The Secret of Spirit Lake: Received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
The Secret of Spirit Lake: Received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.Following find an interview with author Jane Haltmaier:
1.What is the name of the book and when was it published? The Secret of Spirit Lake August 2025
2. What’s the book’s first line? Amy stood miserably by the side of the car and shivered.
3. What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”. When young Amy and her family move into a grand Victorian house on a quiet North Carolina lake, she’s heartbroken that she had to leave the only home she’s ever known. As she grapples with her feelings of isolation, Amy discovers the tower bedroom, where whispers of the past linger. Eighty-five years earlier, orphaned nanny Penny is determined to protect the children in her care from hidden dangers within the same house. As their worlds intertwine through a restless spirit haunting the tower, Amy must delve into a mystery surrounding the spirit’s past to uncover a long-buried truth about Penny’s fate. The Secret of Spirit Lake is a haunting tale of courage, friendship, and bonds that transcend time.
4. What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event? After I retired I began volunteering at a residential Village for abused children. Several times I ran book clubs with some of the older girls. After reading many young adult novels with them I thought I had a good sense of what spoke to them, and I decided to write one myself.
5. What’s the main reason someone should really read this book? Most importantly, I hope they find it fun. As a young teen, I loved reading books about girls my age who faced challenges and met them with courage and determination, and I have tried to create characters who do that.
6. What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of? The most distinctive thing about my two main characters—Amy and Penny—is that they are both forced out of their comfort zones into situations that test them, and they are able to rise to the challenge.
7. When did you first decide to become an author? I always loved writing, but it wasn’t until after retiring from a thirty-year career as an economist at the Federal Reserve Board that I finally had the time to pursue it fully.
8. Is this the first book you’ve written? This is my first book, although I have another one that I am about to publish, and I am working on a sequel to that book.
9. What do you do for work when you’re not writing? I am retired, but I do a lot of volunteer work. I am currently serving as Treasurer for Lake of the Woods Childhelp Auxiliary, which supports the nearby Alice C. Tyler Village of Childhelp. I also work with several other community organizations.
10. How much time do you generally spend on your writing? I try to spend at least an hour a day, sometimes more.
11. What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie? The best part is having control over your work. The hardest part is marketing. It is especially challenging when you are an (older) adult writing young adult books, because your circle of acquaintances are not your natural audience.
12. What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors? I would say be prepared to spend some time (and money) on marketing your Book.
13. Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why? Yes, I would. Mainly because I started writing because I love to write, and I would much prefer doing that to finding ways to sell my book. But when you write something that you think is worthwhile, you definitely want other people to read it.
14. Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?) I am motivated mainly by my desire to use my imagination to create stories that other people will love as much as I love my favorite books.
15. Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire? There are many writers that I admire, but thinking about young adult novels, I have a great deal of respect for Madeline L’Engle, the author of a Wrinkle in Time. That was absolutely for favorite book when I was a young teen.
16. Which book do you wish you could have written? A Wrinkle in Time.