Author interviews

SHERYL BROWNE

I am thrilled to have on the blog today the lovely and very talented Sheryl Browne. Lets find out a little about Sheryl.

'Now residing in Worcestershire, Sheryl grew up in Birmingham, UK, where she studied Art & Design. She wears many hats: a partner in her own business, a mother, and a foster parent to disabled dogs. Creative in spirit, Sheryl has always had a passion for writing. A member of the Romantic Novelists' Association, she has previously been published in the US and writes Romantic Comedy because, as she puts it, "life is just too short to be miserable.

Sheryl's debut novel, RECIPES FOR DISASTER - combining deliciously different and fun recipes with sexilicious romantic comedy, is garnering some fabulous reviews! Sheryl has also been offered a further three-book contract under the Safkhet Publishing Soul imprint. SOMEBODY TO LOVE, a romantic comedy centring around a single policeman father’s search for love, his autistic little boy and the boy’s Autism Assistance Dog, launched July 1 with an immediate 5* review.  WARRANT FOR LOVE, bringing together three couples in a twisting story that resolves perfectly, released August 1.'

I have had the pleasure of reading and reviewing Sheryl’s new book Somebody to Love. It’s a fantastic romantic comedy and so far it’s been my favourite book of this year. You can catch my full review HERE. (Just scroll down the page when you get there!)

Thank you so much Sheryl for agreeing to be grilled interviewed when I know you are a very busy woman.

SHERYL: Thank you so much, Jonty! Are you sure you know what you’re letting yourself in for?

As an avid reader I am always intrigued by how writers became writers.  I’ve always wanted to be a writer but sadly lack the talent, imagination, time or energy to pursue this dream. When did you decide you wanted to be a writer and how hard was it to make the transition from what you were doing to being a Literary Superstar?

SHERYL: Well, I decided to become a literary superstar when…  Haw, haw.  I’m still trying!  I’m not sure many writers become literary superstars nowadays, unless they can come up with something new, like, um… Fifty Shades of Harry Potter?  Seriously, I am artistic by nature therefore I’ve always had a creative imagination.  Reading, anything and everything, and making up stories in my head was a kind of escapism for me.  And, believe me, when you come from a large family, escapism is as necessary as food for survival sometimes.  I suppose then I’ve had a passion for writing since childhood, when – perhaps realising I wasn’t overconfident – my English teacher awarded me 21+/20 for one of my essays and went on to nurture what he thought was a talent!  I’m an avid reader.  I love anything that explores life events and how people cope with and grow through those events. Looking back, my first attempts at novel writing were possibly a catharsis to loss in my own life.  Without going into too much detail, I’d taken compassionate leave from work to nurse my mum through early onset Alzheimer’s.  I’d always worked and being a young single mum back then, giving up completely wasn’t an option.  Losing my mum in my twenties was devastating, of course (it is any time), but I found my way of coping was to remember the quirky, hysterically funny moments we had (and we did, much to the bemusement of my father, who just didn’t get women’s SOH.)  Anyway, long-short, my first book got picked up by a top London agent (who will remain nameless).  Sadly, it didn’t get picked up by a publisher… sniffle ...but the bug had bitten.  I worked part-time thereafter, determined to keep writing, so… here I am!

You have made the mad brave decision to sell your house and buy a boat! What on earth possessed you to do this and will you have space to continue writing on the boat?

SHERYL: Do you see me looking miserable about this momentous decision?

SHERYL: I love the boating life.  It’s that arty, boho streak in me again.  The need to express myself; let go the shackles and break out of the box, I suppose. I just think life is too short not to follow your dreams, if you can.  Often you can’t, of course, with family ties and commitments, but if you do have a chance to do something you want to, why not seize it?  Having boated for so many years, I’m well aware of the some of the harsher realities of the boating life, but even sloshing about in wellies and wet knickers (scratch that image), I enjoy every minute of it.  As for office space, that’s being drawn into the plans; a small space only at the front of the boat with picture window.  We have electricity and Internet connection at our permanent mooring, and the rest of the time?  Have dongle, will travel.
  
Where do you do most of your writing now and do you want to kill people who disturb you mid writing flow or are you pretty easy going?
 
SHERYL: Doing all the peripheral stuff around writing, I’m pretty easy going, often breaking off to crawl around the floor – with little Snoops, I hasten to add.  In fact, when my agent (yes, I’ve had one or two) called me once, I had to ask her to hold on as I had Big Max’s (my OAP doggy’s) collar caught on my jumper.  Max’s head was still inside the collar, unfortunately. When I’m writing… Let’s put it this way, the man and the son have now purchased ear phones with which to watch TV!  Oops!
 
Have you been sucked into the whole 50 Shades phenomenon? If so, what did you think? If not, why not?

SHERYL: To be totally honest, I can’t help wishing her luck.  She obviously found that something different and got in front of the right eyes at the right time.  Did I read it?  Yes.  Did I rate it? Um, personally I find the 50 Sheds puns more entertaining. 

Have you ever written anything risqué? By risqué I mean have you written anything and thought, ‘Oh heck that could get me into trouble/arrested/ thrown out of church.’

SHERYL: I tried.  A publisher suggested I write for their ‘sexy’ line (this was after the editor concerned read a sex scene from Warrant for Love, btw. Be warned!).  I couldn’t do it, though. It’s that zany SOH again.  I try to be serious, really I do, but my characters get to that all-consuming climatic moment, and I can’t help typing ‘and then the bed broke’.  Does a hero’s ego no good at all.

I have many vices including copious amounts of wine to help wash down the truckload of chocolate I eat. What are your vices? Or can you not tell us!? 

SHERYL: Wine, crisps (cheese and onion), cheese of any variety, wine and Pringles (salt and vinegar).  Oh, and listening to George Clooney.  Pardon?  I have him on my desktop.  I have to admit I go quite weak at the knees when he drawls in his sexy American accent, ‘OK, that does nothing for me.’  Course I’d much rather do something to him…  Um, for him, but… 

Your love of animals is evident in your writing. My sister once brought home a stray goat. Have you ever rescued any strange animals, apart from your three legged dog and a Ninja Cat that recently got its claws into you?!
 
SHERYL:  Frogs.  I rescue frogs.  They turn up at the front door for some reason; maybe waiting to be kissed, not sure.  Haven’t tried that yet.  I rescued a hedgehog once, before Snoops thought it was a prickly ball and got the surprise of his life.  I also rescued the fish, which in an attempt to escape the water the man had tested another algae-reducing chemical in, threw themselves out of the tank.  Have you ever tried picking those things up off the floor?  Oh, and a hamster once.  It died.  My son, who was seven years old then, was totally distraught, so I gave it the kiss of life.  To my surprise – and probably the hamster’s, it survived.   

In your book Somebody to Love, the special needs element held a real interest for me. You had obviously done your homework with regards to autism as this was very evident in the book. Has this changed your view at all on people with special needs and their carers and has it affected you in any way?

SHERYL: Definitely.  I think many people see special needs as a label and possibly don’t see beneath that ‘label’ that every special needs child is as unique as you and I.  They shy away from it because it’s something they don’t come into contact with and therefore can’t understand.  They feel sorry for the parents, unable to see the highs, as well as the lows, of parenting a special needs child.  The lows being something they might have witnessed, coming across a parent and special needs child while out shopping perhaps. They certainly don’t see the joy when a milestone is reached, an intimate moment is achieved, or an extra-ordinary talent discovered.  Nor do they see the added distress that is often the result of having to fight for the initial diagnosis and then to secure services and resources that could vastly improve the quality of life for parent as well as child.  The single father featured in Somebody to Love is based on someone I know, someone who lost his wife, sadly, when his little boy was just six years old. The man was dedicated to his son. He died inside a little every time his son went missing, off on mission to do something he’d made up his mind to.  He was quite simply dedicated to his son, because he loved him, no complications.  He loved his unique child as any parent would love their unique child, special needs or not.  He just had to fight that bit harder to make sure his son’s abilities were channelled and his life was as fulfilling and as good as it could be.   Oops, I’m off – writing another book almost.  I do have experience of special needs myself, but that wasn’t the catalyst for writing this book. This is the way I write.  I hope to connect emotionally with people.  I strive to convey that, even in what appears to be the most complex or traumatic of situations, there is often the kind of underlying humour that keeps us sane.  I hope that when my characters stumble over the obstacles life throws at them, my readers will laugh with them, because they empathise, because they’ve been there, or can at least relate to their situation.  And, yes, an awful lot of research is called for, because I also strive to try to get it right.

You have released another book Warrant for Love. Can you tell us a little of what this book is about?

SHERYL: I’d love to! In short, the book looks at the lives and loves of three couples in a twisting story that ends perfectly.  Life for the main protagonist, PC Paul Davis (I have bit of fetish for uniforms), is like a typical country song - depressing.  He comes from a broken home, his wife is divorcing him, he's got no place to live, he's losing custody of his son, he’s drinking too much and his sergeant, who's sleeping with his wife, is a loud-mouthed bully who won't let up on him – not even at work.  Before Leanne Curtis can give her cheating boyfriend what for, she's wrongfully arrested for soliciting – by Paul and his partner.  There’s an undeniable attraction though and things could be looking up for Paul, except for Leanne's friends, Nicky and Jade, who have man issues of their own and also have it in for Leanne’s ex.  Leanne wants closure, Paul wants a home, Nicky and Jade want revenge.  Blackmail, lies, adultery, entrapment.  Will it work out in the end or will Paul uphold the law?

I know that you have done a sky dive. Which is scarier – book launch or sky dive?

SHERYL: The book launch! Apart from psyching myself up for three weeks, the sky dive was over in an hour, all told.  No lasting damage – apart from to my tandem-buddy possibly, who may suffer lifelong Post Traumatic Shock syndrome after being snogged by a demented haired woman with a seriously snotty nose (he did ask for a kiss, btw, but I was back towards him when he did. Haw, haw). With a book-launch, apart from the months, sometimes years, you’ve spent writing the book, the blood sweat and tears poured into it – yes, really – it’s that emotional, you’re (a) clueless when it comes to launching, relying on other authors to show you the way – thank you loveahappyendig.com! Lovely people – and (b) sick with worry that it’s going to die a death, offend or upset.  Most authors would be mortified if they thought they’d inadvertently upset anyone.  So, scary, yes.  Wine and Pringles called for tonight, I think.

Thank you so much Sheryl for agreeing to this cross examination. It’s been an absolute pleasure. Wishing you much success with all your future projects.

All of  Sheryl's books (3 in total) can be bought through the following links:

Somebody to Love - Publisher Buy Link:  Amazon UK  Amazon.com

Warrant for Love - Publisher Buy Link:  Amazon UK  Amazon.com

Recipes for Disaster - Amazon UK  Amazon.com 

Author Website: www.sherylbrowne.com

Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sheryl-Browne-Author-Page/

Twitter: @sherylbrowne

Sheryl is also a member of loveahappyending.com where she is a featured author and Editor. Check out the site HERE

Sheryl is also a member of  Romantic Novelists' Association:

http://www.romanticnovelistsassociation.org/index.php/about/author/sheryl_browne

Somebody to Love is endorsed by Danemere Animal Rescue Centre and Our Dog Publications.

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KATHRYN BROWN

I am delighted to have as my first Author interview the wonderful Kathryn Brown.

Kathryn is the writer of Discovery at Rosehill, a paranormal romance. As I’ve said in a previous review of the book ‘The story centres around Camilla, a medium, who buys, following the advice of her grandmother, a farmhouse called Rosehill. From the moment Camilla enters the house she is met by a variety of Spirits, all with some sort of story to tell her and a mystery for her to solve!’ Read my full review HERE by scrolling down the review page.

Discovery at Rosehill is being re-launched and as part of the Re-launch blog tour Kathryn very kindly agreed to an interview about her book and the re-launch. Kathryn is also a featured author of the loveahappyending.com group and the Famous Five Plus group of authors. I asked Kathryn some questions regarding the re-launch of her book and this is what she had to say.

This is my first author interview and I believe your first blog tour. How are you feeling about it all?

KATHRYN: I was quite nervous when I started planning the tour, mainly because I was worried that people wouldn’t be interested in me re-launching Discovery at Rosehill, probably like an author worries that no one will turn up to their book signing. But when I got an overwhelming response of emails offering to host me on their blog, I realised I had nothing to be nervous about. The support has been incredible.

What made you decide to re-launch Discovery at Rosehill?

KATHRYN:Two things encouraged this decision; the first reason why I’m re-launching my book is because I don’t feel I promoted it well enough when it was first launched in March 2011. I spent several months talking about it on social media network sites such as Twitter and Facebook, leaving links on my blog and signatures on my emails, but looking back, I feel I could have done more work to achieve a better exposure and greater sales.

The other reason I’m re-launching it is because I have now finished the first draft of my second novel, Hideaway, a murder mystery that I am so far relatively pleased with. Naturally it will need substantial editing but my aim is to remind people that I am a novelist who wants people to enjoy her work.

Kathryn, you are obviously a very busy woman running a farm and being a mum to a child with additional needs? Where do you find the time to write?

KATHRYN: I am busy. My daughter has AUTISM and when she is at home she needs constant supervision. But even though I run the farm, my husband does the majority of the grafting whilst I do all the admin. I write when my daughter is at school between 8am and 4pm, so I have plenty time to myself.

Discovery at Rosehill is a wonderful book. Where did you get your inspiration for the book from?

KATHRYN: That’s a good question! I was inspired by my father who passed in 2001. Knowing he is still with me in spirit was the push I needed to get on and write about the paranormal. His presence around me has been a wonderful inspiration. I was also inspired to write the book by the house in which I live. It’s a Georgian residence that was built in 1750 by a Gentleman of high profile. The house oozes character and I have felt a presence in almost every room. The atmosphere is alive day and night and has overwhelmed me with spirit activity. All have been welcoming experiences, and none of them to be scared about. Rosehill was based on my own home.

In Discovery at Rosehill, the central character Camilla is a very strong and independent woman. Is she based on anyone you know?

KATHRYN: I have been asked this question so many times because those who know me personally need me to confirm their suspicions; Camilla is partly based on me. Though I don’t have a romantic involvement with a vicar, I am sensitive to the spirit world. I’ll let you into another little secret; the character of Ross was also based on someone I know, or should I say, someone I knew...

You obviously have an interest in the paranormal and that is evident in Discovery at Rosehill and your great site Marvellous Mable. Where does this interest come from and have you had any paranormal experiences you’d like to share with us?

KATHRYN: I’ve been interested in the paranormal for many years, probably since my first encounter with what I suspect was a spirit presence when I was ten years old. Furthermore, my interests escalated when my grandmother passed in 1990, an inspirational and strong lady to whom I was particularly close. When I was given very personal messages from her, via a medium, I knew then that I needed to pursue my fascination with the world of spirit. In 2001, my beloved dad passed over and it turned my life upside down. But even though he was no longer with us in human form, he was most definitely still around in spirit. He has proved this many times since his passing, not least whilst I was writing and researching Discovery at Rosehill. Many of the experiences that Camilla encounters in the book are my own. I have elaborated on some in order to make them sound more interesting to the reader.

Discovery at Rosehill is a real page turner that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end and definitely best read at night when the house is quiet! Where did the idea for this particular type of story come from?

KATHRYN: The romance part of the book came from my imagination. I guess I’m a romantic at heart, though I’m quite hard on the surface! But the paranormal side to the story was an amalgamation of fiction and real-life events.

How long did it take you to write Discovery at Rosehill and what advice would you give any aspiring authors?

KATHRYN: It took me three years from start to finish writing the book. Unfortunately, I have EPILEPSY and spent nearly twelve months unable to concentrate on my writing which delayed publication significantly. I didn’t do much plotting for Discovery at Rosehill because most of the ideas were already in my head; for example, Camilla’s paranormal experiences. But it was evident during the structural edit that I should have spent more time plotting because I am sure it wouldn’t have taken quite so long to finish it. My advice now is to know what you want to write before you write it. Have lots of notes, a synopsis, character names, and places; once you start writing the first draft, everything will fall into place. Otherwise, it makes the editing process particularly tedious and dare I say it, a little disheartening.

Do you write every day and if so for how long per day?

KATHRYN: I do write every day, but I don’t work on a book every day. I write for many websites including my blog, so I make sure I always have something to write about.

What new books can your fans look forward to this year?

KATHRYN: I have finished the first draft of my second novel Hideaway. It’s a murder mystery about Lydia who thought she had the perfect marriage. The main story focuses around a police investigation to find a murderer, but it also features a side order of romance!

I would like to thank Kathryn for taking the time out of what is obviously a very busy schedule to complete this interview. I wish Kathryn every success in her next novel and look forward to reading it.

Discovery at Rosehill can be purchased HERE in paperback and kindle format.

Kathryn’s blog can be found HERE. She also has a paranormal blog called Marvellous Mable which can be found HERE . Both sites are well worth a visit!