AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Steve Donahue

1. When/why did you decide to become a writer?

I don't think anyone decides to become a writer. It's something you are born to do. I developed an interest in writing in middle school and it stayed with me for the rest of my life. 

2. What authors inspired you when you were younger? What books do you enjoy reading today?

I loved books by John Jakes, Ernest Hemmingway, Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury. My first favorite author was Matt Christopher, who wrote sports novels for young readers. I still love classic literature.      

3. What was the inspiration behind your novel Where Freedom Rings?

I have always been fascinated with the Underground Railroad and those who were brave enough to risk their lives for their freedom. I'm equally impressed with the abolitionists who assisted the freedom-seekers, for they had so much to lose if they were caught, but they risked it anyway because of their fervent belief that slavery is wrong. 

4. What was it about the Underground Railroad that made you say, "I have to write a novel about that?"

There are many nonfiction books about the Underground Railroad, but I noticed that there are few novels about it. I wanted to highlight this amazing institution and honor those who fought against slavery. 

5. What kind of research did you have to do in order to make this book accurate?

I read many articles about the Underground Railroad, and I read William Still's book, The Underground Railroad, which provides startling insight into the plight of runaway slaves. I was so impressed with his book that I included him in the story. 

6. What other genres would you like to try your hand at?

I have other published books in many genres, including The Manila Strangler (Mystery), Amy the Astronaut and the Flight for Freedom (Sci-Fi), and Comet and Cupid's Christmas Adventure (Fantasy). I don't see myself locked into one genre. I have ideas for many stories across many genres.  

7. What would you do if you were a part of the Underground Railroad?

I would be an abolitionist who helped hide and transport freedom-seekers to the north.  

8. Would you like to see Where Freedom Rings as a film? Who do you want to see play your characters?

Yes, I would love to see it as a film. I think Kerry Washington (from ABC's Scandal) would be a great choice for Kelsa, and Chadwick Boseman (Jackie Robinson from the movie 42) would be a solid choice for Kelsa's husband Wade. Kevin Spacey (House of Cards) would make an interesting Jackson Mallard. Of course, having Oprah Winfrey produce the movie was also be wonderful. 

9. Where do you see yourself and your career in the next ten years?

I would like to be a best-selling author, of course, and I have many more ideas for other books. Hopefully, I will continue to develop my writing skills and produce quality books that readers love.  

10. What would you be doing if you weren't writing?

I make my living by working for a health-care company as a customer service representative. If I weren't writing, I would probably just do that for the rest of my work-life.   

11. Can you tell KSR what you're working on next?

My current work-in-progress is a historical novel about the Holocaust. That is another topic that I have a strong interest in.  

12. Thank you for participating in the interview. Can you please leave the readers with three things that may surprise them about you?

1. I am a die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan.
2. I don't drink coffee (can't stand the smell or the taste of it).
3. Dogs always seem to like me.

Purchase Mr. Donahue's novels via: Amazon

BOOK REVIEW: "Jazz Baby" by Beem Weeks

Emily Ann (AKA "Baby") Teegarten is a teen with a dream: she wants to go to New York to sing jazz, but first she needs to get out of Mississippi and her little one-horse town. The only way to do that is to trust her papa's best friend, Tanyon Thibbedeaux, who can get her into New Orleans to get her start.
But her start is rocky as her first attempt at singing in Frank Rydekker's jazz club ends in a riot and a rape and then a family tragedy: Emily Ann's mother killed her father and is now sitting in prison.
Baby wants to have fun and make her dreams come true. She doesn't want to live with her cranky old aunt in Mississippi, surrounded by temptations (her aunt's young African-American maid Neesie, Emily Ann's secret desire; the preacher's son Jobie Pritchett, who wants to marry her but yet claims she isn't his "type"; Audie, the girl everyone thinks is the town lesbian; Billy Blood, the Native American young man who is a daily temptation to nearly every young girl in town, including her beloved Neesie).
How can she when life keeps taking turns for the worse every day?

This is a coming-of-age story showing the trials and tribulations of being a small-town white girl who wants to play what was then the music of the African-American community. The novel deals with race, sexual promiscuity, confusion about sexual orientation, rape and murder, not to mention the drug and alcohol problem of the 1920's. It is written in the dialect of the era, which was new to me, but made the whole story seem more genuine.I wasn't really sure what to expect when I opened this book on my ereader. I enjoy stories from the late 19th to the early 20th century but rarely can you find anything written in this decade about those times that really strikes as original and accurate.

Jazz Baby is both.

Beem Weeks may have taken a decade to write this novel, but it was worth it. He created an emotional roller coaster of a novel with characters you will love, hate and relate to in a time when being bad felt so good and music could be heard on every corner, luring in even the most innocent and pious of souls.
Like jazz, this novel also lures you in, making you love Emily Ann as a friend or daughter and want to know if she ever is able to achieve her dreams.
I never give away endings (though I admit to using spoilers every so often), but I will say that, when you finish this novel, you will want a sequel, as Emily Ann's story is one you will want to know until the end!

Really excellent first novel, with social commentary on drugs, sex and the human conscience. I give it a 4/5.

Purchase Jazz Baby via the following:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Direct from the publisher, Fresh Ink Group

Stay tuned tomorrow for an exclusive interview with the author, Beem Weeks!