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GIVEAWAY!! Spotlight: Defining Moments by Faye Hicks with an interview
Defining Moments
written by Faye Hicks
published by Faye Hicks
find it here: Barnes & Noble, Amazon, iBooks, Goodreads
About the book – from Goodreads: Scientist Ellie Ward has discovered a portal to the past. In fact, she discovered it at her childhood home when she was nine and she’s been using it to extract herself from bad situations ever since. Each time it’s returned her to the ‘defining moment’ in her past – the point in time where a bad decision set her on the path to tragedy. The problem is, Ellie never knows what her defining moments were and so she never has any idea how much of her life she’s going to have to repeat to avoid her latest ordeal. When Ellie’s research takes her to a remote area of northern Canada, she faces yet another crisis when her small plane crashes in the bush. Seriously injured and stranded more than 2000 miles from her window to the past, this time Ellie has no way to rewind the clock.
Every Free Chance Book Reviews is pleased to welcome Faye Hicks, author of Defining Moments, to the blog today. She has answered the following questions for all of you.
Where did you get your inspiration for Defining Moments?
I’ve always been intrigued at how seemingly innocuous decisions can end up changing a person’s entire life and I’ve often wondered what my own life might be like now, if I’d made different choices at my own ‘defining moments’. Also, I enjoy books that include just a tiny hint of the paranormal – especially time-travel – so I thought it might be fun to write a story that combined these two ideas.
Did you have to do a lot of research for Defining Moments?
Not really – I grew up in the Maritimes (in eastern Canada) and I’ve since spent a lot of time working in northern Canada, so all of the settings in the book were quite familiar to me. Much of the background info I needed to write the story came from my own experiences at work or at play, and the rest just came from my imagination. That’s the great thing about writing fiction – you just make it up!
Please tell us, in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
If you like adventure, time-travel, romance, tragedy, and humor then Defining Moments will give you hours of riveting entertainment!
Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
I’ve just finished a couple of short story collections. One is called ‘Who Says You Can’t Herd Cats?’ – it’s about the many quirky and comical cats that my husband and I have rescued over the past few decades. The second, called ‘A Day in the Life of a Professor’, is about some of my strange and comical experiences as an engineering professor. I’m currently working on my second novel; it’s a thriller about a woman who disappears for several months and the emotional crisis her husband and daughters experience as a result.
I see in your biography that you are a professor of engineering. What made you want to write fiction?
I’ve actually wanted to be a writer since I was a teen. Story ideas are constantly popping into my mind – especially in my dreams – and I’ve got scraps of paper stuffed in drawers and cupboards all over the house with these ‘idea seeds’ jotted down on them. About five years ago, I finally decided it was time to see if I could turn some of those ideas into a novel and so Defining Moments was born!
What do you enjoy most about writing? About teaching?
The thing I love most about creative writing is having the opportunity to entertain people – it’s a huge thrill when someone tells me that one of my stories made them laugh or that it evoked a strong emotional response.
For me, the best part about teaching is getting to spend time with young people. My students are so bright and enthusiastic – that makes it a lot of fun.
What is your favorite genre to read?
I enjoy all types of fiction but I especially like reading British mysteries, scientific thrillers, and science fiction.
Who is your favorite author?
I have so many, it’s hard to choose just one. In the mystery genre, I like PD James, Reginald Hill, Peter Robinson, Deborah Crombie, and Elizabeth George. For sci-fi, I especially enjoy Robert A. Heinlein, Arthur C. Clark, and Robert J. Sawyer. I’m also a huge fan of both Stephen King and James Herriot.
In your opinion, what is one book that everyone should read?
Oh wow – can I say Defining Moments? I definitely think that everyone should read that one! 😉
Tell us three things about yourself that cannot be found on the internet…at least not found easily.
It’s actually kind of scary that I am having a hard time thinking of three things that aren’t already ‘out there’, but here goes:
1. My favorite book is Stephen King’s, The Stand; I’ve read it at least 20 times.
2. My favorite movie is When Harry Met Sally; I’ve watched it about a million
times.
3. I have an adorable little 3-legged dog named “Piglet” – I’ll be writing about her
in a future short story collection.
Thanks for the opportunity to visit your blog today!
About the author: Faye is a Canadian writer who moonlights as an engineering professor. She grew up in eastern Canada (New Brunswick), then moved out west to Alberta in the early 1980s. She lives on an acreage (the ‘Cat Ranch’) near Edmonton, Alberta with her husband, Les, and their furry family of rescued cats and dogs. Faye enjoys writing both fiction and creative non-fiction. In addition to her first novel, Defining Moments, Faye’s other two books, Who Says you Can’t Herd Cats? and A Day in the Life of a Professor are available as eBooks and in paperback. Faye is currently working on her second novel.
Find Ms. Hicks here: web, blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads
And now for the GIVEAWAY!! Fill out the Rafflecopter form below for your chance to win 1 of 5 ebook copies of Defining Moments!!
Happy reading wherever you are and whenever you get a free chance!!!
