Today I’d like to welcome author Marsha A. Moore, author of Shadows of Serenity. It’s a treat to sit down with someone else who gets my ghost novel obsession. Thank you, Marsha, for joining in a discussion of your novel!

Can you tell us a little about Shadows of Serenity? 

Joyce Runsey spends her life savings to open a yoga studio in an historic Victorian St Augustine house, only to discover the property is haunted. A female ghost’s abusive and very much alive husband still tortures her by using dark witchcraft. The disruptive energy thwarts Joyce’s ambition to create a special environment to train students to become yoga teachers.

Joyce engages in a deadly battle with not only the tormented spirit, but also the dangerous husband. To protect her students from harm, she must overcome mounting obstacles. An unknown swami pays an unexpected visit to give advice on how to free the anguished ghost. Can Joyce comprehend and follow the wise man’s guidance in time to save everyone who depends on her?

What inspired you to write it? Why did you include a ghost in the story?

Shadows of Serenity was inspired by my experiences while completing a yoga teacher training program. I was overcome with joy seeing the incredible, positive transformations of my classmates. I wanted to create a story that would show this amazing growth. To do so, I created a force of evil that the power of yoga must overcome. The negative energy manifested through a ghost who haunted the yoga studio and was tormented by her former husband, a man capable of dark witchcraft.

How did you come up with the idea for the cover? What part or portion represents the ghost?

I wanted a cover that contrasted the forces of good and evil in the book. The soft, white lotus represents yoga’s positive energy. The angular black graphic represents the dark witchcraft  influence of the ghost’s former husband. Between those two images, is the vaporous ghost who haunts the yoga studio and is caught in the struggle between good and evil.

Is the ghost in Shadows of Serenity good or evil?

Actually both. The ghost, who once lived in the Victorian home as Rose, was murdered by her husband. Her soul remains connected to him, unable to rest in peace. He uses his dark witchcraft to force her ghost to do unspeakable things. When the positive energies of the yoga folks enter the house, Rose’s spirit becomes confused. Her actions show this. She is caught in a struggle between the evil former husband and the good forces of the yoga studio owner and her students.

Why do ghosts interest you?

Ghosts are usually considered to be stuck souls, unable to leave the places of the mortal lives and pass to new worlds. I find the reasons they are stuck intriguing. In their mortal lives, those people often had fascinating experiences, rich lives with plenty of color and emotion. Their stories fascinate me. The story of Rose wove into a deeper and more developed tale than I’d first imagined when I outlined Shadows of Serenity.  Although she began as a horrifying, wretched creature, I felt compassion for her and wanted to help her find the peace she deserved.

What would you compare this book to?  (another book, a movie, etc.)

This book is women’s fiction with paranormal fantasy. It is similar to the style of magical realism written by Sarah Addison Allen and some of Alice Hoffman’s works, both among my favorite authors.

What is it about the women’s fiction paranormal/magical realism genre that appeals to you so much?

I usually write fantasy but have read magical realism by Sarah Addison Allen and Alice Hoffman for years and have always wanted to try writing the genre. Arguably, it shares much with fantasy but in a very restrained, literary approach. The magical touches are used sparingly to highlight special qualities of the characters.

What was the writing process like for your book?

It was different for me to write because I used five point-of-view characters in order to more clearly show the students’ feelings as they grew during the training program. As a result, each seems like a dear friend while you read their account.

I would like readers to feel intrigued by the positive energy of yoga and reassured that goodness in mankind can overcome darkness.

Scroll down for information about Marsha as well as contact information and links to Shadows of Serenity. Tune in next month when I’ll be reviewing Shadows of Serenity. And thanks again, Marsha, for spending some time with us today.

Author Bio:

Marsha A. Moore loves to write fantasy and fantasy romance. Much of her life feeds the creative flow she uses to weave highly imaginative tales.

The magic of art and nature often spark life into her writing, as well as watercolor painting and drawing. She’s been a yoga enthusiast for over a decade and is a registered yoga teacher. After a move from Toledo to Tampa in 2008, she’s happily transformed into a Floridian, in love with the outdoors. Marsha is crazy about cycling. She lives with her husband on a large saltwater lagoon, where taking her kayak out for an hour or more is a real treat. She never has enough days spent at the beach, usually scribbling away at stories with toes wiggling in the sand. Every day at the beach is magical!

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KVU2W1Y
Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22375818-shadows-of-serenity
Social Media Links: Website: http://MarshaAMoore.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/marshaamooreauthorpage
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MarshaAMoore