It’s a dull December day here in Yorkshire. There’s a cold rain, and even though the sky has barely lightened all day, I just know it will be getting dark again soon.
Luckily we’re indoors with a plate of mince pies, a pot of tea, and my well-travelled guest, author Gemma Juliana, has some fabulous memories of sunnier places to keep us warm :)
Where do you live, Gemma? I grew up on an island in the Caribbean with trips to Ireland. Later I lived in several European countries. I’ve called Texas in the USA home for seventeen years and have lived in the Dallas Ft. Worth metroplex for nearly eight years.
The Caribbean and Ireland – that really is the best of both worlds!
Where is your favourite place in the world? Only one? I don’t resonate so much with a place as with a certain type of energy. Usually wild, windy, watery, and rich in earth power. I love sacred sites and have been to many. If I must choose, I’d probably say walking the beach on either the east or west coast of Ireland. Two places I haven’t been that fascinate me are:
Marcahuasi, Peru. For anyone interested, here’s an interesting website: http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/arqueologia/marcahuasi01.htm
Iceland, the “fire and ice” capital of the world, with its Blue Lagoon geothermal pools, the aurora borealis and ancient rune stones. This website shows some of what that it has to offer: http://www.extremeiceland.is/en/day-tours/hot-pools-and-bathing
I probably should have been an adventurer as there are dozens of such places on my list!
I love the west coast of Ireland, too, Gemma. There’s something magical about looking out on the wild Atlantic.
Being a writer is a great job. What’s the worst job you’ve ever had? I’ve been lucky in the way of jobs. I haven’t had a really terrible job. The job I least enjoy is book keeping, and for the past decade I am the one responsible for ours.
What book do you wish you’d written? I can never choose just one of anything, I hope you understand!
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
The Far Pavillions and Shadow of the Moon by M. M. Kaye
Druids and The Greener Shore by Morgan Llywelyn
Oh I love M.M. Kaye! You have spurred me to reread her novels.
What’s your favourite song? The Power of Love by Celine Dion, and the melancholy, ever soul-stirring Hallelujah, as sung by Espen Lind, Askil Holm, Alejandro Fuentes, Kurt Nilsen (in that order). Here’s the YouTube link to it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt2FWAbXinY
If you could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you say to them?
In my microcosm, my father, Julian. I’d tell him how much I miss him and his laughter.
In the macrocosm, I’d like to sit with Vivian of the Lake and Merlin and get the true story. I’d like to ask Nelson Mandela, Mohandas Karamchand “Mahatma” Gandhi, and Mother Theresa how it feels on a soul level to leave this earth having used peaceful means to accomplish so much for so many.
There would be a collection of powerful spirits at your meeting!
What’s your happiest childhood memory? My father and I zipping along on a speed boat, with me perched on the bow, legs hanging over the front, racing into the wind, surrounded only by sea and sky. Then anchoring at a tiny island where I’d dive into the shallow water and snorkel. We did this almost every weekend for years.
That just sounds fabulous! What glorious memories to take with you.
If you had to marry a fictional character, from film, television, or books, who would it be? William Wallace as depicted in Braveheart – not Mel Gibson! Self-sacrificing strength of character and fierce loyalty to his clan – that’d be my ideal fictional husband. I must say, though, I’m very happy with my ordinary larger-than-life hero of a husband!
What’s the most important lesson life has taught you? It’s not enough to be patient ~ learn to enjoy the wait and the process. Delight in the anticipation of what you wish for. Life is all about the journey, not the destination. In fact, there is no ultimate destination. Each moment is what counts so live in the now – not the past or future.
And finally, please tell us about your latest book, where we can find it, and where we can find your blog/website!
Thanks, Helena, I’d love to mention my new stories. There are actually four right now! There’s my very short story Shooting Star Holiday Express in A Holiday Anthology which is a compilation of delightful winter stories by a warm and caring group of romance authors. It’s FREE and can be downloaded here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/374815
(I have a story in this anthology too, Gemma, and I loved reading your Shooting Star Holiday Express!)
I wrote a novella as a tribute to autumn, my favorite season of the year. Autumn Masquerade deals with love and loss, 
rejection and healing. When a corporate executive exposes her secret psychic gifts at an autumn masquerade ball, will her handsome boss – a widower – judge her? When Richard’s deceased wife insists she has a message for him, Anna fears he’ll see her as manipulative. She buried her psychic abilities long ago because they brought rejection. Now she is a rising star in her career with deep feelings for her boss, and has so much to lose.
My Christmas novella is Christmas Spirits. This is a ghost love story that transcends time. It takes place in an ancient Irish castle ~ Winterthorne. While younger generations of the royal family gather for Christmas, a bride who died too young returns to spend one last Christmas Eve and Christmas with her beloved husband. She has visited him faithfully every year as promised, but this will be the last time. She made a pact – a physical body in exchange for giving up all future visits. Will she be able to convince her husband to leave with her when her time ends?
The Sheikh’s Crowning is the latest novella in The Sheikhs of the Golden Triangle series. It’s the story of 
Princess Yasmine and her very non-royal Rick Green. How can a widowed princess who fears loss fall in love with a man whose job is rife with danger? How can an ordinary all-American man fall in love with a wealthy and powerful princess? Amidst political and illicit intrigues, these two learn to overcome imagined limitations so they can find happiness.
Connect with Gemma GemmaJuliana.com | Twitter | facebook
Buy Gemma’s Books on… Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Apple / SmashWords
Amazon Author Page: Gemma Juliana
* * *
Thanks so very much for having me visit today, Helena. I toast you and your readers with a cup of hot chocolate, and wish everyone a memorable and peaceful holiday season! Happy reading!
Happy reading, Gemma! And thanks for cheering me up on this dull winter day!
If you have any questions or comments for Gemma, please let us know. We’d love to hear from you!
Helena Fairfax 
Leave a Reply