1. First off, what a wonderful novel! I am now into book two of three and am captivated. Did you have an ‘a-ha’ moment and the idea pop in your head or how did you come up with the idea?

These characters have been with me for so long, that the story has really evolved from its beginnings. So it wasn’t so much an a-ha moment as an evolution of the characters coming to a place where their story was ready to be told. That was when I really saw the structure of the first novel.

No, I didn’t. But as I kept writing and writing, I realized there was still so much story to be told and there was no way I was going to be able to fit it all in one novel.

No, they aren’t. They are so real for me in and of themselves, that I don’t connect them with anyone but themselves. There are certainly many real people in the books though. I keep my characters interaction with them to a minimum though, as most of them are still alive and I don’t want to be sued.

I had written the first book before ever going to Ireland. I went before it was published, however, because I wanted to be sure I had things right. When I arrived and started to travel around I was amazed to find that it was just as I had pictured it. I did make some adjustments to the manuscript when I arrived home, but they were minor.  Since then I have gone back three times and I love Belfast. I had great friends there, and the craic is second to none.

5. Tell me about your writing process. Are you a diligent outliner?

Ha- I don’t outline at all. I use the historical timeline as my framework and the rest is a very organic process for me. I really just allow the characters to tell their story and that dictates the direction the story takes, as well as the direction of the secondary story lines. Which leads to me getting some real surprises along the way. That is part of what I love about the writing process though- that I never know just where the story will take me when I begin to write each book.

6. There are some great twists and turns in the novel, did you plan them first and build around them?

No, the twists present as I write. Often I am sitting here at my computer saying, ‘really, that’s where we’re headed with this?’

7. The scene ‘that changed everything’ (because I don’t want to give it away!) was hard for me to read, but I understand why you wrote it the way you did, how did you do it?

I know which chapter you mean, and I have to say I wrote it on autopilot in a sense, because I had to distance myself a certain amount from what was happening in the chapter to pay attention to the technicalities of the scene. But after I finished writing it I had a hard time getting any writing done for about six weeks. I realized later that it was because it had really sapped me emotionally. I recently did some editing for the second edition of Exit Unicorns, and I dreaded going over the chapter.

8. I am a lover of historical fiction, obviously you are as well. Who is your favourite author of the genre? Did they inspire you?

My favourite author of historical fiction is Dorothy Dunnett, hands down, in particular her Lymond Chronicles and House of Niccolo series. I also have a very soft spot for Leon Uris, particularly his book Trinity as it was the book that made me realize I wanted to be a writer myself.

9. If you could have lunch with Pamela, Casey or Jamie which would you choose and why?

Hmm- probably Jamie, even though I think he would intimidate me more than the other two.

10. If a movie company came up to you tomorrow and handed you a deal to make this for the big screen who would you cast as the three main characters?

The only actors I’ve seen that come close to my vision of the characters are as follows: Casey- Colin Farrell, mostly because of his colouring, because Casey is the size of Liam Neeson. Pamela- Jennifer Connelly when she was younger, she has that vulnerable beauty. Jamie- well, I have never seen anyone that looks like His Lordship really, but Simon Baker (a wee bit younger than he is now) would do in a pinch.

11. The most important question of all: Are you a Jamie or a Casey girl? I finally chose and went with Jamie, but I’m curious who you choose and I’m sure my readers are too.

In all honesty, neither. I love them both equally. They are like family to me, so I don’t think I see them in quite the same way that my readers do.

12. What’s up next for you?

I’m working on two projects- the 4th book in the Exit Unicorns series and also a shorter novel about a woman who survives the Irish Potato Famine for rather unique reasons. It’s a combination of historical and mythical aspects and I’m excited to finally be working on it. Originally it was a short story that won a couple of prizes, but the voice of the protagonist- Bridget- is so strong, I always knew she had a bigger tale to tell me.

I would like to thank Cindy for her time and I can hardly wait for the new books to come out! To get your copy, go to her website www.ExitUnicorns.com or buy it on Amazon  or on Chapters.

Cindy had written a trilogy, the Exit Unicorns series and I have JUST finished the first of the three, the title work: Exit Unicorns. I will review the others as I finish them too for your enjoyment and mine. I must say, the ending saw my jaw drop and I will be starting the second book this evening.

I am a huge historical fiction fan, especially when it’s based in Europe, and being that my family originated from Northern Ireland, and I’ve been to Belfast a few times to visit friends who live in Stormont, I jumped at the opportunity to read the series.

It is epic. Truly. I was hooked from page one.

The story centers around three characters:

Jamie: A wealthy aristocrat who is incredibly handsome but has had an anything but easy life.

Casey: The rebel. A member of the IRA who is back in Belfast after a 5-year prison stint.

Pamela: The innocent girl who has returned to Northern Ireland in search of an old love.

The story develops around the relationships between these three characters and against the backdrop of the trials and tribulations of Ireland. I found it very illuminating  because while I knew some of the history surrounding the conflicts, I did not know some of the finer points and Cindy does a fantastic job of bringing them to life and bringing the reader along with her.

The story begins in 1968 in Belfast with the death of Jamie’s father and the reader is immediately swept into the fray as this event begins a chain-reaction of events that bring the unlikely trio together in ways unexpected. The fact that the characters come from such different backgrounds allows a unique take on the events as we see them from all perspectives as they occur so you get a more well-rounded take on the events and people that were affected. There is adventure, intrigue, suspense and yes,  a little bit o’ romance too.

Exit Unicorns is a book I have absolutely loved reading and would highly recommend to anyone, male or female. It’s important to learn about history, and when it can come to life and envelop you like this book and these characters do, you get a wonderful insight into events and understand them in a new way. It is reminiscent of The Thorn Birds and Titanic (the movie) in the way it brings you into events through the eyes of fictional characters who could have easily existed.

You can follow Cindy on Twitter by clicking here and check out the website for the series here: www.ExitUnicorns.com

The novel is available for Kindle, as well as in print and this weekend only, June 1-3 is free on Kindle! Click here to get your copy and enjoy it today!

It is also available on Amazon.ca and Chapters.ca

After you read it, tell me: Are you a Jamie or a Casey girl?

So, here we go with the notes and updates for you all!

What I’m Proud Of

My ability to panic less the past week, sit down and make a plan and then move forward in a methodical manner. That may sound cryptic but instead of worrying like I usually do about some issues, I sat down, grabbed pen and paper (yes, I love my good old fashioned pen and paper sometimes LOL) and made a step-by-step plan. It really helped me to see the big picture and the timing of things and I was able to find a way out. It involved some finagling, but I am managing and things will be ok. I’m very proud of that.

What I’m Up To

As usual for me there is rarely a dull moment, lol. With that in mind, I have some fun stuff coming for you, my cherished readers and followers. I received the new Avengers movie toys  last week so look for that review to come, but so far, wow, there’s some neat stuff for the kids (big and small). I also have two book reviews coming, one for a pre-teen-ish book called Gasparilla’s Treasure and another for a series (I’m on book one right now) set in Ireland for the older ones that starts with Exit Unicorns. Both are fabulous so far and I keep going between them. I will also have a guest post here tomorrow from a colleague and friend on babywearing. Why is this relevant to us non-parents you ask? Because I for one was lost when I was handed one of those carriers to take my nephew out and this article will really help shed some light on them for you.

What’s On My Mind

The power of friendship and the desire to be a good person. This is really still at the forefront for me with the whirlwind that has been blowing the past couple of months. For a long time I have made it a priority in my life to make time to help others or causes where I can. Unfortunately I suffered a bit of burnout at one point so now I have to be a bit more realistic about how many hours are in the day, but what I can do, I will.

Why is this on my mind? Well, through #NateLuv I’ve met some simply amazing new friends who I know will be long-term friends. Skype-ing with Mamacravings‘ Casi on the weekend was like talking to an old friend who I’ve known for decades instead of weeks. She is a gem and I adore her and her adorable little son, my ‘nephew’. Adore him!

I’ve also reconnected with old friends this past week. Very sadly a friend from high school’s younger brother passed away suddenly just over a week ago. My heart broke for my friend and also for our mutual friends who I know are practically family too. I promised I would go and see him at the visitation and give him the biggest hug and I did. It was a small thing for sure, but I hope it helped a little. It’s sad that events like funerals are where we reconnect but I like to think of it as a special gift from the person we’ve lost that we regain. My best girlfriends from high school were of course there and we have vowed (and we will do it too) to get together more since we all live so close still. I also promised my friend who lost his brother that we will go for coffee in the next week or so. He’s going to need support and I am making him a priority.

I’ve also seen the power of friendship with another new friend, Courtney. She has quite simply been through the ringer and if I could wave a magic wand and make it all better I assure you I would. I make it a point to at least text her once a day to let her know that someone is thinking of her. These things are important. I know when I get a text from friends or an email or a random tweet I smile so why not pass that smile on? I know it can’t change everything, but a smile can help, and a hug, I’m a hugger. Even if it’s a ‘virtual’ hug, I send them, and I mean them too.

Fun Stuff

I do have some fun stuff that honestly is keeping me ‘up’ and energized at the moment. I’m choosing to focus on positives and these posts are great for that, I highly recommend them to everyone!

Number one, I got my PINK JEANS!!!!! I was all hyper about them because last week I saw a great pic of I think Gwen Stefani wearing a pair. I fell in love. I love pink and I love Tiffany blue. Since bold bright colours appear to be back ‘in’ this year I decided that since I’d be in the US on the weekend I’d search out a pair. I found some. At my beloved Kohl’s…and they were on sale…and I had a 20% off coupon…and a credit on my account. Tee hee! So since my fave tank tops were also on sale, and I saved so much, I grabbed three of them too.

And something that is a new thing for me I assure you.

I am actually finding for the first time in at least 6 years (ugh, I cannot believe it’s been that long), that picking out clothes is fun instead of an activity to be dreaded. Please don’t think I’m bragging, I’m not I assure you. I actually tried on an outfit last week and looked in the mirror and did a double-take before blushing profusely. Yes that actually was me in that reflection. Wow, my hard work is paying off and I am even more motivated to get the rest off now. I used to dread the mirror, now I’m loving it. I was even laughingly driving my hubby crazy last night when I was trying to get a cute pic of the jeans. Too much fun was had!

So what has everyone been up to this past week? My goodness it’s May tomorrow, spring is flying by! What are you looking forward to?