Chat with S.K. Andrews Author of Bay of Darkness
Give a warm welcome to S.K. Andrews, author of Bay of Darkness.
Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cauldron. Take your choice of a bat wing Chocolate Chip or Pumpkin, or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about S.K. Andrews and her Bay of Darkness.
Why should we read this book/series and what sets you apart from the rest and makes your book/series unique?
There are many psychic heroines in the paranormal genre, but Vivien Kelly in The Kelly Society series also helps other characters open up their psychic ability. Vivien talks about protecting oneself when negative energies are around, and actually discusses a meditative process—all in the midst of murder, supernatural suspense, and romance. Not only does Vivien Kelly tap into her intuitive awareness, which we all have, but dives into her wild, creative, warrior side, which as humans, we all possess as well. I like to call it Personal Power. We each may express our power in different ways and in different degrees, but it helps us achieve our greatest goals in life.
Where do your story ideas come from? If they come to you in the middle of the night, do you get up and write them all down?
My stories are a paranormal movie in my head, because I love the genre and I’m always thinking of new tales to tell. If I don’t write them down, I shall go mad. Just kidding, but sometimes it feels like that. I’m an early morning writer. I can write anytime, of course, but my strongest creative energy flow happens as dawn is breaking. I set my coffeemaker timer the night before and it brews at 5:30am, as I charge up my laptop. Then, I begin typing up a scene I thought about just before going to bed, and as I’m typing, I see the action in my head like my own personal movie. Then, the scene simply keeps going and I keep typing.
Why do you write what you write? e. Contemporary, paranormal, suspense, etc.
Having been influenced by the powerful scripts of Rod Serling and Richard Matheson from The Twilight Zone, I gravitated toward paranormal stories laden with hope. Writing supernatural tales became my passionate hobby, in between life in the theatre. I love to sip hazelnut coffee, while reading a riveting ghost story, or while typing up a chapter of my own focusing on the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity, or evil. Incidentally, my heroine in Bay of Darkness, Vivien Kelly, loves hazelnut coffee. A bit of me thrown in!
Any tips to share with fellow authors/aspiring authors? What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?
Getting out of the hamster wheel existence of the day job is very important. Focus on your creative project. Even if you take five minutes and write, paint, read a monologue, stretch your body, bake cookies, crochet, or whatever resonates with you. Then, you can do ten minutes the next night, and so on.
Follow your intuition. After pitching literary agents online and in person at writing conferences, and getting close, but still no luck in taking me on as a client, I finally decided to submit my book to eBook publishers. It was a huge switch for me, because I wanted my own literary agent more than anything, but I allowed myself to follow an intuitive spark. One of those publishers I sent my query letter and first five pages to was the Wild Rose Press. After submitting parts of the manuscript, the entire book, and then working with one of their editors for almost a year, I got my contract! They are wonderful to work with and are in their twelfth year of publishing. If I had been stubborn and not listened to my intuition, I would still be unpublished today.
SPEED ROUND FOR A LITTLE ADDED FUN:
Speed Round (one word only answer): Yep, I know torture for a writer!<evil laugh>
Favorite movie: Scrooge
Favorite book: Sacagawea
Last book read: Glimpse (the Tender Killer)
Favorite color: Purple
Stilettos or flipflops: Flipflops
Coffee or tea: Coffee
Ebook or audiobook or paperback: Paperback
Pencil or pen: Pen
Favorite song: September
Streak or not: Not
Favorite dessert: Chocolate
Favorite junk food: Fries
Favorite thing to do to relax: Meditation
Champagne or gin: Champagne
Paranormal or Historical: Paranormal
Wonder Woman or Top Model: Wonder Woman
Favorite TV show: Grimm
Hot or cold: Cold
POV: Third
I’d die if I don’t have: Pets
Review or Not: Review
Tell us about Bay of Darkness.
After witnessing her fiancé’s murder and almost dying herself, Vivien Kelly’s mission is to destroy Dagda—a Celtic God turned demon. As a supernatural dark cloud looms over the Sahara, she finds herself drawn to the Northern California town of Half Moon Bay and a new life as a paranormal cleanser. There Vivien finds Dagda’s creatures tormenting the locals. Her own paranormal cleansing team—The Kelly Society— is born, and the race is on when people around her begin to die.
While banishing a banshee, Vivien meets Neal Harrington—a soul partner who can promise true happiness. But when Dagda’s black vapor creates a New World of darkness, her time is up. Can Vivien abandon everyone she loves and succumb to her past life’s barbaric force to defeat the demon? Her actions not only determine her future—but the future of the modern world.
A sneak peek between the pages of Bay of Darkness.
Announcing her presence, Vivien slapped open palms against the bedroom door. Shrieking stopped as the banshee tried to stab into her intuitive power, not even making a dent.
Julie, I’m here to help. Don’t be afraid. After sending her telepathic message, she felt a definite shift. The young girl now had hope.
Sensing another female entity in the bedroom, Vivien tuned in sharper. A spirit connected to the house stood in front of Julie, also protecting her.
“That horrible noise stopped.” Neal eyed the door urgently. “Is that good or bad? I mean, is Julie safe?”
“Yes, she’s safe. I put a protective light around her.”
Heaving a sigh of exhaustion, he rubbed his temple. “Oh, right—the light thing. This is all so weird.” Neal’s head popped up. “No offense.”
“None taken.” She grinned like a debutant about to dance with the coolest boy in school.
“What now?”
Buy Link:
My Review of Bay of Darkness.
After the death of her fiancé Vivien Kelly discovers her true mission in life and her training begins in Ireland a land steeped in myth and legend. A supernatural dark cloud looms over the Sahara. as she learns the trick of her trade in the Emerald Isle. Does the Celtic God turned demon have anything to do with devastation spreading across the land ? Can Vivien stop his plan to create a New World of Darkness?
This book is full of twists and turns you don’t see coming. When Vivien’s past life collides with her present day life, she and everyone she cares about is set on a course for destruction.
The characters and their situations suck you into the story. The vivid descriptions make you feel like you are right there experiencing the world the story is set in and the roller coaster of emotions with each character. I found myself rooting for them to triumph over evil.
I truly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it if you love magic, paranormal romance, and fantasy adventures. This is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Andrews and it won’t be the last. I look forward to reading more of The Kelly Society Series.
Five Stars for Bay of Darkness.
About the Author STARRA ANDREWS (Writing as: S.K. ANDREWS):
Starra Andrews grew up in Laguna Beach, California, body surfing in the Pacific Ocean, writing fantasy stories, and acting on stage. Having been influenced by the powerful scripts of Rod Serling and Richard Matheson from The Twilight Zone, she gravitated toward paranormal stories laden with hope. Writing supernatural tales became her passionate hobby, in between life in the theatre. She loves to sip hazelnut coffee, while reading a riveting ghost story, or while typing up an exciting new chapter of her own. After attaining a B.A. degree in Theatre from University of California, Irvine, and attending LACC Acting Academy, an idea sparked for interviewing actors to help student actors. Her non-fiction book The Pursuit of Acting; Working Actors Share Their Experience and Advice was published by Praeger Publishers/ABC CLIO. In fiction, her heroine, psychic & paranormal cleanser Vivien Kelly and her team are in a race to rid the modern world of deadly Celtic creatures in her book trilogy The Kelly Society. Bay of Darkness, the first book of the series is currently released through the Wild Rose Press. Starra lives in upstate NY with her two cats, Audrey Hepburn and Vivien Leigh.
S.K Andrews Website:
Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/authorskandrews/posts/?ref=page_internal
https://twitter.com/magicstarra
https://www.instagram.com/starraandrews/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6dzir_I6LhEIWOYCJQFCw?view_as=subscriber
https://www.pinterest.com/starraandrews/
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Bay of Darkness!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Bay of Darkenss, fantasy, Paranormal Romance, S.K. Andrews, Starra Andrews by Tena Stetler with 11 comments.
Fantastic interview (as always Tena) I loved this book and reviewed and think it is incredibly well written.
Good luck with your launch Starra, and I hope sales are brilliant
Awwww… thank you for the kind words Stephen. So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by!
So nice getting to know you better. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Jennifer! We appreciate it!
The Speed Rounds are so much fun. You resemble the girl on the cover of your book. Congratulations and best wishes on your new release.
Hey Linda thanks for stopping by. Love speed rounds.
It sounds like an exciting story, Starra. Good luck!
Sandra, it was an exciting story. Thanks for stopping by!
Great interview. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for stopping by CB.
This sounds like a great story. Congrats Starra. I love that name!