MEET THE AUTHOR:
Irina Shapiro
Irina Shapiro, author of THE HANDS OF TIME, historical romance with a hint of the supernatural and a dash of mystery.
“I was born in Moscow, Russia during the height of Communism and “enjoyed” the life of an average Russian child until my family’s immigration to the United States in 1982. We settled in Brooklyn, NY where I finished school and then graduated from Bernard M. Baruch College in New York City with a degree in International Business. Despite my business degree, history and travel have always been my passions and I have tried to incorporate my knowledge and experiences into my stories.
“I live in New Jersey with my husband and two children.”
Reviewers call Shapiro’s novel, THE HANDS OF TIME, exciting and thought-provoking —
“This was my third book by this author and I wasn’t disappointed. I could feel Valerie’s fear and despair as she found herself trapped in the past and tried to make a life for herself in the 17th Century…” –FRYEHI, Amazon review.
“The Hands of Time is a fun and emotional read. Irina Shapiro puts a clever spin on romantic time travel and takes readers’ breaths away… [This book’s] story is not yet finished, the sequel will be just as exciting and thought provoking!” – Lovey, Dovey Books, Amazon review.
Welcome, Irina. Can you tell us a little about yourself and your writing life?
I graduated from Bernard M. Baruch College with a degree in International Business and worked in Advertising and Import/Export for years. After leaving the work force in 2007 to stay at home with my autistic son, I began to write, and have written seven novels since then. My latest is coming out in early January.
What about your family?
I live in New Jersey with my husband and two children. My daughter has just started High School, so the fun has begun.
How long have you been writing and what type of writing do you usually do?
I’ve been writing seriously for about five years. I like to write the type of books that I, myself, like to read. My novels are historical romance with a hint of supernatural and a dash of mystery.
Can you give us a brief synopsis of your book?
When a young woman vanishes without a trace from a quaint fishing village on the coast of England, only one person knows the truth, but he remains silent allowing the authorities to search for her in vain.
Meanwhile, Valerie Crane finds herself transported to the year 1605. Terrified and confused, she turns for help to the Whitfield brothers, who take her in and offer her a home. Both Alexander and Finlay Whitfield fall in love with the mysterious woman, who shows up on their doorstep, creating a love triangle that threatens to consume them all. Valerie must make her choice, deciding between the brother who will lead her down the path of destruction, and the one who will give her a love she couldn’t find in her own time.
What prompted you to become a writer?
I’ve always wanted to be a writer, but didn’t think I had the talent or the imagination. After being at home for a while, I needed something to occupy my mind and distract me from the daily stress of dealing with an autistic child. Writing was an escape from reality – time travel of the mind. I never dreamed of publishing my work, but after getting some very positive reviews from the people who’ve read it, I decided to take a chance and see where it would take me. It’s been an amazing journey.
Do you have a favorite line from THE HANDS OF TIME?
I do, but I can’t share it because it would give away a crucial point in the plot.
Who is your favorite character and why?
My favorite character is Valerie because she is based on me. I couldn’t create her without trying to envision what I would do in her situation and how I would deal with the difficulties that arose.
What was the hardest part about writing your book?
The hardest part is to come up with an original plot; something that hasn’t already been done by other authors.
Do you do anything besides write?
I enjoy anything that requires a degree of creativity. I love pottery, drawing, and photography, as well as experimental cooking, which I inflict upon family and friends. Haven’t poisoned anyone yet.
How can my readers get a copy of THE HANDS OF TIME?
My book is available for purchase at Amazon, as is the sequel: A Leap of Faith. http://www.amazon.com/The-Hands-of-Time-ebook/dp/B006JRO9WS/ref=lp_B0068O1DFS_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1334015717&sr=1-4
What can we expect next from Irina Shapiro’s hand?
I’ve just finished the third book of The Hands of Time Trilogy. It’s currently with my editor and will be released very soon. I must admit that finishing the story left me desolate. These characters have been with me for so long, that I miss them as if they were real people. It’s difficult to move on to other projects.
It’s been great having you with us today, Irina. Historical fiction is my literary cup of tea. Add romance and mystery and your novels sound simply irresistible. I can hardly wait to delve into my copy of THE HANDS OF TIME. –Bette A. Stevens (www.4writersandreaders.com)
Follow Irina Shapiro’s Book Tour
January 2013 Tour Schedule:
4th Lightning Book Promotion Blog
5th Phaedra @ Identity Discovery
6th Jackie @ Writing for Readers in a .com world
7th Bette @ 4writersandreaders.com
8th Andi @ Radiant Light
9th Stormi @ Books, Movies, Reviews. Oh my!
10th Drennan @ Speaking of Books
11th Susan @ My Cozie Corner
12th Cara @ Peace, Love, Books
13th Darryl @ Savage Lullabye
Find out more about Irina Shapiro’s novels:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Hands-of-Time-ebook/dp/B006JRO9WS/ref=lp_B0068O1DFS_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1334015717&sr=1-4
http://www.amazon.com/Leap-Faith-Hands-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B0095LNU3O/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1346860167&sr=8-12
http://www.amazon.com/The-Inheritance-ebook/dp/B005ITYGLW/ref=lp_B0068O1DFS_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334015717&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/Precious-Bones-ebook/dp/B0067R48QW/ref=lp_B0068O1DFS_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1334015717&sr=1-2
http://www.amazon.com/Full-Circle-ebook/dp/B005WH3UL2/ref=lp_B0068O1DFS_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1334015717&sr=1-3
http://www.amazon.com/The-Folly-ebook/dp/B007WNTXGK/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1335178325&sr=8-6
http://irinashapiro.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Irina-Shapiro/307374895948375
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13381342-the-hands-of-time
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Jo Robinson’s novel, African Me and Satellite TV, is a most compelling and powerful novel, with a wide range of characters drawn with deep emotions, and a message some may find uncomfortable. Which is not necessarily a bad thing. Jo’s main character, Suzette Hertzog, is caring, artistic, somewhat emotional, and extremely inhibited. She has lived with pushing down her abhorrence of the way whites treat blacks in Zimbabwe ever since she saw “her father punch their driver in the face. Her 10-year-old heart had frozen in her chest, and over the next few days of listening to her parent’s vicious racist rants over his suspected, but unproven, theft of five litres of fuel, and watching him sobbing, denying it, begging them not to make him go, she finally decided to stop looking.”
Bette A. Stevens, Maine Author 
Written
on 02/16/2015