I am back from my break and the good news is I finished my project.
I’ll go into that project in another post.
October’s Featured Blogger is Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene
Teagan was my first Featured Blogger in 2017.
I asked Teagan to come back to give us an update because while I was on break, Teagan launched her third novel in the Pip series, ‘A Ghost in the Kitchen”.
What have you been up to since your first feature?
Let’s back up this “time machine” to last October. 2018. That’s when I launched the second novel in the “Atonement” series, Atonement in Bloom.
I am a big fan of Teagan Geneviene’s books as I find her stories to be highly entertaining and imaginative and, despite containing elements of the mystical and supernatural, to be believable and seem quite possible. I also find the author’s characters to be interesting and colourful and I enjoy the way she uses their actions, emotions and dialogues to weave her stories in a natural and heartfelt way. Roberta Cheadle, South Africa
I “bookized” my serial from spring 2019, Brother Love — a Crossroad.
Brother Love — a Crossroad, a Twilight Zone-ish novella. I guess you could categorize it as speculative fiction.
Late this summer, at my blog, Teagan’s Books, I began rewriting a nearly finished steampunk novel — and making it into a weekly serial. It’s called The Delta Pearl. A wide range of passengers and crew create a mystery, set on a fantastical riverboat.
I love Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene’s writing because she can transport the reader to the time and place of her story. Not that she is unique in this ability but she does it so well. John W. Howell, TX, USA
Then not long ago, I launched the third novel about Pip, a flapper and her friends. It’s a whimsical, culinary mystery called A Ghost in the Kitchen.
I have been a follower of the author’s blog for several years. Teagan Geneviene is a fascinating and versatile writer. I have read her novels, and know that apart from an imagination that knows no bounds, and a love of period research and attention to detail, she has a way with words and can create magical characters that readers get to care for and make them live through situations that never fail to surprise us and keep us on tenterhooks. Olga Núñez Miret, Spain
What is A Ghost in the Kitchen about?
The heroine in A Ghost in the Kitchen is Pip. She’s determined to be a “modern woman” — a flapper. The story is set in 1920s Savannah, Georgia, which is reputed to be one of the most (if not the most) haunted cities in the USA. So, it’s only to be expected that this time some ghosts get in on the act. Pip sets out to unravel a spooky mystery.
On a personal note, I finally escaped from Washington DC, and parted company with my government job. Since I’m very much an agoraphobic, it was the hardest thing I’ve done, but I managed to move 2000 miles and two time zones across the country.
I know several people who have relocated this year. I admire the progress they’ve made. I however, am still a long way from being settled in at my little home. I haven’t even been able to finish painting the walls. Although those unfinished walls do have a couple of prints by my favorite artist — Rob Goldstein.

Your three things approach to writing invites readers to collaborate
with you, but you also collaborate in a more direct way with other
bloggers. What have you learned from these collaborations?
It’s hard to answer “what do I learn” specifically. The main thing I get from collaborating is strong sense of comradery — what I take away from the experience is different each time, but always hard to define and always priceless.
Collaborating lets me learn new things and broaden the scope of my blog when I work with bloggers who have a different focus or topic than my own. I’ve been privileged to work with artists, cooks, photographers, and meditation experts for short stories and serials. And yes, other authors as well.
What I learn is really what I feel and what I see in my mind when I brainstorm with someone. I see and feel those things differently with each collaborator.
It was wonderful to work with you on the Lulu 1920s fantasy stories, Rob. I think when you and I get together we take imagination to worlds no one else would explore. All the limits come off. Our “what ifs” are so vivid to me.
Blogger and photographer, Dan Antion has illustrated some of my stories. Dan’s remarkably encouraging. He’s also really patient about letting me bounce ideas around, and stepping outside his comfort zone to reply with a counter-thought. Some of the thoughts he bounced back resulted in a character for “Brother Love — a Crossroad.” That character was an evangelist that became half a person from my childhood, and half a different preacher from Dan’s youth.
One of my earliest collaborators was Chris Graham, the Story Reading Ape. We’ve done a number of stories together. He brings in a real world foundation for the whimsy of his ideas. I’m not sure whether it will already be posted when this feature comes out, but Chris and I are working on another short story that combines his character Artie with my Pip character.
One thing that has impressed me is the generosity of the people with whom I’ve collaborated. They always give more than I expect.
I guess you could say the main thing I’ve learned is don’t be afraid to ask someone to collaborate with you. Be up front and clear about defining each person’s role. That avoids confusion and bumps in the road. But go ahead and ask. The worst they can say is “No.”
Will you share a section from A Ghost in the Kitchen?
My favorite part of this story is meeting Maestro Martino, a cursed ghost. Here he explains how his predicament came to be.
“Ah Signorina,” the ghost began. “It is a poignant tale. I was chef to the Patriarch of Aquileia at the Vatican. I always preferred the pun as a form of humor, and the Pope, he shared this with me. However, one evening we served dinner to a plethora of patrons, speaking Punjabi, Parsi, and Philippine. I presented a perfect prawn pasta… Perhaps something went awry with the translations… But — you see, the short of it is that I pissed off the Pope! And this predicament is my fate,” the ghost said with a mournful expression.
Find Teagan’s Books on Amazon, click the link below:
You can always count on Teagan to create eccentric and charismatic characters and an intriguing plot. Teri Polen, Kentucky, USA
Connect with Teagan on WordPress and Twitter.
All promotional images for Teagan’s Books belong to Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene
“Mural by Sam Flores” (c) Rob Goldstein 2016-2019
(c) Rob Goldstein 2019
I enjoyed reading the interview, Rob and Teagan. I’m a fan of Maestro Martino too!
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I’m glad you enjoyed the Interview, Mary. Thank’s for leaving a comment.
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My pleasure, Rob.
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I remember that you like Italian things, Mary, and how that figures into “Howdy Ma’am.” Thanks so much for visiting here. Hugs on the wing!
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❤
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Fantastic interview. xxx
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Thank you! 🙂
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Adele, it’s wonderful to see you here. Thank you. Happy weekend hugs, my friend.
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Thank you, Teagan, hugs to you too. xxx
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Great Q & A… Lovely to see, Teagan in the spotlight. Great pics, Teagan!
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Thanks so much Kev. Keep making marvelous music! Hugs.
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You’re welcome, Teagan. I shall most certainly try. 🙂
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Fabulous! Teagan is a lot of fun & a prolific writer.
She’s the Cat’ Pyjamas! ❤
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Great comment. I’m sure she’ll be pleased. 🙂
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Hi Resa! It’s good to see you here at Rob’s art studio. I think you two would enjoy one another’s work. The murals you share are gorgeous, and some of the characters in Rob’s work would love your art gowns. Have a fabulous Friday. You’re pos-i-lutely the cat’s pajamas!
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Glad to hear you’re settling, Rob. Two time zones–big changes. Good interview with Teagan!
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Thanks Jacqui. I still have a lot of walls to paint, and need to get more furniture, but I’ll get everything done eventually. My own timetable, right? Now that the desert is cooling down, I can open the windows and tackle more of that painting. Hugs on the wing.
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Glad you are back, Rob – I’ve missed you. Congratulations on finishing your project. And congratulations on a brilliant interview with Teagan. Fascinating.
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Thank you kindly, Mary. Hugs!
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Mary, hello, Thanks for stopping by. I’m glad you liked the interview, I am going to spend the rest of the week catching up with people and your blog is on my list. I’m pleased with the interview, I’m glad you like it. 🙂
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Welcome back, Rob–and what a great blogger to have as your guest for your return. Congratulations to both of you. Can’t wait to hear about your project, and Teagan has a great new release to share. I love the addition with the ghost this time! 🙂
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What a lovely surprise to see you, Mae. Thanks for visiting, I know how busy you are. Wishing you continued success.
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You too, Teagan!
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I’m going to spend the rest of this week catching up with blogs and will get back into schedule next week. The break was the right thing to do. I’m glad Teagan agreed to do the feature.
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We all need a break sometimes!
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It takes time to learn new skills, The idea that I could publish without knowing how to use the technology was a set up for failure. I’m glad I figured that out. LOL.
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Way to go! 🙂
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You have good taste. Teagan is the best!
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GP, you are so very kind. Heartfelt thanks for all your support. You’ve had so many posts lately that inspire stories for me. Hugs on the wing!
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Hugs back.
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I like to think so. 🙂
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Lovely to see Teagan here with this new book of her’s, Rob. I am looking forward to reading it soon. Thanks for including that quote from my review, I really do enjoy Teagan’s writing.
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Hi Robbie. Thanks for taking time to visit here at Rob’s art studio. I hope your cold is better. Your reviews mean the world to me. Hugs on the wing!
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Good to see you back Robert. Great intro to Teagan 💜
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A pleasure, Willow. Hugs on the wing.
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Thank you, I like that Hugs winging your way too 💜
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Thank you Willow. 🙂
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A pleasure 💜
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Aww. One of my favorite authors and bloggers. Congrats to Teagan, and a wonderful job on the feature, Robert. And congrats to you too for finishing your project. Can’t wait to hear more about it!
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Coming from my favorite and most respected fantasy author, that really means a lot, Diana. Heartfelt thanks for all your support. You’re the caterpillar’s kimono!
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Caterpillar’s kimono? Love it.
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Thanks Diana. I learned quite a bit on my break. I need to catch up with your blog. I hope you’re well and that your parents are settled and safe. 🙂
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I’m eager to hear more, Robert. And Thanks for asking about my parents. They’re settled, and I’m spending a day or two with them each week and still getting home for dinner! It’s working out well.
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I’m glad to hear that. That must be a relief.
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Teagan’s books, and her stories on the blog are unique, funny and with so much important information too. Congrats featuring her this way, Rob! Best wishes, Michael
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Thanks Michael. I agree.
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🙂
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Michael, thanks so very much for all your encouragement. Of course, you are also the cat’s pajamas! 🐱
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Thank you Teagan. Very kind of you. Best wishes, Michael
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Great to see you back, Rob! Teagan’s blog is one I look forward to every week. She has a unique writing style that sets her apart from most authors. I think I could read her work without knowing who wrote it and could identify the author- that’s impressive talent!
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Jacquie, thank you for visiting with your kind encouragement. Even as a child, I couldn’t stop myself from being different. I might not be a leader, but I was surely never a follower. 😉 Hugs on the wing!
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It’s good to be back, Jacquie. I agree with you. Teagan is a gifted writer.
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I LOVE this interview with Teagan. And this is what really stood out to me, because I couldn’t agree more! “Rob. I think when you and I get together we take imagination to worlds no one else would explore. All the limits come off. Our “what ifs” are so vivid to me.” And to me, Rob and Teagan! Rob’s art compliments Teagan’s stories in such a unique and powerful way!
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Thank you, Jan. It’s nice to be back. I’m glad you enjoyed the interview. I hope you are feeling better. 🙂
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Jan, your comment really means a lot to me. Great big hug!
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Welcome back, Rob. So nice to see Teagan here with you today. She is a treasure for sure.
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You’re so kind, John. I enjoyed our short collaboration that put “Tiny” and Pip together. We should do that again sometime. Hugs on the wing!
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Yes we should. Now that pip resembles a young Lucille Ball I’m sure Tiny would knock down doors to help her.
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Thanks John. It’s good to be back.
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This is a great interview, Rob! Welcome back, and thanks fro featuring one of my favorite authors for your after-break post. I love Teagan’s stories, and I greatly enjoyed working with her. And, I met you through her writing, so that’s a big plus. WordPress disconnected us (again) so if you see that I “am now following you” don’t be alarmed.
I’m looking forward to reading about your finished project. I hope that’s coming soon.
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Thanks so much for your kind words of encouragement, Dan. I’ve gotten some terrific followers through working with you too. Hugs on the wing!
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Hi Dan. I’m glad you enjoyed the interview with Teagan. I enjoyed working on this. I’m working on a post about the project and will publish it soon.
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That’s great, Rob. Looking forward to it.
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Rob, the post looks terrific! Heartfelt thanks for featuring me. No wonder October is my favorite month. I’ll reblog tomorrow.
It was such a pleasure to work with you again. I can’t wait to hear all about your project. Huge congrats. Hugs on the wing!
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Thanks Teagan. I’m happy about. It’s nice to move past ‘stuck’. 🙂
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Indeed. I know that stuck feeling all too well, Rob. 🙂
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What a wonderful post! I love Teagan’s books and blog and so happy to see her here today. I have some books I need to read:)
I’m cutting my response short power is about to be shut off!
Welcome back, Rob:)
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Applesauce, Denise — I hope all is well about the power. Thanks for taking time to visit. Be safe and well.
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Thanks Denise. Stay safe.
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It’s great to see Teagan here, Rob. How many things have happened in a couple of years! Thanks for including one of my opinions as well. I love Teagan’s blog and her stories, and she sure finds the best collaborators as well. I look forward to hearing about your project soon. ♥
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Thanks for visiting, Olga. I cherish your reviews. Hugs on the wing!
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Thank you for your comment Olga, It’s always a pleasure to work with Teagan. The project is a small step forward, but at least it’s a step foreword.
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Don’t discount your victories, Rob. We all have different strengths. A small step for some is a giant leap for others and vice versa. Hugs.
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I think these small steps are huge wins. I was stuck and now I’m not and that feels great. 🙂
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