Tuesday, July 31, 2012

THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT - Sibella Giorello - One Free Book


Welcome back, Sibella. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?
Raleigh Harmon adventures. She has much more room to run, and many more cases to solve.

Tell us a little about your family.
My birth family has some interesting origins. My great-grandparents moved to Alaska in 1884. They were Orthodox Jews. Our family stayed in Alaska for another 110 years.  My own family now lives in Washington state. My husband is a very funny and talented Italian-American from Queens, New York. We have two lively boys, a neurotic dog, a silent parakeet, and a Russian tortoise with a dangerous attitude.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?
It would be an understatement to call my reading tastes eclectic. I read a lot of odd non-fiction, since I'm constantly researching topics related to geology, geography, or criminal behavior.

What are you working on right now?
I'm writing the next Raleigh Harmon adventure. Actually, two of them. One novel goes forward, the other goes back to her beginnings in Richmond, Virginia.

What outside interests do you have?
My main interest is my family. So whatever my husband and kids are into, I'm right there. Currently that's lacrosse, golf, episodes of "Psych," learning about "Halo," and listening to Blues music. None of which I would otherwise do.

How do you choose your settings for each book?
Some places haunt my imagination. I can literally see a world behind the world -- an imaginary   place with characters moving through it. And because my protagonist is a geologist, I'm drawn to places with interesting geological features --- mountains, rivers, volcanic activity.

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
Teddy Roosevelt. He lived such an enormous life yet combined his accomplishments with salt-of-the-earth wisdom. He also loved books and was devoted to family. In one night, he could probably dispense words that would last me a lifetime.

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?
That each book works like a bead on a necklace. No single one is the crown jewel because writing is a never-ending apprenticeship.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?
Each new lesson is a variation on His great theme: Love. Right now He's teaching me new ways to love people. Unlikeable people. Abandoned people, shunned. Outsiders. It all comes down to supernatural love.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
1. Consider your motivation. Are you writing to become rich and famous, or because you feel a story burning in your heart? The burning story is a great motivation; fame and fortune is not.
2. What are you willing to sacrifice? No book gets written in ordinary time. Each day holds 24 hours and books require vast amounts of contemplation and hard work. Personally, I gave up watching television (unless it's something my kids want me to watch with them) and I say no to many social events that I'd like to attend. For books to get written, sacrifices must be made.
3. Don't give up. When it comes to writing, persistence is more crucial than talent.

Tell us about the featured book.
The Stars Shine Bright begins with Raleigh Harmon coming back from an FBI suspension. her first assignment is undercover at a horse track, to discover who's fixing the races. But she soon  realizes something even sinister is going on -- because horses are dying and somebody's trying to kill her.

Please give us the first page of the book.
The glass skyscrapers towered over Puget Sound, like crystalline prisons for office slaves. I stood at the corner of Third and Madison and watched the hurried workers, toting their Starbucks and battered briefcases, while down the hill, between the city's steep reflective walls, a basin of salt water sparkled under late-summer sunshine. Puget Sound looked dappled and calm, nothing like the busy people. Nothing like the emotions warring inside me. And nothing like the woman who walked beside me, gripping a strand of pink pearls.

            "Don't do this," said Aunt Charlotte. Her pudgy fingers worried the silken beads. "Come work in my shop."

            "It won't help."

            "I'll pay you double minimum wage."

            I waited for the crosswalk light to change. Hurry up. The breeze tunneled through the buildings, bearing scents of wet salt and city pavement and the close of summer. A city bus wheezed to a stop on Madison and belched diesel fumes before releasing more serfs. They lurched out, sighing like pneumatic doors.

            I glanced at Aunt Charlotte.

            She had switched the pearls to her other hand, presumably because her fingers were fatigued from all that rubbing. It had started early this morning, when she told me I needed some geological magic to save my job. I looked back at the light. It refused to change.

            "I'm fine," I told her.

            "I'll send you to all my rock shows," she said. "You're a geologist -- they'll love you."

            I was a geologist, a forensic geologist. but I doubted the poor . . . .

 How can readers find you on the Internet?
You can visit my website and blog, www.sibellagiorello.com or visit my Facebook page and Twitter account. I love hearing from readers -- so don't be shy!


Thank you, Sibella, for the interesting interview.


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Stars Shine Bright (A Raleigh Harmon Novel) - paperback
The Stars Shine Bright (A Raleigh Harmon Novel) - Kindle


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

WOULD LOVE TO WIN.
ANGELA FROM KY

Amy C said...

I have heard great things about Sibella's novels!
Amy
Southwest VA

writingsofrosie said...

Awesome interview! The Stars Shine Bright sounds like a book right up my alley!

Rosie from OH

Sibella said...

Thanks for having me, Lena. Really enjoyed the interview!
--Sibella

scottsgal said...

This is a new author to me - this book sounds great! Hey I have a neurotic dog too :-)
cheryl in IL
msboatgal at aol.com

RED~Scribe said...

I'd definitely love to win this book. Mystery and horses -- what could be better?

Eldra from BC

monica said...

Sounds interesting!
Monica Ontario Canada

ASC Book Reviews said...

I totally agree with all the other comments!!! Sign me up please!

(in the boonies!)NM

Unknown said...

i have read one of Sibella's novels, and i would love to win this one. It sounds great. Thanks for the chance.

mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATgmailDOTcomAAA

JJ said...

I am currently living in North Carolina, USA. Thanks gahome2mom/gmail/com

Dee-Dee's nana said...

Love your books, hope to win this one...thanks Dee-Dee's Nana/illinois

Faith's Mom said...

Would love to win this book...Faith's Mom/Lynchburg

Jackie Tessnair said...

I would love to win and read this book.Thanks..Jackie Tessnair from N.C.

Sharon Richmond said...

Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.

rubynreba said...

Thanks for the chance to win this.
Beth from Iowa

Cami Checketts said...

I love the blurb and excerpt. Thanks for sharing this interview and giveaway.
Cami from Utah

Unknown said...

Sweet!!

Leauphaun from British Columbia.

karenk said...

would love to read sibella's latest novel. thanks for the chance.

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
from PA

Diana Gardner said...

Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks! Portsmouth, VA

Anonymous said...

Sounds like an awesome book!!

Goose from BC, Canada

Jo said...

Another new to me author. My family was also Orthodox Jews originally from Russia who settled in New York. Book sounds great and would love to read it.

Blessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona

Liz R said...

Sounds really good, can't wait to read it!

Liz R in Al

Merry said...

I've been wanting to read Sibella's books, I love suspense stories. Please add me for The Stars Shine Bright.
Merry in TX