An Interview with Gail Gaymer Martin!

Gail's 2 newest books!

Cindy: You write for Steeple Hill, which is the Christian Imprint for Harlequin. Had you published anything prior to that?

Gail: I wrote two novels for Barbour Publishing before Steeple Hill, and I continue to write for them. Before fiction, my first sale was a program book for churches and Sunday school, called Kneel Before The Babe. It consisted of four Christmas programs for worship services. I also wrote hundreds of articles on parenting and teen issues for Christian magazines, using my expertise as a licensed counselor. I also sold VBS and Sunday school material which included articles and short stories for children and adults. One romantic short story was published in Affaire d' Coeur. In 1997, I began writing fiction and sold my first novel in 1998.

Cindy: In order to get anywhere in the writing/publishing business, you need to acquire an agent and a reputable publisher. How difficult is it to convince an agent and/or publisher that your work is worth consideration?

Gail: A writer cannot convince an agent or editor to work with them if their work doesn't stand up on its own. Literary agents want to represent solid, quality fiction, and editors want the same so trying to convince someone I am a good writer just doesn't work. I let my writing stand for itself. It's not always the writing that causes rejections with editors but what they are buying. A publisher looking for suspense doesn't want a romance or perhaps they've recently published a book with a similar story line. I still receive rejections.

Cindy: Wow, you've sold over 3 million copies! Do you attribute that accomplishment to your books being available through Harlequin's Book Club?

Gail: Certainly direct mailing helps to sell novels, but my novels are in book and retail stores all over the country. I see my novels in grocery stores, K-Mart, Walmart, Target and similar stores. The more the books are placed in the public eye the more opportunity readers have to purchase them. Sales come from books readers enjoy. The fact that I've just signed a contract for my 43rd and 44th books is another reason I have so many copies in print. Logically, the more books the more sales.

Cindy: What book was your favorite to write and why?

Gail: That's a difficult question. I love many of my books and can't name a favorite. One book that I feel is my best writing is a novel I'm trying to sell now. Secret Places is a single title women's fiction.

Cindy: And your most difficult one?

Gail: The same book - Secret Places. It's set in Louisiana in Cajun country. It took tremendous research to get the feel of Louisiana, the Cajun people, as well as the jargon, customs, and lifestyle of people in that area. I also needed to know some laws regarding historic homes. The novel is written in two time periods, the forties to the sixties and present day so that added to the research.

Cindy: What are some of the most common errors new authors make?

Gail: Pacing is one of the biggest. Newer authors often don't know where to start a story and how to use scene and sequel to enhance the progress of the story. POV is another. Head-hopping is a problem of many inexperienced writers. Finally, beginning writers don't always understand that everything said and done must move the plot forward. There's no room for chitchat or getting to know each other. The character hops off the train and keeps on running, in the words of CBA editor Karen Ball.

Cindy: You're one of the co-founders of the ACFW organization. How did all of you come up with the idea for the group?

Gail: In February 2000, the six founders met in a chat room to talk about the need for an organization like RWA for romance writing. Secular romance is very different from Christian romance, not in the romantic tension but in the need for sexual description. Personally I think it takes more talent to write a romance without much of the romance being in bed. Our characters learn to love the character's attributes as much as the "body beautiful." In our first on-line meetings, we discussed creating an organization for romance writers, but within a year, we had many Christian fiction writers longing to join but wanting an organization for all genre. In 2002, we reincorporated and changed our name to American Christian Fiction Writers. Today ACFW has a few members short of 2000 writing in all genre, and our conference is the premier Christian fiction conference in the country.

Cindy: What are some of the advantages to belonging to the group?

Gail: ACFW draws the top agents and editors from the major Christian publishing houses to our conference where they offer appointments to those in attendance (first come first served). Many novelists have made contacts at ACFW that have resulted in the agent they wanted or their first book sale. During the year for the price of the membership, ACFW offers free writing classes to members, critique groups, topics of the week, an archive filled with research material, forums where members can discuss genre issues, a monthly newsletter, marketing news and contact with some of the best Christian writers in the country who mentor new authors. They also have a loop where authors can ask questions and receive answers.

Cindy: When you hold your annual conferences, what advantages can you offer a new author/member?

Gail: Besides contact with agents and editors in appointments, these people host tables at lunch and dinner so authors have another opportunity to make contact. We also provide an early bird special at an additional cost with major people in the business. This year attendees could have a full day workshop with Donald Maass, agent and author of the The Breakout Novel and The Fire in Fiction. Six or more continuing sessions are available for writers at all levels, and a multitude of one hour workshops are available on many topics. This year I taught a workshop on Tension and Conflict. These are recorded and available for purchase.

The conference also hosts our annual Award Banquet for winners of the Genesis (unpublished authors) and Book of the Year (published authors). These awards have gained a fine reputation and often lead to a publisher buying the novel. Fellowship, publisher parties, worship and praise are available to those in attendance. Each year an outstanding novelist is the keynote speaker at the conference. This year Debbie Macomber, NY Times Best Selling Author, presented three keynote addresses filled with humor, advice and heart-touching inspiration.

Cindy: Where can readers learn more about you and any new books to watch for?

Gail:

My website is:

http://www.gailmartin.com/,

I am also on Facebook at:

http://www.facebook.com/people/Gail-Gaymer-Martin/1429640580,

Twitter at:

http://twitter.com/GailGMartin,

Shoutlife at:

http://www.shoutlife.com/profile_view.cfm?uid=15129,

and others.

I have a reader's group on Facebook at:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=110543112472&ref=ts.

I have a blog at:

http://www.gailmartin.blogspot.com/

and a monthly newsletter with photos, news, appearance schedule, info on free book contests, and much more.

To subscribe go to my website at:

http://www.gailmartin.com/

and fill in the blanks below the welcome message.

If you are a new writer, please visit my Writing Fiction Right blog at:

http://www.writingright-martin.blogspot.com/.

Writers will find many articles related to all kinds of topics for any genre-secular and Christian fiction-listed in the right hand column.

Cindy: In parting, is there anything else you would like to add to this interview that I may not have covered?

Gail: Thanks for the interview, and if readers are interested, my three book anthology, Monterey Memories, a Barbour release, will be in stores some time in November, just in time for Christmas. If readers enjoy connected series novels, my Man's Best Friend Series, continues into next year. Dad In Training was released by Steeple Hill Love Inspired in September, and although not in stores in October, it can still be purchased from online book stores or an order through your favorite bookstore. The second book, Groom in Training, will be released in February 2010 and Bride In Training, in July 2010. The stories revolved around three women involved in a dog shelter. The book is in memory of our daughter Brenda who fostered and trained dogs until they could be adopted and provided dog obedience training in people's homes.

Here’s just a few of Gail’s Books...

Welcome back Alice Grant!

About the author...

Cindy:

Hi Alice, welcome back to Writer's Block! So, when I last interviewed you, you had just published your first book. More recently, you've published another one, titled "How I Know God Lives - Let Me Count the Ways". Briefly describe that book.

Alice:

"How I Know God Lives- Let Me Count the Ways" is a picture book story that I wrote to inspire children of God's everyday presence. Children don't have the ability to take things for granted like us adults oftentimes do. So, when they see the moon glowing in the night sky, they truly appreciate that someone greater than man placed it there…not magic or scientific notions. This book reassures children that God lives through everything around us including ourselves.

Cindy:

And it's a wonderful story. How did you come up with the idea for that book?

Alice:

Both of my girls at very early ages were inquisitive about how things came to be such as what makes flowers grow, who made the moon, stars and sun or where did all the different animals come from. Immediately, I thought it would make for a beautiful story for children to start building their faith in the greatest Creator, God Almighty.

Cindy:

The book is illustrated. Can you tell the readers how you secured the illustrator?

Alice:

The illustrations were done awhile back by a young man who was recommended to me by a relative. The illustrator's name is Jamal B. Lott. He is a resident of Greenwood, MS as well.

Cindy:

It is my understanding that you're currently working on yet another children's book. What's the title and what is it about?

Alice:

Yes, I do have other books already written, but most my illustrations are not in place as of this moment. The next one in line is titled: "One Lucky Dog."

This is really two books into one. First and foremost, it is a story about a little girl who learns the responsibility of caring for an animal as well a general guide to inform children how to care for a pet. All children want a pet and this book gives them an insight as to what all entails in caring for one. Experiencing hilarious scenarios and adventurous tasks involved with caring for her pug, and even saving his life, the little girl ultimately learns how to properly care for her pug.

Actually, this book is the first of the adventurous/comedy eight book series, "There's A New Pug in Town." And, this is the series I truly hope becomes a cartoon someday.

Cindy:

Once that one is published, what plans do you have for your next book, if any?

Alice:

My plans are simple. Securing an illustrator I find is the most difficult. I'm truly hoping to publish all thirty-six of my children stories and move on to writing Young Adult fiction.

Cindy:

God is the center of our lives and through Him, we can do just about anything. Without going into explicit detail, how has God helped you get through the many obstacles of life?

Alice:

Whenever I lose patience, somehow something or someone comes along and restore it. Whenever my persistence has dwindled, I can turn on the radio or television and suddenly there is a message waiting just for me.

Whenever I become depressed, at that moment, I can receive an uplifting email from a friend, or an encouraging phone call out of nowhere. Whenever something is bothering me and it seems I cannot sleep nights without tossing and turning, somehow a sudden peace will absorb me. It's like in the morning, my heart speaks out loud, "everything is going to be alright" or "I'm okay with it." Whenever I'm feeling unappreciated, alone, or heartbroken, suddenly on the radio a song with the right message at the right time cheers me up. Whenever, I cannot think of anything else to write about, I'll dream about what my next story ought to be.

And whenever, I cannot seem to get thoughts going somehow, my pen get to flowing suddenly and rapidly. The scientist in people would say these things are all coincidental, but I say and believe its God in His own way wrapping His arms around me and giving me that hug I need at that particular moment. The Bible says that God knows the desires of our hearts.

I believe His every word and whenever I start doubting, a scripture will suddenly take over my thoughts thus making life beautiful again: And, I know with all these things and many more that is my God keeping me focused, challenged, persistent, and patient with a beautiful and positive thought thinking process. God has always been there for me, usually unexpected. I can really get carried away, but I kept within limits "without going into explicit detail."

Cindy:

Your focus is on Children's books and you have two daughters of your own. Do they inspire your writing in any way and if so, how?

Alice:

Absolutely! My two girls, next to God are the center of my life. There isn't any topic in their lives that cannot be turned into a children story. I mean, just asking them 'what happened at school today?' can become an amazing children story… really.

Cindy:

Any plans for writing in other genres or perhaps a novel?

Alice:

Yes, as I mentioned earlier, I'm hoping to venture into YA or Young Adult fiction.

Cindy:

After reading one of your books, what do you hope the reader takes away with them from that experience and why?

Alice:

Whatever the moral of that particular story is. After reading, "How I Know God Lives- Let Me Count the Ways," I truly hope the reader walk away with either an appreciation for God's existence or a renewal of faith. After reading "One Lucky Dog," it gives me great pleasure to know that someone learned to properly care for a pet.

Cindy:

Where can we purchase copies of your books?

Alice:

Books can be purchased online amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and lulu.com.

Cindy:

If we want to learn more about you and your work, what websites can we visit?

Alice:

I can be found online at http://www.freewebs.com/alicegrant, http://www.alicegrant.blogspot.com/ and http:/www./goodreads.com.

Cindy:

Now I'm going to go back in a time a little. You actually wrote a book at a very early age and went on to submit that work to a publisher. Briefly describe what the book was about and what were the results of your submission(s)?

Alice:

Of course, you know I was only thirteen. And I submitted the manuscript (if that's what you want to call it) longhand. I cannot remember what the book was about. However, the results of the submission are all too clear. It was a rejection by Bantam Books which is an imprint of Random House. The letter stated that I needed to learn the format of submitting manuscripts. And, that once I'm older, they would be happy to consider any works through an agent. And, what I remember the most was the letter stating that I should never give up on my dream.

Cindy:

Any plans on a rewrite and submission now?

Alice:

If I only had a reputable agent! I'd submit all my work to Bantam Books.

Cindy:

Do you feel writing is just a hobby for you, or do you have plans to continue writing as time permits?

Alice:

Writing started out as a hobby, but I am most definitely looking to make a successful career of it. I truly would like to see my stories ultimately on DVDs for children and the eight book series in cartoon form.

Cindy:

As an author, what do you feel has been the most difficult for you in publishing a book and why?

Alice:

Finding a reputable agent and getting major publishers to take notice.

Cindy:

What methods of promotion have you used in the past and what results did that produce:

Alice:

Well, I'm slow when it comes to promotion. However, a great way to promote books would be online presence.

Cindy:

In retrospect of that, how do you plan to market your newer work?

Alice:

Maintaining an online presence is a great way to promote all future titles.

Cindy:

Does anyone else in your family write and if so, who and what?

Alice:

No ones else in the family writes.

Cindy:

What authors do you enjoy reading the most?

Alice:

Sam Branton, is one of my favorite children authors not because he sold worldwide over 18 million copies of his bedtime children story, 'Guess How Much I Love You," but because although he has published over 50 children books, it is with persistence and the way he humbled himself that he came to write the best bedtime story ever. It's a beautiful story with beautiful illustrations. I just hope I can obtain a tiny portion of his success. Other non-children authors I like are Cindy Bauer, T.D/ Jakes, Nora Roberts, Danielle Steele. The list is endless.

Cindy:

And your favorite books are...

Alice:

At the moment, I'm stuck in children book mode. So the above-mentioned story is my favorite.

Cindy:

As a reader (because all authors love to read as well), would you like to see the bookstores stock more actual books on their shelves from unknown authors as opposed to best selling authors only and why?

Alice:

Of course! Anybody that wasn't somebody had to be given an opportunity in order to become that somebody. We all deserve a shot. I say let the consumer decide… maybe there are readers out there who don't care who wrote the book just so long as it was a worthwhile story for them.

Cindy:

Where can we learn more about you?

Alice:

My website: http://www.freewebs.com/alicegrant

My blog: http://alicegrant.blogspot.com

or at http://www.goodreads.com.

Cindy:

In summary Alice, what else would you like the Writer's Block fans to know about you that I may not have touched base on during this interview?

Alice:

I would like everyone to know that all of my children stories except the eight book series are short in text, but provide a strong interpretation bringing forth a worthwhile message.

Cindy:

Thank you so much for your time and I've enjoyed getting to know you better and to learn what you've been working on since your last one. Thank you for allowing me this time today and keep on writing!

Alice:

Thank you Cindy once again for presenting me in your wonderful newsletter, Writer's Block.

Alice's Books...

Title: Dear Mr. President, Please Send My Daddy Home
Author: Alice Grant
ISBN # 978-1604412932
Publisher: PublishAmerica
Date: January 2008

Mia Lee is eight years old. Her daddy is in Iraq. She understands that he is there serving our country and fighting for Iraqi freedom, but she doesn't understand why he has to be gone away from home as long as he has been. While he has been away, so many family events have taken place. In his absence, he has missed the birth of his son, Mia turning eight years old, Mia's baptism, etc. One day, Mia decides to write a letter to the President of the United States and explains why she wants her daddy home. Surely he will agree! This heartwarming, true-to-life, illustrated picture book will grab you by your heartstrings as you read one child's plea to the President of the United States to send her daddy back home to her and her family, who so desperately miss and need him.

Title: How I Know God Lives - Let Me Count The Ways
Author: Alice Grant
ISBN # 978-0557019199
Publisher: Lulu
Date: November 2008

A delightful illustrated children's book explaining the reasons God lives - from a child's point of view.

• Available now at your favorite bookstores

Norm Goldman - Bookpleasures Reviews

A little background on Norm...

Norm graduated many moons ago from Sir George Williams University (now known as Concordia University) in Montreal, Canada, as well as the Université de Montréal, (Faculté de Droit) Faculty of Law.

For over thirty five years Norm practiced as a Title Attorney and Civil Law Notary. (Notaire) until one day he realized he was no longer having fun practicing his profession.

One of Norm's friends cleverly advised him he should retire. As his friend pointed out, he wouldn't be retiring from life but rather from his profession.

Norm heeded his friend's advice and pursued book reviewing as a hobby, transferring and applying his many skills he had perfected during his years in the legal profession.

Initially, Norm restricted his reviews to one genre, travel and travel adventure, however, Norm gradually started to broaden his scope to other genres.

Today, Norm reviews books that will make you think and are related to business ethics, sports, Internet, Judaica, Canadiana, adventure, historical adventure, travel adventure, contemporary topics, politics, photography, music, and many more-fiction and non-fiction. Norm always welcomes review requests and if he is not interested, he will forward them unto Bookpleasures' prestigious reviewers for consideration.

Norm is a top Amazon 500 Reviewer and to read some of Norm's Amazon reviews numbering over 500 and other articles click here. Norm has also contributed to several other sites, such as Searchwarp.com and Americanchronicle.com, where he is among the top reviewers.

In addition to offering his regular review service, Norm also offers his own personalized Priority, Fast Track & Quick Review Service.

And now for my interview with Norm!

Cindy:

Welcome to Writer's Block, Norm. I'd like to begin this interview with a little background information. Obviously, you love to read. Can you give our readers a brief description of your family life, outside of book reviews?

Norm:

Firstly, I want to thank you for inviting me to participate in your interview.

I have been quite fortunate to be married to a very beautiful wife for the past 41 years. Lily is a talented artist who is fluent in French (her mother tongue), English and Arabic. She can also converse in Italian and Spanish. We have three children and two adorable grandchildren. Fortunately, two of our children live in the same city as we do and one, who recently married, lives in Toronto with his lovely wife. Both are musicians and from time-to-time visit us in Montreal when they are performing here. I love to swim and Lily and I exercise three to four times per week at 7:30 A.M. at our local YMCA. As for hobbies, I guess taking care of my website Bookpleasures.com occupies quite a bit of my time. My wife and I attend various lectures offered by our local library and elsewhere. We also attend several live theatre, musical productions and book reviews in Montreal and Florida, where we winter.

Cindy:

You're one of Amazon's top reviewers. What kind of books do you enjoy reading the most and why?

Norm:

This is a very difficult question to answer as I enjoy reading fiction as well as non-fiction. I guess the books I mostly enjoy reading are historical fiction, biographies, legal thrillers, books concerning corrupted business people, and history. The principal reason for being interested in these topics is that I love to know what makes a person tick.

Cindy:

How did the idea for Bookpleasures come about?

Norm:

Eight years ago, when I was about to retire from the practice of law, I was not quite sure what I was going to do during my retirement years. Before retiring, I decided to prepare myself and write articles concerning the history of Montreal. At the time, the Internet was in its embryo state and, as of now, there were opportunities to contribute articles to several sites.

It was through one of these sites that I met a fellow book reviewer who suggested that I try my hand at reviewing. I have to confess that up to that point in my life, I never reviewed a book. After doing a little Internet research, I decided to take the plunge. I wrote to the Canadian Book Review Annual and asked if I could join their team of reviewers.

The Canadian Book Review Annual was a print publication where you had to write short reviews that were no longer than 300 words. Furthermore, you did not choose your books; they would send books on topics that interested you, and you had two months to write the review.

After awhile, I decided that I would contribute reviews to various Internet sites, however, first I would contact publishers and publicists and determine if they would be interested in having their books reviewed, and if they would be willingly to send me complimentary review copies. It was amazing the response I received and from that point onwards I was off and running.

However, what I found annoying was that when I submitted a review to a particular site, it would sometimes take several days before it appeared. In addition, some of these sites quickly went out of business. It was at this time that I realized it was time to set up my own site and recruit reviewers. I believed in order to have a unique reviewing site it would be wise to recruit reviewers from all over the world. With a little patience and some trial and error, I was able to interest great reviewers from India, Pakistan, England, Canada, USA, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, and some other countries. This was how Bookpleasures.com was born and thanks to the Internet, I was able to communicate with people all over the world!

Cindy:

Do you also write?

Norm:

I started my professional writing career when I began practicing law with very few clients. As a result, I had a great deal of free time on my hands. I decided that I would approach one of Canada's most well known financial publications, The Financial Post, and inquire if they would be interested in receiving articles on Quebec Civil Law. "What the heck," I said, all they could say was "no."

Well, was I in for a surprise when they said yes. They were looking for articles on the topic, and they would even pay me for them. I could not believe my luck, or perhaps I was at the right place at the right time. After a few years, my practice started to take off, and I had to put my writing career on hold until I retired.

It was when I retired that I decided to write travel articles with Lily. We would blend my travel articles with her art -work and write about romantic destinations. We did this for a few years, traveling all over the USA and Canada and posting our articles on various popular travel sites as well as our own site, sketchandtravel.com. However, traveling started to become too much of a chore for us, and it was then I decided to concentrate my writing on reviews and taking care of Bookpleasures.com.

Cindy:

As an editor and a reviewer, what is your biggest "pet peeve"?

Norm:

One of my pet peeves is to receive a book that has not been properly edited. Another is receiving a review copy of a book from a publicist who tries to pass it off as something it is not. As an example, I have received Christian books that publicists try to promote as being crime or romantic novels. Why don't they just be truthful and say, it is a Christian novel with an overt religious message?

Cindy:

If you could, what one piece of advice would you like to share with new authors?

Norm:

It is not easy to become a good writer. You must allot a certain number of hours per day to reading, and particularly the great authors. Try to understand what makes great authors stand out from the mediocre. Next, it is not very difficult today for anyone to go to a computer and dash off something. However, this alone is not writing. You have to draft, re-draft and polish. A thesaurus and dictionary as well as other writing tools should continuously be at your side. Every day you must practice, revise and persist. Remember the old saying: patience is a virtue.

Cindy:

Considering that you are a book reviewer, I can picture a very large library in your home. What kinds of books are in that library? Of those, which genre do you have the most of over others?

Norm:

I guess I can say that I have an equal number of fiction as well as non-fiction books. These range from books on finance, history, mystery and crime, historical fiction, travel, romance, and writing.

Cindy:

If there is a book that's never been written, that you would love to read and review, what would it be about?

Norm:

That is a difficult question to answer. I don't know if there has been a comprehensive book written about the devious behavior of many well-known political figures. The book would include such characters as Yasser Arafat, who stole millions, if not billions, of dollars from his own Palestinians, some US and Canadian politicians, and their shenanigans, as well as African leaders who stole from their people. How was it done? Where did the money end up? What were and are the implications of their actions? Why don't we read more about their devious behavior in the media? You can also throw in some of the officials from the United Nations for good measure.

Cindy:

Does your family also like to read? Do you share the same interests?

Norm:

My wife Lily is a prolific reader and she is one of Bookpleasures' reviewers.

Cindy:

You also conduct interviews. Who are some of the authors you've interviewed and what answer stood out the most in those interviews?

Norm:

I have interviewed over 500 authors and here is a sampling:

" Hank Phillippi Ryan author of the Agatha-winner Prime Time, Face Time and Air Time.

" New York Times best selling author, Joseph Finder

" Best-selling author Michael Dobbs, author of fifteen novels, his latest being Never Surrender: A Novel of Winston Churchill.

" Paul Levine whose novels have been translated into twenty-one languages.

" Entertainment attorney Michael C. Donaldson author of Clearance and Copyright: Everything You Need to Know for Film and Television (Third Edition) that is used in over 50 film schools and has become the standard reference book for the industry.

" Bill Kirton author of The Darkness.

Bill Kirton's reply to what do you think makes a good novel?

"God, Norm, these are hard questions. Harder when I think
that I still get enjoyment out of Madame Bovary, which I've read countless
times, but also out of many of today's crime novelists. The first thing is that
you have to believe what's happening in the pages - even with sci-fi or fantasy
novels. If you're not interested in the characters, it's not worth carrying on.
You have to care about them, worry for them, dislike them for what they do to
others, and pity them. Above all, you need to believe in their reality.

Next, the obvious one is that you have to want to know
what happens. That, too depends on the characters and their interactions, but it
also calls for some careful plotting - either to satisfy the reader by
confirming their own predictions or to surprise them by the unexpected.

Then there's that wonderful extra element that the better
novelists achieve - a sort of layering which gives you the satisfaction of the
story, but also suggest undercurrents, significance just beyond your perceptions
which lingers after you've finished reading, and makes your mind return to
what's happened, or to an image because you know the meaning goes beyond its own
immediate context. On the surface, novels like that are certainly about people,
but they're also about indefinable forces. Sometimes they even transcend the
story.

It's a great form. It gives you so much space in which to
let things develop. You can create echoes between themes that bring together
things, which on the face of it are separate. You hear an animal scream in the
woods as a man reflects on a love he's just lost and you fabricate connections
between them. And when I say 'you' there, I mean the reader. That's another
beauty of the form: the writer provides the raw materials and the indications
but leaves room for the reader to do some work, create some patterns, draw
his/her own conclusions. It's a strange, but powerful intimacy between the
two."

Cindy:

Whom would you like to interview if you ever got the chance?

Norm:

John Grisham, Mary Higgins Clark, James Michener (too bad he is not alive today), Robin Cook and so many others.

Cindy:

What are the requirements for asking for a review from Bookpleasures?

Norm:

The requirements are very simple: Email me the book's title, ISBN number, Publisher and a brief synopsis. Once I receive this information, I will forward it unto our wonderful reviewers for consideration. Unfortunately, as we receive dozens of requests, we can only review some of the requests.

Cindy:

I see that you and your lovely wife like to travel. Where have you traveled to and of those, which was your favorite?

Norm:

We have been to: Paris, Athens, London, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Madrid, Grenada (Spain), Toledo (Spain), Cordoba (Spain), Banff (Alberta), Sedona (Arizona), Phoenix (Arizona), New York, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, San Jose (CA) New England States, Quebec City, Toronto, Vancouver, Prince Edward Island, some of the Greek Islands, Hawaii, all over Florida, and several more places.

Jerusalem was quite an experience as were Hawaii and Spain. We were quite amazed when we stood in a synagogue in Cordoba Spain that dated back to the early 1100s!

Cindy:

Hopefully I've thrown in some questions you've never been asked before. Is there anything else you would like to add that I might not have touched on during this interview?

Norm:

Not really. You just about covered everything and I must admit I had to put on my thinking cap in order to reply to some of your well-thought out questions.

Cindy:

Thank you so much for taking the time for this interview, Norm. I'm sure the readers will enjoy finding out more about you and Bookpleasures. It's been an honor.

Norm:

The honor and pleasure was all mine. Thanks again for asking me to participate in your interview.