Reach Past the Shadows
by D.L. O’Neil
Released: Date
Genre: Mystery
Why this book and why now?
The characters in Reach Past the Shadows actually wrote this story themselves–I was just the typist. D’Shea, Evie, Quinn, and Sarge were anxious to show everyone how true love can overcome lies, hate, and any other obstacle thrown in its path.
What is a significant way your book has changed since either the first draft or the way you thought it would turn out when you first had the inspiration?
I don’t write with a specific end in mind but I usually have a general direction. When the middle of this book came together, I realized that a character introduced early in the story was actually guilty, even though I’d penned him as innocent when I drafted those chapters. Thank goodness that Quinn and Sarge pointed that out to me before the book was published!
What TV show would your main character(s) most likely binge watch and why?
If they could ever get an extended period of time together, Quinn and Sarge would binge watch The Equalizer. Those two would be critiquing Queen Latifah’s skills as she balances getting justice and models personal strength and integrity for others.
One of your main characters is planning a romantic night. Tell us about it.
D’Shea, the romantic one in the relationship, invites Evie for a dinner out. Instead of staying local, she drives them to a nearby lake and leads Evie to a granite overlook where a blanket, a picnic dinner, and several bottles of Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon await beside a warm campfire. Watching the moon rise over the horizon, its reflection mirrored in the still water, D’Shea toasts the past that brought them together and the future with all of its promise.
Publishing a book is a huge accomplishment and it’s time to party! Choose a celebratory beverage for one of your main characters to toast the release of your new book.
Quinn would raise a pint of the smoothest Extra Special Bitter (ESB) she can lay her hands on at the book release, even if she has to import Fullers from London.
What song does your character put on to start your book launch party?
This book, with its setting honoring the culture of a women’s community, has to be celebrated with an oldie – “Look Within” recorded in the 1970s by Meg Christian (Olivia Records). It speaks to finding that the answers to all you seek are within yourself, something that Quinn, D’Shea, and I had to do to get this book published!
