Author Marcy Heistand hands a signed copy of her latest Novel, Unforgettable, to a supporter By. CRUSELDA ROBERTS FOR VI CONSORTIUM
ST. CROIX — How do you spread the history of your island while keeping readers enthralled in your novel? Ask St. Croix author Marcy Heistand, whose latest work fuses the enticements of romance with the mesmerizing history of St. Croix into her new book, titled "Unforgettable", which promises to keep readers hooked from the moment they flip open the first page.
During a book launch event held at Undercover Books in Gallows Bay on Friday, Ms. Heistand spoke with the Consortium's Cruselda Roberts about her new book.
Below are responses to the questions posed during the interview:
Tell us a little bit about Unforgettable
I'm really excited about the release of unforgettable. It's a historical romance, and I really think it's the first historical romance novel for St. Croix written by a Crucian author, and I'm really excited about it because it's about our history. And yes, it's fiction, it's a steamy romance, but there's a lot of history in there.
The book is based on Butler Bay Plantation in the 1800s and there are some references to the Fire Burn. I think it's something that our readers can identify with and also be proud of.
It's a story about love and survival and the spirit of love and what it can get you through. So I'm hoping that when readers pick it up they identify with St. Croix, they identify with the spirit of love, and they can take something back with them that will be unforgettable for them.
Is this your first book?
This is actually my second novel. My First novel was also a romance novel titled "After the Storm", and it was based on the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo, and then ten years later when this couple met again, and they had to face some of the secrets that they had within the relationship.
I like to write about the past, when there were no cellphones and there were no computers and it's all about the people and the characters. So I hope for a little bit of nostalgia from our readers as well when they go through the pages and experience the book.
How long ago was 'After the Storm' Released?
The book was released in 2010 so a long, long time ago.
Tell me, Marcy, what inspires you?
Just exploring the human spirit. There's just something inspiring to me about the way people interact with each other, the way they love each other, the challenges that they face apart and those they choose to face together. It's always been something that fascinated me and when I write it I get to write my own ending so that's even more fun.
What got you into writing?
I had some amazing teachers when I was younger. My parents read to me a lot. And reading stories, you see it yourself, you see it in your mind, and it's almost inevitable that you start writing your own stories, or want to make your own stories. At least for me it was. And so I started writing little poems and short stories as a child, maybe around the age of 8 or 9 years old, then it just kind of spiraled from there and the stories got longer and longer until it finally became a novel.
After Unforgettable, what should readers expect from you?
Another romance novel. I've already started writing something else and this one will be based in the '70s, when Queens Quarters Hotel first opened and was hopping and the place to be, and their only competition on island was the Buccaneer Hotel. So a little bit more history, a lot more romance, and hopefully everyone will enjoy that one as much as they enjoyed the first and hopefully as much as they're enjoying Unforgettable.
When do you anticipate finishing up the next novel?
Maybe between a year and a half, and then there's always the editing and design and printing of the book, so I'd say maybe two years. I'm hoping to make my writing quicker. Every book that I write is different and every experience is different, and I feel like I learn more as a writer, so maybe I'll get the next one out sooner than two years.
The book can be purchased at the Undercover Book Store in Gallows Bay.
