ℚ April in the Back of Beyond - P.M. Terrell

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with returning author P.M. Terrell to talk about April in the Back of Beyond (26 June 2019, Drake Valley Press, 262 pages), a Romantic Suspense/Ghost Story.

"p.m.terell is most definitely a master wordsmith, plying her craft so well as to make us fall under her spell and never, ever want to come back out." ~ Reviewer K.J. Partridge

"As a reader you are swept along on a magic carpet of writing wizardry." ~ Reviewer Simon Barrett

"p.m.terrell is without doubt one of the best authors I have had the pleasure of reading." ~ Fated Paranormals

|| Synopsis || Trailer || Teaser: KCR Preview || Author Q&A || About the Author || Giveaway & Tour Stops ||

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A very warm welcome back to Patricia M. Terrell; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

What was the inspiration for April in the Back of Beyond?

"While I was performing research into my ancestry and Irish history, I came upon the story of two brothers who were murdered in 1919 as Ireland fought its war for independence from Britain. I was captivated by the story and particularly their mother, who had witnessed their murders and had tried vainly to save their lives. I changed the location, names and certain facts, however, because descendants of both the victims and the killers are still alive. In April in the Back of Beyond, writer Hayley Hunter arrives in Ireland to perform research for her next book—just as I had done—but she soon discovers the carriage house she has rented in haunted by the spirit of April Crutchley. She is determined to discover what happened at the ruins beside the carriage house and the abandoned British barracks it overlooks, and why April cannot leave the back of beyond even in death."

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

"I am constantly asked about my writing and research, particularly after my historical work, Checkmate: Clans and Castles was released in 2017. The book Hayley is writing is based on that book, and I reveal a lot about the work that goes into research. Her methods mirror my own—beginning with the Internet, carefully staying with sites associated with colleges, universities, museums and societies dedicated to preserving history. Then she travels to Ireland just as I have done to meet the historians, genealogists and other experts to further round out the research. There are two things, however, that make Hayley’s Irish trip different from my own: her rented cottage is haunted and she falls in love with historian Shay Macgregor."

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

"On Facebook, I enjoy sharing pictures from Ireland, whether it’s ancient castles or their thirty shades of green or their beautiful, quaint villages. I’ve received such an outpouring of gratitude from Facebook followers for sharing such beautiful scenery that I knew I wanted a photograph of Ireland on the cover. The photographer is Willie Forde and his business is Willie Forde Photography in County Westmeath, Ireland. The gate figures prominently in the book as Hayley is haunted not only by the ghost of April Crutchley but of her two murdered sons that lead their cattle through the gates each night."

Can you tell us something quirky about April in the Back of Beyond, its story and characters?

"The main character is writer Hayley Hunter, and she is named after my grandchildren, Hayley and Hunter. In the first chapter when Hayley catches a glimpse of herself, I describe my granddaughter—though I’ve added a few years. In real life, Hayley is completely fearless, and I used that wonderful characteristic with the heroine in the book. Had it been me renting a haunted cottage, I would have been out of there in the middle of the first night. But Hayley Hunter is down to earth, practical and independent—and she’s not afraid of ghosts until their power has grown and she can no longer ignore their presence—or their intent."

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

"I love writing mysteries and suspense, because they are ideally suited to being page-turners. I enjoy ramping up the pressure and barrelling toward that climactic scene. I fell in love with Ireland a number of years ago as I travelled back and forth researching my family history and then my books, and I enjoy placing scenes in Ireland whether they’re in a novel or an historical work. These are also the types of books I enjoy reading, especially when there is an historical event or backdrop and dual timelines."

What is in store next?

"I am currently working on The Struggle for Independence, which will be released in the spring of 2020. It is about a woman named Independence Mather who comes to the conclusion that she has created the perfect life with the wrong man. It is the eve of rebellion in 1916 Ireland, and she finds herself pitted between the British loyalist she is married to and the Irish rebel she truly loves."

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 love adopting dogs from the humane society. I currently have two Jack Russells. Eddie (with the tricolor face) had been shot in the leg before coming to the humane society. I brought him to a surgeon who reconstructed his leg and installed a metal brace. He gets around so well that no one can tell he almost lost that leg. Lucy had parvo and nearly died; the humane society asked if I could foster her because their kennels were full, and she’s never left. Neither one of them knows they’re dogs. Prior to having this pair, over the decades I’ve adopted a mastiff, Australian shepherd, two walker hounds and a collie, all from SPCA or humane societies. I even auctioned off the role of a dog in my book, The Banker’s Greed, and all the proceeds went to the Robeson County (NC) Humane Society."

Eddie

Lucy

Very commendable, and what a story with both of them!

Lucy and Eddie, you are very lucky babies; lots of head-scratches and belly rubs to you both from all of us at BooksChatter!

Patricia, we hope you are having a great tour!

April in the Back of Beyond
Available NOW!

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