Interview with gothic romance author KaSonndra Leigh

Today’s special guest author is KaSonndra Leigh. She’s chatting with me about her new paranormal gothic romance, Hacienda Moon.

During her virtual book tour, KaSonndra will be giving away a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!

Meet your word sculptress…
Author of the #1 Amazon International bestselling novels, the Prelude and the Lost Immortals Saga, KaSonndra is also a mother, designer, reader, gardener, home renovator, and a slayer of undead Egyptian mummies in Tomb Raider. She believes in karma, coffee, and seriously wishes that the producers of Xena would bring her favorite show back.

KaSonndra was born in the race-car city of Charlotte, NC, and now lives in the City of Alchemy and Medicine, NC, when she’s not hanging out in Bardonia (Lost Immortals Saga setting). Most of her characters are based on people that she has met throughout her travels and adventures. People tend to stop and start conversations with KaSonndra as if she has known them her entire life. Does this freak her out? Not really. Her mom says that one day she’ll get kidnapped by one of these folks. KaSonndra’s response? She told her mom that if it weren’t for these lovely people, then she wouldn’t be able to create such fabulously romantic stories!

Welcome, KaSonndra. Please tell us about your current release.
Hacienda Moon is a gothic paranormal romance that tells the story of Tandie Harrison, a woman who returns to her childhood home in Bolivia, North Carolina, to write her novel. While settling into the plantation house known as Chelby Rose, she reconnects with old friends and makes new acquaintances, including a handsome and mysterious stranger named Eric, and starts to experience strange occurrences that suggest the presence of supernatural forces at work.

The novel explores themes of love and loss as Tandie grapples with the death of her child and the end of her marriage, while also discovering a newfound attraction to Eric. The novel also delves into themes of grief and hope as Tandie begins to uncover the secrets of her family’s past and learns to embrace her own unique gifts.

Overall, Hacienda Moon weaves together elements of romance and the supernatural to create a layered and emotionally resonant story about the power of love, the pain of loss, and the hope that can emerge from the darkest of situations.

What inspired you to write this book?
My grandmother has always been a source of motivation for me, encouraging me to follow my dreams, and this was a major factor that inspired me to start writing. Reading books and stories made me think, imagine, and learn, which further spurred me on to write.

Excerpt from Hacienda Moon:
Eric got the call around midnight. Tandie said Chelby Rose’s plumbing system had failed, and the faucets had gone nuts. She was headed downstairs to fix it but would need his help. She didn’t sound like herself. Her high-pitched voice sounded as though she were someone else.

Adding to the mysterious water problem, which he knew had been fixed weeks ago was Tandie’s distress. She’d somehow gotten locked in the basement while attempting the repair. It took some fancy metal work to break through the lock. Eric strained with all his might, jimmying the ancient contraption until the clasp gave way.

“What the fuck?” Eric studied the situation. Water dripped from the basement ceiling as though someone had turned on a sprinkler system. There was only one problem, though. The plumbing running along the ceiling didn’t have faucets. Right away, Eric knew a greater force was at play.

Tandie stood in an area at the far-right side of the basement. She was wearing a thin light-colored nightgown that had somehow gotten soaked up to the waistline. Eric made his way over her, trudging through ankle deep water. For a moment, her image faded in and out. Eric shook his head, cleared his eyes and made his way over to where she stood. A faraway expression clouded her eyes as though she were looking at him and through him simultaneously.

“She’s down there. In the water. We have to get her out!” she yelled as Eric came closer.

“Tandie—what? Who’s down there?” Eric’s studied the water. There was nothing but cement flooring.

“Eliza! She’s in the water.” Tandie shook her head and frowned. “I saw her. I’m not crazy.”

“Course not.” Eric put his arms around her, and she shoved him away. Eric stumbled back a bit, feeling startled by her strength.

“Look at me, Tandie. Look at me!” he demanded, grasping her head between his palms. She obeyed and focused on his face. That same heated sensation he’d felt the day he visited Abby at the Aeneid, that time when some invisible force had reacted to his anger surged through his body.

Her breathing evened out as she stared into his eyes. “There is nothing down there. It’s all in your mind. Do you understand me?”

Slowly she nodded. And then he kissed her. The passion he released had been held back for too long. He no longer cared about any Broken Heart Curse, and tasting Tandie’s luscious lips gave him all the resolve he needed. Her hands wound through his hair, pulling gently. The kiss lingered and Eric lost himself inside her touch, the taste, and the smell of her. And she gave off an intoxicating scent. With great hesitation, he pulled back and stared in her eyes, losing himself as each second ticked away. “Wow. I could never get tired of doing that, mi mujer bonita.”

Tandie smiled. “How did you do that?”

“Do what?”

“You pulled me back from a nightmare. I felt you. Heard your voice.”

“I’ve no idea,” Eric said. Not a complete lie but not the total truth either.

What exciting project are you working on next?
I am currently working on a story centered around Saul Chelby, a character from my previous book Hacienda Moon, due to popular demand from my readers. I am excited to be able to tell his story, and look forward to sharing the finished work with readers.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I first considered myself a writer when I was around ten years old. At the time, I began writing short stories and poetry as a way to express myself and explore the world through words. As I got older, I continued to hone my writing skills and eventually pursued my passion for writing professionally. Over the years, I’ve published multiple books and have had the privilege of sharing my stories with readers all over the world. Writing has always been both a passion and a calling for me, and I feel incredibly grateful to be able to do what I love.

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I write part-time as a writer and then work as an interior designer. When I’m in the midst of a writing project, my workday typically involves several hours of dedicated writing time, interspersed with breaks for exercise, meals, and other activities that help clear my mind and refocus my energy.

I find that having a consistent routine helps me stay productive and focused, so I try to structure my workday around regular writing sessions and specific goals for each day. Depending on the project and my progress, I may set targets for word count or other milestones that help me stay motivated and on track.

Of course, writing also requires a certain level of discipline and self-motivation, as it can be easy to get distracted or lose focus without the structure of a traditional office environment. However, I’ve found that by prioritizing my writing and making it a non-negotiable part of my daily routine, I’m able to consistently produce work that I’m proud of and that resonates with readers.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I would say that one of my interesting writing quirks is that I often listen to music while I write. I find that certain songs and playlists can help me get in the right headspace for a particular scene or emotion, and can sometimes even inspire new ideas or directions for a story.

I also tend to write in marathon sessions, rather than small snippets throughout the day. When I’m in the zone, I can write for hours on end without coming up for air, and I find that these extended writing sessions often yield my best ideas and most compelling prose.

Overall, I believe that every writer has their own unique quirks and habits that help them produce their best work. For me, music and marathon writing sessions are just a couple of the things that make my writing process feel uniquely mine.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I’ve always known I wanted to be a word sculptress… aka writer.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
For those who are interested in writing, I would encourage you to write every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Practice is key, and the more you write, the easier and more rewarding it will become.

For readers, I would suggest taking the time to explore different genres and styles of writing to expand your horizons and discover new authors and stories.

Finally, I would like to emphasize that writing and storytelling are incredibly powerful tools for exploring the world and connecting with others. Whether you’re a writer or a reader, the stories we tell and share have the power to inspire, teach, and transform. So keep writing, keep reading, and never underestimate the impact of a good story.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to visit your beautiful blog today.

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