Interview with Helen G. Huntley, Author of Desperate Shadows

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Desperate Shadows (The Order of the Emerald Mantis Book 1)?

This was an evolution. I probably wrote the book six times before. It started out as just a historical romance with Holly and Rence, but Rence was a totally different character who gets redeemed in the end. Then I added the magic, the small town, and changed Rence’s character, making it more of a fantasy and less of a romance, while still keeping a romantic subplot. It’s a totally different story than it was originally.

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

I’d have to say my favorite genre is historical suspense. And yes, that’s my favorite genre to write, although I am really enjoying the Gothic fantasy I have been writing lately.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I’m currently reading Munich by Robert Harris. After that, I have Magic Kingdom for Sale by Terry Brooks, The Fourth Protocol by Frederick Forsyth, and Attempted Rescuing, which is the third book in the Attempted Vampirism series by L.G. Estrella. I like to go back and forth between intense historical suspense and something comical and different—the comedy helps clear my head after all the intensity of the other books.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

My favorite scene to write was when Shavel Styne came to Silverbrook. I enjoyed it so much that I wrote probably twice what’s in the book, which got chopped by the editor. Poor Sport.

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

The quirkiest is probably that I think out loud. But other than that, I just like quiet—no music, no interruptions.

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

I’m not a philosophy- or motto-kind of person, but I do have a saying taped on my screen that says, “You don’t write because the world is listening. You write because your soul insists on speaking.”

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

The enjoyment they have when they read it. The whole series is about the sorcerers working together. Rence is the main character, but the other sorcerers all play a huge part because they need one another to survive. That type of friendship and commitment is rare. But I write for readers’ enjoyment. I don’t have a moral or an agenda intentionally in any of my work. If someone gets something out of it, that’s great, but I just want them to enjoy my books.

Helen G. Huntley is the author of the new book Desperate Shadows (The Order of the Emerald Mantis Book 1)

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