Anne B. Cole Sweet Paranormal Time Travel.

Meet the delightful genre-blending Anne B Cole who manages to combine teaching, parenting and writing and still stay sane,

I read Anne’s first book, Souls Entwined in May, 2014. Here’s my review: I've never read a book like this one. I received a copy of Souls Entwined in return for a fair review. Two contemporary people, Sam and Gretta are sent back to entwine with the bodies of a kidnapped sailor, Lorenzo and a young Greek woman, Anya to solve the mystery of a generations old curse. Their adventure is a race against time to prevent Gretta from becoming the curse's next victim. Snapping back and forth between past and present, Sam and Gretta feel a growing commitment to each other. I look forward to reading the next installment in this adventure. A remarkable debut by Anne B. Cole.

This year Anne and I were both Finalists in the RONE Awards for best time travel. Neither of us won, but we were both thrilled with the honor.

Yes, congratulations Susan for getting into finals!  It was such an honor to be nominated for the RONE. The winning and runner up authors in our category are simply amazing writers with over 30 titles published between the two of them. 

Anne lives in Indiana with her husband and three teenage children. She teaches preschool and makes time to run so she can eat ice cream and doughnuts.

Some people ask me how I get everything done in my crammed days. I admit that I rarely watch television (unless it is football season) and I multi task---right now I’m writing this interview, doing two loads of laundry, and baking an apple pie.

I love firsts, so tell me about the moment when a publisher told you they wanted to publish your book.

In 2013, my critique partner submitted a pitch of my book in a ‘pitch your mate’ blog contest. She had already submitted her own pitch in the part of the contest where you submit your own work. We both made it through the qualifying round and to the editors’ round. Soul Mate Publishing offered a contract on my first novel, Souls Entwined through this contest. I admit…without my critique partners I’d have never become published. When my publisher sent an email to me accepting my book for contract I remember saying, “Oh my God!”…about ten times in a row. My family surrounded me with questions like, “What happened?” and “Who died?” It was a life changing moment because I went from dabbling in a hobby of writing to becoming a novelist.

If it isn’t too nosy. How about the first time you kissed your true love?

My true love is my husband of 23 years. We started dating in high school when I was 16 and we dated for over seven years before we married. Our first kiss was in his parent’s car after we went out and played miniature golf with a group of friends. It was the perfect ending to a teenage date--- simple, sweet, and the beginning of a love that will last a lifetime. A beautiful first. Thank you.

Other than your own, who are your favorite (heroes/heroines/writers) in your genre?

Diana Gabaldon’s books are amazing. As for heroes and heroines---gotta side with Percy Jackson and Annabeth. My son and I love to read Rick Riordan.

What is the most exciting moment, so far, in your writing career?

Giving credit to my kids and husband for their support and ideas for my writing was special. When I started to write the acknowledgements for Souls Estranged I realized the book would not have been possible without them.

What is your favorite pastime, other than writing?

That’s easy…I run because I love to bake and cook! Nothing is better than running five miles in order to justify eating a slice of homemade apple pie. Both leave me feeling awesome.

Got a recipe you want to share? Most certainly! Souls Estranged has many moments where characters converse over yummy foods. In the story, Gretta enjoys a plate of loaded baked potato chips with a new friend. In real life, my family and I enjoy eating at a local diner called Jersey Café. They have the most wonderful loaded chips. I’ve duplicated the recipe at home, but if you are ever in the Indianapolis area you must go to Jersey’s and order a plate of their chips!

Loaded baked potato chips

One 12 oz. bag of kettle style potato chips

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Your favorite BBQ sauce

6 to 8 strips of thick cut bacon, cooked and crumbled

Chopped green onions (optional)

Ranch dressing (on the side to dip)

Place the chips on a jelly roll pan and cover with cheese. (add more or less cheese if desired). Drizzle with BBQ sauce. Toss on the crumbled bacon---again, add more or less as desired.

Bake in oven at 400 degrees for 5 to 7 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Serve with ranch dressing.

That looks truly sinful!

Any advice for new writers just starting out?

Write every day. (Every word you pen will make you a better writer. Blogs, notes, emails, and of course your work in progress counts.)

Read every day. I learn something about writing every time I read.

What genre or genres do you write?

I like to bend my genres. I enjoy combining supernatural suspense, time travel, and sweet romance with a touch of magical realism.

Tell us about Souls Estranged.

"She fled to save him from the curse. Now she must flee to save

herself."

SUMMARY

Back from their adventures in Souls Entwined, Sam Daggett begins a new relationship with Gretta Dobbs, whose memories of their time traveling experience have been erased. Determined to never leave her again, Sam vows to help Gretta, despite the bad luck curse on her heirloom ring. Within hours of their return, tragedy strikes. As Sam becomes the third victim of the bad luck curse, Gretta’s memories of her time spent in the past begin to return. Unable to remember more than snippets, she realizes that anyone close to her is in grave danger. In order to keep Sam and her family safe, she flees in the middle of the night. Finding the perfect summer job in the back hills of Virginia, Gretta unknowingly crosses paths with a serial killer. With guidance from their ancestral spirits, Roxana and Katarina, Sam desperately attempts to find Gretta before the curse strikes again.

Excerpt From Souls Estranged.

Excerpt from Chapter Four

     “Lunch is almost ready. Here’s a list of Sam’s pre-surgery instructions.” Ruby handed the paper to Gretta. “Tim and I both have to work tomorrow so you’ll need to keep him in line.”

     Sam heard the two discussing the dos and don’ts prior to his operation, yet his mind registered one thing.

     Alone time with Gretta.

     Gretta scrutinized the list. “What about this one?”

     “Never mind,” Ruby chortled.

     Gretta walked over to the kitchen and opened a drawer. Finding it empty, she smiled at Ruby. “I could have cleaned the drawers.”

     “What did you say?” Ruby lifted a square of gooey lasagna from the pan.

     “You crossed ‘clean drawers’ off my list.” Gretta pointed to the paper.

     “No, no dear. I meant—”

     “Ruby?” Sam wasn’t sure how he knew what she was going to say, but he definitely didn’t want her to continue.

     “I crossed it off, Sam. After I caught you two on the couch, I wrote a list for Tim. He will make certain you have on clean—”

     “Ruby!”

     “Oh, hush yourself and eat.” She handed them two heaping plates.

      Gretta and Sam slid into the chairs at the table. He dug into the steaming layers of pasta, cheese, and sausage. After a minute of silence, Gretta’s grin caught his eye.

     “Batman or Spiderman?”

     Sam laughed before answering, “Hanes. Plain, white Hanes.” He peered sideways to Ruby and lowered his voice. “Fifteen years ago, Spiderman.”

     Gretta smirked, forking a hunk of pasta dripping with cheese. “Spiderman?”

     “Spiderman. What about you? Cinderella or Snow White?” He watched her savor her food.

     She wiped cheese and sauce off her lips with one finger and licked it clean. “Cinderella.”

  

What’s your current WIP?

I’m currently writing the third and final book of The Souls Trilogy, Souls Endure. Here’s the hook---‘Without faith, love may not exist. Without love, evil takes control.’ This book is verbally contracted and about 75% written…I have so much to say about it….but you’ll have to wait.

And finally, where can we find  you?

BLOG: www.annebcole.com/blog

TWITTER: www.twitter.com/AnneBCole

            @annebcole

FACEBOOK: Anne B. Cole, Author

Souls Entwined Book Trailer

Thanks so much, Susan for having me here today!

I'm delighted to have you.

Anne graciously gifted me an ARC pdf of Souls Estranged . If you would like to read it, leave a comment. 

I hope your week is filled with food, exercise, (step away from the computer!) friends, and wonderful books.

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