What better way to kick off the holiday season! I sat down for a chat with the talented and delightful author of The Daughters of the Crescent Moon Trilogy, Patricia Lee.
VC: Patricia, thanks so much for taking time to meet with me.
PL: I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Needless to say the elaborate kidnapping plot wasn't necessary of you to plan and execute.
VC: Well, one does what one needs to do for one's public. I hope the ride in my car's trunk wasn't too uncomfortable.
PL: Not at all. The fact that you drive a Ford Pinto adds a little spice to the adventure with the whole risk of an exploding gas tank.
VC: Let's begin. Give us an introduction about yourself. What’s your background? Where did you grow up?
PL: First off, I love being Canadian. Nothing against any other country, but I truly am grateful to be Canadian. Background – kind of boring. I’ve moved around a lot, not because of any specific reason (ie: military, running from the law LOL!!) I think it might have something to do with my dad; he traveled extensively before he married my mom. Could also be because I haven’t found a place where I want to definitely stay. Currently I’m living in a house the longest time in my life – ever – eleven years.
VC: And I love you being Canadian. I love your maple syrup and definitely your handsome Mounties. And on behalf of the United States we'd like to thank you for Michael Buble. It makes up for Celine.
PL: Thank you, we are so proud of Michael. And I take it you're a big fan of the Royal Family also?
VC: It's my daytime tiara. Anything bigger would be a bit much. Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
PL: I came across a book by Karen Ross while on holidays in Austria last year. Very much liked her writing (romantic suspense.) I’m thinking of trying George R. R. Martin, since he writes fantasy and that seems to be where I’m heading – for now.
VC: Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?
PL: I initially wrote a book years ago (which is still locked away in a closet) that actually prequels the Daughters of the Crescent Moon Trilogy. I’m reluctant to discard it so I might polish it off but it will need some major revisions.
VC: I'm intrigued. Tell me more.
PL: That would require whips and chains...Wait, sorry, I forgot who I was talking with...
VC: Darn... You're no fun. If you could meet any of your own characters, who would it be?
PL: I’d have to say the Sorceress Narena. She is so strong, much more than I think I could be. She’s practical but has a depth of caring that she doesn’t reveal to most people. Plus, she can do awesome magic (using herbs instead of ‘black magic’)like send someone through time.
VC: Let's go a bit darker. Ever take someone you absolutely despise and create an equally disgusting character as a form of therapy or dare you admit…revenge?
PL: Not yet and when/if I do I’ll have to write under a pseudonym!
VC: Naturally, I would never be one of those characters....
PL: I'm sorry, was that a question? Of course not, I....adore....you...
VC: Are you jealous of other writers, besides me;? If yes, why?
PL: I don’t think I’m jealous. Envious, definitely. But since I don’t know the road any of those writers have tread, I can’t label my emotion as jealously.
VC: Now, I never thought in a million years I would become an author. Did you?
PL: Without sounding egotistical, I think so. I’ve dreamt about it long enough and was determined enough not to let it go. I don’t give up easily. I see it as a job, not a hobby and because I look at it as a job, I work at some aspect of it every day. My dream is to make a living out of it – someday.
VC: Do you belong to any writer’s associations? If so, which ones and why?
PL: Not locally. But I do belong to RWA (because a fellow writing friend was a member and said it might help me out) the subsidiary chapter of RWA called Futuristic, Fantasy and Paranormal, and also the Paranormal Romance Guild. Have been thinking about joining the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, but joining the V.C. Birlidis fan club is at the top of my list.
VC: OMG! I am so surprised and flattered. I didn't see that coming.
PL: So I should have ignored the little piece of paper you just shoved at me, with the words "Fan Club" on it?
VC: Moving on. How about someone you absolutely love or adore? Are they in your book(s)?
PL: There are three women (good friends) whose characteristics make up the Sorceress Narena, the heroine in my second book. That’s why the book is dedicated to them.
VC: It’s pretty hard to keep the usual humdrum aspects of life, particularly when you are working on your latest manuscript. Take me, for example. It's so hard to point where the housekeeper missed polishing.. Well, that's if I had a housekeeper. How do you keep from resenting your duties and every human’s sleeping requirement when you have to stop writing to take care of them?
PL: I’m lucky when it comes to that. I don’t have kids and my cats have been relatively easy to care for. I’m also a bit selfish when it comes to my writing. And my hubby is super supportive. He knows how important it is for me so he doesn’t disturb me during my creative process. Like I said, I’m very lucky.
VC: How do you react to a bad review of one of your books? Voodoo dolls and some pins work for me.
PL: It’s one person’s opinion. Period. That’s how I looked at it regarding all the rejections before getting published. It’s the only way I can look at it and continue to write.
VC: If you could pick the perfect location to write, where would that be?
PL: Sitting on a balcony in a condo in the Mediterranean (have never been there but seen lots of pictures) overlooking the ocean. But I’ll take my second choice, which is a small cabin on a lake, alone, with no phones, TV, radio or internet. In fact I go to a place like that ever year for a week.
VC: I am lucky enough to have that perfect place, also. A family cottage in Michigan, on a lake, on 190 acres. So it has that sense of total peace and quiet, yet close enough to town to run in for a gallon of milk or a loak of bread. Two more questions for this installment: If you could work with any author who would it be?
PL: My ultimate favorite author was Sidney Sheldon and I wished I had a chance to meet him. Other than that I can’t think of anyone because my writing is so solitary I only share it with one beta reader.
VC: If you knew your book was awesome, but others thought it was horrible, would you try to convince them that it really is good, or would you think to yourself that it isn't good at all?
PL: Neither. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. If I don’t think the book is good, I won’t send it to the publisher until I’m happy with it. And if I’m happy with it and another reader is not, that’s okay. Books, wine, music, art – it’s all selective.
VC: Patricia, thanks so much for taking time to sit down and talk with me.
PL: Oh, no, thank you, VC. Thank you....
VC: Just a reminder, this is the first installment of my interview with Patricia Lee. Two, of the three installments are available of her series, The Daughters of the Crescent Moon Trilogy. Below I've provided additional information about these two wonderful novels.
The Daughters of the Crescent Moon Trilogy.
Destiny's Past
Destiny's Past Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvWZX0r9UCU
No-nonsense medical examiner, Kelly Richards, relies on the familiar comforts of science and scalpels to get her through the day. So when a not-so-dead guy who claims he's from
When Jarek, Prince of Leisos, discovers someone he trusts has been slowly poisoning him, he travels to the future in search of a cure. Driven by vengeance, he enlists the help of an impudent scientist to return him to his time. Caught between his growing desire for Kelly and the need to expose his would-be assassin before he strikes again, Jarek must either forfeit his ticket home or lose the only woman he’s ever loved.
Destiny’s Present
Destiny's Present Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-sHT8jy7Xo
The sorceress Narena has done many things for Leisos – advised the king, helped heal a young girl and sent a prince forward in time to save his life. Now, to protect her people, she may have to sacrifice herself, her lover, her child. Maybe even all three.
She hunts for the one who threatens the royal family and the throne of Leisos. And also seeks the daughter taken from her at birth. There’s only one problem. They might be one and the same. What she finds on her quest is love and hate, loyalty and betrayal, and a revelation that will change her life forever.
Ardis is a warrior and former captain of the king’s army. His allegiance to the throne lives in his blood – as does the secret he carries. He will protect both at all costs. Even if it means killing Narena or someone she loves.
Where you can find Patricia Lee on the web:
Website: http://patriciaclee.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorpatriciaclee
Blog: http://authorpatriciaclee.com
Destiny’s Present
Destiny's Present Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-sHT8jy7Xo
The sorceress Narena has done many things for Leisos – advised the king, helped heal a young girl and sent a prince forward in time to save his life. Now, to protect her people, she may have to sacrifice herself, her lover, her child. Maybe even all three.
She hunts for the one who threatens the royal family and the throne of Leisos. And also seeks the daughter taken from her at birth. There’s only one problem. They might be one and the same. What she finds on her quest is love and hate, loyalty and betrayal, and a revelation that will change her life forever.
Ardis is a warrior and former captain of the king’s army. His allegiance to the throne lives in his blood – as does the secret he carries. He will protect both at all costs. Even if it means killing Narena or someone she loves.
Where you can find Patricia Lee on the web:
Website: http://patriciaclee.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorpatriciaclee
Blog: http://authorpatriciaclee.com
