Interview with
Uvi Poznansky
Author of
Uvi is no stranger to my blog, so I won’t need to introduce this fantastic writer to you. Her new novel and box set are no exception to her string of literary successes. So without further ado, wecome back Uvi and please tell us, how did you come up with the idea for your new release, Love in Times of War?
The idea came to me in the last stages of writing my novel, Dancing with Air, which is a love story set in WWII, between a marine and a rising star, a pianist. The story made me curious to read other love stories set against the background of war, and to compare the ways I developed the story with the ways other authors did it. The result is a new boxed set, titled Love in Times of War.
To create this unique, wonderful selection, I looked at hundreds of romance novels and scores of authors. It includes twelve romance stories written by the best and the brightest authors in the genre: Tamara Ferguson, Jacquie Biggar, D.G. Torrens, Angelica Kate, Traci Hall, Jennifer St. Giles, Regina Puckett, Suzanne Jenkins, S.R. Mallery, Susan Jean Ricci, Bridgitte Lesley, and me. Some of the stories have never been published before. They were being written specifically for inclusion in this amazing collection, and quite often I was consumed by worries, fearing that they will not be completed in time for our release day. But to my delight, it all came together in the nick of time.
The theme of love in times of war is a timely one. It lends itself to historical romance, contemporary romance, military romance and wounded warrior romance, but in all its flavors, it invites you into a feast of emotions.
You have great covers for all your books, but the one for Love in Times of War is truly special. How does your book cover creation process work?
My covers are always based on my own art, in all its forms (oil paintings, watercolors, or digital imagery) and they express the same vision as my writing. My art and my writing are two sides of the same coin. I write with a paintbrush and paint with a pen.
For the word capital L in the word Love I found a lovely font called Precious, because I felt that it expresses the meaning of this word by making the capital letter so flowery and romantic. For the image I selected a dramatic, explosive background, symbolizing the dangerous time of war. The lovers are oblivious to danger, all they feel is the moment of love and the heartwarming intimacy between them.
My intention was to convey a sense of a substantial collection, presented like volumes in an encyclopedia. Therefore, for the spine I used golden lettering on rich red background. I added the lit and shadowed edges for each spine, to achieve depth. Most importantly, at the bottom of it I added a medallion, depicting a detail from the cover of each standalone novel.
Many of your novels, including Dancing with Air, have been converted into audio books. What has been the impact on your regular sales? Has the audio books gained a new audience for you?
Tales around a fire. That’s how it started… the oral tradition, the first way knowledge was stored and transmitted. Thousands of years later, we’ve rediscovered the power and presence of the human voice in the telling of new tales. Digital technology has made the recording and delivery of high-quality audio narration both convenient and affordable. Now storytellers everywhere are lifting their words from the page (or pixel) and breathing new life into their tales through audio fiction podcasts and audiobooks.
Having worked with several talented voice artists I can tell you that breathing life into a story is an amazing process. It starts with the audition script, which can prove to be a challenge to many actors. Usually I know instantly when I hear the right voice. By instinct I sense the capacity of the narrator to immerse himself in the character, to the point that he can live in her skin. This is the real magic. when author and narrator are giving it all, in service of their characters.
So if you spend a lot of time driving on long trips, or even sitting around the fireplace, you can imagine what a great companion audiobooks can be to spin away the hours. Great narrators make books come alive. Being so close to you, breathing words into your ear, they make the experience both intimate and heightened, with every nuance in the story becoming fully expressed.
What was the main objective of bundling your works with other romance authors? How did you put something like that together?
Despite being a private person I find myself increasingly engaged with readers and listeners. Why? because of my characters. Having sprung from my mind onto the page, they might die there, pressed between the front and back covers–unless I make it possible for them to spring from the page to your mind.
I thrive on reaching out to my audience. Every day I discover new ways to create this connection and strengthen it. By far the best way is forging alliances with other authors, whose work is of outstanding quality and whose audience appreciates creativity. To this end I interview fellow authors on my blog, which is my way of recognizing their talent. I organize author events on Facebook to showcase our work. I read a lot of novels, note their reviews, and actively seek out book recommendations, all of which allows me to choose the best and the brightest for the most ambitious team projects I created to date: boxed sets. In my mind, they are meant to celebrate excellence in writing. They allow you to discover new authors and from there, it is up to you to read more of their books.
Tell us in detail about Love in Times of War.
At no other point is passion put to the test as in dire times of war. From the American Civil War to WWII, from Vietnam to the War in Afghanistan to the Persian Gulf, the stories in this boxed set summon the strength of true lovers. Written by bestselling, award-winning, and USA Today authors, the novels and novellas in this collection tell of overcoming the odds to celebrate the victory of love.
If you like Military Romance, Wounded Warrior Romance, Historical Romance, Contemporary Romance, or Romantic Suspense, this anthology invites you to triumph over the worst of conditions. Together with these unforgettable lovers, go through coping with loss, struggling with injuries and rehabilitation, and facing difficult homecomings. And just like them, inspired by desire, find the courage to bring forth the best in us.
Dancing with Air by Uvi Poznansky
In WWII London, Lenny is involved in a covert intelligence ploy. His task must remain confidential, even at the risk of Natasha becoming suspicious of him. Will their love survive the test of war?
Two Hearts Unspoken by Tamara Ferguson
Beth Bowen is a single mom of an autistic son. Zach Logan is a wounded warrior searching for a life after Iraq. Can two lonely people discover that love is that something unspoken, missing from their lives?
The Rebel’s Redemption by Jacquie Biggar
When an old enemy follows him from Iraq and causes mayhem in Tidal Falls, can Jared overcome the odds to protect the woman he’s always loved?
Broken Wings by D.G. Torrens
Joshua, a bomb disposal expert in Afghanistan. Angelina, an editor of a local newspaper. Both avoiding love at all costs, until they are unexpectedly thrown together. Tested beyond belief… Can their love survive?
A Soldier’s Promise by Angelica Kate
Ryker is most comfortable in the regulated world of the military. When he is sent to Darby’s doorstep to keep a promise to one of his fallen team members, every rule he holds will be challenged!
Returning Home by the Sea by Traci Hall
Brayden and Zoe wed before he went to Iraq. Once united in passion, a lot has changed in the six years he’s been away. Will their love survive his homecoming?
A Weldon Family Christmas by Jennifer St. Giles
A frightening event with an uncertain outcome sends Emma and John’s memory to the past, where her helicopter went down in Vietnam enemy territory, and he risked everything to save her. Can she save him now?
The Magic of Snow by Regina Puckett
When Staff Sergeant Charlie Prince’s letters stop arriving from Afghanistan, Sarah White waits in agonizing suspense to discover what has happened to the man she loves.
Mademoiselle by Suzanne Jenkins
To Philipa, working at Mademoiselle Magazine is more important than anything, even love. Her friend, Walter, hopes for a change, but not until his trip to the Persian Gulf does she begin to listen to her heart.
Genteel Secrets by S.R. Mallery
In 1861 America, can the love between a Confederate female spy and the Pinkerton detective hired to shadow her survive, or will their story become just another casualty of war?
Moving to Forever by PJ Fiala
Danny Schaefer returns from Afghanistan broken in body, battered in soul. Tammy Davis, betrayed in a most personal way, struggles against her tormentor. She and Danny must help each other heal, by the power of love.
Lovin’ Those Navy Games by Susan Jean Ricci
Michael Burke has two passions: his high-school sweetheart and baseball. When someone dear to him perishes in Vietnam, will the shock alter his future goals? Will it isolate him from Ellie or deepen their love?
About Uvi Poznansky
Uvi Poznansky is a bestselling, award-winning author, poet and artist. “I paint with my pen,” she says, “and write with my paintbrush.” Her romance boxed set, A Touch of Passion, is the 2016 WINNER of The Romance Reviews Readers’ Choice Awards.
Education and work:
Uvi earned her B. A. in Architecture and Town Planning from the Technion in Haifa, Israel and practiced with an innovative Architectural firm, taking a major part in the large-scale project, called Home for the Soldier.
Having moved to Troy, N.Y. with her husband and two children, Uvi received a Fellowship grant and a Teaching Assistantship from the Architecture department at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. There, she guided teams in a variety of design projects and earned her M.A. in Architecture. Then, taking a sharp turn in her education, she earned her M.S. degree in Computer Science from the University of Michigan.
She worked first as an architect, and later as a software engineer, software team leader, software manager and a software consultant (with an emphasis on user interface for medical instruments devices.) All the while, she wrote and painted constantly, and exhibited in Israel and California. In addition, she taught art appreciation classes. Her versatile body of work includes bronze and ceramic sculptures, oil and watercolor paintings, charcoal, pen and pencil drawings, and mixed media.
Books and Genres:
Her two series won great acclaim. Still Life with Memories is a family saga series with touches of romance. It includes Apart From Love, My Own Voice, The White Piano, The Music of Us, and Dancing with Air. The David Chronicles is a historical fiction series. It includes Rise to Power, A Peek at Bathsheba, and The Edge of Revolt.
Her poetry book, Home, is in tribute to her father. Her collection of dark tales, Twisted, and her Historical Fiction book, A Favorite Son, are both new age, biblically inspired books. In addition, Uvi wrote and illustrated two children books, Jess and Wiggle and Now I Am Paper. For each one of these books, she created an animation video (find them on YouTube and on her Goodreads page.)
Author Links:
Love in Times of War
Still Life with Memories series:
2016 has been a year of much tragedy, ugliness and extremes:
extremism, xenophobia, Bre
xit, Trump (and what all this comes with for us), and grave concerns about the course humanity and societies are taking.
So, looking back at 2016 in anger and to 2017 with a heavy heart, I do the only thing I can do: Feel the fear and carry on regardless. I will continue to hope, dream, campaign, argue and fight for a better future and do the best I can. Not give up.
I was lucky enough to meet the author at several events and talks at the Oxford Historical Novelist Society. Inspired by his passion I purchased “Marlene” and was very impressed with the author’s take on Marlene Dietrich. I wanted more, although the subjects of his other novels were not as familiar to me.
© Lisa…
This is another wonderful helping by one of the kindest and funniest cozy mystery writers: 
