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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Echo of Tombs?

The Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson had a lot of influence on the book, and my own struggles with agoraphobia, and the way people treated me for having an invisible illness.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Echo of Tombs, what would they be?

"The times they are a changin'" by Bob Dylan.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Fantasy and horror are my favorite genres to read, but I love writing all sorts of things. My first book is horror thriller and I have also written a crime thriller that I hope to publish in the future, but my main genre would have to be fantasy.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

We Are The Dead by Mike Shackle. R. Scott Bakker The Darkness That Comes Before. Of Blood and Fire by Ryan Cahill.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The spore caverns. I loved being able to explore the strange and exotic world deep below the ground and imagine the wonder of people seeing it for the first time.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I like to put a 45 pound weighted vest on and go for a walk whenever I get stuck on where to go next in my book.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

The pursuit of dreams isn't some thing to be put aside by anything, it is the entire reason for everything.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

The love and passion I put into the characters. I've spent years with these wonderful people, have told their tales, and I want you to feel their plight, love, and hate as I have.

Ken Snyder is the author of the new book The Echo of Tombs

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Love in a Little Free Library (Love and Books Book 1)?

I am obsessed with little free libraries and also have a family member with bipolar. I thought it would be wonderful to combine these two elements to showcase the complexities of loving someone with mental illness.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

YA! No matter my age, I will always be a die-hard YA reader!

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Anything by Nicola Yoon, Jennifer Niven, Jenny Han, and Rainbow Rowell

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I loved writing the meaningful talks Elle and Ozzy shared because I think every girl wants a guy who is willing to open up and discuss the deeper issues of life, death, and love.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I either use Harry Potter or Twilight ambiance on YouTube while I write. When that’s on, I know it’s time to get serious and start typing away!

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Get busy living or get busy dying!

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

That love isn’t always exactly like the fairytales and movies, but if you open yourself up to it…it can be so much better!

Lucy Flowers is the author of the new book Love in a Little Free Library (Love and Books Book 1)

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Gift?

When I was writing my first book, (my memoir), I was often asked by literary agents to write fiction, or to fictionalize my story. That led to me writing The Gift.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

History, which is not my favorite genre to write. My writing tastes range from warm and fuzzy gardening stories to political satire.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

One of the final scenes in the lawyer's office, which reveals the animosity that would have been felt at that time towards LGBT people in rural America.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

None at all. I am as normal as can be.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Maya Angelou's quote: "When people show you who they are, you should believe them. The first time." That sentiment is reflected in this novel.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Intolerance is ugly. Racism, homophobia, intolerance of people for their size, etc. are all the same.

Scott Terry is the author of the new book The Gift

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Playing Games?

Playing Games was inspired by a lot of things, but mostly, it came from a place where we wanted to see two very opposite characters—a star quarterback and a neurodivergent genius—fall in love. We wanted to experience a love story that showcased accepting someone for who they are fully and with opened arms. And that’s exactly what Playing Games is all about. Also, Lexi, the FMC in Playing Games, is actually a reader-beloved character from our earliest series and there was a huge request for her to get her own book.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Playing Games, what would they be?

Blake Boden’s song would be “R U Mine?” by The Arctic Monkeys.

Lexi Winslow’s song would be “Falling Slowly” by Glen Hansard, Marketa Irglova.

We also have a great playlist for Playing Games that you can find here.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

We both love reading the same genre we write--contemporary romance, but Max also enjoys reading Fantasy and Monroe enjoys reading Thrillers.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Max: Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

Monroe: The Crash by Freida McFadden

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

There were a lot of scenes in Playing Games that we loved writing. The opening scene between Blake and Lexi, when Blake convinces her to grab “dorm room pizza” with her was so much f un. Their banter and chemistry was off the charts and really set the tone for the book. Honestly, pretty much any scene in Playing Games with Blake and Lexi’s addicting banter was our favorite to write.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Lately, we’ve been taking week-long trips together to write a first draft. But the quirkiest thing about the trip is that we never write in the same room. LOL. We write in separate rooms, but during breaks gab and gush over the book we’re writing.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

“Pivot!” -Ross Gellar This is definitely a bit of an inside joke between the two of us, but it has served us well. In the funniest way possible, it showcases a never-give-up mindset.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

The one thing we would want readers to take away from Playing Games is this: “Love isn’t about making perfect sense. Love is about finding someone who sees your quirks and calls them magic.”

Max Monroe is the author of the new book Playing Games

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write War of the Submarine: the Rebel Collection?

The original idea for the series, “War of the Submarine,” hit me while I was a student at the Naval War College. A friend and I started spit balling about how World War III would start and what kind of war it would be, and my immediate response was: “World War I was the war of the battleship and World War II was the war of the aircraft carrier, but World War III will be the war of the submarine.” I wanted to explore both a non-nuclear modern world war plus what happens when true stealth is difficult due to the proliferation of satellites and radar detection. As a navy veteran, the answer came easily to me: submarines. This boxed set is the combination of books 1-4 (plus a prequel and a novella, book 2.5), so it covers both the beginning of an increasingly likely World War III and the “becoming a hero” journey for Commander Alex Coleman. Both the premise of another world war—one more akin to WWI where kris-crossing alliances are a significant root cause rather than a singular evil—and the opportunity to explore what kind of leaders a long peace develops called to me like a siren song. “War of the Submarine” explores both a multi-faceted war and what said war does to leaders, both good and bad, as they struggle to find their footing in a world no one expected to fight for.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of War of the Submarine: the Rebel Collection, what would they be?

“This is Me,” from “The Greatest Showman” fits Alex Coleman to a T.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Tossup between military thrillers and epic fantasy, and yes, I write both.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

David Weber, “Toll of Honor;” C.S. Forester “The Happy Return” (rereading); Deborah Harkness, “A Discovery of Witches;” James D. Hornfischer, “Who Can Hold The Sea;” Dr. Robert Ballard, “Into the Deep;” and Brook Allen, “Antonius: Son of Rome.”

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Picking one favorite across six books is hard, but it would probably have to be something with STS1 Wilson. Maybe the one with the barstool fort when he’s drunk and wrecking havoc.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Sometimes I need to change my writing location to get myself going, so my local Panera Bread is a favorite place to go. I also have a writing mug that has joking titles for every one of fifteen drafts a writer goes through.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

“I will try.” It’s the motto of my alma mater (which I share with several characters), and it fits far too well.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

The best leaders aren’t afraid to give a damn.

R.G. Roberts is the author of the new book War of the Submarine: the Rebel Collection

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