Today,
we're doing something a little different. Fellow author Raegyn is stopping by to talk about her book!
Hello, Raegyn! It's great that you're visiting MLB. Lovely to see you again! :)
Hi, Marie! Thank you for having me here.
My pleasure, of course! So, let me ask a few questions since you're here...
All right.
Can you tell us a little about your book? When did it come out and where can we get it?
My book is called Lavender Fields. It
is the first in a trilogy called The Eternal Journey Series. It is a romance
centered around reincarnation. Connor and Greye meet and though neither is
seeking love, it finds them anyway. Of course, they have to deal with their own
personal issues in regards to race and tolerance. Then there's the outside
forces they must deal with in answering the question -
What if love found the right people
at the wrong time?
I had the privilege of having the
eBook release on September 20, 2015 and the print copy to follow on the 25th.
The 20th was my mother's birthday, which seemed perfect in that the inspiration
came from a true family story.
Lavender Fields is available
as both print and eBook at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other book
retailers.
That's great! I love a good reincarnation story.
So, what inspired you to write your book? How did you get into writing romance?
The inspiration came from the story
of my great grandmother who as a plantation owner's daughter, ran off with a
mulatto (mixed) slave. They obviously got away to have my grandmother, et cetera,
but my imagination conjured a story where this forbidden and dangerous love
couldn't have the ending it wanted. The lovers of the present have to overcome
certain obstacles (as in the previous life) and decide if they will take the
second chance they didn't know they were getting.
How I got into writing. I got a tape
recorder from an uncle as a kid, and loved to create my own stories into it (to
of course hear my own voice back!), and I would "interview" my
neighbors for bytes on my "radio show". So, even though I was a
storyteller from a young age, I really fell into writing with real intent in
high school, and after some of life settling in, it found me again. I started a
story and loved the process of creating a world of my own, where I could give
them whatever adventure I wanted them to have.
Romance writing came into play more
after my father shared the story of his mother and her sister's parentage. I
adored my Aunt Paul (E. Pauline Myers), and was impressed with her story of
being a foot soldier in the Civil Rights movement as well as being a writer
herself.
That's great! I love a good reincarnation story.
The inspiration came from the story
of my great grandmother who as a plantation owner's daughter, ran off with a
mulatto (mixed) slave. They obviously got away to have my grandmother, et cetera,
but my imagination conjured a story where this forbidden and dangerous love
couldn't have the ending it wanted. The lovers of the present have to overcome
certain obstacles (as in the previous life) and decide if they will take the
second chance they didn't know they were getting.
How I got into writing. I got a tape
recorder from an uncle as a kid, and loved to create my own stories into it (to
of course hear my own voice back!), and I would "interview" my
neighbors for bytes on my "radio show". So, even though I was a
storyteller from a young age, I really fell into writing with real intent in
high school, and after some of life settling in, it found me again. I started a
story and loved the process of creating a world of my own, where I could give
them whatever adventure I wanted them to have.
Romance writing came into play more
after my father shared the story of his mother and her sister's parentage. I
adored my Aunt Paul (E. Pauline Myers), and was impressed with her story of
being a foot soldier in the Civil Rights movement as well as being a writer
herself.
Fascinating!
What, do you feel, sets your book apart from other books in the genre?
Lavender Fields is different in the
aspect that though it follows traditional romance ideals, the internal struggle
Connor & Greye go through on their own as well as after getting together is
difficult. There are real, raw emotions shared and real, raw language and
settings.
The lovers of their previous life
also faced some ugly truths and more horrific consequences of their love.
Lavender Fields is different in the
aspect that though it follows traditional romance ideals, the internal struggle
Connor & Greye go through on their own as well as after getting together is
difficult. There are real, raw emotions shared and real, raw language and
settings.
The lovers of their previous life
also faced some ugly truths and more horrific consequences of their love.
All right.
So, give us a teaser or two of the book if you can.
The Dream
Screams
of outrage and pain crashed against the howling wind. Breaking glass followed
while a crimson ooze covered the wet ground.
A
lingering scent carried on the breeze was swallowed by the night. The orange
glow on the horizon turned an ominous dark and the sky rumbled with agitation.
Each
time the dream came to her, it was as vivid and profound as before. Through the
fog of this dream appeared a hazy universal image. The small, obscure wooden
marker at the top of the hill marked a long-forgotten resting place.
Greye
had dozed off on the park bench and the haunting dream had come upon her again,
as it had so many times in years past. She was never able to understand the
nightmare, and it unsettled her still, as an adult. Set in a faraway place and
time, there was always something more just beneath the surface… hinting at an
unknown that should somehow be familiar.
Greye couldn’t have known the role
this recurring dream would play in her future.
***
Greye looked down to begin writing again when a searing pain shot
straight up her leg. She froze in shocked confusion. She grabbed her knee as
her eyes blurred with tears. Then she noticed the bright green Frisbee that had
smashed into her right kneecap.
The kids were now otherwise occupied, their voices softer and
further in the distance. The man was approaching with the Lab in stride. Greye
could sense he had stopped in front of her. She heard an anxious and strong,
deep voice.
“Oh God, I’m so sorry. Are you okay? I’m so sorry.”
Clutching her throbbing knee with one hand, and wiping her eyes
with the other, Greye looked up into his cobalt blues, which were still cringed
looking at where his errant disk had landed. Managing to conceal an unexpected
sigh, she replied, “I’m fine, I think. Just wasn’t expecting it.”
She watched as he drew a hand through his dark, short hair. It was
a nervous habit, she figured. She also noticed the tousled, shiny waves that
threatened to end in curls if his hair got much longer.
***
Connor caught an intriguing scent on the wind he thought he
remembered, but couldn’t quite place. “My apologies really. I didn’t expect it
to catch that much air.”
As if feeling guilty by association, the golden Lab came and
rested its big head on her uninjured leg. When Connor saw the smile she gave
his best friend, a warm feeling began
to blossom in his chest.
Scratching
the dog’s ears, she offered, “It’s okay, I’ll live. May never walk right, but
I’ll live.”
The
casual smirk she quickly added had Connor feeling the stricken pallor of his
face blush with heat.
“Well,
it has to be said, there has been considerable advancement in knee replacement
these days. Though I do hope it doesn’t come to that.”
Greye
let out a soft laugh escape and she countered with, “I don’t think it will. I’m
tough. I’ll forego the surgery, and wear this limp with pride.” She gently
massaged her red and puffy knee.
This
time Connor had to laugh. He really liked this pretty woman with the quick and
easy comebacks. She appeared to be of mixed race, most likely black and white,
with her flawless honey colored complexion. It was those expressive green eyes
he found he could get easily lost in. He strongly resisted the urge to touch
her soft chin length brown hair, which he noticed, was lit with auburn
highlights as it fell in loose waves around a diamond shaped face. He noticed a
scar that ran just under her jaw line. Her slender body looked to be in pretty
good shape as well.
With
a cocky grin and a small bow, he said, “A battle wound then I most humbly take
credit for." Then he added, “I couldn’t help but notice your perfume. It’s
really … nice.”
“Thank
you. It’s just hand lotion; honey and—”
“Lavender,”
he finished. That’s her scent.
She replied, “It’s honey and
lavender, yes.”
Ooh! I definitely want to know what happens next.
Let's try another question, okay?
I'm sure readers are curious about your next writing project. Can you
tell us what you've got cooking up now or is that a secret?
I'm cracking along with Book 2,
currently titled Cypress Groves. This time the stakes get not only darker, but
downright murderous! Angela and Tre find each other at a time when romance is
the furthest thing from their minds as a mysterious stranger comes to town on
the heels of a grizzly find. The citizens of the small town aren't altogether
sure how they feel about this stranger, or the new sheriff, who seemingly came
out of nowhere.
Cypress Groves will bring back some
familiar characters as well bring readers new, interesting, and unforgettable
characters into the mix. The paranormal aspect gets kicked up a notch, but it's
all about the journey to love, right!
I'm cracking along with Book 2,
currently titled Cypress Groves. This time the stakes get not only darker, but
downright murderous! Angela and Tre find each other at a time when romance is
the furthest thing from their minds as a mysterious stranger comes to town on
the heels of a grizzly find. The citizens of the small town aren't altogether
sure how they feel about this stranger, or the new sheriff, who seemingly came
out of nowhere.
Cypress Groves will bring back some
familiar characters as well bring readers new, interesting, and unforgettable
characters into the mix. The paranormal aspect gets kicked up a notch, but it's
all about the journey to love, right!
You're certainly right about that!
And how exciting! We certainly look forward to your next book!
Thanks so much for stopping by to tell us about Lavender Fields, Raegyn!
Of course! Thanks for having me here.
It's my pleasure!
Readers, you'll just have to pick up a copy of this wonderful paranormal/reincarnation romance! ;)
Here is the blurb.
Torrential rain spikes. A scream pierces the dark night.
Greye Fields has immersed herself in her literary work, with no
desire to chase the inevitable sting of rejection she knows too well.
She won’t allow herself the time or the desire to pursue love.
Until she meets him.
Connor Donovan is perfectly content with his bachelor status. Life
is good, teaching middle school English, and being the favorite uncle.
He wants for nothing.
Until he meets her.
Shattered glass. A wash of blood.
Is it a nightmare or a memory?
Can Connor and Greye overcome the obstacles to the love of all time, or is tragedy doomed to be repeated?
What if love found the right people in the wrong time?
Purchase Links:
Amazon Universal: http://bookgoodies.com/a/B015NC4D8E
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lavender-fields-raegyn-perry/1122711459
CreateSpace: https://www.createspace.com/5753791
Publisher: http://solsticepublishing.com/lavender-fields/
What people are saying about Lavender Fields:
"Lavender Fields is a
multilayered story that captures the reader's attention...I enthusiastically
recommend this book and am looking forward to the next installment in the
trilogy. Great work, Raegyn Perry!"
-Linda R.
"I loved this story! Lavender Fields is a mixture of mystery,
romance and intrigue. It is at times, thought provoking and I could feel the
emotions that Miss Perry was spilling over the pages of this heart wrenching
love story. The correlation of the past and present comes to together to solve
a mystery that pulls the reader in and then tips them over with the reveal. I
can't wait for the sequel!"
-Vicki-Ann Bush (Author of
Room 629, Fulfillment)
This sounds like a great read!
About the Author:
Raegyn (pronounced Reagan) Perry is thrilled to share her debut novel, Lavender Fields,
with readers. This is the first book in the Eternal
Journey Series. It asks the question,
‘What if love found the
right people, at the wrong time?’
With the inspiration coming from a true family
story, and having found the uninhibited time to write, a story of unequaled
love and desperate circumstances was born.
When not writing, Raegyn is perfectly content curled
up with a good book, TV binge watching, or on a fun travel adventure. Also,
anyone who knows her knows she loves to dance (a lot!) wherever and whenever
possible! How would she describe Lavender
Fields?
It’s a
paranormal romance that centers around reincarnation; so it’s basically two
romances! The story is funny, sexy, dark, and raw while being twisted,
mysterious, and still somehow romantic.
Raegyn believes readers can connect with her lovers,
Connor and Greye, on a few levels. It has the elements of the classic love
story: boy meets & gets girl, but it also tackles some real and
uncomfortable issues, while introducing characters that anyone can relate to,
root for, or despise altogether! Then, throw some odd clues with a helping of
paranormal in, and you have a unique take on a timeless aspect of romance. The
author hopes so anyway!
For
a love even time can’t deny
After Raegyn completes the Eternal Journey Series,
she hopes to begin work on another series, which readers can actually catch a
glimpse of first within the pages of Lavender Fields.
The beautiful Pacific Northwest state of Washington
has been home since 2001. She has one grown son whom she adores. Raegyn is
currently working on the second book in the series, Cypress Groves, and as a
playwright, she’s currently investigating options to get her full length stage
play, Daisy Juice, produced in the area.
Author Links:
Website: http://www.raegynperry.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/raegynp/
Raegyn's Book:
This sounds like a great read!
About the Author:
Raegyn (pronounced Reagan) Perry is thrilled to share her debut novel, Lavender Fields,
with readers. This is the first book in the Eternal
Journey Series. It asks the question,
‘What if love found the
right people, at the wrong time?’
With the inspiration coming from a true family
story, and having found the uninhibited time to write, a story of unequaled
love and desperate circumstances was born.
When not writing, Raegyn is perfectly content curled
up with a good book, TV binge watching, or on a fun travel adventure. Also,
anyone who knows her knows she loves to dance (a lot!) wherever and whenever
possible! How would she describe Lavender
Fields?
It’s a
paranormal romance that centers around reincarnation; so it’s basically two
romances! The story is funny, sexy, dark, and raw while being twisted,
mysterious, and still somehow romantic.
Raegyn believes readers can connect with her lovers,
Connor and Greye, on a few levels. It has the elements of the classic love
story: boy meets & gets girl, but it also tackles some real and
uncomfortable issues, while introducing characters that anyone can relate to,
root for, or despise altogether! Then, throw some odd clues with a helping of
paranormal in, and you have a unique take on a timeless aspect of romance. The
author hopes so anyway!
For
a love even time can’t deny
After Raegyn completes the Eternal Journey Series,
she hopes to begin work on another series, which readers can actually catch a
glimpse of first within the pages of Lavender Fields.
The beautiful Pacific Northwest state of Washington
has been home since 2001. She has one grown son whom she adores. Raegyn is
currently working on the second book in the series, Cypress Groves, and as a
playwright, she’s currently investigating options to get her full length stage
play, Daisy Juice, produced in the area.
Author Links:
Website: http://www.raegynperry.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/raegynp/
Raegyn's Book:
I love coming by to visit you Marie!
ReplyDeleteIt's always a pleasure, Raegyn! Thank you for stopping by! :)
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