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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Shadows of Winter?

I was a fan of Beauty and the Beast as a kid, and that was the inspiration for this new series. Add in some druid magic in an all-new fantasy world, and here we are!

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

Vlerion has a song that his brother wrote (Lake of Sorrows and Triumph) which doesn't yet exist on Earth, as far as I know! People will have to read the book to learn what it's about. 🙂

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

Space opera and high fantasy. I like a little romance in both!

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I'm still working on finishing Fourth Wing. I got distracted writing my own book!

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

When my heroine Kaylina first learns about the hero's curse and what exactly it means.

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

Laptop in bed or on the couch, with dogs pressed close. It is not ergonomic. I do not recommend.

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

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

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

It's okay not to be normal. (I think I've answered that here about previous books -- must be a consistent theme for me!)

Lindsay Buroker is the author of the new book Shadows of Winter

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Demons Never Lose: Greed (Deadly Sins Book 2)?

I started writing this book after being diagnosed for breast cancer, and I was very worried about how I was going to pay for treatment at the time. Money worries had me fantasizing. One thing led to another, and Joss was off on a treasure hunt with crypto pirates.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Demons Never Lose: Greed (Deadly Sins Book 2), what would they be?

The Beach Boys - "Kokomo". In a lot of ways, Greed is a beach read. Fury's on vacation in the Bahamas, and those pink sand beaches were my happy place when I was on the cold, hard radiation table in the basement of a hospital everyday.

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

Supernatural suspense and anything paranormal or with magic.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Verbal Judo: The Gentle Art of Persuasion by George J. Thompson & Jerry B. Jenkins.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The Thunder Vault Raider where Joss learns to fight pirates for her survival. About Halfpenny's Hat is a close second runner. The dynamic between Joss and Halfpenny is magic.

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

I use playlists to tap emotional depths of my characters. I also cast them all as crystals, then arrange their stones in scenes for choreography. Tarot cards get involved. It's a "whole thing." *gestures widely*

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

Maybe not so much in words, but I have a huge "Om" symbol as my wallpaper on my laptop. That about sums it up.

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

Your life matters--you matter; take good care of yourself.

Ava Lock is the author of the new book Demons Never Lose: Greed (Deadly Sins Book 2)

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write When Swans Dance (The Love Birds Book 2)?

This is the second book in a trilogy. The first book came to me a while ago and was originally supposed to be a standalone, following Lanie’s journey through grief after losing her mother with the help of a persistent cardinal. But then I realized that Lanie’s brother and father had stories to tell as well. And so, The Love Birds trilogy was born. Each book has a different bird that features in the story. When Swans Dance was inspired by a YouTube video where a pair of swans who had been separated for a while due to illness were reunited. They performed this beautiful dance when they met and it stuck with me. Unlike the first book in the series, the swans aren’t messengers. Instead, their story is meant to parallel Steven and Rose’s experience first with the health crisis, and then in the aftermath.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of When Swans Dance (The Love Birds Book 2), what would they be?

Steven — "9 to 5" by Dolly Parton

Rose — "This Woman’s Work" by Kate Bush

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

I don’t have one favorite genre, but several. I tend to try to read in whatever genre I’m writing in, so lately I’ve been reading a lot of fantasy books because I’m working on a fantasy trilogy. But I’m also a big fan of romance and women’s fiction. I grew up reading thrillers by Mary Higgins Clark and her books still have a special place in my heart.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I’ve got Five Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand which I plan to read on vacation next month. I’ve also got Fourth Wing, Just for Summer by Abby Jimenez, and several books by Susan Mallery.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

My favorite scene was probably the last one, but since I don’t want to give anything away, I’ll pick my second favorite which is the scene where Rose takes Steven to the pond and shows him the swans. It was a moment where they were truly happy and able to take a breather from the stress of the accident and the aftermath. It didn’t last, but it was a sweet moment for them.

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

Not that I know of, but I do often have to spend a significant amount of time deciphering whatever random notes I left for myself in my Notes app on my iPhone. I tend to dictate thoughts that came to me in the shower so I don’t forget them, but they don’t always make a lot of sense.

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

Take pride in how far you’ve come and have faith in how far you can go.

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

I hope that my readers will remember that while love is a powerful force, it’s not enough to sustain even the strongest of relationships. Both people have to be willing to choose each other, every day.

Katie Eagan Schenck is the author of the new book When Swans Dance (The Love Birds Book 2)

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write My Lady?

I was just an avid reader of romance who was inspired by the many great authors that I read. I would dream of characters and their stories, and I knew I had to write about them.

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

I imagine a sweeping soundtrack by James Horner of Braveheart, Titanic, and Apollo 13 fame. Sadly, though, he has passed away, but that’s what I would love--the type of dramatic music that grabs your heart and gives you all the feels.

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

My favorite genres to read and write are all historical romances. I especially love medieval romances along with old west and Native American romances.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

"The Saxon Lord's Unwanted Bride" by Emily Royal, and I'm re-reading some of my favorite Johanna Lindsey and Judith McNaught novels. They always inspire me.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Without giving anything away, I love the scene where the antagonist Moira finally gets her due. It's very satisfying.

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

I read my writing back to myself out loud to hear how it sounds and to get the right cadence. There is a flow to romance and the cadence is everything.

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

I just like to live and let live, and family is the most important thing to me.

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

I would love for my readers to get to the end of the book and be sad that the story is over. I love when I read a book like that and miss the characters once the story has ended. I would love for my readers to want more.

Diane David is the author of the new book My Lady

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Murder at the College?

I’ve been making up stories since childhood and like connecting through reading and writing.

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

Something smoky and bluesy with a saxophone and piano that makes you think of private detectives and secrets.

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

I love the red herrings and plot twists in mysteries.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Lee Child’s The Secret, Robert Dugoni’s The Last Agent, and J.A. Jance’s Nothing to Lose.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The action scenes when Quinn’s enthusiasm gets her into trouble.

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

I need my two dogs, one little mutt and one giant Poodle, in the room with me. They both snore.

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

Stay calm and keep moving forward.

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

The book took the reader away from whatever was troubling them and entertained them.

P.H. Turner is the author of the new book Murder at the College

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Paragon of Solitude (Dawn of Wizards Book 2)?

This is the second book in the Dawn of Wizards trilogy. Back when I wrote my Wizardoms novels (18 books set in a world ruled by wizards), I crafted a rich world rife with culture, religion, politics, and history. However, wizards did not always rule that world. In fact, wizards didn't always exist. I thought it might be fun to go thousands of years back in time to the advent of the first wizard and the subsequent events that forever altered the world, helping humans rise above the races of magic (dwarves, elves, dark elves).

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

I have been enthralled by fantasy novels since I was a teen, back in the 1980s, so it was natural for me to tell stories influenced by classics in the genre (but with faster pacing).

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Loads of unread fantasy books (over 400) clog up my Kindle library. I acquire them 10 times as fast as I read them.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I tend to gravitate toward comedic scenes. In this book, I introduce a feisty little brownie named Lint who is hilarious, and a fire drake named Lionel who offers comedic moments, but the most fun is when a team of dwarves called the Head Thumpers are causing trouble. My favorite scene is when they are in a tavern in a city with strict laws and the tavern only serves wine rather than ale. Good times!

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

I have two French Bulldogs (Frodo and Lionel). They are often on my lap or at my side while I write.

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

Make your best effort, be a good person, and everything will work out.

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

My characters. I feel that characters are the most critical aspect of fiction storytelling. I want my readers to connect with them, to love them, and to hate them.

Jeffrey L. Kohanek is the author of the new book Paragon of Solitude (Dawn of Wizards Book 2)

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