My name is Angie Skelhorn. I am the fifth child born into a farming family located south of Peterborough, ON. Canada.
I ventured forth to discover myself at the tender age of fourteen. My journey took me to Toronto, and then the Ottawa area. Initially I found employment as a horse groomer, followed by twenty-plus years as a waitress. After sampling many of life's pleasures and pitfalls witchcraft capture my interest. I returned to the family farm where I became fascinated with witchcraft; the lifestyle, beliefs customs and traditions. I found the teaching of the craft offered a positive blueprint for living.
My interests include tarot, and other forms of divination, astrology, spirituality, mythology and harness racing. I gear my writing toward Witchcraft and Spiritualism. I've been published in Circle Sanctuary Magazine and online at Witchvox, WitchesandPagans.com and GlobalGoddess.org.
My genre is young adult, paranormal and romance.
2) How long have you been writing?
In 1996 I started writing by documenting rituals, spells and incantations, how and the results.
3) Do you have a favorite place to write?
My perfect writing environment is a candle glowing, my cats curled up close by and in isolation.
4) Why did you decide to write Severed Ties?
Divination is defined as the business of using magic to learn secrets that may not be divulged by ordinary means. The practice of divination seeks to foresee or foretell future events or discover knowledge. There are many ways to attempt to predict something unexpected, answer specific questions, and to communicate with spirit to aid. Ordinary and Tarot cards are my favorite. Each will reveal secrets about past, present, future and potential that may be within.
The inspiration for my paranormal book Severed Ties came about in 2007 when my employer’s wife asked me to read the cards to see if I could discover what happened to her sister who had been missing for years.
I discontinued my client service. Most of my time is spent in research, writing and editing.
5) Who is your favorite character in your book and why?
Compelling characters are the heart of good fiction. Severed Ties have plenty of characters with different points of view. Even though Frankie is the hierarchy of characters my favorite would be Sandra. She is tough, in charge, unique and caring.
When Frankie becomes frustrated and doubts her abilities as a witch, it is Sandra who gives her faith to accomplish what they intend to do.
6) How about your least favorite character? What makes them less appealing to you?
My least favorite character would be Rock. Every girl loves a bad boy and Rock is a bad boy! His actions create the main conflict. In the harsh environment of the inner city he is an abusive man who keeps the tension high. His intense physical intimidation will make the reader shudder.
7) Do you proofread/edit your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?
My Aunt Donna a retired Secretary/Typist enthusiastically jumped in from the beginning and was especially generous with her time and guidance. She read everything I wrote – cover letters, plots, and excerpts and offered editing advice to polish my work. My book Severed Ties, the publisher assigned an editor.
8) What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I hold down a day job. My hobby offers part time employment. I love horses and on race nights in town or out of town I help groom the magnificent animals when asked. I harness the horses; have them ready when called to the track to race, and then, walk and water the animal to cool their body down. I don’t care where the horse finishes. Spending time with horses is what I love most.
9) Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors?
My book collection is tiny, about sixty books. I read both the magical arts and the belief in and acceptance of witchcraft. The Craft philosophy is the theme that is repeated over and over. I also have a few warm and loving romance novels.
I became a fan of the fiction writer Dorothy Gilman reading The Clairvoyant Countess. Nora Roberts her creativity is impressive. Writers like Author Douglas Munroe, Laurie Cabot and Ann Moura who has done their homework and have the credentials to write excellent books on how to live magically, spiritually and wholly attuned with nature.
10) What question do you wish that someone would ask about your book, but nobody has? Write it out here, and then answer it.
The question no one has asked that I’d answer is what would you like to happen to your book Severed Ties in the future?
I started with paper and pen, and then I had an idea, wrote it down, developed it, submitted it, and now that idea is the published book Severed Ties.
I’d like to see Severed Ties go from print to film. Hollywood is always looking for good books. Books drive the television and movie industry. They both need good stories. Reality is finding a way to put my book in the hands of studio readers, agents and prospective producers. Getting noticed is the long shot but I’m a gambler. Somehow when the time is right I hope to get my foot in the door.
Title: Severed Ties
Author: Angie Skelhorn
Genre: Paranormal/YA
Publisher: Damnation Books
Release Date: Dec 1 2012
Edition/Formats Available In: E~Book & Print
Synopsis:
By the use of divination and magic, some ties can never be severed.
In the beginning, by the light of the Full Moon, Frankie connects with Candice's energy through dream time and witnesses her involvement in a terrifying act of violence. After receiving information from Sandra that their childhood friend is missing, they pack their bags and head to the inner city to find her.
Frankie, afraid for her own safety, has a chance encounter with a local named Calvin who is plugged into what's happening. Using his workable ideas—as well as Frankie and Sandra consulting tarot, ordinary playing cards, astrology, and spell-casting—they set forth to free Candice from the dangerous situation she is in.
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Excerpt
Frankie had a hard time keeping herself together. “Candice doesn’t look like Candice anymore. She suffers,” she cried. “We need to help her, we have to!”
“There is always light in the darkness. We will find a way to save our friend,” Sandra said, her voice thick with sleep. “For now, we can circle her and ourselves with white light energy to protect us from the dark energy. Take my hands in yours.”
Sandra put her hands out, palms facing upward, arms bent.
A dim light from the street lit their space. The sound from the traffic outside robbed them of silence. Frankie sat comfortably upright. Her hands rested over Sandra’s palms, so they faced each others. The two girls closed their eyes and concentrated on their intended goal of asking Higher Powers for protection.
Sandra, consumed by Frankie’s tension, opened her eyes. “You need to focus your positive energy on the task at hand. Tune in to your breathing, become aware of the rhythm,” she said.
Frankie closed her eyes, breathed deeply, and relaxed to connect with Sandra’s energy. Her palms became very hot and tingly as their energy rose.
The two girls, in unison, said a short prayer to request protection. “I ask in the name of my Spirit Guide and all that is good. Please, grant me my request. Please, may no evil or wicked curse, chant or blast, take hold of me and my beloved friends. Love is our law, love is our bond. Love is what surrounds me, and my beloved friends. Love is what holds and keeps us together.”
Frankie peeked out from one eye. Located just above her head were beads of cosmic energy flowing downward. A stream of light slowly grew, moving upward, circling them. A warm energy spread and circled around them both.
She opened her eyes, stared into Sandra’s, and continued to chant for protection. Their energy, resonating at different vibrations, pulsated. The pure, white light above their heads grew stronger.
Just as the girls said, “This is our will. Please, let it be,” a warm, pulsating light fell downward upon them, covering to protect. The warm energy washed through every part of their being.
Author Information
My name is Angie Skelhorn and I live in Canada. My interest include tarot, and other forms of divination, astrology, spirituality, mythology and harness racing. I gear my writing toward Witchcraft and Spiritualism. I've been published in Circle Sanctuary Magazine and online at Witchvox, WitchesandPagans.com and GlobalGoddess.org.
I authored No Reins and Till Death and Beyond - Publisher, Club Lighthouse Publishing. My newest release is Severed Ties - Publisher, Damnation Books- book launch December 1, 2012.
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Thank you Dalene for hosting my magic and realism book Severed Ties on your blog :)
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