Page 13 - Reader's House magazine

literary journey. For those who have yet to dis- cover her brilliance, there’s no better time to be swept away by her universe of imagination. How did your Italian heritage influence the themes and characters in your novels, particularly in your early works? One may never have the same ground beneath their feet, but the soil will forever be trapped within them. I immigrated to Canada in 1974, but I will forever be Italian. My first female protagonist is Italian. (All of my pri- mary protagonists are male, save for my latest horror story featuring Coralie.) One of my characters states, “Italians don’t bleed blood. They bleed wine.” He is referring to the Italian culture that revolves around food, drink, and family. My heritage is extremely important to me, and I fictitiously immortalize my own memories in my novels. What inspired you to transition from writing romance with suspense elements to exploring genres like horror and paranormal romance? I have always considered myself a storytell- er. Picture a grandmother figure in a rocking chair with children encircling her as they sit on the floor, and she asks them, “What type of story would you like to hear today?” I wish to explore every aspect of life – whether roman- tic, disturbing, or hauntingly beautiful. Throw in a few ghosts, some ghastly scenes, and a deep sense of foreboding, and I end up with psychological horror such as “The Sixth Sense” rather than a bloody story like “Friday the 13th.” Horror is one of my favourite gen- res to write and I always include a sub-love story. Love is a part of life, and therefore, it’s also a part of death. Your readers often describe your books as cinematic. How do you craft your stories to evoke vivid, movie-like imagery? Words. It’s a simple answer, but the most accurate one. A writer doesn’t require a million words to paint a scene. A writer only needs the right words. It’s the same reason my stories are typically short. With the perfect alphabetical palette, you can fill a page like a painter would a small canvas and still pack an emotional punch. With “The Gift,” you delve into the mystery genre. What challenges did you face in blending romance with suspenseful storytelling? A budding, romantic relationship is suspenseful. It wasn’t difficult to marry a romantic storyline with the mystery/thriller Barbara Avon’s evocative aspect. Michael Rossi, our male protagonist in prose elevates storytelling. Her ability to transcend genres while maintaining an authentic voice is truly extraordinary. Can you discuss the creative process behind your time travel stories and how you ensure historical accuracy within fictional narratives? Google is a writer’s best friend. One of D R A F T Barbara Avon’s Sultry, Is the Night is a haunting, lyrical tale blending grief, love, and redemption. Set in a gritty 1980s city, it follows Mario’s emotional journey after his mother’s death. With evocative prose, raw honesty, and vivid imagery, the novel explores human “The Gift” and its sequel “Michael’s Choice”, is a stubborn, passionate, Italian who loves struggles, self-discovery, and the deeply. When the woman he loves puts herself healing power of love. in a dangerous, precarious situation, the reader finds themselves sharing his angst. One reader honoured me by reaching out to me to share their enthusiasm about the story. They stated that they were “unable to rest until Michael did”. We are all flawed, and I think that read- ers appreciate characters that aren’t cardboard cut-outs, but someone they can relate to, cheer for, or even mourn with. my time travel stories, “Timepiece”, opens in 1932, and it did take a lot of research to ensure historical accuracy regarding language, fashion, and way of life. The rest was inspired by all the classic movies I love that star iconic actors like Cary Grant, and Katharine Hepburn. Everything else came from my imagination. Science doesn’t play a role in my time travel stories. The reader must suspend belief and simply enjoy being whisked away to a different era. In your horror novels, such as “Revived,” how do you balance psychological depth with supernatural elements to create compelling narratives? Reality can often be scarier than fiction. I delve into the human psyche to dig out that which most scares us and has scarred us. What advice would you offer to aspiring authors aiming to successfully transition between different genres while maintaining a unique voice? I’ve been told many times that my books are easily recognizable as Barbara Avon novels. That statement made me think, because I don’t only write various genres, I write in various styles. Then I remember that little old grandma in the rocking chair who is holding her audi- ence captive with her funny character voices, hand gestures, and charming intonation. Every author has a unique voice, just like grandma. I’d tell aspiring authors: Write without fear, write from your heart, and readers will remem- ber you. However, just like a painter discards an uninspired canvas, don’t be afraid to begin again. I, for one, am not adept at slaying drag- ons… then again, I have yet to try. Reader’s House II 13