Karen: Tell the readers about yourself:
Gerald: Well, I'm a widower living in Michigan with a house full of dogs. Some of my life was spent in the military and I've kicked around the world a bit in my younger days. Nothing too exciting, actually.
Karen: Tell us your latest news. Do you have any current projects you're working on?
Gerald: I have two or three stories I'm always working on. Right now I'm writing the adventures of a wizard for hire named Bertram, and the trouble he gets into.
Karen: What is the name of your story and what inspired you to write this tale for the Paranormal Pleasures, 2016 Halloween Romance Collection? Gerald: The name of my story is "Ghost of a Chance". I needed to write a story that brought the 1920s Appalachia series to a conclusion and set the reader up for my next series as a new generation falls in love. I decided to try my hand at a time travel story this time, so most of it actually takes place in 1640s England.
Blurb for Ghost of a Chance:
Billy Sherritt, the only warlock born in 300 years, is now a teenager and facing some choices about his life that he doesn't like. He unexpectedly gets sent back in time to 1640 in England, to meet the previous warlock and namesake Bill Sherritt and his sweetheart, Abigail. A Witchfinder is about to show up and the entire witch community is in danger. Billy wants to help, but he arrived as a disembodied ghost and he's forced to stay with Bill wherever he goes.
If he can't help this couple escape and make their way to America, his own future might be in danger. So far, he's only managed to compound their love life. It's hard to have a romantic rendezvous with a teenage ghost in the room.
Karen: When you were a child, what paranormal story intrigued you the most?
Gerald:I loved the original Universal Monsters. Especially the Frankenstein series of movies.
Karen: What do you think makes a good paranormal story?
Gerald:When the characters have motivations for what they do, and don't act like idiots.
Karen: What is your favorite paranormal movie or book?
Gerald: I think my all time favorite is "Ghost" with Patrick Swayze. I can watch that over and over and get the sniffles at the end every time.
Karen: Have to say I like that movie as well and tissues are always needed. :)
Karen: What makes you interested in the genre you write?
Gerald: Love is the most powerful motivation there is, and the most prone to completely mess up a situation. You can write a love story that is funny, tragic, and heartwarming all in the same story.
Thank you, Gerald for being here today. I can't wait to read the next generation of Appalachia tales.
She stood with hand on hip, glaring at him. Unheeded, the robe had fallen open in the front. Bill enjoyed the view while deciding sleep could wait.
"The Royalists sent for you?" she asked. "Bill, even my uncle says King Charles can't win and any nobleman who doesn't die on the battlefield might as well kill himself before the mob gets to him. If Cromwell and that bunch don't hang us all, we'll still end up destitute. How much did we loan them?"
"They paid us this time," he said. "And you've just given me an idea. I'll tell you about it later. For now, I have something more pressing to deal with." Bill pulled his Mistress and sweetheart onto his lap, took her nightlight and set it on his bedstead, then buried his face in her ample cleavage. "I've missed you."
"Are you talking to me, or my bosom?" she replied, but didn't pull away. In fact, she put her hands on the back of his head and held him tighter. "Are you sure you haven't found another pair of these to fondle when you're on those mysterious business trips? Speaking of business…"
His beloved Lady Abigail – heir to a small fortune, ward of a Duke, promised in arranged marriage to a Baron, and well out of reach due to his low station – continued talking. Bill wasn't listening. He suddenly had company inside his head.
You can purchase your copy of Paranormal Pleasures at:
Ebook: Amazon / Amazon UK / iTunes / Smashwords /Nook
In Print: Amazon /Createspace / Barnes and Noble
For more information about Gerald Costlow and his works, please visit his website at: http://theweaving.blogspot.com/
and http://victorytalespress.com/
Love the line about talking to her bosom, and the end of the snippet. Frankenstein is another great story.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry I missed answering right away. My mundane life got in the way. I discovered that the classic monster movies and books are love stories at their heart when I tried to figure out what made them so great.
DeleteLoved your excerpt, Gerald. And this time period is of special interest to me. I have the third story in my trilogy of historicals set in England in this period that is partly finished and deserted. You inspire me to get back to that and finish it.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that! I became an anglophile when I was stationed there for a few years. England and the rest of the British Islands have such a long, rich history that you can get lost in it.
DeleteI always enjoy your tales. Hope to read many more. :)
ReplyDeleteI have to thank you for your contribution to my stories. Your editing helps put a great polish on them.
DeleteGerald, I so agree with you about the motivation behind a time travel story. There has to be a purpose, a genuine reason why this character MUST go into the past or nothing in the story has any meaning for me.
DeleteYes, love is what makes a story fulfilling and memorable whether it's romantic love, love of a friend, family member, or children, or the love of country, the story takes on a deeper meaning to us human beings when the lead characters care beyond measure about someone or something.
I like the title of your story in the anthology and the lovely excerpt of the amorous hero, Bill.
I wish you great success with this wonderful fall anthology.
Thanks, Sarah. I must admit it took me a while to decide on the mechanics of my particular version of time travel but it turns out, without giving away too much, that it wasn't as random as Billy thought. It's fun playing with a paradox.
DeleteNow you have me wondering how Warlock's age compared to human children. How old is a teenage warlock?
ReplyDeleteI do agree motivation and logic (even if warped or skewed) makes the difference between an OK book and a great one.