Haunting Refrain, a paranormal romance by Mary Marvella, tells the love stores of Sarah and William who have been best friends since her birth. How will they handle learning they were married a one and a half centuries ago? Sometimes a love is so strong one lifetime isn’t enough.
Mary Marvella, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about Haunting Refrain.
Haunting Refrain by Mary Marvella
Genre Paranormal Romance
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): PG
Haunting Refrain is about a love that lasts more than one lifetime. Sometimes one lifetime isn’t enough.
When Sarah Overby, a music professor, finds ghosts in her attic, she hesitates to tell her best friend, William McKeown. She doesn’t think he’ll understand. Telling him he lived a previous life as her husband would make him think she was crazy.
William, the psychology professor, has adored Sarah forever. He just doesn’t realize this isn’t the first time he loved her. His feelings for his best friend are changing, but he doesn’t believe in ghosts, reincarnation, or lasting romantic relationships. How can he handle the idea that he lived a previous life?
Sarah’s ghosts and an old trunk in her attic reveal secrets about the past and tell of a haunting refrain.
Love, Lust, and Sweet Tea.
Tell us about yourself as a person.
What is your personality type?
I love to learn new things. My curiosity knows few bounds. I am disorganized but not.
What was your favorite childhood game?
I was a “Let’s Pretend” child. I made up the games we played in our playhouse in our large back yard. Sometimes I even scared myself. I climbed trees and took my dolls with me.
What is your favorite subject to talk about?
I’ll talk about almost anything, but I LOVE to talk about writing and teaching.
What is your favorite meal?
I love hibachi salmon and shrimp. (The leftovers are amazing)
Tell us about yourself as a writer.
What made you want to be a writer?
I have always been a storyteller, so when I retired from teaching, I decided to write the stories my grandmamas told us. Then I discovered romance novels, and characters in my head insisted their stories must be told.
When you go to a convention, what kinds of things do you take along?
I pack everything I might need. I’m the person with the things others forgot. I take sensible shoes and one purse. Extra clothes are a must since I have been known to wear parts of my meals. No one could wear all the jewelry I take with me, but I LOVE my jewelry!
My laptop goes along, of course, and a rolling briefcase!
What’s your best advice for a new writer?
Write as much as you can. If all that comes to mind is crap, write it, and sort it out later. NEVER throw away anything you write. Keep a file of deleted material to revisit and repurpose.
What are your writing goals for the next year or so?
I hope to finish book one of a paranormal series and a paranormal novella I started. I have plenty of unfinished projects waiting.
Where to buy Haunting Refrain
Publisher M. Barfield Publishing
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0057033GG/
Barnes and Noble http://bit.ly/3boecze
Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/65206
Mary Marvella Social Media
Mary Marvella has been a storyteller for as long as she can remember. The arrival of the book mobile was as exciting as hearing the music of the ice cream truck. As a child of the South, she inherited the storytelling gene from her parents and writes with a southern flair.
Retired from teaching classic works of the masters, Mary plays let’s pretend with her characters. She has published 10 novels, 1 book on editing, and a collection of Christmas stories.
Mary tutors and coaches writers when she isn’t working on projects as a freelance editor. She has always been a grammar geek who loved soaking up new knowledge and reading everything, including labels on cereal boxes.
Mary has taught workshops for Georgia Romance Writers, Northeast Metro Atlanta Christian Writers, Savvy Authors, Hearts through History (RWA) and FF&P (RWA) and The Southern Pen Indie Conference. Mary loves teaching so much she published a book called Weeding of your Manuscript: What Editors Wish You Knew
Website www.MaryMarvella.com
Blog https://pinkfuzzyslippersauthors.wordpress.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/mmarvellab
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mmbarfield https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mary-Marvella- Author/121044561311561
Pinterest https://www.instagram.com/marymarvella/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/marymarvella/
Goodreads https://goodreads.com/author/show/4909455.Mary_Marvella
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Marvella/e/B008E1SJ32/
Barnes and Noble https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/MaryMarvella
Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/MaryMarvella
Pleased to have you back, Mary!
Good morning! Thanks bunches, Kayelle! You know how to make an author feel welcome! This story haunted me until I wrote it!
Funny how some stories do that. I’m working on one like that now.
Great interview! And enjoyed the book too.
When my husband and I were first together, he used to tell me he believed we’ve been lovers for centuries, sometimes switching sexes, but always searching for each other. Even though I’m the one to write romance, I think he’s more of a romantic than me!
I’m also in love with words, as you are. I joke that words are my life. I’ve been an English teacher forever, and until recently was subbing in high schools, so I could encourage readers to continue, and others to begin reading for fun. I’ve also tutored younger kiddies in grammar and writing. In my spare time, I do crosswords–and I love puns, and learning new words.
Fun to read about this book.
Some stories won’t turn us loose! Some characters are tenacious.
Thanks for stopping by, Sharina! Did you learn anything new about me? GRIN!
Thanks, Fiona! Notice I didn’t use the word reincarnation. It felt like a cop-out.
We old English teachers just can’t stop teaching. I love a person who loves to share. Your hubby sounds interesting!
As a die-hard romantic, the idea of a love lasting through time is right up my alley. I’ve also studied that R-word you say you don’t want to use, and the theory goes that we tend to reoccur with the same people through time, but as different sexes, races, and in different circumstances. Hubby and I tend to think that we’ve been together before, too. Maybe he thinks my nagging isn’t enough for one lifetime, though he’d circumspect enough not to say that. ;)
When I used to get aggravated at my husband, when he’d be napping while I was cleaning house AND watching the kids, I’d tell him that I want to be a man in my next life. One time he smirked at me, telling me, “I was a VERY good woman in my past life–I earned this!” LOL.But then, when discussions emerged about which is better–being a male or a female? I always said there was NO competition, due to two words–multiple orgasms. I win!
OMG that is the winner for sure! lol
Several of my readers have told me stories about their reincarnations. I love the idea, though I made it up for this book. Or rather the characters told me their story.
Fiona, your husband sounds like a fun fella! I agree on the multiple orgasms! My EX had no clue.
Dee, I was being a smart-ass about the word reincarnation. I wanted to stress the love again aspect. I haven’t studied it but i love reincarnation romances.
Great interview! How did I not know about this book? A loves that transcends time is right up my alley!