How did you come up with the title for your latest book?
Each of the Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mysteries include Medium in the title, the first being Reluctant Medium. And reluctant she is; sometimes put-upon. Every installment is a stand-alone read, but there remains her evolving personal story as Rachel hones her new skillset. Skinwalker Medium refers to the evil witch that some Southwest Native Nations, in this case Navajo, believe in. But skinwalker is not what they call it. In fact, they won’t mention one at all for fear of calling it to them. After having studied this phenomenon, I will never again drive through the reservations without a black obsidian arrowhead for protection.
Do you title the book first or wait until after it’s complete?
I come up with the title first. I’m always reading about Native culture in the Four Corners region. I find the Native Nations to be interesting and I learn so much from them about nature and what’s important in living day-to-day. They’ve been at it a lot longer than some of us. From these studies I find the next thing I want to write about and from there, the title of the next book.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
The story revolves around the 1980 Santa Fe Penitentiary riot. The inmates who were slaughtered there are not at rest, and who would expect them to be? Rachel picks up on the shadow people in the cellblock where the worst took place while reporting on a story for High Desert Country.
I would hope that anyone who reads this comes away with the cause, which was overcrowding and the mixing of heinous criminals with nonviolent inmates. Among those murdered were snitches in protective custody and possible offenders like counterfeiters and auto thieves. The sentence for these offences is not the death penalty, but that’s what they received.
Many readers appreciate the ways of the Navajo and Hopi. These characters bring depth and meaning to my stories. I also include characters from the three cultures who make their homes in this area and by incorporating some of their Native languages.
Of all the characters you’ve ever written, who is your favorite and why?
That would have to be Rachel Blackstone. She and her friend Chloe Valdez, each have some of my traits. I always wear shoes I can run in and so does Rachel. But I don’t eat much junk food. My eating habits are more in line with Chloe’s who also does yoga. And while Rachel doesn’t really get this supernatural gig, Chloe basks in it. Together they are a bit of an odd couple who manage to solve paranormal mysteries.
What books/authors have influenced your life?
Shirley Jackson’s book We Have Always Lived in the Castle really woke me up at about age thirteen. I wasn’t writing then, but I’d been reading Phyllis A. Whitney and Mary Stewart, who wrote romantic mysteries. Jackson’s had that twist at the end I wasn’t expecting. And then came along Stephen King. Salem’s Lot and The Shining really rang all the bells and whistles for me. Of course, there is Tony Hillerman who literally wrote the books on the Indigenous mystery genre. Without him, none of us would be writing about Indigenous culture.
A recent review from the UK was so lovely. But the line that especially stood out to me was “Highly recommended for readers who enjoy intelligent mysteries with a supernatural twist.” This reader made me feel I was achieving exactly what I wanted in this series.
Who designed the cover of your latest book?
Tatiana Vila, with Vila Design, has created all my covers. She is a master. I send a short (4 or 5 line) synopsis and a few items important to the story and turn her loose. If you want changes, she’ll make them. I took a chance on her just from looking at the many covers she had done. I’ve never looked back. Find her at https://www.viladesign.net
Do you have a song or playlist that you think represents this book?
During the writing of Skinwalker Medium I played a lot of Native flute music. Here are some of the artists I particularly enjoy: John Two-Hawks’ “Wind Songs,” Alice Gomez “While the Eagle Sleeps,” R. Carlos Nakai “Mythic Dreamer” and Jessita Reyes “Native American Flutes & the Sounds of Nature.” These albums take me right to the Four Corners area where much of this story took place. As soon as I hear the haunting melodies I’m immediately transported to legendary places in the Four Corners such as Shiprock and Monument Valley. My sense of place kicks in.
What is next for you? Do you have any scheduled upcoming releases or works in progress?
Skinwalker Medium has been nominated for the New Mexico Book Award and I’m excitedly waiting for word on it, but not holding my breath. Winners won’t be announced until November.
Currently, I’m writing Editor Die Line, the cozy I spoke about. It will likely have a spring pub date. The latest book in this series, Editor Kill Fee, was reviewed by Publisher’s Weekly and appeared on The Strand magazine reading list.
As for the Rachel Blackstone, her next adventure will be Brujo Medium. Yup, she will be going up against another type of evil witch. There is sure to be more gripping adventure and narrow escapes as she and friend Chloe try to interpret more cryptic clues from the spirit world.
Reviewed by Publisher's Weekly
Nominated for the New Mexico Book Award
The Strand Magazine Reading List.
Fellowship & Award-Winning Writer
SPJ (Society of Professional Journalists)
Awards
Excerpt:
A stroll along the river usually calmed her. Still, Albuquerque’s crime rate had made national headlines so she tried to be alert to any threats.
After a few minutes, Olivia could tell her pulse had evened out and she was beginning to notice the birds and trees instead of her bothersome feelings. But something else concerned her. There was a fetid odor in this area. She dismissed it as a dead animal but it disturbed her enough that she dug in her coat pocket for her pollen and arrowhead. They weren’t there! Hadn’t she placed them in her pocket while talking with the reporter? When Blackstone cautioned about the others she had interviewed who had died or been scared, she remembered taking the bag out and showing her the contents. She checked the other pocket that held her fob and cell. Olivia could feel the panic rising in her throat, so she took out the phone. It made her more confident. Help was a phone call away.
She quickly turned. Behind her was nothing but an empty trail and the beginnings of another spectacular sunset. Ahead, a biker disappeared around a corner. The Rio Grande flowed to her left and there was no one exploring the banks or kayaking on the river. That left the treed area to her right. A few trees still held onto their autumn leaves, but most had turned brown and fallen to the ground. There was nothing apparent, but the feeling of trepidation would not go away. How could she have left her amulet and bag of pollen? And where did she leave them? It didn’t matter now. The only thing that mattered: something was stalking her and she couldn’t yet see it. She held her phone tightly.
A hawk flew overhead as she looked upward. The hawk didn’t worry her. These birds of prey were only a threat to a small mammal, with the occasional insect or lizard for variety.
It circled languidly. This time, it swooped down at her as a bird parent might defend a fledgling against a passing cat. The intent was obvious: to bully her. It was working. Olivia wanted to go. She no longer wanted to be outside and felt vulnerable, was vulnerable. Retracing her steps to the parking lot, she heard a sound behind her.
She kept walking, hoping it would go away. But the fear in her chest was fierce. It was difficult to breathe. She tried to control the shivering and her pounding heart. Her options had run out. Olivia knew she was no longer in charge of the situation. She had to turn around and face whatever was there.
After casually glancing about to appear unafraid, she came face to face with an evil witch. Its eyes held her, and she couldn’t look away. The elders always cautioned against staring directly at the eyes so the witch could not control thoughts. But it was too late. The red and glowing eyes allowed her to see only the beast.
It was sans clothing with fur covering its body and the neck heavy with jewelry. Its face and arms were grey. For a moment she thought it might be female, but never had she known of a female witch becoming malevolent. She knew this was imminent danger of the fatal kind. Without her arrowhead, she didn’t know how to defend herself. It could run faster, jump higher and climb better than she could. Her chances of harming it were slim. The body of a skinwalker was tough, maybe impenetrable. With only the useless cell in her hand she stood silently, because who could she call to intervene?
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