Whirlwind
Whirlwind is the culmination of the Southern Spirits series. It is a MMM ménage, and is Stefan's story. We met Stefan in Aftermath, as a confused, naive spirit of a young man who had been murdered. In Whirlwind, he gets his own love story when he meets two new sexy spirits, Jordan and Gideon. Their first encounter puts them at odds, but it isn't long before Stefan has the two men wrapped around his little finger. Of course, that's not quite what he wants them to be wrapped around...
Why is McKinton Texas such a stereotypical small town, USA in the book?
There's a stereotypical small-town ideal, and McKinton fits it. Good people, but a bad one here and there, and everyone knows your business before you do. Having lived in a few small towns myself, I have to say that the description fits most of them. I wanted McKinton to seem familiar to people, even if they'd never been to Texas.
This is book eight in the Southern Spirits series so what can you tell us about the previous ones?
This is probably my favourite series that I've written. A Subtle Breeze, the first book in the series, was the third book I wrote back in 2009. I had so much fun with it, and then came When the Dead Speak. Laine and Sev stole my heart. There will probably be a Laine and Sev short on my blog around Christmas time, just to check in and see how they are :-) This series doesn't make the afterlife seem to final, I suppose, which is something else I like about it.
To what extent do you believe in the afterlife?
I do believe in the afterlife, I'm just not sure what that is and am in no hurry to find out.
Tell us about your inspiration behind the three key characters.
Stefan was very naive, but enjoying the freedom, as a spirit, from his physical limitations. Gideon and Jordan were both soldiers who were killed in the line of duty. With Stefan, I'd wondered about what happens when we die-- would we be released from our physical issues? Well, I figured we would have to be. Our body dies, but not the soul, and the soul is strong, a beautiful, colourful thing that once freed would surely soar. Stefan gets to find his wings and find out exactly who he is. Gideon and Jordan came to me after watching a news program about soldiers returning from battle with PTSD and the hardships they faced. I wanted all of those soldiers to have happy endings. Some don't get them in real life; but I'd like to think they do in the afterlife.
You say that stories spin around in your head, so how do you assemble them into some kind of order?
I sit down and start writing. Most of the time, I have notes either in a notebook or on my phone (How did we survive without smartphones? I can't remember ;-) ) The first three chapters are always the hardest, although occasionally I end up having to scrap as much as fifty pages because I keep stubbornly pushing something that isn't working. You'd think I would learn...
Please can you give us a short review of the book you are currently reading.
I'm reading Ariel by Steven R Boyett. I had read it twenty-six years ago, could remember the plot but not the title. I finally found it and bought it in paperback and eBook formats, and have been happily losing myself in the story of Pete and Ariel. A cursing, sarcastic unicorn? How could I not adore her? I won't give away any spoilers, but I do recommend this fantasy book.
What is next for you?
Right now I am working on Leopard's Spots: Sabin, then there is another Mossy Glenn story to tell before returning to the Leopard's Spots final book. I won't mention the title of that one, yet. It's going to rock the series readers' world, though. :D
Buy now from Total E Bound Publishing!
