Introducing New Author Peggy Blann Phifer and Her Book "To See the Sun"

Peggy Blann Phifer is an author and columnist, book reviewer and author interviewer, whose work has appeared on various Web sites and writer periodicals both in print and online. She is also an avid reader who loves to escape by diving between the covers of a good book. Peg enjoys handcrafts of all kinds and her home shows off some of her work, though most end up as gifts for friends and family. A retired executive assistant, Peg now makes her home in southern Nevada with husband of 25 years, Jim.

TO SEE THE SUN is her debut novel, released January 2012

Contact her at her website

Visit her blog "Whispers in Purple" 

Facebook.com/pegphifer

Twitter.com/pegphifer

 

Getting to know Peg has been a joy. She's generous, a hard worker, and fun. She's taught me a thing or two like never give up on your writing and to write from your heart.

As an added bonus to reading about Peg and her book, if you comment, dear reader, I'll enter your name into a drawing to win either a paperback or E-book of "To See the Sun." I'll close the contest after a week on February 16th. and announce the winner on the 17th. Please leave your E-mail address within the comment box.

Welcome to Peg's world!

Peg, is “To See the Sun” dear to your heart, and if so why? 

Yeah, it is. Mainly because I carried it for so long! As my ‘first born’ I think it will always have a special place in my heart.

Tell us a little about who you are. How would you define yourself?

Seriously introverted. I took the Briggs-Myers test (or is it the other way around?) and came out as 80% Introvert. Which did not surprise me in the least. Alone, I’m the star of the show, witty and charming, outgoing. In public, I’d just as soon blend into the wallpaper. I don’t enjoy meeting strangers. Not a good thing for a writer, and especially troubling now that I’ll be required to be all those things in person.

Is this book’s setting based on a real place?

Las Vegas, yes. This is my adopted home town, now. I’ve lived here since 1980. I’ve mentioned some real places, like Ruby Tuesday’s and McDonald’s, I don’t give any specific locations. The Las Vegas Hilton, is, of course real. The North Las Vegas airport is real. Green Valley is real, but Erin’s gated community and bungalow are completely fictional. And Vegas is rampant with high-rise condominiums, so Erin’s penthouse could be anywhere. The same with Doug and Astrid’s estate.

Would you give us the jacket blurb from the book?

Pregnant and widowed hadn’t been part of her “happily ever after” dream. And now, someone was trying to kill her . . .

Erin Macintyre never expected to be a widow and a new mother in the same year, anymore than she expected mysterious notes, threatening phone calls, and a strange homeless man who seems to know all about her. The thought of raising a child without a father is daunting enough—worse when you have no idea who might want to harm you. Put an old flame into the mix, and her life begins a tailspin into a world she never knew existed.

When P.I. Clay Buchanan, stumbles upon Erin at her husband's gravesite, he’s totally unprepared for her advanced pregnancy. Her venomous reaction at seeing him, however, was predictable. But Clay can’t let her distrust, or his guilt, get in the way—not when he has evidence that proves Erin’s life is in danger.

With few options left, Erin begrudgingly accepts Clay’s help . . . and it just might be her undoing.

Very nice blurb, Peg. What keeps you the most humble as a writer?

The realization that I’m just one small frog—make that a tadpole—in a huge pond. Each step along the way has already been taken by countless others ahead of me. I am not unique. I need those others who’ve “been there, done that” to teach me . . . from whom to learn. (Hm, I think I’ve mixed my metaphors.) When I get a little prideful, I get a gentle whisper that goes something like “Hey, Peg, you wouldn’t be where you are without Me.”

Is your writing journey as you envisioned it? If not, how is it different?

 Not in the least! I think most new writer wannabe’s believe they’ll be an overnight success. They’ve got the best story, best plot, best characters to write that Great American Novel. Then reality hits. My reality was a twenty-year struggle to get the book of my heart written. Never saw that coming. Talk about humbling.

What do you do to rest, but still be creative?

I read. Reading relaxes me while still stimulating my mind. A turn of phrase, an exquisite description . . . will have me reaching for a notepad because it’s given me a creative idea. No, I don’t copy, but it will trigger a new thought. Does that make sense?

Yes, it does make sense, because I do the same thing. So, Peg, what motivates you to get out of bed and head to your keyboard?

Nothing. Ha! Because that’s not the way my day starts. It may be several hours before I can get to the computer.

If you weren't a writer, what would you most likely be doing instead?

I love writing and being a writer. But I love designing, creating beauty. I’d probably be an Interior Designer. I love playing with colors and effects. When my hands were still cooperative, I loved crafting.

What sparks your creativity when feeling drained?

See above. J

If you were an ice cream, what flavor would you be?

Chocolate

What is your favorite dessert and least favorite?

I’m not a dessert/sweet-tooth person. Weird, huh?

I don't think it's weird, that's great! What types of books do you like to read?

My reading tastes are all over the place. I love historical fiction set in other countries and eras . . . Medieval, Regency and Victorian, but the majority of my reading these days is in Suspense, since that’s the genre I write in.

Tell us a few things about yourself some folks may not know.

Oh, dear. I have a temper. And yes, it gets me in trouble. I’m not particularly fond of ‘Prairie Romance’ novels. I can’t stand oatmeal. I fear dark basements.

  

Who was the greatest influence for you as a writer? 

A prolific writer named Emilie Loring. She wrote the most wonderful books, mostly set during the 1940’s-50’s. Not exactly suspense, but definitely had antagonists that created havoc for the protagonists. Conflict aplenty. I devoured them and thought I’d like to write like that. Clean, moral fiction, though secular, but I often felt she was a Believer. I’m certain a lot of Emilie Loring rubbed off on me.

Where can readers get your book?

·         Amazon.com

·         Amazon Kindle

·         B&N (nook)

Thank you, Peg, for agreeing to this interview. I am sure your readership will grow as more folks hear about and then read To See the Sun.  I don't doubt that word of mouth will spread the news, also. I'll certainly share the news!