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Friday, October 30, 2015

Interview- Lavender Fields by Raegyn Perry


What inspired you to become an author?

As a child, I was creating stories and recording them on one of those old tape recorders you had to push like three different buttons to record! As I got older, I continued to find ways to make up worlds and stories. I found myself with the time to write, and pulled up this idea I’d written up called Lavender Fields. It took on a life of its own, and I knew I wanted to finally share a story of mine with the world.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Sometimes, despite what we think, or what society and the rest of the world says, true love, in the end, won’t ever be denied.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

My Great -Aunt E. Pauline Myers. She loved sharing her stories of her days working alongside those who laid the groundwork and foundation for the Civil Rights movement. She was feisty and funny, and pretty fearless. I like to think she was also a bit of a romantic in there somewhere too. The life she led, and the stories she wrote are in my opinion, legend. I wish she were around to see that although I write fiction, I always hoped to do her proud.

What book are you reading now?

I’ve started many books! The one on my nightstand right now that I’m enjoying is (my signed copy! Hehehe) of Robert Dugoni’s ‘My Sister’s Grave

What books are in your to read pile?

I’ll go with just what’s on my nightstand and a few on the Kindle! Animal Dreams, The Art of Possibility, Middlesex, The Other Story. Kindle would be some author friends’ books- Heuer: Lost and Found, by A.B. Funkhauser, The Magic of Murder by Susan Solomon, Second Chance Heart by Marie Lavender, and Investigating the Heart by Heidi Rene Mason, Arine’s Sanctuary by Kate Marie Collins. So many more, but that’s a start!

What is your current “work in progress” or upcoming projects?

I’m working on Book 2 of the Eternal Journey Series, Cypress Groves. It’s a deeper step into the paranormal world, and I have to admit I actually had fun killing some people! Is that wrong?  J

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Absolutely! Here you go:

Cypress Groves-Book 2 of the Eternal Journey Series by Raegyn Perry

The rich metallic smell of fresh blood permeated the air. It stood over its kill and inhaled, letting the gored tissue drip from its muzzle. Embracing the full power of it predatory nature, it licked it lips, savoring the salty taste that lingered on its tongue.
Sharp, yellow eyes scanned the forest, taking in the quiet stillness amongst the trees, shrubs, and leaves of the dense forest floor.

It had gone first for the neck, piercing through the carotid artery. It took its time as crushing bone gave way to the meatiness of the marrow. Sinewy muscle, skin and fat were ripped away in a warm deluge of blood.

The features of the face were now missing, as the jawbone was severely snapped from the skull. A left arm and right foot were strewn about like a discarded toy, as the open body cavity was easily eviscerated. The body was left then to the animals of the forest to consume what was left.

Knowing the woods would not be clear for long, it let power come. Its breath fogged the air as it snorted out, and with a final hard shake, the transformation took over. The pain of the change was a welcome privilege for being the superior creature it was.

This kill was not instinct. It was not for survival or territory. It was simply a calling card. This was a promise of not only death, but complete and total carnage. The beast then headed toward town on two human feet.

Who designed the cover of your latest book?

The amazing Michele Crocker of mlcdesigns4you.weebly.com

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Don’t ever feel it’s too late to go after your dream! It’s easy to get discouraged, That’s when you have to shake it off and say ‘I want it bad enough. I’m going after it!’

Do you have a song or playlist (book soundtrack) that you think represents this book?


My musical preferences have always been eclectic! For this book, I actually reference some of the music that I connected to while writing it. At Last by Etta James was easily the biggest influence. It’s kind of Connor and Greye’s song!

Lavender Fields
Eternal Journey Series
Book One
Raegyn Perry

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Solstice Publishing/
Summer Solstice

Date of Publication: September 20, 2015

ASIN: B015NC4D8E

Number of pages: 239

Cover Artist: Michelle Crocker

Book Description:

Torrential rain spikes. A scream pierces the dark night.

Greye Fields has immersed herself in her literary work. She has a life she’s happy with. She won’t allow herself the time or the desire to pursue love.

Until she meets him.

Connor Donovan is perfectly content with his bachelor status. Life is good, teaching middle school English, and being the favorite uncle. He wants for nothing.

Until he meets her.

Shattered glass. A wash of blood.

Is it a nightmare or a memory?

Can Connor and Greye overcome the obstacles to the love of all time, or is tragedy doomed to be repeated?



Excerpt:
The Dream

Screams of outrage and pain crashed against the howling wind. Breaking glass followed while a crimson ooze covered the wet ground.
A lingering scent carried on the breeze was swallowed by the night. The orange glow on the horizon turned an ominous dark and the sky rumbled with agitation.
Each time the dream came to her, it was as vivid and profound as before. Through the fog of this dream appeared a hazy universal image. The small, obscure wooden marker at the top of the hill marked a long-forgotten resting place.

Greye had dozed off on the park bench and the haunting dream had come upon her again, as it had so many times in years past. She was never able to understand the nightmare, and it unsettled her still, as an adult. Set in a faraway place and time, there was always something more just beneath the surface… hinting at an unknown that should somehow be familiar.
Greye couldn’t have known the role this recurring dream would play in her future. 
***

Greye looked down to begin writing again when a searing pain shot straight up her leg. She froze in shocked confusion. She grabbed her knee as her eyes blurred with tears. Then she noticed the bright green Frisbee that had smashed into her right kneecap.
The kids were now otherwise occupied, their voices softer and further in the distance. The man was approaching with the Lab in stride. Greye could sense he had stopped in front of her. She heard an anxious and strong, deep voice.
“Oh God, I’m so sorry. Are you OK? I’m so sorry.”
Clutching her throbbing knee with one hand, and wiping her eyes with the other, Greye looked up into his cobalt blues, which were still cringed looking at where his errant disk had landed. Managing to conceal an unexpected sigh, she replied, “I’m fine, I think. Just wasn’t expecting it.”

She watched as he drew a hand through his dark, short hair. It was a nervous habit she figured. She also noticed the tousled, shiny waves that threatened to end in curls if his hair got much longer.
***
Connor caught an intriguing scent on the wind he thought he remembered, but couldn’t quite place. “My apologies really. I didn’t expect it to catch that much air.”
As if feeling guilty by association, the golden Lab came and rested its big head on her uninjured leg. When Connor saw the smile she gave his best friend, a warm feeling began to blossom in his chest.

Scratching the dog’s ears, she offered, “It’s OK, I’ll live. May never walk right, but I’ll live.”
The casual smirk she quickly added had Connor feeling the stricken pallor of his face blush with heat.

“Well, it has to be said, there has been considerable advancement in knee replacement these days. Though I do hope it doesn’t come to that.”
Greye let a soft laugh escape and she countered with, “I don’t think it will. I’m tough. I’ll forego the surgery, and wear this limp with pride.” She gently massaged her red and puffy knee.

This time Connor had to laugh. He really liked this pretty woman with the quick and easy comebacks. She appeared to be of mixed race, most likely black and white, with her flawless honey colored complexion. It was those expressive green eyes he found he could get easily lost in. He strongly resisted the urge to touch her soft chin length brown hair, which he noticed, was lit with auburn highlights as it fell in loose waves around a diamond shaped face. He noticed a scar than ran just under her jaw line. Her slender body looked to be in pretty good shape as well.

With a cocky grin, and a small bow he said, “A battle wound then I most humbly take credit for. Then he added, “I couldn’t help but notice your perfume. It’s really … nice.”
“Thank you. It’s just hand lotion; honey and—”
“Lavender,” he finished. That’s her scent.

She replied, “It’s honey and lavender, yes.”

About the Author:

Raegyn (pronounced Reagan) Perry is thrilled to share her debut novel, Lavender Fields, with readers. This is the first book in the Eternal Journey Series. It asks the question, ‘What if love found the right people, at the wrong time?’

With the inspiration coming from a true family story, and having found the uninhibited time to write, a story of unequaled love and desperate circumstances was born.

When not writing, Raegyn is perfectly content curled up with a good book, TV binge watching, or on a fun travel adventure. Also, anyone who knows her knows she loves to dance (a lot!) wherever and whenever possible!

How would she describe Lavender Fields?

It’s a paranormal romance that centers around reincarnation; so it’s basically two romances! The story is funny, sexy, dark, and raw while being twisted, mysterious, and still somehow romantic.

Raegyn believes readers can connect with her lovers, Connor and Greye, on a few levels. It has the elements of the classic love story: boy meets and gets girl, but it also tackles some real and uncomfortable issues, while introducing characters that anyone can relate to, root for, or despise altogether! Then, throw some odd clues with a helping of paranormal in, and you have a unique take on a timeless aspect of romance. The author hopes so anyway!

For a love even time can’t deny.

After Raegyn completes the Eternal Journey Series, she hopes to begin work on another series, which readers can actually catch a glimpse of first within the pages of Lavender Fields.

The beautiful Pacific Northwest state of Washington has been home since 2001. She has one grown son whom she adores. Raegyn is currently working on the second book in the series, Cypress Groves, and as a playwright, she will be investigating options to get her full length stage play produced in the area.



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