Hi everyone!
Today
we are chatting with Sheila R. Lamb, author of the paranormal romance/historical fiction novel Once a Goddess. Sheila R. Lamb
will be joining us
for a live interview on Blog Talk Radio, Wednesday, April 4th, at 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time. We hope you'll stop by and listen in.
Hey, Sheila, and
welcome! Why don’t you tell us a bit about yourself?
Thanks so much for hosting me on ParaYourNormal. I'm a
school librarian by day, and writer - well, much earlier in the day. I teach
creative writing classes occasionally and am working on my MFA in creative
writing.
How do you carve
out time to write? Carefully. I
started a new job this past fall and suddenly every minute counts. But I tend
to work best under a deadline. Being in
school also requires that I turn in a new story or chapter every few weeks. I
used to spend a lot more time on Twitter and Goodreads before this whole job
thing. :)
How did you decide
to write a book about historical fantasy? I used to be a history teacher
and I love Irish history. Brigid's story came about at first from an academic
perspective. I wondered if she and St. Patrick co-existed and discovered a long line of mythology of
Brigid before Saint Brigid.
Which book are we
talking about today and what is it about?
Once A Goddess is the first in Brigid's trilogy. This is story of
Brigid as one of the Túatha de Danann, the mythical, supernatural founders of
Ireland.
What inspired this
book? Brigid herself. I love that
throughout myth and history, she is regarded as a Goddess, Druid and then Saint
and did a lot of research following her transitions. As one of the Túatha de
Danann, Brigid was known as a healer, blacksmith, and poet.
Tell us something
about your characters that we wouldn’t be able to figure out by reading the
book.
The Túatha de Danann were known through mythology as shape
shifters - I didn't make that up. There is a famous battle (the Second battle
of Mag Tuired) where it is said they turned to mist.
Is there a book 2
in the works? Can you tell us a bit about it?
There is. I'm looking forward to the second book, which
will hopefully be released next year. Fiery Arrow tells Brigid's story as
druid, growing up in fifth century Ireland. I use the device of reincarnation
so that eventually, Brigid remembers of her past life with the Danann. In book
two, she, a druid, must confront Patrick as he begins to Christianize the
island.
Where can readers
purchase your book?
It's available through one of my favorite indie
bookstores, FourSeasons Books
May we read an
excerpt from the book?
My father’s incantation had ended and it was our turn to
speak quietly to each other.
Danann couples spoke sacred words of magic at this point
in the ceremony, words to bind them for a lifetime. Of course, I had been
warned not to use those words, our secret. My promise was simple: to uphold the
treaty.
Bres spoke first. “Brigid, our joining will be new to both
our people and to this island. If you can’t bear the pressures that will be put
on us, then you may walk away now.”
He knew I couldn’t walk away. He knew we were trapped
together.
“There will be pressures,” I said. “However, the purpose
of our union is peace. Not for my personal gain.” I paused. “Nor yours.”
Bres smirked at my implications and our eyes met, each
daring the other to turn away first.
So, this was how it would be. I knew in that instant that
I couldn’t let him catch me off guard; I would have to think carefully before I
spoke and always remember that cunning motivation hid behind his words. I would
protect our gifts, our knowledge of the elements that surrounded us, with my
life. The Fomorians would use that information to take the earth, the source of
our strength, from us. And as mine was to protect, I believed that Bres’s
mission was to discover.
With sickening clarity, I understood why Father and Mother
had chosen me. I, Brigid, was quiet and reserved, able to turn to stone. Stone
is what they wanted to give to Bres and the Fomorians.
Bres studied my face as though looking for fractures in my
expression. I would not give in to him. Instead of showing my trepidation, I
smiled and touched a forelock of his black hair that escaped the tight leather
band that kept its length pulled back. He grinned and brought my hand to his
lips, biting lightly. His gesture sent a chill down my spine.
Where can your
readers connect with you on the web?
Feel free to visit my website Pagans, Saints,
and Potatoes at http://sheilarlamb.com. Sometimes I blog.
Look forward to reading more!
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