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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Reign of the Invidia (Zoharian Bladers Book 3)?

It is the final instalment of trilogy I've been writing for about ten years. This particular edition was inspired by the fascination of putting angels and demons in a modern day setting and exploring my interpretation of the Hero's Journey.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Reign of the Invidia (Zoharian Bladers Book 3), what would they be?

Zera's Theme Song - "Through the Fire and the Flames" by DragonForce.

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

Fantasy.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

'Neverwhere', 'The Sandman'

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Chapter 12 - The Rain and The Fire.

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

A lot of coffee is required with a variety of specialist mugs, and earbuds with soundtracks from films and games to get into the zone.

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

You get there in the end even if the journey proves tough.

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

Zera's journey was gruelling, but worth it for the epic adventure.

Oliver Kerrigan is the author of the new book The Reign of the Invidia (Zoharian Bladers Book 3)

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

Venice and human behaviour are the main inspirations for my book. People from one country might find the behaviour of another amusing, irritating or attractive. The Venetians were certainly endearing with their philosophies and their musical language devoid of the letter 'l'. When asking for a gondola, the echo would be 'gondoa' which tourists would find both puzzling and amusing. As I could not express the musicality, I found a different kind of sonority, music itself: Vivaldi relives and is joined by the haunting notes of jazz, mingling past sounds with present ones. When walking through Venice one feels its history pulsating with the flow of the canal, it seems to speak to you with each step you take through its intricate alleyways... its splendid piazzas and the breathtaking palazzi. As I wrote the Venetian Mystery, the characters seemed to beckon me and come to life awaiting to tell their stories themselves, involving me with the diversity of their tales. There were the rich, and the not so rich, fighting to be heard. I portrayed them as they presented themselves and gave them all a voice.

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

For Hamlet I would pick the "Misa Criolla (Creole Mass)" with Andean instruments, composed by Ariel Ramirez and sung by Jose Carreras. For Lu I'd pick "Queen of the Night" by Mozart, interpreted by Meryl Streep, in which she portrays a singer who couldn't sing in the film Florence Foster Jenkins. As said above, Vivaldi and Jazz permeates throughout the narrative while Viola fantasizes about singing the Blues for Vivaldi, observing his reactions at the novelty.

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

Elena Ferrante's The Neapolitan Quartet, comprising 'My Brilliant Friend,', and serialized on SBS in Italian; also 'Dear Life', a compendium of short stories by the Noble Prize winner Alice Munro.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The above. I am an avid reader of French and English classics, modern fiction, thrillers and anything to do with new information such as theoretical science.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The finale in which all protagonists gather for a concert where Hamlet conducts a Teutonic piece. I enjoyed describing the hustle and bustle of an important gathering, feelings, gossip, gowns, above all music.

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

Observing behaviour and mannerism of common people, taking notes, jotting down ideas in the dark - when they come.

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

Do no harm.

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

That life is amusing - most of the time.

Wilma Pressich is the author of the new book The Venetian Mystery

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Queen of the Underworld (The Occult Book 2)?

When I was recovering from surgery 10 years ago, I started working on the first book in a young adult fantasy series, called The Reign of the Occult. I wrote it on and off for six years, until Covid, when I finally finished it. The sequel, The Queen of the Underworld, I've written much quicker.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Queen of the Underworld (The Occult Book 2), what would they be?

"Wake Me Up" by Avicii.

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

I read a bit of everything (aside from horror). Fantasy is definitely among my favorites.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

'Book of Night' by Holly Black.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The climax! Nobody so far has guessed the ending.

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

I tend to write out of order. I write the scenes I like first and then fill in the rest. It's probably not the most efficient way of doing things, but it does help form the book.

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

You can do it!

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

I want them to be invested in the story and its characters, like I am for my favorites. When readers start creating their own content based off my books I'll know I've made it.

Lauren Louise Hazel is the author of the new book The Queen of the Underworld (The Occult Book 2)

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write If You Want Me (The Toronto Terror Series)?

I’ve been writing hockey romance for more than a decade and I wanted to create a team set in my home province, so The Toronto Terror series was born. If You Want Me, the second standalone in the series is a dad’s best friend (so deliciously angsty), age gap, friends to lovers romance. Peggy Aurora Hammerstein, the goalie’s daughter has grown up in the hockey world. She’s only ever had one hard and fast rule: Never date a hockey player. Especially not her dad’s teammate and best friend, Hollis Hendrix, who she’s had a secret crush on for years.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of If You Want Me (The Toronto Terror Series), what would they be?

"Holy Smokes" by Bohnes would be the theme song for Hollis and Aurora’s story.

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

I love reading everything from contemporary romance, to new adult to fantasy and paranormal. It really depends on my mood!

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

'Onyx Storm' by Rebecca Yarros (but I have some months to look forward to that, and graphic audio to relisten to in the meantime), 'Quicksilver' by Callie Hart, and I’m excited to start an ARC of 'The Boyfriend Goal' by Lauren Blakely.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

So many! But those opening chapters when Hollis finds something that definitely belongs to Aurora and should NOT be in his penthouse, let alone on his nightstand was so much fun. So was the first kiss when they finally break and give in to the longing.

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

My cat routinely makes himself comfortable on my laptop, and I can’t work without music in the background. I often have a playlist for each book and listen to it on repeat (which ruin albums and artists for my husband).

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

There’s always an up after a down.

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

The Badass Babe Brigade; Aurora’s girl squad. I loved writing those friendships. We all need people in our lives who have our backs no matter what.

Helena Hunting is the author of the new book If You Want Me (The Toronto Terror Series)

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Merged Series (Boxset Volume One)?

The story behind my Merged Series began with a haunting dream - a vision of a mysterious machine in a dimly lit building, designed to test the very essence of humanity. A man, convinced of his own humanity, stepped forward, only to have the alarms blare to life on the other side. This eerie scene sparked a cascade of questions in my mind: What if our sense of self was just an illusion? How could someone be so disconnected from their own humanity? And what kind of world would need such a machine to distinguish between human and... something else? In this world, the human realm and the realm of myth have merged, forcing ordinary individuals to become extraordinary heroes if they hope to save it. Joshua, a human leader, and others like him must navigate this treacherous new landscape, confronting their own biases and prejudices to prevent an inter-species war that could destroy everything. With the theft of the Book of Secrets, the stakes are higher than ever, and the fate of the merged world hangs in the balance. This series explores the gray areas between human and non-human, the power of trust and redemption, and the ultimate quest for survival in a world where the lines between enemy and ally are constantly blurred.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Merged Series (Boxset Volume One), what would they be?

For Joshua, I would choose "Fighter" by Christina Aguilera. This song resonates with Joshua's journey as he faces his own demons, learns to trust others, and fights to protect the world he loves. The lyrics "I'm a fighter, I'm a warrior" reflect his growth from a troubled past to a strong and determined leader.

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

Ah, my favorite genre to read is definitely romance! I adore getting swept away by a beautiful love story, and I'm a sucker for a happy ending. However, as a writer, my passion lies in crafting fantasy and sci-fi worlds, with romance as a subtle yet essential thread woven throughout the narrative. While my stories may not be traditional romances, I believe that the emotional connections and relationships between characters are what make the world-building and plot come alive. So, while my favorite genre to read is romance, my favorite genre to write is fantasy and sci-fi with a romantic twist!

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Haha, my TBR pile is a never-ending mountain of wonder! With hundreds of books waiting to be devoured, my reading choices are entirely mood-based. Right now, I'm in the mood for some lighthearted fantasy romance, so Stella Rainbow's 'Healing Holiday' is calling my name. I'm also excited to dive into Jaime Samms' 'Father Crow's Best', as I adored the previous books in the series with their sentient houses and fur babies that helped the couples find love. And, of course, a few more sci-fi adventures and romance novels are always lurking in the wings, waiting to sweep me off my feet!

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

My favorite scene to write in Book of Secrets, the first book in the Merged Series, was a heart-wrenching confrontation between two characters that completely upended my expectations. The tension was palpable, and the emotions raw and real. I loved crafting the dialogue, the body language, and the reveal of a long-hidden truth, which added a layer of complexity to the story. The scene's themes of trust, loyalty, and power struggles resonated deeply with me, and I'm thrilled with how it turned out. Writing this scene was like being in the room with the characters, feeling their emotions and sensing the danger lurking beneath the surface.

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

Yes, I have a quirky writing habit that helps me navigate tricky plot decisions.  When I'm stuck at a plot crossroads, I turn to my trusty dice for a nudge in one direction or the other. The roll helps me break through the indecision and keep writing, even if it's just a temporary solution. I don't worry too much about making the 'right' choice, because I know that during editing, I can always reassess and adjust the path to better suit the story. The dice simply provide a fun and unpredictable way to get me unstuck and keep the creative juices flowing!

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

I have two family mottos that inspire me in both writing and life: 'It is what it is' and 'It could always be worse.' The first reminds me to accept things as they are, without resistance or frustration. The second encourages me to find the silver lining, even in challenging situations.

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

If I could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading Merged, it would be the power of trust and redemption. I hope readers take away the idea that even in a world filled with darkness and uncertainty, the ability to trust others and ourselves can lead to extraordinary transformations.

Claudia Blood is the author of the new book The Merged Series (Boxset Volume One)

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