Inspiration
Sparkle Abbey is hosting guest blogger, Arlene Kay
Today we’re joined by our good friend, Arlene Kay. She has graciously agreed to giveaway two copies of her newest release. Just leave a comment to be entered to win. (U.S. only)
Most writers find inspiration in novels and
authors they have long admired. Classic characters such as Amelia Peabody and
Emerson; Nick and Nora Charles; Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane and Tommy
and Tuppence Beresford, have always intrigued me for two reasons: the witty
banter between the couples, and the clever mysteries they solved. Smart, feisty
women and strong dishy men make an irresistible combination designed to delight
any reader. Must there always be a HEA (happily ever after) ending? Probably,
although a touch of ambiguity spices up the narrative and mimics life as we
know it.
authors they have long admired. Classic characters such as Amelia Peabody and
Emerson; Nick and Nora Charles; Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane and Tommy
and Tuppence Beresford, have always intrigued me for two reasons: the witty
banter between the couples, and the clever mysteries they solved. Smart, feisty
women and strong dishy men make an irresistible combination designed to delight
any reader. Must there always be a HEA (happily ever after) ending? Probably,
although a touch of ambiguity spices up the narrative and mimics life as we
know it.
The characters in my Boston UncommonsSeries are the typical, everyday citizens one meets at Whole Foods or the local
library—assuming of course that they happen to be enormously wealthy,
intellectually gifted and drop-dead gorgeous. Readers tell me that Eja Kane,
brilliant, loyal and fiercely independent, is someone they can relate to and
imagine as a friend. She struggles for financial and professional survival in
contrast to the uber-rich Swann clan who, although they lead privileged lives,
are not immune from pain.
The writer’s challenge is to mine the
common humanity of these characters and the traits that unite them, while
crafting a solid mystery. I also enjoy confronting stereotypes and turning them
on their collective ears. Thus, Anika Swann (beautiful former model) is
audacious, kind and supportive of Eja. Deming, the son described as a cross
between a film star and an underwear model, agonizes over his love for Eja;
while daddy Bolin Swann (the hottest of alpha males and my personal favorite),
is a devoted father determined to avenge his daughter’s murder.
common humanity of these characters and the traits that unite them, while
crafting a solid mystery. I also enjoy confronting stereotypes and turning them
on their collective ears. Thus, Anika Swann (beautiful former model) is
audacious, kind and supportive of Eja. Deming, the son described as a cross
between a film star and an underwear model, agonizes over his love for Eja;
while daddy Bolin Swann (the hottest of alpha males and my personal favorite),
is a devoted father determined to avenge his daughter’s murder.
After living with these characters and
their foibles through four novels, I feel the bond and sense of intimacy that
most writers have for their creations and those literary antecedents. Eja
shares many of Amelia and Harriet’s traits, while Deming channels a muddled
combo of Nick Charles and Radcliffe Emerson with contemporary flair. That
continuity is a good thing. It links us to the pleasures of the past while
allowing us to dream in the future.
their foibles through four novels, I feel the bond and sense of intimacy that
most writers have for their creations and those literary antecedents. Eja
shares many of Amelia and Harriet’s traits, while Deming channels a muddled
combo of Nick Charles and Radcliffe Emerson with contemporary flair. That
continuity is a good thing. It links us to the pleasures of the past while
allowing us to dream in the future.
That’s what reading fiction is all about.
Former Treasury executive Arlene Kay has
reformed her bureaucratic ways and now pursues writing with the same ferocity
she once displayed as a tax collector. Known as a snarky, somewhat sensuous practitioner
of mystery, she is the published author of seven novels, including the BostonUncommons Series by Bellebridge Books. SWANN SONGS, the fourth in that series
will be released in June, 2016.
reformed her bureaucratic ways and now pursues writing with the same ferocity
she once displayed as a tax collector. Known as a snarky, somewhat sensuous practitioner
of mystery, she is the published author of seven novels, including the BostonUncommons Series by Bellebridge Books. SWANN SONGS, the fourth in that series
will be released in June, 2016.
Swann Song sounds like an awesome book. Looking forward to reading. Thanks for the giveaway.
Swann Song sounds like an awesome book. Looking forward to reading. Thanks for the giveaway.
I'm excited about this book. I love the growth of the relationships through the series. That's part of what keeps readers coming back, I think. We like to see the relationships deepen, the ones that we so enjoyed participating (as a reader) in getting established.