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Interview with DD Prince, Author of Cheater

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Cheater?

I got hooked on the Turkish romantic comedy soap opera, Erkenci Kus (watching it with English subtitles) and I was gaga over how absolutely smitten the main male character was with the female lead. Everything about their interactions sucked me into a happy daze. The long looks, the electric eye contact, how he was so drawn into her orbit that he touched her at every opportunity. He was a gorgeous, swoony, lovesick puppy. And I had a book idea: what if we had a male lead this swoony but also more than a little unhinged? What if I wrote a book about a hot, rich guy becoming completely obsessed with making a girl’s dreams come true, but … making him unapologetic about removing obstacles, such as her existing fiancé? I typically avoid romances with any cheating between the main characters, so I created a hall pass scenario. What if she was already in an unhappy relationship but felt obligated to stay in it? What if our unhinged but swoony psycho found out her paraplegic fiancé gave her a hall pass she didn’t want to use? He’d find a way to get her to use it on him. I wanted him to want her so much that he’d do absolutely anything to have her, including blackmailing her to keep their affair going. I wanted the reader to root for him despite his unconventional ways (and psychological damage) while understanding her resistance. I wanted her to fight hard, rather than just giving in. Because then we’d get to see him work extra hard to have what he wants. And because the romantic Turkish soap I was hooked on was very chaste, my exploration of a story using that hunky star (Cam Yaman) as my muse could be as spicy as I wanted it to be. So, I made it very spicy. Very.

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

I curate YouTube playlists for many of my books both for myself as well as my readers. Some of the songs on the playlist for Cheater are: "Lose Control" by Teddy Swims, "Only Girl in the World" by Rihanna, "Love Me Harder" by Ariana Grande, "Bent" by Matchbox 20, "Madness" by Muse, "Love Is A Bitch" by Two Feet. I tend to curate a playlist while writing a book and listen to it on a loop while writing.

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

I love reading in multiple romance genres, so I also love writing in multiple romance genres. Many believe an author should pick a lane and stay in it, but I’m a mood reader so I’m also a mood writer. Spicy romances with dark and psychological themes really get my motor running both as a reader and as an author.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

What I generally do is decide on a read (or a few) while writing a book and give myself a reward read after I publish. I didn’t actually give myself a reward read after finishing Cheater. I jumped into another manuscript, Claimed – book four of my Savage Alpha Shifters wolf shifter series. I’ll be taking a break after Claimed and might sink into something I haven’t read yet from one of my favorites, such as Kristen Ashley or Lucy Score.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I had so much fun exploring how far Derek would go to have what he wants – Chloe’s love, devotion and happiness. But the first scene that pops in my mind – which I was looking forward to writing for hundreds of pages leading up to it – was when Chloe decided to turn the tables on Derek, who she believed forced her to ‘cheat’ on her fiancé. In this chapter, she’s beyond frustrated with how he’s bulldozed his way into her life and gotten what he wants through threats, so she decides to threaten him, too. She runs from him and contacts him with a threat to cheat on him (because he’s deemed himself her one and only, under threat of severe punishment) with a stranger she meets in a bar. Chloe standing up for herself and Derek’s subsequent reaction had me giddy as I wrote that scene. When they come face-to-face after she returns to him had my heart galloping in the best way.

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

I have a decade-old pink and black striped hoodie that I’ve dubbed my deadline hoodie. I generally pull it out of the back of the cupboard when I’m just about done writing a story. It’s a thin, oversized jersey hoodie with a big pouch pocket and I feel like I’m uber-productive when I wear it. It might have a little hole in the armpit and on a sleeve cuff so it’s definitely not something I wear outside. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve worn it leading up to writing The End over the course of twenty-six books so far, but I’ll probably keep putting it on when I’m nearing the home stretch as long as the thing manages to stay together.

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

I do my best to treat others as I’d like to be treated. And I wholeheartedly believe in living with a mindset of gratitude.

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

I often tell readers how much it helps when reading, and enjoying, a book by an indie author to review and (if possible) recommend it. It’s a huge help to the author, like tipping your server after a great dining experience.

DD Prince is the author of the new book Cheater

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Interview with Bela Feketekuty, Author of Her Millions Are Worthless

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Her Millions Are Worthless?

I described a young couple that I knew. The wife was wealthy, and her boyfriend was searching for his goals in life, even though they both had master’s degrees.

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

I started reading classic US novels in high school, such as The Great Gatsby, The Grapes of Wrath, The Red Badge of Courage, The Jungle, Tom Sawyer, The Catcher in the Rye, Rebel Without a Cause, Catch-22, The Old Man and the Sea, and other US novels.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The Professor by Robert Bailey, and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

“My diamonds, Porsche, and condo are meaningless unless I can share them with you,” Jane replied.

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

I cross my fingers that many readers will enjoy reading my books.

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

I write for fun and let the readers decide whether to give my books a thumbs up or a thumbs down.

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

You never know how life will twist and turn even if you are poor.

Bela Feketekuty is the author of the new book Her Millions Are Worthless

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Interview with R.A. Davis, Author of The Adventures of Space Girl Green

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Adventures of Space Girl Green?

Green was a side character in The Adventures of Space Girl Red that turned into a major supporting role. I always thought of her as brilliant but non-confident. In Red you see her at the beginning of the novel, and then when you see her again chapters later, there is such a change people comment on it. How does someone gain confidence? This sequel started out as a side story about Green visiting her father's dead planet. Then I latched onto the Wizard of Oz book when I realized all the characters, including Dorothy, already had what they wanted from the wizard. Then I sci-fied it up by making the characters into androids like those on the TV show Westworld.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Adventures of Space Girl Green, what would they be?

I listened to a lot of Grimes while writing Green. She kind of has a similar vibe to the book.

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

Science Fiction is my first love both for reading and writing.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I'm in the middle of the Dungeon Crawler Carl and Bob's Saucer Repair series.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

When Lion gets his courage. Liquid courage.

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

I try to go from asleep to writing in under 3 minutes.

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

"Don't wish it was easier. Wish you were better." - Jim Rohn

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

You may have the very thing you are looking for.

R. A. Davis is the author of the new book The Adventures of Space Girl Green

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Interview with Delicia Niami, Author of Not My Circus

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Not My Circus?

My journey to becoming an author is a story of resilience, self-discovery, and the transformative power of the almighty pen (or computer nowadays). My name is Delicia Niami, and I recently released the second book in my ResilientAF memoir series, Not My Circus: Triumph Over Abuse, Trauma & Family Secrets. If you had asked me a few years ago if I ever saw myself as a writer, I would have laughed at the idea. Writing wasn’t something I’d ever seriously considered, despite the repeated urgings from various psychics who told me that my story would someday be turned into a movie. Their confidence in my narrative potential was intriguing, but I never felt that I had a positive message to share. My life was filled with the echoes of past traumas, and I didn’t see how sharing those painful memories could benefit anyone. Everything changed when I read The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel van der Kolk. This book was a revelation, offering profound insights into how trauma is stored in the body and how healing was possible. Intrigued and inspired, I attended one of his workshops. It was there that the true turning point in my journey occurred. During the workshop, surrounded by people who had their own stories of struggle and resilience, I realized that my life wasn’t just a series of traumas. I had survived, grown, and emerged as a happy and well-adjusted person. This epiphany was monumental. I saw that I had not only made it through life’s challenges but also found a way to thrive. I did have a positive message to share after all. That transformative weekend, I began writing Kissing Asphalt. For the first time, I felt a need to put my experiences into words, not just as a therapeutic exercise but as a way to inspire and help others. The process was cathartic and empowering, allowing me to revisit my past from a place of strength and hope. Writing this book was a journey in itself, filled with moments of reflection, revelation, and healing. As the pages filled up, I felt a growing sense of purpose. I realized that my story wasn’t just about trauma; it was about resilience, survival, and ultimately, triumph. I wanted to use my story to encourage others to know that we are all ResilientAF and we can all make it through anything that life throws our way. It takes work, but no matter what we have been through we can find joy, and I am living proof of that.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Not My Circus, what would they be?

"Thank you For Being a Friend" (Golden Girls theme song), and "Eye of The Tiger" by Survivor.

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

Self-Help and yes, kind of...

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The Artists Way.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I think it was more revelations than scenes since this was my life, some were fun to go back to others were not so much fun!

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

I need quiet.

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

Yes, a couple. Smile and Move on and Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about dancing in the rain!

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

We are ALL resilientAF and we can ALL make it through anything life throws our way.

Delicia Niami is the author of the new book Not My Circus

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Interview with Jane Gallagher, Author of Reflections on Life's Illusions

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Reflections on Life's Illusions?

For a long time I'd been experiencing a vague sensation underneath my contented professional work and daily living patterns, telling me in that kind of knowing beyond words that a major life shift was on its way. Also, as I say in the book's introduction, the story rose out of a concern for climate change, a problem that I and many others had been aware of since the '70s, and one that had inspired me to do what I could over the course of a forty-year career to strengthen grassroots communities to address the multiple environmental and social challenges it raises. After months of trying to ignore that vague sense of impending change, I found myself looking at my work calendar for the next quarter, noticing once again that I had uncharacteristically failed to do the footwork I usually enjoyed to fill it with new consulting projects. Mentioning this odd state of affairs to my husband, he replied, "You know, you could retire if you wanted to," something I'd never considered possible or desirable before. Looking at my finances and realizing he was right, I also suddenly understood what was silently demanding my attention. A sense of urgency was calling me to write that big picture story that no English teacher would ever approve as a workable topic. By choosing to retire, I could dive into the project without worrying about whether it was publishable. The writing process itself could be the primary focus. The story seemed to be calling for two things; learning what it means when authors describe how they let the book write itself, and in exploring that process discovering more deeply how we in the U.S. came to this challenging cultural tipping point. My own developmental story could be the centering theme around which to weave the narrative, coupled with an exploration of what we can wisely do to show up in this time.

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

Both fiction and nonfiction of many varieties interest me, especially the relatively new genre of creative nonfiction, which is mostly what I 'm writing these days. Reading and writing poetry also plays an important part in my life, although I've not yet tried to publish any of my own.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Big Magic, by Elizabeth Gilbert, is a go-to book I've read more than once between projects. It's proving its worth once again as an inspiring support for my daily writing practice. I'm also a big fan of Rebecca Solnit's work, with Hope in the Dark in my current pile. Casting Indra's Net, Fostering Spiritual Kinship and Community, by Pamela Ayo Yetunde is also there. Since I always read more than one book at a time, I'm also looking forward to the 2023 version of Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, by John Perkins, having been fascinated and appalled by the story in the first edition that lacked numerous new chapters. Finally, I always want some good fiction to read before bed, usually discovered while browsing at my local library. I recently enjoyed Tom Lake, by Ann Patchett, in that category.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Unfortunately, that's impossible to answer since the whole writing process felt like a continuous flow, with each part delivering its own unique joys, challenges and discoveries.

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

Perhaps it's a bit quirky to admit that the most essential part of my office is not my desk, but the loveseat on which I always sit to write, laptop on lap, with various books and notes strewn next to me, along with a note pad and pen, just in case...

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

Something like that might be described this way: Be as present and aware as possible in every moment of your life so that you can respond to each situation with as much wisdom and kindness as you have the capacity to muster.

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

That none of us is separate from nature or any other being, raising the importance of self-reflection and its capacity to reveal choices between multiple stories about wise responses to any situation, some that hold inspiring, life-giving potential and others that do not.

Jane Gallagher is the author of the new book Reflections on Life's Illusions

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Interview with Katy Regnery, Author of Sawyer (The Stewarts of Skagway Book 4)

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Sawyer (The Stewarts of Skagway #4)?

Sawyer is the fifth of six Stewart siblings, and the youngest of three brothers, so he's the most laid-back of the Stewart crew. I liked the idea of pairing him with a rich, high-maintenance woman who loves theater; since Sawyer is outdoorsy and athletic, auditioning for and performing in a play would place him outside of his comfort zone. And "Wuthering Heights," with its rich-girl/poor-boy story seemed like an idea way for art to imitate life!

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Sawyer (The Stewarts of Skagway #4), what would they be?

At one point, Sawyer and Ivy dance to "Harvest Moon," by Neil Young, and Sawyer sings along softly, confessing that it was one of his late mother's favorite songs. I think the line "Because I'm still in love with you, I want to see you dance again," is especially sweet, since Sawyer is also a second-chance love story.

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

OMG. My favorite genre to read (right now) is definitely Suspense! I just read THE GOD IN THE WOODS by Liz Moore and it was a total banger. 500+ pages and I read it in 3 days - I couldn't put it down!

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Mia Sheridan's All The Little Raindrops (Mia is my best friend!) and You Like it Darker by Stephen King. I have to make sure I'm in the right frame of mind for a King book, though! They're so skeeeeeery!

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Oh, gosh...so many! Some books are really hard to write and you struggle with the characters, but Sawyer and Ivy were like butter. I really loved writing their three flashbacks - I think it gives the reader so much context (and they were hot, too!)

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

Not really. I write at my desk in my home office, or at one of my local coffee shops. I do count my words every day and keep a very neat wordcount spreadsheet. Is that quirky?

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

"Is it necessary? Is it kind?" I try to ask these questions before I share opinions.

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

That if you're meant to be, love will find way. Even if it's in Skagway, AK, during the off-season, performing a new adaption of a very old love story.

Katy Regnery is the author of the new book Sawyer (The Stewarts of Skagway #4)

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