Sunday, February 22, 2015

Interview with Suspense Romance Author Charissa Stastny

Charissa Stastny hails from Las Vegas, Nevada, but has never pulled the handle of a slot machine and can’t shuffle cards to save her life. She envisioned herself as an author since 4th grade when she wrote the creative work, The Creature from McGool, and went on in shame to pen some cheesy romance scenes as a teenager. Now she has matured somewhat and is a member of the Idaho Writer’s Guild and tries hard not to spread too much cheese around in her writing. She resides in Idaho’s Treasure Valley with her family, where shuffling isn’t required. Thank goodness!


Welcome to my blog, Charissa. Where did you get your inspiration for the Bending Willow Trilogy?

My muse for this story started with a creative writing assignment and a door-to-door art salesperson. An Israeli girl named Suvi with a nose ring and a vivacious personality knocked, charmed me into buying one of her oil paintings, and then talked to my daughters and me for an hour. After she left, an idea for my short story began to form. As I wrote my imagined story for Suvi, I hoped to make my daughters aware of hidden secrets people carry so that they would be more merciful in their judgment of others. We never know what awful circumstances and experiences have led someone to act in certain ways. There are religious undertones in this story, but it’s not preachy because I knew my daughters would toss it aside if they thought mom was trying to get one over on them. 


What is book one about: Eyes of Light?

This series follows three characters through several harrowing years. In Vol. 1, Suvi Goldstein tries to escape her past, but falls for a man with secrets as deadly as her own. Torn between violent men in one world and a forgiving man in another, she must fight her way out of darkness to find redemption. James Hinton is Suvi’s opposite—a clean-cut, returned missionary who seems like the classic Boy Scout. Austan Sandoval is an ex-NCS operative who Suvi believes died when she was in high school. He’s gone deep undercover, but still secretly watches over and protects her from brutal forces bent on her destruction. 

Tell us about book two: Secret Keepers.

This book delves deeper into Suvi’s horrific past and exposes damaging secrets she has locked away for years. Though she has begun healing, she still struggles with self-worth after what she has endured. As the past clashes with the present, she flees to Israel to lead danger away from the man she loves. There she seeks her estranged father’s help. But when she disappears without a trace, Austan and James will do anything to find the woman they both love. From Idaho to Israel, and with madmen, ruthless drug cartels, and Mossad assassins as key forces, the fight for light continues in a battle where lives, love and freedom are at stake.

When you fall in love with your characters, it is hard to leave a series as you write the last book. Please tell us what the third book, Hands of Mercy, is about.

This is hard to do without giving away too much. Let me just say that two of our characters are finally married in this book, but marriage doesn’t automatically mean happily ever after…no matter what fairy tales portray. As our celebrated couple struggle with the mundane in their marriage, malevolent forces beyond their control cause hell to erupt. Suvi, Austan, and James must struggle to survive as separation, death, guilt, and revenge rip them apart and scatter their broken hearts and bodies over the battlefield of life until unseen Hands of Mercy save them. Whew! How’s that? 

Very good description, Charissa. Who is one of your favorite characters in this series and what do you love about him or her?

I adore all my characters, but Austan’s probably my favorite to write. He makes me run the gamut of emotions—one minute he has me laughing so hard my side hurts; the next I want to weep for all his troubles; but then I turn the page and want to smack him for being such an arrogant pig. If you’d like to read an interview with him, go HERE

Haha! That is such a great way of describing your own character. Love it! Here are a few links to visit Charissa and her sites.

·        Website – http://www.charissastastny.com
·        Facebook 
·       You may purchase these books here: Eyes of Light, Secret Keepers, Hands of Mercy


13 comments:

Sonja said...

Good interview. You are right we never know what goes on with the lives of others.

Shirley said...

Thank you both for taking the time to do the interview. Charissa is a new author to me. I will definitely be looking for her works.

Taylor Dean said...

I think Austan might be my favorite as well. I was always rooting for Suvi, and James is very lovable, but Austan is more complicated. He has an innate desire to do good, but life has interfered. He's an interesting character, no doubt! I really enjoyed this series!

Charissa said...

Thanks, Sonja and Shirley. Linda is always fun to hang out with here. And I'm glad you enjoyed the series, Taylor.

Anonymous said...

I don't have an e-reader, but this book sounds great.

Anonymous said...

These books sound amazing! I think that it is important to be merciful when you judge others also.

cnhnovels@rocketmail.com

mnleona said...

I liked the words "but still secretly watches over and protects her from brutal forces ". That is caring and love.

Gail Pallotta said...

Oh wow! These books sound as though they have complicated, interesting characters and plots that keep readers on the edges of their seats.

George A. Clarke said...

I have read Charissa's first two books and thoroughly enjoyed them. She really shows how a person can change and become a better person in this story. There is hope for those who struggle for a better life. I've told people who I work with about these stories who need hope in their lives. I'm about to start her new book and can't wait. Thank you, Charissa, for writing such great books.

Unknown said...

I love romance of many types and having suspense thrown in makes it all that much better. Great interview!
authorbrookewilliams@gmail.com

Amy C said...

Thank you so much for the interview. I have added Charissa's books on my wishlist.
campbellamyd at gmail dot com

Charissa said...

Thanks, George. I'm glad you've liked them and hope you enjoy the last book in the series. I'm a little sad to leave these characters behind as I work on my next book.

Linda Weaver Clarke said...

Congratulations, Amy Campbell! You are the winner of this awesome book. I know you'll enjoy it.