Snow Dust and Boneshine follows a granny witch who forms a bond with a wandering cowboy that has an alluring secret. What were some sources that informed this novel’s development?

Not long ago, I lived in Wyoming, and I met so many fascinating people with an amazing balance of grit and heart. Becoming one with the brave souls on the prairie for a moment in time absolutely informed the development of Snow Dust and Boneshine. Equally as powerful in the development of Snow Dust and Boneshine was my connection to my ancestors and all the memories of my granny when we lived in the rolling hills of Appalachia together. I wanted to honor my granny and pay my respects to the many forms of healing and caring for those in need.

The idea of a granny witch was imaginative and developed creatively. How did you come up with this idea and how did it change as you wrote?

I decided to write Snow Dust and Boneshine as an homage to the granny witches in the Appalachian community where I grew up. My own granny was a powerful source of inspiration for me as I wrote this book. I really wanted to capture the spirit of folk magic and folk medicine because it’s a different kind of magic. I think it’s one of the most beautiful aspects of Appalachian culture, and I really wanted to connect with my roots and my ancestors. I wanted to share this story with others because it’s an historical glimpse into a community and a culture, their beliefs, their perspectives, and their desire to help and heal those in need.

The story takes place in Wyoming in the 1800’s. Why did you pick this time and place to tell your story?

I’ve always been intrigued by the wild west, which was probably a driving force in me moving to Wyoming and living there for a few years. The magic of old man winter, the tough as nails people, the golden grass in the summer, the bluebirds and the adventure – all of these things inspired me to capture the beauty and the perils of prairie living. Also, I love 1800s argot. It’s not every day that I get to use phrases like “splendiferous, moonlighting, swacked, among the willows, and a bag of nails.”

This is book one in The Chronicles of Granny Witch. What can readers expect in book two?

At the moment, the second book is still a mystery even to me. I have some ideas about where to go with the storyline, but as always, I’ll let the story flow and reveal itself in its own good time. I do think the second book will answer the inevitable question: Will Patrick return to Purgatory Bend next summer, and/or will Fawna marry Dezi? One of the scenes I’m most excited to write is when the traveling circus comes to Bitter Valley!

Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook| Website| Instagram