Welcome to a new season of the award-winning Hill Country Authors Podcast, sponsored by Stoney Creek Publishing. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and write about the Texas Hill Country. Tom Fox interviews returning guest Johnnie Bernhard about her novel The Witch of Sonora, a standalone sequel to Hannah & Ariela, set amid fentanyl trafficking along the Texas–Mexico border, ritualistic murders, spirituality, and a haunting link to the Mark Kilroy case.
Bernhard explains she wrote the sequel to bring back the popular character Hannah, created partly from her reflections on ageism and women becoming “invisible,” and to reprise the overworked Rock Springs sheriff. She introduces a new hero, Nocona, a Mexican American and Comanche Marine shaped by Afghanistan and “moral injury,” which she contrasts with PTSD. Bernhard discusses using magical realism and the dark religion Mayombe as both antagonist manipulation and a counterpoint to Hannah’s faith as a fearless spiritual guide. She also shares her non-outlined writing process, journalism influence, upcoming Texas-area tour stops, and a possible future project inspired by The Alamo and The Menger Hotel.
Key highlights:
- Why Hannah Returns
- Mark Kilroy Inspiration
- Afghanistan Moral Injury
- Moral Injury vs. PTSD
- Dark Spirituality Magic Realism
- Hero Journey Hannah as Muse
- Blending True Crime Fiction
- Writing Process and Craft
- Next Ideas Menger Hotel
- Book Tour Dates
Resources:
Johnnie Bernhard
Podcast Cover Art
Tom Fox
