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S.R. (Shelli) Johannes-Interview with the Author

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S.R.(Shelli) Johannes-Interview with the Author

S.R. (Shelli) Johannes-The Reading Cafe has been featuring a number of the INDELIBLES authors. The INDELIBLES is a group of indie authors who write novels for Young Adults. We would like to introduce S.R.(Shelli) Johannes.

TRC: Hi Shelli and welcome to The Reading Café. Please tell us something about yourself?

Shelli: After working in Corporate America for 15 years, I traded in my expensive suits, way-too high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and my love of writing. I own my own marketing company and currently write books for Middle Grade and Young Adult

TRC: Would you please tell us about the INDELIBLES and how you became involved with the group of authors?

Shelli: When I decided to indie publish, I needed a group of strong indie authors to go to for advice. There are so many differen tissues you hit as indie authors because you wear all the different hats in publishing. I decided to start the Indelibles and found 25 amazing ladies who had credibility and produced high quality books. The Indelibles functions as a support group and cross promotional group. I really depend on these ladies to stay sane.

TRC: What has been the most difficult aspect about indie publishing?

Shelli: Getting past the stigma of indie publishing. That is the hardest part for me. I just want my book’s to be judged like evryone else’s book. So when doors are closed just because I am not traditionally published – it is frustrating.

TRC: UNTRACEABLE is your first book in The Nature of Grace series. Will you please tell us about the premise of this story?

Shelli: Grace grew up in the woods. When her forest ranger dad disappears on patrol, she fights town authorities, tribal officials, & nature to prove he’s alive. Torn between a hot boy and cute ex, she heads into the wilderness to find her dad. Soon, Grace is caught in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. It will take more than a compass and motorcycle for this tough heroine to save all she loves.

 

TRC: What type of research was involved with some of the specific aspects of the storyline? e.g. bear poaching: hiking: ranger

Shelli: My husband is an avid camper so the wilderness and outdoor stuff was easy. I took self defense classes and fly fishing classes to get into Grace’s head. The bear poaching issue was just reading and researching in animal organizations. I am an avid supporter of nature and animals so that part was the easiest for me to dive into.

TRC: Are any of the experiences based on events in real life?

Shelli: Well, I think there is always a little of every author’s real life in their books. But more specifically, the bear pits in Cherokee and the issue with the Native American Reserve is very real. Those pits exist and they are horrid. There have been many efforts to shut them down but they are outside the state and national jurisdiction because they are an acting reservation.

TRC: The road to publishing any novel can be frustrating. What were the challenges in researching and writing UNTRACEABLE?

Shelli: Oh gosh. I posted about this a while back. The reason I indie pubbed was because after 2 years with a NY agent and 2 books that went to aquisitions, I still didnwasn’t able to sell. Last summer, my agent and I separated and I was at my lowest point. To love writing again, I needed to do something for myself and give these books a chance. I knew there was no life left in those books in the big 6 so I decided to have fun and do them myself as an experience and a way to move forward. I had no idea they would do as well as they are doing. It’s been fun but someday I hope to straddle indie pubbing and traditional pubbing. I do believe in both models.

TRC: UNCONTROLLABLE is the second story in the series. Will you please tell us about the premise of the story?

Shelli: Grace’s science class is chosen by Agent Sweeney at the US Fish and Wildlife Service to help with research on the new “Appalachian Red Wolf Reintroduction Program”. While she’s excited about helping the conservation of the endangered wolves, Grace knows this means being outdoors in the worst winter recorded, working with Wyn (her ex boyfriend) and his girlfriend (Skyler), a girl whose idea of nature is growing silk plants. Skyler makes Grace’s time in the woods miserable. After some fellow students are attacked, Grace continues the assignment under renewed suspicion that –someone is trying to sabotage the Red Wolf program. Eventually wolves start showing up dead and Grace is determined to find out who is responsible, but little does she know, she is being hunted too. By more than one person.

TRC: There is a potential for a love-triangle between Grace and, Wyn and Mo. Will you address the relationship between Grace and the two young men in
UNCONTROLLABLE?

Shelli: I can’t tell you that! You will have to see what happens in the next book 🙂 I will say that Wyn is seeing someone in Uncontrollable so the comic relief and tension between Grace and Wyn grows.

TRC: How many books do you have planned for The Nature of Grace series?

Shelli: Right now, three. I can’t see beyond that but who knows if something will grab me.

TRC: Would you please tell us about your new BREATHLESS novelette series?

Shelli: I wanted to create a series of short novels. Breathless is a trilogy of novelettes – Suffocate, Choke, and Exhale. They are about 15,000 words and come out about 4 months apart.

TRC: What is the premise behind your first novelette SUFFOCATE?

Shelli: It combines the dystopic and science fiction genres. The book will be available on ebook only for 99 cents!

For centuries, the world outside the Biome has been unlivable. Today, marks the first time anyone will attempt to leave the suffocating ecosphere. Eria is not worried because her scientist father has successfully tested the new Bio-Suit many times. It’s a celebratory day until something goes horribly wrong. In the midst of tragedy, Eria uncovers a deep conspiracy. If those responsible find out what she knows, they won’t stop hunting her until she takes her last breath.

The 2nd novelette in the series, CHOKE, is scheduled for Fall 2012. The 3rd, EXHALE, is scheduled for Winter 2013

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas between other authors or friends and family. With whom do you share ideas and troubles???

SHELLI: I have many writer friends that offer support in writing, publishing, and the challenges we all face as writers 🙂 I would not be functioning without them.

TRC: What are you currently working (on)?

Shelli: Uncontrollable and a SEKRIT project – another contemp thriller.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
cheese dip

Favorite Dessert
magnum double caramel ice cream bars

Favorite TV Show
Walking dead

Favorite Movie
of all times? Casablanca or Blazing saddles

Last Movie you Saw
On the big screen? The Hunger Games

Favorite Flower
gerber daisy

Dark or Milk Chocolate
the darker the better 😉

What book are your currently reading?
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Shelli:  Thank you! 🙂

TRC:  Thank you very much for taking the time to answer our questions. We look
forward to your next release later this summer. All the best with your
writing career.

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UNTRACEABLE (YA) by S.R. Johannes-a review

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UNTRACEABLE (YA) by S.R. Johannes-a review

UNTRACEABLE (YA) by S.R. Johannes

SPOILER ALERT !!

UNTRACEABLE is a Young Adult novel best described as a mystery from the Nature of Grace series by S.R.Johannes. Following the disappearance of her father, 16 year old Grace refuses to give up the search. When the local law enforcement close the book and file the case under missing and presumed drowned, Grace makes it her mission to discover how an experienced forest ranger, such as her father, disappears without a trace and is presumed dead by his fellow employees and friends.

Growing up in the Smokey Mountains, Grace thought she knew everything and everyone who hiked through the hills and wooded areas. Searching for clues, Grace encounters Mo, a 17 year old, who claims to be a geology student studying the rock formations in the area. But when the pair stumble-upon 2 strangers hunting for bear, they soon become the prey. Escape is their only option, when the hunters set their guns and knives on two unsuspecting teens. But it is the realization that these hunters had no problem shooting humans as well as bears. 

Grace’s is determined to find out what happened to her father. Defying her ‘too often’ absent mother is easy, but getting past the sheriff will take some quick action and a plan. With her best friend Wyn as look out, Grace sneaks into the station, only to find, that the information about her missing father reveals more than she had ever thought.

Betrayal and sorrow will follow Grace throughout the storyline. Thinking you know someone only to find out they are at the centre of the controversy will break Grace’s heart as well as her faith in love and friendship. The death of her childhood pet will push Grace to look deeper into the mysterious strangers, but it is her friendships with Mo and Wyn that will suffer the most. Grace’s search for her father will be successful, but the revelation will only lead to more pain and suffering when the very people she thought were helping, are the very people who are responsible for so much sorrow.

Untraceable is a well-written novel. S.R.Johannes writes a compelling mystery with twists to the storyline that will keep you wondering. There is an underlying dark tale that involves death and murder, and at times goes beyond what I consider appropriate for a Young Adult novel. The physical violence and attempted murders is a regular occurrence and apparently goes unnoticed by both the locals and law enforcement throughout much of the story. Untraceable is a look at life in the wilderness and the people who call it home. I am looking forward to reading the next chapter in The Nature of Grace by S.R. Johannes

 Reviewed by Sandy

UNSPEAKABLE (YA) by S.R. Johannes-a review

UNSPEAKABLE (YA) by S.R. Johannes

UNSPEAKABLE is the Young Adult short-story (found In His Eyes anthology or on Smashwords) written by S.R. Johannes. The introduction to the Nature of Grace series, Unspeakable follows two lost souls as they wander the forests hoping to find something or someone, told from a different POV. The Nature of Grace series is told from the heroine’s POV but Unspeakable looks at life from another’s POV.

Written in first person POV, the reader follows through the eyes of the narrator while he walks the terrain of the forest and land. When he chances upon a wounded fawn caught in a trap, he soon realizes he may not be alone. Where there is a trap, the hunter is not too far behind.

But it is the sight of a beautiful young woman, wandering and taking note of the land, that captures his attention. When he returns the next day, hoping to find her again, he realizes the danger that she has quickly put herself in. Trapped by the hunters, the young woman soon becomes both prisoner and prey, and there must be something that he can do, to prevent the inevitable from happening.

Unspeakable is a quick read, basically a chapter in length that introduces some basic information about the Nature of Grace series. At this point, we are not privy to names or destinations, but as a prologue Unspeakable will leave you wanting for read what happens next

Reviewed by Sandy

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