Denise: Who is Theresa Chaze and what is her world like?

Theresa: It's very difficult to describe yourself, but I'll do my best. Although I call myself Wiccan, the reality is that I'm a spiritual being currently assigned to Earth in human form. But labels don't really mean much and only serve as a way to divide people. There could be so much more good in the world if only people would look at individuals instead of groups, respecting the differences as well as the similarities. I do my best to be a loving, intelligent woman, who has a forgiving heart, but some days the best bar is higher than others. I'm a strong woman who is fiercely independent. My world is filled with my seven fur-kids of the feline species, gardening, writing, and some really wonderful friends. The past four years, I've become very political as the current people in power have threatened our freedoms medically, spiritually, socially, and economically. But that is another topic. I am also an experienced Tarot Reader and Reiki healer. It's one of the ways I give back for my many blessings.

Denise: Bookstore owner Ricki Blanchard says that your novel "Dragon's New Home - the Beginning of the Dragon Clan Trilogy, is a mystery-adventure-drama-love-ghost-story of magic and faith, love and courage." I assume it's based on your own Wiccan beliefs?

Theresa: Yes, I'm a fully dedicated Wiccan Priestess, meaning my spiritually is the core of my life. Although I am Dianic it doesn't mean that I hate men or that I don't involve the male God energy. The balance of female and male energy is internal for me. I don't need an external male to be in contact with the Gods or the mascline energy. Everyone has both, by achieving the internal balance by doing the chakra healing balancing and raising your kundalini, you can intergrate both equally to become whole spiritually.

Denise: Your book begins with Rachel throwing a dart at a map to choose her path. Does she feel faith will be her guide? Send her to where she's needed the most?

Theresa: Yes. Rachael trusts the Goddess to do what is best for her, yet she still retains her free will. Life is a balance between free will and destiny. I descibe it like the card game Gin. You start with ten cards, throughout the game you will have choices either to pick the revealed card or one off the top of the deck. Each choice will lead to different options, which will lead to other choices. Destiny will give the options, it is your free will to chose what you do with them. With each decision, some avenues will open up and others will be closed.

Denise: How do the residents of the small town of Coyote Springs welcome her New Age bookstore? What does she discover and who assists her on her journey to truth and justice? Tell us about the secondary characters.

Theresa: Generally the residents are open to the new store, it is only the small group called The House of Christ, who are trying to force their beliefs on others who have a problem. It is their narrow mindedness which causes them to do harm to others in the name of God. In the novel, Rachael finds a perfect home, but she is forced to move in a rush because she has been targeted by the House of Christ members. Carmen, who she has hired to work at the store, arranges for friends to help her move. Other members of the town take time out of their busy lives to make sure the move is made safely without interference. People who are strangers to Rachael are willing to put themselves between Rachael and the members of the church because they know it is the right thing to do.

Carmen is another Wiccan who was once involved with Kevin Mitchellson. Their relationship started in high school. For a short time they lived together, but the relationship ended because of interference from Kevin's mother, Katherine. They never really had a chance to clear the air between them.

Kevin Mitchellson has be pushed into a corner by promises made to his father and grandmother. His grandmother was murdered by his mother for money. He has a running battle with himself about using the black arts to get revenge for the murder of his grandmother and the death of his father. It was his prayer for justice that helped bring Rachael to Coyote Springs. He is also the owner of the cottage Rachael finds to be a perfect home for herself and her fur-kids. She sparks a memory in him that frightens and intrigues him. He is surpised when the cottage, who has refused all others, accepts Rachael so easily.

Katherine Mitchellson is a woman of contradictions. She loves her family but becomes disillusioned by her husband and his parents Wiccan beliefs. She does her best to prevent her son from following their heritage, but he too follows the old ways. It's one of the reasons she becomes involved with the House of Christ. Through them she finds the status and respect that was always missing in her life. Unwilling to give it up she tries to force her mother-in-law to leave, but instead she ends up killing her.

Denise: Reviewer Kate St. Amour commented that "Romance novel fans will enjoy the sumptuous enigmatic men, and personified pets." That you are an "authority on magic and your prose reflects that knowledge without losing the proper amount of engaging creative license and spectacular special effects." How do you weave all these elements together to balance the storyline?

Theresa: Love and sexual attraction are just a part of life as magic. The people in our lives, whether lovers or friends, are reflections of the lessons we are learning in our lives. I believe that souls incarnate together as groups, that many of the people in our lives, we have known before. We help each other learn and grow as individuals and as the group as a whole.

Animals are independent souls who have chosen the animal path to learn. They are guides and protectors, just as the humans who love them are the same for them.

Denise:  What is the message you are trying to convey?

Theresa: That all people can live together in peace if we come together in respect. One spiritual path is no better than another. But as individuals we need different learning experiences and challenges in order to climb the ascension ladder.

Denise: When did the inspiration to write this book come to you? How long did it take from creation to publication?

Theresa: Originally, the novel was suppose to be a short story about a woman buying a house and it took off  and became a trilogy. The publication seemed to take forever--but it was more like three years. Hopefully the sequel, which is almost finished, won't take as long.

Denise: What have your experiences with Publish America been like? Do they support their authors through promotion?

Theresa: They have been supportive on the technical end by getting it on Amazon.com and the online chain bookstores. But the promotion they leave primarily to the authors. Which is not all bad. I've learned a lot this past year.

Denise:  When can we expect to read book two in the series?

Theresa: Dragon Domain is in the final edit. Hopefully it'll be available the beginning of next year.

Denise: How can other authors and prospective readers contact you?

Theresa: They can email me at Tirgana@yahoo.com  or they can log on to my website at www.geocities.com/tirgana/Tirgana.html