Author Interview: The Betrayal by Sheila Hendrix

Review: The Betrayal
Series: —
Author: Sheila Hendrix
No of Pages: 219
Release Date: October 6th 2010 by sheila hendrix

Synopsis:

One brother races against time to save the other before it’s too late. When Matt has a dream, it sends two brothers on a hunt for a cave. Matt doesn’t know why they have to go there; he just knows they have to go. When they arrive, Matt finds out that the vision turns out to be a trap. A Darkness like no other wants to control Matt and kill Zack. When a demon asks Zack a question, “How far will you go to save your brother,” Zack replies, “As far as I have to.” Now something like they’ve never faced before is on a deadly mission to destroy everything the brothers hold dear and if they are not careful, neither of them will be able to escape.

Excerpt:

He roamed through the cave, listening to the sounds around him. Water dripped into an underground pool further down, the drops spaced several seconds apart and the splash echoing off the rocks. Sand and pebbles crunched under his feet, and wind whistled across the cave opening, all of it familiar. He’d walked that cave a million times for a million reasons. His domain — where he drew his strength — also became his weakness at times, for the cave was alive.

His name, Alanya, meant The Destroyer. He wandered the ages, seeking to slaughter people who held special gifts. He fed on them for their strength and power, each special power offering a distinctive flavor. Their cries resonated in the cave’s memory; their blood splattered on its walls and drenched its floors. If he closed his eyes and concentrated, he could still smell the coppery tang.

Strolling to the mouth of the cave, he looked at but didn’t see the forest. His mind seethed in his hatred for the brothers Zachariah and Matthew McCannon.

Author Interview:

Thank you so much for doing this interview for My Seryniti.

It’s my pleasure. Thank you for having me.

How did this start for you? Image, Idea, Dream?

I came up with the idea for The Betrayal after a nightmare I had that stayed with me for days. Nightmares don’t usually bother me but this one did. I sort of new how I wanted the story to go but I was having trouble with some of the plot. I started thinking how so many times family tears each other apart instead of coming together so I wanted to do it differently in the story. Zack and Matt love each other unconditionally. Either one of them will do whatever they have to do to make sure the other is safe, even if it’s mean dying to save the other. I think if people were more like that in real life, this world would be a wonderful place.

Did you have any growing pains with this novel?

I had major growing pains with this novel. I can’t tell you how many times I wrote and rewrote it to get it just the way I wanted it.

How would you most like readers to respond?

I’d like them to get into the love and loyalty of the two brothers. I want them to be able to read the story and feel like they’re right there with them in the story. I want it to move them.

Do you have a message you try to convey when writing a story?

Yes. We are all brothers and sisters in this world. We need to care about each other and not be selfish. Love one another. Be our brother/sister’s keeper and change the world.

What are you reading right now?

Nora Roberts, The Last Boyfriend and Heather Graham’s, Sacred Evil.

Are there any authors (living or dead) that you would name as influences?

Absolutely. Nora Roberts is my all time favorite. I also love Heather Graham, Melissa Mayhue, Lynn Kurland, Shannon K. Butcher, Lara Adrian and Lisa Jackson.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

I love to read, work in my yard, travel. I’m also a full time nurse and I’m in school to be a paralegal.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Yes. Ever since I was a little girl. I just didn’t think I could.

How did you break into the industry?

After I wrote the manusript I sent it out to several publishers. Some rejected it and a couple liked it, but I didn’t want to sign a contract so I self published.

What is your writing style? Do you create outlines for your writing or do you just sit and type away?

I do both. I just depends on what kind of mood I’m in a the time. I always carry a notebook with me so if I get a brainstorm I can get it down on paper so I won’t forget. Mostly I just sit and type.

Do you listen to music while writing?

Sometimes, but most of the time I like it quiet so I can concentrate.

What is your next project? What have you been working on recently?

I’ve started the second book in The Dark Circle series, Head Games.

Now for the silly questions! Hang on to your hat! 🙂

Do you have a guilty pleasure?

Ha Ha! Doesn’t everybody? I think a better question is, do I have a guilty fantas?. Now that would open a can of worms I’m not sure I need to open.

What is your favorite word?

Vacation!

What is your least favorite word?

Work.

Do you talk to your characters?