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I am known as
Jane to family and friends, (being called by my middle name is something I
share with Annabel). I was born in New York City and grew up amid the
eccentricity of my southern and glamorous mother on the Upper West and
Upper East Side of Manhattan. As an only child, I turned to reading novels
at an early age and was deeply influenced by an eclectic group of authors.
Some of my favorite authors today are Nelson DeMille, Calib Carr, Wally
Lamb, Anne Rice, Sue Monk Kidd, Anita Shreve, Jodi Picoult, Alice Walker
and Toni Morrison. Her favorite novels are too long to list but include The
Story of Edgar Sawtelle, Cheri and The Last of Cheri, The Picture of Dorian
Grey, Wuthering Heights, Look at Me, Dogs of Babel, The Bluest Eye, The Art
of Racing in the Rain, Body Surfing, Lolita, The Brothers Karamazov, She's
Come Undone, Tale of Two Cities, etc., etc., etc.,
Dancing
Backward In Paradise, was my first published novel and it received rave
reviews from Midwest book review and Armchair Interviews. It also won the
Eric Hoffer Award for publishing excellence and the Indie Excellence Award
for notable new fiction, 2007. Dancing Backward in Paradise will be
re-released by Musa Publishing in November. The Story of Sassy Sweetwater
received five stars from ForeWord Clarion Reviews. The Story of Annabel
Horton, Lost Witch of Salem is my first paranormal novel and will be
followed by Annabel Horton and the Black Witch of Paul and Annabel Horton
and the Demon of Loudun.
I
work by day for an education publishing company as an account manager and I
live on the Upper West side of Manhattan with my long term partner, my
Basenji/Chihuahua mix, Roxie, my Chihuahua, Peanut and two pussy cats,
Sassy and Sweetie Pie.
What genres do you write?
I mostly write women's fiction, often southern fiction but I have written
spec fiction as well as paranormal/fantasy with Annabel Horton, Lost Witch
of Salem.
Can you tell us a little about your newest book?
From the Salem Witch
trials through the nineteenth Century and beyond, Annabel Horton is pursued
by the devil's disciple, Urban Grandier, the demonic priest from the
incident at Loudon. She must take the bodies of those that the devil favors
to protect her family. She must uncover the motive behind the illusive
Ursula/Louis Bossidan, the scandalous cross-dresser who is pursuing her
beautiful granddaughter, and she must learn, being one of God's most
powerful witches, how to use her power. But will it be enough to save her
husband from Urbain's fiery inferno? Will it be enough to save her children
from demons greater than themselves?
Did you have any other authors that have helped you or have inspired your
work?
So many have inspired me beginning with whoever wrote the Epic of
Gilgamesh to Nelson DeMille, Anita Shreve, Calib Carr, Oscar Wilde,
Colette, Nabokov, etc. etc. etc.
Do you recall what got you into writing?
I wrote a children's story in
fourth grade and my teacher told me then I should be a writer, forty years
later I listened to her.
OK how about some fun stuff
Dogs, cats, or fish?
Love dogs and cats. Think fish are beautiful but would
be hard to cuddle with.
Sci-fi, fantasy, or paranormal, Romance?
I don't like writing romance
because I tend to use the genre of spec and paranormal to question the
concept of God, life after death and philosophical explanations for evil. I
think I was influenced long ago by studying so much tragedy.
(writing and reading)
Favorite Book of all time? Why?
The book I'm reading at the moment quickly
becomes my favorite book of all time. But I do remember War and Peace and I
do remember thinking, Wow, what a book.
Favorite Author of all time?
I really don't have a favorite but there
are some whose books I always gravitate to like Wally Lamb, Nelson DeMille,
Jody Picoult, Anita Shreve, Calib Carr. I love the way Jodi researches and
the stories of Anita Shreve. I adore DeMille's humor and the humanity of Wally
Lamb. Calib is special because he transports me so beautifully to other
times in history and was a great influence for me with Annabel when she
lived in the 19th century.
Where can we find your books? What sites can we find your work on? (any
social media, blogs etc.)
You can find me at:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/annabel-horton-lost-witch-of-salem-vera-jane-cook/1107077368?ean=2940014657280&itm=1&usri=annabel+horton+lost+witch+of+salem
http:www.verajanecook.com/blog
www.twiter.com/verajanecook
http://www.amazon.com/Annabel-Horton-Witch-Salem-ebook/dp/B006PIYOXA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350743140&sr=8-1&keywords=annabel+Horton%2C+lost+witch+of+salem
It has been a pleasure meeting you Vera Jane. Readers don't forget to check
out the rafflecopter to the right 5 ebooks up for grabs. Thanks again!
Julie Ramsey
Juliesbookreview.blogspot.com
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Great interview, Vera Jane. Now I definitely want to read your book.:)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sloane- I try to read all Musa books but that is going to take me fifty years!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat learning more about you Vera Jane.
ReplyDelete