P.L. Parker on Riley's Journey

Emma: Today, I am featuring an interview with author P.L. Parker on her story Riley’s Journey currently available through The Wild Rose Press.

Blurb:

The research project was only supposed to be for an “extended period.” No one said anything about forever! So Riley’s journey begins. Unknowingly sent back 40,000 years to be the mate of a man she had never before met, Riley struggles to understand and adjust. Her journey will take her into a world fraught with dangers - a world made more treacherous by savage beasts, primitive Neanderthals, and the incursion of the aggressive Cro-Magnon man.

Surviving alone for five years in this vast wilderness, Nathan, along with his enormous dog, Demon, carve out a life in the perilous environment. Though thrown together by forces beyond their control, love grows between Riley and Nathan – but will they survive?

Welcome P.L.! I have to admit I’m intrigued by the premise of going back in time 40,000 years. Where did you get your inspiration from? What kind of research did you do?

P.L.: I've always loved ancient history – really ancient history. A lot of my ideas spring from watching the Discovery Channel, ergo, Riley's Journey about the Ice Age. Time travel has long been a favorite of mine. I think my first encounter with time travel was the original Time Machine that came out in the late 1950's or early 1960's. I loved that movie and I still watch it every chance I get. I researched the internet, of course, and then bought several books on animals/life in the Ice Age. Sometimes I forget to write because I'm so caught up in research.

Emma: I know you’re relatively new to writing. What has been your favorite thing about writing so far? What about your least favorite?

P.L.: Favorite was having my story Fiona accepted so quickly. I began writing that story in January of 2006 and finished it that summer. Fiona was accepted by TWRP in January of 2007. Least favorite is all the paperwork, networking, etc. I just want to write, but have to make contacts, too.

Emma: You have a free read, Prophecy’s Bride, and another book, Fiona, currently available through The Wild Rose Press.

Blurb for Fiona:

Love survives the ravages of time.' Set against the backdrop of the Taklamakan Desert, Fiona, a beautiful, modern young woman of Celtic heritage, finds herself transported to ancient China during a time of barbarian warriors and marauding nomads from the northern steppes; at what was then a crossroad between East and West. Fiona discovers a new way of life in the arms of the handsome warrior, Kellach, a man of noble stature and a leader among the Celtic settlements ringing the great desert.

Desperate to return home to the present while struggling against her mounting feelings, Fiona finally accepts her fate, exulting in the rapture and delights of Kellach's love; only to have Voadicia, a beautiful seductress, destroy that dream of happiness. Kellach's soul searches the mists of time, yearning to be reunited with his one true mate.

This sounds so heart rending! I love the setting though. Do you have a favorite between Fiona and Riley’s Journey?

P.L.: Fiona is my brainchild. I love that story – although Riley's was really a fun story to write. Fiona had so much of my heart in it. I lived that story. I felt everything she felt. I still cry in parts when I happen to pick it up to glance through. Hee hee.

Emma: I know you have a third release, Heart of the Sorcerer, coming soon from The Wild Rose Press. Any news on Aimee’s Locket? Care to tease us with any details?

P.L.: Just finished the final edits on Aimee's Locket and should have my release date right away. This story is again time travel. In this time travel story, Aimee buys an antique locket and is transported back to 1847 and the start of the Oregon Trail. Alone, penniless and friendless, she embarks on a journey to return home to Seattle. Jake, a wagon scout, is her savior, helping her secure passage on the wagon train. And the rest is . . . . I'm proud of this one. I loved the research. Little interesting tidbit. There is a character in the story who I call Charlie Tuttle. After I had written the story, I was doing research for just some background color and I came across a manifest for one of the trains about that time and Charles Tuttle happened to be listed on there. Kind of gave me a little buzz.

Emma: I won’t keep you much longer. Do you have any other works in progress that you’d like to share? Any tantalizing bits about Absolution?

P.L.: I am doing a final walk-through before submitting. This is a vampire story with a reverse time travel twist. Two inept research assistants find the tomb and unwittingly loose the vampire Chloe on the unsuspecting world.

Emma: Thank you for your time, P.L., and good luck on your future books!

P.L.: Thank you, Emma. I love reading your blogs. Lots of good insight and interviews. Good luck to you, as well, and many sales.