BooksChatter: ℚ♫ Kyrie Carter Paranormal Mystery Series [1-2]

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Leta Hawk to talk about her Kyrie Carter Paranormal Mystery Series published by BookTrope Editions.

Author Q&A | The Series | About the Author | Tour Stops

A very warm welcome to Leta Hawk, thank you for joining us on BooksChatter.

To start, Leta has shared with us a list of music that she listens to while writing. This is definitely a fun one, and it contains one of my all-time favourites: Night Boat by Duran Duran. The last piece in the list is actually an album, released by Walt Disney Studios, containing mostly sound effects - I have included this in its entirety (ca. 26 minutes). Enjoy!

"Chilling Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House - cheesy, but it scared the daylights out of me as a child, and parts of it made great background for writing."

What was the inspiration for the Kyrie Carter Paranormal Mystery Series?

"The Kyrie Carter Paranormal Mystery series (The Newbie and School Spirits are the first two in the series) actually started out as Ghost Hunters fan fiction.

I have never personally been on a paranormal investigation, or even on a ghost walk (I hope to change that very soon), so these stories allow me to vicariously experience what I think it would be like. School Spirits is especially meaningful to me because it is set in a fictionalized version of my own alma mater, Lock Haven University, which has a lot of ghost stories that I’d like to investigate."

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

"Friends have commented that they see a lot of me in the character of Kyr. I would say they’re correct. When I was writing the fan fiction, I was writing it as though I were investigating with Jason and Grant, so a lot of my personality transferred into Kyr.

As the series progresses, Kyr is going to work through a number of demons from her past (and present), many of which I have struggled with myself. I like to joke that my writing is a cheap form of therapy."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your covers for the Kyrie Carter Paranormal Mystery Series - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"Jessica Anhalt designed both my covers.

The Newbie features a Victorian house (one of my obsessions) with a spooky moon in the background. The paranormal investigation in this book takes place in such a house, so the cover sets the tone for the story.

The building on the cover of School Spirits—Appleton Hall in the story—is actually Russell Hall from my alma mater, Lock Haven University. I’ve always thought that building had a stately yet spooky air to it, and since the main haunting in the story takes place there, it was the perfect choice."

Can you tell us something quirky about the Kyrie Carter Paranormal Mystery Series, its story and characters?

"The main character, Kyrie Carter, has a lot of quirks. One of my favourite is her fear of Styrofoam wig heads, which led to a hilarious scene in The Newbie, and which will pop up again in subsequent books.

Kyr’s romantic interest, Spook Steele, has a bit of a background story as well. He was only intended to have a very brief appearance in The Newbie, but he seemed to be insistent on playing a more important role. At first, I only had a vague idea of his appearance and personality, but then fate stepped in. I was a huge Merlin fan at the time, and during the episode in which the character of Gwaine was introduced, it hit me like a ton of bricks that Eoin Macken was Spook Steele. To this day I cannot look at pictures of Eoin and not see Spook."

Who would you recommend the Kyrie Carter Paranormal Mystery Series to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"This series is intended for older teens and adults who love ghost hunting, spooky stories, and mysteries that need a little help from the other side in order to be solved.

There is no graphic sex in my stories, but as Kyr and Spook’s relationship intensifies, there will be some steamier scenes that hint at what might happen."

If you could / wished to turn the Kyrie Carter Paranormal Mystery Series into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"This is something I have thought about a bit. As I said, Eoin Macken would make a perfect Spook Steele. Kyr is a bit harder to cast, but I’m leaning towards Deborah Ann Woll, as she is very close to what I imagine Kyr to look like. A friend suggested Nathan Fillion as Gabe, and I think he’s perfect for that role.

As for locations, The Newbie is set in Pennsylvania, and I still keep a sharp eye out for the perfect setting. There is certainly no shortage of Victorian mansions around here, but they need to be in the right out-of-the-way setting to make it work.
As for School Spirits, I would love to shoot that one in or around Lock Haven. Not only is the campus beautiful, but the mountains and the Susquehanna River surrounding it are breathtaking as well."

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

"For the moment I’m writing paranormal mystery, but I’ve also started reading cozy mysteries, especially those with a supernatural twist. On the side, I am working on a Christmas-themed cozy that is just in the beginning stages. I do know there will be a Victorian mansion, a dead town Santa, and a helpful spirit with a stubborn romantic side.

I also like fantasy, especially anything with an Arthurian theme. I have a YA Arthurian-themed novel on the back burner that features Gawain and an original character, a young lady-in-training who falls in love with the brazen knight."

What is in store next?

"I am currently working on The Witch of Willow Lake, Book 3 in the Kyrie Carter series, and I have the first several chapters of Book 4 done as well (no title yet). In Witch of Willow Lake, Kyr is really going to develop as a well-rounded character, and not just a children’s librarian who ghost hunts on the side. We’re going to see her struggle with her religious background as it clashes with her fascination with the paranormal, and she’s going to face a lot of conflict with her family.

Book 3 also delves into some local legends of Clinton County, PA, where School Spirits and Witch of Willow Lake are set. Specifically, we will meet the Giwoggle, a werewolf-like beast first sighted near Lock Haven in the early 1800s."

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?

"I have a black lab named Raven. She’s a naughty little girl who loves belly-rubs, her stuffed hippo, and eating things she shouldn’t eat. Here is a photo of Raven with my boys Wesley and Wayde. I’m in the background catching up on my reading."

Hello beautiful Raven! Definitely belly-rubs for you!
Hi there, Wesley and Wayde :-)

Thank you for sharing and for being with us today. We wish all the best for your future releases and look forward to the Newbie and School Spirits.