Nothing can hold Bismark back. A free spirit with a touch of trouble, she lives to see it all. When she meets up with a man whose past is dark and twisted, Bismark makes it her job to save him and together they hit the road. Can Bismark save Damon or will he be what finally breaks her?
The title of your book is Breaking Bismark. As you explain, Bismark is a nickname given to her because of her favorite donut. I had to look it up when I was reading it, and I’m not even sure I’ve ever had one. I have had a Boston Cream, but now I wonder how they’re similar. What inspired you to pick such a unique and cool name for your character?
This is my real life favorite donut and I thought a tough character like her needed a name that would stand out. Bismark was unique enough that I thought it would work.
Damon is a kind, but troubled man. Before meeting Bismark, what do you think he was like?
Damon had a very troubled past. Not feeling like he was worth much, he ran through life without getting close to anyone. If he kept his distance, he couldn’t get hurt again.
Bismark and Damon hit the road together. Has this ever been something you’ve wanted to do? Have you done it before?
I would love to travel more. There are so many sights I want to see and so many things I would love to do. I actually have a list of the places I want to visit someday. I think packing up a motorhome and going away for a week would be the perfect trip. I don’t think I could do it the way they did though. I need to know where I am heading.
How did Bismark’s wild and fun character come to fruition? Are there any similarities between the two of you?
Bismark is the side of me I wish I had the courage to let out. She is spunky, brave and says what’s on her mind.
She goes with the flow of life and even when she has been knocked down, she stands right back up taller than before. I think that is the part we have in common. Tear us down, we rebuild even better.
What surprised you about Breaking Bismark as you were writing it?
How attached I got to her. I wasn’t ready for her story to be done. I also had two endings for this story and wasn’t sure until I got there which way I was going to end it.
What can we expect next from Olivia Marie?
This is a big one. I have so many projects lined. up for the next two years. A few of the ones I am really looking forward to is Labradors of Love for the Pet Shop Series, Bad Seedling, Dead Rising, The Forgotten Asylum, and German Rhythm.
I have two co write coming out with Erin Lee and one with Rena Marin.
I also have Misfit Traveler, Altered Love, Lunar Prowl and Reunions on preorder right now.
About the Author
Olivia Marie has a passion for books and animals. She lives in the central Midwest with her husband and two rescue dogs. She spends her free time reading, writing, listening to music and enjoying the outdoors with her family.
It’s Oscar day today! With movies being very prominent in my book series, you can imagine how excited I am to see all my favorite actors and actresses together under one roof.
For me, it’s not who wins the awards or what anyone is wearing. For me, it’s really about the craft. I love it when other actors you know and love are just as inspired by other actors there. You can see their minds being blown with inspiration, humility and awe.
As a former theater actress, I know how hard acting can be. Auditions can be downright humiliating, and when you finally land that role, well, there’s nothing quite like it.
I have loved movies ever since I was a kid. I had few restrictions on what I could or couldn’t watch. (Okay, I didn’t have any) Growing up as a sick child with breathing and asthma problems, I stayed in a lot with books and movies as my escape. Though I was free to watch anything, I was an innocent kid and watched the original Mary Poppins as much as I could. I also loved movies such as Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves ( I was 11 ), A League of Their Own, and movies like The Goonies and Ferris Beuller’s Day Off. I could quote these films before I could fully understand them all. LOL.
I love movies, not for their action-packed earth shattering effects. I love them for their extension of humanity and life and love. And I love the actors, writers and directors for putting their hearts into it all.
The day after her parents’ funeral, Kate Remington is headed home to Florida as Hurricane Irma wreaks havoc on the panhandle. Her disaster response unit activates just as she crosses the state line. Emotionally drained and mentally exhausted, Kate makes a wrong turn as she rushes to join her team. She ends up in a small town ravaged by the savagery of the storm.
Erik McEwen’s family founded Grouper Cove, the only place he’s ever lived. The devastation of his beloved town is almost more than he can stand, the urge to give up overwhelming. When Kate pulls up with her own haunted eyes and broken soul, can they use the force of nature to create a sanctuary of their own?
Now, before I began, I must say what a pleasure it was reading Sunset Sanctuary. It was such a nice little escape into a town I could really see myself living in and enjoying.
I hope you love this Q&A as much as I do, everyone!
How would you describe your series to someone you didn’t know?
Grouper Cove is like a Hallmark Channel series with a little Nicholas Sparks thrown in. Each book is a standalone – there will be characters that carry over, but mostly the town is what ties them all together. I write them in such a way that there’s no requirement to read them in order.
What inspired Sunset Sanctuary?
I live in Florida, and I have always loved the Gulf of Mexico. I also love the closeness and charm of small-town living. I actually wrote Book 2 first, which is where I created Grouper Cove, but before it was released, I wanted to write one to explain the town’s origins, which is how Sunset Sanctuary became Book 1. Again, that was more for me because you don’t have to read them in order.
Can you tell us about some of the characters in your book?
Kate and Erik are both down-to-earth, everyday people. I like keeping my characters real and relatable. Kate had just lost her parents, and Erik had just lost his town to a hurricane. I wrote their story to help them heal together while rebuilding and helping each other find the inner strength they needed to get through.
I absolutely loved Curry, the pelican. What inspired you to use a pelican for this story?
I love pelicans. Every time we go out in the Gulf fishing, or over to the Atlantic Ocean side, there are always pelicans waiting for a handout. They are the sweetest things waiting for a treat, and I adore watching them fly by in formation. There’s something so majestic about them. Curry came about because I would love to have one that I could cuddle and love on.
If you were one of the characters in this book, who would you be?
I would be Kate. Strong, independent, ready to get things done, not afraid of an adventure. And I’d have Curry 😉
What surprised you about Sunset Sanctuary as you were writing it?
How easy it all came together. I am in love with this fictional town, and there are many days I have to remember that I can’t just get in the car and go there. One day, I’ll win the lottery and buy enough land to start the town of Grouper Cove.
What can we expect next from Lorah Jaiyn?
Grouper Cove is going strong. I keep each book separate and different enough so I don’t fall into the category of “they all sound the same”. There are four more planned for 2020. I also have the Nut House Series started, one book for each season this year. Winter Wonderful (Nut House 1) is out, and Notes of Spring (Nut House 2) will be out in April. These stories are all individual but center around four estranged siblings. A squirrel rescue ties them all together. Poetic Justice also comes out in April, and this story – definitely not Hallmark – revolves around a young woman who snaps at the injustices of animal abuse and goes vigilante to right the wrongs after the criminal justice system keeps failing. I will definitely be showing my multi-genre skills this year.
Give us a fun fact about yourself.
I am turning into the crazy squirrel lady. I volunteered at an animal rescue when Hurricane Irma came along – there was no fuel to be found in our area, so rather than take all the orphaned squirrels to the facility, each volunteer had their own area to foster the babies until we had the means to travel around (we’re talking hundreds of babies). I ended with several and fell in love with the little bushy tails. It was one thing to volunteer at the rescue; it was quite another to be a full-time squirrel mama. I still foster when needed, and I’ve made friends with many of the wild squirrels at my home.
And finally, because I am a huge lover of movies, what are some of your favorite movies?
My movies tastes are as varied as my writing. In no particular order:
Dirty Dancing
Kate and Leopold
the Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, Expendable, and RED movies
Hobbs and Shaw
Lambada
PS I Love You
Jumanji (new or old)
Grease
Just watched The Shape of Water today – loved it!
About the Author
Lorah Jaiyn focused on her writing career after a nasty case of empty nest syndrome, followed by the dreaded absent-Gramma disorder. One novel, many anthologies, and several novellas later, she still hasn’t figured out her favorite genre. Her projects range from horror to romance, with a little fantasy thrown in for good measure. Lorah lives in Central Florida and enjoys exploring the great outdoors. She fosters baby squirrels when hurricanes hit and credits her Jack Russell as both her muse and biggest distraction.
Edmund Crueller is dying. He has a story to tell before he slips off this mortal coil. Baking has always been a part of the Crueller family history. Bread, buns and sweet tasty treats are all available in the family-owned shop, but it’s the donuts that have always had customers coming back for more.Edmund will pass down the family recipe to his son before he dies. But will the young man share in his father’s tastes?
In your own words, tell us a little bit about your book, Crueller.
Crueller is part of the Donut Shop Series and is probably a bit of an outlier in that group. The story begins in London, England during the Jack the Ripper years, where a curse is placed on the Crueller family by a vampiric creature named Ladislaus. It moves to modern-day, with the son of the titular character out to break the curse.
What inspired such a deliciously dark story?
When I was first offered a spot in this series, I didn’t think that I would be able to make donuts horrific in any way. I thought about passing, but as I thought about the different types of donuts, the Crueller seemed like something I could work with. Blood jelly came to me soon after, and the story quickly built from there.
Would you eat a Crueller doughnut?
The Crueller family are bakers, and the Crueller Crimson delight is their top-selling item. The secret ingredient is a little off-putting, but I’m sure I could be tempted to take a nibble.
What surprised you about this book as you were writing it?
The romance aspect of the Donut Shope Series was a little concerning for me, but I found that I was able to create some loving relationships within the story that came quite easily. Being in a very happy marriage probably helped.
What song would you partner with this book?
I actually named a chapter after one of my favorite songs from the 80’s. It’s “Love Like Blood” by Killing Joke.
Can you tell us about your local doughnut shop? What do you like to order?
We have an amazing donut shop nearby called Donut Worry. Their stuff is always fresh and they make all kinds of really cool toppings. I keep it pretty simple, though, as I usually order the strawberry coconut. So good!!
You experienced something emotional in a doughnut shop once. Can you tell us a little bit about that?
It’s a little more silly than overly emotional, but it’s also a funny story. I was a stay at home dad for 10 years, the best “job” I’ve ever had. I had dropped my daughter at school and was taking my son to his first day of pre-school. I dropped him off and hustled out of there quicky, as I was beginning to get a little choked up. I made the short drive to my local coffee shop to get myself a coffee and a donut to cheer myself up. When I arrived, I automatically opened up the sliding door on the minivan to get my son, only to see the empty car seat. By the time I was at the counter to order, I was in full weeping mode. On the bright side, my coffee and donut were on the house that day.
What can we expect next from John Watson?
There is a lot coming in 2020, which is equal parts exciting and scary, as it means a lot of work. A month after Crueller, I have a new novel called Off The Grid releasing. I’ll also have a pair of Creature Feature novella’s, a short story in the Beyond The Jungle Anthology, as well as two more novels before the end of the year. They are called The Hollow Eyed Girl and Slave to Blood. There is also a secret release coming that I am part of. Shhhhh!!
Give us a fun fact about yourself.
I write horror, but I am a bit of a scaredy-cat. I have a laundry list of things that creep me out.
And finally, because I am a huge lover of movies, I have to ask a movie question. What scene from a movie totally and absolutely freaks you out?
I don’t very often get freaked out by horror movies now, as I’m probably a little desensitized after watching so many. I remember being stunned at the decapitation scene in 30 Days of Night, and legitimately creeped out by the scene in Signs at the kids birthday party. I usually find alien stuff unsettling, with The Fourth Kind the creepiest of the bunch.
About the Author
As well as robots, clowns, and living statues, John Watson has an extensive list of things that terrify him. He is of the belief that writing about these horrors will make him immune to their evils, but it is still a work in progress. Mr. Watson spends most of his time hiding out in the closet space beneath the stairs, where he is currently working on a series of scary short stories. He resides in Atlanta with his chef wife Penny and a pair of equally skittish fur babies.
“…I love you. God help me, but I do.” The air lay heavy between them. Her eyes were glossy with moisture, his intense with emotion. “Tell me, if you can, you do not feel the same.” He whispered so low it might have been silence, “And make me believe it.”
Civil Warriors
A story of Love and Possession
There were things the Sagamores could and could not do:
William defied all social norms. Georgie could be trusted with any secret. Georgia Anne did as she pleased. And, John Richard would kill a man for hurting her.
But,
William could not keep his feelings hidden. Georgie could not let an innocent man die. Georgia Anne could not be a slave. And, despite going to hell, John Richard could not stop loving her.
How would you describe this book to
your friends and family?
It’s an interracial romance set in the
1860’s. It’s based on a local legend and an old diary. Without
downplaying the severity of slavery, you
get a rich love story that is very human
and complicated.
What inspired you to write this book?
The legend, the diary and the fact that
I have an interracial marriage. My husband and I often wonder ‘what if?’.
What have some of your readers/fan said
about your book that surprised you?
I was concerned about how Civil
Warriors would be received (it’s different) but the reviews have blown me away!
I am humbled to tears by the reaction.
*One of the best books I have read.
*Good intelligent read!!!
*It kept me up past my bedtime 😊
The book is set in 1860’s. How did you
prep for this book?
Sooooo much research, lol. I had to be
sure every unconventional idea I put into the story was provable.
What can you tell us about some of your
characters?
Georgia Anne is a woman of color with
education, ability and no desire to be a servant. (You can imagine how that
goes over in the 1860’s)
John Richard owns her, and loves her.
But, he can’t reconcile the two. (He is a product of his environment and a
prisoner to his heart.)
William would buck society to have her,
but he would never hurt his brother.
Red Eagle is a Plains Indian who could
alter Georgia Anne’s destiny.
Georgie is Georgia
Anne’s twin. It’s up to him to save their
lives…or not.
Are you planning on a sequel for this
book? Why or why not?
People have asked but, John Richard and
Georgia Anne’s story is done. I do,
however, think about some of the side
stories that happened and maybe there will be a next generation sequel. Idk.
What surprised you when you were
writing it?
The number of practical examples for my
seemingly far-fetched ideas.
And last but not least, because I am a
huge fan of movies, what are some of your favorite films?
High fantasy and epic overcoming!
Lord of the Rings (you don’t want to know how many times I’ve watched this), Harry Potter, The Avengers, The Phantom of the Opera (Royal Albert Hall), Pride & Prejudice (Keira Knightly)
About the Author
Novelist, Reviewer, Content Editor, Blogger, T-shirt Wearer, and Professional Snacker; Tracy A. Ball is a native Baltimorean and a veteran West Virginian whose family is blended from three cultures. She has opened her home to foster children, drug addicts, AIDS victims, and anyone who needed an assist. She knows people who have committed murder and people who have dined with the Pope.
Which is why she writes sweet stories about tough love, tough stories about sweet love, and takes long naps.
After a humiliating break up, Sarah decides
it’s time to fall back in love with her first true love—travel. She books the
perfect trip to revive her humdrum heartbroken life—ten days sailing the Greek
islands on a yacht.
The last thing she wants is to meet someone
new, but Sarah soon finds herself flirting with the cute American, Josh, and
considering something more serious with the sexy silver fox, James.
Will Sarah dive into a holiday fling,
embark on a relationship, or stick to her plan – steer clear of men, continue
her love affair with feta, and find her own way after all?
Ten days, two men, one boat, and one big
decision.
Now folks, this book is a favorite of mine! I laughed, I cried. After I was done with the book, I felt like I had just been on vacation! The way that Sandy Barker describes the food, and the locations-so great. You’ll absolutely love this romcom of a book!!!
It is my pleasure to include the author today. Welcome Sandy Barker!
In your own words, how would you describe your book?
One Summer in Santorini is a fun and flirty romantic comedy
with a hefty theme – getting back to the once-happy you and living your biggest
life. And although she’s really not interested in meeting anyone new, being
fresh from an awful breakup, she meets two ‘someones’ – very different from
each other, and each bringing out a different side of her.
What is the first food you would order/eat if you
returned on this same trip Sarah takes?
Horiatiki – hands down. It’s Greek salad to non-Greeks and
quite honestly, when I am in Greece, I will have one or two a day. It’s the
tomatoes – they are the best in the world. There is a lot of other goodness in
that salad, but it is almost impossible to recreate unless you have good
tomatoes.
Tell us a little about Sarah’s background. Who was she
before the vacation?
When we meet her, she is reasonably fresh from a breakup,
and she’s ‘stuck’. She’d let herself love an unkind man, one who snuffed the
joy from her life. She’s been coping by wallowing in self-pity, slaving at the
gym, and spending far too much time alone. Booking the trip to Greece in a
moment of bravery was the best thing she could have done. It terrifies her –
she Is prone to anxiety and worry – but she needs the journey to get back to
herself.
Who are some of the friends on the boat? What can you
tell us about them?
As this book is inspired by my real-life love story – I met
my partner on a pier in Santorini just as we were about to get on a sailing
trip – the characters on the boat are also inspired by real people. Gary and
Mari are a married couple who have a fantastic relationship – very loving. It’s
important for Sarah to see that love like that exists, and Marie becomes like a
big sister to Sarah, even giving her a dose of tough love.
The Skipper, Duncan, and his partner – long-distance love,
Geraldine (Gerry) – show Sarah that relationships can be fun, flirtatious, and
anchored in friendship. They are both funny characters, and I loved writing
them. Hannah is Sarah’s cabin mate. She’s also trying to get over a heartbreak,
but is more cynical than hopeful, and Sarah finds herself wanting to smooth out
some of Hannah’s rough edges.
And then there is Josh, one of the love interests. He is
younger than her, but they both feel that yearning for a bigger life, as he
calls it. They start as fast friends – he is bright and makes her laugh – but
she can’t deny the attraction either.
Can you share a picture with us on your trip to the Greek Islands? What is your memory of this photo?
This is me, Ben (my partner) and Sinead, a member of our floating family from our last trip to Greece. We are sailing into Athens at the end of the trip, so it was a bittersweet moment – we’d be saying goodbye soon. Patrick, the Skipper who inspired the character of Duncan, is in the background. Sinead became a dear friend and she has inspired a character in the sequel.
I’ve also included a photo of Sinead and I swimming off the
boat when it was anchored in a tiny cove off Sifnos. We were the only boat
there, and we called it Artemis Cove, because the night before had been a full
moon and we’d had a barbecue on the beach by moonlight.
What are some of your upcoming releases?
I am about to hand over edits for the second book in my
series about Sarah’s sister, Cat. She becomes a love fugitive when her flatmate
declares his undying love for her, and she escapes to Europe on a bus tour. In
Paris, she runs into someone from her past and …
You’ll have to read it when it comes out in March. 😉
It looks like the sequel to One Summer in Santorini will be
out mid-year 2020 and I am also writing a Christmas book about three friends
from the UK, the US, and Australia who swap Christmases. Look for that ahead of
Christmas next year.
Because I am a movie lover, I have to ask all authors who
chat with me, what is a movie you could just watch over and over?
Just one? How about two?
When Harry Met Sally – the most perfect romcom ever written.
Pitch Perfect – hilarious and I love the singing.
Thank you very much for having me – this was a blast. xx
About the Author
I’m a writer and traveller with a lengthy bucket list and cheeky sense of humour. When I travel, I love exploring new places, outdoor adventures, and eating and drinking like a local. I’m also an avid reader, a film buff, a wine lover and a coffee snob.
As an author, I write the heart – what makes it sing, what breaks it, and how it mends – and many of my travel adventures have found homes in my novels. My first novel, a romantic comedy set in Greece and inspired by my real-life love story, was published in June 2019 by One More Chapter (HarperCollins).
I am editing my second book (the follow-up to One Summer in Santorini), and have just started writing my fifth. 2020 will see at least two new books out in the world!
Hi hi all. I just wanted to write a quick little post to let everyone know that I am going to be diving in and out of Crazy Ink authors, and I am going on the hunt to find some great authors out there who we can all check out. I want to introduce all types of books and genres, so there’ll be something for everyone!
Pierce Leewood, known to the town of Cobbly Nob as the Piano Man, played for the visitors who graced Reagan Inn. His magical melodies made him beloved to guests but stories of his past left him a source of suspicion for locals. When young girls began to go missing and turned up dead, the Piano Man played his last tune.Twenty years later, Sarah Hayes and her daughter Amber find themselves uprooting their lives and returning to Cobbly Nob to help take care of family and the soon to reopen inn. While her mom and Grams immerse themselves in opening-day preparations, the mysteries of Reagan Inn and its most feared employee haunt Amber…as do its ghosts.As the monster known as the Piano Man sets his sights on Amber, she is determined to free the ghosts otherwise bound to suffer at his hands. Can she put an end to the Piano Man’s terror? Or will Amber find herself the next to face the music?
In your own words, how would you describe your
book? Piano Man is YA ghost story about the family who owns an old Inn a small
mountain town. The Inn has been remodeled and is set to reopen which has the
ghostly spirit of the town’s most notorious murderer ready to claim new
victims.
What inspired this story? I worked in a
haunted hotel for quite awhile. My daughter Amber still talks about the motel
all these years later and remembers things that happened when she would visit
with us at work. It amazes me how she remembers so much since she was just
small at the time. She is a huge paranormal fan, just like her momma, so the
more we talked about it, I decided it was time to give the motel its own story
in a way. Of course, the real piano man was nothing like the one created for
the book, but the name is the same. It’s the name Amber, and several others,
called one of the motel’s most active ghosts due to the piano in the corner
playing so often.
What can you tell us of Cobbly Nob, where this
story takes place? It’s actually a real community. I drive through it every day on my way to
work and its beautiful. That’s what inspired me to use it as my setting. My
version of Cobbly Nob is extended compared to the real location. It’s your
typical small town. A grocery, a few mom and pops stores, library, small school,
etc. To the older people in town it’s the perfect place to live a peaceful
life. The kids? Well, they may get a few bouts of boredom which is why they are
constantly looking for adventure to get into.
Have you or would you ever stay in a haunted
inn? I have. The one I worked at would be my home several weeks in the winter
months. It was hard to get to work when it would snow. If need be, the family
and I would pack up and stay till things cleared up. I’ve spent many nights
hearing things, seeing things, and even wandering around with the kids looking
for things while there.
If you could place yourself in your book,
which character would you be? What would you be doing? Oh, I would love to
be one of the kids. Learning all the old legends about their town, exploring
the Inn, and facing a new adventure would be something I would love to take
part in. Especially the research part. I love reading about the history of
haunted locations.
What surprised you most about your book as you
were writing it? Piano Man began as a standalone. By the time I ended it, I found I
couldn’t say goodbye to the characters and the location. A series is now in the
works revolving around them. Graveyard Girls, book two, will be coming in 2020.
Give us a Rena Marin fun and/or unusual fact. I’m a huge
horror/paranormal fan. Growing up, I didn’t have siblings to do the adventurous
checking out of creepy places. My friends weren’t as into it as I was, so I was
left with research and learning about places. Now, I have a partner in crime.
My daughter, she’s 13, is just as taken by the paranormal as I have. We’ve
started doing a few things here and there like ghost walks, explorations, etc.
We have more planned for the future. I guess in a way you could call us
wanna-be-investigators, lol.
What are you reading now? I just finished a
reread of Wuthering Heights for an anthology I’m in. Next up will be Erin Lee’s
Cotton Candy.
What can you tell us about your future
releases? I have several anthologies releasing this year including Beyond
Atlantis, Infamy, and Art Inspires with Crazy Ink. I also have the third
installment of the Dead Oaks Terrors Series, Night Stalker coming in November
which is written with Skylar McKinzie. In October, The Hunter’s Guild of Dark
Hollow Ridge will be releasing. It is part two of my Dark Hollow Ridge saga. In
December, another solo of mine, Backroad, will be released. As an exclusive
author with Crazy Ink, all these titles will be published by them and their
amazing team!
And because I’m a movie person, I have to ask, name a movie you could watch over and over and over again and still find merit in? Oh, I am such a huge movie fan!! I love too many! Let’s see as a fan, I love all the great horror movies of the 70’s 80’s and 90’s. Halloween, Scream, Nightmare on Elm Street, all of those. I love all the superhero movies too, but a good movie that gets me every time I watch it has to be Steel Magnolias. It’s my ugly cry movie but watching it reminds me of my family and the people I grew up with so much. Those women act just like my grandma and my aunts. It’s a great nod to life in the south and a time when things were simpler.
About the Author
Rena Marin was born in a small town in East Tennessee where she, her husband Daniel, and two children–Cody and Amber–still reside today.
Growing up, reading and writing her own stories was Rena’s favorite pastime. Her once-unreachable dream of becoming a published writer came true when she was in high school and found herself with many writing awards and accolades, including a short story in Reader’s Digest.
After starting her own business, Rena continued writing shorts online before moving on to freelance work. Taking a chance, she and a friend submitted a novel to their first publishing company and were delighted to be accepted.
As a member of Crazy Ink Publishing, Rena now has several co-written series underway, including the Best Selling Dead Oak Terrors Series. Halloween Nightmare, the first book in that series, recently won the Reality Bites Best Horror Book of 2018. Rena also has her own solo series called The Witches of Dark Hollow Ridge. She looks forward to bringing readers with her into a world of magic and adventure.
Keeping close to her short story roots, Rena is part of several anthologies with many more in the works.
A lover of all forms of entertainment, Rena enjoys horror and fantasy movies new and old. When she isn’t writing or working, she often finds herself cuddled on the couch with her family–including their five fur babies–and lost in a fantasy world or hoping to be scared.
Before I get started, I have had the privilege and honor to call this author my co-worker, if you will. Though we’ve never met, we are both exclusive authors for Crazy Ink and she has helped me brainstorm numerous times. Her hard work and determination is an inspiration. Okay, enough said, let’s get to the book, shall we?
Seventeen-year-old Justine Leonard wants to be happy for her widowed mother when she meets, falls in love with, and marries a new mystery man. But while Dirk Martin seems to shine like a knight in freshly polished armor, Justine can’t shake the feeling something isn’t quite right. Is Justine’s gut telling the truth, or is everyone else right when they say her imagination is only playing with her?
In your own words, how would you describe your
book?
Hi Eve, and thank you for this opportunity! I would describe my book as a
thrilling, clean, read that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. A
story of family, love, and betrayal.
What inspired you to come up with the idea for
your Step Into Darkness series?
It started as a short story I wrote when I was fourteen. My parents have
quite a large age gap between them and I was always concerned my dad would pass
away when I was still a kid. The story was my way of mentally walking through
my fears of what could be the aftereffects of that happening without actually
having to go through it.
How many books will it be?
Right now, I’m planning on six books for this series, but that will all
depend on where the story takes me. I’m not much of a plotter, so writing truly
is an adventure for me and it’s hard to tell ahead of time how long or short a
piece or series will be. At this point, I do have rough ideas for six, though.
What can you tell us about book two? And how
long do we have to wait?! 🙂
Without giving too much away, I can say in book two, Gut Check, the
steaks get even higher for Justine, Eric, and Camille and some characters may
have even more to hide than we think. It will be releasing on September 24th
2019.
What is your favorite thing about your main
character, Justine?
My favorite thing about Justine is honestly a trait I consider her best
and worst. She puts others before herself. The reason I say this is her best
and worst trait is because she sometimes does this to her own detriment. This
is something I’ll have to work with her on in upcoming books. We’ve talked
about it, but so far she hasn’t listened. haha
Your book is listed as a psychological
thriller. What are some thrilling inspirations for you? Books? Films? Authors?
Thrilling inspirations for me, honestly, don’t necessarily have to be in
the thriller category. Be it a book or a movie, if there’s a well written twist
that I didn’t see coming, that is a thrill for me and something I strive for in
my own work.
If you could place yourself in your book,
which character would you be? What would you be doing?
This is such a great question, but a really hard one to answer. Every
answer I think of would change the story in some huge way. I would probably be
Eric’s mother Angelica, because she’s a tough woman who needs to be a bit
nosier. I am nosy. I would have put an end to the shenanigans quickly.
What are writing must haves for you? Coffee,
background music, tea?
In order to write, I need a timer for writing sprints when my mind isn’t
playing along, water so I don’t get dehydrated, and someone to remind me to eat
because I will forget.
What are you reading now?
I’m in between books at the moment. I’ve been in full editing mode. That
being said, I’m really enjoying the Nikki Heat series.
And because I’m a movie person, I have to ask,
name a movie you could watch over and over and over again and still find merit
in?
That would have to be If Only. I do not cry easily, but this movie gets
me every time and it has my favorite twist of all time!
Bonus fun facts about Justina:
I had brain surgery
at 10 days old.
I modeled from the
ages of 12-15.
I used to tutor
essay writing to adult GED students.
About the Author
Justina Luther is a lifetime author with a passion for reading, writing, animals and creativity. Be it a story or something she’s learned, sharing with her readers is her greatest joy. With a love for trying new things, she constantly finds experiences to add depth and realism to her fiction
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