This month's featured author is monster-romance-writing icon, Opal Reyne! I had the pleasure of meeting Opal earlier this year at RARE Melbourne, and she is so sweet. If you're looking for a monster romance series with amazing world building, steam, and ton of action, be sure to check out Duskwalker Brides.
Let's get into the interview.
1. Tell us about yourself.
Firstly, I always like to tell people that I'm an Australian author! There's not many of us here down under, especially in my genre. I write smutty/spicy monster romance, with a lot of plot, worldbuilding, and character development.
A lot of people are nervous about meeting me at first, since I'm a goth with lots of piercings and tattoos, and have a terrible resting grump face. However, I'm actually pretty friendly, especially to my readers. Obviously I like reading, but I'm also a big gamer and love anime. You'll probably find me stuffing my face with food and a can of Red Bull next to me. I often call myself a gremlin, rather than a human. lol!
2. How did you get into writing romance? Was it something you always wanted to do?
I've been reading Adult Paranormal Romance since I was fifteen, and always enjoyed reading and writing. I dabbled a bit here and there over the years, but never really had the focus and determination to sit down and write until I turned twenty-six. Adult Romance is generally what I enjoy, so it's probably the genre I'll stick to.
3. Tell us about your latest release!
My latest release was in June and it's doing really well! I was a bit nervous about publishing it, to be honest. A lot of my readers are aware that representation is one of the major things I want to tackle with my books, but I want to do so in a way that is positive. I hired a large team of volunteer sensitivity readers, as well as a professional, to make sure the book was done well. A Soul to Guide is a large and chunky book, and it took many hands and minds to make sure it was perfect for publishing, since the FMC is a person of colour (although not human), as well as has a visual impairment. I love the story, the characters, and so do a lot of my readers - which has been great feedback to hear. It's a grumpy/sunshine, but the MMC is such a sassy grumpybear that he's funny. Raewyn, our sunny sunshine, is smart, brilliant, and knows exactly how to get what she wants. There's a lot of banter and spice, and inhuman anatomy in the 'down stairs' department for my monsters is where I really get to have some fun.
4. What else is on your schedule for 2023? More books? More signings?
I I plan to release a Duskwalker Brides book every four months, if I can. So, October is hopefully when A Soul to Revive will be available, then A Soul to Steal in February 2024 (fingers crossed!). My Witch Bound series will release if and when I have time in between books to write them.
For the rest of the year, I won't be going to any physical book signings, but I will be doing a personal one around the beginning of October that will involve signed paperback copies, as well as prints, stickers, and pins.
5. What are you reading right now?
Currently, nothing. I've been pretty bogged down writing A Soul to Revive that reading words after writing so many has been really hard. However, I do have three books that are constantly whispering to me from my TBR, and I'm really excited to get into them when I can.
A Soul to Guide: OUT NOW
All Raewyn ever wanted was to go home.
After accidentally creating a portal to another realm, Raewyn finds herself trapped in a world she’s struggling to navigate. Desperate to find those with magic who can help her, she sets out on a dangerous journey to another town.
Unfortunately, on her travels, she learns there are bigger and scarier monsters than the Demons she knows of – and one of them won’t let her get away.
All Merikh ever wanted was to escape.
For a hundred and eighty years, Merikh has been hunting for a way off Earth. He doesn’t care who he has to eat, kill, or maim to get what he wants. So, when his prey ends up being a lost Elf, he realises this is his opportunity.
She’s prettier than any creature he’s ever seen, and so damn perfect that it’s impossible to resist her otherworldly lure.
But Merikh destroys everything he touches. Will he be able to overcome years of hatred and anger to allow himself to get close to her, or will he lose her in the process?