Hey fellow readers, today, I am happy to host author, Dana Michelle Burnett, on the blog, as she gives us some insight on her latest novel, Spiritus, Book 1.
1) Tell us a little bit about the book :
Spiritus is about Becca and the ghost that loves her. When Becca's dad moves them to his ancestoral home in Corydon, Indiana, Becca expects to just have to tolorate it until she goes off to college, but then she accidently summons up the ghostly spirit of Alastor. Alastor believes that Becca is his wife reincarnated and he's desperate to be near her. The problem? His wife shot and killed him. So, is he after Becca because he loves her or because he wants revenge for his murder over a century ago?
2) what made you decide to write about ghosts and reincarnation?
I don't live that far from Corydon, so I pass the old mansions almost daily and I've been out to the Battle of Corydon site. Everywhere you look there is something historical which brings to mind ghost stories. I even heard a few times the story that one of my characters recounts to Becca, so perhaps that was the start of my inspiration. As far as reincarnation, I've always been facinated by the idea of coming back again and again until to get things right.
3) In the novel, Becca's house is haunted. Have you ever had any ghoslt encounters? I had quite a few experiences at my mom and dad's old house.
Actually, I think everyone in the family did. My daughter has been talking about speaking to ghosts since she was able to talk. I wouldn't think much about it, but there have been a few things that are just completely unexplainable that makes me believe that she IS actually seeing something. As she gets older, she talks about it less and less, but whenever something really strange happens (television coming on by itself) she'll say something like, "I hate it when they do that."
4) what was one of the most difficult things to write about a unique relationship such as Becca's and Alistor's?
The fact that they couldn't actually touch just seemed impossible to get around. Finally, I decided that the more that Becca directs her attention on Alastor the stronger he gets, but it does drain him. I tried to make that longing for physical contact go deeper than just a sexual desire, it crossed over to simple things like just touching her face. I like the final product overall.
5) I noticed that Spiritus is part of a series. How many will there be total in the series?
There will be three books total in the series. The next book, Haunted, will be out within the next few months with any luck. It's a little darker than Spiritus, but it would have to be as the characters have aged and the things that they want have changed.
6) what made you decide to add the character Jonah in the mix of the relationship?
The first scene I wrote for Spiritus was the dance scene. Jonah was just there. It took some thinking to figure out exactly what I wanted his role to be. While he's mostly just eye candy in Spiritus, watch out for him in Haunted!
7) Was the writing process difficult or did it come naturally to you?/ was there a lot of research involved?
Spiritus was actually pretty easy to write since I was already surrounded by the backstory. Most of the places and events mentioned in the book are real, so there wasn't much research other than getting a few dates right. Haunted on the other hand has been a research nightmare!
8) Who will Becca end up with...???
I can't give away all my secrets, but I can say that there is a marriage in Haunted and a little voodoo.
9) Do you have any future works planned besides the Spiritus series?
I do have a few ideas that are bouncing around in the back of my head. They are mostly based on Greek mythology and again a touch of reincarnation. I've always loved Greek mythology and now I find myself going back to those stories.
And if any one is interested in looking at my review of the novel, it can be viewed HERE.
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