AWRW Interview & Author Spotlight, Featuring Author Eden Baylee

Hi Eden, thank you so much for agreeing to be interviewed on A Well Read Woman Blog. Please tell me a little about yourself and your background.

Hi April, thank you so much for the opportunity to be on your excellent blog. It’s great to be here.

I’m Canadian and was a banker for twenty years before I turned to writing full time five years ago. It was a difficult decision to leave a secure, full-time job to chase a dream, but I am very happy I made the leap. Writing is a tremendously rewarding profession, even though I work harder at it than anything else I have ever done before.

That is incredible. I’m glad everything worked out for you! What have you written?

I’ve written three collections of erotic novellas and flash fiction—Spring into Summer, Fall into Winter, and Hot Flash, along with contributing to the anthologies: Allegories of the Tarot, Indie Authors Naked, and Triptychs.

All of the novellas in my first two collections are also sold individually as the eroticism and sexual content vary from story to story. Some lean to romance, and others more toward the erotic.

In 2014, I released a mystery/thriller and suspense novel called Stranger at Sunset, the first of a trilogy with my protagonist, psychiatrist, Dr. Kate Hampton.

 I recently read and enjoyed your psychological thriller, Stranger At Sunset. inspired by your trip to Jamaica. Please tell me a little more about that.

Yes, thank you so much, April for reading and reviewing. I’m so happy you enjoyed it.

 

You’re right that I formulated the idea for the book in January 2013 after a trip to Jamaica. There, I stayed at a small resort next to where author Ian Fleming of James Bond fame once owned a property. A place where such a prolific writer lived and wrote obviously inspired me. I’m a James Bond fan and spent a lot of time gazing in the direction where Fleming lived! Being in the sun and sand helped cultivate my ideas as well. I’m a sun worshipper!

In my book, the story takes place over a week’s time at a holiday resort not unlike where I stayed. Twelve guests, including the owners of the small hotel and their staff make up the characters of the book. What happens during the week is an intricate play of events, mind games, and of course—murder.

In Stranger At Sunset, after a scathing review, the resort owners invite the reviewer back, hoping for a more favorable review. Have you ever received a negative book review? If so, how do you deal with it? 

Oh yes, I’m sure most authors get them eventually. There are two ways I look at them.

One – if it’s a critical review that touches on any aspect of my book, and I think I can learn from it, then I’m very grateful for it. As a writer, there is a certain amount of detachment required. I cannot take criticism personally, otherwise it would cripple me and I’d never get any work done. I view these types of reviews as an opportunity to improve as a writer.

Two – if it’s a review that is critical but does not offer anything I can learn from, then I simply ignore it. I don’t dwell on the negative. I’ve had one-star reviews because my book was too short, even though it was advertised as a short story. There is not much I can do about this.

I’ve heard authors complain about the reasons they get negative reviews, and I understand that sometimes the motives may seem questionable and/or irrational, but … there really is no point getting upset over it. We need to grow thick skins and realize that readers have diverse tastes and not everyone is going to like what we write. Readers can leave negative reviews for any reason. We cannot stop them.

That’s why it is always such a treat for me to get an honest review, one I can learn from, and that includes the negative ones.

That is an excellent take on book reviews. I think a lot of Authors could learn from you. It annoys me when an Author assumes a negative review must have been from a troll, and then they flail all over Facebook about it.

What are you working on at the moment? Care to share?

Yes! I just completed a novella called A Snake in Paradise as part of a new Kindle Worlds offering, which will launch April 7^th.

I’m also writing the second and third books in Kate Hampton’s journey. Book two is called A Fragile Truce, and book three is nameless for now. I really want to get them out this year.
Great! I look forward to Kate Hampton’s next book! I’m glad her journey continues!

How can readers discover more about you, and your work?

I’m very accessible via all my networks, and I’ve included them here (below). One of the great pleasures for me is talking to readers, so always feel free to connect to me. Sign up to my mailing list and blog to receive information firsthand or email me.

My laptop is practically attached to my hip!

Many thanks again April for the interview. I’m so thrilled we are connected! –eden

Thank you, Eden!

 

Vacation can be a killer.

Dr. Kate Hampton, a respected psychiatrist, gathers with a group of strangers at her favorite travel spot, Sunset Villa in Jamaica. Included in the mix are friends of the owners, a businessman with dubious credentials, and a couple who won the trip from a TV game show.

 

It is January 2013, following the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The luxury resort is struggling, not from the storm, but due to a scathing review from caustic travel writer, Matthew Kane. The owners have invited him back with hopes he will pen a more favorable review to restore their reputation.

 

Even though she is haunted by her own demons, Kate feels compelled to help. She sets out to discover the motivation behind Kane’s vitriol. Used to getting what he wants, has the reviewer met his match in Kate? Or has she met hers?

 

Stranger at Sunset is a slow-burning mystery/thriller as seen through the eyes of different narrators, each with their own murky sense of justice. As Kate’s own psychological past begins to unravel, a mysterious stranger at Sunset may be the only one who can save her.

 

 

Available in e-book and print

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon worldwide http://authl.it/B00L7BVDFM

Apple | B&N | Smashwords | Kobo

Also available in Print | iTunes Soundtrack

About The Author:

 Eden Baylee left a twenty-year banking career to become a full-time writer. She incorporates many of her favorite things into her writing such as: travel; humor; music; poetry; art; and much more.

Stranger at Sunset is her first mystery novel, on the heels of several books of erotic anthologies and short stories. She writes in multiple genres.

An introvert by nature and an extrovert by design, Eden is most comfortable at home with her laptop surrounded by books. She is an online Scrabble junkie and a social media enthusiast, but she really needs to get out more often!

To stay apprised of Eden’s book-related news, please add your name to her mailing list.

 

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