Author interview
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated or did you always just know?
I started writing in the 4th grade when the teacher assigned the class our first-ever Creative Writing lesson. I knew the instant I put pencil to paper that I had found what I would do with the remainder of my life.
What inspired you to write your first book and what was it?
It was a horror/romance entitled “Save Me from the Roses”. I came of age in the 80s and love all of those old horror movies; Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, The Bogeyman, Motel Hell, all of them! LOL It was about a young woman on the hunt for her biological parents only to discover she’s the daughter of the Devil. There was a ton of sex, violence, and blood. I wrote it in Jr. High School and it was quite scandalous. My classmates mimeographed pages and passed them around. I got called to the Guidance Counselor’s Office more than once.
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
It’s my belief that all writers write what they know, at least to some extent, then we dramatize it. Yes, there is a lot of biographical information peppered throughout all of my books and stories.
Out of all the characters in your book, who is your favorite to write? There’s always a fan favorite to read about but sometimes it’s the side characters that are the most fun.
In this particular novel, my favorite character is Hannah Rice, the heroine of our tale. Hannah is a very unique and special woman, for all she’s been through in her life, she never stops looking to the future she’s determined to get her life back and make the most of it that she possibly can.
How did you come up with the lead character(s)?
I don’t come up with my characters they come up with me as the person they want to tell their tale.
Is your book part of a series, and if so, how many will there be?
Yes, there are four books to the Sister Christian series and “Prodigal Son” is the last book in the series. The others are “Genesis”, “Sins of the Father”, and “Mysterious Ways”. One shouldn’t be fooled by the title of the series or the titles of the books, this isn’t a ‘Christian’ or ‘religious’ series per say although, for the most part, it is suitable for such an audience.The title of the series is actually borrowed from the Night Ranger tune of the same name. That song is about a brother watching his sister become a young woman and knowing that he has to let her go and live her own life make her choices and decisions and hoping she makes the right ones. The series is about the same thing but more detailed.
How do you choose when/which characters die in your books?
I very rarely kill off characters unless it’s the bad guy he always gets his comeuppance in one way or another. As for other characters, I only kill them off if it furthers the story in some manner.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your book?
I’d fiddle around with the antagonist more. I’m never happy with the way they come out. I never think they’re bad enough.
Who designed the cover? And do you help with them?
I design and create all of my covers.
Did you learn anything from writing your books and what was it?
With a little faith (in whatever you chose to believe in), a little hope, a little luck, and little love, you can survive just about anything.
If you could be one of your characters, who would you chose?
Out of all of my characters I would be Ares God of War from my OF WAR series. Not that I’m a particularly violent person but let’s just say that the man knows how to get things done and nothing ever gets in his way unless it’s his wife, Alena.
We all love Supernatural, so which Winchester brother is for you?
Dean! I love Supernatural and binge watch it often. I hate the hiatus and waiting for the new season to start. Why it can’t just be on all year ‘round?
This or that...
Coffee addict?
Most definitely
Most definitely
What’s your favorite alcoholic beverage?
Southern Comfort
Southern Comfort
Favorite Food?
Pizza or steak
If you had to choose Coffee or Chocolate? –don’t laugh, I don’t like chocolate so it’s quite easy for me, but a LOT of people NEED both LOL
Tough one, can’t I have chocolate flavored coffee?
Tough one, can’t I have chocolate flavored coffee?
Beach or mountains?
Beach
Beach
Winter or summer?
Autumn
Autumn
Vampires or werewolves?
Gods
Gods
Cold or hot?
Cold
Cold
Favorite color?
Blue
Blue
Night or day?
Night
Night
Moonlight or sunlight?
Moonlight
Moonlight
AUTHOR BIO:
Lisa Beth Darling is 49 years-old, lives in her hometown of New London, CT with her husband of 30 years, Roy and is mother to their two daughters. She is the author of more than fifteen novels along with several short stories and non-fiction books. When she’s not writing she likes to garden and is an avid movie buff.
Author links:
Website: http://www.lisabethdarling.com
Blog: http://lbdarling.wordpress.com
Twitter: @lb_darling
Facebook: http://facebook.com/lbdarling
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1577311.Lisa_Beth_Darling
Purchase Links:
Amazon/Kindle: http://amazon.com/author/lisadarling
Nook: http://barnesandnoble.com/c/lisa-beth-darling
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/lisa-beth-darling/id411650358?mt=11
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/lisadarling
Prodigal Son-Sister Christian Finale
Blurb:
When the Hour is Darkest Love and Faith Can Conquer All.
In the final installment of the Sister Christian Series, the Court has demanded a hearing regarding Hannah's capacity. Hannah and Nick are falling deeper and deeper in love. Looking forward to a bright future together they begin planning their life together. A shadowy stranger from the past has set his sights on Hannah and her 3.5 million dollar trust fund. Is he really Rick MacNeill, the son Hannah thought died in the terrible fire at Saint Anne's? Is he someone sinister? The last of the family secrets come to light in this roller coaster ride of suspense, love, betrayal, and faith.
Short Excerpt:
"Oh, what am I doing?" She asked her reflection but it had no answers. "He's so much better than I am. Just like Rick."
The woman in the mirror just stared at her with a mixture of fear and bewilderment.
"This is crazy!"
Still her reflection only mimicked her.
Somewhere she heard a voice so real that it made her turn around then throw open the bathroom door to peer into the bedroom and the hallway to the living room.
Love is Crazy, it's not sane, Hannah, it's not logical. But it is real.
"Mama?" Hannah whimpered as she gazed into the empty living room, "Mama?" Holding tight to the gold locket around her neck she hurriedly ran her thumb over it. A week before her tenth birthday, she'd been sewing a quilt with her mother and asked her how she'd know when she was in love. Mama had said that love was crazy, it wasn't sane, it wasn't logical, but it was real and
You'll know it when your heart beats faster than a hummingbird's wings.
Every time she saw Nick or talked to him on the phone, even when she sent him emails on her vacation and then waited for his reply, her heart beat so rapidly she thought it would burst in her chest. That was at least as fast as hummingbird's wings. "I think I love him, Mama," she whispered to no one, "how do I know if he loves me?"
To that, there was no ghostly answer as it wasn't a topic they'd discussed that day as they sat quilting outside, under the big oak tree, in the bright sunshine.
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