Interview with Gurpreet Kaur Sidhu, author of Storm -

Welcome to the book tour for Storm by Gurpreet Kaur Sidhu! Today’s stop is an exclusive interview I conducted with her in which she gives us much more insight into her book, as well as some reading and writing. Be sure to follow the tour for even more fun. Leave further questions and comments along the way. And please enter the giveaway!

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What kind of research did you have to do for this book?

This book takes place in the 1930s. The present time for the characters is 2017. I had to research for my own muse what it was like in the 1900s. How did they speak? What was used for transportation? What type of clothing did they wear? Were hats popular? Did women wear a lot of makeup? Some of the information was applied when I wrote the book and some of it will be used for the second book.

Which character was your favorite to write?

Marvin Stone was my favorite character because he imposed threat that I’ve never experienced in my own life. Having to make up his personality and the kind of mindset he would have was very difficult. When a character is difficult for me to write, he/she becomes my favorite because I put in more time and energy in creating that person. He is a character that I actually love even though he’s the antagonist. The reason why I say that is because a person’s past shapes them into who they are or who they will become in the future. Marvin’s past isn’t revealed in the book, but if you look deeper into him, there’s a reason why he’s the way he is. Marvin is a lunatic, hungry for power and even though I don’t know people in my life who are like him, I know people like him do exist. The inspiration for Marvin comes from what already exists in the world. I believe some people will be able to relate to Marvin or feel an emotion they don’t want to feel when he’s introduced in the book.

To which character did you relate the most?

I would say I relate to Venice the most. This one is a little hard to pinpoint, because I see myself in most of the characters, but it would have to be Venice for the most part. She has a loving soul and is very protective of her grandchildren. Even though I’m in my mid 20s (not close to becoming a grandma), I’m a lot like her in that sense.

What was one of your favorite scenes?

My favorite scene was when I introduced Bruce into the story. I can’t say too much because I will give away a secret, but when he’s introduced to the reader is when the story takes a turn down south. I wish I could talk more about my other favorite scenes, but this one would be my first.

Will we see these characters again?

Yes, we will! In the second book, they’re all coming back. Some of them will play bigger roles and some of them will be in the shadows. And some of them will get killed off. There also might be a new character…you’ll just have to wait and see!

What do you hope people will get out of your book? How do you make yourself stand out in this genre?

That’s a good question and it’s not something that I thought about when I first started writing this book. Thinking about it now, I hope that people think more about who they are as a person and how they contribute to the world. Since I believe in reincarnation and karma, I try my best to be a good person and treat everyone with kindness and respect. It all comes around back to us at one point or another. I think the reincarnation theme itself and showing the characters’ past and present lives is something different. That itself helps me stand out, I believe, and I always lead with that when I talk about my book to people who haven’t heard of it or purchased it.

Tell us about your other published works.

I had one book published before this one and that was a self-help book, Positive Thinking: Be the Change. It started off as a blog and my friends wanted me to write more, so I decided that it would be a good book for someone to read when they’re feeling down. There was no marketing done for that book unfortunately. I was nineteen at the time when it was published and just starting out in college. I received a letter from a mother who had read it and it brought tears to my eyes. I never thought what I wrote would have a huge impact on someone. Even though I didn’t sell a million copies, I was able to make a difference and that was satisfying.

What are you currently reading? Up next on your TBR?

I’m currently reading Dear John by Nicholas Sparks! I love his books and I watched the movie but never got around to reading the book.

When not writing, what can we find you doing?

When I’m not writing, I’m either baking or cooking. I love being in the kitchen and creating delicious meals. I love to workout. It’s something that helps calm my nerves and just simply gives me some alone time. It’s where I focus on myself and with a busy schedule, I don’t really have time just for myself. I love traveling as well. This year, we went to Cancun, Alaska, and I was supposed to go to Toronto, but my schedule didn’t allow me to. I think I might be going to New York, I’m not sure right now. I would love to visit Thailand some time soon! And of course, I love to read! When I get my hands on a good book, time escapes me. If I’m not reading, I’ll put on Friends just to wind down, but I keep my screen time limited. I can’t focus on a TV show when I know I can be doing something more productive. I’m slowly learning how to relax though.

The first in a series, Storm is a twists-and-turns thriller driven by compelling characters challenged by dangerous forces, both external, internal, and eternal.

Evan Storm had been confronted by his past (an unpleasant one at that) in his dreams, and now in his waking life. He is struggling to reconcile the evil that lurks in his soul. Shadow Hex is his new neighbor, who also fears a dangerous past – her former fiancé who works for the Secret Eye Agency (which is as shadowy and sinister as it sounds). Does Shadow hold the key to Evan’s redemption? Is redemption even possible?

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Born and raised in California, Gurpreet Kaur Sidhu always had an insatiable appetite for reading and writing. She would often be reprimanded for working on literary ventures when she should have been paying attention to teachers. In addition to being a highly accomplished writer, Sidhu is a passionate businesswoman, holding a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and running a women’s clothing company with her younger sister.