraged me to be as well; as a child and a teen I devoured books and I mean devoured. Then Dad bought me the complete works of Jane Austen and a foundation was laid. For those familiar with the 19th century world, I think I actually became a bluestocking! I munched my way through classics, dined on crime (modern and historical - Dorothy L. Sayers and P.D. James my absolute favourites – what fantastically twisty minds those women had), and supped at the feet of Georgette Heyer’s heroes and heroines.

So I suppose it was only natural that my fascination with the 19th century would influence my writing even though my love of history encompasses many eras. The late Victorian decades have a particular draw as they were a time of rapid change. Having said that, it was a chance remark by an uncle which prompted me to write a short story, In Three-Quarter Time, which is a fictional version of my grandparents’ love affair and is set in Dublin in the WW1 period.

One of the joys of being indie is that I have the freedom to explore many eras. My latest published short story is totally different to anything I’ve written before and is a contemporary short ghost story - The Lighthouse Keeper. It is likely I will keep trying new things as it is important to try to keep your work fresh and interesting.

 

 

What sort of research do you conduct when writing? Have you ever traveled to the locations before or during the writing process?

Research is the glue that holds your plot and characters together, and in my case, it suggested sub-plots and minor characters. I’m lucky in that I love research and often have to pull myself away from it to actually write. Those who buy historical fiction tend to know their history but as an author you find yourself in the tricky position of just how much period detail to include. You don’t want to bog the story down with it and yet you need to convey a sense of time and place. Authentic detail is my obsession but I try not to overwhelm the story. Many authors in this genre fall into the trap of bombarding the reader with historical reference to the detriment of the story. Your reader wants to be entertained not lectured. If you love the period you are writing in, it will show in the subtle detail of your work – how your characters speak and act in the situations you create.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible for me to travel to Cumbria while I was writing the book so I relied heavily on maps, google, blogs and old newspapers and even photo diaries of a climber for Lake Buttermere. Last year I was lucky enough to eventually get to visit Buttermere for a few brief hours. It was a wonderful and emotional day for me and someday I will go back and spend more time there. It is such a beautiful place.

My next novel is set in Yorkshire and London, both of which I am slightly familiar with but I do believe a research trip (or trips!) will be required.

 

 

I’ve noticed that a lot of authors are also big readers. When you have time for leisure reading what sorts of books do you gravitate towards? Have you read anything good lately?

I’m afraid I’m very predictable - I read mostly historical fiction set in the 19th century predominantly and have a particular love of Victorian crime. My reading time is very limited these days as I work part-time, need to squeeze in writing and researching and the dreaded promotion and marketing. So, if a book doesn’t grab me in in the first chapter, I generally don’t go any further with it. I recently came across the Victorian crime novels of M.R.C. Kasasian and they are my new obsession. They are wonderfully written with quirky characters. I can only aspire to write like he does. By the way, he is also a really nice guy as I discovered when we connected on Twitter. His latest book goes live on 1st June. I’ll be standing by my Kindle ready to pounce!

 

 

 

Because I’m always fascinated to learn an author’s journey to publication, can you tell us a little bit about your journey? What made you want to become a writer?

I wrote a little as a teenager - bad poetry which was truly awful angst-ridden stuff that will never see the light of day. Then life took over - marriage, kids, and work. It was while on career break from work after my third child was born, that the idea of writing a novel popped into my head - not to publish but just to see if I could do it. I did and it felt amazing. Several more followed; again I never intended them to be seen by anyone else. But then one story seemed a bit stronger and the rest is history!

 

 

 

What led you to independently publish The Bowes Inheritance? What would you say are the biggest pros and cons of independently publishing versus mainstream publishing?

I sent out the manuscript to lots of agents. Unfortunately, it was unedited and had every rookie error you could imagine. As you can probably guess, no one wanted to know about it. In desperation, I turned to an author friend. She advised me to get an editor and learn about the business. A self-publishing day in the Irish Writers’ Centre in Dublin clinched it. I felt I had burnt my bridges with all of the agents by sending the manuscript out to soon and I liked the idea of being in control - so I decided to go for it. I found a superb editor in the UK, Hilary Johnson, who whipped it all into shape and in July 2015 I hit the publish button.

Other than experiences recounted to me by traditionally published author friends, I have no first-hand experience of the big publishing houses. Thankfully, self-publishing is a very real option for someone in my situation. I have come to it in a roundabout way, and relatively late in life, but I’m very glad I did. This is where I have to confess to like being in control and self-publishing is incredibly powerful. My experience has been positive. Ok, I will confess to one weekend of pulling my hair out trying to get to grips with a print on demand template, but I conquered it. The biggest thrill of all is getting positive feedback from readers - you cannot beat that.

The downside, of course, is the reality - you are now a business and your book is a product. You must nurture your brand. Marketing and promotion are time thieves and like most other indies, I’d much rather be writing. But I suppose there is one positive to social media and that is the incredible people you meet online. I now have many author friends and I am involved in various writing groups worldwide.

Are you working on any other books that we can look forward to reading in the future?

I am currently working on my first Victorian crime novel, Kashmir Velvet, which I am hoping to publish later this year.

 

 

 

Thank you so much, Pam, for sharing your answers with me today!

 

You can learn more about Pam's writing on her website and can read more about The Bowes Inheritance on the IndieBRAG site. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

 

You can purchase a copy of The Bowes Inheritance on Amazon. You can also purchase copies of Pam's other books, Three-Quarter Time and The Lighthouse Keeper, on Amazon as well.

 

 

 

A Message from indieBRAG:


We are delighted that Colleen has chosen to interview Pam Lecky, who is the author of The Bowes Inheritance, our medallion honoree at indieBRAG. To be awarded a B.R.A.G. Medallion ® , a book must receive unanimous approval by a group of our readers. It is a daunting hurdle and it serves to reaffirm that a book such as The Bowes Inheritance merits the investment of a reader’s time and money.

 



Interview with Lynn Cullen, Author of Twain's End

I can’t start this interview without first gushing over the fact that I absolutely LOVED your previous novel, Mrs. Poe. Before preparing these questions I went back and read my review and, I have to say, I became very excited again about the whole story. It might be time to re-read it! Anyway, I’m clearly a huge fan, so thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. And welcome to A Literary Vacation!

I’m thrilled that Mrs. Poe struck a chord with you, Colleen, and I’m delighted for a chance to discuss Twain’s End with you. Thank you for inviting me upon A Literary Vacation. I could certainly use one, having just finished nine months of intense work on the first draft of my next novel.

I imagine you do need a vacation of any kind after such intense work! But I have to say I love to hear you've been busy writing as that means another book will be on the way for me to read :) ! To start off our discussion of your newest, Twain's End, can you tell us a little bit about it? What drew you to tell this story?

We all know Mark Twain as the white-haired humorist with a pithy crack about every subject. Many of us imagine that he was a grown-up version of his character Tom Sawyer, the mischievous boy who grew up along the Mississippi. The actual human behind Mark Twain, Samuel Clemens, is much different than our image of him, although we can’t be faulted for believing in it. He and his family carefully cultivated the public persona of Mark Twain. 

The real Sam Clemens came from an extremely poor family headed by a father whose bankruptcy caused young Sam great shame. All his life he wanted to be rich and beloved by the world, and by great force of will and a lot of help from his loved ones, Sam achieved this goal. One of the persons who helped him to this goal in his later years was his secretary, Isabel V. Lyon. 

For nearly seven years, until the year before his death, Isabel did everything for the man from taking care of every want of his grown daughters, to dealing with reporters, to handling all of his social needs, to washing that mane of white hair! Isabel’s diary, upon which I based my book, tells of her devotion, service, and, frankly, worship of the man. Yet, after six and a half years of service, she suddenly married Twain’s business manager, Ralph Ashcroft, and two months after that, Twain launched on a smear campaign against her that was astonishing in its viciousness and ugliness. My first reaction was “The man dost protest too much, methinks.” My second was, my goodness, the man must have been completely in love with her. I launched into my research to prove this theory and, in the process, found a noble and much-wronged woman in the real-life person of Isabel Lyon. Twain’s End is her story.

Is there anything in particular that draws you to historical fiction? Are there any particular times in history you gravitate towards or do you just enjoy history in general?

I’ve always been interested in how humans tick. What better way to study human psychology than through the lives of famous people? Over the years, as I’ve immersed myself in researching my real-life characters with the goal of understanding how they think, I’ve been struck with one salient factor: famous people are rarely who we think they are. I’ve made it a specialty in my books to square the reputations of my characters with their actual lives. I love a misunderstood legendary figure!

What sort of research did you conduct when writing Twain’s End? Have you ever traveled to the locations discussed in the story before or during the writing process?

I make a point of visiting the location of every scene in my books. Not only does that ensure the authenticity of the setting, but often gives me ideas for new scenes. The scenes in Twain’s End in Florence, Italy and Bermuda were very much influenced by my travels. The scene in the Pitti Palace, for example, came from my own tour there--Raphael’s paintings left a big impression on me. I could just see Twain viewing them with Isabel (which they no doubt did.) 

An important part of my research was to not only read dozens of biographies about Twain, but ones about other characters, as well. Clara Clemens’s book about her father, Isabel Lyon’s diary, and the recollections of the maid, Katy Leary, were invaluable. On top of that, there were letters to pore over and many family pictures to peruse. The body language in the photos were full of juicy clues.

What does a typical day (if there is one) look like for you? How do you balance writing with the rest of your life?

A typical writing day starts after a walk and lasts for eight or more hours. How many of those eight hours that I’m strictly glued to my seat depends on how close I am to a deadline. Early on in the first draft of a book, I’m up and down a lot—pulling a story out of the ether is extremely hard mental work and I pop up a lot for breaks. My grown daughters and their families live in town so I try to see them most days in order to keep sane. I visit book clubs locally or via Skype at least once a week, which keeps me grounded, too. I’m grateful for reader interaction—it not only enriches my writing but broadens me as a fellow human.

A lot of authors have become huge on social media, not only promoting their work but interacting with their readers and offering up giveaways, book recommendations, etc. Are you a big proponent of using social media in this way? How do you prefer to interact with your fans?

I really love connecting with readers through book clubs—I’m easily reached to set one up through my author Facebook page. I welcome comments from readers, there, too, and try to answer quickly. I’ll happily respond to anyone through A Literary Vacation, as well. I’m deeply grateful for the time and work dedicated bloggers like you put into getting out the word about my books.

That is so kind of you to say! I can tell you that we book bloggers love every bit of interaction we have with wonderful authors like you, especially since I’ve noticed that a lot of authors are also big readers like we are. When you have time for leisure reading what sorts of books do you gravitate towards? Have you read anything good lately?

I’ve been a reading fanatic my whole life, starting with the back of cereal boxes as a kid, so I can’t even begin to list my favorites. But I will say that Penelope Lively and Elizabeth Strout have greatly influenced my writing. I reread Olive Kitteridge for the third time while writing my latest.

Are you working on any other books that we can look forward to reading in the future?

My next book is about a woman and her two grown daughters who make a pilgrimage in the height of the Great Depression in 1934 to meet…drumroll, please… Betty Crocker. 

Thank you for the opportunity to chat! I enjoyed my time on A Literary Vacation.

Thank you so much for stopping by and answering my questions, Lynn!! You have made me soooo excited to read your next book!! I'll be waiting as patiently as possible to get it in my hot little hands!

Everyone! As I said before I became a huge fan of Lynn Cullen when I read her first novel, Mrs. Poe. I recently read Twain's End as well and thought it was amazing (click on the titles to read my reviews). Be sure to pick up her books if you want exceptional historical fiction. You can find more information about Lynn, her books, and links to everywhere you can purchase a copy on her website.

 

Interview with B.R.A.G Medallion Honoree Katelyne Parker

Please join me in welcoming B.R.A.G Medallion Honoree Katelyne Parker to A Literary Vacation today! Award-winning author, Katelyne Parker, was born in 1972 in Brooklyn, New York, but came of age in South Florida. After she graduated from Barry University, she worked as an educator for over fifteen years. Her debut novel, Hosanna, is a captivating story that will confront the mind and inspire the soul. Today, she lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and son.

Hi Katelyne, and welcome to A Literary Vacation! To start off with, please tell us a little about your book, Hosanna.

Thank you so much, Colleen. 

Hosanna is a story of a young woman born illegally to a black man and a white woman during the reign of Jim Crow. To hide the truth of Hosanna’s birth story, her racist maternal grandmother forces her to be a maid in her own home. 

After years of rejection and pretense, Hosanna grows infuriatingly rebellious toward her tight-lipped family and insists the truth be told. But she learns soon enough, that sordid truths aren’t welcomed in this small Georgia town where social traditions and segregation laws are a bulwark standing between her and the family she desperately craves.

Hosanna sounds like such a fascinating, unique character that has faced, and continues to face, a myriad of difficulties and pain in her life. What drew you to tell her story? Do you think your readers will be able to relate to aspects of her story?

Hosanna first appeared to me in a dream in 1998 when I saw Miss Margret, Hosanna’s maternal grandmother, sitting on the porch railing of her stately antebellum home. It wasn’t strange to see her drinking out of a cup as gracefully as she was, but it was strange to see her unfazed as she witnessed a fire blazing from a distance. That’s when I awakened, confused but curious. The questions came suddenly: Who is this woman? Where is she from? And why isn’t she troubled? After all, a fire was blazing! That’s when I took pen to paper and began recording what I recalled from that vision and started my frequent visits to the local library to research Georgia segregation history. I’ve always been attracted to stories of the South like, To Kill a Mockingbird and Gone with the Wind, so Hosanna’s story was a natural evolution from those beloved classics. I knew in short order, that this unexpected dream would become one of many scenes I felt compelled to expand and build around. 

I can imagine many readers relating to Hosanna’s feelings of rejection and her relentless need to feel valued. And I’m almost certain that quite a few of us, out of all generations, have had to wrestle with our views on race at some point in our lives. Perhaps older generations would have raw recollections or experiences from that era and could relate to Hosanna in that way. Conceivably, individuals of all ages and ethnicities could draw parallels to the racial tensions we currently have in our country today. But I too, can imagine many of us wanting to find a semblance of hope on the other side of those tensions where we could see a way forward. I’d like to think Hosanna could be that launch point for such a discussion and that discussion would then lead to a newer way of seeing these issues, and that new way, I hope, could lead to a more profound healing that many well-intentioned people seek.

Being that Hosanna is historical fiction, did you have to do any research while writing? If so, was there anything you found particularly interesting during that process? Anything you wish you could have incorporated that didn’t make it into the story?

Yes, I researched Georgia and U.S. History from the pre-Civil War era to 1967, the year the Supreme Court ruled state bans on interracial marriage were unconstitutional. 

I found the first person accounts from blacks and whites during that time the most riveting. If any reader believes the characters in Hosanna ring authentic, they can credit the real life people who left accounts of their experiences during the era of Jim Crow. 

As for historical research that didn’t make the cut, I purposely and without regret excluded the events of southern history I felt would not move the story forward. If a historical event or fact did not relate significantly to the plot, then I had no desire to bring it in, especially if I felt it would detract from the reader’s understanding of the story.

Historical fiction happens to be my all-time favorite genre and I find myself going back and forth between what periods of history are my favorite to read about. Do you have a favorite time period to write and/or read about, or do you enjoy jumping around as I do?

I admire people like you who have broad historical interests. But I’m afraid I don’t ever jump around time periods. I am particularly fixed on reading and writing about southern history from the pre-Civil War era through the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.

What does a typical day (if there is one) look like for you? How do you balance writing and the rest of your life?

Well, I’m a homeschool teacher, so my mornings are primarily dedicated to my son’s academic and athletic development. Since we have full control over our schedule, I teach in the mornings, then write and conduct research when necessary in the afternoons, evenings, and weekends. 

I balance my time by creating a schedule that we try to stick to in earnest. There are rare times that I wake up at two or three o’clock in the morning inspired to write pages and pages of scenes. So I don’t hinder that inspiration. I wake up and immerse myself in the world of my characters. There are times when I’m devoid of inspiration, so I read, research, or ask myself questions to provoke creativity. And that seems to work well for me. 

In the end, I go with the flow of life. If life tells me, my family needs more of my time, I follow that gut instinct. If life tells me that my inspiration is overflowing and a scene must be unveiled, I go with that. I don’t force what’s not there. I live in the present. And have learned through experience to exercise what I call extreme patience.

Are you working on anything now that you can share with us?

Years ago, Danelle McCafferty, a wonderful editor with amazing foresight and talent helped me in the very early stages of this project. From her insightful feedback, I decided there was more to Hosanna’s story, but it didn’t have to be all in one book. I learned to zoom in from the bird’s eye view I found myself perched on. Then I removed two extensive story-lines from Hosanna. One of which, I’ve now entitled, M’donia. For those who’ve read Hosanna, M’donia is a section of Midville where a group of black residents were living on land designated white-only. Sadly, these residents suffered persecution for refusing to vacate land that they strongly believed was rightfully theirs. Hosanna’s love interest, John Irvin, is the main character in M’donia and he tells his story of overcoming adversity and opposition with perseverance and grace. I am extremely excited about this project. I strongly believe M’donia will be just as engaging, powerful, and thought-provoking as Hosanna.

What drew you towards independent publishing as opposed to seeking out a traditional publisher?

It’s no secret that traditional publishers are inundated with author queries. I strongly believe it’s almost impossible to find all the quality first-time writers in that kind of environment. In the early years, I sought traditional representation, but that door did not open to me. However, independent publishing provided me the forum to express myself freely, to take my work directly to the readers, who I’m convinced are the ultimate arbiters of excellence. Those same readers are my unbiased reviewers. They provide me with invaluable feedback and that feedback encourages me and informs me that this work has brought inspiration and enjoyment to their lives. I’m profoundly humbled for the opportunity to reach my audience through independent publishing. But that doesn’t mean I am not open to traditional publishing, it only means independent publishing is the most viable avenue for me at this point in my career.

How did you discover indieBRAG and what does it mean to you to have Hosanna awarded the BRAG Medallion?

I began by learning more about the book industry. I soon discovered that if an independent author wanted to distinguish themselves from the innumerable books in the literary marketplace, they would first need to write a quality book and acquire recognition through reviews and awards. So I submitted Hosanna to one of the most prestigious literary groups available to independent authors today—indieBRAG. 

It means so much to be honored with the B.R.A.G. Medallion for literary fiction. For years, I had been seeking validation for the painstaking work I had put into Hosanna. And so to win this award fulfilled that desire. I will be forever honored and grateful to indieBRAG, the vanguard of the literary world, founded on the magnanimous mission of recognizing and promoting quality works of fiction to the reading public, who’d otherwise be unaware of emerging authors like me.

Thank you so much, Katelyne, for sharing your answers with me today!

You can learn more about Katelyne and her book on her website and well as the IndieBRAG site. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. 

You can purchase a copy of Hosanna on Amazon. 

A Message from indieBRAG:


We are delighted that Colleen has chosen to interview Katelyne Parker, who is the author of Hosanna, our medallion honoree at indieBRAG. To be awarded a B.R.A.G. Medallion ® , a book must receive unanimous approval by a group of our readers. It is a daunting hurdle and it serves to reaffirm that a book such as Hosanna merits the investment of a reader’s time and money.

Interview with B.R.A.G Medallion Honoree Vincent LoCoco

Please join me in welcoming B.R.A.G Medallion Honoree Vincent LoCoco to A Literary Vacation!! His first novel, Tempesta's Dream - A Story of Love, Friendship and Opera, became an Amazon bestselling novel and was awarded the 2014 Pinnacle Achievement Award in Historical Fiction. Amazon also has named his book as a Top Rated Novel in Italian Historical Fiction.


His most recent novel, A Song for Bellafortuna, was shortlisted in the William Faulkner - William Wisdom Competition and was named a Best Reads for 2015 and was awarded the prestigious B.R.A.G. Medallion Award in Historical Fiction. He is an estate planning attorney in New Orleans, where he lives with his wife and two children.

Hello, Vincent, and welcome to A Literary Vacation! To start off with, please tell us a little about your book, A Song for Bellafortuna?

Thanks for inviting me to discuss my novel, A Song for Bellafortuna. The story is set in the beautiful Sicilian hills. Bellafortuna is a small village and a great producer of wine and olive oil. The entire village prospers. However, after the arrival of the Vasaio family, production dwindles and the villagers soon find themselves in crushing debt to the Vasaios. Only the Sanguinetti family remains outside the control of the Vasaios, but the reason haunts Antonio Sanguinetti every day of his life, and he offers financial and emotional support to his fellow villagers. When Antonio's only son, Giuseppe, discovers his family's past, he becomes determined to take on the Vasaios and remove them from power. Led by the young Giuseppe, a plan is hatched that could result in either complete freedom for the villagers, or if it fails, forever solidify the Vasaios' control.

 

What drew you to tell this particular story?

I live in New Orleans. After Hurricane Katrina devastated my city, I knew I wanted to write a story of rebirth and redemption. Somehow, that story transformed into the story that I told. Like New Orleans, Bellafortuna enjoyed its own rebirth.

What sort of research went into writing A Song for Bellafortuna? Did you do any traveling as part of your research?

I did a lot of research on Sicilian life at the turn of the century. I read a lot of travel type books on Sicily to get a good feeling of the country and its people. I did not travel there specifically for the novel, but had traveled to Italy a few times in the past and recalled my memories form those trips.

Was there anything you discovered as part of your research that you found surprising or shocking? Was there anything you wanted to incorporate into the story but had to cut for whatever reason?

 

The poverty of the Sicilian people at the turn of the century really surprised me. Luckily, there was nothing that I wanted to incorporate in the story but left out. Everything I had to say is in the story.

I would imagine that there is a lot of reading involved in the process of researching and writing a novel. Did you come across any books you would recommend for those that have read A Song for Bellafortuna and that want to read more about the settings and situations discussed?

I really have only one recommendation as it is the best book on the Sicily. On Persephone's Island, A book by Mary Taylor Simet.

Historical fiction happens to be my all-time favorite genre and I find myself going back and forth between what periods of history are my favorite to read about. Do you have a favorite time period to write and/or read about, or do you enjoy jumping around as I do? 



I like to jump around as well. I joke with my friends all the time that I must hate cell phones, as being a historical fiction writer means I never have to write about cell phones, email or faxes. A much slower paced life.

What does a typical day (if there is one) look like for you? How do you balance writing and the rest of your life?

I am an attorney, so all of my writing takes place either late at night or first thing in the morning – usually at a coffee shop for an hour before work.

What drew you to independently publish A Song for Bellafortuna as opposed to seeking traditional publishing?

I loved the element of control afforded by self-publishing.

How did you discover indieBRAG and what does it mean to you to have A Song for Bellafortuna awarded the BRAG Medallion?

Some other novels in my genre were winners. It means so much to be awarded a B.R.A.G. Award as the process is very selective and it means that a few readers fell in love with the story and thought it worthy of being named an award winner.

Thank you so much, Vincent, for answering my questions!

You can learn more about Vincent and his books on his website and connect with him Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads. You can  purchase a copy of A Song for Bellafortuna at  Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Audible.

A Message from indieBRAG:


We are delighted that Colleen has chosen to interview Vincent LoCoco, who is the author of A Song for Bellafortuna, our medallion honoree at indieBRAG. To be awarded a B.R.A.G. Medallion ® , a book must receive unanimous approval by a group of our readers. It is a daunting hurdle and it serves to reaffirm that a book such as A Song for Bellafortuna merits the investment of a reader’s time and money.





Interview with Sherry Christie, Author of Roma Amor: A Novel of Caligula's Rome + Tour-Wide Giveaway!

Thank you so much, Sherry, for taking the time to stop by A Literary Vacation! One of my favorite aspects of interacting with authors is finding out what inspires them to write the novels that they do. Every author seems to have their own unique approach to their craft and learning that process really helps me, as a reader, get a better appreciation for the end result. So I can’t wait to learn more about your process!

 

Thank you, Colleen, for inviting me to share some behind-the-scenes insights into Roma Amor: A Novel of Caligula’s Rome, my new historical about everyone’s favorite mad, bad Emperor!

 

 

 

The political intrigue, warring allegiances, and fascinating real-life participants of the early Roman Empire gives plenty of interesting factors for a writer to explore. What led you to write this particular story?

 

Good question! I think many of us who read historical fiction secretly imagine how we would have changed history (despite Claire and Jamie’s failure). The early Roman Empire is one of those precarious times when a nudge could have altered the future. It intrigued me to explore how Marcus Carinna, a young man believing in the old Roman virtues of duty and honor, would act in a new era that prioritized stability at all costs. It’s an issue that America as a country still faces today: should we act according to our principles, or our political interests?

The backstory to Roma Amor is that after Julius Caesar’s murder, there were 14 years of bloody civil war until Augustus defeated everyone else to become Rome’s First Chosen (Princeps). He tried to name a successor based on ability and experience, but fate left him only his stepson, Tiberius. Though reluctant, Tiberius did a good job of keeping the peace throughout the Empire. When he died, it was assumed that another of Augustus’s descendants should inherit his powers in order to maintain political stability. However, the paranoid Tiberius had whittled away his relatives so successfully that there were only three males left: 46-year-old Claudius, sneered at as weak and infirm; teenage Gemellus, whose mother had murdered his father; and 24-year-old Caligula, a hero’s son thought to be meek and submissive. Guess which one the Senate (including Marcus’s ambitious father) liked best?

I know historical fiction is typically a combination of real facts from history and fiction added to fill in the gaps no longer known. Can you tell us a little bit about the facts in Roma Amor: A Novel of Caligula’s Rome and where/why you added the fiction?

Other than Marcus Carinna’s family and the Germanic priestess Aurima and her people, just about everyone in Roma Amor is a real historical entity. But there’s a lot about what they thought and did that we can’t be sure of, because most histories written at the time didn’t survive. Much of what has come down to us was penned by two historians, Suetonius and Dio Cassius, a hundred years or more after Caligula’s death. For a sense of Caligula’s real personality, I read everything I could find about his environment, his parents, his upbringing, and what he was factually known to have done. Then I painted a person who could have existed with all these touchpoints. I also tried to suggest how some of the scandalous rumors reported by Suetonius may have arisen. (BTW, Suetonius’s “history” inspired the treachery and mayhem in the BBC production of Robert Graves’s novel I, Claudius.)

 

 

I see that Roma Amor: A Novel of Caligula’s Rome is just the first installment of a saga. Where can we expect your upcoming novels in the saga to take us?



 

 There are 30 more years of dysfunctional Caesars in the offing! Marcus may play a role in Caligula’s downfall, the reign (and disastrous marriages) of Claudius, and the rise of Nero—who will make his uncle Caligula look like a model of moderation.

 

 

Historical fiction happens to be my all-time favorite genre and I find myself going back and forth between what periods of history are my favorite to read about. Do you have a favorite time period or location to write and/or read about, or do you enjoy jumping around as I do?

 

 

 

To me, a good historical novel is rich in understanding of its time and place, and I have huge admiration for authors who can create that kind of setting and situate believable characters in it. My favorite periods tend to be turbulent: the Norman Conquest (I love James Aitcheson’s Sworn Sword trilogy and Hilary Rhodes’s quartet of novels about William); anything about Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine; Sara Poole’s and Kate Quinn’s Borgias; Giles Kristian’s Vikings; C.J. Sansom’s Shardlake series set in Henry VIII’s reign; and the Greek wars against the Persians (Christian Cameron’s series about Arimnestos of Plataea is excellent). The two historical novels that have most deeply engaged my emotions are both set in ancient Greece: Steven Pressfield’s Gates of Fire, about the Spartans’ battle at Thermopylae, and Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles, told by the hero’s lover, Patroclus. I guess I’m fond of doom.

 

What does a typical day (if there is one) look like for you? How do you balance writing and the rest of your life?

 

 

I usually write every day, but without a routine. As a professional financial copywriter, I typically spend 20-25 hours a week writing about money or money psychology (psychotherapist Olivia Mellan and I have collaborated on five books so far). That, plus being happily married and helping to keep the home fires burning, means it can be hard to find time and energy for fiction. What saves me is taking chunks of time—3 to 4 weeks at least once a year—for a novel-writing retreat. La Muse, in southwestern France, is my favorite place for this.

 

 

 

A lot of authors have become huge on social media, not only promoting their work but interacting with their readers and offering up giveaways, book recommendations, etc. Are you a big proponent of using social media in this way? How do you prefer to interact with your fans?

Although I’m a relative newbie on social media, I enjoy seeing what my “tribe” is up to on Twitter. I love the idea of having more interaction with fans—just wish I had more time! I can always be reached through sherry@roma-amor.com.

 

 

 

I’ve noticed that a lot of authors are also big readers. When you have time for leisure reading what sorts of books do you gravitate towards? Have you read anything good lately?

 

 



My two favorite genres are historical fiction (naturally) and suspense/detective fiction. I’ll read anything by Tana French, Michael Robotham, Adrian McKinty, or Giles Blunt. A novel I just finished and highly recommend is Carolyn Hougan’s The Romeo Flag, a thriller about a trunkful of deadly information from wartime Shanghai that puts a present-day single mom in danger.

 

 

Can you tell us anything about the book(s) you’re working on now?

In Lost Eagles, the sequel to Roma Amor, Marcus will grapple with the treachery of Romans and Germanic tribesmen as he tries to restore his honor and find the love of his life, Aurima, who has disappeared in the wilderness beyond the Danube.

Thanks again for letting me visit with you, Colleen (and for your great questions)! If you’ll allow me to sneak in a quick plug, Roma Amor: A Novel of Caligula’s Rome is just $2.99 now in the Kindle store—or followers of “A Literary Vacation” can enter below for a chance to win one of two free print copies. Enjoy!

 

 



Thank you so much, Sherry, for stopping by my blog today and answering my questions! It has been a delight and I'm very excited to follow along on Marcus's journey!  Everyone, please continue below for  more information on the book, it's lovely author, the rest of the blog tour, and how you can enter the giveaway to win your very own copy of Roma Amor!



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

 

Publication Date: April 15, 2016
Bexley House Books
Paperback; 496 Pages

 

Genre: Historical Fiction

 

Marcus Carinna hears a voice whisper, “Your turn,” as he rides past his family tomb. An unseen presence also startles the Germanic priestess Aurima, whom he is bringing to Rome. But hardheaded Romans scoff at ghosts, and Marcus can’t believe it’s a warning from his brother, who killed himself three years earlier.

37 AD: To great acclaim, 25-year-old Caligula Caesar has become Rome’s new master. No one is more pleased than Senator Titus Carinna, who helped him succeed to the throne. It’s a shame the Senator’s older son–Caligula’s closest friend–committed suicide after being charged with treason. But that still leaves Marcus, his second son.

Headstrong and hot-tempered, Marcus would rather prove his courage by leading legions against Rome’s enemies than take his brother’s place. Yet when his father orders him to befriend Caligula, he has no choice.

Caught in a web of deceit, conspiracy, and betrayal, he will uncover a secret that threatens his family, the woman he desires, even his life… and may bring chaos to the young Roman Empire.

 

 

 

Praise for Roma Amor: A Novel of Caligula's Rome

“The first installment in a page-turning saga that revisits the heroes and villains of the grandest city of the ancient world…. Comes alive with the long gone characters who were its lifeblood” -Kirkus Reviews


‘‘Combines current political concerns, the wide lens of the serious historical novel, and emotional maturity and realism with an utterly splendid grasp of what it must have been like to live in Rome under Caligula’s reign.” -Sarah Smith, Agatha Award winner and New York Times Notable author

 

Buy the Book

 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

 

About the Author

 

 

After earning a Phi Beta Kappa creative award in college for an early draft about a nobly born charioteer, Sherry Christie spent many years of research and revision developing ROMA AMOR into the story about fathers and sons that it wanted to be. It’s a joy to immerse myself in the lives of first-century Romans–and a distinct change from my day job as a . In addition to writing, Sherry is a professional copywriter. She lives on the coast of Maine with a native-born Viking and two cats.

For more information, please visit Sherry Christie’s website. You can also connect with her on Twitter, and Goodreads.

It's Giveaway Time!!

 

 

To win a paperback copy of Roma Amor: A Novel of Caligula’s Rome by Sherry Christie, please enter via the Gleam form HERE. 2 copies are up for grabs!

 

Rules

 

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on November 11th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

 

– Giveaway is open to US residents only.

 

– Only one entry per household.

 

– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.

 

– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

 

Good Luck!

 

Roma Amor Blog Tour Schedule

 

 

Monday, October 24

Kick Off at Passages to the Past

Tuesday, October 25

Review at Historical Fiction Obsession
Guest Post at Let Them Read Books

Wednesday, October 26

Review at Kinx’s Book Nook

Friday, October 28

Guest Post at What Is That Book About

Monday, October 31

Spotlight at Just One More Chapter

Tuesday, November 1

Review at Bookfever

Wednesday, November 2

Review at Book Lovers Paradise

Friday, November 4

Review at Svetlana’s Reads and Views

Monday, November 7

Interview at Jorie Loves a Story

Wednesday, November 9

Review at Bookramblings
Review at The Book Junkie Reads

Thursday, November 10

Interview at The Book Junkie Reads

Friday, November 11

Review at Beth’s Book Nook
Review at Jorie Loves a Story
Guest Post at The True Book Addict

Wednesday, November 16th

Interview at A Literary Vacation

 

 

 



Interview with Billie Tekel Elias, Author of Pearl's Party...And You're Invited

Thank you so much, Billie, for taking the time to stop by A Literary Vacation! One of my favorite aspects of interacting with authors is finding out what inspires them to write the novels that they do. Every author seems to have their own unique approach to their craft and learning that process really helps me, as a reader, get a better appreciation for the end result. So I can’t wait to learn more about your process!
 
Your book, PEARL's Party...and you're invited, sounds quite fascinating and promises to showcase an incredible woman’s life. What prompted you to tell Pearl’s story? 

It’s a pleasure to be here with you. Let me start by saying the book is not a work of fiction: it is a memoir about the fascinating life of my late mother, Pearl. After she died, as her only child, I had the job of clearing out her home and putting it on the market. What I found sprinkled throughout the rooms were trinkets and bits of ephemera that held stories about the life she lived. They were too unusual to let them die with her; I felt they needed to be told!

 

 

 

With all the fun and poignant aspects of your mom’s life that it sounds like you included in the story, is there anything that you had to leave out? If so, why did you decide to cut it (story flow, continuity, story length, personal reasons)?

 

As well as I thought I knew Pearl, her friends knew other things about her. Some of that was a bit off-color, and hearsay from my perspective. Clearly there were things my mother wasn’t proud of and shielded me from. I did uncover legal documents and photographs that would not have painted a favorable picture of her, and I thought she deserved, even in death, to have that privacy. There was so much to tell without it.

While I’m sure you learned many of the stories directly from your mother, did you have to do any research, whether that be into your mom’s stories or into the history of the time periods? Did you learn anything shocking during the research or writing process?

Yes, I did a fair amount of research. 

Part of my mother’s life revolved around Atlantic City, the closest beach to Philadelphia, where she lived. I had my own recollections of the town from childhood, but I needed to research things like ticket prices for the Bobby Darin concert on Steel Pier that she took me to in the early 1960s. I even had to research Donald Trump’s Atlantic City presence. I recalled how Pearl used the Vera Coking case as part of her negotiating strategy in a real estate deal with a casino. Coking was an elderly lady who was the last hold-out on her block, refusing to sell her home, so Donald built his Trump Plaza casino around her.

What I learned that shocked me? Many things. The rent on the lease of her first business. The law suit that she (and my father) brought against a home builder. The stipulations in her divorce papers.

I absolutely love all this history, whether that be historical fiction or nonfiction. Do you include any people or events from history as part of the backdrop to your mom’s story?

 

Certainly. The big immigration wave of the early 20th century, the Great Depression, the economic cycle of Atlantic City, “the playground of the world,” are some of the historical elements that are touched on.

 

What does a typical day (if there is one) look like for you? How do you balance writing and the rest of your life?

 

When I made the decision to write the book, I dedicated myself wholly to it, writing for several hours or so every day. Part of my process involved organizing my primary source material, which takes up 3 linear feet and establishing a time line to place the materials on. Since I opted to self publish, my husband patiently functioned as my pseudo-editor and sounding board. He listened to me read passages to him and he’d make suggestions for how to improve them.

 

A lot of authors have become huge on social media, not only promoting their work but interacting with their readers and offering up giveaways, book recommendations, etc. Are you a big proponent of using social media in this way? How do you prefer to interact with your fans?

 

That’s not exactly my approach. I’ve only given away a few books…one to a celebrity who I had hoped would love the story and help me promote it, another to a book store that wanted to read it before they’d carry it, and another to my college alumni magazine who I wanted to write a review. I have a fan page on Facebook and a presence on Instagram and Pinterest. My blog is probably the place that gets the most attention.

 

 

I’ve noticed that a lot of authors are also big readers. When you have time for leisure reading what sorts of books do you gravitate towards? Have you read anything good lately?

I tend to enjoy memoirs, but to be honest, I haven’t been a voracious book reader since I was a child. I recently re-read The Hare with Amber Eyes by Edmund de Waal since like my own book it was a generational story woven around a group of objects.

 

 

Can you tell us anything about the book(s) you’re working on now?

 

Two years after my mother died, I lost my 94-year old dad. He was very different from Pearl: an erudite world-traveler who worked on the Manhattan Project and trained many chemists during his career as a college professor. In all fairness to him, I promised myself that I’d write a book about his life, too. I’m also working on a quaint illustrated children’s book about how Dad’s family made their way from a small Ukrainian village to India, Japan and China over a hundred years ago. I own many century-old photographs that children today will marvel at.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing

Pub. Date: December 4th, 2015

Pages: 300

 

Let Pearl show you how to mambo through life. In this daughter's homage to her colorful mother, you'll jump on the rollicking ride of a foxy, voluptuous young divorcée who started unconventional businesses, loved casinos and martinis, and who was hip enough to be adored by gays and people half her age. Even dogs sensed her unique aura.

Her style made her eight decades interesting and fun –for herself and for everyone around her. She let nothing get in her way. Plagued by diabetes and riddled with cancer, she stayed upbeat. She knew how to party!

You may think you know someone well, until you sift through the ephemera they leave behind -- matchbook covers, airline tickets, hotel keys, restaurant menus. Each has a story to tell, and the music Pearl listened to brings those stories to life.

Part nostalgia, part fun; it's a crazy party...and you're invited.

 

 

Praise for Pearl's Story...and You're Invited

 

"In this delightful book, Billie Tekel Elias tells the story of her adorable, fun-loving mother, a woman who believed in enjoying life and set about proving it with a vengeance. By the end, not only will you wish you had known Pearl, you'll feel like you actually did. Descriptions of the good times mother and daughter shared together will be especially meaningful for those who have fond memories of the famous entertainment spots in the Philadelphia/Atlantic City region, but their excursions brought them to many other places as well. Pearl's Party is a fun read that is sure to bring back a memory or two, and make you wish you could have been there." - Robert Rawlins, Amazon reviewer

"Billie Tekel Elias chronicles her life and pure bliss as the daughter of her strong, feisty, sassy and fun-loving mom who broke through all barriers of her time. Have fun strolling down memory lane with Billie and Pearl and let the songs and images stoke your own memories of family in days gone by." - VDrescher, Amazon reviewer 

 

Purchase Pearl’s Party…and you’re invited at Createspace, Amazon or Kindle.

 

 

About the Author

 

 

Billie Tekel Elias grew up in Philadelphia. Her parents divorced when she was young and she grew up with her artistic, business-minded, Auntie Mame-like mother. Her father was a Chemistry professor at a local university. After graduating from the top all-girls high school in Philadelphia, she spent her college years at Columbia Engineering, followed by graduate school at Stanford. She began to travel extensively in the 1970s, including a 9-week European backpacking adventure, two cross-country motor trips, and a self-directed family sojourn to the Yucatan Peninsula.

Her career as an engineer, first with the world's largest paper company and later with an international

Marriage and the birth of her child put her wanderlust on hold. Billie shifted gears again, embarking on a new venture, working from home as an educational toy consultant. This enabled her to grow a toy business alongside her growing child, and to take time to play with him. It turned out that high quality and prolonged interactions with a parent spurred the intellectual development of her child, a recent graduate of MIT.

Writing a book marks Ms. Elias' fourth "career."

money center bank, spanned seven years. Not aspiring to give the corporation the best years of her life, she quit her career to wander around Africa for a couple months. With the entrepreneurial spirit she inherited from her mother, she was determined to start her own business that would include lots of (tax-deductible) travel. She launched her own costume jewelry import business and now counts 40 countries and 5 continents as places she has visited.

 

To find out more about Ms. Elias go to her website, and connect with her on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.