As the author of three time travel romances set in the mysterious setting of Ancient Ireland, Janeen O'Kerry has opened the door to a whole new setting for time travel, and now historical novels.

Now, as the owner of the Magical Romance Website, I would like to open the door to Janeen O'Kerry herself as she visits this corner of the web for an interview.
 

LB    Firstly, could you tell us a little bit about yourself as an introduction to the visitors to the Magical Romance Website?

JO'K    Hello!  After living for nearly twenty years in Columbus, Ohio, USA, I recently moved to Phoenix, Arizona.  The desert is beautiful, very different from Ohio -- and very different from Ireland, where my books are set.  I worked in Corporate America for many years.  Just this past July I was able to quit that and stay home to write full-time.
 

LB    Your time travel novels are set in ancient Ireland.  What first drew you to this time period?

JO'K    My family can be traced back to mid-19th century Ireland.  And the Iron Age -- the ancient days -- were a beautiful and (relatively) peaceful time.  This was also a pretty good time for women, all things considered.  Women were not property, they were fully protected under the law, and generally well-respected within their own communities.

Whatever place you choose to write about, you must remember that you're going to spend a lot of time there.  It may as well be a place that you like!
 

LB    Do you plan on using any other settings for your novels?

JO'K    I'm also interested in the late 19th century, right about 100 years ago.  They were going through many of the same difficulties that we face today; they were going from the agricultural to the industrial age, and we are going from the industrial to the information age.  The world was changing very, very quickly, and bringing with it a host of terrible and wonderful things.
 

LB    Have you had the opportunity to visit Ireland, and if so, what was the most enjoyable experience?  If you have not had the pleasure, would you like to go there and what would you like to do/where would you like to visit while there?

JO'K    Have never been to Ireland, though of course I would love to do so!  I'd visit the most ancient sites -- the older, the better, for me -- and I would love to have a chance to ride horses over that countryside while there.
 

LB    What do you like to read for inspiration and who are your favourite authors?

JO'K    I'm very fond of science fiction and fantasy, though I find that I read less and less fiction these days.  It may be an occupational hazard of being a writer.  I still love J.R.R. Tolkien, Anne Rice, Ray Bradbury, and Arthur Clarke.  I've always got a stack of non-fiction books that I'm reading.  I'll pick up anything on the British Royal Family.  I was a great admirer of Princess Diana.
 

LB    How do you go about researching your novels and what is the most challenging aspect of writing time travels set in this unusual setting?

JO'K    I've got a whole stack of books on Ireland and the ancient Celtic religion.  The time travel actually fit quite nicely with this time and place, for the Irish were great believers in magick and in a place called the Otherworld.
 

LB    Do you see yourself writing other genres in the future or do you see yourself sticking with time travel?

JO'K    I think I'm done with the time travels, having done three of them.  I'm still using the same ancient Irish setting but the books will now be straightforward historical romances.
 

LB    Do you have any tips for all the hopeful romance writers out there?

JO'K    Learn all you can about the craft, and the art, of writing.  Put down that romance novel you're reading and pick up Writer's Digest Magazine.  Understand that it is a business.  The secret is to be professional.
 

LB    Could you tell us what you are working on at the present time, and what can we expect to see on the shelves in the coming months?

JO'K    The current work is SISTER OF THE MOON, which is also set in ancient Ireland.  The plot turns on the old festival called Samhain -- better known to us as Halloween.  You can read an excerpt on my website: http://www.dancris.com/~jdeboard  Don't know yet when it will be out!
 

LB    And finally, do you have a message for all your readers out there?

It's great to know that you *are* out there!

Writers get surprisingly little feedback -- especially relatively new writers like me.  I would love to hear from anyone who's read one of my books and would like to tell me what they thought, both good and not-so-good.

You can email me at:  okerry@mailcity.com

*Sonas!*
Janeen O'Kerry
 

I would like to thank Janeen O'Kerry for taking the time to do this interview.  And for anyone who is curious as to the meaning of "Sonas" check out Janeen's website for the translation as well as news of her upcoming novels.
 

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Books by Janeen O'Kerry:  Lady of Fire, Queen of the Sun and Mistress of the Waters.

Visit Janeen O'Kerry's website