Thursday, August 22, 2019

Getting to know Karilyn Bentley

We've all heard a lot about Karilyn Bentley's fabulous new book, The Shadowheart Curse. Who's not biting fingernails waiting for the filming to start? Before we talk about the book though, I want to find out more about the author. Here are a few questions I asked her.


1 – When did you first put pen to paper to start your first manuscript? Tell us about that story.

The very first story I wrote was in 4th grade and was very similar to a Nancy Drew mystery (can you tell what I used to read as a kid? ). But the first story I wrote as an adult was about a kid and his life story that was loosely based off of someone I used to go to school with. It sucked and is currently occupying a spot under the bed never to see the light of day.

2 – What made you decide to become a writer? We all know it’s a crazy business.

I used to work in a cube farm (you know, the office where there are a bunch of desks and people and it's noisy?) and decided I wanted to do something else in my life. There were all these ideas rolling around in my head wanting to escape so I started writing them down. But I have to admit, when I first started writing I thought all authors were rich and lived in mansions. You can stop laughing now.

3 – I love the paranormal genre. Why did you decide to go in that direction?

I love it too! Anything having to do with mysteries and paranormal is right up my alley. I've always been drawn to magic and paranormal and what better way to express that love than writing stories featuring the supernatural?

4 – I love ghost stories best. Have you ever had an encounter with a ghost?

I have. I saw my grandfather for several months after he died. Then he stopped visiting and I haven't seen him since.

5 – What kind of support system do you have as a writer?

I have author friends who I talk to about things going on in the publishing world. I'm also a member of RWA and used to be a member of DARA (Dallas Area Romance Authors) until I moved to Colorado.

6 – What do your friends and family think of you being a writer?

They find it fascinating! But most don't read what I write. My hubby read my Urban Fantasy series and seemed to enjoy it and he'll watch The Shadowheart Curse when it comes out as a movie. My mom has yet to read a whole book but she encourages me to keep on writing.

7 – Did you know any other writers before you started?

No, I didn't. But I know a lot of them now!

8 – What do you like best about being in this crazy business?

Being able to share the stories I love with the world.

9 – What surprised you the most when you published for the first time?

Refer back to question 2. I was not instantly rich. It's kinda funny now though!

10 – What is something you’d still like to accomplish as a writer?

I'd like to make the NY Times bestseller list. 


BIO:
Karilyn Bentley's love of reading stories and preference for sitting in front of a computer at home instead of in a cube, drove her to pen her own works, blending fantasy and romance mixed with a touch of funny.

Her paranormal romance novella, Werewolves in London, placed in the Got Wolf contest and started her writing career as an author of sexy heroes and lush fantasy worlds.

Karilyn lives in Colorado with her own hunky hero, two crazy dogs, aka The Kraken and Sir Barks-A-Lot, and a handful of colorful saltwater fish.

Where to find Karilyn:
Website:              www.karilynbentley.com
Newsletter:      https://eepurl.com/ba_0Rf
Facebook:           https://www.facebook.com/KarilynBentleyAuthor
Twitter:                https://www.twitter.com/karilynbentley1
Pinterest:            https://www.pinterest.com/karilynbentley

Now, what we've all been waiting for.



BLURB:
Escaping New York after a client’s untimely death, medium Adrianna Sinclair flees to her family property in Italy. All she wants is to avoid ghosts, but an attractive one tempts her in ways she never knew possible.  Luca Fausto has been trapped on the Romani property for over a century for a crime he didn’t commit.  Adrianna may be the answer to breaking the curse that keeps him bound.  Standing in their way is a demonic spirit's plan for revenge.  Will they prevail or will Luca be cursed to the shadows forever? 

EXCERPT:
Lights drew her attention to the opposite wing of the mill, where a man stood staring at her window. At her. Breath caught in her lungs as she froze.
But only for a brief moment until she realized it wasn’t a man, at least not a living one. Her breath escaped on a whoosh of relief. Intuition whispered the man was the spirit who’d watched her last night.
The one from her dream.
Shadows clung to his body, ghostly fingers releasing as he stepped into the dim slash of moonlight. Lights flickered from behind him, like the dying gasps of sputtering candles. Dressed in a white shirt with an old-fashioned high collar, sleeves rolled halfway up his forearms, and dark trousers, he reminded her of a working man in a World War I photograph. As if he had removed his coat and tie and rolled up his sleeves to get to work.
Except the men in those photos didn’t sport the wide-eyed, happy look of this man. Ghost. Whatever. Yeah, he wasn’t the only one surprised. She’d sworn never to see a ghost again, yet there stood a ghost, captured by her gaze. The man was hot, in an old-fashioned way. At least he didn’t sport a handle-bar mustache.
He gestured to her, his hand beckoning in a “come here” motion.
She squeezed the bridge of her nose. Was she actually thinking of heading his way? Judging by the way her feet pointed toward the door, she’d already decided. Dammit. She might not want to see a ghost or speak to a spirit, but past experience told her if she ignored them, they ramped up the annoying factor.
       How bad could it be to talk to an attractive spirit?

BUY LINKS:



11 comments:

  1. Thank you for having me on your blog today Sandra!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love having you here, Karilyn. You bring something new and exciting every time.

      Delete
  2. Great interview, Karilyn and Sandra! I love the paranormal too--which is probably why it finds its way into all of my books--and I've encountered ghosts on several occasions, including where I work: The Witch House here in Salem, MA. Best of luck with THE SHADOWHEART CURSE! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by Judith! I've never encountered a ghost I didn't know. I bet that was scary!

      Delete
  3. So enjoyed the interview! And I'm cheering for you to achieve #10--NY Times bestseller list, Karilyn! Wishing you continued success!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Happy happy happy day, my dear friend! And congratulations on the book and movie. You rock!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Enjoyed your interview! Can’t wait to see the making of The Shadowheart Curse. It’s now at the top of my TBR pile. Cantwait to read it.

    ReplyDelete