Although I love reading I don't plough through lots of books week after week. Instead I prefer to take my time and tend to get quite deeply involved with each book. Not every book grabs my attention and I do have a number that I've started and are unfinished back in the bookshelf. Every so often though I pick up a book that grabs my attention from the first page and I just can't wait to read on.
My first experience of this was with Silence of the Lambs. I started this book one morning back on 1989 and I didn't put it down until it was all over some 12 hours later when I, sorry Clarice Starling, got the bad guy nailed!
I have always wanted to write a book, so I was more than a tad jealous when i heard a colleague had just published their first book. Very curious to know what she had written about I downloaded The Finder, by CJ Morrow, and one Sunday afternoon I began reading. As an ebook I had it on my phone and iPad, very handy as I took it with me to the gym, on a business trip and a weekend away. Within two hours I knew I was hooked. I couldn't contain my disappointment at reaching the end of part 1 so on I read until the disappointment of getting to the end just over a week later with the knowledge that book 2 is not due out until next year.
I grabbed a five minute tea break with the author this week...
What was your inspiration for the book?
People and magic. I am fascinated by ordinary people who may not quite be what they are. If you've ever people watched, you'll know exactly what I mean when you make up situations to fit the actions you see people taking!
What about the characters, where did they come from?
Well they are 100% fictional. I created them for what I wanted them to do in the story. However as the story progressed they did start to take on their own life form. Ethan was the exception. He was only a minor character to begin with, but before long his personality grew and he dominated the storyline towards the end in a way I had not originally anticipated. This all helped to develop the storyline so I'm not complaining!
Did you have a favourite character?
Oh without a doubt it's got to be Marcus - yes I am allowed to call him that. At the beginning Gabriel was my favourite but his character changed and whilst I sympathised, I just couldn't help but not like the way he behaved.
If the book was to be made into a movie, who would you see in the leading roles?
Oh I have no idea. I pulled together their characteristics but I have no image of who they are in my mind. That said, I've had a few interesting suggestions on my Facebook page - including Hugh Jackman, Brad Pitt and David Essex.
With it's background in witchcraft and referencing 17th century witch hunts, what magical power would you most like to have?
No question about this one. I would love to have the power to make things work in my favour. If I am looking for somewhere to park, a space appears right in front of me; if the supermarket has a long queue, by the time I join it everyone has moved away; and the best power would be touching my clothes to change the colour or fit. My idea of heaven!
At the end of The Finder you give us a sneak preview of chapter 1 of your second book, The Illusionist. What can we expect from it?
This book is a lot darker, and the risk of exposure for the long fingers is much greater. It's due out in the New Year although from the feedback I've received from book 1 it'd be great to get it published earlier!
And finally what are you reading at the moment?
Ah well surprisingly it's a book on witchcraft. Written by historian Deborah Harkness, Shadow of Night, the book follows a line of witches from Shakespearean times.
If you fancy an engaging quick read by a newly published author, I strongly recommend The Finder. I'm sure like me you'll love it; after all according to the film, Practical Magic, "there's a little witch in all of us."
