I’ve been planning on trying to coax… I mean invite Teagan
over to my blog for a nice little chat and a coffee without spilling the beans
(I know, can’t help myself) about my intention to spread some gossip across the
globe afterwards. The problem I had was exactly how to go about it. I mean, we
all know that Teagan is er, kinda, well… Ooh, what’s the word? Different,
special, peculiar… (The list
goes on and on into the night.)
UNIQUE! That’s it! As I was saying, Teagan is very unique. (In the nicest way possible of course.) Er, where was I anyway? (Reads back over what he started to say hours before…) Ah yes, my dilemma of how to go about it? Well, I dithered and dathered… (so unlike me, I know.) in so far as even contemplating opening a magical vortex kinda gateway to send my cats through and abduct her. But, after discussing it with my beloved Rico and Aragorn as I stretched with my side on the floor, head supported by hand to be at eye level with them as I often do, they simply looked at me with looks only cats can make, and left me with no doubt whatsoever as to their exact thoughts on the matter.
“Alright, alright, I’ll send her an email instead and politely insist that she come.” Their purrs and heads rubbing against me (Which almost knocked me off balance by the way) confirmed I had managed to mind-melt with them successfully and receive the correct translation of their thoughts and instruction.
As per usual, my cats proved their worth. Teagan was delighted to hear from me and accept my proposal… to be a guest on my blog that is. 😊
Mm… Where to begin? So, Teagan, Atonement Tennessee. I drove all over Tennessee using google maps and I still couldn’t find it… Even my satnav let me down. Then I tried using an ancient language that sounded a bit like jibberish to open a portal, but that didn’t work either. In the end, I simply buried myself in my kindle and found it there just waiting to be explored. Where exactly is it though?
Kev, you have me figured out ― I do enjoy talking about the town I created, Atonement, Tennessee. That would also be why your satnav let you down. It’s purely fictional. Atonement’s location lies somewhere between the Tennessee cities of Nashville and Knoxville. Here’s a map, courtesy of Google. Other cities I mention are real.

(Phew! We’re safe guys; It’s not a conspiracy.) Tell me more about Esmerelda’s house in Atonement.
Ah yes, the old manse, as Gwydion calls it. That’s a little difficult because certain things about the house would be something of a spoiler. At the beginning of the first novel, Ralda Lawton, the heroine and narrator of the story, has won the property at an auction. That included a large, but rundown estate house ― and a cemetery.
One of the things about Atonement which I really like is the idea of having a graveyard as part of Esmerelda’s back garden. What inspired you to use a graveyard?
(I probably should clarify. Esmeralda is Ralda’s given name. The odd nickname is actually a thread in the first novel. I won’t go into that here.)
Hmmm… Kev, I really am not sure why I first thought of adding a graveyard to the property. It was just part of the story, just like Ralda, or Lilith, or Gwydion. Not to give away any secrets, but Ralda learns things about herself there… Although I could just as easily have had her find out some other way.
However, the family cemetery turned out to be useful to me as a writer. The novel is written in the first person, and as I mentioned, narrated by Ralda. That limits the storytelling to only what she can see. There were all sorts of things going on that she wouldn’t be able to witness. So, I wanted to add a part-time second narrator. Yet who or maybe what could tell the rest of the story?
I toyed with the idea of a person who for whatever reason hangs out in the graveyard, but that didn’t work for me. Then I moved on to what instead of who. I considered a spider or a mouse. Finally, I gave Ralda a cat, Lilith.
Did you think I digressed and forgot the cemetery? Now I’m getting to it. The cemetery came in quite handy as a place where all sorts of things could happen, and it was right next door, so the cat could conceivably get there to witness those things.
How did you come up with the names of your magical characters such a Gwydion and Cael?
Someone once called my Atonement stories a “mythology mash-up.” I hadn’t thought of it that way, but that’s a good description. The entire series is rooted in leftover research I did for an epic, “high fantasy” novel I did years before, but never published. Those leftovers were the Welsh/Celtic myth of Gwydion fab Don. Many of the characters are, as I like to say, loosely inspired by that myth.
Cael Adriel is not part of that mythology. Arianrhod refers to him as Keeper of the Hall of the East Winds. That comes from research I was doing in the Kabbalah. His name was inspired by various research I did on angels.
(I do love a bit of research!) My cats wanted to know more about Lilith. Could you expand upon Esmeralda’s relationship with her and anything else that makes her special?
How could a cat be other than special? Although I’m glad you asked because a couple of people have misunderstood. Lilith is not psychic, nor is she some other kind of being, disguised as a cat. Lilith is an ordinary cat ― although, to me, all cats are extraordinary. She’s clever, but I’ve had cats who were that smart.
Yet she continues to be sort of an enigma. Ralda got Lilith as a shelter (or rescue) cat. She already had the name Lilith when the rescue people got her. Ralda doesn’t know how or why she came to have that name.
Without giving anything away, something very special happens to Lilith at the end of Atonement in Bloom. Are we to expect more from her in the future?
Lilith is my eternal cat. She will at minimum be in any book that includes Ralda.
That’s great to hear and actually leads into my next query: I couldn’t help but think that Atonement cannot possibly end with Atonement in Bloom. Especially when you mention lovely things like beef stew and cornbread. (God it’s been years since I had cornbread! Takes me back to my Kentucky days.) I even started to think about another title for you like, Atonement Forever. After all, I couldn’t possibly think of anyone ever wanting Atonement to end. Do you have any other plans for the Atonement series?
Haha. You are so very kind. I have always planned a third novel. I want it to be Ralda-Esmeralda’s backstory. Or that of her ancestress. Yet it needs more than that for a novel. As you can see, I’m still uncertain about the overall story. Not to mention how I want to present a story that has both past and present. People would recommend several ways… and I’m not satisfied with any of them right now.
I’ve also wanted to include my love of the desert southwest with Desert Atonement. Maybe one day…
It’s been great having you over for a chat, Rald.. er, Teagan. Thanks ever so much for the company!
The pleasure is mine, Kev. I’m delighted that you’ve enjoyed the Atonement stories. I’m grateful that you are sharing them.
Links to learn more about Teagan and her books are listed below folks:
Amazon Author Page
relinks.me/TeaganRiordainGeneviene
Atonement in Bloom
Atonement Tennessee
The Glowing Pigs, Snort Stories of Atonement, Tennessee
(includes the prequel to all the Atonement stories)

Expiación y Magia
(the Spanish translation of Atonement, Tennessee)
She most certainly is! 🙂
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Teagan is a special person!
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Thank you, Resa! 🙂
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Fab interview!
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Thanks, Inese! 🙂
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Thank you, Jan! Yes, I absolutely agree! 🙂
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Glad to hear it, Robbie. Thanks for dropping in. 🙂
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Well done to both of you! I look forward to the book #3.
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What a fantastic interview, Kevin!! You are SO right! Teagan is unique as is her writing. I loved both of the Atonement books and also enjoy her serials on her blog. She has an imagination that knows no bounds!
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What a great interview, Kevin. Teagan is always so entertaining. I enjoyed the first book and will get to the second in the series soon.
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Watch out for magical portals, Teri! Never know where you might end up! 😀
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Thanks for that Christoph… Appreciate you dropping in. 🙂
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Always a pleasure to have Teagan over, Dan. Thanks for dropping in. 🙂
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Thanks for dropping in, Michael! 🙂
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Thanks, Pete. I like a bit of fun. 😀
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Thank you, Dyanna! 🙂
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Thank you, Gwen! 🙂
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Thanks for reading, John! 🙂
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Thanks, Darlene!
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Loved the interview Kev and Teagan! I drive that route between Nashville and Knoxville every year on my way to a writer’s retreat. Maybe I should stop and visit Atonement next time, lol.
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:-))
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Fabulous interview with a fabulous writer.
And great music beneath. Hugs all around 🙂
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Thanks so much for reading, Dan. I appreciate your support with this series. Hugs!
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Thanks for visiting us, Michael. Hugs!
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Thanks, Pete. I’m happy you liked it. Hugs!
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Thanks Kevin for interviewing Teagan. I love her writing, I totally enjoyed the “first two books in the unending Atonement series” (I might settle for a trilogy). and it’s great to learn a little more of the backstory.
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Thank you for the great interview, Kevin. Have a nice week! Michael
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Enjoyed the post, Kevin 🙂
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I like it 🙂
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Happy to share, my friend 🙂
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What a fun interview! Hard to tell if Kevin or Teagan enjoyed it more. Either way, it was a kick!
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Yay! Huge thanks for reblogging, Dyanna. Hugs on the wing.
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Oh, you are so kind, Gwen. I’m delighted you enjoyed this interview. It was a lot of fun for me to visit with Kev. I do recommend beginning with the first book (Atonement, Tennessee). Great big hug!
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Reblogged this on ravenhawks' magazine.
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Wow, I loved this interview. Now I must begin reading Atonement, which rests much too peacefully in my Kindle. Bravo Teegan and Kevin!
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Thanks so much, John! Great big hug right back. And tummy rubs to Lucy and Twiggy. 🙂
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Terrific interview, Kevin and Teagan. I also enjoyed the book immensely. Atonement Forever is a great name. Hugs gang
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I do what I can….:)
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Thank you for visiting with us, Darlene. You’re welcome in my quirky fantasy town any time. Hugs!
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Thanks so much, Mae. I’m glad you and Raven could visit. Hugs.
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A great interview! Must check out these books. xo
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That means the world to me, Kirt.
Haha, actually I just had an idea of how to use the ending you mean to set up the multiple timeline I have in mind for book 3! You angel. Off to make notes!
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Thanks, Mae! So glad you enjoyed it! 😀
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Heeheee, That was a great interview. Anything that includes so many cat references is pure gold IMHO.
I also thoroughly enjoyed Atonement, Tennessee, and am sure book 2 is every bit as magical. Cheers to both of you!
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Thanks, Kirt. I absolutely agree with that. 🙂
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Great interview…really enjoyed it! Both books are a great read…had trouble putting them down at any given point because you want to keep reading…..Teagan’s writing really pulls you into the story! Loved the ending to “Bloom”….can’t wait to see what happens next!
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I was happy to hear that too, Jacquie. 🙂
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Awe, thanks, Jacquie! 🙂
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Thanks for dropping in, Fraggle! 🙂
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Thank you, Staci! 🙂
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I didn’t know you were, Teagan’s translator. Good thing I didn’t need your services for the interview. 😀 Thanks, Olga! 🙂
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You are so kind, Jacquie. Thanks. Hmmm, maybe something like Atonement in Time… 🙂
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Woot! Thanks for reblogging, Jacquie!
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Motion sickness… never thought of that! 😀
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Thanks, Teagan… It was fun having you over! 🙂
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Thanks Diana… I hope it comes quicker than the last one. 😀
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Fraggle, I’m honored that you’ve read all the stories. I love the photo you did for your review. Huge thanks for visiting here. Hugs.
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Lmao! 😀
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Aye, they’ll probably enjoy it more than I. 😀
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Enjoyed the interview, Kevin and Teagan. Happy to hear there’s more Atonement in the future (Hmm, possible title? :))
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Reblogged this on Jacquie Biggar-USA Today Best-selling author and commented:
A rare interview with the wonderful Teagan Riordain Geneviene on Kevin Cooper’s must read #blog!
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Would love to read more about Atonement, loved the stories.
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Hi Olga. I’m still giddy about having your Spanish translation of the first Atonement book. I love to show it to people and describe your process for how well translated it is. Thanks for visiting here. Hugs!
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Thank you for visiting, Staci. Hugs
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So fun! Thanks, Teagan and Kevin!
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Fabulous interview, Kevin and your feline companions. I love Teagan’s Atonement and the rest of her books, and had the pleasure and honour of translating Atonement Tennessee into Spanish, so I fell in love with it all over again! I’m also looking forward to the next installment, and like your suggestion of Atonement Forever. ♥
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Haha! I wonder if there is any motion sickness traveling that way… 😉
Thanks for visiting, Priscilla. I’m delighted you enjoyed the stories. Hugs!
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Haha! Well, Jina, as my dad used to say, at least the neighbors would be quiet. Although in this case, the “neighbors” may be silent, but there is more activity than most cemeteries see. 😀 You’re welcome in Atonement, TN at any time. Hugs!
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Thank you kindly, Denise. It was fun to visit with Kev and talk about my favorite town. Hugs on the wing.
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Thanks so very much Kev! It was a pleasure to visit with you and the kitties. You’re welcome in Atonement, Tennessee any time. Hugs on the wing!
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I enjoyed the interview! I am waiting for the story to continue, too:)
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A graveyard in the back of the house. Hmmmm, creepy. I’d probably sleep in the front lawn… or not at all.
Great interview!
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I enjoyed the interview! Atonement is a special place. Next time you might actually try using the vortex. With cats as traveling companions, your guests are sure to enjoy the trip!
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