interview with author Pauline Holyoak

Please welcome author Pauline Holyoak!




Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Today is by Birthday! I grew in Southeast England, in a coal mining village lovingly nicknamed, “The place that time forgot.” Go to my website, click on ‘Articles’ and find out why. I immigrated to Canada when I was 21years old. I came, in search of adventure and a new life. I now live in Alberta with my sports crazy husband, adorable sheltie dog and cantankerous ginger cat. I am the proud mother of two grown children. They are the gems in my treasure chest.

As far back as I can remember the pen and paper have been my faithful companions and story telling my forte. As a child I was shy and reclusive. I lived in my inner world of fantasy and make-believe, preferring the company of Mother Nature and my imaginary friend, to that of other children. Often, I would sneak away from the mundane adult world, find a private retreat (usually behind the garden shed) and imagine. There in my own little sanctuary with tools in hand, I'd conjure up all kinds of intriguing tales and colorful characters, then I’d read them to my imaginary friend. She was always ‘so’ attentive.
I ran away from home when I was 16, to join a band of hippies and live on the streets of London. I went to challenge the establishment, proclaim peace, escape the hum-drub village life and find myself. I lived in la…la…land with the flower children for about a year but I never did find myself. I have now! I think??



Do you have a hobby besides writing?
I love to read, cook, entertain, travel, going for long walks in the country and daydreaming.
Do you have a process in you writing routine? I write long hand in my purple room, at my antique desk, under a large picture window and then I type it into the cold inanimate piece of equipment I call my computer and edit as I go. Young people think this is weird but the blank screen does not inspire me. The view outside my picture window does.


What are some of your favorite author’s and some of your favorite books you’ve read? 
I like to read mixed genres. One of my favorite books is Anne of Green Gables. As a child I fantasized about living in a big house, in the country, with a wraparound porch just like Green Gables. And, like me, Anne had a wild and vivid imagination. I like the domestic bliss of Rosamund Pilcher, the fearful suspense of Lisa Jackson, the magic of J.K. Rowling’s, and the gut-wrenching horror and Stephen King. My favorite author is Dr. Wayne Dyer. I have all his books. I call him my spiritual mentor. My favorite book? Well, that would have to be mine. Hey, you asked. My trilogy has all the elements I like, romance, fantasy, humor, horror and sex.

What inspired you to write your Merryweather Lodge trilogy? 
Every summer, when I was a child, we would visit my aunt and uncle at their quaint and mysterious little cottage on Salisbury Plain. It was called Scotland Lodge and was situated not far from the historical Stonehenge. My uncle worked as a farm hand for the local squire. My aunt tended the manor house. It was there as I roamed free, deep within the English countryside, that I experienced joy, enchantment and some very strange and frightening occurrences. It was like a fairytale kingdom with a sinister twist. The memories of my summers at Scotland Lodge stayed with me, as a sort of nagging unsolved mystery all my life. A few years ago I revisited my childhood wonderland and was lead to concocting this story and writing this book. It is from my mystifying holidays, at that remote little cottage, that this trilogy has emerged.


Can you tell those who don’t know about your trilogy, a bit about it?
My trilogy is about a Druid Priestess who comes back to the place where she was slaughtered in search of the reincarnation of the soul that stole the man she loved and killed her. My protagonist, Emily Fletcher, is to discover after many horrifying experiences and finding her soul mate, Jonathan McArthur that she is that reincarnated soul. My fictional world holds traces of reality. Some of the elements and events in my spine-chilling trilogy are true. In book number 3 I will talk about my experiences at that remote little cottage, near Stonehenge.

In a few words would you tell us about character Emily?
Emily Fletcher is an attractive, strong-willed young woman, who struggles with her self image, volatile temper and bad habits. She’s a vegetarian and a progressive thinker. Like me, she likes her own space and often wanders into the country to ponder and seek solace from Mother Nature. She has always dreamt of living a simple life, in her aunts enchanting little cottage, with her gorgeous prince charming. If only she could be rid of the entity that taunts her. She has a psychic gift but doesn’t know how to use it. Well, not yet.


What are the paranormal aspects of your story?
Reincarnation, druids, friendly and not so friendly spirits, a haunted collage and the wrath of a dead, jilted lover!
Would you tell us a bit about the romance between Emily and Jonathan? They are soul mates, literally. The bond that they have has survived many incarnations. They were meant to be together for eternity. But, real life, their distinct personalities and an unearthly entity, stops them form getting too close, too intimate, for too long. Their love affair is a slow and progressive, with sudden flashes of titillating foreplay. But, at the end, their climax will knock your socks off!
Would you tell us a little of what you’re working on next? The last book of this trilogy. I hope to have it completed by the spring.

Fun questions
What your favorite color? Purple – It is the color of spirit or so they say. But how would ‘they’ know?
Do you have any pets? Yes, I am an animal lover. We have an affectionate ginger cat, named Sam U.L. And an adorable Sheltie, named Maggie Mae.
What your favorite movie and TV show? My favorite movie? Harry Potter! Of course. T.V. show? Murdoch Mysteries, Coronation Street and, Law and Order. I like anything that has an element of horror, suspense, fantasy or British humor.
Do you have a favorite food or place to eat? I don’t eat mammal. Don’t ask! But I do love to eat! Some of my favorites; fish and chips, veggie pizza, all kinds of salads, with lots of dressing, bluberries, apple crumble, cheese cake and chocolate. Dark chocolate, with red wine. Yummy!

Thank you for inviting me to your blog Laurie. I had a blast!
My books are available in print or eBook format at http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com or www.amazon.com

Please come visit me at http://www.paulineholoak.com read about my fascinating life and view my videos.