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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?

The Fall of Velho is the second book in The Blood of Velho trilogy and serves as a prequel to the first. I wanted to explore two questions: How does a villain become a villain, and what causes an ancient, blessed civilization to fall? It’s a story about faith, ambition, love, and vengeance, but at its heart, it’s about the choices that shape us, for better or worse.

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

Wow, what a great question! This book follows two parallel stories. For one character, I’d choose “Look What You Made Me Do” by Taylor Swift. The character endures incredible loss and suffering before finally rising to confront his oppressor. For the other, I’d choose “Dare You to Move” by Switchfoot. It’s a song about standing at a crossroads and finding the courage to take the next step when you’re not sure which path is the right one. Both songs capture the themes of choice and transformation that run throughout the book.

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

I love reading anything that stirs my emotions, whether that’s contemporary fiction or fantasy. If a book can make me laugh, cry, or sit staring at the wall after I finish it, I’m happy. That said, I grew up obsessing over Stephen King, so he’ll always have a special place on my bookshelf.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

There are so many! Next on my list is T.J. Klune’s latest, We Burned So Bright. I’m a huge fan of his work and am really looking forward to it. I’m also excited to read My Friends by Fredrik Backman. Both authors have a way of making readers feel deeply, which is something I always appreciate.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

There’s a scene where we watch one of the main characters, at just twelve years old, become the catalyst for something terrible. Writing that moment through the eyes of a frightened and regretful child was both incredibly difficult and deeply rewarding. I wanted readers to feel the unbearable weight of that moment alongside him, the instant when innocence gives way to understanding and he realizes he cannot undo what’s been set in motion. More than the event itself, I wanted readers to feel the emotional torment that follows, because sometimes the hardest thing to carry isn’t the consequences of our choices, but living with them.

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

I’m not sure it’s quirky, but music is absolutely essential for me. I need to put myself in the emotional space of whatever scene I’m writing, so every chapter has its own soundtrack and mood. The right song can completely change how I approach a scene.

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

I have a sticker on my desk that says, “Choose Gratitude.” I try really hard to embrace that philosophy, especially in an increasingly troublesome world. We can’t always control what’s happening around us, but we can choose how we respond. There is almost always something, even something very small, to be grateful for.

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

That fate may write the path before us, but our choices determine who we become as we walk it. We don’t always get to choose what happens to us, but we do get to choose who we are in response. I think that’s true both in fiction and in life.

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?

Two of my favorite stories growing up were Avatar: The Last Airbender and A Song of Ice and Fire (better known as Game of Thrones). I grew up with Avatar, then later Game of Thrones and, eventually, the novels behind it. When I started writing, I realized I wanted to blend what I loved most about both, which was an unforgiving medieval world where elemental magic feels actually threatening but still awe-inspiring.

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

Art's normal theme would match “Give” by Sleep Token… until someone threatens Celeste, and then we're skipping to “Bodies” by Drowning Pool.

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

My favorite genre is anything fantasy-related. I'm a huge fan of dragons, but I didn't incorporate them into this story. Maybe in my next book.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I still need to catch up on Brimstone by Callie Hart.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I think my favorite scene is the bittersweet moments, when we're getting closer in that slow-burn dynamic, and you feel the tension across the pages.

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

My quirky habit is to sit at my computer like “L” from Death Note while I type away at my story. Just my most comfortable position. I’m doing it now, actually.

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

Nothing philosophical. I just live life by the day and continue to pound away at the keyboard until more words appear. That’s pretty much how I go through life, too.

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

There’s an adorable chunky little squirrel that’s become a fan favorite. If there’s anything you may remember after reading this book, it will probably be him. I’ve accepted that I’m writing his story now.

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?

The idea for this story grew out of another novel set in the same universe. In that book, the Fates shape every person's life, and I found myself wondering what these same characters would become if the Fates simply didn't exist. Many of the same rules still apply, but removing the Fates changes everything. The characters are free to make their own choices, face different challenges, and reveal sides of themselves I never had the chance to explore in the original story. It was fascinating to watch familiar people become someone new because of one fundamental change.

I also had fun turning a familiar medieval tradition on its head. Instead of a lady presenting her champion with a token of favor before a tournament, the prince bestows a scarf on his chosen champion—a gift that carries far greater meaning than it first appears.

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

I tend to get inspired by music, even though I usually write with brown noise, a crackling fireplace, or falling rain playing in the background. For my female main character, Kai, it’s “Day I Die” by DeathbyRomy. Her powerful vocals embody the strength and determination I feel when writing Kai. For my male main character, Pax, it’s “Limits” by Bad Omens. The intensity of the song captures his emotional weight and quiet strength, even if the lyrics don’t perfectly mirror his story. As for the antagonist, Prince Gray, it’s “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”

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

I love reading fantasy and science fiction, especially stories that ask big “what if?” questions and build imaginative worlds. I have several books by Brandon Sanderson, whom I consider one of the best living writers, and one of my all-time favorite authors is Philip K. Dick. I also can’t go far without mentioning Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. My favorite book I read last year was Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan. The stories I enjoy reading are very much the stories I enjoy writing. I love speculative fiction that blends rich worldbuilding, memorable characters, and a touch of the impossible. Those are the kinds of books that make me lose track of time, and they’re the kinds of stories I hope to create for my readers.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I usually have several books going at once because I read for different reasons. For personal growth, I’m currently reading Good Morning, Holy Spirit by Benny Hinn and The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. I take my time with books like these because I want to absorb what I’m learning instead of rushing through them. For science fiction, I’m about halfway through Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. For fun, I’m reading Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman and thoroughly enjoying Princess Donut. My local book club is reading The Corsair’s Captive by Ruby Dixon, so that’s on my current list as well. I’ve also been enjoying Friends with the Monsters by Albany Walker. The book I’m most looking forward to is All Hell, Chaos by Sarah Rees Brennan. I loved Long Live Evil so much that I’m saving the sequel until I can give it my full attention. I know once I start it, I’ll have a hard time putting it down.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

My favorite scene to write was the ballroom scene. I loved being inside Kai’s head as she tried to think through every possible outcome while the prince made his choice. There’s something deeply satisfying about the moment when the person you hope will choose you actually does. I think everyone wants to feel seen, valued, and chosen by someone who matters to them. That idea resonates with me beyond fiction. I hope we all choose to make the people we love feel special, whether it’s through our words, our actions, or simply by making them feel like they’re worth our attention.

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

I don't have a lucky mug or a cat in my lap, but I do have a writing tent. It's a small sound booth in my bedroom where I can shut out the world and disappear into my story. I love my family, but writing requires intense concentration, and being interrupted can be pretty jarring when I'm deep in a scene. If I'm writing in my office instead, I usually have YouTube playing in the background. My go-to choices are ambient channels with crackling fireplaces or rainy mornings, or writing sprint streams that help me stay focused. Once everything is set, I can settle in and lose myself in the story.

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

I try to make the most of every moment I've been given. That means looking for ways to combine things when I can. I might walk on a treadmill while I write, listen to an audiobook while I clean, or take a short nap after work so I can give my writing my full attention in the evening. I don't do those things because I'm trying to stay busy—I do them because I want to be a good steward of the time God has given me. My goal is simple: use my time wisely, keep learning, keep creating, and do everything to the glory of God.

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

More than anything, I hope my readers find a place to escape for a little while. I don't sit down to write stories with a lesson in mind. I write because I want to give people a chance to step away from the stress of everyday life, lose themselves in another world, and simply enjoy the journey. If someone has a difficult day and finds themselves thinking about one of my characters, smiling at a scene, or looking forward to reading the next chapter when they get home, then I've accomplished exactly what I set out to do.