Interview & Giveaway with Liz Fichera

Today we have a special guest with us: Liz Fichera author of her debut novel, Captive Spirit. Along with her interview and giveaway here, you will be able to find my review of Captive Spirit over at The Book Pushers today!

Without further ado, Welcome Liz!


Nicole: Can you give us an overview of what Captive Spirit is about? Is it going to be part of a series?

Liz: I’d be happy to!

CAPTIVE SPIRIT is my debut historical romance novel set at the dawn of the sixteenth century in the Sonoran Desert in what is known today as Arizona in the American Southwest. The characters are Hohokam Indians who were a particularly fascinating people because they simply vanished from the desert around 1500 AD. CAPTIVE SPIRIT is told from Aiyana’s perspective, a young girl who dreams of leaving her isolated Hohokam village and exploring the World Beyond. One fateful day she gets her wish. Here’s the back cover copy written specifically for CAPTIVE SPIRIT:

Aiyana isn’t like the other girls of the White Ant Clan. Instead of keeping house, she longs to compete on the Ball Court with her best friend Honovi and the other boys. Instead of marriage, she daydreams of traveling beyond the mountains that surround her small village. Only Honovi knows and shares her forbidden wish, though Aiyana doesn’t realize her friend has a secret wish of his own…

When Aiyana’s father arranges her marriage to a man she hardly knows, she takes the advice of a tribal elder: Run! In fleeing, she falls into the hands of Spanish raiders and finds herself being taken over the mountains against her will. Now Aiyana’s on a quest to return to the very place she once dreamed of escaping. And she’ll do whatever it takes to survive and find her way back to the people she loves.

I have started a sequel and hope to finish it this Fall. The CAPTIVE SPIRIT book trailer will also give you a sense of rugged setting and the Hohokam Indians. Some of the photographs, particularly of the Hohokam petroglyphs, were taken near my Phoenix home.



N: Where did you get the inspiration to write Captive Spirit?

L: CAPTIVE SPIRIT was inspired by a little known bit of Hohokam Indian history. When I first moved to Arizona from Illinois years ago, I remember learning that the Hohokam Indians were Phoenix’s original inhabitants. The Hohokam had traveled, remarkably, from the Aztec and Mayan cultures around 300 BC to settle in the Sonoran Desert. They became farmers and master canal builders and lived in the desert until around 1500 AD when they vanished for reasons unknown. There are all sorts of theories—drought, famine, migration with other tribes, warfare—but no one knows for sure why they vanished. It was the Pima Indians who called them Hohokam which means “Those Who Have Gone.” To me, that bit of history just begged for a story.

N: How much research did you put into this book?

L: A lot! :) I spent many hours at the Phoenix Heard Museum in downtown Phoenix. The Heard has one of the most comprehensive collections of Native American history in the world. I could live at the Heard! Thankfully they have a lovely café too.

N: Did you have a favorite character in the book? If so, who was it and why?

L: It’s hard for me to choose just one, but I am partial to Aiyana. I love strong women characters who aren’t afraid to shake up the Universe, regardless of the time period. I’m also quite fond of Honovi. When I wrote his character, I had Native American actor Adam Beach in my head the whole time. I think he is all sorts of hawt, not to mention super-talented!

N: This is your first published book, what was your journey to publication like?

L: Not easy! When I wrote CAPTIVE SPIRIT, I was also in the process of trying to sell a young adult novel that I loved. Unfortunately, my other novel was getting rejected all over the place, so I decided to write in a completely different genre—historical romance. But it had to have all the things I loved in a novel: Native American characters, epic themes, passion, suspense and, of course, a love story. Last January I saw a tweet from Angela James at Carina Press asking writers to submit historical romances for their new Harlequin digital imprint. I submitted CAPTIVE SPIRIT and in March I got “The Call.” It’s been a fun roller coaster ride ever since.

N: What is your writing process like? (panster, plotter?)

L: I’m a little of both. I usually have a rough outline in my head for a story but nothing more restrictive than that. I love to sit at my keyboard and tap away. Music is essential. I can’t write without music.

N: Do you have a full time job in addition to writing? If you do, how do you manage your time between work and writing?

L: I’m a full-time writer who occasionally teaches classes at a local college near my home.

N: Who were some of your biggest inspirations when you started your writing career?

L: Like most writers, I’m an avid reader. But I’m inspired by any writer, famous or not, published or not, who sits at a keyboard each day with the goal of sharing a story with others. Some of my fav authors include Diana Gabaldon, Sherman Alexie, Jean Auel, Margaret Mitchell, and Dr. Seuss.

N: What is your all time favorite book, and why?

L: GONE WITH THE WIND was the first book that I can remember reading as a kid that I absolutely could not put down. I was probably around 10 years old. I remember stealing it from my older sister and then locking myself in my bedroom, not coming out till I finished it. I’ve probably read it 50 times since then. And I’ve been madly hopelessly in love with Rhett Butler ever since.

N: Can you tell us about any other projects you are currently working on?

L: I’m finishing up a contemporary fantasy romance and then I hope to begin writing a sequel to CAPTIVE SPIRIT along with another young adult novel that involves a Native American hero. My goal is to write two more books in the next twelve months.

Thanks so much for having me on your blog today! :)

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About Liz:

Liz is an author from the American Southwest by way of Chicago. She likes to write stories about ordinary people who do extraordinary things, oftentimes against the backdrop of Native American legends. When she’s not writing her next novel, you can find her on Facebook, Twitter, or her blog dishing about writing, books, hunks du jour, LOST reruns, or the best brands of chocolate. Don’t hesitate to visit her web site because it can get real lonely in the desert. http://www.lizfichera.com/

CAPTIVE SPIRIT is available from Carina Press, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever digital books are sold.

Now for the Giveaway!! Liz is giving away one digital copy of Captive Spirit! To be entered into the drawing, just leave Liz a comment or question below.
+5 extra entries for following my blog
+3 extra entries for following me on Twitter (@MinnChica)
+3 extra entries for following Liz on Twitter (@LizFichera)
+2 spread the word online (Please provide your links below)

This contest will close on Friday the 30th, and winners will be announced on Saturday. Good Luck and Thanks again to Liz.