SEELIE KAY: Postcards from The Ledge: This week in The Loft: New author KD Sherrinford!

Joining me in The Loft today is fellow Extasy author KD Sherrinford. KD writes historical romantic suspense. A talented pianist, her debut novel features some of her favorite composers' music. KD is also an animal lover who has worked with thoroughbred horses and racing greyhounds. She and her husband, John, won the Blackpool Greyhound Derby in 1987 with their dog, Scottie. KD's other hobbies include reading, theatre, music, and dead camp comedians. Now retired, KD writes full-time from her home in the UK on the Fylde Coast, where she lives with her husband and two children.

Author KD Sherrinford

S: Good morning, KD. Thanks for joining me today!

How do you get in the mood for writing?

KD: I get in the mood for writing by retiring to my office, where I can write and contemplate without interruption. I can't have any distractions, not even music, which I love. The only thing I need is copious amounts of coffee.

S: Coffee does seem to be essential for me, too.

Do you write in genres other than romantic suspense?

KD: My first three books, The Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler Mysteries, are all historical romantic suspense stories. However, I recently completed a present-day short cozy mystery for Marla Bradeen, titled, "A Bit of a Do." It will be included in the Malice Matrimony and Murder anthology, which will be published in November. I am considering developing my main character Liv into a possible series.

S: Do you remember your first kiss? What was memorable about it?

KD: My first kiss was 60 years ago, when I was six. I'll never forget that day. It was with David Lambert at primary school. I was fortunate to sit beside him in class—this lovely boy with blonde hair and blazing blue eyes. I kissed him on the cheek in front of the whole class. It was pretty way out for me as I was an introverted child and always had my nose in a book. But I couldn't help myself. Alas, my feelings remained unrequited. I don't know who was more embarrassed.

S: I was five when I was kissed by a classmate, but I got sent to the principal's office! People still remind me about "the kiss."

Do you read reviews?

KD: I sometimes read reviews, but I would never let them detract me from reading a book I was interested in. I prefer to make up my own mind. I still read my own reviews, although not as often as I used to. Being naturally inquisitive or, as my friends describe it, nosy, I like to read what people think of my books, even if it's not always what I want to hear. I feel blessed to have received some wonderful reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. I received a lovely review only the other day, posted in "The Sign of Holmes" by Jon Oshiro. He eloquently quoted the following, " Using multiple narratives, we see and begin to understand the character from each one's perspective. The emotions they wrestle with and the appreciation and acceptance that love allows us to see. We are all different ... and without understanding ... without love, we remain different. Investigate 'Song for Someone.' Highly recommend an endearing look at an enduring love." I love these sentiments. I couldn't have put it better myself.

S: The good reviews sustain you.

If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose to write books?

KD: If I had my time over again, I would still write books. There is magic in writing, bringing your characters and plots together on the page that equals nothing else.

S: What’s the best advice you have ever been given?

KD: The best advice I've been given is to write about what you know and what interests you. Write a book you would want to read yourself. So, I did.

S: What do you consider your greatest achievement?

KD: Having four books published within 12 months. I would have never believed that possible when I first started out.

S: What was the inspiration for " Song for Someone? "

KD: My inspiration came from my daughter, Katie, after a visit to The Sherlock Holmes Museum on Baker Street London in October 2019. We went with a few friends. I remember we had a discussion afterwards about Sherlock and the iconic character, Irene Adler. I remarked that it was a shame she was only featured in one of Conan Doyle's stories, "A Scandal in Bohemia," and lamented what might have been if the characters had met again. My daughter suggested I write my own adaptation. So, after much deliberation, I decided to give it a go.

S: Is there anything special you would like people to know about "Song for Someone?"

KD: What makes my debut novel special to me is the incredible amount of time and effort that went into writing the book. It took two years, six-eight hours each day. I re-read the entire Sherlock Holmes canon and spent ages researching the historical details and real-life characters portrayed in the book. It was tricky, but worthwhile. I wrote the prologue, the story of "A Scandal in Bohemia" from Irene's POV, which I don't believe has ever been done before.

Here's the blurb--

Charlotte Sapori has led a wonderful life safely tucked in the bosom of her family. Her mother, Irene Adler, is a renowned opera singer, while her father, Lucca Sapori, does important government work that frequently takes him away from them. Charlotte is close to her older brother Nicco, and they are both doted on by their parents. All is well until her mother receives an unexpected diagnosis which shakes the family to its core.

Knowing herself to be dying. Adler confesses to Charlotte things that have long been kept from her, telling her to find and read her diary. A distressed Lucca Sapori tells his daughter to read his as well. And by the way, Lucca Sapori is not his real name. In fact, she may have heard of him-he is actually the world-famous detective Sherlock Holmes.

Charlotte finds both diaries and plunges into the hidden world of Irene Adler and Sherlock Holmes as she discovers what brought them together and how they managed to stay together for thirty years despite having to battle the odds.