Today I am so happy and thrilled to have author Tina Pinson visiting! I can’t wait to hear about her new book, “When Shadows Fall,” Book One in her brand-new “Shadows” Series, presented by Desert Breeze Publishing.
Regina, first, let me say thank you for inviting me to your page and making me so very welcome.
RA: As an author what makes a book great in your eyes?
A great book, a truly great book, catches a reader’s interest and imagination then carries them into the story. So far, one can almost feel themselves in the storyline. A great book, takes one on a journey, transporting them to new worlds, new realms, with characters they learn to love and sometimes hate. A great book stands the test of time and criticism.
RA: Tell us a little about what you’re working on.
I am, of course, editing to get the next installments of the Shadow Series ready for print. Shadowed Dreams is slated for release in Nov. So I am also praying readers fall in love with my characters and story in When Shadows Fall. I am also working on a sequel to Touched By Mercy, a take on Taming of the Shrew called, Tamed By Mercy and another little story, a speculative fiction, Demon Chronicles. I have a few other stories to work on, but that’s where my energies have been vested as of late.
RA: What is the hardest scene you had to write in this piece?
Death scenes can be tough, emotionally draining, but I also had an attack scene to write and those can be hard.
RA: Let’s talk about the book you’d like to promote today. How did you come with the title and where can we find it?
When Shadows Fall, the first in the Shadow Series, was actually the full title, but the book was nearly a 900 pages sooo, had to cut it down. But the whole idea behind the name has to do with the shadows that come into our lives and how we walk through them. The opening poem from the stories heroine, Rebekah, hopefully says a lot about the meaning behind the name.
Life is a mixture of joy and sorrows. Where darkness and light mingle to cast shadows upon your soul. These shadows, often fleeting, touch us far deeper than their hazy essence ever deemed possible.
Some bring a happiness that shelters one in peace like the calm after a storm. Others bring a distinct source of pain. Pain that envelopes the spirit in a fog. It holds you and drags you on a seemingly endless downward spiral of hopelessness and despair, oft times, wrought and nourished in your own mind.
There’s the shadow of a smile, the cooling shadow of clouds on a hot summer day; the shadow of tree limbs dancing on walls in the moonlight. The long shadow of a man cast across a barren land, carried on the wings of a prayer — like a dream he means to possess.
There’s the shadow of memories, some dear, some not soon enough forgotten. The shadow of sorrow and the shadow of death, boring your heart and mind — lingering long after the soul has been seared.
There’s the shadow of a kiss, and the shadow of a hand across a weary brow. Whatever they are, in whatever form, know that shadows will come, and fall where they may. However they touch you, it is my prayer that you will have a hand to hold, and a hand to guide, When the Shadows Fall.
RA: What was the first reaction when you got a glimpse of your cover art?
It was very pleased, my cover artist, Caina Fuller, really listened to my vision and brought it to life on the page.
Please give us a blurb and excerpt.
Blurb:
As the Civil War rages, Rebekah fights to keep her world intact. But loss and sorrow has seeped into her heart and mind. She sets her sights on Oregon, praying this new Eden will allow her a place of peace and a place to put her life, and that of her son’s, back together again. She travels to Independence, Missouri ready to take the train west, but is denied the opportunity to join the train because she is woman alone. Matthew battles his way through one fight after another, all the while thinking of Rebekah. The woman who holds his heart. He longs to help her west, but fears his biggest battle lies ahead of him. Will Rebekah open up her heart to him and allow him to be the one to hold her When the Shadows Fall?
Excerpt:
Matthew’s voice was soft, and appealing. Too appealing. His closeness, and the warmth radiating from his body, caused her heart to thrum. Rebekah decided to go in.
Robert had been gone and thought dead for over a year. How easy it would be to fall into Matthew’s arms. Let him comfort her like he’d done when she was a girl. They seemed like such strong arms. But she wasn’t a child anymore. She was a married woman with a child and a sick husband who needed her.
Her first love could be nothing more than a precious memory. Her heart grew heavy. She turned and was about to take her leave when Matthew asked about Robert. “If you’d rather not talk about it, I’ll understand. I only wanted you to know if you need anything, I’m here for you. I’ll help in any way I can.”
“That’s very kind. Things are okay for now. Besides, I couldn’t expect you to help the enemy.” She stood still, afraid to face him. Afraid of the concern he’d show.
“Rebekah, if you love him, and he cares for you, he’s no enemy of mine.” His reply was tender. He caught her shoulders, turned her to face him. “I mean that with all my heart.”
Rebekah nodded. He meant it. Her eyes misted. Her tears were building. If she fell into his arms, it was wrong to even think it, but… would he hold her close? Or had time changed everything? Still, she wasn’t his to hold anymore. In reality she never had been, though she wanted to be. Did he wish it were different? She wished they could go back, but they couldn’t. She had to accept that she would never be his, and be grateful for the chance to see him again.
“I should go. Can I walk you to the house?”
Raising her head, she found his gaze in the moonlight. “You go on. It’s such a lovely evening I think I’d like to stay longer. I’ll look for you tomorrow.”
“Goodnight then.” Her heart lurched as she considered him leaving. She wondered when he’d have to say goodbye. Perhaps for forever.
“Goodnight,” she whispered as she watched him cross the yard to his horse and swing his tall body effortlessly into the saddle.
“Goodnight,” he called again. She waved, and watched him disappear into the darkness — melding with the shadows on the road. Then she went to the bottom of the oak, and kneeling, tenderly brushed the ground where her old friend lay.
RA: Now the fun stuff; Do you have any guilty pleasures?
Oh my goodness, I have so many and if you found out about them I’d really feel guilty. LOL Sometimes I like to get up and sit down with a cup of hot tea flavored with cream and honey, and watch the world go by. Sometimes I like to stay in bed and veg and might not get dressed til afternoon. Hot baths are nice and so are chocolate covered donuts, my hips especially thank me for those and pretty much any chocolate covered dessert out there.
RA: Name one thing readers would be surprised to know about you.
I like to garden. If I could stop killing off some of my plants I might like it more. I can veggies and preserves. I like to sing and draw.
RA: If you didn’t have to worry about counting calories or fat, what’s the first food you’d reach for?
Hmm. The first? Well, I love homemade biscuits slathered with butter and honey. I love cheesecake and lemon tortes. And of course chocolate.
RA: Since you write romance, fess up. Have you ever read the “Grande Dames” of the genre like Jane Austen, Barbara Cartland, Danielle Steel, Nora Roberts? What do you really think of their books?
I have read the “Grande Dames”. And must say they have their formulas down. So much so, I can pretty much tell you how it will turn out and that begins to take the thrill of story away for me. As for Jane Austen, though, I’ve only started to read her works.
RA: If someone read any of your work, what book would you recommend they start with and why?
Wow! Well, I would like to say the first one in print. But my first one in print was self-pubbed and riddled with errors. But the story was still good. I did go on to redo that after I’d learned a bit more. So, I’d have to say read any one of my books, I’m growing in my craft with each one. I hope. When Shadows Fall is the first book I ever finished. So it is very dear to me. I love the characters and want people to do the same. I hope they fall in love with the story.
RA: Thanks for spending a bit of time with me, and all of us at Romance Novels @ReginaAndrews’ Blog, Tina! Best wishes for continued success.
And here’s a brief biography of Tina, plus all her links and contacts.
Biography, Links and Contacts
Tina Pinson resides in Mesa, Arizona with her husband of thirty plus years, Danny. They are blessed to have three sons, and five grandchildren with one on the way.
Tina started her first novel in elementary school. Her love of writing has caused her to seek creative outlets be it writing poetry, songs, or stories.
In the Manor of the Ghost and Touched By Mercy were published through Desert Breeze Publishers.
When Shadows Fall, Shadowed Dreams, and To Catch a Shadow, the first three installments of the Shadow Series about the Civil War and the Oregon Trail, will be available through Desert Breeze May 2012, November 2012 and June 2012 respectively.
My website — http://www.tinapinson.com/
Twitter:@Tina_Pinson
Facebook– http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=754617103
Purchase my books at:
Desert Breeze Bookstore.
When Shadows Fall http://tinyurl.com/d93p77a
Touched By Mercy – http://ning.it/9OJZ5r <http://ning.it/9OJZ5r>
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/we4ul
Amazon:
Touched By Mercy http://tiny.cc/k5tgw
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/doc8w
When Shadows Fall
Barnes & Noble
Touched By Mercy— http://tinyurl.com/7ztzjno
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/oh767
When Shadows Fall
Christian Books Distributors
Touched By Mercy – http://tinyurl.com/72p4pml
In the Manor of the Ghost http://tiny.cc/4u5h9
When Shadows Fall
Wonderful interview. I adore this cover and the premise of the story. Lots of luck with this one, Tina.
Thanks for popping in, Jillian! Great to hear from you and I am with you – the cover is amazing!
Thanks, Jillian. It is a great cover. I hope it does well too.
Hi Tina and thank you so much for visiting today. Your book sounds fantastic. The excerpt has me totally hooked. And your cover- stunning! I am so happy for you and wish you much success.
This one is on my “wanna read” list!
Peg, how lovely that came by. I hope you enjoy the story as I do. It’s among my favorites. I especially love the characters.
I’m sure your sales will be off the charts. Great interview!
Regina, this is the first chance I’ve had to get to know you a little bit on an interview, and it’s a pleasure. 🙂 Your books sounds great!
Regina and Tina, nice interview. I really love the cover. It’s very poignant and says a lot. I really drew me in. It’s always exciting when we discover a story we enjoy writing. Good luck with the series, Tina.
Smiles
Steph
Thanks, Steph. The cover was supposed to show a scene in the book and I believe it did so wonderfully. Really gives the feel of the book. Appreciate you’re coming by and leaving a comment.
Cindy,
thank you and how lovely that you came to visit.
Tina-looks like a truly wonderful book. What gave you the inspiration for the SHADOW SERIES???????? REGARDS BEN SMITH
Hi, Ben,
What gave me the inspiration for the Shadow Series was, twenty years ago, I had been reading stories where the people took the Oregon trail, and within a couple of chapters they were there. Kind of bummed me. I thought I want a story that takes the characters on the whole trip and I wanted to show how the trail and the Civil War affected their lives, what they had to deal with and live through. So I sat down and wrote When Shadows Fall. 900 pages later, I couldn’t begin to get it published so I sat on it. And finally decided that if I turned it into a serial I might have better luck with it. So the Shadow Series was born. And the Shadows as I said earlier in the post are meant to signify both good and bad. God hides us in the shadow of his wings… And darkness and shadows can be scary.
As for Arizona, I’ve been here almost a year and am trying to see it as inspiration for writing. Most of the stories I’m still finishing are set in Colorado and such, but I guess I’ll have to delve a bit into the history here. Did take a trip to Tombstone. So there are some interesting tidbits for history here.
Tina- does Mesa AZ give you any inspiration for writing your books or series? REGARDS BEN SMITH
Hi Tina,
What a meaningful series, one that helps people get through the shadows. Congratulations and best wishes for success with it.
Gail, that is lovely way to put it. I do want people to see that God does walk with them even through what seems like the darkest times. I know he’s walked with me.
thanks you for your wishes and coming by.
blessings
Tina and Regina, I enjoyed reading these questions and responses! I especially like the title and how you explained what it meant. Your debut novel sounds wonderful and I wish you the very best.
Great post! Wow, you have a lot going on, Tina. 🙂 I enjoyed learning a bit more about you and your work.
Best wishes with this new series.
thanks Jude. Regina has some fun, questions, she is a great hostess. the hostess with the mostest. The title means a lot to me. Because it is important to the story all of it… glad you came by and left a comment,
JoAnn, how nice to read you… 🙂 thank you for your wishes, I hope the series does well too.
Wow Tina and all our friends, what GREAT questions and responses. “When Shadows Fall” is destined to be a big hit. Keep spreading the good word please about Tina’s book.
Thanks again to everyone for visiting. And Tina, thank you for WRITING and visiting! Best of luck with your sales and your writing. Hugs and blessings, Regins
And thank you so much for inviting me.