Nights Arose, The Gem of the Red Spirit... A novel by Andrea Roche https://www.amazon.com/Nights-Arose-Gem-Red-Spirit-ebook/dp/B082H3XWT9
Book Cover Wrap
Saturday, February 11, 2023
"All Author" author interview! December 2020
Mostly because I believed everyone was able to make up stories in their head. I thought it was nothing special to have an imagination and be able to verbalize my thoughts. A child wants to please their parents and my parent didn’t prize that ability. I didn’t find until many years later not everyone had flights of fantasy, and it was a special ability.
Having spent so many years in your childhood home, which is your most cherished memory?
When I was very young, we had a swing set in the yard. Playing on the swings with my sisters and their friends is a dear memory. Being I was the baby of the family they were always careful with me when we were on the swing set. They paid special attention that the “baby” wouldn’t get hurt. It made me feel very special.
In life, who has been your biggest inspiration as an author?
Without a doubt – Jane Austen. The way she had of turning a phrase was masterful. Also, her ability to tell a story and place the reader in the midst of the scene was perfect. There was so much she had to sacrifice as a woman. But, look what she has left behind. She is legendary.
In What ways do you think your writing will instill in your readers the idea that a woman can find their independence while keeping homegrown values?
In my story, my main character became an independent businesswoman. Her values, which were instilled in her by her mentor, are that people are all created equal. She values everyone’s life and believes everyone deserves a chance. Because she runs her family’s plantation in the 1600’s era, there are servants who work the fields. Arose keeps her values by treating them as equals, freeing them to come and go as they please, giving them nice homes, and the children's education.
How did scrolling through the pictures of your honeymoon in Jamaica inspired you to start writing?While my husband and I were in Jamaica, we visited a mansion called ‘Rose Hall’. When I stepped out of the bus, I was inundated with emotions and visions of things that happened on the grounds in the past. The voices and images stayed with me for years in the back of my mind. They never pushed me until I opened the picture album and remembered what was going on in my head at that time. "Nights Arose" is a fantasy romance set in 17th-century Jamaica.
How much did you research to write a story set in the 17th century?
I did tons of research I will tell you just some here: I researched and noted so many things. What dresses she may be wearing as a maid at her sister's wedding and the colors she may be wearing. Of course, having her own mind, she wouldn’t wear that dress so I researched another dress of the time, which would be more provocative
I research the names of ships that were in the ocean at that time. The Golden Sun was the name of a French ship I used as her Uncle’s galleon.
In 1692, the town of Port Royal in Jamaica was hit by an earthquake, which was followed by a tidal wave. Stories abounded about why the town was wiped off the map. The common belief was that it was God’s retribution for the wickedness of the pirates of the town. One ship made it out before the tidal wave hit. My characters escaped on that ship.
Recently in the sandy underwater graveyard of the fallen town, a pocket watch was found. I used the watch and the time it said in my book.
I also research the history of Jamaica and found that many indentured servants were given homes on the sugar plantations and were treated more as sharecroppers than they were slaves. I used this in my story.
I always loved pirate lore and used the fact that women were believed to be bad luck on ships, so many dressed as men. I made her dress as a man for part of her life so she can live on the sea much like Jacquotte Delahaye and Anne Dieu-Le-Veut, (who actually turns up in my second book as the mother of her husband.)How do you think gaining a B.A. Degree with a dual major in Marketing and English Literature has helped you in writing and promoting your books?
Was there any point in your life when you ever doubted that being an author was what was right for you? What was your biggest motivation?
I never set out to write a story and constantly doubted I could make it work! A couldn’t imagine someone would be interested in the stories I made in my imagination. My biggest motivation was my mother’s words telling me I can do anything and be anything I wanted to be. After her death, I wanted to show my family and myself I could live up to her expectations.
How was your experience of being at th New York's largest sci-fi convention?
I loved it! I was simply in my element with the entire cosplay. I am a Trekkie, Star Wars, (I’m definitely a Sith!) and most especially a PIRATE. I went to the Convention with my best Pirate Costume on. I took pictures with Bumblebee from the Transformers and with my favorite Sith cosplayer and actress Deanna Martin. (Who is now the proud owner of a personally signed copy of Nights Arose.)
READING Festival
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| New Bookmarks for giveaways Love these |
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| My table at the Queens Public Library in Maspeth. My book is now available there! |
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| Some happy authors at the Maspeth Book Fair. |
Tellula Gossiper Tells all
Hello Readers!
Give a Hail and Hearty Hello to a lovely lady named Tellula Gossiper.
Having met Tellula while passing through town one day I found she had more than one tale to tell.
Adverse to a curse and a burp I found her very intriguing and asked her to add her story to my blog.
She has more than one thing to say about Arose DuMouchelle. I am very happy to bring you back in time for a fine Sunday in June in the year of our Lord 1693. Where Tellula tells have invited me to a lovely brunch, with none other than an eyewitness to Arose's last reported sighting in Montego Bay.
One full year after NIGHTS AROSE ends.
Headline: Miss Tellula Gossiper Tells all!
Dear Miss Roche,
Thank you for letting me chime in with my addition to your wonderful chronicle.
Finding people who have the knack for irreverent curiosity, digging out the juiciest of tidbits and passing them along to you, is a favorite past time of mine.
Today my guest has the most fascinating story regarding a young woman who has been the talk of the town most recently, Arose Du Mouchelle.
A more ill-fated heiress you would be hard-pressed to find. She is the daughter of François Du Mouchelle. A widower. Until Lady Katherine Abbott, formerly of Gloucester, caught wind of his prosperity. Her ladyship came in lock stock and barrel with her two daughters and six cats. She skillfully set off to be me the next Mrs. Du Mouchelle.
The girl, after living with her new mother for only a few months, disappeared! We were told the child, being of gifted circumstance, had been sent abroad for ‘lessons’.
After many years already having seen over twenty summers, she returned home. When Lady Katherine’s eldest married, rumor has it Arose ran off with the notorious pirate, Captain St. James. Her whereabouts are still unknown.
My dear readers this is the most scandalous story of the year!
This brings me to the guest I entertained today.
Through delightful happenstance, during a meeting that purely coincidental, I am now in the confidence of a Miss Beatrice Cleary. I have discovered she had a front row seat to what transpired only days before the young lady’s quick exodus from Le Mason Du Mouchelle, based in Montego Bay.
I have invited Miss Cleary here for tea to discuss, before you, my friendly tattlers…what exactly happened that day.
With my Shih-Tzu puppies Molly and Sophie yapping at the housekeeper's heels, Miss Beatrice enters my home. Since having sent a note around inviting her to tea I am, as always, in hopes that she imports herself with more manners then her decade old hat and muddy shoes insinuate.
Afternoon genialities were seen to and after which I got down to the matter at hand.
“Miss Beatrice,” I ask, “What did you see Thursday last of Miss Arose? Inquiring minds simply must know.”
“Well, I sees Arose walking down the center of the street you see.” Beatrice’s bustle squeaked as she shifted in her seat. She continued, “I then spots those no account Murphy boys hawking about. I just knew they was in for some trouble. I sees them glaring at her in her fine frock.”
Miss Beatrice shoved another teacake into her mouth and said, “I runs up to her and tells her –‘that’s Shaw, Faolan and Liam. They ruined more than one ladies good name they has’.”
“My goodness, did she heed your warning?” I asked her divinely concerned.
“Well, you think she would have walked off, but she didn’t. Next thing you know, quick as a wink Missy herself lays out the biggest one, Shaw, on the street. Blood splattered everywhere, but not a drop on her ladyship’s jumper. She bows her head and walks off. Cool as a cucumber that one.”
There you have it, gentle readers! A first account witness to what has taken Saint Anne’s Parish by storm. Where has Arose Du Mouchelle been and what has she been learning? Maybe this will give us some clues as to why she left and why with a notorious pirate. More to come next time…ta-ta for now.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Tellula Gossiper
Nights Arose Summer Reading Party
SUMMER READING PROJECT
Vacation Time!
Beach time
Pool time or Picnic time
any time is a great time to read Nights Arose!
Read the story take a summer reading picture and send it to me and I will feature you in a great looking teaser.
Take a picture on the beach on the deck or veranda. Take a picture on your lanai.
Tropical, city or in between.
Take a look at these great book teasers
The New York Authors Group Book signing at Starbucks Howard Beach!
Due to the nasty Corona Virus, we will not be attending the Starbucks signing
Between the Covers -The show for readers and writers ...and lovers... of books
Strong Island TV
I am delighted to be a guest on "Between the Covers".
We will be filming on Wednesday, July 10 from 7-8 PM.
The door says "Paradise Studios".
Me! ONSET! Wow!
2019 Maspeth Book Festival- Local book sellers
MASPETH BOOK FESTIVAL
When: Saturday, May 18, 2019
11 AM to 4 PM
Nights Arose ~ Character introductions! - 2017
Each Day I am doing introductions of Characters in
Nights Arose.
Starting out with Sunday I, of course, lead off with
AROSE DU MOUCHELLE
Arose is the keeper of the Gem of the Red Spirit
She must act as guardian to the gates of hell where the
demons are held prisoner.
But she has lost it during a one night stand to a pirate she had only
seen in a vision.
This vision may cost the lives of those she loves to a Voodoo Witches curse.
Monday I introduced
BESSONTH
Blue Fire Dragon
Kindly Old Bess gave her Red Gem to
Arose. She knew full well the child had powers beyond those
the amulet would bestow on her.
When Bess took off her necklace it left her open to the spell that
would turn her into a huge blue fire breathing dragon.
Day 3 Character Introduction
MARY MURPHY AKA VOODOO PRIESTESS
MOREL
Boo! Boo!She wants what Arose has The Gem of the Red Spirit.
Why? What will she do with it?
Character introduction #4
EDMUND DU MOUCHELLE
Arose's Uncle and Caretaker
Arose became his ward when it became too dangerous for her to stay on the Island of Jamaica
The most wonderful thing about this was watching how their relationship grew.
And
How he became a better man because she was in his life.
(Children do that do you.)
Character #5
BLAZE
Arose's best friend and nanny sort of speak.
He met her when Captain Edmund sent him to collect Arose from her plantation home.
She stayed with him, under his watchful eye, until it was too dangerous for her to stay on board.
She would never forget him, and he swore to protect her.
But could he let her go when her heart fell for another?
Character #6
Friday's Character
THE LADY KATHERINE
Ever heard of the Wicked Step Mother?
Well, this is her mother.
Married Arose father Francoise Du Mouchelle shortly after the death of her
mother during Arose's birth. Moved in with her two young daughters and three cats. Does she love and care for Arose as she deserved? That's up to the reader to decide.
Character #7
Saturday's Character Captain St. James
A Notorious and Deadly Swashbuckler!
Arose has seen him in a vision or was it a nightmare.
She knows him by his aura and his scent made up of Cedar, Iron, and Citrus fruit. When they finally
meet she must battle him before she can make her escape.
Character #8
HAROLD AMBRIELLE
The Changeling
His sister the voodoo Priestess has
given him the power to turn into a huge boar at will.
Sometimes part man part wild animal he wants to make Arose
his own personal love slave.
Before I changed over the cover this wonderful thing happened
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| I was speaking to a fellow Solstice Author. When she said, "Oh, by the way, Congratulations on the Readers' Favorite Book Finalist Award." I said Oh yeah? Thanks! LOL, I have to check into that. So I checked it out. Sure enough, under the section marked Fantasy/Supernatural was Nights Arose. Sitting pretty in the Finalist section. I am a happy Book Momma today! |
WHO WOULD PLAY? ~ Captain Edmund DuMouchelle~
Who would play the characters..IF..and WHEN "Nights Arose" was made into a live-action film? The easiest character to cast would be Uncle Edmund DuMouchelle. The character... A sea captain with nerves of steel. Machismo with guile and style. A gaze that could melt the cannon balls he sends flying through the air. I have two men on my wish list for him, Robert Downey Jr, or Johnny Depp?
A game I often play Who would be the perfect actor to portray characters in Nights Arose? ~ Young Blaze~
We meet Blaze as a 16-year-old teen at the beginning of "Nights Arose.". Shy, kind of a goober, and the squire to Arose's Uncle Edmund. Arose has just returned from receiving the Gem of the Red Spirit from Old Bess. Her Step-Mother, Lady Katherine, is all but ready to hand her over to the magistrate as a witch. But her father gets word her Uncle's ship which is docked in Montego Bay. In comes, young Blaze, who rides all night to bring 10-year-old Arose back to the ship. He becomes her protector and best friend, until of course, she begins to bloom and then they must be separated... Until they meet again.
Great Questions that I need to answer! ~Why do you write~
To answer quickly the first answer off the top of my head is... If I don't write the words down, they will continue to ache inside my head. Repeating like -- and I don't mean to date myself -- but like a record player needle stuck on a scratch. Scenes are playing and replaying in my head until finally, they have to burst onto the page in all their anguish, happiness, or laughter.
Other than that, I write so my family would be proud of me, so that I can leave them with a part of me.
Great questions I need to answer - When did you first know you'd be a successful writer?
I get looks when I tell people I am an author. There is a range, which goes from tedium to undivided attention.
In between is the claim "I could write a book, about my life and it would sell out of the stores." Or I have gotten the sweet dig- "well anyone can write a book nowadays." Jaw and conversation drop, I guess it was meant to be funny (NOT)!
My favorite question opens the door- "What do you write?"
I smile, I gush my story out in a brief yet captivating pitch. An elevator pitch I think it's called, is something that can pique their interest, but wouldn't take longer than an elevator ride to the 18th floor. A few seconds will due. I try to keep it brief because any longer and you lose their interest any shorter and you don't get what you are waiting for -- The GASP!
That's when I first knew my story would work. When writing my story I gasped! I teared up, I broke into laughter and wrote it down.
Nights Arose- Has received a new award!
The New Apple Literary Award is a highly sought after award!
I have received many accolades on Nights Arose but this one turned my life around. People love my story I have worked so hard to produce! So excited.
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Hello Readers! Give a Hail and Hearty Hello to a lovely lady named Tellula Gossiper. Having met Tellula while passing through town on...
