Aloha to Aris Whittier and ACROSS ETERNITY

Early this week, my blog followers hit 200!   As my blog grows, I also grow as a reader, meeting a wide variety of romance writers!  Today I welcome the refreshing voice of Aris Whittier, who celebrates her new YA novel, ACROSS ETERNITY.   From her blog,


My name is Aris. Aris is pronounced (heiress) and I'm not sure what the meaning is. Several years ago, when I was asked what my name meant, I replied that Aris was a Greek Sexx Goddess (what can I say I'm a romance writer). Unfortunately, my husband happened to be near, he looked over at me, rolled his eyes, and said very loudly "I wish". I've moved on to another story, which happens to be true. I was born in the seventies to a pair of hippies, real hippies. Having said that, I think I got off lucky with the name Aris. It could have been much worse, Fruit Stand or something like that. So, Aris it is.

Greek Goddess Hera

Kim:  Tell us about your favorite sight, smell, and sound of where you live!


Aris:   I live in the mountains—the foothills of the Sierra’s to be exact. I absolutely love to hear the wind blowing through the tall pine trees. I also enjoy the rich piney smell of the forest.

Sierra Nevadas
destination360.com

Her debut novel, Fatal Embrace is a romantic suspense that was featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine as a Red-Hot Read.


Kim:  Tell us about this experience - how did it happen? What did you learn from it?


Aris:  Having Fatal Embrace featured in Cosmo was so much fun! My publisher had sent an ARC to Cosmo and they like the story so much they called my agent and viola Fatal Embrace was featured.  Cosmo actually called a month before the feature ran so I could proof the article…I wasn’t home so my hubby took the message. I still have that little, yellow stick note that reads, “Aris, Cosmo called. Call them back ASAP. They need you to proof the feature”, scribbled in my hubby’s handwriting. Cosmo has such a huge readership that I received emails from all over the world. It was amazing to hear from them. Some shared personal stories and others just wanted to comment on the book and the story.

Kim:  Your new book, ACROSS ETERNITY, "is a beautiful love story that transcends time."  What inspired it?


Aris:  Across Eternity was inspired by a dream. I dreamt the entire book one night and sprung out of bed at about 3 in the morning scrambling into my office and immediately began writing—I didn’t want to forget it! Across Eternity is an amazing love story and I hope it makes the reader think and question certain aspect about life, love, and ourselves. And most importantly what do you believe in and is your Logan out there somewhere?

Aphrodite by Botticelli 

Kim:  What's next for Aris Whittier, Romance Author and Sexx Goddess?


Aris:  Sexx Goddess—I LOVE it! I have a tendency to forget I’m a Goddess—thank you for reminding me…LOL.   I’m just finishing up SECRETS. SECRETS is a romantic suspense, whose heroine, Ashley Dawson, is a crime writer who has the ability to see spirits. Its hero, Nathaniel Marshall is a hardnosed architect with a long, dark past. A tight web of doubt, uncertainty, and affection is weaved when Nathaniel’s dead wife comes to Ashley in a vision. Throw a stalker turned serial killer in the mix and a crazy cat named Voodoo and the pages keep turning.

Hālona Cove starred in the movie
From Here to Eternity

Mahalo, Aris, for joining us today at SOS Aloha!  We also appreciate you donating an ecopy of ACROSS ETERNITY to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about what Cosmo might feature from you - an article?  a recipe?  a photograph?

I would love to write an article about the true spirit of Aloha here in Hawaii.

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, August 6, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday,  August 7.


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii 

Sex Goddess Deborah Kerr
From Here to Eternity