I am delighted to be joined today by C. L. Monaghan for both an interview and my review of her book - The Hollows. Here's a little about her.
British homeschooling mother and author. Born in Lincolnshire, lover of
all things fantastical. Lifelong Tolkien fan, Terry Pratchett fan.
Dreamer, polymer clay artist. Suffers from wanderlust.
And onto the interview!
How long have you been writing?
I actually started my first manuscript back in 2004 when I graduated from university but then life happened and I got remarried and had two more kids. I managed around 30k of that particular novel and then started homeschooling my boys. The book was put on hold, filed away on my old MacBook that decided to die on me. All files were irretrievable so I thought I’d lost it forever! Luckily my husband found it in an email 12 years later! After a visit to Nashville in 2016 to meet my friend and author, Ednah Walters, I decided to try my hand at writing again. The boys were a little older so didn’t need me as much. In April 2017 I published my first novel, my second in October and now have 2 more books and a third series planned. I also now make back ups lol.
Do you write in the genre you love to read?
I pretty much read anything aside from autobiographies. My favourite genres to read are fantasy, paranormal romance and historical novels. That influences what stories form in my head. I started off writing adult paranormal romance but it’s in gothic mystery where my heart lies. I find history fascinating and being able to combine that with mystery and magic is altogether thrilling!
Do you have any favourite authors to read?
Tolkien is my all-time favourite but I also love Terry Pratchett, Dan Brown, Stephen King, Kate Griffin, Phillipa Gregory. I have a long list of Indie authors I ‘One-click’ too; the late-great Ednah Walters and Stacey Marie Brown to name a few.
Are you an organised writer or not?
Not in the slightest! I’m a typical Gemini- I flit from one project to another depending on my mood. My desk is a mess, notes are written on scraps of paper which take me an age to find but it seems to work for me lol
What's your idea of a perfect writing day?
Log fire, no noise, wine and snacks!
Do you like editing or is it something you loathe?
It’s the one part of writing that can be tedious yet thrilling at the same time. I always get excited just before first edits begin because I look forward to lovingly polishing and shaping the story but I hate dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s.
What's your favourite social media? And why?
Facebook! I practically live there. I’m a chatterbox and love to see what’s going on with everyone else.
Do you do character profiles? If so, why/why not?
I haven’t as yet, mostly because I’m utterly rubbish at remembering passwords! I have however made some character cards for the cast of my latest gothic mystery novel- The Hollows. I quite enjoyed searching the web for stock photos that reflected how I see my characters.
How would you describe your writing process?
Organised Chaos!
Do you prefer ebooks or paperbacks? Why?
Hardback! Just to be awkward lol. Nothing beats the scent of printed pages on shelves or the thrill of opening the cover to see what adventures await!
How do you plan a book launch?
Copious amounts of wine, blood sweat and tears.
Do you have a favourite writing food? Drink?
Did I mention wine?
What's your favourite idea of a cozy afternoon?
Autumn and Winter are my favourite seasons. I love log fires, hot chocolate, thick jumpers and fluffy pjs. The best times for me are when the family sit together on the sofa, the fire is roaring and we’re watching movies.
How often do you write? Do you have a schedule?
I try to write something, even if it’s marketing promos, every day.
London 1860
Midnight Gunn is no ordinary detective- born during a
solar eclipse as Halley's Comet blazed a trail through the sky- his
supernatural birthright is both a help and a hindrance when solving
crimes.
Detective Inspector Arthur Gredge, of Scotland Yard, is the only one who knows Gunn's secret.
When
the body of a young aristocrat is discovered in a backstreet alley,
Gredge enlists Gunn’s help in a race to discover the identity of the
notorious Spring-heeled Jack- the monster that is terrorising London.
A trail of clues and victims leads them to discover the horrifying truth behind the killing.
The
Hollows, encompasses the thrill of a traditional gothic mystery with an
extra twist of paranormal, a splash of romance and a hint of horror!
Dive into the past and experience the thrill of the hunt as Gunn-
Scotland Yard's best kept secret- chases down a dangerous killer making
friends and enemies that will change his life for ever
My review: 5 stars
I loved this book! It was amazing from start to finish. A mix of the paranormal with historical, and crime and mystery. It was beautifully written and one that I found very hard to put down. It was delightfully awesome. The story starts with the birth of Midnight, and what lays ahead for him blows my mind. When a string of people have been attacked, the inspector asks for Midnight's help. The story had so many twists and turns, but all of them kept me turning the page! A very highly recommended book and I'll be picking up the next in the series. This is one author to watch!
You can follow C. L. Monaghan on Facebook.
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