Interview, Giveaway, and Review: Author Gale Laure

Today we welcome author Gale Laure to the blog! After reading and reviewing her debut novel, Evolution of A Sad Woman, I wanted to learn more aboout her. She was kind enough to answer my questions, which I have posted below. Today she will be blogging with us, so please feel free to ask your questions! Ms. Laure has also offered to give away a signed copy of her book to a lucky winner! Be sure to leave a comment today in order to be entered in the drawing. Also, include your email address so we can contact the winner. Enjoy!


How did you come up with the title of your book?
Really, it just flashed into my head one night. I believe Kizzy evolves into a sad woman throughout my book and the mystery of her life. She started out as a beautiful, inquisitive, fascinating, innocent child. Life changed her, as life changes many of us.

Keziah Theriot is an unsual name. How did you come up with the name of your main character?
(Smile) "Keziah" is an old name from way back in my family. When I did genealogical research, I found it. I love unusual names. I believe we are unique people. So--thus--our names should be unique.
Kizzy was very unique. She deserved a special name.
"Theriot" is a pretty common name in the Houston area. It is a family name from my husband's side of the family. I just liked the way the two names sounded together. They seemed to capture her essence.

"Each man has known the same Kizzy, and yet, an entirely different woman" (126). I enjoyed how you developed Kizzy's character through the flashbacks of the five men who knew and loved her. It's true, people change depending on who they are with. How did you manage these multiple point of views?
I suppose I get inside my characters. I wanted to see each Kizzy through each man's eyes. Kizzy is a very complicated character as you will see in the sequels to "Evolution".
Also, I tried to get inside of Kizzy's mind. My writing reflected how she would react to each man, his love, his passion for her, and his personality.

When asked if he believed in angels, Catholic priest C.D. Casmiersky replied,"I believe in life after death. I don't know whether God permits the soul to return to earth. Angels were mentioned in the Bible. I suppose people have unexplainable evidence of angels these days" (148). Do you believe in angels?
Oh yes! I believe an angel or the Lord put this novel in my head. I truly can offer no other explanation for this story. It was just there one day.
However, I try to show that my characters have doubts, feelings and disagreements with each other and within themselves. I believe this makes us human. I strive to make my characters real--human.

Is this novel based on a true story?
It is not a true story. It is fiction. Perhaps my characters are partially true to life. They are compilations of people I have known and people I have observed. I am a people-watcher. I love the human-being with all the frailties and strengths.

Is there a message in "Evolution of a Sad Woman" that you want readers to grasp?
Yes. The reason I write is "the message". The message is that you can survive the most horrible things in your life. You can come out on the other side, sometimes with a beautiful surprise---a fantastic ending or a new beginning. We must have faith and keep hope. From bad can come good!

Do you have a favorite character in this novel?
Kizzy. Of course I love all my characters. But Kizzy is the pivitol force that guides this story. Without her, there would be no story.

How long did it take you to write "Evolution of a Sad Woman"?
Just to write the book---about six months. However, I went to visit my sister out of town. While I was gone, my husband upgraded my computer for me as a surprise. The backup he did of the system was corrupt. The book was lost! I was devastated.
So I sat down and rewrote the novel. Actually it was better the second time.

What was the publishing process like for you? What is the one thing other writers should be prepared for when seeking publication?
Rejection! Lots of rejection. It can hurt tremendously when you know in your heart that your work is worthy of attention and publication. To an author, your work is your child. You created it. You nurtured it. You love it.
But if you truly believe in your work and the people around you support you, you do not give up! Ever!

What has been the best avenue for you in marketing your book?
Reviews! A good review is a great support of your work.
For me--the Internet has played a large part. An author should also join the social networks. You can meet some very nice people, like you. I also recommend a book tour or book signings. This really boosted my sales.
And of course--you need a good Internet marketing person. The man who handles my marketing is tremendous. He handles my website and gets my website hightly ranked within the search engines. But I want to warn people. There are some unscrupulous marketing firms out there. Beware! Do your homework.

What type of feedback have you received from your readers? Can you share with us some of their responses?
One lady told me she cried. I mean--she really cried--a lot! She said she cried with sadness and elation all at the same time. Another lady became very angry when I let something (I don't want to ruin it for future readers) very bad happen to one of the characters. I think you know who I mean. This upset her because she loved the character.
I have never had anyone say they figured out the mystery. They have all been deliciously stumped and fascinated by the ending.
Many responses I have received in foreign languages. I do not know what they are telling me, but they cared enough to write. I find it interesting that they read my novel in English, but write to me in their foreign language.
So many of my readers hound me to get the sequels out. Even one of my editors wanted some clues as to what happens to the characters. I laughed and told him he had to wait.
I love to hear from readers.

What can you tell us about the next novel in the series, "Alana--Evolution of a Woman"?
Ha Ha Ha! You, too, huh! Well, all the characters will be back. Alana is much older, a teenager. She is a handful. After all, she is Kizzy's daughter. She has a boyfriend and girlfriends. There is a serial killer involved, a kidnapping, a stalker and the gold pen is back. Be prepared for the mystery of Kizzy's death to resurface. We are not done with Kizzy yet! Or should I say--she is not done with us!

Gale Laure is a pseudonym. Why did you decide to write under a different name?
I am a very private person. I wish to keep my professional career and my private life separate. I chose this life, not my family. Whatever happens to me in the public eye should not affect them in any way. I will protect them at any cost.

Can you give your readers 5 adjectives that describe you--the writer?
detailed, complicated, curious, romantic, intense


Thanks for answering all my questions, Gale! Now for my review...

“Evolution of a Sad Woman” is as much a story about solving a mystery as it is a story about love. This international selling novel opens with the horrific death of a beautiful, troubled woman named Keziah Theriot. Was her death a result of a robbery turned tragic or was she murdered by a calculated killer? A week before her untimely demise, Kizzy left her will in the hands of Mr. Alexander--a local lawyer she had never met, but felt she could trust. Why? Kizzy left a small fortune to five beneficiaries and asked that they solve the mystery of her death and find her "most prized possession". These five heirs are the men Kizzy truly loved and trusted. William Newton, an attorney from New York, raised Kizzy after her parents’ death. Tom Hastings, a former pro-football player, dated Kizzy in high school. Jimmy Smithson, Houston cabdriver, met Kizzy in Los Angeles while they both pursued acting. Evan Picard, Houston homicide detective, first met Kizzy when he was young and she was his babysitter. Their paths crossed again years later while he attended the police academy and they subsequently dated. Father C.D. Casmiersky, Catholic priest, first met Kizzy in Los Angeles and nurtured her spirituality. These five men, strangers to each other, are united to find the truth. Sharing flashbacks of their time spent with Kizzy, they worked together to solve the mystery surrounding the death of their beloved. The surprising truth behind Kizzy's "prized possession" is revealed in the final chapters and well worth the wait!
The use of multiple viewpoints really strengthened the character development of Keziah Theriot. It's true, people change depending on who they are with. The psychological play between Kizzy and her lovers was very interesting and entertaining.
The author's writing kept me engaged, but at times the structure and word usage were distracting. Transitions of time were the most noticeable interruptions to the fluidity of the writing. "His mind wanders" was the key phrase used to introduce a recollected memory, while "back in the present" returned the reader to the current events. As the story developed, less time was spent in the past and the writing was more engrossing.
Gale Laure did a great job exploring the five W's of any good mystery--who, what when, where, and why. Most of the questions were answered by the end of the novel. The author has promised the few clues left unanswered will be addressed in the sequel, "Alana--Evolution of a Woman". I look forward to reading the next installment in this series.
Overall, "Evolution of a Sad Woman" is an entertaining and enlightening read. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys mysteries with romance. This book is available in three formats--ebook, Kindle, and trade paperback.