Author Interview, Crooked Cat Books

6Ws with Martin Geraghty

Martin Geraghty is the latest Crooked Cat Books author to be featured in this 6Ws series. A real life P.I. who lives in Scotland, his likes to write, as he puts it, about human beings.

May 10 is a big day for Martin as his debut novel, Main CoverA Mind Polluted, officially launches. I pre-ordered my copy a long time ago.

Here are his responses to my 6Ws — who, what, when, where, how, and why. (How does end with a W.)

Who is author Martin Geraghty?

I am a 45-year-old private investigator from Glasgow, Scotland. Lover of books, food, wine, golf and laughter.

What does he write?

I write about human beings, their flaws, how one person reacts to a specific set of circumstances and another reacts completely differently.

When did he start writing?

I began in June 2016.

How does he write?

When writing, A Mind Polluted, my routine was to get my six-year-old boy to bed, switch my laptop on and write for as long as possible. Simple as that. Just write.

Where does he write?

I have a favourite black recliner leather chair with a stool that I position to look out of my lounge bay window and my view is mostly the sky.

Why does he write?

I love story-telling. I love to explore the various aspects of how we behave.

About A Mind Polluted: My debut novel, A Mind Polluted, is published by Crooked Cat Books. The paperback is available from Amazon as well as the Kindle version, which is officially released on May 10. A Mind Polluted, is the story of a boy who at thirteen years old overhears a terrible confession from his mother’s lips which sets a series of events in motion. Can you leave the past in the past and concentrate on his future? Or will he seek his own perceived version of justice?

Other works: Poems & flash fiction have appeared in various lit-zines in the UK.

Martin Geraghty on social media:

Twitter: MartinGeraght1

Website: www.martingeraghty.co.uk

He can be found on Facebook under Martin Geraghty.

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Author Interview

6Ws with Author Joseph Lewis

Joseph Lewis is the latest author to be featured in this series. His fifth book, Caught in a Web, will be published April 26.

He’s a school administrator by day and a writer of thriller fiction at night — although there is that internal pre-writing when he is inspired wherever. An interesting Caught in a Webfact: unlike many author, he likes to write in a noisy setting.

I have read Joseph’s first four books. They may be of thriller fiction genre, but they also shed light on such horrible examples of human behavior as human trafficking.

Here are Joesph’s responses to my 6Ws — who, what, when, where, how, and why. (How does end with a W.)

Who is author Joseph Lewis?

I grew up in West Bend, Wisconsin, but for many reasons, I call Waukesha, Wisconsin my home. Waukesha also happens to be the setting for much of my writing. I have been in education for 41 years as a teacher, coach, counselor and now administrator. I am married to my wife, Kim, for 26 years (in July), and we have three children: Wil (deceased in July 2014), Hannah and Emily. We reside in Virginia.

What does he write?

I write thriller fiction, ranging from thriller/mystery, thriller/suspense, and psychological thriller. However, I have a budding idea for a young adult story that is knocking its way to the forefront, sort of pushing out some of the other story ideas wanting to come first.

When does he write?

Typically, I write after dinner for about two to three hours a night. I don’t like to write in solitude, so I write in the family room while Kim and the girls watch TV. Noise doesn’t bother me and I’m able to tune it out. There are times, however, when I will disappear into the downstairs family room, put on a TV show or movie and listen to it while I write. I like noise.

How does he write?

I use a laptop and write in Word. My routine is that I first edit the chapter I had worked on the night before. It serves two purposes: 1. I edit as I go along, and 2. Gets me in the mood and the atmosphere of the story so I can write the next chapter. Push play and repeat until the work is completed.

Why does he write?

It sounds cliché but honestly, I have to write. I do quite a bit of prewriting in my head throughout the day. Sometimes I will jot down an idea, a phrase, a character conversation to add to that evening’s work, but that happens rarely. I am constantly thinking about a character or two, some action, a setting and dialogue. Bottom line is that I have this need to write. I would compare it to a runner or weight lifter. They do it because they love it and feel sort of lost if they don’t. I approach writing the same way.

More: Give readers a brief description of your new book plus when it is available to buy and where, plus the publisher.

My fifth book, Caught in a Web, will be published April 26. It is currently available preorder from Black Rose Writing and can be ordered with a promo code for a discount. Use the promo code: PREORDER2018to receive a 10% discount at http://bit.ly/2GtdsXL

The book blurb is:

The bodies of high school and middle school kids are found dead from an overdose of heroin and fentanyl. The drug trade along the I-94 and I-43 corridors and the Milwaukee Metro area is controlled by MS-13, a violent gang originating from El Salvador. Ricardo Fuentes is sent from Chicago to Waukesha to find out who is cutting in on their business, shut it down and teach them a lesson. But he has an ulterior motive: find and kill a fifteen-year-old boy, George Tokay, who had killed his cousin the previous summer.

Detectives Jamie Graff, Pat O’Connor and Paul Eiselmann race to find the source of the drugs, shut down the ring, and find Fuentes before he kills anyone else, especially George or members of his family. The three detectives discover the ring has its roots in a high school among the students and staff.

Other works:

Book One of the Lives Trilogy, Stolen Lives:

Two thirteen-year-old boys are abducted off a safe suburban street. Kelliher and hisStolen Lives hi res team of FBI agents have 24 hours to find them or they will end up like the other
kids they found- dead! They have no leads, no clues, and nothing to go on. And, Kelliher suspects that one of his team members might be involved. http://tinyurl.com/Stolen-Lives-J-Lewis

Book Two of the Lives Trilogy, Shattered Lives:

Shattered Lives hi resThe FBI thought the boys were safe. They were until people began dying. Now the hunt is on for six dangerous and desperate men who vow revenge. No leads and nothing to go
on, the FBI can only sit back and wait. A dangerous game that threatens not only the boys, but their families. http://tinyurl.com/Shattered-Lives-J-Lewis

Book Three of the Lives Trilogy, Splintered Lives:

A 14 year old boy and his father face three dangerous and desperate men willing toSplintered Lives hi res make the ultimate sacrifice to save the rest of the family. http://tinyurl.com/Splintered-Lives-J-Lewis

The Lives Trilogy Prequel, Taking Lives:

FBI Agent Pete Kelliher and his partner search for the clues behind the bodies of six boys left in various and remote parts of the country. Even though they live in separate parts of the country, the lives of FBI Kelliher, 11 year old Brett McGovern, Taking Lives hi resand 11 year old George Tokay are separate pieces of a puzzle. The two boys become interwoven with the same thread that Pete Kelliher holds in his hand. The three of them are on a collision course and when that happens, their futures grow dark as each search for a way out. http://tinyurl.com/Taking-Lives-J-Lewis

Joseph Lewis on social media:

Twitter: @jrlewisauthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Joseph.Lewis.Author/

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Author Interview, Crooked Cat Books

6 Ws with Author Beatrice Fishback

Beatrice Fishback is the next Crooked Cat Books author to be featured in this series.

She writes in three genres: inspirational historic romances; cozy mysteries, and contemporary romance novellas. Currently, she is working on a sequel to Dying to Eat at the Pub and also the third in her historic romance series Bethel Manor published 51p2vcidkvL._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_by Crooked Cat Publishers.

Here are Bea’s responses to my 6Ws — who, what, when, where, how, and why. (How does end with a W.)

Who is author Beatrice Fishback?

I was born and raised in upstate New York with six siblings, so I absolutely love NY pizza, bagels and sub sandwiches—those foot long things that kind of resemble submarines. My father was a professional firefighter and my mother a registered nurse. Although my dad served in WWII, was wounded three times and received the Purple Heart for bravery, he left the Army before my parents married and I grew up around my extended family.

So when I became the wife of a military man, who took me around the world for twenty years, I had no idea what that lifestyle would be like. During several stateside, and three overseas assignments—Saudi Arabia, Korea and England—we raised our two children and our family developed a totally different worldview than I had grown up with. It was after my husband retired from the Army and we began a new season of life that I discovered my love of writing.

With fictional characters set in places where we have lived in England, my heart’s desire has been that those who have not had the privilege to travel will enjoy some of these areas we have loved. I would add, we proudly boast about our two grown children and two grandchildren and currently we live in North Carolina.

What does she write?

I have three genres, but I began my journey of writing by submitting inspirational articles and stories in compilations. Doing those smaller endeavors was a great way to get my feet wet and learn the craft before jumping into the deep end of writing full length novels. The three genres are inspirational historic romances, cozy 41o9mquN0xL._SX311_BO1,204,203,200_mysteries, and several contemporary romance novellas. If truth be told, my cozy mystery Dying to Eat at the Pub set in the small English village where we lived, is probably the one I had the most fun writing.

How does she write?

Initially, as a newbie writer I would get a thought and immediately compose a sentence that would hopefully bloom into either a short story or devotional. When I began to write novels and novellas I quickly learned I was a pantser, writing by the seat of my pants, and not a planner of details. But I wish I could be more of a planner as I have several ideas for books I haven’t finished because I don’t know where the characters are going to end up.

Where does she write?

I’m a moving target with my laptop and need a variety of settings to stimulate creative juices. I can be found at a coffee shop, library or café and very rarely sit at a desk to work. If I’m at home, the kitchen table is my go to spot.

Why does she write?

I have always loved to read, especially cozy mysteries and as a pre-teen historic romances set in England so the natural draw to those two genres makes perfect sense. However, I enjoy writing the most when words I have penned touch a heartstring in a reader. What a powerful tool to be able to take someone else into another world for a moment in time with your characters. It is a privilege and honor to write for that reason alone.

More: I am working on the sequel to Dying to Eat at the Pub and also the third in my historic romance series Bethel Manor published by Crooked Cat Publishers.

Other works: You can find other titles by clicking the Amazon link below.

Beatrice Fishback on social media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Beasattitudes

Website: www.beasattitudes.net

Amazon link: http://amzn.to/2ednlcJ

 

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Author Interview

6 Ws with Author Heidi Catherine

Heidi Catherine is the next Crooked Cat Books author to be featured in this series. Crooked Cat Books draws authors from around the globe. Heidi, who currently focuses on fantasy romance, is from Australia.

The theme of her current series — The Soulweaver, The Truth Seeker, and The Shadowmaker —  is about loving the same souls over many lifetimes. “It explores not only romantic love, but love between a parent and child, between siblings or even just friends,” she says.

The Truth Seeker will be released March 19.

Here are Heidi’s responses to my 6Ws — who, what, when, where, how, and why.
(How does end with a W.)

Who is author Heidi Catherine?

Me! I’m an Australian writer, from Melbourne. I’m married with two sons and think I might possibly have a charmed life. My family and I live in a fabulous little part of the world. At one end of our street is a wildlife sanctuary with kangaroos and emus and at the other is a disused church from an old mental asylum. Even though we love it, we’re a little obsessed with the beach, so most weekends we head to the coast where we have a house. It’s a great place to spend time together, go for walks and get inspired. I feel extremely lucky.

What does she write?

My current focus is on my romantic fantasy series, The Soulweaver. It’s a story about loving the same souls over many lifetimes. The second book in the series, The Truthseeker, is out on 19 March and will be quickly followed by the third and final book, The Shadowmaker on 31 May.

When does she write?

I write on weekdays when I have the house to myself (apart from my dogs, who watch me work, hoping I’ll get writer’s block and take them for a walk). It hasn’t always been this way though. When I first began writing seriously, I was in my 20s and would write on weekends. When I was in my 30s and my kids were young, I’d write any time I got the chance, usually with one of my boys pulling my hair or throwing a ball at my head. It’s a lot easier now!

How does she write?

I put on some music and sit down at my laptop. I’ve gotten into a habit of lighting a candle and I’m now superstitious about it, believing it helps my writing – at the very least it makes the house smell nice! I draft my stories using Scrivener, which I find really useful for being able to quickly jump around within a manuscript. It’s also great for setting daily word targets to meet a goal. When the book is finished, I compile it into Word and edit that version.

Where does she write?

Almost always at home. I don’t like to be locked away in a room, so I have set up a library right in the middle of our house with a small bureau and that’s where I base myself. It’s a little bit too close to the kitchen, which doesn’t help my waistline, but has great light and I enjoy being surrounded by books while I write.

Why does she write?

Growing up, my father was a forensic scientist with the police and my mother was a teacher, so conversations at our dinner table were never boring! I think this was where my imagination got a kick start in life and I was always writing something in the background. Then my mum had a middle grade novel published and I started to wonder if maybe this was something I could think about doing too. The first book I ever wrote was a middle grade novel and I’d still like to get that published one day. I’ve also written two crime novels, inspired by some of my dad’s stories. Again, I’d like to think about getting these published too. I just need to figure out the best way to do this now that I’ve established myself as a romantic fantasy author. A nice problem to have!

More: The Soulweaver and The Truthseeker are both published by Crooked Cat Books and are available to purchase on Amazon in either for Kindle or in paperback. They will soon be joined by The Shadowmaker, which is the final book in the series. The Soulweaver won Romance Writers of Australia’s Emerald Pro award, for the best unpublished manuscript, although it’s more of a “romantic elements” novel than your usual love story.

The series is about loving the same souls over many lifetimes. It explores not only romantic love, but love between a parent and child, between siblings or even just friends. Readers have been describing it as a highly original series that’s made them look at life and love in a different way.

Here are the links:

http://myBook.to/thesoulweaver

http://myBook.to/thetruthseeker

Heidi Catherine on social media:

Website

Amazon author page

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

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Author Interview, Crooked Cat Books

6Ws with Author Jennifer C. Wilson

Jennifer C. Wilson is the next Crooked Cat Books author to be featured in this series.

She writes writes fiction with an intriguing twist. Her characters are ghosts — not just ordinary ghosts but historical ones. Or as she puts it, she writes “historical fiction with spirit.”JenniferCWilson-KS.ToL-Cover

Kindred Spirits: Westminster Abbey, the next in her Kindred Spirits series, will be launched this summer.

Here are Jennifer’s responses to my 6Ws — who, what, when, where, how, and why. (How does end with a W.)

Who is author Jennifer C. Wilson?

Jennifer is a marine biologist by training, who spent much of her childhood stalking Mary, Queen of Scots (initially accidentally, but then with intention). She completed her BSc and MSc at the University of Hull, and has worked as a marine environmental consulting since graduating. Enrolling on an adult education workshop on her return to the northeast reignited Jennifer’s pastime of creative writing, and she has been filling notebooks ever since. In 2014, she won the Story Tyne short story competition, and has had several pieces published online. She is also part of The Next Page, running workshops and other literary events in North Tyneside.

What does she write?

She writes ‘historical fiction with spirit’ – the tagline for her social media, which Rob Walton of North Tyneside Writers’ Circle kindly came up with. She’d not heard the phrase ‘paranormal historical fiction’ before it was the genre assigned to her novel Kindred Spirits: Tower of London. The Kindred Spirits series follows a groupJenniferCWilson-KS.RM-Cover of historical ghosts, carrying on with their ‘lives’ in historical buildings, in contemporary settings. This has been the Tower of London and Edinburgh’s Royal Mile so far, with Kindred Spirits: Westminster Abbey due for release in summer 2018.

When does she write?

Whenever she can! Working fulltime, it can sometimes be hard to make it onto the laptop in the evenings, but that’s what nice, long weekend days are for.

How does she write?

It depends. At writing group, travelling or when out-and-about, words go by hand into the notebook, being transferred into the master file later, but when at home, it’s direct onto the laptop. She tries to write something every day, just to keep the momentum going for whatever project is currently underway.

Where does she write?

Every so often, she tries to write in the spare room, where there’s a nice, neat desk set up, but the truth is, Jennifer watches way too many murder mystery programmes on television, and cannot abide having her back to the whole flat, especially when it’s getting dark… So instead, she writes at the dining table, usually with either a CD or the television on, for background noise (she cannot write in silence). In 2018 though, she’s planning to experiment with writing out-and-about more, including heading to local libraries, where she’s less likely to get distracted by piles of paperwork which need sorting!

Why does she write?

Because she loves it, and as long as people are willing to help her follow her childhood dream, by publishing and reading what she writes, she will not be stopping. She’s always loved stories, and could never visit any historical building or site without making up some tale or other about the people who had been there before. Having an outlet for those is a dream come true.

More:

Kindred Spirits: Royal Mile was released by Crooked Cat Books last summer, and follows the adventures of the ghosts of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, primarily Mary, Queen of Scots, and her small band of courtiers, but also the young piper who was sent into the tunnels beneath the Mile to see where they led, and of course, lovely little Greyfriar’s Bobby makes an appearance. Each ghost has their own problems to deal with, including Mary herself, when her second husband, Lord Darnley, turns up and starts causing trouble, just as she’s trying to resolve the melancholy of her father, King James V of Scotland. The universal Amazon link for this can be found here.

Other works:

Jennifer’s debut novel, Kindred Spirits: Tower of London, was released by Crooked Cat Books in October 2015, with Kindred Spirits: Royal Mile following in June 2017. Her timeslip historical romance, The Last Plantagenet? Is available for download from Amazon.

Jennifer C. Wilson on social media:

Jennifer can be found online at her website, on Twitter and Facebook, as well as at The Next Page’s website.

 

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