Interviews
1. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
So many things. I am a freelance article writer and entrepreneur. I’m originally from Jamaica and grew up in Miami. I moved back a couple of years ago because I needed to make a serious change to start living the life I wanted. Offline, my Dad and I are working on an agribusiness with the plan of growing what we eat and online, I’m writing and working on a marketing business as well so I’m excited about the year so far with the publication of my first fiction book. It’s a dream come true.
2. Describe your book Unchained Hearts (Baxter Family Saga) in 30 words or less.
It’s a drama about the lives of two couples. One is the mother and father of the main character Kyle Avery and the other is Kyle and Brandon. Both couples have to deal with circumstances beyond their control that try to tear them apart permanently.
3. What was the hardest part of writing your book?
It was being careful not to judge every word. Writing a book is hard enough but when you’re judging every word, it can be even more harrowing and that’s my challenge. I want to make sure I’m true to the story first, last and always so I had to make sure I gave it a fair chance to “come out” so to speak
4. What books have had the greatest influence on you?
I am a lover of Barbara Taylor Bradford from early on. I have such respect for her writing, she’s a great epic writer and I love Emma Harte. She’s one of the most inspirational female characters I know. I also loved Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God. Another strong woman who overcame so much and was still standing on her own terms at the end of it.
5. Briefly share with us what you do to market your book?
I have a great publisher who really works hard to get the word out. I do podcasts interviews, blog spotlights, guest blogs, event takeovers, and I work with Twitticus Marketing/ Book Promotions to do targeted email blasts, and tweets on my own as well as my own blog. It’s great to have the support to get the word out and between those two companies, I’m happy.
6. How do you spend your time when you are not writing?
I’m always writing BUT when I’m fortunate to have a lull in my schedule, I hit my Kindle reading list, which is growing. I’m checking out the classic I love like Pride & Prejudice and Jane Eyre. I’m also checking out the books of some of my colleagues because I’ve read the excerpts and I’m bowled over by the talent we have at Beau Coup Publishing. I’m looking forward to reading them.
7. What are you working on next?
Well Book 2 is in the hands of the publisher right now and I’m looking forward to getting that out in about April. I will be prepping for hat release with some special events. In between that I’ll be researching and starting Book 3. So I’m working between the drops and having a great time doing it!
Palessa started reading her first romance novel, at the age of 11. Then she got introduced to V.C. Andrews, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Anne Rice and many more notable contemporary authors as well as some of the classics, A Tale of Two Cities, Their Eyes Were Watching God, The Great Gatsby and others. It was during her teenage years that she dabbled in writing. First, it was in her diaries, then she started creating characters, stories about romance, the supernatural and much more. Being an International Baccalaureate student as well as entering college, left little time for writing and so she put it and the ideas aside to pursue a career. It would take almost 20 years, a radical move from the city she grew up in, Miami, FL back to her Caribbean birthplace, and a chance Facebook meeting with Sable Hunter to start the juices flowing again.
After some fits and starts, the Baxter Family Saga was born. Unchained Hearts is Palessa’s first published fiction book with Beau Coup Publishing. Book 2: Portrait of Gray was released April 2014. She considers herself just a storyteller that sees no reason to shy away from the juicier romantic elements. She currently lives in the mountains of Jamaica with her crazy, cracker-munching-mutt Ivy and a farm, primarily managed by agribusiness partner, also known as Dad.
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Continue the Baxter Family Saga with book 2
Grayson Baxter, first born of Julian and Joan, has always been the prodigal of the Baxter clan. He’s been deep into drug use since he was a teenager. As his brother Cass enters a new phase in his life and is headed towards taking over the family business, Grayson’s drug use worsens. With the help of his friend, Jerry, he plans to break away from the family that hates him but something goes terribly wrong. After tragedy strikes and with the help of a unique facility, he gets his life back. As he discovers and pursues his desire to become a therapist, he falls in love with Bindi Gail and they start a life together until he has to make a decision that tears them apart.
As he navigates an unexpected turn of events, Cass disappears just as he and Virgilia were about to embark on a cruise. Grayson works to find out what happened and befriends a police officer with whom he has a special history. Carla Genny is a bright officer, a budding detective being eyed for a special hybrid of the Bureau and local police. Their professional relationship turns to friendship and becomes more as she, along with specially chosen members of the squad, works with him on a serial rape case that’s scaring Miami. The existence and protection of a special witness puts the team on high alert. It’s during this last assignment that Carla’s training is put to the test and Grayson’s love is realized.
You can connect with Palessa on her Blog, Facebook, Google+, Amazon, Pinterest, and Goodreads
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