I am so excited to have Michael K. Reynolds as my guest today!
His Irish historical novel,
Flight of the Earls, just released. I first "met" Michael through Books and Such Literary Agency, and I had the pleasure to meet him in person at the ACFW conference last fall. You can't help but like Michael when you talk to him. He's friendly, smart, and he hands out chocolate (green foil wrapped, of course!). Yes, my chocolate-covered heart was quickly won over, but more importantly, he's an excellent writer. I loved
Flight of the Earls!
Let's get to it!
1. I
am fascinated with American history, and I'm always drawn to immigrant stories.
What was your inspiration for the Heirs of Ireland series?
I have grandparents on both sides of the family and many great aunts and uncles who emigrated from Ireland. On the couple of occasions I was blessed to visit the Emerald Isle I was embraced by my Irish relatives as if I had sprouted from their own soil. Having my characters engage with the rich tapestries of my heritage has been an intimate and rewarding experience.
2. It's obvious your heart belongs on the "Emerald Isle." Do
you have plans to return to Ireland?
Yes. It’s been quite some time since I’ve been to
Ireland and I am making plans to go back soon, hopefully in the upcoming year.
Once you visit the Emerald Isle, many of the memories are indelible and as
fresh as the day you first visited. But after all of my research there are so
many new places I would want to explore. I have family there I would love to
spend time with again, and other members who I have yet to meet in person. So,
it’s high on my list.
3. From the opening
sentence of Flight of the Earls, the historical details blend seamlessly with the story, adding a rich
flavor to a fascinating plot. What research did you do for this book?
For me the research process is unfiltered joy. There is a childlike giddiness for me as I open up my many tomes of history books for my projects. I absolutely love history and reading about it and drifting to those time periods and dreaming about ideas. I believe in any slice of time there is a plethora of intriguing characters and unfolding drama. The greatest portion of my research is through reading, but I also typically include site visits, museum tours and film in my efforts to paint in all the numbers. The hardest part about my research is loosening the grip of my fingers from my history books so I can get about the task of writing.
4. Ahh, getting to the task of writing, not an easy thing to do some days! What's
the most surprising thing that happened while writing this book?
For me, the biggest surprise came when I started sharing the initial pages of
Flight of the Earls at Mount Herman Christian Writers Conference. After college I was a journalist for a few years and then shifted to marketing and copywriting before writing scripts for documentaries. I continued to write, but I hadn't lifted a pen to fiction for two decades. It was frightening to share those first few chapters with writers, editors and agents. I came into it blind, literally having no idea what the response would be in regards to my voice and prose. I remember asking Brandilyn Collins, "Is it any good?" and she said, "Are you kidding? Is that you trying to be modest?" Fortunately there was a visceral buzz about the writing which was so encouraging, and I considered myself a novelist ever since.
5. I can relate to the fear of having professionals read your work for the first time. It is scary! But it's also reassuring when we hear positive feedback.
Don't
you love the possibilities of a new year? What are you working on now?
The second book of the Heirs of Ireland Series, In Golden Splendor, is completed and releases July 15, 2013. I am hard
at work on the third book of the series, currently titled Songs of the Shenandoah, which is staged during the Civil War era. We’re in
the process of securing our next projects, which I am thrilled about, and hope
to be able announce those shortly.
I look forward to reading them! Thank you so much for being my guest today, Michael!
***
Flight of the Earls
It’s
Ireland in 1846. When her family’s small farm is struck by the blight of the
Great Potato Famine, 24-year-old Clare Hanley heads out along with her younger
brother Seamus on a harrowing journey across the ocean to the Promised Land of
America. Once arriving in New York, Clare is both overwhelmed and enraptured by
this coming-of-age city of intrigue, romance, the arts, squalor, wealth, uneven
freedoms and exploding opportunities. Here she discovers love, adventure and a
terrible secret which threatens to destroy her family and all she believes.
My review (5 Stars)
Get ready to be
swept away in this action-packed, emotional tale of one woman's journey to
survive and help her family during the potato famine in Ireland.
Clare Hanley, her
brother Seamus, and family friend Pierce must journey to America in order to
find work and keep their Irish families from starving. The journey tests the
three's morals, their loyalties, and their very lives. New York does not live
up to its reputation, and the struggles they face tear them apart. But through
it all, Clare draws strength from the memory of her siblings back in Ireland
and ultimately finds love and a strong faith in God.
I loved this book so
much that I devoured it in less than 24 hours! Michael K. Reynolds shows a rare
gift of balancing historical details, emotional reactions, a complicated family
history, and a fast-paced plot to create characters I couldn't stop rooting
for. Clare, especially, as the protagonist melted my heart. I rooted for her
every step of the way. My heart hurt at the many injustices she bore out of
love and generosity.
The supporting
characters displayed plenty of vices, but they also were multi-dimensional. My
fingers are crossed that Seamus will get his own book!
Terrific read! I
highly recommend it! I can't wait to read more by this talented author.
*I received an
advanced reader copy of this book with no obligation to review it. All opinions
are my own. It's amazing--get your hands on a copy!*
***
About Michael
Michael K. Reynolds is the author of a series of Irish historical novels being published by B&H Publishing Group. His debut Irish historical novel, Flight of the Earls, releases January, 2013.
To learn more about Michael's books, head to his
website, be friends with him on
Facebook, and follow him on
Twitter.
If you'd like to purchase
Flight of the Earls, it is available on
Amazon,
Christianbook.com,
Barnes & Noble, and other fine retailers.
***
Have you gotten swept up in a great book lately? If yes, please share! I'm always looking for a fabulous read!
Have a wonderful day!
