~Blog Tour & Giveaway PLUS Interview~ Basking in the Light by Saylor Storm

Title: Basking in the Light

Author: Saylor Storm

Published: October 6th, 2015

Recommended Age: 18+

Synopsis: Ambitious budding reporter, Ellen Singer, grows weary of being alone and pursues a partner through an online dating site; it turns out to be the worst decision of her life. Courted by a handsome, successful author, she is abducted and held captive by his murderous younger brother on a remote island. Ellen fights for her health and sanity while in captivity. She is forced to witness monstrous acts by her captor all the while dependent on him for her survival. Ultimately she is saved by seasoned FBI agent, Arnie Darrow, and rushed to the hospital in a fight for her life. Family and friends stand by hoping for Ellen’s complete recovery. The young reporter pulls through only to struggle with the psychological aftermath of her abduction. Is tenacious Ellen capable of returning to her former self or is she forever altered by her horrific experience? And, what part, if any, does Arnie Darrow play in her recovery?

Two-4-One BONUS - During the blog tour - Purchase Basking in the Light, and receive the novella Reclamation FREE ... After purchase send Saylor an email at Saylor@SaylorStorm.com And Saylor will respond with your bonus book.

In Basking in the Light, aspiring reporter, Ellen Singer, survives being captured and held hostage by serial killers for months. Reclamation takes us where Basking in the Light left off; where Ellen is left with the arduous task of rebuilding her life both physically and mentally. With devoted FBI agent, Arnie Darrow, by her side she is able to overcome her many obstacles and in the end he proclaims his deep love for the woman he has grown to admire and revere. Does Ellen reciprocate his feelings, or has her ordeal left her emotionally incapable of returning Arnie’s love?

Reality becomes fantasy, or is it that imagination turns into real life experience? Saylor Storm is fascinated by how frequently the line between reality and fantasy crosses in her writing practice. She feels that writing novels is an astonishing way to play with something from real life and turning into something fun or playful and sometimes a bit twisted. Her characters all experience real life joy and pain, reinvention, survival and victory. They share the process of evolution and expansion. The places in her stories take place where she has lived or visited, from the beaches of Malibu to the islands in Fiji and destinations in between, including the monastery in one of her novels. Saylor’s stories reflect her many personal interests including fitness, wine, healthy foods. She’s intrigued by the spiritual world and that of metaphysics. She hopes the reader is as entertained reading her books as she is writing them. One of Saylor’s many passions is hiking. Readers can enjoy fabulous photos of her treks posted on her Facebook page, author Saylor Storm. She loves hearing from her readers.

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Basking in the Light: Excerpt Chapter 6

A boy’s view of the world is affected by what the mother has demonstrated.

Jonny meticulously swept his tiny cabin. The sand was a constant problem. Living on the beach had its benefits, but Jonny had no patience for the daily task. He grumbled under his breath as he opened the front door and pushed the sand back outside with his broom.

He had a daily routine and did not like to alter from it. After sweeping, he took a long walk to town. Jonny wore the same outfit every day: a beige shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a pair of well-worn jeans, and a grey vest. On his feet was a pair of Keen sandals. His long hair, tousled with curls, bounced slightly as he walked. With determination he walked directly to his favorite spot with his treasured cooler in tow.

As odd as Jonny was, the townspeople were used to him and his daily walks to the local coffee shop, where he sat every day, talking to himself and ordering nothing. People ignored him and found him to be harmless.

Jonny returned to his small cabin, before dark, where he would prepare a simple meal and go to bed early. This day there was an interruption in his routine. When he returned to the cabin, he had a visitor.

“Where have you been?” Jim wanted to know.

“I t-took a w-walk, like I always d-do, so w-what?”

“You didn’t talk to anyone, did you?”

“No, I n-never t-talk to anyone. Just like you t-told me. Why are y-you here?”

“I have a surprise for you. I told you that I found her; she’s here, in the car. Come help me get her out of the car.”

“D-do I get to k-keep her?”

“Yes, but you have to keep it a secret.”

“I will! I promise!”

Jonny followed his older brother to the blue sedan in the driveway. Jim popped the trunk. Jonny could make out a woman wearing a white blouse and red shorts. She was tied with rope and tape and was passed out cold.

“She is p-perfect! Why is she s-sleeping?”

“I had to drug her. Help me get her inside.”

The men each carried an end of the body. Jim was at least a foot taller than his younger brother. They placed her on the bed. Jim returned to the car and retrieved a small duffle bag.

“W-what are you g-going to d-do with that?” Jonny asked.

“Just watch.”

Jim pulled an old wooden rocking chair to the center of the room and chained it to a hook he had screwed in to the ceiling.

“Help me get her in the chair,” Jim instructed.

The two men placed her in the chair and cut loose the rope and tape. Jim re-taped Ellen’s ankles and wrists together, then placed a heavy chain over the tape and secured it to a hook that he had screwed in to the floor.

“This should hold her.”

“W-what d-do I d-do if she w-wakes up?”

“She can scream all she wants to, no one will hear her out here. She’s yours; you can do whatever you want with her. I’ll be back tomorrow with food and supplies.”

Jonny smiled at his big brother, “Thank you, J-Jim, she’s p-perfect.”

Interview with Saylor Storm

Basking in the Light is a thriller. Is this your preferred genre to write or are there others you enjoy?

Basking in the Light is my first thriller. In the past I’ve written romantic suspense, romance sci-fi and a non-fiction love trivia book. I am currently working on my first fantasy romance and have plans for several more. There are also plans for more romance sci-fi, romantic suspense, non-fiction love and a kissing trivia book, a salad cookbook, another thriller and a fairy tale!

Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one? Did that change the direction of the novel at all?

My detective turned FBI agent, Arnie Darrow, was intended to have a small role in my first book, Dr. Selfish. Arnie’s character not only developed, but he became the common thread in a series of 8 novels called the Arnie Darrow series.

If you used a graphic designer/publisher’s designer, how involved were you during the creative process for your cover?

I’ve had 3 separate cover designers and all 3 were also my Webmasters. I would give them the basic story line of the book and they would ask a few questions. Most of time I would have something in mind and they would completely surprise me. Once or twice they’ve designed something like I had in mind. I’ve given them full creative license to do what they want and I’ve always been pleasantly surprised. My current designer, Jamie Roehrig, is putting a lot of time and effort into his covers and it shows.

Do you belong to a critique group? Have they helped improve your writing?

I did try a critique group a few times and it wasn’t very productive. The feedback was all over the place. I like to listen to my editor’s advice. Even when I don’t like her advice, I usually agree with it.

What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence?

On the days when the ideas are flowing freely, it doesn’t matter whether music is on or not, I’m so focused I don’t notice. I used to always have music on and lately I don’t remember to put it on before I start writing.

I take advantage of the good days, and sometimes will sit for 12-14 hours without moving. For me the creative days are like magic and I never know what is coming next in the story.

Do you outline your story or just go where the muse takes you?

I’ve never written an outline. The muse is definitely my master!

Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book?

Absolutely! They say that only 10% of the work is writing the book and the rest is marketing. I wish that I could sit and write all day, but in reality I spend much more time marketing than writing.

Besides writing, do you have any other passions?

Yes, I have many other passions besides writing: I love hiking, photography, travel, wine tasting (I’m a level 1 sommelier), Pilates and horseback riding.

What’s next for you?

After the Basking in the Light virtual book tour is over on October 26, I will resume working on three current projects: a second love trivia book, the final book in the Sue’s Journey Trilogy, Sue’s Legacy and my first fantasy romance.