It is fair to say I love the series by this author. And it gets better and better with every book. It is so much more than an MC series. So I am super excited to have had the author agree to answer of few question for my nosey old self.
The Sons of Templar Series:
My Review for Making the Cut
My Review for Firestorm
My Review for Outside the Lines
My Review for Out of the Ashes
My Review for Beyond the Horizon
Unquiet Mind Series:
My Review for Echoes of Silence
Author Interview
Q1. Please tell us a little about yourself.
I’m from a tiny town in the middle of New Zealand where I was lucky enough to have a magical childhood. Though there wasn’t much in the form of entertainment, so I turned into a bookworm after my Mum introduced me to the magic of reading. I’m currently living in Wellington, settling in after being a nomad around Europe for a couple of years. I love coffee, chocolate, wine and shoes. I don’t know what else to say here….I like long walks on the beach and candle lit dinners? This is my first author interview, so don’t judge my awkwardness!
Q2. What led to you deciding to publish? Did you have stories that you wanted to tell for years or was it maybe a case of deciding to give it a go and see how it went with regards to writing?
I started writing because I love reading. I’d devour multiple books in a week, sometimes in a day. One day, I was in a bit of a reading slump and decided to try and write something I would want to read. Gwen and Cade’s story just came to me and it’s gone on from there. I’ve always been a big daydreamer but I never thought of pursuing writing as a career, until now. I still pinch myself every now and then, just because it’s hard to believe I’m doing what I love as a job.
Q3. As an author who lives in New Zealand, do you feel you have a broader audience writing books based in America? Or is it just something that worked more for this particular series?
I think I do have a broader audience in America, which definitely has something to do with this particular series. I’m planning of basing some future books here in New Zealand, so I’m interested to see how my international readers will respond to those.
Q4. Do you have a favourite author? Have they influenced you in deciding to write and what you write?
I have multiple favourite authors. The beauty of being introduced to reading when I was young, was constantly discovering authors who inspire me as I’ve grown. Like many kids, JK Rowling was a total goddess in my eyes. She created magic and had me waiting at the letterbox on my eleventh birthday for my owl. I’m still waiting. Paullina Simons is also someone who I will always look up to, The Bronze Horseman is one of my all time favourite books. Stephen King is a total genius. I know he writes horror which is a little far away from my genre, but he is so incredibly intelligent and talented and every single one of his books hold a little magic. I can only wish to grow into an author who can create such vivid worlds as he does. Oh, and of course, the mother of all alpha males…Kristen Ashley.
Q5. What has been the best thing about deciding to publish?
I have to pick just one? I’m terrible at that! I think connecting with so many amazing readers and fellow authors. Every time one of my readers reaches out to me to tell me they enjoyed my books, I feel so happy. I love that I’m able to give people the enjoyment I feel when I’m reading a good book. It’s surreal, but awesome.
Q6. And the worst? (if there is one)
I honestly think the worst is just the pressure I put on myself. I have SO many stories to tell and I want to write them all as soon as possible. It’s hard to stick to one at a time. I’m still young(ish). There’s time.
Q7. How much of a story do you outline before you start, or is it more that the story evolves as you write it?
I don’t outline at all. Total pantser (fly by the seat of my pants). The story takes on a life of its own as soon as I sit down to write. Sometimes I get snippets of how I want it to end, but mostly I don’t have much control. It’s kind of exciting because I never know where a story will end up, but then I get frustrated at my characters for not doing what I want them to do.
Q8. Related to the above question, did you always plan a Lexi and Killian story?
Short answer, no. I didn’t even realise their romance was going to play such a big part in my books until I was halfway through Out of the Ashes. Then I was like, “I have to give these kids a story.” Turns out they get two. I hadn’t planned on writing a YA book, but I didn’t get much choice. The story came to me and wouldn’t shut up until I wrote it.
Q9. What are the plans for the current series’? We obviously get the conclusion to Lexi and Kilian, but who is up for a book in Sons of Templar? Do Lexi’s band members possibly get a book. And any plans for any new series in the future?
So many plans! Lucky is up next for the Sons of Templar, but I want to give them all a HEA. Gage and Jagger will be getting books at some point in the future too. Yes, the band members are each getting a book in the Unquiet Mind series.
I have a couple of series I’m planning to announce later this year. They’ll feature some characters everyone has been asking about 🙂 One Kiwi hottie in particular.
Q10. Do you have a favourite character out of any that you have wrote?
Oh I don’t know! That’s like asking to pick a favourite child! Killian has kind of stolen my heart lately, before that it was always Cade. My first couple will always be special to me. Bex is someone that I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for, she’s a very complex character and is hard to like at times, but I think that’s why I like her. I’m really deep in her character at the moment and she’s got a lot of substance to her.
Q11. What book or characters story was hardest to tell?
Lily’s. Definitely. As a character, she struggles with a lot of issues that are deeply personal to me. She’s far from perfect and frustrating at times, but she’s real. The characters who have the biggest struggles are always the hardest to portray. And also, Bull. He went through so much and even now, is still developing and healing in other character’s books.
Q12. What advice, if any would you give to someone thinking about writing and publishing their own stories?
I’m totally going to steal Stephen King’s advice. Read a lot and write a lot. Seriously, just go for it. Don’t think too much about what people will think or if it will sell. Just write. If you love the story and the characters, it will evolve from there. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to other indie authors for advice. I found it so intimidating at the start but everyone in the indie community is so supportive and I wouldn’t have been able to stay sane without the love and support of the people I’ve met.
So that is it folks! Thank you again to Anne Malcom for agreeing to answer a few questions, and I cannot wait for the next book.
The Romance Reading Brit 