Interview with an Author Featuring Luna Joya

The Literary Vixen presents…

Joining us today is Luna Joya! Her latest release, Killing Song (The Legacy Book 3) released on August 18th 2020.

How long have you been writing?

I almost traditionally published a debut in my twenties, but the content was so horribly dark that I stepped away until I embraced writing romance about five years ago. Beginning each book with the certainty that there will be a happily-ever-after at the end has been freeing.

Describe a typical writing day.

I work full-time as a prosecutor so I steal a few moments whenever I can. I’ve typed dialogue on my phone while standing in line at the grocery store or walking my two-pound terror of a pup. Before the pandemic, I fiercely protected my commute time on the train as writing time.

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

Most of my characters are incredibly loud and demand the stories be told. Sometimes, they appear fully formed—flaws and all. Also, I love history, and I’ve worked in criminal law for almost twenty years so those interests influence my writing.

Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them so special.

I love all of my characters for their quirks and flaws—both the heroes and the villains—but I’ll admit Zimm has been my book boyfriend since the first moment I “met” him. That easy charm and those good looks mask such depth of feeling, the ghosts of his past, and the infinite ability to love with everything he has.

How do you deal with emotional impact of a book (on yourself) as you are writing the story?

Each of my characters takes a little piece of me and gives me something in return. I tell myself it’s okay to leave everything on the page. When a scene is hard or heartbreaking, I write faster and pour it all into the work because my hope is that the reader can share in that emotional journey.

Also, chocolate helps.

What book is currently on your bedside table?

My Kindle with its daunting TBR (to be read) list and The Rogue King by Abigail Owen because I’m anxiously awaiting the sequel.

When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

Having a different couple “star” in each book helps. It gives me a chance to step into other perspectives and tell the overarching story from that hero or heroine’s point of view to make each book unique for readers.

Describe yourself in 3 words.

Persistent, snarky, and loyal. (I’m basically a sarcastic Hufflepuff.)

What advice would you give to other authors?

Find your tribe. I’m an extreme introvert but community is important for so many reasons in the journey. Improving my craft is one of my favorite things, and it’s easier to do with other people who share the same goal.

What is the one thing you want people to know about you and your books?

I write to provide an escape for myself and readers. Nothing makes me happier than someone saying they want to be a part of my fictional families.

I also write my passions. While it’s magic, sex, and mystery on the page, the threads underlying each story from intimate partner violence to fertility issues are matters of the heart for me. Story is where we learn to deal with life. It might as well be in a way that entertains us.

Thank you Luna Joya for chatting with me and congrats on your latest release! I will include her information down below. Check out her newest release, Killing Song today!

~Synopsis~

One more kill and she’s free. But only if she doesn’t fall in love first.

Love destroys. Zaida has lived by that motto for centuries as a siren and the faerie queen’s most lethal assassin. So keeping things strictly professional with the sexy human she’s working with on the FBI’s paranormal task force shouldn’t be a problem. Except it is.

Former Army Ranger Zimm isn’t a big fan of love either. Losing everything and everyone will do that to a guy. Keeping his hands off the badass, sword-happy siren who’s helping him track down a murderous demon should be easy. But it isn’t.

If Zaida and Zimm have any hope of claiming their happily ever after, they’ll have to catch a killer, outwit immortal royalty, and face off against an evil magical organization. And then there’s the little matter of the last hit the queen has ordered Zaida to carry out in exchange for her freedom. The target? Zimm.

Seems like everything’s about to get supernaturally complicated.

If you like Thea Harrison, Darynda Jones, Jennifer L. Armentrout, or Christine Feehan, this steamy paranormal romance is for you. Get it now.

Luna Joya writes hex and sex in the award-winning Legacy Series.

Fluent in sarcasm and penal code, Luna prosecutes sex crimes and homicides by day and writes paranormal romance at night. A survivor of traumatic brain injury with steel body parts, she lives in SoCal with her combat veteran husband and their two-pound terror of a rescue pup.