Interview & Giveaway with Naomi Canale, author of His Dark Ways

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming author Naomi Canale to the blog. Naomi is here to talk about her YA paranormal novel, His Dark Ways. We also have an awesome giveaway for you guys, so after reading the interview and checking out His Dark Ways be sure to scroll down and enter! 

1) How would you describe His Dark Ways to those who haven't heard of it yet?

His Dark Ways is about Savanna Christy, a pastor’s daughter, who is on a rebellion. Once her Dad told her the Bible warns of opening doors that shouldn’t be opened. She’s become obsessed with finding out if those doors are just as invisible as the God she’s been raised to know.

When I first pitched this book, I said it was like The Craft meets The Exorcist. Holly Black told me that pitch was brilliant. I’m a huge fan, so of course I had to keep writing it after she told me that.

2) Could you tell us a little bit about the inspiration behind it? 

I actually had a dream of touching a ghost inside a haunted house and my touch gave him life. That dream haunted me, literally. I knew I had to make a story out of it. But when I finally started working on His Dark Ways, my sister was put into prison. As I was writing it, I explored how one choice can change our lives. They always seem so innocent at the time and turn into something bigger. In a lot of ways this book was therapeutic for me to write, even the dark aspects. But I think I was destined to write horrors/thrillers. My mother was often troubled at the sight of the stories I wrote and illustrated as a child. Maybe this is why I feel a strange connection to Poe? 

3) Did you have to do any research for your books? If so, what was the most interesting thing you've learned? 

For my current book, I’m doing a lot of research. The others not so much, I tried to play it safe and write what I knew for ten years, to learn the craft of writing first. Now I’m digging deeper. But the most interesting things I’ve found is that honey can never spoil and England is smaller than the state of Florida. It’s all fascinating really. 

4) Is there a specific character you identify with?

My main character, Savanna, she’s a strong heroine. But has her weaknesses. The strength she has is admirable, even though I put her through hell fire. I’ve always wished I could stand stronger for who I am and what I believe. She does that, even when she’s broken and questions everything.

5) Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?

It’s funny you ask this question because I didn’t set out to write a book with a message. And some readers have taken away that I did, in fact, to teach them Christianity. But I didn’t. I think stories, like the Exorcist, for instance, wouldn’t have been what they were without the Catholicism or the religious aspects. When religious elements are used, it can be sticky and doesn’t always mean the author set out to teach readers about a certain religion, but rather that’s what they knew (or grew up knowing) and explored that in their work. And I think that’s what’s so brilliant and powerful about literature, it makes us think, feel. Otherwise, we wouldn’t want to dive so deep into a world other than our own. 

6) Can you share with us a few of your favorite quotes from His Dark Ways?

“For the longest time I stumbled through these shadows thinking I just needed to find the afterlife, but all I found were monsters and I was positive I was cursed until I saw you—touched you.”

I like this quote because it shares the hope between my characters, love.

And this next quote isn’t in His Dark Ways, but the newest book I’m working on. I really love it and thought I would share.

"Sometimes it’s not only the night that can bring upon such frightening wonders, but the day as well. In its order, with everything seen, there too are despicable creatures that go roaming about and the worst of them are human."

7) What are some of your literary inspirations? Favorite books/authors? 

Poe will forever be my number one. I constantly go back to his work and always take something new away from it. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens is always thumbing on my hearts door, it’s brilliant. I also love Stephen King, Holly Black (a huge inspiration for me), and Neil Gaiman.

8) Are you working on a new book/series now? If so, when can we expect it? Can you share some juicy details to keep our appetites going?

I’m working on a gothic horror, set in 18th Century England. I’m absolutely hooked, and of course there’s lots of murder. I’m a great admirer of Poe, remember? *throws head back* *laughs evil* But as far as expecting it anytime soon, I’m not sure, I want it to be perfection for all you lovely readers, so I’ll probably be spending a few years on it.

Fill in the blanks:

1) If I was magically transported back in time to the Dark Ages, I'd... Be a Jester. I was the class clown growing up, and as annoying as I was, hearing other people laugh or getting a reaction out of them became my favorite pass time. 

2) I'm a pro at... Cooking (at least my husband makes me think so). I absolutely love it. When I’m not writing, I’m trying to perfect the art of cooking through Gordon Ramsey.

3) I'm addicted to... Nerd candies and coffee. Strange combo, I know, but I’m hopelessly devoted.

4) I'm scared of... Spiders. I have serious arachnophobia. It’s a problem. Oh! And IT, that awful clown Stephen King invented still terrifies me to this day.

5) The last book I faked reading was... Twilight. Please still love me.

This giveaway is US/Canada only

What you can win: 
- a signed copy of His Dark Ways
- author SWAG pack
- $15 Starbucks Gift Card
(thank you so much Naomi for the wonderful Prize!)

Enter via Rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the book:

Title: HIS DARK WAYS
Author: Naomi Canale
Pub. Date: August 27, 2013
Publisher: Self / Create Space
Pages: 206
Find it: Amazon, Goodreads

Savanna Christy, a pastor’s daughter, is on a rebellion. Once her Dad told her the Bible warns of opening doors that shouldn’t be opened. She’s become obsessed with finding out if those doors are just as invisible as the God she’s been raised to know.

One night, during another thrill-seeking adventure, Savanna and her friends Amy and Lucky, head thirty minutes out of their small town of Tonopah, to check out the Goldfield Hotel, known to be one of the most highly active places for paranormal activity in the nation. Together the three of them break in, hoping to open one of the doors the Bible speaks of, and in the middle of a satanic séance the three of them are dragged to various places of the hotel. But when the door shuts before Savanna’s cornered, something saves her. As footsteps slowly make their way to where Savanna is under a window, she reaches out her hand. Daniel, an entity who’s been locked away between space and time, becomes just as visible as Savanna. And her energy can give him life again, only when they touch (which triggers an addiction).

About the author:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Naomi Canale is a lifelong Nevadan obsessed with anything vintage and Tim Burton. In between creating art and loving on her three children, she writes young adult and new adult fiction with creepy noir themes.

She is thrilled to share her debut His Dark Ways with you. Her other work can be seen in the anthology Love Stinks and she's currently working on a new title she can't wait to pull out of hiding.