Author Interview with Barbara Edwards

Barbara Edwards is here to tell us about her series, Finding Rhodes End and her newest release, Ancient Curse. 

Please tell us about your series, Barbara.

Ancient Curse is the 3rd book in my Rhodes End Series.

Welcome to Rhodes End.

On the surface, nothing distinguishes Rhodes End from a thousand other small towns. More than half the population works at regular jobs, have normal families and lives. Farmers, shopkeepers, teachers and other townspeople are unaware of the ‘different’ ones. The dark undercurrents never touch them.

An ordinary tourist tooling up the scenic road may tell friends of the charming village, but only the harmless or the expected find it easily. The basic rules of space and time seem the same, but magic can occur along with paranormal activity. In fact, those with paranormal senses find them stronger, more reliable.

Rhodes End is located on a confluence of magnetic ley lines that draws magic and paranormal activity. Rhodes End dog-legs the Northeastern corner of Connecticut, the hip pressing against Massachusetts while the paw scratches into Rhode Island.

Rhodes End rarely appears on maps due to boundary and settlement disputes. Less than an hour from Hartford, Boston or Providence, major highways cut through the hills less than a mile away.

The ley lines are the same lines that pass under Stonehenge, the Great Pyramid, Machu Pichu and Anasazi ruins in Arizona. Their mystical power is recognized by ancient religions. The power existed before the Caucasian influx chased away the small tribes who used the site to call their spirits. Nothing is noted of the even older pictographs in the deep caves.

Quote from Ancient Awakening: This stretch of woodland and water along River Road was her favorite. Moonlight sent slivers of silver across the rippling water. A raccoon washed a bit of food from a perch on a fallen tree. The frost had emptied the footpath of joggers. “I’m near the North Bridge and heading back through the center. The moon’s barely risen, but the starlight’s so bright I can see frost along the riverbanks. I expect to hear a wolf howling.”

Title: Ancient Curse (Book Three)

Series: Finding Rhodes End

Author: Barbara Edwards

Genre: Contemporary Paranormal

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Release Date: November 5th 2014

Page Count: 238

Rating: Spicy (PG13)

BOOK LINKS:

The Wild Rose Press / Amazon

Ancient Awakening (Book One):

Amazon

Ancient Blood (Book Two):

Amazon

1. What inspired you to write this book?

The entire series started with a nightmare about the cemetery next to the house I grew up in. I love all the quirkiness of New England and its inhabitants.

2. Dreams/nightmares often inspire me as well. How did you come up with the names for your hero and heroine?

In Ancient Blood, Cole was easy since his hair is an inky black and I wanted him to be dark and mysterious. Of course, I named her Lily as in Lily white, his opposite.

3. What would women find irresistible about your hero?

All my heroes have a flaw and need help to heal inner wounds. Steve Zoriak, from Ancient Awakening, fears the mutation caused by his exposure during a lab accident will keep him from ever consummating his love for Mel. In Ancient curse, Cole can’t get over the death of his first wife and his guilt. Thomas from Ancient Curse won’t risk Rainie’s life when he can’t escape his past. What woman can resist?

4. A flawed man is the best man. If you have a pen name, can you explain how you came up with it?

I use a pen name to please my husband. When I started writing, stalkers were active with many authors. Since he is a retired police sergeant he was concerned with my safety.

5. Smart thinking! What are a few things we would find in or on your desk?

A lump of coal. My husband gave it to me as a joke about diamonds. I keep it to remind me that if you want something, sometimes you need to create it yourself.

6. I thought the coal might’ve meant you were naughty. I like what it really stands for more. Is there a teacher you would like to personally thank for his/her influence?

Hazel Robinson, from Prospect Street School, posted poetry for us to memorize every week. It gave me a love for the flow of words that has kept me writing and hoping to achieve that level of skill.

7. If you could give your book to anyone in the world to read who would it be and why?

My sister, Patricia, would love to read anything I write. She passed away from diabetic complications before I was published. She always kept hope alive and shared love like it was endless.

I’m sorry for your loss, Barbara! I bet your sister is proud.

8. Share three random facts about you.

I have a Belgian Malinois that we adopted from a shelter.

I love to garden and have several antique roses.

My home is a small Gothic Victorian built in 1872. We restored the inside and left the original wraparound porch. I cut the gingerbread to restore it.

9. What lessons did you learn early on in your writing career?

The only way to finish a book is to ignore life and write.

10. If you could write anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

 I love Hawaii. I could sit on the beach and inhale the scent of ocean a frangipani forever

AUTHOR BIO:

I’m Barbara Edwards and a native New Englander. I’m a graduate of the University of Hartford with a Master’s degree in Public Administration. I write poetry for myself and novels when I need to tell a longer tale. I’m fascinated by the past so naturally turned to writing historical romance. The dark paranormal stories evolve from nightmares. The romance comes from my belief in people’s basic goodness and longing for love.

I lived in Florida for several years and am past president of the Central Florida Romance Writers and a member of Romance Writers of America.

When I returned to Connecticut, I founded the Charter Oak Romance Writers, a Chapter of Romance Writers of America, along with several close friends.

My husband is a retired Police Sergeant. We share an interest Civil War re-enacting and travel the Eastern states to participate in events. I love visiting museums, galleries and battle sites, gathering information for my stories.

I taught Romance Writing at Manchester Community college for three years. I’m fond of gardening and growing antique roses with limited success. Most of my exercise is when my Belgian Shepherd, Dixie, demands a walk. 

                          

AUTHOR LINKS:

Blog / Website / Facebook / Twitter

Amazon Author Page / Goodreads

Thanks for telling us about your series, Barbara!

Please leave a comment for her!