Author Interview & Giveaway: In This Life by Terri Herman-Poncé

In This Life
Past Life Series
Book 1
Terri Herman-Poncé 

Pages: 228
Publication Date: April 17, 2014
(second edition)




About the Book:

Hidden memories. Buried secrets. Resurrected revenge. 

Psychologist Lottie Morgan knows something is wrong when she relives memories of a lover she's never had. At first she attributes them to fever-induced dreams. But when the fever disappears and the visions don’t, Lottie realizes something else is going on. 

Then she meets Galen. Their first encounter is as intense as it is eye-opening, and his revelation that they shared a passionate relationship thousands of years ago in ancient Egypt entices Lottie into wanting to learn more about her past. Her decision, however, comes at a price. Galen may hold the answers but he could destroy the devoted, lifelong relationship Lottie has with her current lover, David.

It also could mean her death—again.

Someone is protecting millennia-old secrets, determined to keep them buried while exacting a revenge on Lottie for a mistake made a very long time ago. A mistake she could be destined to repeat.

Take a trip to mysterious ancient Egypt, where Lottie becomes caught between two lifetimes, two men, and long-buried deceptions. Hank Phillippi Ryan, Agatha, Anthony and Macavity-winning author, calls this paranormal suspense about reincarnation and finding your soul mate "Inventive, original and thought-provoking; this mystically romantic mystery will instantly intrigue."

Reviews:

-WiLoveBooks on this psychic mystery and getting a second chance: “Riveting…had trouble putting the book down.”
-The Reading Café calls this historical, vengeful suspense: “Fast paced, well-written…amazing.”
-Hesperia Loves Books about this metaphysical romance: “evocative, sensual, engaging…thoroughly addictive.”
-Book Chick City: “A great read…a fabulous balance between paranormal and mystery.”

Amazon

PRFL would like to extend a very warm welcome to Terri Herman-Poncé, author of In This Life. Terri, to begin, can you tell us where you're from, and where/whom did your love for writing come from? 

I grew up in Queens, New York and hated reading and writing growing up. H-A-T-E-D it. I now live on Long Island and L-O-V-E it. Funny how life can turn around sometimes. For a long while I adored watching Star Trek: The Next Generation. In fact, I fell in love with one of the characters so bad that I started creating scenes in my head about him. I wanted to write him in my own way, and have him experience things that were special to me instead of what was special to the writers of the series. So, I started writing fan fiction and that’s where my love of writing originated. I guess, you’d say, I boldly went where I wanted to go.

Can you say that your journey to publication was difficult? If so, what were the hardest moments to get through?

I wouldn’t say it was difficult but long. I’ve had it in my head for a very long time that writing isn’t easy. Probably because, when I studied under Jennifer Crusie, she once said that if the writing feels easy you’re doing it wrong. But I’ve been writing for about 18 years and I didn’t get published until almost two years ago. I figure, at this rate, I’ve got about another 5 years to become an overnight success. ;-)

How do you overcome I-suck-at-this, that little voice in your head that tells you your writing isn’t good enough?
I get up and sucker punch that little voice as far away as possible. It’s a stupid voice anyway because it tries to undermine my passion for writing.

What is your dream vacation?
I’d love to visit Bali and Italy, but in all honesty my perfect place is anywhere there’s a beach and warm sand. Ummm, and a bottle of red wine. That’s probably why I love Long Island so much. Some of my favorite times are spent sitting by the shore, listening to the waves break and the seagulls sing while sipping on a wonderful Merlot.

Describe your writing style in five words.
Push it to the limits.

What movies are you currently excited to see?
Sigh. I haven’t been to a movie in a movie theater in a long time, but I’m itching to see Gone Girl when it comes out. I LOVED the book, and I’d like to see how they play it up on the big screen. That’s one book I wished I’d written myself!

What are you currently reading?
Ohhh, I just got into Mitch Albom’s The Time Keeper. Not sure what I think about the story yet, because I’ve only just started it. But I gotta say, Albom really has a unique way of telling a tale.

If you weren’t a writer, what other careers would you pursue?
Queen of the Universe. Seriously.

If you could create a holiday of your own, what would it be called?
Let’s Be Nice to Each Other Day. Because, in my mind, the world could use more nice.

What are two of your pet-peeves?
Please don’t leave your garbage on the train. It’s a train, not a trash can.
If you’re going to chew gum, please chew it with your mouth closed.

To you, what makes a good story?
Conflict. Tension. Forcing characters into increasingly difficult situations that test their nature. That’s reading and writing nirvana to me. If you make it easy for the characters, you’re going to deliver a yawn-worthy book.

What usually turns you off about a story?
Lack of conflict. Lack of tension. Characters given the easy route. I’ll usually give a book a page or two to grab me, which is why I rely on Amazon’s Look Inside feature. That’s the place where I make all my book buying decisions.

If you could collaborate with any author, who would you choose, and why?
Robert Crais. He’s my writing idol and an author who, in my opinion, really knows how to tell a story. So, uh, Robert? You out there? Call me…

What is on your night stand?
It ain’t a book, I can tell you that! My cell phone. Television remote. Lip balm. Lamp. And post-its for middle-of-the-night creative sparks!

What is your favorite book?
Anything by Robert Crais. You hear that Robert? Call me…

Thanks for having me here today! I truly had a great time! And, to share the fun I’d love to give away a copy of IN THIS LIFE to one lucky commenter. So go on…give it your best. I’d love to hear from you.

Thank you so much for joining us today, Terri. We really enjoyed the visit. Good luck and great sales with In This Life. 

About the Author:

Terri looks for any opportunity to make stuff up. She thinks anything that can’t so easily be explained is worth an extra look and often makes a great story. She loves red wine, scotch, sunrises, Ancient Egypt, the beach—and a host of other stuff that would take too much real estate to talk about. The youngest of five children, Terri lives with her husband and son on Long Island. And, in her next life, if she hasn’t moved on to somewhere else, she wants to be an astronomer. Terri’s fascinated with the night skies almost as much as she’s fascinated with ancient Egypt.
Terri is a member of member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America.

Author Links:
Website | Facebook | Twitter 

Giveaway:
A copy of In This Life to one lucky commenter on this blog site.