Guest Blog: Nancy Volkers

Earlier today Alice reviewed Scotland By Starlight by Nancy Volkers.  We are pleased to have Ms. Volkers join us for a guest post this afternoon.

Enjoy!

I just finished an intriguing book. It was the kind of book that sits there taunting you – “Come on, you know you want to read me… forget about all of your other obligations and pick me up!” It was suspenseful, romantic, had colorful characters and made me think. The most surprising thing about it, to me, was the author’s name: Stephen King.

I grew up reading Carrie and Cujo and It and all those other one-word, terrifying tales by Mr. King. The book I just finished – 11/22/1963, the day President Kennedy was assassinated – is nothing like those novels. King throws in some scary bits, but this is a drama, not a horror show. It’s a book about time travel, and how one decision can shape the world for decades to come. But it’s also about love and control and kindness and authenticity and tenacity and pride.

Enjoying that book got me thinking about what makes a good novel. Teachers of fiction writing stress that you have to draw the reader in, create conflict and transformation, make the reader care about your characters. The people in your books can’t be “too good to be true,” but neither can they be so flawed that readers don’t like them or identify with them.

How do writers balance all of this while they write? When writing A Scottish Ferry Tale and Scotland by Starlight, I did think quite a bit about making my characters real people, with flaws. Cassie, as I’ve heard from several readers, can be so whiny and indecisive that she irritates people. J Ralph, on the other hand, might have been crafted a bit too smoothly, as I’ve been asked more than once if he exists in real life. (Answer: not as far as I know, though my significant other is Ralph-like in many ways, minus the Scots accent and the large blue dog.)

Conflict and transformation are standards of fiction writing, be it a novel, short story or play. You could argue that some genres of fiction are perfectly predictable. In romance novels, there’s almost always a happy ending; in mystery novels, the mystery is solved. In chick lit, the lead character “grows up” in some way, and changes. So why do we keep reading? Why was I drawn toward 11/22/1963 for over a week, taking nearly every spare moment to sit down and soak up a few pages of a world that didn’t even exist?

My off-the-cuff answer is that we cannot see our own futures, but there’s a part of all of us that aches to know what will happen next. I have no idea what’s going to happen to me today. That unknowableness (yes, I made up that word) is frustrating and magical, all at once. When we get a chance to know the unknowable – through a good novel, film, TV series or play – we can scratch that itch that can never be scratched in real life.

Thank you, Nancy for sharing your thoughts with us.

Connect with Nancy:   Visit Nancy’s website!  Follow Nancy on Twitter!

Alice's Review: Scotland by Starlight

Summary:  Cassie Wrentham is on her way to Scotland again... but this time it's not vacation. She's moving in with Ralph Macnair, the charismatic Scotsman who stole her heart. But Cassie wouldn't be Cassie without doubts. Will she find a job in a tight U.K. economy? Would marrying Ralph now be only for convenience's sake? Will she fit in, make friends, make a life there? Or will it all fall apart? Bursting with a lively cast of characters, all with their own stories and challenges, Scotland By Starlight follows Cassie and Ralph from the new beginnings of their intense relationship to a conclusion like no other. ~amazon.com

Review:  It has been a while since my last visit with Cassie and her knight in acting armor Ralph in A Scottish Ferry Tale. I missed them. This sequel starts with Cassie’s move across the pond to Scotland to begin her life with Ralph.

They are disgustingly in love. And they make sure they tell each other that. Repeatedly. In sickeningly sweet detail. As if we would ever forget how much them mean to each other and want to be together. Forever. And when they aren’t talking about love, they are doing it. Thankfully not in detail.

One thing that bugged me about this novel is the lack of conflict. Things happened, but nothing that propels me to turn the pages. It was an account of the day-to-day life of a couple annoyingly in love with each other. I was going to write this off as the type of novel to read when I need a jolt of heartwarming romance. Well written, yes but simple of plot. A straightforward romance about a girl taking a chance on love when it’s not much of a chance at all because her beau loves her with the same fierce intensity. That is, I was thinking that until I got to the epilogue. Wow, that changed everything for me.

Ms. Volkers gave her readers the mother of all shocks. It’s this I can write pages about. I loved it. LOVED IT. Although I was not moved to tears, it did give me a new enjoyment for the story. I treasured Cassie and Ralph as a couple. I loved their love. I cherished their happy ending.

My final take? If you are looking for romance, I suggest you read this book, but don’t read the epilogue. Ms. Volkers is a romantic wordsmith. I have so many passages written down, things I’m totally going to steal for my own wedding vows (when that day comes, of course). But if you want a bit of heart-wrenching tingly goodness, read it through to the end. I guarantee you will fall for Ralph as well and see why Cassie truly loves him.


Final Take:  3/5

And the Winner Is...

Congratulations to Michele for winning a copy of Nancy Volker's A Scottish Ferry Tale.

Please email Alice with your mailing address so we can get you the book as soon as possible.

As usual, Girls Just Reading used Random.org to generate the winner.

Giveaway: A Scottish Ferry Tale

We are trilled to have one copy of Nancy's Volkers novel A Scottish Ferry Tale for giveaway.

Please fill out the form below by Midnight EST on May 9th to be eligible.  Please only residents of the U.S. or Canada.

As always, Girls Just Reading uses Random.org to choose our winners.

Author Interview: Nancy Volkers

Earlier today I reviewed A Scottish Ferry Tale by Nancy Volkers.  Now Ms. Volkers has taken the time to answer a few questions for us.

Girls Just Reading:  I’m a fan of May/September romances. I can understand why Cassie is drawn to Ralph. What compelled you to tell their story?

NV:  I'm a fan, too... I guess that's obvious. ;-) Cassie and Ralph are in two very different places in life, yet something draws them together. What is it? What are they seeking from the other? In general, I'm endlessly curious about the way people get to know one another, how they decide who's important to them in a relationship. I'm also fascinated by what people say as well as what they omit, and the gulf that's sometimes there between what people say and what they mean. All of these things went into Cassie and Ralph's relationship in one way or another.

GJR:  Care to give us a hint on what happens next to Cassie your new novel Scotland by Starlight?

NV:  The sequel opens with Cassie flying to Scotland to move in with Ralph. She's her usual nervous, hyper-analytical self... but she's come a long way. Cassie and Ralph do spend more time on Coll, and the reader gets to learn more about characters introduced in A Scottish Ferry Tale, including Jamie, Saoirse, Leslie and Mona (one of Ralph's sisters). And we learn a lot more about Ralph's childhood and how it shaped him. I shouldn't play favorites with books, but I admit to favoring Scotland by Starlight just a bit...maybe because it's not just one storyline. The book has made people laugh out loud, as well as cry... there's a lot going on in it.

GJR:  Whre does your love for Scotland stem from?

NV:  I first visited Scotland for a few days, long ago. I remember clouds, rain, Edinburgh  Castle... and lots of pubs. I visited again a few years later and spent a couple of weeks there, including time in Oban and on Coll. I fell in love with it. The people, the accent, the countryside, the ocean, the sheep. It's a tough place to live and the people are tough too, self sufficient, yet so kind. Writing these books has made me desperately want to go back! 

GJR:  A Scottish Ferry Tale is the product of the National Novel Writing Month challenge. Can you describe your writing process during that month? 

NV:  It involved frantic typing and lots of coffee! I have a full-time job and also freelance write & edit, not to mention having a family, so time was tight. I remember writing mostly after my kids were in bed (they were 6 and 3 at the time), and one weekend I went to a meet-up with other Vermonters doing NaNoWriMo. We met at a coffee shop and I banged out 3,000 words while

I was there. I definitely work better under pressure. The point of NaNo is to "let it flow" -- not to go back and edit anything or rewrite. It was the first time I'd really allowed myself to do that, and it was very liberating!

GJR:  Who are your favorite authors?

NV:  I'm an eclectic reader, so I'll try to choose 10 diverse ones. Tana French, Bill Bryson, Anne Lamott, Curtis Sittenfeld, Roald Dahl, Markus Zusak, Steve Martin, Barbara Kingsolver, Atul Gawande, and Shakespeare. And I did read Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series and really enjoyed most of them (though the seventh one frustrated me beyond belief).

GJR:  What are you currently reading?

NV:  A book by Byron Katie - she writes about how we live large parts of our lives based on assumptions, and how miserable that can make us, and how to break free of that. I recently finished You Know When The Men Are Gone by Siobhan Fallon - it's a book of short stories set in Ft. Hood. - and An Object of Beauty, a novel about art by Steve Martin. My daughter and I are reading The Name of This Book is Secret, by Pseudonymous Bosch. I think I might be enjoying it more than she is... I'm dying to read ahead and find out what happens.

I don't actually read a lot of chick lit or romance. Is that like blasphemy? ;-) I read some romance novels after A Scottish Ferry Tale came out, because I was arguing with a fellow writer about whether it was a romance or not. I've come to accept that it is, but I'm not sure I can say the same for Scotland by Starlight. I'll let the readers decide that one!

GJR:  If you were not a writer, what would you be doing?

NV:  I would prefer to be independently wealthy so I could spend a lot of time with my kids, outside, reading, napping, writing, exploring, traveling and generally enjoying myself. ;-) Whatever it is, it would have variety. I have a biology degree, love being outdoors and started a PhD program in ecology; I've considered medical school; I like teaching. I think changing careers every year would be great... I like learning new things but then get sort of bored once I've learned them. That's why freelance writing is a good fit --

I have to learn all I can about a certain topic, write about it, and then move on to something else. Same thing with writing novels... I learned a ton about Scotland, Scottish Gaelic, and Scottish food, customs and superstitions (they are very superstitious!). I have a novel in progress now that's leading me to learn about running, cell biology, police work and snippets of Italian.

GJR:  What is the most challenging aspect of being an independent writer?

NV:  Getting the word out. Even with the Internet and social media, there's a lot of legwork involved in getting your book out there to the people who would be most likely to read it. And I may be unusual among writers but I'm not a big self marketer. I love writing and I love to hear when my writing has touched someone or made them think or laugh or cry. Or if they didn't like what I wrote, and why. But I don't love getting out there and pushing my book at people.

GJR:  Something different: I think that living in Vermont would be quiet, peaceful and perfect. Am I off the mark? What is it really like to live there?

NV:  Right now, it's muddy. ;-) I grew up in a small town in New York, and there's a lot about Vermont that reminds me of growing up. It's a wonderful place, great for raising kids, there are lots of artists and interesting people living here. People are self-sufficient but also willing to lend a hand if you need it. Sort of like Scotland, really. There are great local farms, cheeses, wines, chocolate, and of course Ben & Jerry's... and you get to experience all 5 seasons (the usual 4 plus mud season). However, you really have to enjoy winter!

Thanks again ,Nancy for spending a little time with us. Check in later today for a chance to win
A Scottish Ferry Tale.

Alice's Review: A Scottish Ferry Tale

Summary:  Cassie Wrentham goes to Scotland and has her heart broken. She is cynical enough to close the door on true love, but hopeful enough not to lock it. Instead she escapes, to an island off the west coast, where she meets someone who could change her life... if she'd only allow it. Does she? And who is this life-changing person, anyway? Are there dragons? Fairy godmothers? Chocolate cake? What about happily ever after?

Review:  I try not to read too many romance novels, mostly because I overdosed on them in my teenage years. Another reason is romance novels warp my sense of love in real life. I mean seriously, not everyone has a happy ending. Not every man loves you as much as you love him. Yes, I know I’m a total cynic, but when you spend your impressionable years believing in happy endings, it’s hard to deal with that broken heart when it those happy ending don’t come.

That being said, there was something about this A Scottish Ferry Tale that totally touched me. Maybe it was the May/September romance between Cassie and Ralph. Maybe it was the magical setting of Scotland. Maybe it was my recent adventure with a chance at love in the midst of healing my broken heart. I think it was probably a combination of all three. I loved this book. Ms. Volkers has quite a few nuggets of greatness, both about love and life, woven throughout the story.

The first comes from Ruth, Ralph’s older sister talking to Cassie about dealing with the death of a parent. She says, “People who’ve lost a parent as a child – it changes them. They try more, risk more, do more. They’re no’ as afraid of life because life has already handed them such a tragedy and they’re still on their feet. Everything else pales.”

I loved how Cassie describes her “incredible rainbow of love” for Ralph. She covers a spectrum of color, describing each. For example, Red is “for the deep love I’m afraid of.” Yellow is “for our friendship, for hours-long conversations and playing music together and cooking and just sitting together reading, or walking together, not saying a thing.” And my favorite, indigo for “love in the middle of the night, for waking to find you touching me, inside me, then falling away, so that in the morning I wonder if it might have been a dream.”

And finally Ralph to Cassie about perfect love. He says, “There is a time in your life when you stop dreaming up the perfect partner, the perfect relationship……You stop holding out for something better – because you understand what fills your heart, calms your soul. You understand that it won’t be perfect, that it can’t be. And you know if you ever find it, you will try your hardest to keep it.”

Man, I LOVE that kind of stuff. It gets me right in that spot I keep telling you all about.

I know my review and my final take don’t match. The reason I rated it so low is that there were some problems that good editing would fix. It’s a good, solid first effort and a great read. I really believe that Ms. Volkers’ writing is going to get stronger. She has a great ability creating interesting characters and a storyline that speaks to emotions. She showed me that it’s okay to believe in true love and in fairy tales and sometimes well, everyone needs a happy ending.


Final Take: 3/5