Good Morning everyone! I am thrilled to have Lisa Sanchez here to talk about Faythe Reclaimed, her Hanaford Park #3 series story. So read on for a blurb, my interview and review.
Hello Lisa! I’m thrilled to have you here and thanks for being today’s “Pick”.
Please share a little about yourself, your works and what got you into writing.
Yay! I’m happy to be here! Okay, here goes: My name is Lisa, and I’m a mom to three busy daughters. I love chocolate, reality television, retail therapy and books! I’ve penned four paranormal romance works (The Hanaford Park series, and Cursing Athena) and an erotic suspense, Obsessed.
I loved reading about Gabriel and Taylor, that opening scene where Taylor is unconscious and finding Gabriel being tortured was horrific! What came next was even worse for him. Share a little about that opening scene and what was going on as you were writing that scene.
Yes! I really tortured my characters in Faythe Reclaimed, lol. The opening scene was tricky. I wanted each installment of the Hanaford Park series to be stand-alone. Meaning, you wouldn’t have to read the previous work to understand what was going on. That said, I left off with a cliffie in book #2, so I sort of wrote myself into a corner. I knew I’d have to go back and rewrite the scene where Taylor gets sent back in time, from Gabriel’s point of view. And if you’ve read the book, I’m sure you noticed that everything from Gabriel’s point of view is dark and scary. Also, it’s also good to start a book out with a bang, and a torture scene certainly fits the bill.
When Taylor awoke in the strange place and she went running through the woods, did she realize at all that she was in a different place?
Great question! No. Between the head injury she attained, and the magic Lucian worked on her, she had no memory of where she came from, and no idea of where she was.
What do you think draws people to those brave heroes who face incredible odds to keep their heroines safe?
Honestly, I can only speak for myself. I think these types of heroes are hot! These guys fill a desire that can’t be met in real life. I mean, yes, my guy is awesome and will do anything he can to keep my safe, but the extreme situations we find in fiction make the heroics seem that much bigger.
Bigger, badder and more delicious! *grins*
You introduce us to those Bitches, the Fates, or Moirai, you make them all powerful and unfeeling! What brought the inspiration for their multiple appearances?
There was a lot of magic flying around in this novel. Power like that demands a price, and the Fates represented a balance, or check of that power. If I’d allowed Gabriel to swoop in and whisk Taylor to safety, the book would have been boring. I needed the Fates to ramp up the conflict.
Their punishment on Gabriel is harsh stuff, but he seems to be able to recover and move on after getting over the pain, burn and slow tortures and regenerating his muscles and skin *shudders* Can you share a little about where his powers stem from and what they are?
Gabriel’s tortured past is, unfortunately, what allows Gabriel to withstand the Fates punishments. Shudders is right on the money, lol! Gabriel came from a family of powerful witches and warlocks. His family was part of one of the most powerful covens in Europe. He grew up using his magic to battle demons, vampires etc., alongside his coven members. As far as what Gabriel can do, he can transform his appearance, the appearance of other things/objects, move/manipulate things, and levitate/fly. He can also generate fire to fight with, along with concentrated bursts of energy. Oh! And he can travel through time.
Taylor is thrown into Ingersolls Ordinary, where she is treated for her head injuries and sadly…poison ivy. The people believe she is a healer, Faythe Ellwood and she is sent to help, but trouble brews and follows her through the small town…especially in dealing with Goody Godbert. What a piece of work she is! What can you tell us about her?
You bet! Goody Godbert was a work in progress. When I began writing, I knew I wanted Goody to be the pious, judgmental older lady who dogged poor Taylor at every turn. About halfway through the novel, I learned Goody was not the “Godly” person she presented herself as. Sometimes, villains turn out to be the people you least expect, and I had fun demonizing Goody.
Taylor deals with the demons on more than one occasion. We don’t truly learn about what they are called until later. They are ominous! Where did they come from?
I do a lot of research, lol. Before I began writing, I hopped online and did a search for different magical creatures/demons that might work/fit what I had in mind for the story. When I find something I like, I usually then change things up, create my own story about the creature and what it can do.
Gabriel can’t interfere with the past, and resolves to stay in the shadows. However, he finds he cannot with the demons appearing more and in greater numbers, he find his means to help her. It comes in a way he finds peace, but only after his curse is realized and that it really wasn’t on him. Can you tell a little about the true meaning behind the curse and Nadya.
Oooh…deep question. I like! Okay, so Nadya is a whack job. And honestly, that’s me being nice where she is concerned. After she loses her brother, Stefan, she pretty much falls off the deep end and spirals into insanity. Angry with Gabriel for putting Stefan out of his misery, and filled with vengeance, she places the worst possible curse on him she can think of. She curses his fated love to suffer untold cruelties and persecution before dying, thus keeping them apart.
This is an ongoing series, can you share a little about how many are expected and what new characters we’ll be meeting (without spoilers of course).
I’ve stated all along that my original vision was to write four books. For the time being, Faythe Reclaimed is the final book in the series. I may revisit my Hanaford Park characters in the future and write a story for Jessica, but I don’t foresee that happening this year.
What other projects are in the works?
I’m so excited! I’ve just finished my first contemporary YA. The story is one that’s close to my heart. It features a group of All Star cheerleaders, and covers the very relevant topic of teenage drinking and driving. It’s angsty, and romantic and I’m very excited to share it with all of you. Hopefully this summer!
Lastly the fun questions:
Plotter or pantser?
Panster!
Early Bird or Night Creature?
I’m an early bird.
Are you more like Taylor, Prue or a combination?
Fun question! I’m probably a combination of them both. I have blonde moments for sure, but I don’t get distracted easily, like Taylor.
White, Milk or Dark chocolate?
Milk chocolate all the way, baby!
Coffee Tea or other?
Decaf coffee, please.
Music or quiet while working?
Depends on the scene I’m writing.
Favorite place to sit and write?
I’ve got a comfy recliner I do ninety percent of my writing in. Love it!
Computer or good old pen and paper?
Computer all the way.
Pick your poison (alcoholic drink of choice when going out): Captain and Coke
Thanks for stopping in Lisa, it was great to be able to pick your mind and talk about another hunky Spanish hero and what is to come!
Thanks for having me! This was a lot of fun!
Running through a strange forest with a bloodthirsty demon hot on her heels wasn’t Taylor’s idea of a rockin’ evening. Then again, neither was soaring backward through time and space. Time travel chafed and left a rank, nasty aftertaste. So, when she finds herself floundering amidst a sea of Commandment-loving holy rollers who fling accusations of witchcraft and bedevilment like hotcakes in a diner, finding her way home jumps to the top of her to do list. Too bad she can’t remember who she is or where she came from. And if that wasn’t bad enough, Taylor realizes she’s fallen for Gabriel, the mysterious Latin warlock who came to her rescue.
Battling an identity crisis and lost in a time that’s not her own, Taylor is determined to find her way back to twenty-first century Hanaford Park. But first, she and Gabriel must work together to uncover the dark scourge lurking in the shadows of Salem Village, and in doing so, save their lives, and the lives of countless innocents from a lethal date with the hangman’s noose.
Review
Taylor can't seem to escape trouble, it seems to follow her like a shadow. In this story poor Taylor starts off unconscious and hanging from her feet. Next thing she knows she's injured, in the woods and not alone. A scary creature is breathing down her neck looking at her like a piece of meat for savoring. She hears strange chanting and sees another person in the creatures mouth. But once it catches on to her, its dinner and time for the prey to run! She does and sees a handsome Latino come to her aid and using....magic? Yeah, she's crazy.. or so she thinks until she runs onto the near town and find herself in a town where the people speak strange and they are talking about...demons and witchcraft???
To the people in this town believe she is Faythe Ellwood, a healer from another town here to help with the towns growing demon problem. However, Taylor can't remember who she is or where she came from. When she gets caught up in trying to heal, the people start to think she's a witch and the talk starts to spread.
Now that Gabriel found Taylor again, he doesn't plan on letting anything keep him from her, but the Moirai (Fates) have other plans and intervene, claiming if he continues to twist the strings of fate he'll suffer severe consequences...for each time he interjects he'll loose a pound of flesh and bone...ouch! However, when demons seem to come after Taylor he can't help himself..and he manages to endure the torture of the fates when they transport him back for torture.
Tayor comes to grips with the fact she's stuck and even befriends another future healer, Prue. When threats of Taylor being a witch Prue risks it all and saves Taylor and sends her to Gabriel, he sends her away only to have her facing not one, but two demons. She ends up near death and heavily injured. Gabriel comes to realize that he can't save her and calls in backup. She gets well, but he isn't out of danger yet, the demons are coming more often and in greater numbers. Once again Taylor gets into trouble and Gabe is hurt. However he manages and find out whats going on and sends Taylor back, only to take her place to save her. She's in shock and drained physically and emotionally after everything. She's heartbroken and knows something has happened to Gabriel. You'll have to read the book to find out what happens.
I give this a sold 4 of 5 for the storyline, characters and a heart-felt story of how love finds a way through it all. I was heartbroken over Gabe loosing Taylor again and felt horrible for Taylor who couldn't remember a thign about her past or her own life. Thank you Lisa for delivering a story of fate and love.
