The Whispers

As a child, I wanted to be a ballerina, marry a doctor, and have a pony. Since none of these dreams came to fruition, I became a teacher instead. An avid reader, I have a long held belief that you can never have too many books. I began writing as a creative outlet, and it soon blossomed into a real passion. My favorite pastimes include traveling, watching historical documentaries, and adding to my growing collection of antique books. I live in a small town in Ohio with my husband, children, and two corgis.

“Welcome, readers. Right now we have the pleasure of speaking with Tasha Sheipline. Let's dive right in! Can you tell us how much research you do for your books?”

I do a tremendous amount of research for every book that I write. While my novels cross several genres, they are primarily considered historical fiction. The different locations featured in my books are places alive with the energy of the past. I love being able to capture that visual imagery in such a way that readers feel like they are right there in the thick of it all. As a writer, there is no better compliment than hearing a reader confess that your novel prompted them to do more research on these people and places on their own.

“I love that! What is your favorite genre to write and why?”

Definitely historical fiction, though I strive to blend in touches of other genres too. I love history, but while it gives us so much information about dates and events, it falls short on capturing the emotional side of what people experienced. I have always had a passion for taking women, both historical and fictional, and giving them a much deserved voice. I want to make them three dimensional, so much so that readers feel as if they know the person themselves.

“If a book doesn't draw me in emotionally, i don't want it. Next, what is the most surprising thing that you have learned creating you books?”

I have learned that in real life we judge people on their actions, because we don't always know their intentions. Fiction turns that entirely on its head. As a reader, I get to know every bit of inner dialog that character has going on in their brain. This is a mindset that really pushes me through writer's block. Developing characters into their full potential is hard at times, but being in their brains gives the writer a solid upper-hand.

“Yes! Could you describe yourself in one word?”

Discontent. I have so many things that I want to accomplish in this lifetime. The fact that there are only 24 hours in a day is a travesty.

“I feel that. 🤣 And what inspired you to write?”

I have always loved reading. I have always had a love for history too. As a kid, I went through my Greek Mythology phase, had a mild obsession with the sinking of the Titanic too, then found my love for learning about Henry VIII. I can remember learning about his six wives, and just being captivated by their stories, so much so, that I realized most people would not even know who Henry VIII even was had it not been for these incredible women. From there, I just gravitated to learning more about as many women throughout history as I could. I love knowing that despite living in different times, emotions are timeless, and these women felt joy, disappointment, and grief the same way you and I do. The more I read, the more I wanted to be a part of helping connect women through giving voices to those who walked before us.

“I genuinely love that answer. What is your favorite motivational phrase?”

Elenor Roosevelt said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." We all need to hear that saying, but especially writers. Not feeling as if you are good enough as a writer, marketer, promoter is a real thing. Not to mention most of us have day jobs and families too. I try to remind myself of the day that I said, "someday I am going to write a book." Then one day I did. I constantly have to remind myself that today, I am living the dream I had years ago. I did exactly what I said I was going to do, and nothing about making that happen should make me doubt what else I am capable of doing.

“Not all of the darkness we feel is our own.” For no one is that more true than for those who hear the whispers of the past. Adelia Grey just happens to be one of those people.

Adelia Grey would consider herself an unremarkable girl, born into a remarkable family. Plagued by crippling anxiety in her mundane life, she finds herself compelled by the opportunity to spend a summer abroad with her grandmother in her apartment at Hampton Court Palace. As soon as she arrives, she finds that the dark chaos of her mind is only compounded by the rich history of the Tudor palace. Without warning, she is plunged into the realization that what she has mistaken as anxiety is an unbelievably profound ability shared only by her female ancestors. Adelia’s summer of self-discovery is complicated further when she meets Daniel, an attractive young Oxford professor, who is investigating the centuries-old mysterious death of Amy Robsart Dudley. It’s not long before she finds herself just as caught up in Daniel as she is in this compelling mystery. With the help of Daniel and her eccentric grandmother, Adelia just may find that she holds a secret gift that can solve a mystery that has baffled historians for nearly 400 years.

“That quote alone from Adelia makes me want to read your work. Thank you for sharing your insights and experiences with us. It has been a pleasure speaking with you. If you’d like to check out Tasha's work, simply click on the books displayed below. And if you want to stay updated on her journey, you can follow her through the social media links provided.”

Thank you for having me.