This week in The Loft: Author Augustina Van Hoven!

Joining me today in The Loft is author Augustina Van Hoven. Augustina writes paranormal romance. Whether it’s traveling through a crack in time, interacting with the dead, or meeting the supernatural creatures living among us, her characters find love in unexpected places. When she’s not writing, she likes to work in her garden or in the winter months, crochet and knit on her knitting machines. Augustina was born in the Netherlands, but currently resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and three cats.   

Author Augustina Van Hoven

S:  Good morning, Augustina. Thanks for joining me in The Loft today! 

When it comes to writing romance, do you consider yourself a dreamer or a realist?

A:  I’m definitely a dreamer. I always ask the question, “What if?" I think I can sum it up with a line from the movie made of my favorite musical, Man of La Mancha. “Perhaps to be practical is madness or maddest of all, to see life as it is and not as it ought to be.”

S:  Life as it ought to be. That's a great vision for a writer.

How did you meet your current partner? When did you know he was “the one?”

A:  I met my husband in high school. I had a strange dream the night before in which I met someone special and his friends. There was only one person I recognized, a boy named Dale. I looked him up the next day. Through him, I met all the others. I knew Stuart was the one when I set down a copy of "Lord of the Rings," my favorite book, and it turned out to be his favorite as well.

S:  That sounds like a relationship that was meant to be.

If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose to write books?

A:  I’ve always loved writing. All through school, I wrote short stories and poems. The only thing I’d change is to try to get published earlier.

S:  What inspires your stories?

A:  Many of my stories are inspired by music. I hear a line in a song and my mind starts building a story around it.

S:  What’s the best advice you have ever been given?

A:  Write every day and don’t stop until the book is finished.

S:  That's something I need to put on a sign and post over my desk.

What inspired "The Discovery?"

A:  This story was inspired by the song, "The Rain, The Park, and Other Things," by the Cowsills. The song talks about a man who meets a girl with flowers in her hair sitting in the rain in a park. The song is about the hippie movement of the sixties. I knew there was a different story in it and it kept playing over and over again in my mind until I realized the girl was actually one of the water fae.

S:  Is there anything special you would like people to know about "The Discovery?"

A:  The story is part of The Tovenaar series. Have you ever wondered why all cultures on earth have the same myths and legends?  Men who can turn into animals, men who drink the blood of others, elves, fairies, magic? It’s because these things are real.  The Tovenaar series explains who these people are, where they come from, and why they’re here.

Here's the blurb--

Humans aren’t safe in Avalyn’s paranormal world, but to one man, that doesn’t matter…

Karl Hansen’s greatest skill—besides his ability to develop illegal concoctions—is his instinct for survival. When Karl’s position as head chemist in a drug cartel looks like it might turn deadly, he goes on the lam. Karl’s working as a barista in a small Oregon town—legal concoctions this time—when he meets Avalyn. He’s felled by her, fairy wings and all. She vanishes into the mist, and he’ll brave any danger to find her.

Saving fellow refugees from the hidden magical world is all that matters to Avalyn of the water Fae. She is on a mission to help the shifters, vampires, elves, and other members of this community who have managed to escape that dangerous world. Then she meets Karl. Though they see each other only once, and only for a moment, she cannot get him out of her mind. But he’s human. He’ll die. Is she willing to spend the rest of her immortal life alone?

S:  Wow, that sounds fascinating! Where can readers buy your book?

A:   It's available at all major booksellers, including--

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09B2QDMS6/

Barnes & Noble:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-discovery-augustina-van-hoven/1139889650?ean=2940165549434

Apple:  https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1577651068

Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-discovery-18

Books2read:  https://books2read.com/u/4joDXj

S:  Augustina, thanks so much for joining me today. If you'd like to learn more about Augustina and her books, please visit--

Website:  https://augustinavanhoven.com/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/augustinavhoven

FaceBook:  https://www.facebook.com/Augustina-Van-Hoven/ 

Coming May 27!

Check out the book trailer!

https://www.canva.com/design/DAE-oE_BYCI/AVy-rkSnk11cn-6_UT090Q/watch?utm_content=DAEoE_BYCI&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink

This week in The Loft: Author Christi Barth!

Joining me today in The Loft is USA Today bestselling author Christi Barth. Christi writes contemporary romance, romantic comedies, and soon, paranormal romantic comedies. Her path to becoming an author was far from direct. After earning a Master's degree in vocal performance and embarking on a career on the stage, Christi moved on to wedding planning and then, writing romance. She is now working on her forty-first book. Christi and her husband live in Maryland.

Author Christi Barth

S:  Good morning, Christi. Thanks for joining me today. 

Why write romance?

C:  I used to be a classically trained singer --performing in musical theatre and opera. And what I loved best about that--aside from the applause and the high notes--was knowing that I transported people for 2.5 hours. That my performance gave them a respite from whatever worries and stress and gave them an escape. When I decided to write, it felt exactly the same. My stories give people that escape. Which is really what we all seek from reading-- entertainment and escape, right?

S:  I began my college career at Northwestern in musical theatre. Alas, the lure of journalism and law was too much to resist.

Do you write in other genres? 

C:  Yes! When I first began, I wrote a romantic suspense because it was what I read and knew. I did it for book three as well and that’s when my comedy voice oozed between the lines. I took the hint. The next 35 plus books were solidly contemporary rom-com. But that whole time, I yearned to write PNR (paranormal romance). My agent said no, PNR was dead. My publishers said the same thing. I accumulated ideas, but waited and waited until a new publisher asked if "I’d be willing" and I probably scared her with the enthusiasm of my response. It has been super fun. And I intend to keep doing both, and maybe toss another sub-genre into the mix, too.

S:  Do you adhere to tropes? 

C:  I have a trope spreadsheet, to not only be sure I use them, but to be sure I don’t go back to the same ones too often. In consulting it, I appear to love enemies to lovers, forbidden love, ticking clock, keeping a secret, second chance, and playboy the most. I can’t stand, as a reader, secret baby or brother’s best friend, but I’ll still write them, because readers enjoy them.

S:  Secret baby is the one I just can't touch. For some reason, it really offends me. 

How did you meet your partner? 

C:  We were cast as the romantic leads in a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta. We became great friends, and immediately did another show together--Guys and Dolls. And then, we transitioned from being friends to lovers, cheesy but true, and continued getting to kiss both onstage and off.

S:  That's such a sweet story! As a writer, did the pandemic work to your benefit? 

C:  More like I found a way to churn a silver lining out of it. Without taking nights off to see friends or go to the symphony or the theatre, I had no excuses but to get the words out. So I adjusted my schedule for the next year to squeeze in another entire book, "The Christmas Project." It is very fun, and the first one set in my hometown, so I’m thrilled I buckled down and made it happen.

S:  Kudos to you for pushing through. Personally, the pandemic really threw me for a loop. It took me a while to regain my footing.

What is the best/worst thing that happened to you as a writer? 

C:  I was at the Baltimore Book Festival, and a reader asked me to sign her guitar. As an author, I was beyond honored and thrilled. And as someone who played cello for nine years, I was appalled that she wanted me to deface a beautiful instrument. Yup, I signed it.

S:  If you had to do it over again, would you still write books? 

C:  Yes! You don’t write books for fame or fortune, there’s no guarantee of it at all. It is very hard, exhausting, and a tad soul-crushing at times. But I also adore writing the banter, putting the message out in the world over and over again that love is the best and most important thing.

S:  What inspires your stories? 

C:  Very often, travel. My first book, "Carolina Heat," came to me when I visited Charleston, tripped over a tree root in the cobblestone street, and almost feel into the fence surrounding a graveyard. Boom, I had a story idea. The Love Lottery series crashed into my imagination as I sat at brunch in a historic manor house on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. When I was enjoying a wine-filled vacation in the Finger Lakes, the idea for "Up to Me" occurred, which I then merged with an idea I’d gotten from an NPR story. My favorite inspiration, though, was for The Sexy Misadventures of Royals series. I was at Anastasia on Broadway. I knew I had to write something similar. I spent all of intermission scribbling plot points on the back of my ticket.

S:  What's the best advice you ever received?

C:  Treat writing like a career before you get a contract. I heard that from a speaker at a Maryland Romance Writers meeting, and it is so important. You can meander along with your first book for literally years. If an editor wants you, chances are good she’ll then ask you to write three more in a single year. You have to already have a work schedule established. A website, a newsletter, be networking. The same is true if you are between contracts. You don’t wait for someone else to give you a deadline. This is your career. It is up to you to be responsible and treat it as such.

S:  When one of my books is released, I...

C:  I spend a ton of time doing promo and ad images--I am so grateful for how easy Canva makes it--interviews, and refreshing my Amazon page every hour on the hour. But that night? I’m back at my desk, writing words. Because it is always about the next book. And that won’t happen unless my fingers are on the keyboard--okay, with a celebratory cocktail next to me, of course.

S:  Christi, thanks so much for joining me today. If you'd like to learn more about Christi and her books, please visit--

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/christibarthauthor

Instagram:  http://www.instagram.com/christibarth

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/christi_barth

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/christibarth/

BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/christi-barth

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3272041.Christi_Barth

Newsletter:  https://www.christibarth.com/home/newsletter/

Radish Fiction:  https://www.radishfiction.com

Congratulations to Author Tim Smith!

(EDITOR'S NOTE:  This month, my colleague and friend, Tim Smith, celebrates 20 years in "the business." His books are intriguing and entertaining, with a fair bit of spice! While I have interviewed him on this blog on several occasions, in this post, he offers a throughtful perspective on his experience as a man who writes erotic romance. Congratulations, Tim!)

     

Author Tim Smith

The First Twenty Years are the Toughest

By Tim Smith

April marks 20 years since I became a published author. I’d been writing before then, but “Memories Die Last,” the first novel in my popular Nick Seven spy series, was released by a traditional publisher in 2002. To date, I’ve published 28 books (mostly novels, and some shorter ones), and have contributed to a couple of anthologies. I’m also a blogger, freelance writer, editor, and book reviewer. I’ve done more interviews (print and podcast) and guest blogs than I can remember. To say it’s been an interesting 20 years is putting it mildly. Let’s see what’s happened since then.

I learned the importance of personal appearances, reviews and interviews early on, and aggressively marketed myself to bookstores, libraries, festivals and bloggers. Keep in mind, this was right before e-books began to dominate the market, and print was still “it.” Eventually my network grew and I appeared at events in several states throughout the Midwest. I began doing guest speaker gigs with civic groups, then someone helped me get on local TV and radio talk shows. As heady as that sounds, some of those appearances didn’t work out as planned. 

I was doing an interview on an internet radio program called Authors First, to promote my second book, another romantic spy thriller. It was a primetime call-in/e-mail show, and I had guested a few months earlier to discuss my first book. The host I drew for that evening, a self-proclaimed conspiracy nut, picked up on a story thread I used about government cover-ups, and kept questioning me about it. I was dodging his grenades pretty well, until he asked for my honest opinion on how the government was handling the war on terror. I momentarily froze, live on the air, while thinking of a response that wouldn’t land me on a federal watchlist.

I’ve had some unique experiences since I got into this crazy business. One was being the keynote speaker for the Indianapolis Book Festival, courtesy of an online radio host who had me as a guest and liked what I had to say. Another time, I did a week-long book signing tour in the Florida Keys. My publicist and I had scheduled appearances at bookstores, gift shops, a resort, and a trendy restaurant, along with sit-downs with the local media. It was a busy week, but I still managed to get a nice tan in between all the smiling-and-signing. I sold a ton of books, too.

The book that launched a career

It was during that trip that I had a revelation. When I showed up at one of the bookstores for my scheduled appearance, several people were waiting for me so they could get personalized signed copies of my newest book. That made me feel good. I also noticed that my books were on the shelf next to other Florida writers I admired, like Carl Hiaasen, James W. Hall and Tim Dorsey. I thought “Smith, you have arrived!”    

Shortly after this, I signed with a traditional romance publisher, and attended my first convention. Being a man who writes straight contemporary romance, I was reluctant to go at first. A friend of mine was one of the sponsors, and she encouraged me to attend. It turned out to be a good experience, and I returned over the next few years. One encounter, though, still lingers.

One of the side gigs I had taken on prior to this was reviewing books for an online romance site. I noticed that the author of a book I recently liked would be attending this convention. My friend knew the woman and introduced me as a fellow romance author. She looked at me like I was a homeless guy she found camping in her living room, and sputtered “B-but…you’re a man!” I smiled and said “Thank you for noticing. I’ll try to do better next time.” 

I’ve always written under my real name, and have been upfront that my books have adult content. I don’t recommend them to anyone under 18, or to those who may be uncomfortable reading that kind of material. Better to lose a sale than offend someone. My family members are aware of the steamy scenes in my books, and I always got the biggest kick out of my late mother’s reaction. When I hit my stride as an author, she was in her early 80s. She was an avid reader, and had read everything written by Mickey Spillane, Harold Robbins and Jacqueline Susanne. Whenever I asked what she thought of my newest book, she gave an honest appraisal, and usually commented that the erotic scenes were “well-written and realistic.” Praise indeed.

I’m often asked if my stories are based on personal experiences. I love that one because it gives me an excuse to tease people with “Maybe yes, maybe no,” which is true. I just don’t tell them where fact ends and fiction begins. When I wrote “Anywhere the Heart Goes,” I was recalling my adjustments after a bad break-up, so the lead character experienced the same things. “Mistletoe and Palm Trees” was the result of a vacation I took by myself when my traveling companion had to cancel at the last moment. “Catch and Release” was inspired by something I observed while having lunch at a waterfront bistro. Most of “The Neon Jungle” was influenced by my experiences with a Dayton-area music organization that wasn’t entirely legitimate.

One of the best marketing tools I use came about by accident. When I was doing the book signing tour in The Keys, I was interviewed by a local newspaper writer. The following week, he e-mailed me the story and promised to send me a print copy. The headline in the PDF read “Former Spy Finds Paradise in Ohio Man’s Novels,” complete with my photo. I was ecstatic. When the print version arrived, it had been shortened to “Former Spy Finds Paradise in Ohio,” situated right above my head shot. I still display that story at personal appearances. People stop to read it, see the headline and my face, then look up and see me. Their gaze goes back to the page then up to me, followed by them asking if I’m the former spy. I just smile and shrug.

I’ve discovered that you can have some fun when people find out you write erotic romance. It’s a great way to insert a laugh into a conversation when you talk about impossible sex positions, or how many names there are for certain body parts. Once, I broke up a family engagement party by introducing myself as “The guy who writes those dirty books.” Most people thought that was funny, but for some reason, my nephew’s prospective in-laws weren’t amused.

 

Tim Smith is an award-winning, bestselling author of romantic mystery/thrillers and contemporary romance. He is also a freelance writer, editor, blogger and photographer. When he isn’t pursuing those interests, he can be found in the Florida Keys, doing research in between parasailing and seeking out the perfect Mojito.  

Amazon author page/purchase link:

https://www.amazon.com/Tim-Smith/e/B002HDEN4M/

 AllAuthor profile page link: 

https://allauthor.com/author/timsmith/

             

This week in The Loft: Author Estelle Pettersen!

Joining me today in The Loft is Australian/Norwegian author Estelle Pettersen. A former journalist for Australian Provincial Newspapers, Estelle now writes steamy romance in the erotic, LGBTQ+, and contemporary romance sub-genres. Her stories explore empowerment, freedom, and finding one’s strength. Passionate about history, languages and cultures, traveling, food, and wine, Estelle says she is happily married to a handsome man from Norway, where she now lives.

Author Estelle Pettersen

S:  Good morning, Estelle. I'm so happy we are able to chat again. 

Let's start at the beginning. Why write romance?

E:  We all feel the burden of life’s worries, but we are not robots. Many of us read romance books to break away from routines and lighten our shoulders a bit. I wanted to write romance to create a sparkle of entertainment for readers, hoping to give them joy.

S:  When it comes to writing romance, do you consider yourself a dreamer or a realist?

E:  I’m both a dreamer and a realist. I try to make the challenges and outcomes as real as possible for the protagonist and her lover. The realism is also in the little details, like the flaws that readers get to know when peeling each layer of the protagonist’s life. The dreamer in me believes in a happily-ever-after, one way or another, for my characters.

S:  I believe people need to believe in happy endings. It gives us hope. That's why what romance authors write is so important.

Are there any characteristics your lead characters share?

E:  My lead characters are independent and like to try new things. They’re also vulnerable when they’re hurt, and develop resilience over time as they grow. That’s something I share with them, giving them pieces of me--including my flaws.

S:  What was your worst date ever?

E:  Long before I met my husband, I had a great track record of worst dates. My closest college friends know this well. The most memorable worst date was a guy who wore an electric buzzer in his inner hand and gave my friends electric shocks when he shook their hands. He thought it was funny—my friends and I were not amused.

S:  Okay, that made me cringe. I hate those hand buzzers. I don't think they're funny, either.

What inspires your stories?

E:  Real world issues inspire my stories, from speaking out against hypocrisy and conformity in my first novel, "Lessons on Seduction," to surviving sexual assault in my latest novella, "Elizabeth." 

S:  What inspired "Elizabeth?"

E:  A strong, bold, woman who I know very well inspired "Elizabeth." She is independent and uses the resources around her to take care of herself, no matter how far from home she is. In all her life, she fights in solidarity with others against misogyny, gender inequality, and gender-based violence. That woman is my mother, my sister, my friends, and so many more. That is how "Elizabeth" was born.

S:  Is there anything special you would like people to know about "Elizabeth?"

E:  The novella, "Elizabeth," is the prequel to the Starling Sisters trilogy of women in rural Australia who achieve confidence, strength, and growth in their struggles, whilst finding love along the way.

Here's the blurb:

Newsday Australia reporter Elizabeth Martin seems to have it all. Until her boss gives her an ultimatum that will change her future.

It’s 1996 and Elizabeth has to choose: work for six months at a country newspaper, Maranoa Herald, or lose her job. Convincing herself this is just another stepping stone, Elizabeth leaves the city and her fiancé, lawyer Paul Ricci, for a small town in rural Australia. Despite the scorching heat and pests, Bandara holds a charm of its own—Keith Starling, a handsome farmer with sky-blue eyes and a spellbinding smile.

What happens when Elizabeth returns to the city and discovers what Paul’s been hiding from her? Will she choose her career or everlasting love in the country with Keith? Find out in this steamy Australian romance novella, a prelude to the Starling Sisters series.

S:  As a former journalist, I always love stories that feature female reporters! 

Where can readers buy your book?

E:  It's available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QB84KF5.

S:  Estelle, thanks for joining me today. If you'd like to learn more about Estelle Pettersen and her books, please visit--

Author website:  https://elusiveromance.com/

Blog:  https://elusiveromance.com/blog/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/elusiveromance

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/elusive_6788

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/elusive_6788

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20482227.Estelle_Pettersen

MeWe:  https://mewe.com/i/estellepettersen

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/estelle-pettersen-3716741b1/

Linktree:  https://linktr.ee/estellepettersen

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/author/estellepettersen

BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/estelle-pettersen

TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@estellepettersen

This week in The Loft: Author Deja Black!

Joining me today in The Loft is fellow Extasy author Deja Black. Deja writes M/M romance in subgenres that include erotic and paranormal romance, fantasy, shifters, and urban and magical beings. With the support of her husband and some intense time management, she is learning to balance her family of two energetic children, the many students she counsels at school, and write romance.  Deja lives in Louisville, KY. 

The avatar of Deja Black

S:  Good morning, Deja. Thanks for joining me today!

Why write romance?

D:  I’m a romance writer because I like stories with a happy ending where two--and sometimes more--people find a way to overcome obstacles on the path toward love. I feel like we need more stories where people can see that happiness is possible. Is it fiction? Yes. But it is still reflective of real life and hope. We need hope, too.

S:  As a writer, did the pandemic and the subsequent isolation work to your benefit or detriment?

D:  The pandemic was frightening and paralyzing at first. So many unknowns and fears and general ugliness. My writing suffered for a moment because I was not in a good place in the beginning to mentally handle it. I also had my family home 24/7, all of us, and the kids were suffering from the isolation and the absence of their friends and the life they knew. My focus at that time was making sure they were okay, that we did our best to keep them safe in a new normal. There were ups and downs and losses. We lost family members and even now, I still haven’t heard from some of my friends on Facebook. I worry they’re okay. Writing? There was none for me at that time. It took me a second to get back in the rhythm of things. Rejoining the world almost. Determining where my writing fit. I also had a few friends tell me they needed me to write again. That the world needed happy endings and people needed me. So, here I am again. And this time, I’m not going anywhere.

S:  It wasn't until the pandemic that I realized how horrible people could be. It was a whole new reality and I am finding some of that is finding its way into my stories. 

What would you like people to know about you?

D:  I’d like people to know that I have a family, two frogs, and I’m a school counselor. My own life experiences contribute to my writing. I’d like them to know I’m open to change. I’m adaptive which means what I write and how I write will change. No person should be trapped in a bubble. No writer should be, either.

S:  I grew in a neighborhood where we had access to a swamp. We were quite adept at raising tadpoles until they became frogs. There was always a frog around to terrorize my mom.

If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose to write books?

D:  Writing is a need for me. Even when I was on COVID hiatus, I still thought about my guys and the stories they needed told. I would still choose to write. It’s a part of me. Now, if I could take what I’ve learned so far back with me, it would just be that much better.

S:  Complete this sentence: “When one of my books is released, I….”

D:  Am so nervous. What will they think? Who will read it? How should I promote it? So many questions run through my mind along with fear. Am I a good writer? Maybe I’ve been lying to myself this whole time. How do I compare to other writers? But then, I’m excited that another book is out there, another story told. And I can usually count on my very own support team to carry me through the crazy. So I breathe, promote, and get that baby to as many people as I can. Then I go on to the next story.

S:  What inspired "Flirty and Red?"

D:  I love mystical beings, those we don’t often hear about. Griffins were on my mind, so that’s where it began. Add to that, my sister-in-law is a nurse, and I took a gun license class. Oh, and then add two guys from two different walks of life. And there we have it. "Flirty and Red."

S:  Is there anything special you would like people to know about "Flirty and Red?"

D:  Well, it’s the first book in a new series I’m writing. This is not as dark as my usual reads. Hm. I really like the dialogue between the main characters. They have a chemistry that works for me, but then I wrote it. Let’s hear what you think.

Here's the blurb:

A traveling nurse who doesn’t mind a little fun. A griffin who’s not playing around.

Gentry Red Redmond gave up on finding a mate. It turns out the one he needed just didn’t come in the package he was used to hunting.

Sebastian Del Marco, a traveling nurse, wants to be loved, but he’s afraid to trust. Instead of relationships, he’s been willing to accept just having fun.

Once Red realizes Sebastian is just the mate he needs, can he convince Sebastian to take a chance on love?

S:  That sounds like a fun story! Where can readers buy "Flirty and Red?"

D:  Right now, it's available from my publisher, eXtasy Books, at https://www.extasybooks.com/Flirty-and-Red. It will be available soon from all major booksellers.

S:  Deja, thanks so much for joining me today. If you'd like to learn more about Deja Black and her books, please visit--

Website:  https://www.dejablack.net/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/deja.black.69

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/dejablack69

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/dejablack69/?hl=en

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/Deja-Black/e/B013MQ5A3U

This week in The Loft: Author Janina Grey!

Joining me today in The Loft is author Janina Grey. By day, Janina guides domestic and sexual assault survivors down their path of healing and empowerment. In the wee hours of the morning, she writes contemporary romance, bringing to life characters who face sorrows and successes, and happily-ever-afters. When Janina is not writing, she may be marching for women’s rights, reading tarot, providing life crisis counseling, or kayaking, camping, or drumming. The mother of two grown children, Janina and her husband share their 113-year-old Mohawk Valley farm house homestead in upstate New York with a few resident spirits and a very squawky murder of crows.

Author Janina Grey

S:  Good morning, Janina. Thanks for joining me today!

Why write romance?

J:  There are so many reasons why I write romance, but the main reason is because there is not enough love in the world. There are not enough happy endings. There are not enough stolen kisses at midnight, snuggling during a snowstorm, dancing in the rain with your lover. There’s so much pain and suffering, and a glut of desensitizing, horrific sources of entertainment out there designed to help us forget the pain and trauma that comes with life, that it needs a balance. I’d like to be a part of the balance with stories that promote hope and love in a realistic way, so people can relate to the characters and learn from them.

S:  In turbulent times, I think there is a greater need to get lost in stories of love and romance. 

When it comes to writing romance, do you consider yourself a dreamer or a realist?

J:  In order for story to work it has to be what people dream of having, but presented in a realistic way, so readers embrace the concept that one day they will have a love like that. So I believe I am both a dreamer and a realist. I believe in forever love stories, but I also understand the daily traumas that can impact those dreams of happily-ever-after. I try to incorporate the daily life dramas we deal with regularly because in the end those experiences help us navigate along our journey of finding true love.

S:  Are there any characteristics your lead characters share?

J:  My characters reflect my life experiences, after all we are taught to write what we know, right? So with that said, the majority of my characters are cis white people, but I’m working on being more inclusive. My female characters usually have green eyes, and I think this is because I have green eyes and it helps me see the world through their eyes and vice versa. The third book in the Earth and Sky series has a brown-eyed woman as the lead, and it was difficult, so I made her partner green-eyed and that is helping a bit. Most of my main characters are independent women who are fierce in defending their individuality and independence, and have suffered a major trauma. In "Ten Bucks and a Wish," Deanna Drake moves from her hometown Long Island suburb to Manhattan after her mother dies and her childhood/high school/college sweetheart breaks her heart. In "Love in the Forest," Brooke Meadows moves to Upstate New York to escape the trauma of a highly publicized sexual assault she experienced that actually left her with the unusual ability to communicate with dead people. In "Life is for Living," Jayde MacMillan finds herself ostracized by family and friends after “coming out of the broom closet”--choosing a Pagan path while leaving behind her Catholic upbringing--and finding herself pregnant following a totally unexpected one-night stand. Four years later, she has managed to successfully raise her twins, secure a job, and begin the process of purchasing a home for her and her children, despite the alienation of her support network and birth family. In "Lost in Your Rhythm," Liza Purkypile is facing her 30s after hiding away during most of her 20s as the result of a traumatic and life altering battle with cancer. As she begins to rediscover her independence, she also learns that she has picked up the uncanny ability to actually feel other people’s emotions, traumas, and energy by simply touching them. So the common theme among my main characters is a life-altering experience that helps them rediscover their independence while giving themselves permission to love again.

S:  That's a very strong theme for a love story.

Have you ever tried online dating? Was it a hit or a miss?

J:  Oy! After my first husband and I divorced, I spent close to three years sworn off men and dating, choosing to focus on my career and raising my two children. After two-and-a-half years, friends and family were threatening to create an online dating profile for me if I didn’t do it myself. So I joined the throng rushing to Match.com and wow, I could write a book about some of the characters I met. From awkward lunches filled with uncomfortable silence and dead end attempts at conversation, to backing down a driveway in a heavily wooded area of Upstate New York without even getting out of the car to meet the potential date who was waiting for me naked on his front porch, I can say I had my fill of online dating. Just as I was about to give up, a man contacted me through Myspace--remember that?--asking if I could give him some guidance with Pagan teachings. Six years later, we handfasted (married) and have been living our happily-ever-after since.

S:  As a writer, did the pandemic and the subsequent isolation work to your benefit or detriment?

J:   I adapt well to change, so when the pandemic hit, I jumped right in to figure out how to make the most of it. Luckily for me, my full-time day job required everyone to hunker down and work from home. All of my interacting with clients switched from in-person to online. I chopped off at least five hours of commuting a week, and was able to make my own hours. My kids are grown, leaving me with three empty bedrooms upstairs. I converted one into a work office, and kept my writing office downstairs. This made it very easy to separate work life from home life from writing life. As a result, I wrote the Earth and Sky series in half the time I would have if I’d continued to work from the office. I am curious as to how I’m going to move forward with my contemporary romance settings and timelines, since I can’t imagine how writing about falling in love during a pandemic is going to figure into it all. My stories may be stuck in 2018 and 2019 forever.

S:  What inspired "Life is for Living?"

J:  My Pagan life, community, experiences, friends, chosen family, and Tradition and Coven were the main inspirations of the Earth and Sky series. Like Brooke, I remained in the broom closet for most of my adult life, practicing solitary until I found like-minded people who took me under their wings and taught me everything I needed to birth my own coven. Like Jayde, I was ostracized from family members who thought I was joining a cult and worshipping the devil. And like Liza, I was filled with fear and misconceptions about who Pagans were and what they did. My desire to educate people about the beauty and simplicity of Paganism, and how kind and loving and respectful this spiritual path can be is what inspired me to write this series. Oh, and to also debunk all the damage Hollywood and the horror genre has done to the name of witches and Pagans. Contrary to popular belief, we do not shoot fire from our fingertips, worship the devil, have drug-induced orgiastic rituals, or sacrifice babies. We are pretty boring, come to think of it.

S:  Is there anything special you would like people to know about "Life is for Living?"

J:  "Life is for Living" is now available for pre-order and will be released April 27. Even though the book works as a standalone, people should grab "Love in the Forest" to introduce themselves to the Earth and Sky world, meet many of the characters, and begin to get the feel of Barefoot Dan’s story before he meets up with Jayde in Book 2.

Here's the blurb:

Single mom Jayde MacMillan does not need the headache of another man in her life, as she devotes her every breath for caring for her two toddler twins and working full time to give them a stable and happy home.

Daniel Cameron is a free-spirited lover of all things beautiful—including women. He’s perfectly content with drumming around a fire and winding his way barefoot through the forests of upstate New York.

Neither expected to see each other again after a wild and passionate night of lovemaking at a local spring festival. A chance encounter and two precocious toddlers four years later says Fate has other plans for Jayde and Dan.

Some one-night stands are meant to last forever.

S:  Where can readers pre-order your book?

J:  It can be pre-ordered at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WNG7J7F/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2Z5TAIXVGZNJ7.

S:  Janina, thanks so much for joining me today! If you'd like to learn more about Janina Grey and her books, please visit--

Website: www.janinagrey.com and www.quirkyflirt.com

Amazon Author Page:  amazon.com/author/janinagrey

Facebook:  facebook.com/janinagrey

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/janinagrey_author/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/janina_grey

Goodreads:  goodreads.com/author/show/18967836.Janina_Grey

Bookbub.com:  www.bookbub.com/profile/janina-grey