FRIDAY FEATURES
Today we are Featuring Author Ann B. Cole who has graciously agreed to visit with us today. Her book sounded so interesting from yesterdays Thursday Threads we invited her back to share a little more about her debut paranormal romantic suspense entitled Souls Entwined, released just Wednesday April 30, 2014, by Soul Mate Publishing. She has agreed to answer a few questions about the origin of the inspiration for her book.
Thanks for agreeing to come back today and chat with us Anne.
Thanks so much for having me back.
Anne, what was the inspiration for your book?
When I was about 10, my grandmother gave me an heirloom ring. She told me that it was her great, great grandmother’s ring and that her brother had brought it over from Europe when he was a sailor in the early 1800s. When I realized how old it was, I tried to give it back. She insisted that the stone was only a garnet and that it wasn’t worth much, but it was the oldest thing she ever owned and wanted me to keep it safe. Since it was too big for me to wear, I put it in my jewelry box for years.
So the ring from your grandmother was the inspiration or is there more to the story?
Fast forward to 2003.
Ah, a little time travel, how appropriate. What happened in 2003?
My husband and I researched the family tree and noticed that a branch of my grandmother’s side had a few holes. My grandmother was in a nursing home then and we went for a visit. She told us about a tiny family cemetery in the middle of nowhere and proceeded to give us directions to the cemetery which included the following: “Drive down this dirt road a few miles, pass over a little creek, and find two big hemlock trees. The cemetery is in the woods a ways behind the hemlocks.”Then my grandmother added with a glint in her eyes, “If you find it, watch out for witches.”
Witches!? Catherine almost choked on a piece of chocolate she was eating. She’s okay now. With those directions did you find the cemetery?
Surprisingly enough, we did find the little cemetery and luckily one of my ancestors fought in the war of 1812, so the local American Legion places a flag at his marker every year.
That’s one of the reasons Donald is a life time member of the American Legion. So you found the cemetery, what shape was it in? Any big construction encroaching?
The unkempt cemetery sits nestled in the woods, unseen from the dirt road. If you were not looking for it, you’d never know it was there. Years ago the property was turned over to the state game commission. Today it remains protected from development due to surrounding wetlands.
The cemetery is protected then. Many of the small, old ones are being gobbled up because no one cares. Was there much traffic on the road?
Not one car passed when we were there.
Not One?
Yes, it was very creepy, even in the daylight.
How many graves were there?
There were only a couple dozen graves, and all were my ancestors.
Neat, so it is your family’s graveyard. Did you find anyone of interest?
I found the grave of the original owner of my heirloom ring—talk about getting the shivers! She lived for 90 years, and so did her husband. Back then that was crazy old!
That is so special. Hey, what about the witches your grandmother warned you about?
Despite the eerie location and my grandmother’s warning, I did not see a witch or a ghost that day. When we arrived back at the nursing home, I pressed my grandmother for more information about my ring and why she told me to watch out for witches. She just giggled at me and said, “You never know. I heard stories about her.” My grandmother passed away a year later, so my ring is very special to me.
We have several family heirlooms that are special to us. Donald even has and wears his father’s turquoise ring from New Mexico. Rings seem to be a theme here. Is there more to the story?
In 2009, I decided to write a story about my ring based on the little bits of information I remember. I wasn’t writing for publication, just for something to do while I waited at my kids’ sports activities. My hobby grew into an addiction and on April 30th, 2014, my story was released. Needless to say, I dedicated my book to all grandmothers.
Yes, our grandmothers are very special to us all. Do any of you out there have an interesting heirloom story or (shiver) graveyard/ghost story you would like to share with us and Anne?
Speaking of special, the following is more information about our Friday Feature Author Anne B. Cole and her new book.
Souls Entwined
Released April 30th from Soul Mate Publishing
A Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Souls Entwined Blurb
When a cursed family heirloom sends Gretta Dobbs back in time, a hunky construction worker, Sam Daggett, suddenly finds himself love struck and joins her adventure. Their souls entwine within the bodies of young lovers on a Greek island in 1829, where they begin to unravel the mysteries behind Gretta’s ring all while avoiding a bloodthirsty pirate who is determined to seek revenge. Gretta and Sam must find the secrets needed to save her and her relatives from an afterlife in purgatory and return to their own lives—or risk becoming prisoners of the past, continuing the evil cycle of the ring’s curse.
Here is the Buy Link for Souls Entwined
A bit about Anne
Souls Entwined is Anne B. Cole’s debut release, combining sweet romantic suspense, time travel, and paranormal elements in a New Adult novel attractive to a wide range of readers.
In addition to writing, Anne teaches preschool and is raising three very active teenagers with her husband of twenty-two years. Her love for making fresh baked goodies, running, hiking, historical fiction, and her three pet cats continue to be her inspiration while she pens the sequel to Souls Entwined.
Connect With Anne
To follow Anne’s publishing journey and connect with her, check out her blog site and find her on Twitter and Facebook.
C.D. Hersh 