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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Two Truths and a Marriage?

Love hurts. That's a lesson heart-bruised and headstrong Juniper Winkley learned years ago. She's sworn off men and devoted her life to the family bakery, if only passion and long hours alone were enough to keep it running. When a sculpted stranger shows up with a massive pastry order, it feels like a miracle, even if she has to bite her tongue for this coldhearted grump who acts like a little sugar will set him on fire. Dexter Rory despises everything sweet. He also hates his big dumb mouth for making false promises to a man with a monster sweet tooth and way too much power over his future. But Dex said he's engaged? To her? The annoyingly beautiful baker chick with sunbeam smiles too sweet for life? Trouble has a name and it's Junie. Still, he's in too deep. He has to convince her to play along. Then he has to convince himself he's not craving her sweet insanity, no matter how hot and high-stakes this little ruse becomes. Love hurts, but it has nothing on the truth.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Two Truths and a Marriage, what would they be?

"Sugar Town" by Nancy Sinatra for Juniper. Definitely "Run Away to Mars" by Talk for Dexter Rory.

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

Romance! I couldn't imagine another answer.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The Fallen One by Brittney Sahin, and City In Ruins by Don Winslow. I'm a huge fan of both authors.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Dexter the sugar-hating supergrump finding the courage to try Junie's desserts. So cute, emotional, and important to the story.

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

I need quiet to do my best work, so it usually happens when everyone else is asleep.

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

Know thyself.

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

Opposites do attract and fate leads hearts into some pretty strange places.

Nicole Snow is the author of the new book Two Truths and a Marriage

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write I'm The Same?

I was sitting on a beach in Oregon, waiting for my edit notes to be back for my first book. At that point, I was trying to figure out what was going to be next. So I was playing with some ideas, and being in Oregon at the time, it made sense to place it there. From there it was trying to figure out the story itself. When I moved back to Mississippi a few months later I started realizing how different I felt being in Oregon, how free I felt. Then coming back, I ended up feeling a weight that was added back in. In a way, the book was exploring that feeling, and once I figured that out, that was where the story really came into focus. I’m The Same turned into a story that explored the feeling of being in between two worlds, learning a new place to live, and working through past trauma.

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

Fantasy and Action and Adventure, along with History books.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia by Christina Thompson,

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The scenes that took place at Lake Crescent up in Olympic National Park (one of my favorite places). I really loved how those scenes turned out.

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

I don't think so, I tend to write anywhere I can.

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

Keep moving forward.

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

That your past doesn't define you, and that everyone in this world belongs.

James Ungurait is the author of the new book I'm The Same

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Ravens (The Hawthorne University Witch Series Book 5)?

Ravens is the fifth book in the Hawthorne University Witch Series. It was an opportunity—and a fun one—for Cadence to turn bad. She teams up with her archenemy witch, Enora. In Witch Mirror, book four, Cadence was possessed by her teacher, Alondra. In Ravens, she’s still possessed, but she’s driven to learn black magic to save the town. Her journey through dark magic messes up her friendships and marriage. It even threatens her mind. I researched a lot of information about the occult for this novel: Thelema, and Aleister Crowley, along with satanism. Cadence, like many of us, is afraid of these things. I think that helps draw you in, just like it draws many to the occult. It helps turn the pages.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Ravens (The Hawthorne University Witch Series Book 5), what would they be?

I wouldn’t pick one particular song, I’d pick a band: Led Zeppelin. A lot of the pages were written while listening to that classic rock band. Jimmy Page, the lead guitarist, is a known fan of Thelema and Aleister Crowley. He worked with Kenneth Anger for music in the film “Lucifer Rising” and even purchased the famous Boleskine House by Loch Ness. The Boleskine House was previously owned by the famed occultist Aleister Crowley. I had fun learning these things, and then passing that knowledge on to Cadence and the reader.

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

Paranormal, romance, and urban fantasy. It’s the same these days.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

There’s a really great fighting scene over dinner between Cadence and Bryce. It's not an action scene, but I really like the dialogue interplay with the characters. Dialogue was my first love of writing. Landscapes and description came second. Anyway, the couple is having a tough time in this book. They both want to start a family, but witchcraft keeps getting in the way.

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

Lots of nitro brews or lattes, music, and my laptop.

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

This is a book where Cadence gets edgy. Delving deeper into demonology, she even gets mean with her friends and family. Her selfish empowerment makes her strong, but it comes at a price. In gnostic circles, it’s believed that the witch, or magus, needs to learn the balance between good magic and bad, white and dark, in order to be a true master of their craft. I think we all have to learn balance in life, in a way. This book is about Cadence’s journey through “evil”. She learns to be evil. Then she has to decide whether she wants to remain wicked, and, if so, accept the consequences.

A.L. Hawke is the author of the new book Ravens (The Hawthorne University Witch Series Book 5)

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Lies We Live By (The Forever and Always Series Book 1)?

I have often thought about where I would go if I ever had to run away from a bad situation, and I pictured that Alaska would be the perfect place to hide. I love the scenery, the beautiful nature and the thought of a small town where everyone knows everyone and they all stick together. Even if it’s to help a newcomer against something threatening her.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Lies We Live By (The Forever and Always Series Book 1), what would they be?

Shania Twain's "Forever and For Always" is a song that fits them both perfectly. They’re so cute and in love but have to go through a lot just to be together.

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

I love reading romance novels. They’re the perfect getaway from life’s trouble.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Colleen Hoover: Verity. I love her books.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

When they share their first kiss. It takes a while for Lisa to give in to Oliver, and it’s so sweet when she finally does.

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

I always have my daughter’s cat in my lap, and I like to listen to music while writing.

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

“One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: that word is love.” - Sophocles

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

That love can happen anywhere, especially when you’re not looking for it.

Nora Bloom is the author of the new book The Lies We Live By (The Forever and Always Series Book 1)

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Tribal Logic (The Tribal Wars Book 4)?

Tribal Logic is Book 4 of a series, so the original inspiration has been satisfied in the first trilogy. With this story, we look at the tribal neighbors for how their lives are different from favorite characters, and how the differences are a threat to stability in the duchy. Jesse Hartley jumps back to Dolvia in the galaxy’s Westend to reconnect with her father General Hartley. Meanwhile, Hershel Henry takes on a mission to rescue abandoned conscripts in the asteroid belt.

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

For decades I read history and philosophy. Maybe I was trying to find that one mystery that made my life more interesting. I did find lots of research on unusual natural events and examples of how individuals respond to pressure. Reading is its own reward. For example, I often take inspiration for moments of magic from found-in-nature artifacts. I discovered a “mermaid’s purse” which is a folded seaweed frond where a shark places a fetus for additional incubation. For the sci-fi story, I was able to turn that artifact into a magic talisman. Characters who carry one can communicate with each other through a hole drilled into the dead sea serpent’s head.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I was a great reader of pulp fiction as a young person. Now I sort of stick with history and especially personalities that impact a nation. I’m on chapter two of Brett Baier’s biography of President Grant after the Civil War. How the veterans and suffering people in the South recovered or acted on old prejudices fascinates me and provides fodder for how my characters may act.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

In Tribal Logic we meet more characters who have spiritual talents such as a young healer named Opin who helps Jesse Hartley when she gets injured. I researched how healing powers can work in our world and stumbled upon the old traditions in the Middle East and India. Integrating some features into the skills of Opin kept to my principle of found-in-nature magic. The research also opened a whole fresh world of adventure for me. I enjoyed infusing Opin with some insights far beyond her age or position.

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

I read my own books for pleasure. Is that too odd for words?

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

To write well, one must get up early, make a pot of coffee, and turn on the computer.

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

Tribal Logic has humor, action-adventure, and a love story that is resolved in the next book Utcan's Talisman. There’s a pantheon of characters, but reviewers have said that the story is easy to follow with high adventure and strong twists. The memorable characters drive the story, especially the women.

Stella Atrium is the author of the new book Tribal Logic (The Tribal Wars Book 4)

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Poetic Contemplation II: Poetry Collection?

I wrote this book during a time of my life when I was going through some personal struggles, and I think you can feel it within each piece. I tried to tap into these struggles the best I could and express myself through raw emotion. I still have no idea if what I write is poetry because I’ve never really paid much attention to what poetry is supposed to be. I just write what I feel and let words find me in whatever form it may desire. This book of poetry was a vehicle for me to express and release unprocessed emotions drowning my peace.

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

Personal development.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Currently reading Change Your Thoughts - Change Your Life.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Favorite poem would be Poem L - Wolves.

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

I rise every day at 3:30 am to write and meditate.

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

“The light that shines within doesn’t have to stay within." - Topher Pike

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

Always be yourself and share your art. Let them know that they are enough.

Topher Pike is the author of the new book Poetic Contemplation II: Poetry Collection

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Heartless Union (The De Luca Mafia Book 1)?

I wanted to go back to basics with Heartless Union: write a tried and true arranged marriage mafia romance. I’ve experimented over the years with my mafia romance novels and I just wanted to write something that was a simple love story but still a fun, steamy mafia romance at the same time.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Heartless Union (The De Luca Mafia Book 1), what would they be?

The theme song I would pick for this book is Shades of Cool by Lana Del Rey. I’m a huge Lana fan so any chance I can take inspiration from her music, I’m going to. Heartless Union deals with Lara, who feels like she can’t change Rocco. He’s heartless and unfixable. Her mind, at the beginning of the book, is like Lana’s song. She feels like there’s nothing she can do to change Rocco. But over the course of the story, things change for her. Rocco begins to soften and open his heart up to her.

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

I honestly love to read many different genres but I do love a good thriller/horror novel, which is probably why I love writing mafia romances because it’s a blend of romance and slight thrills. I used to love to read romance but now that I write it, I don’t read it as often, but I still love a good love story.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I have a large list of books on my TBR pile but the one on top is The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

My favorite scene to write in Heartless Union was when the big bad of the book confronts the main couple. It’s a scene where the main female character, Lara shows that she’s willing to sacrifice herself for her new family and it makes the main male character, Rocco, realize that he does, in fact, have strong feelings for her. It’s a wake up call for him. I loved writing it and I loved re-reading it!

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

I honestly don’t have any quirky writing habits. (I feel so boring haha). I do my normal morning routine – workout, shower, eat – and then I start writing. I outline everything so that helps me get right into the zone of writing and once I’m in it, I get absorbed into the world I’m creating and can’t think about anything else.

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

The philosophy I live by is: take it one day at a time, one chapter at a time. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by writing a book so taking it each day and one chapter at a time, makes it so much easier. That’s also where outlining helps me out so much. It makes it easier to focus on one chapter at a time.

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

If there was one thing I would want people to remember after reading my book it’s this – don’t close your heart off to love, even if you think you’re not deserving of it. Everyone is deserving of love and sometimes, you have to put aside your pride to find it.

Ivy Davis is the author of the new book Heartless Union (The De Luca Mafia Book 1)

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