Welcome to Shannon Muir’s Infinite House of Books!
DISCLAIMER: This content has been provided to INFINITE HOUSE OF BOOKS by Bewitching Book Tours. No compensation was received. This information required by the Federal Trade Commission.
What initially got you interested in writing?
I love to read. I think it’s a natural progression that readers often become writers.
How did you decide to make the move into being a published author?
I guess I liked the idea of a larger audience for my stories. My debut novel, “Celebration House,” was published in August of 2013 by a small press. I bought my rights back and revised it. It’s the first volume in my Celebration House Trilogy. The second book, “Stay at Celebration House,” will publish on April 1st; the final installment, “Return to Celebration House,” hits the pavement on May 1st.
What do you want readers to take away from reading your works?
Joy! I want readers to be engaged and entertained. I have no lessons to teach. I just want to entertain them. And keep them turning the page!
What do you find most rewarding about writing?
I’m in the trenches now, revising the second book, “Stay at Celebration House.” This is the part of writing I like the least. Occasionally, I’ll read a scene, and it makes me smile. Those are the rewarding moments. For example, in my second book, my heroine hosts a séance; the results are to die for.
What do you find most challenging about writing?
Revisions!
What advice would you give to people who want to enter the field?
Do it! The world needs your stories. Find (or form) a critique group of fellow writers who encourage you. Write every single day and finish your first book. Then start your second. Whatever you do, don’t quit.
What ways can readers connect with you?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnetteDrakeBooks?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/annettedrake13
Email: Write2me@AnnetteDrake.com
I love, love, love hearing from readers. Please, feel free to write to me.
opened the door and stepped inside, sunlight streamed in through the dirty
windows. Even though the barn had been vacant for years, the air smelled of hay
and horses.
left, she saw a man shaving. He’d glanced up when Carrie opened the doors, but
returned his gaze to the small mirror tacked to the wooden beam. He was bare
from the waist up. His chest was lean and muscular, with dark brown hair from
mid-chest to his waistline. His arms were powerfully built, and his right hand
was steady as he scraped the white soap from his angular jaw with a razor. His
dark blue uniform pants with gold braid down the side were tucked into
knee-high black leather boots. He stood at least six feet tall, and though
Carrie hadn’t made her living in the carnival, she guessed he was probably
younger than her, likely in his mid to late twenties. He peered at the small
mirror, tilting his chin to swipe away the shaving soap. Carrie waited to speak
until after he’d finished with the ivory-handled straight blade and dipped it
into the basin of soapy water.
she said.
was an equal mix of surprise and annoyance. He dropped the razor and grabbed
his shirt off a nearby nail. He turned his back to Carrie and pulled it on.
madam?” he asked, buttoning his shirt and stuffing it into his pants.
see me?”
believe I have the advantage. I’m dead. You are not.” He turned and glared at
her. His eyebrows furrowed as though he wasn’t quite sure how they’d arrived at
the point of introductions.
intrude. I’m Carrie. Carrie Hansen.” She extended her hand.
shake her hand, but his fingers passed through hers. They both jerked back.
really didn’t mean to intrude,” she said.
me. That’s all. We seldom receive visitors, especially living ones who can see
us.” He put on his blue uniform coat and fastened the long row of brass
buttons. “I’m Major Thomas Gentry, at your service.” He bowed.
startled you. I sometimes forget ghosts aren’t accustomed to being seen.”
narrowed and he frowned. “How may I be of service to you, Miss Hansen?”
find Colonel Stratton? I need to speak with him.”
eyes showed his increasing puzzlement. “The living do not go looking for
Colonel Stratton. What business have you with him?”
house, and I intend to live here.”
Stratton House?”
speak with the colonel.”
shook his head as though to sort through the details. “Please forgive me. You
bought Stratton House, you intend to live here, and you wish to speak with the
home’s proprietor, Colonel Stratton?”
covered that,” she said. “You don’t get many visitors, do you?”
Thank you so much for hosting me. Best wishes!