Happy Publication Day, Elizabeth!

OUT NOW!

Interview with Elizabeth Pantley

For those who don’t know already, could you tell us about yourself and your book(s) please?

This book opened a whole new chapter in my life. I’ve written 13 best-selling parenting books, and I’ve been writing and speaking about raising children – that’s been my life for the past twenty years. This novel has been simmering on my back burner for years, and with all the world changes in 2020 it was the perfect time for introspection, imagination and escape. I enjoyed being in Destiny Falls!

Where did/do you get your ideas from?

I’ve been a voracious reader since childhood, and good books, or great scenes stick in my head. They roll around for years and pop up as inspiration when needed. Life is filled with ideas for books, every day you meet people or see places that inspire fiction. I also began hiking with my adult children and we’ve visited some glorious places with awe-inspiring views – those shaped the location of my story. Once I had a plot line in my mind, this book took off with a life of its own! I just had to type fast enough to keep up.

Are any of your characters based (however loosely) on anyone you know?

I suspect that most writers base at least some traits of their characters on people they know or people they have met. While none of my humans are based on actual people, though, the pets are! The cat is based on my sister’s sweet Bobtail cat, Chaco, who always makes me laugh. The dog was inspired by my son’s sidekick, Shadow. My son trains protection and security dogs and I’ve seen Shadow at practice – and believe me he can do everything in real life that Hercules does in my book.

How do you pick your characters’ names?

My main character’s names came to me in moments of inspiration during writing. As a personality emerged a name followed. If I was stuck on a name, I’d head to the internet to find popular names from the character’s age group.

Can you share your writing process with us, in a nutshell?

Since this is my first work of fiction it differed dramatically from my previous thirteen books, which were research based. I had so much freedom with this one! I wrote out my main plot line, and then let the story and characters take the lead. I’d have a general idea for a chapter, but then followed the story as it emerged. If I chuckled or gasped out loud, I knew my readers would too!

Who are your top 5 favourite authors?

Wow! I have so many favourites! The list would be much longer than five, and I wouldn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, so I’d have to give you my entire book list from my Kindle!

If you could meet any author, who would it be and what would you ask them?

Ironically, it wouldn’t be a writer of any of my normal reading or writing genres. I’d love to meet Stephen King! I read his book On Writing and he’s got a sharp mind and a witty personality. And I’d say he understands his writing process better than any author I’ve ever met or read about.

Were you a big reader as a child?

I was in the Principal’s Special Reading Group in kindergarten! I’ve loved books since babyhood. The scenes where my character describes libraries and her feelings about them – it’s all me!

When did you start to write?

I write when I’m inspired, and my first parenting book came about when my children were very young. I was immersed in motherhood and learning by leaps and bounds every day. I wanted to share that knowledge with other parents trying to sort out the hardest job of their life.

If you could re-write the ending to any book what would it be and what would you change?

I love books with happy endings, so I’d have to re-do the end of any book that doesn’t end well for the main character!

Is there a book you wish you had written?

Harry Potter? Haha.  

If you wrote an autobiography, what would your title be?  

Happy, Healthy and Loving Life

If you could invite any fictional character for coffee who would it be and where would you take them?

Right now, I’d have to say Latifa from Destiny Falls. She would be the most fun I’ve ever had at coffee! I’d let her pick the place and we’d probably end up at the spinning restaurant at the top of the Space Needle in Seattle!

Tell us a random fact about yourself

This year I ran my first 5K; and climbed my first mountain with two of my kids! I went all the way to the top of the peak of Mount Pilchuck. I actually scrambled up huge boulders to look out from the fire lookout at the very top. It’s part of the Cascade Mountain range and was the most exhilarating experience. – Google it!

What are you working on right now?

I’m writing Book Two in the Destiny Falls Magic & Mystery series – The Disappearance of Emily. Our main character, Hayden’s mother disappeared when she was just two weeks old. Now we find out why she left and where she went. But it stirs up trouble in Hayden’s life – so we’ll see her investigative skills in action as she solves the mystery.

Tell us about your last release?

Falling into Magic is the story of how Hayden finds her way to Destiny Falls, and how she solves a frightening mystery to secure her place there.

It all began when Hayden was a child, and she lost her cat. Adults told her the cat had escaped the house and run away, but she knew the truth. The mirror had taken her. She knew because the mirror had given her a glimpse of an alternate world and had nearly pulled her in, so she was certain the cat had suffered that fate.

Twenty years later Hayden discovers the true secret of the mirror when she is thrust into it by a mysterious villain. She learns of a world she never knew existed, and a family she never knew she had. But danger brought her here, and it followed her. And now, Hayden is on a mission to see that the threat is removed, so that she can begin her meaningful new life in this magical world.

This is a magical cozy mystery novel with a touch of humour and a hint of romance. Falling into Magic is the first book in the Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic series, and I plan to have ten or more books in the story.

Do you have a new release due?

Emily’s story is taking shape and I expect the book to be complete within the next five or six months.

What do you generally do to celebrate on publication day?
I celebrate every step along the way! I have a plot line – yay! I finished the first chapter – yay! I have a cover design – yay! I have an ISBN – yay! I find that every step that gets me closer to a finished book is fun and exciting.

How can readers keep in touch with you?

I’m everywhere – though right now you’ll see mainly parenting topics! Cozy Mysteries are beginning to find their way in.

Website  – http://www.nocrysolution.com

Blog – http://elizabethpantley.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethPantleyNoCryAuthor

Pinterest – http://www.pinterest.com/nocrysolution/   

Instagram – https://instagram.com/elizabethpantley/

Is there anything else you would like us to know?
I love to hear from my readers! Anyone who wants to ask questions, give me ideas for future books in the series, or tell me whose story you want to hear next. I’m all ears! You can email me at elizabeth@pantley.com.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, Elizabeth!

Falling into Magic

When Hayden was a child, she lost her cat. Adults told her the cat ran away, but she knew the truth. The mirror had taken her.

She knew because the mirror had given her a glimpse of an alternate world and had nearly pulled her in, so she was certain the cat had suffered that fate.

Twenty years later Hayden discovers the secret of the mirror when she is thrust into it. She learns of a world she never knew existed, and a family she never knew she had.

But danger brought her here, and it followed her. Now, Hayden is on a mission to remove the threat, so that she can begin her magical, meaningful new life in this enchanted world.

* * * * * Reviews * * * * *

“A magical, delightful tale that held my attention with a quirky cast of characters, engaging dialogue, a pleasantly appealing universe, and an intriguing plotline that I could not put down. I can’t wait to see where we go with Hayden’s next adventure.”  — Dru Ann, MWA Raven Award winner, www.drusbookmusing.com

“What a captivating read! . . . I couldn’t put it down. A great story, full of interesting people and places to get to know, with surprises around every corner.” — Linda C. Goodreads reviewer

“The world-building and magic system is fascinating. Destiny Falls is a wondrous place that seems to cater to citizens’ wants and needs. I love that it is almost a character in its own right, and I was intrigued by the constantly changing world. Vivid imagery paints a clear picture of Destiny falls and its inhabitants. Falling into Magic is a dynamic introduction to the Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic series.” — Julie Petitbon www.onebookmore.com/ 

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happy reading!