I was privileged to read a complimentary copy of Beth
Ziarnik’s debut contemporary novel, Her Deadly Inheritance, set in Grand Island, Michigan. I enjoy
reading about ‘real location’ novels. Beth skillfully brought me to Grand
Island and Williams Landing without overdoing the description, instead allowing
me to experience the flavor of life and neighborhood in this Lake Superior town.
I also love historical homes and Windtop allowed me to step inside a while,
instead of driving by in my car and admiring such beauty from the curb.
Reading Her Deadly Inheritance kept my
interest because I quickly grew concerned for the main characters and wondered
what would happen to them next. Her likable characters are oh-so-likable and
her ‘questionable’ characters, or shall I refer to them as difficult ones, are very unlikeable! My favorite personalities from
this story are Jill Shepherd, Clay Merrick, Amelia and Mrs. Fenton. And I can’t
forget Button! Let’s not forget Button! Tia gripped my heart and where, oh
where, did Beth find such a cool name for a character?
I may have met a few ‘Lenore’ type people in my life
before, or could I say individuals headed down the same road, concerning
attitude and focus! I appreciated that there was real reason for the romantic
thread between Jill and Clay. I dislike stories that base the ‘attraction’ on
the fact that the characters are in the story crisis at that time and place.
Beth developed the romantic relationship with a believable connection that
peppered my interest and kept me turning pages and hoping for a positive
outcome.
I enjoyed the
mysterious suspense woven nicely throughout the story. The biggest chunk of my
heart cleaves to historical stories and Beth seasons her contemporary story
with a touch of this. I applaud Beth for
keeping the suspense and surprise rolling throughout the novel, yes, all the
way to the end. This is an enjoyable fast read with hometown warmth that
embraced my heart. The spiritual thread was refreshing; for there is always a
deeper level in stories that includes this real part of our life experience. Calling
all fans of Christian, romantic suspense, this is a novel for you and I highly
recommend Her Deadly Inheritance, a debut novel by Beth Ziarnik. I found
myself comparing Beth’s storytelling to Colleen Cobel’s novels. So, if you are
a Colleen Cobel fan then I believe you will enjoy Beth’s novel, Her
Deadly Inheritance.
1) Beth,
your characters are, well, shall we say— the likeable ones are very likable and
the not likeable ones so unlikable! It is so important for me to like someone
in the novel and you succeeded wonderfully well. How did you come up with your
main characters?
First of all, Sue, thank you for hosting
me on your blog. I'm delighted to be here. As for my main characters--Jill and
Clay, I started with the question, "What if?" What if someone my Main
Character loved was murdered, and loopholes in the law prevented the criminal
from being brought to justice? How would my Main Character handle that? Would
being Christian make a difference? If so, how? If not, why? As I thought
about this, various scenes and snippets of dialogue and action materialized. I
wrote them down, coming to know Jill and Clay as I observed them. I later
discovered this unusual pattern marks me as a seat-of-the-pants writer. I just
sit down at my computer and write without knowing a whole lot until it unfolds
in the telling of the story. I don't understand how or why this works. I just
know it does.
2) I
remember you talking about the location for this novel. Tell
us your favorite memory from when you researched this novel. Her Deadly Inheritance takes
place in Michigan's Upper Peninsula at Munising and Grand Island during the
weeks around the Fourth of July. My husband Jim and I explored the setting
twice, loving the beautiful rock formations, lakes, and historical buildings on
the wilderness island. As Dave Worel, then the park ranger, guided us around
the island, we experienced the downpour that catches Jill during a key scene at
Echo Lake near the heart of Grand Island. We visited the serenity of the
historic island cemetery which I use in the story, and Dave also took us to the
best location for Jill's fictional, historical house. The three of us exploring
that island was so exciting.
3) Tell
us your next favorite memory or fact about your research trip.
On our first research trip, Jim & I
rented a small cabin in Munising. The first night, a huge thunderstorm came
crashing down and lasted for quite some time. We were safe in the cabin, but
the din was so loud that we couldn't hear each other no matter how close we
stood. We learned the next day that a fierce storm like that one could break in
two the great ships, carrying iron ore on Lake Superior. Also that anyone
drowning will not rise to the surface. Bodies freeze quickly and rest on the
bottom of that deep lake. If ever found, they can be thawed and processed for a
funeral even years later. All this information came in handy in Jill and Clay's
story.
4) I
love the varying spiritual maturity or lack thereof in your characters.
Who emulates your favorite spiritual journey in your novel.
Jill does, as she desperately tries to
do what she believes is right and often fails. Yet she picks herself up and
tries again, not realizing she is actually making progress--until the very end.
5) Who
are your favorite authors? (I noticed that you have mystery and suspense in
with your romance novel.)
These days, I love the works of many
Christian authors. But years ago, it was Phyllis A, Whitney for romantic
suspense and Grace Livingston Hill for Christian romance. I ate up the works of
both authors like candy. Mrs. Whitney's books gave me my love for romantic
suspense long before Christian publishers were interested in the genre. Her
novels and articles on how to write romantic suspense also gave me a head start
on the "how-to" of the genre. Mrs. Hill's stories taught me the
beauty of what love could be between Christian heroes and heroines. Both
authors have influenced how I write through the lives and hearts of my 21st
Century characters.
6) What
advice would you like to give a reader who relates to Tia?
Jill's younger cousin struggles with a
lot of issues, not the least of which is her deeply flawed relationship with
her mother. My advice to a reader who might relate to Tia is to realize that
God always knows the best path to your healing--even if a relationship never
becomes what you believe it should, or dream it could, be.
7) The
cover is absolutely lovely! Were you allowed to be involved in the selection of
art used to represent your novel?
Thank you, Sue. The design artists at
Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas sure did a super job. They asked me to
supply information about mood and what elements I'd prefer--like the house and
the heroine. My editor asked what I thought of the first version. Though that
cover was close, it needed a more delicate-looking Jill. Next, I was offered
two versions of the new cover, one with and one without color. After an online
vote, the outcome was so close that the choice landed in my lap again. Yikes! I
loved them both, but as I prayed, the color version kept grabbing my attention.
I'm glad I went with that one. I love it and hope readers will, too.
8) Why
did you pick the Fourth of July as a focus event for your novel.
Munising's old-fashioned and colorful
Fourth of July celebration had so many useful elements, and it was "near
the anniversary" of the tragic death of Jill's mother three years before.
Can I also confess that I am unashamedly patriotic? I love our country and what
our forefathers forged and fought to birth as a nation. I love that it grew to
free the slaves and give women the vote. I love that its Armed Forces are willing
to fight for our freedom and that of others. We have a lot to celebrate.
9) What
is your favorite social media? (FB, Pinterest, Twitter etc.?)
I enjoy Facebook. It gives me a chance
to chat with family and friends. They amaze me with their enthusiasm about my
novel and are just plain fun to be around. Maybe I'll like other forms of
social media as I learn how to use them, but for now, it's Facebook. As of last
week I now have two pages--the one I started with at facebook.com/beth.ziarnik and my newest one for
especially for romantic suspense fans at facebook.com/authorBethAnnZiarnik.
10) What
is your favorite recipe? Would you like to share it or do you have plans to
share it on a mailing? Do people need to give you their email for you to share
it with them?
Oven Beef/Venison Stew from an old Homes
& Gardens recipe book I picked up free at a supermarket years ago. It's
basically chunks of meat, carrots, potatoes and onion (lots more onion, if
using vension), and a condensed cream of tomato soup partially diluted as the
sauce. Add whatever salt and pepper you prefer. Mix it all up in a roaster, and
bake covered at 350 degrees for about two to two-and-a half hours. When the
meat is fall-apart tender, it's done. I think that's what Amelia shared with Jill
in one of the scenes in Her Deadly Inheritance. Good idea, Sue, I
think I will share the recipe online at my new Facebook page..
11) Is there anything else you would like to say to your
readers?
Well, yes. I have a confession. For
Jill's fictional house on Grand Island--the one she inherited, I borrowed Mark
Twain's fabulous house in Connecticut. I made a few changes to suit my story,
but otherwise a lot of the features are the same. You can google "Mark
Twain's house" and find a link to its website. Once there, you can explore
the house online. I am a great fan of architecture, especially huge, old houses
with lots of nooks and crannies, and this house is one of the best. Maybe
sometime, I'll get to see it in person.
12) How do you wish
for your readers to contact you?
Thanks again for hosting me, Sue. It's been fun, and I hope
to see you soon!
