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Interview with an Author featuring Via Mari

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The Literary Vixen presents…

Joining us today is Via Mari! Her upcoming release, Consigliere’s Revenge: Dark Mafia Romance (Sicilian Gods Book 3) releases on April 26th 2023.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hello- I’m pleased to have a chance to get to know you and others a little bit better. My name is Via Mari. I write steamy billionaire, mafia, and bodyguard romance. When not writing I’m spending time with my husband and our two cocker spaniel puppies, Reggie and Roscoe.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

As a young child I used to write a lot. I was always reading a book while traveling with my parents. I actually wanted to be a journalist but ended up with a great career in the corporate world until I started writing again and was encouraged to publish.

What time of the day do you usually write?

I like to write late into the night, around 11 pm to 2 or 3 am. While that’s my favorite time, these days I find myself writing when my fingers just can’t stay away from the keyboard, too.

How much ‘world building’ takes place before you start writing?

I have to admit, I’m half plotter and half prancer. The worlds are mostly in my mind, and develop as I go, although there is a main framework that I follow.

Which of your books were the most enjoyable to write?

The Brutal Kings series was my very first. It was enjoyable because it was so naughty and well just steamy… The Torzial Affair was fun because I really wanted Jenny to get the revenge she so desperately wanted. But, this last series? Sicilian Gods, now this is really fun because these men do not mess around! Sigh… This is a hard question. I loved writing every single word of all of them.

Where do you pull inspiration for your books?

Honestly, the characters. They really write their own story as we go. My stories are all in some way and shape connected so it’s exciting to see who I’m going to run into again from a previous or future book to be.

Do you hear from your readers much? What do they say?

I have readers from all walks of life. I have readers in my newsletters who email me on the regular, readers who post Tik Toks and talk about my books, I have some in my reader group who post pictures of what they want to see written. One of my special readers clearly wants me to write about cowboys. Most of my readers either email me or message I find which I really enjoy. They tell me when they finished a recent book, what they liked, what they found perplexing, who they would like me to write about next. Others, just reach out to send me a meme or gif to wish me a nice day. I love interacting with my readers especially when they tell me I kept them up all night long because they couldn’t put it done. That brings a devilish smile to my face.

Favorite book when you were a kid.

Each and every one of the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys collection.

If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Honest, hard working and caring.

What advice would you give to other authors?

When I first started writing as an adult someone told me to “just keep writing.” I found that as I took that advice, my rhythm came, the voices started to get distinct and I learned a tremendous amount. That’s the same advice I would give. Read a lot in the particular genre that you wish to write and then just keep writing until your own distinct voice appears.

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

What is the one thing you want people to know about you and your books? That they are set in a world of billionaires, mafioso and bodyguards and each and every one of them has a happily ever after. Most of all, I loved writing each and every one of them for you.

Thank you Via Mari for chatting with me! I will include her information down below. Check out her upcoming release, Consigliere’s Revenge today!

~Synopsis~

A powerful mafioso with revenge on his mind. A reporter who needs to be controlled.
Will loyalty be stronger than his need to protect the woman who poses the gravest threat of all?

Everyone expects retaliation from the Larussio Crime Family after the brutal attack by our rivals and kidnapping of our innocent cousin.

The job for ensuring our retribution is well-thought-out, precise, and maintains our family’s position in the crime world falls to me, Lorenzo Larussio, Consigliere to the boss and underboss of our family.

My mind is absorbed with nothing but that…

Until the beautiful reporter who calls to my dark, sinister soul shows up at our casino, dressed to kill, leaving me unable to rid her from my mind.

Izzy Arden’s article hits a little too close home, and it’s up to me to ensure our secrets remain buried like those of our dead and not inked all over the world for everyone to see.

The fiery beauty is a force to be reckoned with, though, and not easily subdued. She fights for the truth no matter the danger, her emotional scars and mistrust pushing her to write about our most sacred traditions even knowing the threat it may bring.

Our enemies see her as a way to get to me. They shouldn’t have come for her, though, because now they’ll see why rumored in the back-alley streets of Italy they whisper Cosa Nostra with fear.

They will pay dearly for taking what does not belong to them, but will it cost me the one woman I’ve ever loved when she sees me for who I really am?

Consigliere’s Revenge is the explosive third book in the Sicilian Gods series by Via Mari. It is a deliciously dark, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, mafia romance. You will love these novels where the passion is fiery, the loyalty is fierce, and the stakes are high. Each book is a standalone with a guaranteed happily ever after.

Via Mari lives in the Midwest with her husband. As a child who was raised in both the United States and the United Kingdom, she spent countless hours traveling and developed a passion for the written word at a young age.

Her passions are writing steamy and suspenseful romance. She writes billionaire, mafia and bodyguard romance as Via and paranormal vampire romance under the pen name Sylvia Black.

She is an avid reader of romance. In fact, you can still find her curled up in an overstuffed chair, especially during winter when the wood fire is crackling and popping, reading a page-turning novel until the early hours of the morning.

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Interview with an Author featuring Christine Clinton

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The Literary Vixen presents…

Joining us today is Christine Clinton! Her upcoming release, Xavion (YNO Idols Series Book 1) is releasing February 6th 2023.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hello my name is Christine Clinton and I live in Oklahoma. I have been married for 31 years. We live on 55 acres where we raise cattle and chickens.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I have always loved to tell stories, writing just came along with it.

How much ‘world building’ takes place before you start writing?

 I make a vision board. I try to see the characters before I write about them.

What time of the day do you usually write?

I write mostly during the day because I stay at home by myself.

What gave you that final push to press publish on your first book?

I was so scared to push the button. I said a quick prayer and pushed it. Here goes nothing haha

Which of your books were the most enjoyable to write?

I love all my books but if I had to chose one it would be Apache Sun. It just came so naturally.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

What has surprised me the most is how some characters are just chatty and easy to tell the story, but there is always that one character that is hard to figure out.

What are some challenges that have come up during your writing and publishing journey?

I have struggled finding a good editor. I finally after several editors found an honest reliable one.

Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with me?

Yes, I’m working on Looks to Timber. This book is a part of the Cheyenne Dog Soldiers series.

What advice would you give to other authors?

Don’t give up. Write something everyday even if it is one sentence. Believe in yourself you can do it.

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

 I hope that when people read my books they feel and hear my heart in every story. I pray they walk away satisfied.

 

Thank you Christine Clinton for chatting with me! I will include her information down below. Check out her newest release, Xavion today!

~Synopsis~

Emma, a naive country girl is burned by the first love. Out of this relationship she emerges, not just with scars and the broken pieces of her heart, but with the opportunity to be a mother.
Just when Emma thinks she has all she ever wanted in her life, in comes Xavion, K-pop singer and hallyu star from Korea. Xavion with his own share of difficulties shows Emma that sometimes, your life is not as complete as you think it is. We just need that one last piece for life to really fall into its perfect place.
This is a story that tells how love can rise above barriers set by origins and status.

I was born and raised in Arizona. Which is where I met the love of my life. We decided to move to Northern Oklahoma. Where we have raised our children around faith, love, and storytelling. When I’m not writing I’m usually enjoying spending time with my grandbabies, junk journaling or researching history. I’m a hopeless romantic. I have always been a sucker for happy endings.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Christine-Clinton/author/B087N1SM1B

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Interview with an Author featuring Victoria DeLuis

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The Literary Vixen presents…

Joining us today is Victoria DeLuis! Her upcoming release, No Witch is an Island (An Eira Snow Cozy Mystery Book 5) is releasing January 31st 2023.

Tell us a bit about yourself

I am a happily Married mother of a tween girl who is 12 going on 42. I have 3 cats and a dog, who rule the house. The dog bosses me around, and the cats boss the dog around.

I’ve been writing Urban Fantasy and Paranormal mystery for a few years and have a number of books out, including the Rune Witch Series and The Eira Snow Mysteries. I like to focus my books and characters around Wales, which is where I was born and still live.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Yes, my mother enjoyed writing as a hobby, and it’s something she passed on to me at a very early age. I started writing the ‘Continuing Stories of Gandalf’ after reading The Hobbit when I was young, and always harboured the dream of being a published writer, even when I was working in finance in my early twenties, my spare time was spent taking course after course on writing, and of course, reading lots and lots of books. I am a huge fantasy fan 😊

How much ‘world building’ takes place before you start writing?

I used to do a lot more than I do know. Every detail had to be in place and I needed to know everything, but I found that after I had finished the world and planning all the details, I felt like that story was somehow complete in my head, and didn’t need to be written. In light of this, I do a lot less world-building these days. I plan my characters and chapter outlines briefly and let them evolve more on the page. 

I like to incorporate Welsh Mythology, locations, and history into my stories, so most of research I complete goes into researching these elements.

What time of the day do you usually write?

When I’m approaching a deadline, I work all hours of the day and night, but my sweet spot for getting work done is between 10:00 and 14:00.

What gave you that final push to press publish on your first book?

I met a wonderful man online called David way back in 2012. We met on an online class called ‘Write About Dragons’ which was following Brandon Sanderson’s recorded lectures At Brigham Young University. Dave became a good friend who met Meg Cowley in real life, while practising archery. Along with Meg, David, and a few others, we formed an online writing group where we gave each other a lot of support and encouragement. Meg was the first to take the plunge into self-publishing. To be honest, until then it wasn’t something I had considered. Meg encouraged me to take the plunge, and I first hit publish in 2016.

Which of your books were the most enjoyable to write?

That’s a hard question to answer. I go up and down with my emotions when writing all of them. I’m often nervous to start, and then I get into the writing, then the self-doubt kicks in!

I think though it would have to be the current Eira Snow Mystery. I know I am on the downward track of finishing the series (I am on book 5, and there will be 7 all together). It’s fun starting to wind things up.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

I’m often surprised at how little things that happened in previous books can be used as clues to link the overarching story together. In my new book, I also found a way to link my previous Rune Witch series to my Eira Snow series. This was something I never planned on doing, but has worked out quite well. Plus, it’s been fun to go back and delve into characters I last wrote about in 2019.

What are some challenges that have come up during your writing and publishing journey?

I find there is always so much to learn and do, and everything changes all the time. This can be particularly difficult as I also work at the local college. Thankfully, there is an awesome community out there that is always happy and willing to help you stay up to date with all you need to know.

Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with me?

I am working on finishing my Eira Snow Mystery series at the moment. The next book is out shortly and the remaining two later in the year.

As I mentioned, I am also a huge fantasy fan, but with my writing I focus on urban fantasy and paranormal cozy mysteries. I have therefore decided to explore a bit more fantasy orientated stories this year, and my first, The Flame Within, is included in the Shadows and Fate anthology, which is out in February.

What advice would you give to other authors?

Keep writing and keep learning. As with everything in life, you are going to run into some hurdles but if you love what you are doing then it’s worth it. Make connections. As I said before, there is an amazing community out there who will support you on your journey.

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

To me books are escapism and entertainment, and I like to think that’s what I aim for in my books. They are fun reads that are safe for everyone. They’re feel good stories that aren’t too dark. Overall, they’re about the relationships people make.

Thank you Victoria DeLuis for chatting with me! I will include her information down below. Check out her upcoming release, No Witch is an Island today!

~Synopsis~

Description coming soon!

Join witch Eira Snow, her bubbly apprentice Fleur Evans, and a cast of quirky characters as they solve a new mystery in the quaint Welsh village of Caerleon.

No Witch is an Island is the 5th book in the Eira Snow series of paranormal cozy mysteries.

If you like believable characters, fun mysteries with surprising clues, then you’ll love Victoria DeLuis’ delightful story.

Victoria is a short story author and novelist, who loves reading – everything – and writing urban fantasy, mystery stories, paranormal romantic suspense, and even the occasional sci-fi.

She was born and raised in South Wales, which offers her rich heritage and mythology to use in her stories.

After the birth of her fabulous daughter, Jennifer, she decided to abandon the corporate life, return to education, and pursue her lifelong passion for writing. She studied creative writing and gained a first-class honours degree, and followed that with a Masters in Novel Writing.

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Author Spotlight · Coming Soon · Interview with an Author

Interview with an Author featuring Bella Falls

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The Literary Vixen presents…

Joining us today is Bella Falls! Her upcoming release, Bargain Haunting is releasing soon. 

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I started writing after reading Edgar Allen Poe’s short stories when I was young. I just loved how he told stories. I gave up on writing fiction for a very long time, and only took on the challenge of writing on a regular basis within the last ten years. It’s kind of like returning home to me.

How much ‘world building’ takes place before you start writing?

I am what’s called a planning pantser—which means I do a lot of planning up front but allow for the story to develop and to change as needed when I write. When I’m planning out a series, it can take me over a month to nail down all the details prior to writing one word.

What time of the day do you usually write?

Funny enough, I used to be a night writer, but I now get up pretty early in the morning to write. I love writing when it’s still dark and then the sun comes up.

What gave you that final push to press publish on your first book?

I honestly published on a dare from another writer friend. As a former English teacher, I used to help other writers with plotting and stuff. Finally, a good friend dared me to use my skills for my own storytelling. I’m so glad he challenged me!

Which of your books were the most enjoyable to write?

This is such a loaded question because it’s almost always the last book I wrote. I go through a rollercoaster of emotions while in the middle of writing a book. Lots of self doubt. But as soon as I publish it, that book usually becomes my favorite book I’ve written and I forget all the struggle. However, I do have one book that I was still writing while on vacation in the Cotswolds in England. That book has a special spot in my memory because of all the cool places I found to write in.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

I’m constantly surprised when my characters take on a life of their own. So many times, they’ve actually surprised me and gone off my plans, letting me know that they would do something totally different. And they’re almost always right! In Collards & Cauldrons, I knew who the killer was until another character revealed themselves to me as the one who did it. That was a complete shock to me as the writer who had things planned all along. But it was actually a much better outcome, which in turn made it a better book.

What are some challenges that have come up during your writing and publishing journey?

I started writing my first paranormal cozy mystery series while my husband and I were stationed in Okinawa, Japan. I had to finish up a book while making the overseas move back home. Let’s just say I had to wait to publish that book until the move was complete.

Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with me?

Yes, I’m so excited to finally be finishing up Bargain Haunting. It’s Book 5 in the Southern Relics series and has been a huge challenge to write for over a years now. There is an amazing relationship between the main character Ruby Mae and her father, which mimicked the one I had with my dad. Unfortunately, after I lost him, it became really hard to write the book. However, I find now that the scenes between those two characters allows me to spend time with my dad in a different way. I’m really excited about the mystery and the story overall, and can’t wait to get it ready for my readers!

What advice would you give to other authors?

If you haven’t finished writing your first book, get that done first. Get it edited and get it out there. And then go write the next one. Don’t get too caught up in trying to make it “perfect.”

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

I put a lot of myself in my books, including friends and family. So, all of my books and series always carry a part of me somewhere in them. I hope that the readers get a real sense of me and my goofy worlds when they read my books!

Thank you Bella Falls for chatting with me! I will include her information down below. Keep an eye out for her upcoming release, Bargain Haunting!

Scroll down for a free gift!

~Synopsis~

A little sweet tea and a whole lot of spells won’t always put out the fire…
Ruby Mae Jewell is getting ready to marry to her hot vampire boyfriend. With so much going on from her cousin learning how to change from a pig back into his human form to her future mother-in-law visiting from Italy to all of the wedding planning stuff, she’s being pushed to her limits.
A sudden visit from her long-lost mother almost tips her over the edge, except the new witch who came with her mom might come in handy when it turns out there’s a ghost haunting new brides—and Ruby Mae could be next. Will the newcomer be able to help her stop the spirit from causing more harm or will the soon-to-be-bride be at risk until the ghost is clear?

Bella Falls grew up on the magic of sweet tea, barbecue, and hot and humid Southern days. She met her husband at college over an argument of how to properly pronounce the word pecan (for the record, it should be pea-cawn, and they taste amazing in a pie). Although she’s had the privilege of living all over the States and the world, her heart still beats to the rhythm of the cicadas on a hot summer’s evening.

Now, she’s taken her love of the South and woven it into a world where magic and mystery aren’t the only Charms.

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Interview with an Author featuring S.A. Mackenzie

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The Literary Vixen presents…

Joining us today is S.A. Mackenzie! Her upcoming release, Possessing Greed: A Sons of Satan Novel releases September 13th 2022.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

 I am an avid video game player and reader. I spend most of my time inside, hiding away from the world because it’s my happy place. My son is my favourite person in the world next to my husband and I would spend all of my time with them if I could. My favourite activity with friends is playing board and card games. I love to laugh, I cry way too easily, and I’m very apologetically me (it’s the Canadian in me, we apologize for everything!)

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

No, actually. I’ve always been an avid reader, but sitting down and writing out stories was never something that interested me until I had my son. After my son was born, I was desperate to find a purpose for me, especially as a stay at home mom. For almost a year, I spent so much time daydreaming while idly rocking my baby and those daydreams turned into full stories in my head. So, I just picked up my laptop and started writing one day. I’ve never looked back since then.

What time of the day do you usually write?

I fit it in when I can! As the needs of my child change, so does my writing schedule. Right now, it’s mostly the morning and early afternoon, though I do write in the evenings when I have a deadline coming up.

How much ‘world building’ takes place before you start writing?

I’m a pantser for the most part. From the time an idea sprouts, I normally do a lot of vague large world building. Once writing actually starts, I try to have a basic outline of point a to point b, but I give my characters and creativity the reigns. Sometimes we get off track, but it all comes together in the end. The journey is a lot of fun when all you have is the destination in mind. 

Which of your books were the most enjoyable to write?

Hmm, that’s a hard one. The most enjoyable was probably the one releasing mid-September, Possessing Greed. It’s a shared world so the world building was so much fun and then the main character was an absolute blast to give the reins to.

What gave you that final push to press publish on your first book?

My husband and my alpha reader team. Both my husband and those beautiful women are my rock. They’ve given me the drive, confidence, and support to publish my first and every other book since. 

Do you hear from your readers much? What do they say?

 I do! It’s normally around a release that I hear from them the most. It’s always the sweetest compliments and encouragement from all of them. I’m a very awkward person, but hearing from them puts a smile on my face every time. 

Favorite book when you were a kid?

A kid kid? Probably the Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen mystery books. As a teen it would have been Just Listen by Sarah Dessen.

If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Chaotic, clumsy, silly.

What advice would you give to other authors?

Don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s, it will never look the same. You need to add in time for yourself and work within your limits or you’ll hit your burn out and after that it can be hard to find your love for writing again.

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

Each one is a part of me, yet none of them are the same. Some are the darker parts that I mostly keep hidden, others are the sweet, surface level stuff I show the world. The dark and light, the sweet and the sad, these books tell a story of me and who I was, who I am, and who I want to be.

 

Thank you S.A. Mackenzie for chatting with me! I will include her information down below. Check out her upcoming release, Possessing Greed today!

~Synopsis~

Nothing in this world is free. The sooner you realize that, the better.

As a woman in a man’s world, I have to work twice as hard to bring home half as much as my male counterparts. Time is money, and apparently having tits makes my time worth less.

Being a woman doesn’t stop me from out performing and destroying them all as the top corporate lawyer in my city. I’ve worked my ass off to be the best, so I can afford every luxury my heart desires. Diamonds? Check. Emeralds? Check. The sweet smell of a new leather purse dripping in 24-karat gold? Drool, and double check!

That is until a gorgeous man in a stunning suit rips it all away from me with a one-way ticket to Hell. As in, actual Hell. And that one-way ticket? A knife through my heart.

This demon is going to regret making me the Queen of Greed. Possessing Greed may have been my greatest sin, but it’s also going to be my strongest asset in the sparkling, frozen tundra of Hell’s first Circle.

Possessing Greed is a novel in the multi-author shared world, Sons of Satan. Be sure to read all seven books for a hellish good time! This book is for audiences 18 and over due to mature language and content. Possessing Greed is a reverse harem romantic stand-alone with an HEA.

S.A. Mackenzie is a Canadian why choose author that writes everything from contemporary to paranormal romance. S.A. loves all things spicy, from food to books. She spends her days chasing around her child as a stay at home mom and writing. Her evenings are spent with her big, bearded husband watching movies and playing video games.

Author Links: https://linktr.ee/samackenzieauthor

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Interview with an Author featuring Angelina J. Steffort

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The Literary Vixen presents…

Welcoming back, Angelina J. Steffort! Her upcoming release, The Quarter Mage is set to release August 31st 2022.

How do you handle writer’s block?

Honestly, I rarely run into writer’s block. Usually my characters are quite chatty throughout the writing process. My life is determined by family life, so I have natural breaks during writing that allow me to come up with the next plot point or the next book idea. I consider myself lucky to be surrounded by a team of wonderful creatives to bounce ideas off if needed. That helps in some of the cases when I reach a fork in the road and need to decide which way to go with a story.

What inspired you to write The Quarter Mage?

The idea for The Quarter Mage has been brewing for over 3 years. I commissioned the covers for the entire series in 2020, the map in 2021, and have been anxiously waiting to fill the world with life.

What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?

I sincerely believe that there is no one right answer to this question. While craft is important, craft is nothing without the ability to create intriguing worlds and settings. Adorable characters are nothing without proper plot and clean prose. From a writing perspective, I can only say what I find most enjoyable, and that highly depends on the day and the mood. Sometimes I will obsess about grammar and sentence structures, on other days I will question every plot point and story line, and there will be days where I simply hang out with my characters and let them chat. So what is important depends on the phase in the process of creating a book. 

From a reader’s perspective, the characters are what hooks me first.

What comes first, the plot or characters?

In my books, usually the book title, then a premise. Once I have those, the characters spring to life on their own.

How do you develop your plot and characters?

In a lot of cases, I don’t have the characters ready when I write the first sentence. They simply awaken word by word. The same is true for the plot. As a pantser I write into the dark and follow where the characters lead. The Quarter Mage was the first book I had thoroughly plotted before starting. But it pantsed me from the first line—and the outcome is so much better than the intended version. I guess, I learned my lesson.

How do you come up with the titles to your books?

The book titles are usually what comes first, long before I ever think up a character or a potential plot. Usually, they just pop up in my head while I’m trying to focus on finishing a book. I have a list of over forty titles that are waiting to be written.

Do you find it more challenging to write the first book in a series or to write the subsequent novels?

Over the past six years I’ve written twenty-three books in five different series, and I still can’t tell you what terrifies me more, a first in a series, the sequels, or finishing up the last in a series. Each has its perks and its daunting properties. The Quarter Mage as a first in a series was difficult for me, since it pantsed me from line one. Now I’m dreading what The Hour Mage and the other two in the series have in store for me.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

There’s so much I’m learning on a daily basis. What surprised me was that this is something I can see myself doing when I’m 92.

Describe your perfect book hero or heroine.

The best heroes or heroines are unexpected ones.

What advice would you give a new writer, someone just starting out?

Know your genre and what readers love. Don’t worry about a perfect first draft. You can do revisions later, and that’s why authors work with experienced editors. If you want to write a book—really write one and not just dream about it—sit down and write. It’s not going to write itself.

 

Thank you Angelina J. Steffort for chatting with me! I will include her information down below. Check out her upcoming release, The Quarter Mage today!

~Synopsis~

Perfect for fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas and The Cruel Prince by Holly Black.

WHEN DESTINY FAILS YOU, WHO WILL YOU BECOME?

A forgotten princess. A cruel realm. A Mage who might be her salvation.

Sanja is a princess on the run. And when she flees her father’s court to escape an arranged marriage to a tyrant, the one thing she doesn’t expect, is to be killed for her throne.

But magic that shouldn’t exist in her kingdom saves her, and Sanja is thrust into the daunting fairylands where, as a human, she’s prey…

Fighting to survive, Sanja signs herself into the service of the most powerful Mages in the fairylands, determined to master the magic to save her kingdom—and finds herself stuck with a brooding Mage with a knack for keeping secrets.

As Sanja’s feelings for Tristan turn from dread to attraction, she learns that she isn’t the only thing the fairies are after. And Sanja must risk her life and her heart, or she will lose both him and her kingdom forever.

Dive into Angelina J. Steffort’s latest heart-wrenching upper YA fantasy romance and find out what makes the world of The Quarter Mage so special.

“Chocolate fanatic, milk-foam enthusiast and huge friend of the southern sting-ray. Writing is an unexpected career-path for me.”

Angelina J. Steffort is an Austrian novelist, best known for her Wings series, a young adult paranormal romance series about the impossible love between a girl and an angel. The bestselling Wings series has been ranked among calibers such as the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer, The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, and Lauren Kate’s Fallen, and has been top listed among angel books for teens by bloggers and readers. Her young adult epic fantasy series Shattered Kingdom is already being compared to Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series by readers and fans. Angelina has multiple educational backgrounds including engineering, business, music, and acting, and lives in Vienna, Austria with her husband and her son.

Author Spotlight · Coming Soon · Interview with an Author

Interview with an Author featuring Ariel Dawn

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The Literary Vixen presents…

Joining us today is Ariel Dawn! Her upcoming release, Hecate (Speed Dating with the Denizens of the Underworld Book 6) is releasing June 28th 2022.

Congrats on hitting the USA Today best selling list!!

What inspired you to start writing?

I’d always wanted to be an author. I can remember being younger and thinking one day I’ll write a book. Even then I was inspired by love and love stories, and some of my first writings were love poems and fanfiction. I’ve always been a dreamer, and always constructed stories and epic daydreams in my head. It just took me 35 years to put those stories on paper and realize they could be published, and that I had the drive to actually finish a story and see it through to publication.

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

I write on my couch. I have a desk, in fact I have a studio downstairs in my house that is a stocked art studio, with shelves and great lighting…but I write on my couch under a blanket, usually with a big cup of coffee beside me.

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

It’s almost a little impossible for me to NOT soak up some of the characters I write. Especially the ones that I feel a connection to, like Ava, Jade, or Ketra. Those 3 are probably the most vivd to me, and writing them can sometimes be very taxing on me emotionally, and when I find myself soaking up too much of those moments, too much of their drama, I usually take a break or hop into another book, or read someone else’s book to reroute my brain a bit.

But for me I think what impacts me the most, if when I’m in the zone, I tend to hyperfixate. When I was writing Blood & Lust, I wrote for nearly 5 days straight. I slept, but not well because my mind was racing with the next chapter almost non-stop. When I get like that, I build in breaks to my schedule for rest. Shut my phone off and zone out with some Netflix, take a nap.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

I wrote and published 8 books in 2021. So far in 2022, I have published 3, but I’ve written quite a few. I’m on track to publish 15 books for 2022 total, and I’m going to be starting work on my 2023 books soon, and there is a lot for 2023 as well.

If I had to pick ONE, I’d say In The Blood (or literally ANY of the Ava Crowley books) is my favorite, but Hollow’s Sunset (well, the whole Shifters of Starfall Creek Series, really) is a really close second.

In The Blood gets the number 1 spot because I’m a vampire girl at heart, and In The Blood is inspired by a lot of my favorite vampires ad vampire media. It’s the one I am most proud of, and Ava & Cas are my favorite to write because they really come so naturally and easily to me, and they are really great characters on their own as well as together.

Hollow’s Sunset is the second book in my co-written Shifters of Starfall Creek Series with Quell T. Fox, and the series was a milestone series for me for a number of reasons. It was my first shifter story, my first reverse harem story, my first crack at writing steamier material, my first time writing spicy m/m scenes (and group scenes). Hollow’s Sunset is my favorite out of the series because I really started to explore more m/m romance, and was much more confident in writing steam, plus there is a lot of really great character development and action in it. Even though I didn’t write him, Dustin is my favorite, and he really opens up in the second book, which I loved!

What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

First off, Quell T. Fox. If I hadn’t met Quell and started co-writing with her, I would never have gotten so comfortable writing steam and spice this fast, that I know. Before I started writing with her, I could barely write the word cock, and I’d never written anything other than M/F. Writing with her really helped me learn firsthand where my strengths and weaknesses were, and her support as I found my footing and got more comfortable writing reverse harem, steam, spice, and conflict has definitely made a huge impact on my writing.

I also have to shout out C. Rochelle and AJ Mullican for their constant support and the role they play when it comes to my writing. Especially when I hit those roadblocks in the steam and conflict department. Both of them were authors I started reading in the very beginning of my author career and they continue to be two of my favorite authors, and are both amazing writers as well as amazing people.

What was the highlight of writing your latest book?

The latest book coming out, Hecate which comes out in just a few days- the highlight of that book had to be the steam for me. It’s my first book in a shared world, and I was writing it while I wrote the Shifters of Starfall Creek with Quell, and I got to really explore writing an alphahole and writing something on the steamier side solo.

The latest book I WROTE- was A Dark & Stormy Night, and the highlight of that for me was writing my first F/F romance. Dark & Stormy is a menage romance with f/f romance in it, and after writing m/m romance I was really excited to tackle a MFF pairing.

What book is currently on your bedside table?

I have a literal STACK of books my bedside table, on my coffee table, on the floor in front of my bookshelves… but the NEWEST book to my coffee table stash is New Orleans Vampires by Marita Woywod Crandle. I picked it up on my recent trip to New Orleans after learning about some of the local vampire legends.

Do you have any new series planned?

I have many!

This year I am releasing Heaven Knows, which is the first book in my Lost Souls Series, and Voices In The Dark which is the first book in my Monsters of Ashwood Series.

Next year I plan on releasing my Lunar Mates Series, as well as my Merciless Gods Series, and I have another Ava Crowley spinoff series in the works which follows the male hunters from the Ava Crowley Vampire Slayer Series!

What advice would you give to other authors?

Just write. Don’t worry about polishing or making it perfect on the first go around. Just write. You can always go in after you finish to clean everything up and revise, but getting the words out is the most important thing. And even if you don’t like it after you’ve polished, revised, edited- that doesn’t mean your readers won’t love it. In fact, I guarantee that even if you can’t stand the book and see all its flaws they will still love it and think it’s amazing. Because YOU wrote it, and they love what you write!

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

I love love. I write and will always continue to write inclusive, diverse characters in my stories and represent all the facets of love I can. Whether that be F/F, M/M, MFM, MMMF, and others. I will always feature characters with complex backgrounds and plots, and will continue to write all steam levels. I will always write strong female characters as well as vulnerable and strong male characters and build the most vivid worlds I can for you to escape into.

Thank you Ariel Dawn for chatting with me! I will include her information down below. Preorder her upcoming release, Hecate today!

~Synopsis~

Sometimes you need to unleash the beast inside…

Cate’s solitary life as a goddess is turned upside down when she agrees to attend a speed dating event with her mortal friend. When she’s paired with Gunner—a shifter with an attitude—sparks fly, and she soon finds herself entangled in a fate she cannot fight. The night will not last forever, and she must find a way to set Gunner’s caged spirit free.

Can Cate fulfill her duty and link her destiny with his—before time runs out?

Hecate is book six in the Speed Dating with the Denizens of the Underworld shared world, filled with badass witchy goddesses, broody shifters, and more.

It’s always darkest before the dawn…

USA Today Bestselling Author Ariel Dawn grew up as an avid reader and is a creative soul.

Ariel writes plot driven paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and reverse harem and hopes to venture into many other genres in the future. When she isn’t writing, she can be found cosplaying, attending conventions, swimming with her mermaid tail, creating all sorts of artwork in her studio, or editing photos for her photography business. A self-professed geek and foodie, she loves hanging out with family and friends and playing video games and board games with her retro gamer husband.

Coming Soon · Cover Reveal · Pre-Order

Cover Reveal for She Conquers by Caitlin Denman

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 Cover reveal for She Conquers by Caitlin Denman!

Cover Artist: @darkwishdesigns

Releasing on June 14th 2022!

~Synopsis~

Her new powers have risen but can she conquer them in time to take on Henrik and become the reigning Fae queen?

Attina’s new powers have risen since her Awakening. Now she must battle to conquer them and call them at will. Can she master her powers and defeat Henrik in time to take the throne which is rightfully hers?

Hazel, a strange and mysterious companion shows up to help Allister and Attina dive into the past. They soon figure out, the only way to see their future is to face the hidden darkness of the past.

As Attina’s powers unveil themselves, she finds some hidden wounds difficult to overcome. She quickly learns not all injuries are skin deep. She realizes sometimes the invisible scars are the ones which change us the most. And not always for the better.

The group decides to make their way to the Eastern Fae. When they finally reach them, Attina finds out not everything is what it seems. Secrets are uncovered and battle lines are drawn.

Where you can preorder: https://books2read.com/u/4NjRBG

 

Coming Soon · Review

Remember Me: A Novel by Estelle – My Review

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Title: Remember Me: A Novel

Author: Estelle Laure

Release Date: March 22nd 2022

Genre: Young Adult, Coming of Age

Remember Me is an astonishingly bold young adult novel from Estelle Laure, the critically acclaimed author of This Raging Light and Mayhem

If you could erase all of your painful memories, would you?

Blue Owens wakes up one day with the strangest feeling that something is very wrong. Everyone’s acting weird and she’s found a note in her closet telling her to get on the Little Blue Bus at 7:45, which she does, meeting up with the exact person she was supposed to avoid: Adam Mendoza. Even though she has no idea who he is, something about him is so familiar.

When she confronts him, the truth is revealed—Blue has paid to have her memories removed, and Adam is one of those memories. As Blue struggles to piece together her history, she is torn between her desire to know why she would do something so drastic and her fear of what she will find.

Remember Me is the bold and beautiful story of a girl who must find the courage to face the demons of her past and reclaim her loved ones—even if it ruins her.

This was a different and interesting read. It’s starts off with Blue heading to school. Yet something feels off. She finds a note and has no clue who could have written it. From there the story progresses as Blue sets out to find out what happened to her. My heart did hurt for her. There’s a lot of heavy moments. If only it were that simple to simply forget. While there’s a lot of deep scenes, there’s some lighter ones which gives you a sense of hope. Like the sun coming out after a cloudy day. 

After finishing, I took some time to sort out my feelings. On one hand, I enjoyed it. There’s a really good twist and of course that ending. On the other hand, I had mixed feelings on how certain things played out for Blue. I won’t spoil anything. All I have to say is read it for yourself. I give this 3 stars.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion*

Coming Soon · Pre-Order · Review

The Golden Couple: A Novel by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen – My Review

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Title: The Golden Couple: A Novel

Author: Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

Release Date: March 8th 2022

Genre: Domestic Thrillers

Wealthy Washington suburbanites Marissa and Matthew Bishop seem to have it all—until Marissa is unfaithful. Beneath their veneer of perfection is a relationship riven by work and a lack of intimacy. She wants to repair things for the sake of their eight-year-old son and because she loves her husband. Enter Avery Chambers.

Avery is a therapist who lost her professional license. Still, it doesn’t stop her from counseling those in crisis, though they have to adhere to her unorthodox methods. And the Bishops are desperate.
When they glide through Avery’s door and Marissa reveals her infidelity, all three are set on a collision course. Because the biggest secrets in the room are still hidden, and it’s no longer simply a marriage that’s in danger.

You’ve seen those couples. You know which ones I’m talking about. The ones who have the perfect life. Or so it seems…..

I never really know what to expect when I pick up a Hendricks/Pekkanen book. I was intrigued by the description and was excited to dive in. The story begins and you meet the characters. Right off the bat, I don’t like any of them. I know I’m supposed to feel that way but I couldn’t help feeling irked. Yet it’s not enough to turn me off from the book. More like, let’s see where this is going. The story unravels lots of suspense and turns. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, it’s a dead end. LOVED THAT! What an ending! Totally satisfying. It felt like the sun came out after being hidden by the clouds. Very nice.

This is a great read! You have suspense and that thrilling feeling like something bad is going to happen but you’ll get all your answers. I highly recommend this book! I give it 4 stars.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion*