Bobbi Ann Johnson Holmes

(Spoiler Alert. If you have only read books 1-5 in the Haunting Danielle Series you may want to skip this interview.)

Interviewer: Welcome to our first Interview at Marlow House. Before we start, I’d like to thank Danielle Boatman for allowing us to use her library for our interviews. Today we’ll be chatting with Danielle’s neighbor and friend, Heather Donovan. Welcome Heather. Thank you for agreeing to speak with us.

Heather: Thank you for asking me. Frankly I’m a little surprised I’m the first person you’re interviewing.

Interviewer: Why is that?

Heather: I’m not exactly one of the main characters in the series.

Interviewer: But you are one of the mediums.

Heather: You mean because I can see ghosts?

Interviewer: Yes.

Heather: Medium—I sort of like how that sounds. Although, I’m not as sensitive to spirits as Chris and Danielle, but I’m getting stronger.

Interviewer: That brings us to our first question from one of our readers. If given the choice, would you like your gift to get stronger—or disappear?

Heather: I’ll admit, sometimes this—gift as you call it—can be rather a pain. What’s most maddening, I seem to be constantly stumbling over dead bodies. But, if I stopped seeing ghosts it’s not like I won’t see a dead body if I come across another one.

Interviewer: Does this mean you don’t want the gift to go away?

Heather: Can I tell you something? Just between you and me?

Interviewer: Umm…I can’t exactly promise that.

Heather: I guess you can’t…but the thing is, I’ve felt like an outsider all my life. I think it was because my family was so messed up. And I’m not stupid, I know what some people say about me. But having this gift—and having it grow stronger—well I finally feel like I belong. Plus, if it went away I’d miss being able to talk to spirits like Eva and Marie. So, I suppose my answer, I’d like for it to get stronger.

Interviewer: I can understand that. Okay, my next question. Some of the readers have compared you to Abbie on NCIS, and others have called you Goth.

Heather: (laugh) Abbie? You aren’t serious, are you?

Interviewer: Umm…yes.

Heather: I’ve watched NCIS and aside from my hair, we’re nothing alike. For one thing, no way would you ever get me to sleep in a coffin. That’s just creepy. And I’m sorry, I know NCIS fans adore Abbie’s character…well uggg.

Interviewer: What’s wrong with Abbie? I love her character.

Heather: I’m sure you do. But sheesh, she is such a sappy do-gooder. Always wanting to give people hugs. Nicey nice all the time.

Interviewer: Ahh, Abbie is too nice for you?

Heather: It’s just that real people aren’t like that. At least, I’ve never met anyone like that.

Interviewer: How about the other thing—do you see yourself as a Goth?

Heather: To be honest, I don’t know much about the Goth culture. Sure, I like wearing black nail polish and black lipstick sometimes, but I don’t think that makes me Goth. As for my black hair, it’s my natural color. It’s not like I dye it or anything. And it is naturally straight, never holds a curl. And I wear other colors than black. Heck, my jogging suit is purple—I like purple. So no, I don’t think I’m Goth.

Interviewer: You still jog every morning?

Heather: I try to. It’s cheaper than going to a gym.

Interviewer: I understand you’re into essential oils. How long have you been using them?

Heather: Oh my…let me see…I don’t know, over five years. Maybe longer.

Interviewer: How did you get into them?

Heather: I think it started with the ants.

Interviewer: Ants?

Heather: Yes. We were getting ants in the house, and I didn’t want to use bug spray. I’d read how peppermint oil helped keeps bugs away, so I tried it. The peppermint oil worked. It was kinda amazing.

Interviewer: But you use essential oils for more than keeping bugs away.

Heather: Yes. I’ve done a lot of studying and experimenting with them. Of course, you have to be careful. Certain oils I would never diffuse—like clove or cinnamon.

Interviewer: Why is that?

Heather: They can be harmful to cats. I have a cat, Bella.

Interviewer: Our time is running out, but I have one last question I would like to ask you

Heather: Yes?

Interviewer: One of our readers asked if you and Chris are going to start dating.

Heather: Chris? (laughs)

Interviewer: What’s so funny?

Heather: Chris is a good guy but really…can you imagine dating him?

Interviewer: What do you mean?

Heather: For one thing, I’d rather not date a guy who’s prettier than me.

Interviewer: (chuckles) You are attractive.

Heather: Come on, you know what I mean. Chris and I hang out a lot these days because of work, and you wouldn’t believe the number of women who hit on him when I am standing right there. They don’t know we aren’t dating. But sheesh, can you imagine how awkward that would be if we were dating?

Interviewer: Is that the only reason you aren’t interested in Chris?

Heather: He really isn’t my type—and I’m certainly not his.

Interviewer: So, I guess that’s a no on the dating?

Heather: Pretty much.

Interviewer: It looks like we went a little longer than I intended. I’d like to thank you again for talking with me today.

Heather: No problem. It was fun.

Interviewer: Thanks again Heather. Tomorrow we will be talking to Chris Johnson.

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Some of you might have noticed a change with the Haunting Danielle book covers. I am in the process of updating them now.

When I first started the series in 2014 my idea was to title the books Haunting Danielle and then give each a book a number. Like: Haunting Danielle, Book 1 and Haunting Danielle, Book 2 and so on…

Around book three or so I realized that was a bad idea. I went back and gave the published books titles and then started titling all the new books. Since I liked my book covers, I asked my designer to add the title name below “Haunting Danielle,” without making changes to it.

I suppose it did a good job branding the series name, but the titles were illegible in the thumbnails, something that bothered both me and my designer.

While on a hiatus between books (I am back to writing again) I made the decision to have my designer redesign the covers, giving the book titles front billing.

I love the results. And while it is a pain updating seventeen published books—in various formats and at numerous retail venues, I think it will be worth it.

Above is a sample of the new look.

Back to working on The Ghost Who Dream Hopped. But before I do, I wanted to let you know the Haunting Danielles interview series begins tomorrow. Stop back at the blog, and you can read my first interview when I sit down with Heather Donovan in the Marlow House library. See you then!

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