Interview with Robin Storey, author of A Time For Penance

What can you tell us about your new release, A Time For Penance?

It’s a story about wealthy socialite Eva Dennehy, who for 20 years has borne the guilt of murdering her first husband Charlie, who was planning to leave her for his mistress.

When she’s offered the opportunity to travel back in time and undo her crime as penance, she accepts – what does she have to lose? Back in her old life with Charlie, her passion for him surpassed only by her torment at his infidelity, she is more determined than ever to prevent him from leaving her.

But her plan plunges her into a world of crime and depravity, and she soon discovers she has even more to lose this time around.

The idea for this novel was inspired by my fascination with the sliding doors moments of our life; those times where the decisions we make alter our destiny – the jobs we choose, the person we marry, where we decide to live.  I often wonder how different my life would have been if I’d made other choices, and would I really want to change it if I had the opportunity?

But until someone invents a time machine, that won’t be possible. The great thing about being a writer is that you can make your characters do what you can’t or you’re too afraid to do yourself. So I made Eva go back in time to re-live her life, resulting in many unforeseen difficulties and obstacles.

What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?

Wow – that is such a difficult decision to make, but here they are. (not in order of preference).

1. Lord Of The Rings – J.R.R. Tolkien
2. Winnie the Pooh – A. Milne
3. Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway – Susan Jeffers
4. The Dice Man – Luke Rhinehart
5. The Wisdom Tree (a series of 5 novellas) – Nick Earls

Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

J.K.Rowling.

Do you ever wonder what you’d be doing today if you hadn’t written the Harry Potter books?

BAM. You’re a superhero. What’s your superpower?

Invisibility. I’d love to see what really goes on in the corridors of power – and I’d get so much material for books.

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

Being able to live in a world that I’ve created in my mind – so much better than reality.

How do you like to spend a rainy day?

Well, I do love writing on a rainy day, but if I was giving myself a day off, I’d spend it curled up with a book or watching a movie.

What scene in A Time For Penance was your favorite to write?

The last one – not because I was relieved at finishing it, (though I was) but because I liked the ending, and I challenge any reader to guess it!

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

Robin Storey is the author of the new book A Time For Penance. 

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