There have been terrible storms across the UK this week. This morning it’s still chucking it down with rain. Me and my dog have spent ages getting all the mud off, but now my coat’s drying on the rack, the kettle’s on, there’s some bacon sandwiches on the go – and we’re ready to welcome this week’s guest!
Nice to meet you, author Karen Leppert! I’m glad you made it through the storm!
Where do you live, Karen? I live in Belcamp, Maryland, about forty minutes from downtown Baltimore City.
And where is your favourite place in the world? At the risk of sounding cliché, there is no place like home. Everyone and everything that is important to me is here, with the exception of my daughter, Jessica, who moved to Texas over a year ago. Sure, travelling is nice—I have been to Hawaii, Bahamas, St. Thomas, California, Florida—they are all beautiful but home is…just that…home.
You’ve visited some great places, but you’re right. Home is where the heart is, and you can’t deny the cliché!
Being a writer is a great job. What’s the worst job you’ve ever had? I worked as a telephone solicitor for an air conditioning company when I was seventeen years old.
I’ve no idea what that involves, but it doesn’t sound a great job! At least you could give it up when you were seventeen :)
Do you remember the first book that kept you up all night reading? What was it? As a child, I did not read much but one of my teachers read Charlotte’s Web the last ten minutes of class. I remember watching the clock, eager to hear what happened next. The other book that became an obsession for me was The Outsiders, by S. E. Hinton.
I loved Charlotte’s Web when I was little!
What’s your favourite song? This is a tough one. I have favourite songs for different moods or places. I am a fan of The Dave Matthews Band, but also like country and pop music. Marcus Foster is an artist I have been listening to lately. Kings of Leon too. The Way We Were by Barbara Streisand is a favourite from my youth. Goodbye Lover by James Blunt always makes me cry.
If you could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you say to them? Jesus. I have a lot of questions and hope I get to ask them someday…not too soon, though.
What’s your happiest childhood memory? Well, it’s probably not from my childhood but rather my teens. My neighbour was in the seminary and travelled to Italy. He brought a priest back with him. My family and neighbours gathered every night during his stay for barbecues. An eclectic mix of people led to engaging conversations and lots of laughter.
That’s a lovely memory!
What’s the most important lesson life has taught you? Tell your family and friends you love them often. You never know when someone won’t be with you anymore. I lost my sister, Kathy, when she was just eighteen years old; my Godfather, Uncle Joe at 45; a cousin, Katie (3l years old) and her son Wil (eight years old) were killed in an automobile accident; a friend from high school, Tom, who suffered with kidney disease died when he was 30, and a neighbour, Billy, died at 24.
I’m sorry for all your losses, Karen. You seem like a strong person to have come through such terrible tragedies. I know it’s not much, but I hope the memories of your loved ones in their happiest moments bring you some comfort
I’m sure your loved ones would be proud of your achievements as a writer. Please tell us about your latest book, where we can find it, and where we can find your blog/website
My book, reGUARDing GRACE, is a paranormal romance.
Jack Elliott is an Amalgamate, a person possessing three alters with superhuman abilities. Under his leadership, Jack excels in the coveted position of Guardian of the Delacroix Institute. His mission is to facilitate the successful integration of a host with his alters.
Unlike Jack, Grace Evans does not know she is an Amalgamate. Her alters are transitioning with more frequency which puts her at risk of exposure to humankind.
Although male Guardians do not receive assignments to female hosts, Grace is an exception. Jack assumes the role of a transfer student at Mansfield High School as a way to meet Grace.
The task of integrating Grace with her alters is wrought with problems: rebellion, revenge, forbidden love, and an alter who channels the dead—some possessing dangerous motives.
reGUARDing GRACE is available as an e-book from the MuseItUp bookstore and all major retailers of e-books.
That sounds an intriguing and unusual story, Karen! Thanks for coming all this way to talk to us. The storm clouds seem to be going now, so I hope you have a safe and dry journey back to Baltimore!
If you have any questions for Karen, or any comments at all, please let us know. We’d love to hear from you!
Helena Fairfax 
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