Frequently Asked Questions
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About the
"Senses of Love" Series |
Q: What is the purpose of the series, and why write a romance series based upon the five senses?
A: The purpose of this series is express stories depicting that, although we may each experience or express love differently, it is nevertheless our capacity for love which is unifying. It makes us human. I'm intrigued by this idea and can't wait for readers to discover the vastly different stories in this new series. |
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About The Sound of Love
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Q: Did you really write and record all the songs in the book by yourself? How did that come about?
A: Yes! I've been recording music since I was 19 years old. I learned to play guitar while stuck in bed for three months when recovering from a minor surgery. But I never thought I'd use some of my music in a novel, and I definitely didn't set out to write this book to showcase my musical hobby. It just happened. And it's fit perfectly. For example, I wrote several of the songs at least 10 years before I even wrote this book. Yet the songs just seemed to fit the story. Fate? By the way, I also used to release music under the moniker Guy + Guitar - so I just adopted that for John's moniker in the book. Q: Was anything about this book based on real life events? A: Unfortunately, yes. The opening scene where Charlotte sees a homeless child on the street for the first time was exactly what I experienced. I even included a line in the book which is what the father I talked with said to me. It stuck with me years later and inspired writing the book in the first place. Q: Favorite song from the book's accompanying soundtrack? A: It's "For You, My Dear." That was actually a song I wrote for my wife for our wedding day. It's still my favorite song I've ever written all these years later. (I changed some of the lyrics for the book.) |
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About The Sight of Love
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Q: What was the difference in writing a book about the sense of sight compared to the first one involving the sense of sound?
A: Just as with "Sound," this book turned out to be one with which I also had a deeply personal connection. I didn't realize it while writing it, but so much of my personal experience with my father becoming progressively blind while I was a teenager radiated into the emotion of this novel. For this reason, it's the most personal of the stories I've ever told. Q: It's dedicated simply "To Carol" - who is she, and why? A: She's my mother. Each of these books is about different manifestations of love. Rose's strengthening, understanding, and unyielding love for her blind husband is a reflection of what I'm so fortunate to have seen in my life from my mother toward my blind father. But despite my personal experience, I think that the story is a beautiful, compelling, and rewarding love story. Q: Ethan is a painter - do you have a favorite painter? A: I'm an amateur in appreciating painting, for sure. But off-hand, I'd say I really am into impressionist and post-impressionist works. Like Van Gogh's paintings. |
About A Taste of Love
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Q: What was your experience in writing a novel on the sense of taste?
A: It was fun! Incredibly fun. After writing the first two books in the series, I knew I wanted to write something more on the lighthearted side. So, it was a lot of fun finding humorous things to mix in while balancing it with the emotional moments for Nikki. Q: The main character, Nikki, is a female. You had a female character in the series' first book, while the main character in the third book is male. Is there a pattern? A: It's definitely intentional. For each book, I switch between a female or male lead character. There's more than one reason for this, but I like how it challenges me. Q: Nikki is a chef. Did you learn anything new about cooking when researching? A: Yes, far more than what made it into the book! Hours and hours of watching videos on how chocolate is made, for just a few sentences is one example. I will admit to eating more sweets while writing this book than I should have! |
About An Aroma of Love
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Q: Writing a book on the sense of smell seems difficult. Was it?
A: Writing each of my books is difficult! ... but also incredibly enjoyable and satisfying. I knew general plot points for this book about half way thru "Taste," so I was eager to write it. I knew exactly how I wanted smell to play into the plot without being unusual or over-the-top, and I think it ended up perfect. Q: Ryan is the same character from "Taste" - was that planned? A: Yes! I just loved writing his character so much in "Taste" that I couldn't just let it end with that book. I felt there was more depth with him that needed shared. Q: The setting is Jackson Hole, Wyoming during the holidays. Why there? A: I highly recommend Jackson during the holidays. It's beautiful and so I was unable to pick any other place for the setting of this book. I used to travel there often and just walk around town during the holidays while the town was under snow. There's something magical about it, and I hope that translated to the atmosphere of the book. |
About The Touch of Love
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Q: What type of research did it take to write this historical romance?
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About the
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Q: Acea is an unusual name, where did you get it? How do you pronounce it?
A: I love the name! I actually love hearing people try to pronounce it. In fact, I've actually met several people named Acea at book signings! The name was inspired by someone I knew years ago with the name. It always stuck out to me. I describe how to pronounce it on the first page of chapter two – only five pages in. But, if it helps, another popular spelling for the name is ‘Asa.’ Q: The books are written in first person. Why? Was that difficult? A: It was difficult, but I think it helps the book in that it reads like a mystery. I wanted the book to both be an adventure through these crazy rooms and kingdoms, but to also feel like a mystery that’s unfolding to the reader as it unfolds to Acea. |
About Book #1:
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Q: What’s your favorite of the zoo rooms?
A: This is my favorite question for me to ask my readers! But for me, answering it is like picking which of your children is your favorite – it changes with my mood (just kidding). Really, though, I worked so hard to develop unique worlds for each room which would take the reader on a different journey along with Acea, that I just can’t narrow it to a single favorite room. I love hearing from my readers what their favorite room is, and I’ve been surprised at how diverse the reactions have been. Q: Where did you get the idea for Acea and the Animal Kingdom? Was anything based off of personal experiences? A: The idea began with a dream I had. The dream was essentially chapter one, which is really just the setting of the book. Then I planned the whole plot out in a car ride from St. George, Utah to Salt Lake City when it was just me in the car. There are a few elements which are based upon my personal experiences – like spending time in the library during recess reading about dinosaurs while in elementary, growing up with asthma, and having the repeated dream (nightmare) of swimming with a blue whale. But, in general, the books aren’t meant to be autobiographical at all – just a fun adventure for the reader! |
About Book #2:
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Q: What is your favorite of the 7 Ancient Wonders?
A: Again, very tough to answer. Honestly, I have a different one each time I read the book. I could see each kingdom and associated Seven Ancient Wonder so clearly in my mind while writing it, that it'd be tough to pick out just one as my favorite. Q: Was it tough writing a sequel? A: Yes! Even though I always planned for this to be a trilogy, it was tough! It had to be a stand-alone plot but also lead to the third novel. It’s got many more characters than the first novel and there were so many parts moving that I had to plan for in advance. And I couldn't wait for readers to read the ending that I had planned for so long... Q: Did Acea and the 7 Ancient Wonders take as much research as Acea and the Animal Kingdom? A: More! I didn’t know anything about the 7 Ancients Wonders. There’s a line in the book where Acea describes the Wonders as something which he learned for school and quickly forgot after taking the test. I felt the exact same way! So, I had to learn a lot about them to figure out how the plot would weave through these locations. I actually started this research before finishing the first novel. |
About Book #3:
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Q: What is your favorite assignment in time that Acea travels to?
A: Again, tough. But I can tell you that I’ve always looked up to Newton on so many levels, so I didn’t even have to think about it much – I wanted to start off the book with Acea visiting Newton. Q: How did writing the final chapter of the trilogy compare to writing the first two novels? A: Writing each book was it’s own unique experience. Book one was creating the world without worrying about the details that would follow too much. It was just fun to explore something I was creating. (Though I always knew how the trilogy would end.) Book two was intense because I knew nothing about the seven ancient wonders, and I really wanted to get to the end of that novel with that monumental event. And writing this last book was unique because it actually felt like I was writing two different books. Readers will see, but there’s a distinct turning point – and it makes a lot of sense plot and character-wise. Creatively, I loved rounding that corner to when things change. But I also loved being able to tie in prior events to give Acea’s journey purpose. Q: You’ve always said that you’ve known the end of the trilogy. Did it turn out how you wanted? A: Honestly, it turned out better than I even planned. There were two main surprises for me with this last book. The first was a distinct chapter. I won't say which one, but there is a chapter in this book that is without a doubt better than I could have expected – it was the reason I wanted to write the series. And even though it took two and a half books to get there, I loved it and feel that it was even beyond what I had in mind for it. The second surprise was how well the idea I had for the end actually was conveyed on both a plot and emotional level. And I hope my readers feel the same. And, who knows, maybe one day there will be another book in the series! |
Did we answer your question? Feel free to reach out with additional questions! |
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