Bonnie Vanak is no stranger to a full plate. She released two new novels in
her Werewolves
of Montana series this spring, and she is already looking
forward
to the rest of the year. In between the craziness of writing and
publishing
her books, she took a moment to chat with our Miranda Owen about THE MATING
SEASON and THE MATING
DESTINY, why she loves setting her books in Montana, and the appeal
of
shifters and fae in her stories.
When I think back to the first
werewolf book I read of yours – THE
EMPATH (Draicon
Werewolves Book 1) – and compare it with your current
Montana
Werewolves series, I am amazed by the intricate world-building and
unique spin you always put on the werewolf myth. What is it about
werewolves that captures your imagination?
Thank you! I love
writing about werewolves because of the loyalty, the fierceness in which
they protect their own, and the alpha traits of the males. When I set
out
to write the Werewolves of Montana, it was with the intention of writing
a
darker, much sexier series than THE EMPATH, which was published by
Harlequin. I loved writing Nocturnes for Harlequin, but faced certain
restrictions, and with the Werewolves of Montana series, since it is
self-published, I have the freedom to write what I please.
Why
Montana as a setting? Do you have a fondness for that geographic
location,
or does it just seem like the best fit for the story and
characters?
I love Montana, the wide, open plains and the cowboys.
I went there years ago with my mom on a vacation and I enjoyed the
mountains, the honesty and openness of the people. There’s no pretense,
which is so refreshing. Probably because they are all working too hard
to
preen and act important!
In your April release – THE MATING SEASON -
Tristan is a character who has appeared in previous books in your
Montana Werewolves series, did you always plan on giving him
his
own book?
Yes, from the beginning. I didn’t create him until
THE
MATING HUNT, and he first appeared to punish Arianna for turning
into a
wolf in front of Skins (humans), which is strictly forbidden. His
character
has evolved over the series and now I’m glad he’s finally getting his
own
book!
I loved your story TEMPTATION. How long before you write a
story for that heroine's brother? I found him to be a fascinating
character.
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it. Justin, who is like
a brother to Skylar, will get his own story in the future, but not for a
while because I have a lot of other projects on my plate. And I want him
to
play an important role for series. When you read THE MATING SEASON, you
will get an idea of how important the dragons will be in the series.
You've had so many different types of magical characters in your
books – elves, fae, wizards, werewolves, dragons, etc. - is there any
type
of magical being that you haven't written about, that you'd like to
feature
in a future story if you got the chance?
I’m itching to write a
dark Fae, which I will in the future. The idea keeps circling back. I
did
make brief mention of the Midnight Kingdom in The Mating Season, which
is a
world where all paranormal creatures can live as they are and use their
powers freely. I did sketch out an idea for a dark werewolf, a big, bad
werewolf who is very dark, almost an anti-hero, and very, very sexual.
I like your books, and I like historical romances, yet I've never
read any of your historical romances. What can you tell readers about
them?
Are they straight historical or do they have any magical or paranormal
elements in them as well?
My Egyptian series started out with
elements of paranormal. I had to tone it down because my editor at
Dorchester said it was too paranormal. But The Falcon and the Dove, my
first book and my first historical, is essentially a reincarnation
romance.
The rest of the series, however, is pretty much straight historical and
the
books take place in Victorian and Edwardian Egypt and sometimes England.
Authors usually say that the book they are currently working on is
their favorite but, other than what you're working on right now, do you
have a favorite character you've created or story?
I must confess
I like writing the guys more than their mates, and I really enjoyed
creating Aiden and Tristan. But Xavier, the Crystal Wizard, got to me in
a
special way because he’s so powerful, quirky and yet so lonely. All the
heroes in my books are alpha, but they have a vulnerability about them,
and
they may not admit it, but they all need love, too!
What are you
working on right now?
Right now I’m working on Navy Seal
Protector, my next romantic suspense for Harlequin, and I’m also working
on
THE MATING GAME, Xavier’s story. You’ll see why at the end of THE MATING
SEASON why Xavier’s story has to come next. I gave Xavier his special
love
for Elvis songs to acknowledge my husband’s fondness for the King of
Rock
and Roll. Readers can check out what I’m working on and the latest
releases
by going to my website: www.bonnievanak.com and
signing up for my newsletter to access free stories on my Members Only
page
or by checking out my Facebook author page: http://www.facebook.com/bonnieva
nakauthor
After years of newspaper reporting, Bonnie Vanak began working as
a
writer for a major international charity. She travels to destitute countries
to
write about famine, disease and other issues affecting the poor. When the
emotional strains of her job demanded a diversion, she turned to her
childhood
dream of writing romance novels. Bonnie's books have been translated into
five
languages, including Spanish, Italian and Japanese. She has received
numerous
accolades for both nonfiction and fiction writing, including three Writer's
Digest awards. Her sixth Egyptian historical, The Scorpion & the
Seducer, is a May 2008 Leisure release. Enemy Lover, her second
werewolf paranormal for Silhouette Nocturne, is a November 2008 release. She
lives in Florida with her husband Frank.
1 comment posted.
Bonnie Vanak is talented, but has a long way to go before making it big. According to a custom paper writing service, her writings are predictable thus are not readily acceptable by the higher elite of readers. But, she can do much better if she comes out of the silly themes and concentrate on the grandness of the plot.
(Mathew Jordan 8:13am July 28, 2016)