Introducing K. M. McFarland
Where did the idea for the story come from?
Not to give away too many details that are covered in the book, but because of Hollywood and legend portraying Voodoo as evil, it has been misrepresented and misunderstood. Most people don’t know Vodun is an ancient religion that originated in Africa that is as old as the continent. It was brought to America during the Atlantic slave trade by Haitain and west African slaves. Known as the Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveaux was a free person of color and a well known Voodoo priestess in New Orleans, but she was also a devout Catholic. There are parallels between Catholicism and Vodun that the enslaved people discovered when they were banned from practicing their religion and forced into Catholicism. This is covered in more detail in the book. Marie later synchronized the two religions that became known as New Orleans Voodoo. Voodoo is a part of our culture here.
This book is a spinoff of my Vampyr series and is about redemption and second chances. We know from page one that begins with the title, Twenty Years Ago, Rose is a reincarnation of her aunt, Pam. So, without telling too much about the book, because there is a major twist in the last few pages and a lot isn’t revealed until the end, everything and everyone is connected.
Give a quote from the books, one that says little but speaks volumes.
Papa took another sip of rum and placed his glass back on the table. His eyes focused on Darrin. “Let me ask you something. You’ve had a taste of fame, money, and success. You’ve lived your dream, but did it make you happy?”
Darrin buried his face in his hands, going over the past five years in his head. He looked up and said, “You really wanna know? I’ll tell you. It did in the beginning, but as time went on, it just became the norm. I traveled the world, but I hardly saw any of it. The money was nice, but it’s not all about having more money than you can ever spend. I thought it was what I wanted, but the life I led turned out much different from what I expected.”
Papa nodded, puffing his cigar. “Sometimes things do look better from the outside. That’s why I’m offering you an opportunity. You can’t go back in time, but what if you could return to the way things would have been for you now?”
Give a short summary of what the book is about.
A mysterious invitation summons Rose, a young woman who sees and communicates with ghosts, to a Halloween party at one of New Orleans’ most active haunted houses. But not just any haunted house. This one sits on a portal to the Voodoo underworld. Darrin, a successful rock star with a debt to settle with a Voodoo Loa, waits upstairs to seal his fate. What happens when their paths cross in this tale of reincarnation, Voodoo, love, and destiny?
What genre is it?
Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
How many pages is it?
173
Why do you think the readers will want to read it?
It deals with Voodoo and the afterlife; two subjects most people are curious about. It’s set against the backdrop of New Orleans. My readers have referred to New Orleans as an immortal character itself.
Where are you located?
New Orleans
Description
Excerpt
Rose let out a sigh. She sipped her coffee, trying to connect the dots. Who is this Papa? Dreadlocks, handsome in a ghoulish sort of way, face painted like a corpse, red eyes, top hat, fragrant cigar. Could he be some kind of Voodoo deity?
She thought about the Voodoo Shop a couple of blocks over.
After taking care of business and making sure all hotel operations were running smoothly, Rose made her way to the Voodoo Shop.
Bells chimed as she opened the door and stepped inside. Her eyes scanned the shelves, trying to take in all the items displayed. She found Voodoo dolls, flower blends, roots, herbs, gris-gris bags, spell kits, claws, oils, bones, ritual bags, candles, and potion oils. A poster hanging on the wall for sale looked a lot like Darrin’s description of Papa.
Her eyes popped when she noticed that displayed among the Voodoo items were crosses, paintings, religious items, and statues of Catholic saints.
What brings you into the store today, Rose?”
Rose sighed deeply, getting her thoughts together. “Well, there’s something I need to talk about, and I thought of you.”
“I hope I can help,” said Delphine. “What’s the problem?”
Rose relayed the story of the mysterious man called Papa, Darrin, and the previous night’s events, while Delphine listened attentively. “I need to know who this is. From Darrin’s description, he looks like the man in the poster over there.”
Delphine looked as Rose pointed to the picture.
Rose’s eyes shifted to Delphine. “I have to assume he’s evil, since it seems like he wanted me dead.”
“Not necessarily,” said Delphine, raising her index finger.
Book Trailer
World of Stories 
Fascinating. Good luck with all your writing. Have Tweeted (X).
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Thank you Jane. It looks like it is an interesting book.
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