Tell us about your latest book, who are the main character(s) and what can we expect when we pick it up?
Fiona’s Fury centers around a high-strung divorcee who’s never really processed her own family trauma, her ex-husband who goes from trusted friend to total control freak, and her favorite floral supplier who turns out to be much more than your average flower farmer.
The only thing you can really expect is the unexpected. Fiona’s Fury goes from falsely hunky-dory to weird to bad to worse…before things get better, but there’s plenty of spice to carry you through the hardships.
Do you come up with the hook first, or do you create characters first and then dig through until you find a hook?
Absolutely I begin with a basic notion of my main characters and then freestyle the entire story around them. I generally know almost nothing about how the plot is going to unfold when I begin writing a book.
Which of your characters would you want to share a campfire with, and why?
Definitely Bo! But then, what flesh-and-blood woman wouldn’t pick him? The truth is, Fiona would make a very interesting, but energetically taxing, friend. Bo is the salt of the earth. He’s laid back and bro-ish, yet insightful and deep.
Anyone, male or female, would share a campfire with him. Not to mention…he’d probably prepare something really nice to grill!
Tell us about what you are reading at the moment or anticipate reading in the future? Any favorite authors you enjoy to read in your spare time?
Currently I’m reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance for the first time. If you look up reviews, you’ll find there are about 101 reasons to read it. I’m thoroughly enjoying it because I always like something that balances travel, or casual living, with philosophy. Think Jack Kerouac. Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow is also on my TBR list. Oddly, I haven’t read a lot of novels by the same authors because I always want to further explore who’s out there. But I can name a few romance authors whose catalogs I’d dig way into, based upon reading even one or two books by them: L.J Shen, Philippa Gregory, Helen Huang, Abby Jimenez, Emily Henry, and yes…Colleen Hoover, although It Ends with Us is not the one that roped me in.
Are there any specific themes or messages that you strive to convey through your writing? What impact do you hope your books have on readers?
The general message I probably want to convey is one of integrity. I’m not dead-set on my main characters always being great people, but I expose their flaws to the reader in ways that make it apparent I’m not supporting all their actions and decisions. I like for characters to be real. And most real people are complex in both good and bad ways. I mostly intend for my books to impact people through character resonance. With a heavier focus on character development than intricate plot points, I expect a lot of readers to strongly relate to the people in my books. Over time I could write hundreds of in-depth characters in a way that there will be something for everyone. I also like to impart concepts that are ethical, introspective, thought-provoking, or outright philosophical.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an author, and how have you overcome them?
The biggest challenge for me is that I don’t have a college degree. I was raised by an old-fashioned English stickler, and come from a family of talented (though not published) writers. The knack and desire for writing has been flowing through my veins since I can remember, but it’s difficult to get attention in any industry without credentials.
Self-publishing has made it possible for many brilliant writers to get their works on the shelves without a lot of red tape, and I’m simply following suit.
How do you approach character development in your stories? Do you have any specific techniques or methods that you find particularly effective?
I write characters just like I’d do Method Acting. I channel the character to write realistic and nuanced dialogue, and even to determine what will happen next in their life…what they’d do in that exact situation, in accordance with their history and deepest personality traits.
What do you believe sets your writing apart from others in your genre, and why should readers choose to read your books?
Fiona’s Fury is one of the rare novels that is perhaps equal in plot and character development. Since I’m most into characters and the inner workings of their minds, a general theme of my writing is the deep sense of who people are and why they’re that way. I’d recommend my books to anyone who wants to read about the very real types of people that could be living next door. I hope to hit home in describing emotional nuances many people have experienced.
Can you talk about the marketing and promotion strategies you employ to reach and connect with your target audience? How do you utilize social media and other channels to build your author brand?
I wisely hired Rick Lite (Stress Free Book Marketing) to help me with the details of becoming a debut author. He’s the one who got Fiona’s Fury under the noses of the editorial reviewers who have been dropping 5 stars all over my Goodreads. This entire process would have been much more overwhelming without help. Although there’s still so much to do with reaching out to bookstores, arranging signings, writing letters to influencers and radio stations, making plans to do the audiobook, etc.
Instagram is the only social media platform I’ve committed to, as I’m not much of a social media junky, but I might get going with some youtube readings at some point.
How do you handle feedback and criticism from readers and reviewers?
Honestly, I just wouldn’t go out of my way to put my books in the hands of readers who I don’t really think would like them. Fiona’s Fury is by and large universally loved. The other two books of this series are a somewhat literary type of contemporary romance, not romcom suspense, and have been dubbed upmarket romance. So the audience for them will be a little more limited and specific. Criticism doesn’t bother me because not all my books will be for everyone. And of course there are always going to be people who get hung up on something that rubs them the wrong way, and then leave a hateful review.
Can you discuss any upcoming projects or books that you’re currently working on? What can readers expect from your future works?
Absolutely. Currently I’m almost finished with A Letter to Elise, the third book of the Finding Love Again series, which is a little on the dark or introspective side, but is not a suspense. It also offers a triple POV, so is unusual in that regard.
After this series is published, I plan to begin writing 20th century historical romance…which I’ve rarely encountered. I probably won’t do every decade of the century, but most, and not in any particular order. Right now I’m debating whether I want to begin with the 20s or 60s. Readers can expect material that will accurately reflect the mood and culture of the period I’m working in.
by Roxy Blue
Publication date: March 12th 2024
Genres: Adult, Comedy,
This chilling but hysterically sardonic thrill-ride is hard to put down. Smart, sexy, and deeply revelatory, it will send you on an enthralling emotional journey you won’t forget.
Fiona Turner, CEO of Fiona’s Flowers floral shop, hasn’t the time nor inclination to bother with men until she finally meets the face on the other end of the phone. Having remained friends, she never suspected her ex-husband, Quade, would morph into a terrifying, controlling, law-bending monster. When Fiona exhibits the first signs of wanting to move on in life, he threatens to take everything from her. A long weekend at a conference answers all of Fiona’s questions about floral supplier, Bo Thompson, except how she can possibly have him. She’ll never know what she’s missing unless she risks everything for love.
- 3x Fiona’s Fury mug
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