Hi Nikki, where
were you born and where do you call home?~I was born in Ft.
Leavenworth, Kansas, if you can believe it. I'm an army brat. I now live
in Tucson, Az and that's home, at least for the time being...
Tell
us about something that has just happened or is about to happen in your
life that you would like to share. ~I moved here in April of this
year--it was big, considering that my husband and I had been in
Portland, Oregon for over fifteen years. Rainforest to the
desert--about as opposite as you can get!
What
is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 30
or less words, what would you say?~The Wolf Moon is # 3 in a trilogy and
is not published yet. It's the culmination of a story that starts 25
years earlier (The Moonstone) and encompasses an epic battle to save a
mystical world.
If
you gave one of your characters an opportunity to speak for themselves,
what would they say? ~My protagonist, Maeve would probably say: "Thanks
a lot for putting me into a nearly impossible situation. Who does this
to a person? I was going on with my life, minding my own business
when--poof--I'm transported into a place where myths are actually
true...
Do
you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?~I'm
working on a sequel to Wolfmoon Trilogy called 'Valley of the Moon' and
the protagonist is a minor character from Book 2 and 3..
What
books have influenced your writing? I started reading early, so a lot
of fairy tales, all the fantasy childhood books like Alice in
Wonderland, The Borrowers, Doctor Dolittle...as an adult, Jung, Huxley,
Tom Robbins, Orwell, C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, Margaret Atwood, Iris Murdock,
Murakami, Pullman and more recently, A Discovery of Witches, by Deborah
Harkness, Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon...too many to name!
Is there an Author that you would really like to meet? ~I think it would be Margaret Atwood or Tom Robbins
Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover? ~quality paperbacks
Where
do you prefer to buy your books? ~I usually order used or new from
Amazon. When I lived in Portland I went to Powell's City of Books where
they also have used books..
Are you a self published (Indie) Author? ~Yes
What
book would you like to read again?~I don't usually go back, but maybe
The Lord of the Rings, although now with the movie and all it woudn't be
the same...
Is
there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version?~I
think they did a wonderful job with the The Golden Compass, by Phillip
Pullman and was disappointed that the series wasn't continued...but I
loved the books...
What
book are you currently reading and in what format
(ebook/paperback/hardcover)? I'm reading Shadow of the Night, second in
the series by Deborah Harkness---first vampire story I've read...not
like any of the others out there since she's an historian
Are
there any Authors that have grasped your interest recently and
why?~I've been enjoying Susanna Kearsley--she writes what I might call
time-travel love stories. I've bought several books from Indie authors
on Facebook but haven't finished reading them to make a comment as
yet...
Who
designed the cover of your book?~ Createspace did Book I and II and
Patti Roberts did the cover for The Wolf Moon (thank you Patti!)
Patti says: My pleasure Nikki!
Do
you buy a book by the cover? ~Covers definitely attract me. But then I
open it up and read the first paragraph..or use the 'look inside'
feature on amazon
Do you have a book trailer?~I have a youtube trailer but it's a bit hokey...
What
are your thoughts on book trailers?~ I like the idea of them...would
love to have another for Book III but don't have a lot of extra cash to
spend.
Do
you have any advice for other writers?~ Have your book edited by a
professional before you put it out there--but make sure they understand
you and what you're trying to do...you and your editor have to be a
fit--and keep writing! it's the best teacher...
Do
you write under a pen name?~ Not yet but I'm working on a fictionalized
version of my parent's life together and I may have to use a pen name
to avoid criticism or outrage from relatives.
What date were you born? - you can leave off the year if you like.~I'm a capricorn, born January 7th. Stubborn as a goat!!!
Patti says: I'm on the cusp - January the 20th :)
Do
you have a nickname?~My real name is Louise, after my mother and
grandmother, but I was nicknamed Nikki early on--and that stuck.
Did
you have a favorite toy as a child?~I had two stuffed elephants--Fanty
and Cornelious. My daughters still have them, although they're falling
apart!
An early childhood memory~thinking I saw a fairy in the corner of my bedroom--the beginning of my writing career?
Do you ever write in your PJ’s?~ absolutely!
Patti says: Me too!
What are your pet peeves?~I don't like to be interrupted when I'm writing.
Any pets that you would like to tell us about, share a pic?~I have a beautiful cat and dog...I would be happy to share a pic!
White wine or red?~I prefer red but I'll drink white if that's all there is!
Coffee or tea?~Coffee, (latte) but I also like black tea with milk and honey...
So
you like to cook? Do you have a favorite food?~I've grown lazy about
cooking--just ordered a cookbook, The Meditteranean Diet--I love pasta
and curries...kids used to say that's all I cooked when they were
little! (not true)
Vanilla or chocolate ice-cream?~I like both
What
do you normally eat for breakfast, of do you skip it and get straight
to work?~I usually make an egg and toast and sometimes I add spinach to
the pan...this is after coffee, of course...
What
are 4 things you never leave home without (apart from keys, money and
phone)?~purse which contains my lipsticks, a writing pad and pen and
water...
Sleep in or get up early?~I'm usually up by 6:30 or 7:00...
Laptop or desktop for writing?~ I work at my desk..
Your favorite gadget -~espresso machine
Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?~I write at all times---my desk seems to be my default setting...
Your
thoughts on receiving book reviews - the good and the bad - ~I just got
my first 1 star...I wasn't upset, just surprised because I didn't agree
with the reviewer...I'm okay with constructive criticism but of course I
want people to love my books!
If
you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want
with you?~Einstein, Groucho Marks and Tom Robbins or possible Carl Jung
Where is one place in the world that you would really love to visit someday?~I want to go to Australia and New Zealand
One of your favorite quotes -~don't believe everything you think
List
3 books you just recently read and would recommend?~Mariana and The
Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley, A Discovery of Witches, by Deborah
Harkness
List 3 of your favorite movies?~The King of Hearts, Sophie's Choice, Avatar
An actor or a book character you have a crush on -~Vigo Mortenson
What is a movie or TV show that you watched just recently and really enjoyed?~I loved the series, Battlestar Gallactica
If
your book was made into a TV series or Movie, what actors would you
like to see playing your characters? Feel free to add pics.~I've
thought about this because I can see my books as a movie...(when I write
I see everything as though it's a movie) Bonnie Wright might work for
Maeve, my main character in Book II and Book III--the main guy, Harold,
Maeve's boyfriend...maybe Tom Welling? He has to have a toughness but
also be easy-going
Where can your readers stalk you?~
Is
your book in Print, ebook or both?~The Moonstone and Saille, the Willow
are both in paper as well as kindle--I'm working on getting them on
Smashwords, Nook and KOBO
Editorial Reviews
Review
Cindy Taylor--AllbooksReview: ...This is truly an
enchanting story written in a magical way with descriptions that flow
like a paintbrush bringing a blank canvas to life....there is an air of
mystery and the unknown throughout the whole story that kept me turning
the pages non-stop...I'm so excited this is the first book of a trilogy,
and I'm going to find it very difficult to wait for the second
book....This story held me spellbound from cover to cover and I highly
recommend it.
From the Author
I began this book for my 'fun' writing while I was working on a
more serious work. From the moment I started the story I felt like it
was being written through me. I love the story and the characters who
appeared on the page and took over my life for the several years I spent
on this project.
Primordial Traditions, the
recipient of the $10,000 Ashton Wylie
Award for Literary Excellence, is finally back in print after a long
hiatus. Originally a free quarterly periodical dealing with spiritual and
metaphysical philosophy, Primordial
Traditions was reprinted in book format in 2009, and received the award for
its potential to unite the different Traditions of the world by postulating a
core under-lying philosophy. 
After sitting
down and reading the book cover to cover, it’s easy to see how such a
philosophical approach to religion could benefit humanity by teaching a
sensible, moderate, and logical approach to faith that ends religious conflicts
and prevents dogma and fundamentalism from damaging spiritual movements. All in
all, Gwendolyn Taunton’s greatest achievement here is perhaps a philosophical
victory rather than a literary one, because this is a concept I could easily
see changing not only the way religion and spirituality are conceived, but also
the very nature of the concept itself. By reading and spreading the philosophy of
the Primordial Tradition, I already feel secure that this book will make the
world a better, happier, and safer place.
About the author
