BooksChatter: ℚ Myth and Magic

A big welcome to Mae Clair; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter.

What was the inspiration for Myth and Magic?

"When I was a kid, there was a house in our neighborhood that everyone said was haunted. There were always whispers of strange things going on there, and we (the kids) invented stories to feed those rumors. With Myth and Magic I wanted to capture the same feeling I had as a kid when I wondered if there really were ghosts in the house.

I also wanted to write a book with a lavish Halloween party! :-)"

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"There are a few things here and there. As an example my hero’s mother has a passion for folklore and myth, and that’s definitely drawn from me. Another example is that I don’t like ketchup, and dip French fries in mustard when I eat them. Not mixed with mayonnaise, just mustard. Some people have that quirky, so I gave the trait to my hero."

Guilty - I also do that with my chips :-p

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Myth and Magic - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"I’m the same way, drawn to books by their covers. My publishing house, Kensington Publishing/Lyrical Press, did the cover based on concept information I submitted. Since Stone Willow Lodge is featured so prominently in the story, I wanted a spooky, brooding house on the cover. I asked for something evoking an ominous mood, and I think Lyrical did a fantastic job."

Why should we read Myth and Magic and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?

"I really enjoyed weaving a Halloween theme throughout the story. Not only does something tragic happen on Halloween in the past that colors my hero’s opinion of the holiday, but I was able to create a lavish party where everyone arrives in costume near the end of the novel. There are also flashback sequences throughout the novel that tie together childhood events for my main characters with their current circumstances. Perhaps that’s not unique, but I do think it adds to the story."

Can you tell us something quirky about Myth and Magic, its story and characters?

"That’s a great question! My hero Caithelden (Caith) Breckwood, and his three brothers, Aren, Merlin, and Galin were all named (by their mother) for characters from myth. I created the name Caithelden myself and wove a short myth to go with it, which I share in the book."

Who would you recommend Myth and Magic to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"The book is a romantic suspense novel woven with a mystery. I think anyone who enjoys reading either genre will appreciate it. As for warnings, the romantic scenes are what I consider PG-13, with some added steam. There is some occasional strong language but it’s fleeting."

If you could / wished to turn Myth and Magic into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"I would definitely want a secluded wooded setting for Stone Willow Lodge with a small town nearby. The lodge itself would have to be large and rambling with long hallways and nooks and crannies for hiding. I would have a younger Jim Caviezel (Frequency and Angel Eyes era) play Caith, but for the other characters I can’t really name a current or past celebrity off the top of my head. I know what Veronica and the others look like in my mind, but can’t match those ideas to a current celebrity. I always seem to have a problem picking a cast for my novels, LOL."

Yep, I can see Jim Caviezel as Caith.

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"My favorite genres to write are romantic suspense, suspense, mystery and thrillers. Those are also my favorite genres to read, although I frequently hop genres when reading and have written everything from westerns to sci-fi, fantasy and horror when it comes to trunk novels."

What is your writing process?

"I always start with characters before plot. All of my fiction is heavily character-driven so my hero, heroine, and even secondary characters tend to make themselves known first. From there, I sketch out their backgrounds, what motivates them, and the obstacles they have to overcome. That in turn, gives me a bare-bones idea of a plot, and from there I start writing. I “pants” most of the novel but I do make detailed character outlines beforehand."

What is in store next?

"I just signed a three book deal with Kensington Publishing’s new Lyrical Underground imprint devoted to suspense, thrillers, and mysteries. The first novel in my Point Pleasant Series (A Thousand Yesteryears) will be releasing in April of 2016. The series is centered around odd events that take place in Point Pleasant West Virginia, including the return of the Mothman (remember the movie The Mothman Prophecies with Richard Gere?), UFOs sightings, and mysterious men-in-black. I’ve visited Point Pleasant twice in the last two years in order to do first-hand research for the series and am thrilled that Lyrical offered me a contract."

Congratulations and we certainly look forward to your new series. Many thanks again for chatting to us today. Have a great tour!