1--What is the title of your latest release?
THE UNRIGHTEOUS SON
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
After receiving information that suggests her former bodyguard is in danger, business heiress Matilda Ashby must step back into the supernatural world she wanted to forget in an attempt to save him; but when she is a breakable human in a world of monsters, she has to risk everything to do so, and she must decide how much of her humanity she is willing to sacrifice to save the man she loves.
There are necromancers and zombies. Matilda, former doormat, uses a sword at one point. I just hope readers have a lot of fun with it.
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
After a trip to New York City, I decided it was the perfect place for my protagonist to call home. At least, in the beginning. In Book 2, I decided to have her visit Dallas, Texas since I’m from the DFW metroplex and the setting worked well with the plot.
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Our social circles would never, ever cross. But if they did? I think I would! She’s a hot mess just doing her best. Then again, I wouldn’t want to get roped into her supernatural shenanigans either…
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Kind, loyal, insecure.
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
I learned that writing the second book in a series is difficult. With every book there are expectations, but writing a sequel has its own special set. Will readers like Book 2 as much as Book 1? Will they like the character arc of the protagonist? Will the direction I chose for Book 2 ruin the series for my readers? It’s a weird place to be.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I edit as I go. If I know something is wrong, I can’t wait that long to fix it. I know popular advice says explicitly to *not* do this, but I can’t help it.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
If there is one thing I’m willing to drop some serious money on, it’s sushi. There is a restaurant in Dallas called Uchi that is absolutely fantastic, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves sushi.
9--Describe your writing space/office!
I actually just moved and finally have an office! I have a wall of bookshelves for my overflowing TBR, shelves of Funko Pops, a carved map of Middle Earth, and a sword displayed on top of my bookshelf. I’m excited to add more cool things to the walls, like character art. There’s still a whole wall with nothing on it, which means the possibilities are endless.
10--Who is an author you admire?
Patricia Briggs. Mercy Thompson is A+ urban fantasy content.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. I think about that book a lot. I don’t think I’ve ever sobbed over a book the way I did over that one, and no book has stuck with me like A Thousand Splendid Suns has either.
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
The first book of this series, The Family Cross, was my first foray into publishing. I had no idea what to expect. I had no idea what I was doing. So when I got the offer email from my acquiring editor, I…freaked out. I didn’t have an agent at the time—my editor asked me to send her a full after a Twitter pitch contest—so I didn’t have an industry professional to guide me. This is where my writing community really helped me. My indie-pubbed friends and the amazing Quokka Crew, a group of writers I met on Twitter, helped me make sense of the entire thing. I signed with Tee Tate at City Owl Press, and now I’m 2/3’s of the way through the series. It has been a great experience!
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
Fantasy, any subgenre. If it has magic or monsters, I’m game.
14--What’s your favorite movie?
I’m actually not a huge movie person. I watch them once, and then my mind dumps them almost immediately. However, if had to pick a favorite, I’d say Gladiator.
15--What is your favorite season?
Winter. I loved winters in Pennsylvania and Maryland for the snow. In Texas, I get a few weeks reprieve from the hellish heat. It’s simply the best.
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
Honestly? Chilling at home, either watching movies or playing video games. Or sleeping! I never get to sleep anymore.
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
The Last Kingdom on Netflix. There are a lot of CWs for it (death, gore, etc), so viewers need to approach it with that in mind, but it is an excellent show. Great storytelling. Great characters. *chef’s kiss*
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
I love food. I tend to choose Mexican food the most because that’s what I ate the most growing up (and I like spicy food!) but I will eat pretty much anything.
19--What do you do when you have free time?
Sleep. I have four children, so if I ever get the opportunity to sleep, I take it.
20--What can readers expect from you next?
I’ll be working hard to complete the two series I have going currently. The Circle Seven series and The Murder series are both set to wrap up in 2023. After that? Well, I’m not allowed to talk about it yet.
Circle Seven #2
Matilda Ashby has seen the monsters that lurk in the shadows of Manhattan—and within the walls of her family business. While creatures of myth aren’t hunting her anymore, she can’t say the same for Samson, her former bodyguard, after a photograph of the telepath in danger finds its way to her desk. Desperate to save him, Matilda dusts off her Manolos and ventures back into the supernatural world, a world she wanted nothing more than to leave behind.
However, Matilda isn’t the only one searching for Samson. Necromancers, sent by Samson’s former boss, are hot on her heels, and her MBA curriculum didn’t include a course on how to kill them. So, in order to save Samson, she’ll have to trust former enemies—and her instincts—to get him back.
But in a world where being human is a weakness and being kind is a liability, Matilda isn’t sure how she can succeed in saving him, especially when her brother, and the family business, needs her too.
Romance Contemporary [City Owl Press, On Sale: July 1, 2022, Paperback, ISBN: 9781648981999 / eISBN: 9781648981982]
Gabrielle Ash is a perpetually tired mom of four that grew up in the great state of Texas. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English, which ultimately landed her in a high school classroom to teach writing and coach the debate team. Dismayed at her inability to wear sweatpants to work, she left the classroom and now dedicates her brain power to books and taking care of her daughters.
When not writing, she spends time with her husband, four daughters, and their dog.
No comments posted.
© 2003-2024 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy