INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAYMichelle: I just want to say that I am truly loving this book. I love that it is set in the future and it has a really great meaning behind the book. It does frighten you a bit to realise that something natural could have such a disasterous impact on our planet in the future and then on top of that, politically, humans could also further the damage in the future having an impact of a different nature, all leading to a dark future. I am loving Samura Waterhouse and Sidney is such a great character. I love the spiritual/Guardian aspect and how you have the mystery of Joy’s death, the Admiral who just quietly needs a ‘stinky dead fish slap’ from me and you are weaving these characters altogether. Sam is rather smokin’ hot.
Feather: Oh, those words are music to my ears, Michelle. When I hear someone enjoyed The Guardian’s Wildchild, I know that last ten years were worth the effort.
You liked Sam, eh? He’s a challenge but could be worth it. I had a thing for Danik. Still do!
Michelle : I think Danik deserves his own book...hint!!
Michelle : This story mainly takes place on the USS Nonnah. Have you previous knowledge of ships or did you start from scratch and do the research?
Feather: A writer is advised to ‘write what you know.’ But this advice went unheeded when I received the inspiration to write The Guardian’s Wildchild.
Both my husband and I have cruised extensively so I know about pleasure ships. I did interview people who had served on naval ships during war and peace time. I managed to create a way of using the military service information blended in with a cruise ship. It was a bit of a leap but I could envision the military taking over civilian assets in time of a crises.
Michelle : The ships destination is Acapulco. Is there a reason you chose this destination. I mean like a spiritual reason?
Feather: In taming our country’s land, we have buried its soul under concrete and technology. Thankfully, we have not plundered and uprooted everything on our planet. Places in Mexico and South America still carry the seed of their past, unspoiled.
A few years ago I travelled from Cancun to the Maya ruins in Mexico. Our bus stopped at an old town. As I stepped off the bus, I wondered if I had been in a time warp. The people and the landscape appeared from centuries past. In an odd way, the town felt more real and alive than the artificial world I live in. Memories of struggles, legends, wars, romance, family lineage, and pride was as evident in the Mexican faces as fiercely as it had for the previous thousands of generations.
Any place that remains untouched, unspoiled retains the spirit of the creator. There is a force in these places that is palpable. I think it frightens most of us because we know that we are at the mercy of something we don’t understand. We have simply forgotten our connection with spirit and become overwhelmed with its power in these sacred places.
Michelle: You have formed a world for the reader that is heading towards a dark place in its future. Do you have a fear of this yourself? We have lost masses of people to tsunamis, earthquakes, floods, disease on a smaller scale to your Quake of 2020.
Feather: Okay, I’m going to get on my soap box here!
In our romance novels authors are skilled in creating a romantic atmosphere which invariably leads to intimacy and sex. There is nothing romantic about the results of irresponsible sex - a starving child, a man in prison, a woman on the streets because the parents were ill-equipped to be role models and provide a future for their children.
I’m not sure what is more alarming – the rate of human population growth, or the fact that few seem to consider (or care about) the consequences of over population. If we had a growth on/in our body that spread at the rate the human population is growing, we’d call it a cancer and take radical steps to remove or stop it – which the planet just might do.
There now, I’ve vented. But my opinion is nothing compared to the volumes of scientific data on the subject of our planet’s future or the horrors that lay in wait for the human race. It’s not good, folks!
In case you are wondering, my hubby and I chose to not have children. We rescue abused and abandoned animals.
Michelle: Your writing flows wonderfully and you really have me in a reading trance with this book. Where were you and what were you doing when the idea for this book came to you?
Feather: Many writers will tell you that they don’t know where the inspiration came from. It’s so true for my previous stories. But The Guardian’s Wildchild was different.
Now, I’m not creating an interesting piece of fiction in response to your question. I have experienced the paranormal since I was a child. When I was about seven I met my spirit guide while walking home from school. The events continued on occasionally, but often enough that I became comfortable with the experiences. I used to think I was odd until I confided in friends, and discovered many people have these experiences but prefer not to advertise it.
About ten years ago, I experienced time/space travel – probably not an accurate description. The English language fails to have terms to describe with accuracy these kinds of events. The experience was so profound and detailed, that I could not forget it. I thought that if I wrote about it, the nagging energy would evaporate. For days, I stayed at the keyboard relating the story of my experience. Instead of being relieved by the memory, the story began to grow as I asked questions about what I saw and experienced. Five years later I had 1000 pages of double spaced typing. The story virtually took over my life.
Michelle: If you could pick a song that you felt described Sidney, what would it be? I like to ask this question of authors and put the song lyrics in my posting.
Feather: Oh, that sounds wonderful. I played a lot of Enya (especially “Wildchild”) while writing the story. But the song that most represents the rule-breaking, determined, passionate woman is Dido’s “White Flag”. It would be interesting to see what other songs the readers would pick.
Michelle: This song is PERFECT for Sidney.
Michelle: If you were a Guardian, what type would you be?
Feather: At this time, I consider myself a sleeping Guardian struggling to wake up. I have moments of enlightenment, transformative realizations of who and what I am. Then it’s gone, except for the memory. So far, I’ve lacked the courage to step into the Light for more than a moment.
Michelle: Could you please give me 5 words that describe each of the following: Samura, Sidney, The Guardian's Wildchild, Admiral Garland, Madame, Greystone.
Feather:
Samaru: disciplined, meticulous, compassionate, intelligent, powerful You liked Sam, eh? He’s a challenge but could be worth it. I had a thing for Danik. Still do!
Michelle : I think Danik deserves his own book...hint!!
Michelle : This story mainly takes place on the USS Nonnah. Have you previous knowledge of ships or did you start from scratch and do the research?
Both my husband and I have cruised extensively so I know about pleasure ships. I did interview people who had served on naval ships during war and peace time. I managed to create a way of using the military service information blended in with a cruise ship. It was a bit of a leap but I could envision the military taking over civilian assets in time of a crises.
Michelle : The ships destination is Acapulco. Is there a reason you chose this destination. I mean like a spiritual reason?
Feather: In taming our country’s land, we have buried its soul under concrete and technology. Thankfully, we have not plundered and uprooted everything on our planet. Places in Mexico and South America still carry the seed of their past, unspoiled.
A few years ago I travelled from Cancun to the Maya ruins in Mexico. Our bus stopped at an old town. As I stepped off the bus, I wondered if I had been in a time warp. The people and the landscape appeared from centuries past. In an odd way, the town felt more real and alive than the artificial world I live in. Memories of struggles, legends, wars, romance, family lineage, and pride was as evident in the Mexican faces as fiercely as it had for the previous thousands of generations.
Any place that remains untouched, unspoiled retains the spirit of the creator. There is a force in these places that is palpable. I think it frightens most of us because we know that we are at the mercy of something we don’t understand. We have simply forgotten our connection with spirit and become overwhelmed with its power in these sacred places.
Michelle: You have formed a world for the reader that is heading towards a dark place in its future. Do you have a fear of this yourself? We have lost masses of people to tsunamis, earthquakes, floods, disease on a smaller scale to your Quake of 2020.
Feather: Okay, I’m going to get on my soap box here!
In our romance novels authors are skilled in creating a romantic atmosphere which invariably leads to intimacy and sex. There is nothing romantic about the results of irresponsible sex - a starving child, a man in prison, a woman on the streets because the parents were ill-equipped to be role models and provide a future for their children.
I’m not sure what is more alarming – the rate of human population growth, or the fact that few seem to consider (or care about) the consequences of over population. If we had a growth on/in our body that spread at the rate the human population is growing, we’d call it a cancer and take radical steps to remove or stop it – which the planet just might do.
There now, I’ve vented. But my opinion is nothing compared to the volumes of scientific data on the subject of our planet’s future or the horrors that lay in wait for the human race. It’s not good, folks!
In case you are wondering, my hubby and I chose to not have children. We rescue abused and abandoned animals.
Michelle: Your writing flows wonderfully and you really have me in a reading trance with this book. Where were you and what were you doing when the idea for this book came to you?
Feather: Many writers will tell you that they don’t know where the inspiration came from. It’s so true for my previous stories. But The Guardian’s Wildchild was different.
Now, I’m not creating an interesting piece of fiction in response to your question. I have experienced the paranormal since I was a child. When I was about seven I met my spirit guide while walking home from school. The events continued on occasionally, but often enough that I became comfortable with the experiences. I used to think I was odd until I confided in friends, and discovered many people have these experiences but prefer not to advertise it.
About ten years ago, I experienced time/space travel – probably not an accurate description. The English language fails to have terms to describe with accuracy these kinds of events. The experience was so profound and detailed, that I could not forget it. I thought that if I wrote about it, the nagging energy would evaporate. For days, I stayed at the keyboard relating the story of my experience. Instead of being relieved by the memory, the story began to grow as I asked questions about what I saw and experienced. Five years later I had 1000 pages of double spaced typing. The story virtually took over my life.
Michelle: If you could pick a song that you felt described Sidney, what would it be? I like to ask this question of authors and put the song lyrics in my posting.
Feather: Oh, that sounds wonderful. I played a lot of Enya (especially “Wildchild”) while writing the story. But the song that most represents the rule-breaking, determined, passionate woman is Dido’s “White Flag”. It would be interesting to see what other songs the readers would pick.
Michelle: This song is PERFECT for Sidney.
Michelle: If you were a Guardian, what type would you be?
Feather: At this time, I consider myself a sleeping Guardian struggling to wake up. I have moments of enlightenment, transformative realizations of who and what I am. Then it’s gone, except for the memory. So far, I’ve lacked the courage to step into the Light for more than a moment.
Michelle: Could you please give me 5 words that describe each of the following: Samura, Sidney, The Guardian's Wildchild, Admiral Garland, Madame, Greystone.
Feather:
Sidney: passionate, brave, loyal, spiritual, powerful
The Guardian’s Wildchild Story: search for truth, power, love, trust, joy
Admiral Garland: wealthy, paranoid, lonely, angry, ambitious
Madame: insane, vengeful, intelligent, ambitious, fearless
Greystone: powerful, spiritual, devoted, wise, calm
Michelle: What was the name of the last book you read that really rocked your world?
Feather: Non-fiction book that rocked my world was “Endurance – Ernest Shackleton”. In 1914 Ernest Shackleton left London for what was destined to be one of the world's greatest polar adventures. In fact, his efforts on this trip are widely regarded as the greatest polar survival story of all time. His achievements and leadership in the fact of virtually impossible odds refreshes one’s core beliefs - about leadership, about people, and about striving to do your best - no matter the situation or the odds facing you.
Fiction: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon: I love stories that take me to a place I’ve never been before. A different time, culture, or a challenge of survival.
Feather: You know, I don’t like putting stories into categories. Most of my editors considered it to be a paranormal romance. I thought of it as mysticism / adventure. My husband didn’t think of it as any of those choices. I think it depends on the reader and what they focus on. One reader may focus on the spiritual aspects whereas another will be drawn into the murder mystery. Others will see the military setting as the primary interest. Some will be hoping Sidney finally melts the heart of the rulebook totting captain. I didn’t sit down to write a romance novel, or any other genre. I wrote the story as it was told to me by the characters of the story.
Michelle: Thank you for chatting with us and I wish you all the best with your book.
Feather: Thank you, Michelle. I am honored that you have chosen to quiz me on my book.
My book review of The Guardian's Wildchild HERE
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Author's Website: http://www.featherstoneauthor.com/
Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6L_YX24kzs&feature=player_embedded
Twitted about your giveaway at: https://twitter.com/#!/cherrymischivus/status/172697524799418368
ReplyDeleteGreat interview and giveaway! The White Flag song (I love Dido!) comparison makes me want to read this book!
ReplyDeleteGFC: Leanne Goon
e-mail: leannessf@gmail.com
Thanks!
Leanne
this sounds like a really good book! definitely on my tbr list now! thanks for the interview and giveaway : )
ReplyDeletegfc: alicia marie ezell
email: ame1184 at gmail dot com
I love the song White Flag! That was a very informative interview, ladies--good job. I'm definitely enjoying the military angle of the story, and I agree it's easy to imagine the military taking ownership of civilian property in such a dark future.
ReplyDeletelove the interview!
ReplyDeleteGFC ArtistaDonna
childrensbook13 at aol dot com
Great interview and great answers! I thought it was very interesting. I really want to read this book and I just keep liking it more and more with each interview, review, or other mention of it! :) Thank you so much!!
ReplyDeleteGFC: Victoria Reljin
email: vickie8818(at)gmail(dot)com
GIVEAWAY CLOSED
ReplyDeleteWINNER IS CHERRY..yayayay!! I've tweeted and FB you Cherry to give me your email address so we can get that sent to you:D
Michelle