Huge #Wednesday Welcomes to my Crooked Cat colleague Shani Struthers!
Shani's got a new release this Friday (May 27th) -44 Gilmore Street - to add to her hugely popular Psychic Surveys series but she's taken some time out from organising her Facebook party to come and give us a glimpse of this third book. Getting rid of ghosts is the business but, thankfully for a wimp like me, Shani's books aren't so scary that I can't read them. The poster above is very impressive, though, in creating a ripple of shivers!
Hello, Shani! You're very welcome back on the blog. Congratulations on releasing another book to your growing list. I'm always curious now about how authors feel about adding more books to what becomes a series for them and I'm interested in what the author gets out of a new book - as well as the reader. Thanks for coming to answer my questions, Shani, so let's get started!
Can you please tell us how 44 Gilmore Street, Book 3 of your Psychic
Surveys Series differs from Books 1 and 2?
In each Psychic Surveys book there’s a main case for them to
deal with as well as various sub-cases. In Psychic Surveys Three there are two
major cases – that of Gilmore
Street , home to an increasingly violent spirit and
the reincarnation case of Elisha Grey. In all books I tend to explore a
supernatural theme and reincarnation is very much at the heart of the latest one.
In Book Two it was thought forms made manifest (known as tulpas) and Book One
kick-started with the ghost of dead movie star, Cynthia Hart, being haunted by
another ghost! I’d say that to get the best from the books, they need to be
read in order as there’s a definite story arc that will span six books in total.
However, there is a prequel to the Psychic Surveys series – Eve: A Christmas
Ghost Story – and that’s a standalone.
Yes - I remember Book One not only having one ghost to deal with. Does your Psychic Survey team have any new additional people, or is it largely the same as for Books 1 and 2 with the team being led by Ruby?
It’s largely the same team members – there’s a lot to say
about each one and some are not what they seem, which will become clear in
future books. However, in Book Three, we do have a rather lovely regressionist
helping out called Ailsa Isaacs – remind you of anyone we know?
Could be, indeed! **insert Smiley face here** Now that's mysterious enough to make me head off to buy this next one. Which by the way is on Pre-order so I can buy it today! Was the original trigger point of your concept for 44 Gilmore Street a
real event in the past that you had researched?
The trigger point was when something similar happened to me
that I describe as having happened to the character of Elisha Grey. A friend of
a friend of mine claims by holding onto your hands she can get flashes of your
past life – well, I took her hands and she saw a similar vision to the one I’ve
described in the book. And from there a whole novel was born as the imagination
took over!
Oh, that's quite scary. I'm not sure I'm in for that sort of delving into my past! As you write more books for the Psychic Surveys Series is
your need to research the occult lessening, or do you always see research as
being a necessary part of your next planned books?
The occult is a vast subject and so no, I need to know more
if anything. However, I’ll only research up to a point. There is some stuff
that I believe it’s best not to delve into and that can have a negative impact
if you do. That is why I write paranormal and not horror – there really are
some things that are just too horrifying!
I agree that horror isn't for everyone! Would you say that the overall writing style of your Psychic
Mysteries is similar over the three books published in the series or do you, as the
author, feel your style has changed or developed differently from the first
book?
My style has developed and changed I think – I’m getting
better at being more succinct and handling more complicated plotlines. Book One
was also deliberately naïve. By Book Six, all naivety will be gone and my
writing has to reflect that. In-between the Psychic Surveys books I write other
books, too – Eve was a real master class in keeping the story concise as I
wanted it to be a novella. The first book in my new series – This Haunted World
Book One: The Venetian – is full novel length but again I wanted the story to
remain as tight as a novella so it’s action-packed all the way.
That's a heavy schedule you've got planned but back to the Psychic Surveys Series. Who is your favourite character and why? I ask this because
I liked a lot of your secondary characters in Book 1 who seemed easily able to
develop as main characters in their own right.
That’s such a hard question; I love them all equally
(honest!). If I had to pick one though I’d go for Ruby Davis, the main
character, there is a lot more to her than meets the eye and she’s going to
have some real struggles to contend with in future books. But she’s a strong
character. She can stand her ground when the going gets tough – with a little
help from the PS team!
That's brilliant that you can 'see' your series that far ahead! As well as the Crooked Cat published Psychic Surveys Series
what other novels have you had published?
My first books belong in the romance genre. There are three
of them and together they make up the Runaway trilogy revolving round a group
of friends facing various trials and tribulations in the beautiful setting of North Cornwall . I’m proud of those books – again, all the
female characters are strong, finding even greater strength in each other’s
friendship. I might write another romance one day – I enjoy writing them – but
it will be under a pen name. Shani Struthers is all about the paranormal!
Are there any other details you’d like to share with us
about your most recent release- 44
Gilmore Street ?
I’m hosting an on-line Facebook launch party on May 27th
(the release date) and I’d love it if you could pop in! There’ll be plenty of giveaways and not just
from me but five of my favourite paranormal authors too. Here’s the link if you
can make it: https://www.facebook.com/events/1125213424185137/
Psychic Surveys Book Three: 44 Gilmore Street
“We all have to face our demons at some point.”
Psychic Surveys – specialists in domestic spiritual
clearance – have never been busier. Although exhausted, Ruby is pleased. Her
track record as well as her down-to-earth, no-nonsense approach inspires faith
in the haunted, who willingly call on her high street consultancy when the
supernatural takes hold.
But that’s all about to change.
Two cases prove trying: 44 Gilmore Street , home to a particularly
violent spirit, and the reincarnation case of Elisha Grey. When Gilmore Street
attracts press attention, matters quickly deteriorate. Dubbed the ‘New
Enfield’, the ‘Ghost of Gilmore Street’ inflames public imagination, but as
Ruby and the team fail repeatedly to evict the entity, faith in them wavers.
Dealing with negative press, the strangeness surrounding
Elisha, and a spirit that’s becoming increasingly territorial, Ruby’s at
breaking point. So much is pushing her towards the abyss, not least her own
past. It seems some demons just won’t let go…
 |
| Shani Struthers |
A bit more about Shani...
I write ghost stories – vampires, werewolves and shape
shifters need not apply! Influences include the great Shirley Jackson, Anne
Rice, Stephen King and Dean Koontz. I’m also a mum of three children, and live
in the funky city of Brighton
with them, my husband and four mad cats. I’ve always loved reading and writing
but occasionally I venture outdoors on sunny days and walk in the stunning
green downs that surround us. Other pastimes include hanging out with friends and
just having fun – life’s too short not to.
Buy Links
Psychic Surveys Book Three: 44 Gilmore Street
You'll be able to find Shani here:
Social Media Links
Thank you so much for coming today, Shani, and giving us an early glimpse of 44 Gilmore Street. Best wishes with your launch.
Thank you so much for hosting me, Nancy, lovely to be here again!
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