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Janice Bennett
Cold Turkey
www.jebennett.com
What is Cold Turkey about?
It’s a light-hearted murder mystery set in a very small rural town filled with people who like each other and like to get involved with community activities.
What do you think readers will enjoy most about it?
That it's meant for pure fun and escapism. It's not dark. There's too much darkness going on in the world right now. We need more lightheartedness and caring about each other.
Do you have a regular job, and if so, what is it?
Regular job? What job ever turns out to be regular? Over the years I've been an archaeologist, a bookkeeper, taught crafts, jewelry making and novel writing at community colleges and t'ai chi at my local adult school. Right now I've got family responsibilities. That job's far from regular, but it's more than full time.
What is the most interesting thing you've ever done?
That's a hard one. My life has not been boring. Possibly the time I spent with a Papago shaman while I was working on my master's thesis.
Who do you think is the sexiest man alive and why?
My husband, of course. I know how to answer questions like that. But I suppose you mean someone other people would recognize. Okay, Sean Connery. What can I say? It's the voice.
What do you do for fun and relaxation?
Relaxation? Would you mind defining that? Okay, we watch a movie every night, and while I'm watching I knit, crochet, quilt, or spin yarn, preferably from my dog's fur. She's a Newfoundland, so when she's not drooling, she's shedding. Usually she's doing both at the same time.
Where is your favorite place to spend time?
That's easy. Yosemite National Park, beside (or in or on) the river.
If you could have one magical power, what would it be?
This is probably the only serious answer you'll get from me. I'd like to be able to spread an aura of peace and healing around the world. But other than that? I'd like to be able to snap my fingers and have my house cleaned and organized. That really would be magic.
Ciana Stone
That Which Survives
www.cianastone.com
What is That Which Survives about?
That Which Survives is about two people who meet and realize they both have had their lives and memories tampered with to further the goals of others; and a tale that shows two people discovering that despite all that people may suffer, despite all hardship, some things do survive. Like the ability to love.
Senna Laserian is the main character, a woman who finds herself suddenly at the center of a battle between shadowy factions to harness and control a weapon of massive destructive powers. In the midst of danger she uncovers hidden truths about her family, her past and herself. And she discovers a passionate side of her nature that she did not realize even existed.
Konnor Chase is a man fighting demons of his past; a man trying to come to terms with who he is and what he’s done in life, and a man who has no desire to remember that past because it contains too much pain. He’s accepted that he will probably always be emotionally alone and strives to find peace within himself. He doesn’t expect to get drawn back into a world he fought so hard to escape, a world ruled by deception and subterfuge, pain and death. And he sure doesn’t expect to be thrown into danger with a woman who makes him long for things he thinks he can’t have.
But fate has decided that Senna and Konnor’s paths will collide, and while each is on their own quest for self-discovery, their paths are irrevocably linked and so they face the danger together, realizing along the way that they’ve found in one another something they’ve both been searching for.
What made you decide to write this book?
Zecharia Sitchin and his Earth Chronicles series. I was fascinated by his theories on Sumer and the Annunaki, and found myself wondering “what if?” I love the “what if” questions. That’s what sets the imagination free.
Aside from that, I like to explore the hidden parts of humanity. By creating characters who find themselves facing the worst of humanity and the terrible things we inflict upon one another; when faced with tragedy, suffering, fear and confusion, with devastating loss, it allows me to explore the question, what part of ourselves survives such things and what part do we allow to wither away? And it allows me to discover at the end of the tale, something about myself. When taken as a whole, do my words paint a picture of the strength of the human spirit? Do they speak of the survival of what is best in us? I don’t know the answers to the questions, but that’s okay. I’m content to understand the questions.
What do you think readers will enjoy most about it?
Hopefully the unpredictable ride, but really I have no idea. I enjoyed learning about the characters as the story unfolded in my head, and I hope others do as well.
What is the most interesting thing you’ve ever done?
Jeeze Louise, you don’t ask the easy questions, do you? Let’s see, the most interesting thing? Well that kind of depends on whose definition of interesting you use. And since I’m using mine, I’d have to say it was taking in and watching a community of feral cats (15 that grew to 30) over the course of two years, coming to understand the dynamics of the relationships in that community and how the animals related to and worked with one another, how they control their population, and how a human goes about being accepted into the community. I ended up with a lot of scratches and bites, and spent a boatload of time (and money for food to keep them up), but it was quite enlightening.
What characteristics make a man attractive to you?
Honesty. Open-mindedness. A non-litterer. A sense of humor. Being comfortable in his own skin, the ability to laugh at himself, inner strength that is born of life experience, a strong love of nature, being physically fit and active and enjoying physical activities, and the capacity to appreciate people for who they are beneath the skin
What do you do for fun and relaxation?
Fun means physical to me. Whether it’s splitting wood, raking leaves, exploring the woods, running, getting my hands in the soil, wading through the creek, or making love, as long as I’m moving I’m pretty happy. I love playing disc golf, and taking long hikes, climbing trees and exploring. I like getting together with friends at off-the-beaten-path bars, dancing and laughing, or sitting at an open air concert, or just hanging out with my “sisters.”
Relaxing isn’t my strong suit. I tend to be a little hyper. But I do meditate every morning at dawn, and I make a point to stand outside every night under the sky for an “end of the day thanksgiving.” That’s relaxing and it restores my soul. Just lying on the ground and watching the clouds roll by is relaxing. Lying in a big ol’ bubble bath with lots of candles and music is relaxing. My all-time favorite, however is lying on a blanket in front of the fire, under the stars while I’m getting a really good back massage. Now that’s relaxation!! (not to mention totally pampering)
Where is your favorite place to spend time?
Outdoors, in nature. I hate being cooped up indoors. I love the mountains, the beach, green meadows, rolling pastures, wooded trails and endless plains. Being blessed enough to live on such a beautiful world, I want to see and smell and taste all of it.
If you could be someone else for one day, who would you be?
It’s a toss up between Stephen W. Hawking (then I’d totally get all the quantum mechanics theories), Yoda (be totally tapped into the Force) or Bill Clinton (Did I have sex with that woman?)
If you could have one magical power, what would it be?
The ability to make people want to do better for our world. To stop killing it and the life that dwells on it, and to love it and be good caretakers of it and each other. That’d be a pretty cool power. |
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