Interview with Elin Peer, author of Atlas

What can you tell us about your new release, Atlas?

Atlas is the second book in my new romantic suspense series called Cultivated. It’s a series for readers who love a great psychological drama and doesn’t mind some dark scenes before we reach the HEA.

As the oldest son of a monstrous cult leader, Atlas has dedicated his life to understanding mind-control. When he hires psychologist, Jolene Fisher, to help him research, she sees through his perfect façade to the troubled man behind. Atlas doesn’t like her poking around in his disturbed mind. It’s making it harder to suppress and control the dominant, hungry beast inside him that has its eye on Jolene.

Like all my books, Atlas is fast-paced, thought-provoking, and offers humor and a solid romance story at the core.

What books are currently on your nightstand?

Because I write so many hours each day, I prefer to listen to audiobooks and podcasts instead of reading books. My passion is psychology, so I listen to all sorts of podcasts that relate to the human experience. Right now, I’m enjoying Russell Brand’s series of podcasts called Under the Skin.

What advice would you give your teenage self?

1: To never feel guilty about spending days and weeks reading. It wasn’t a waste of time as it turned out to be valuable research.

2: To set boundaries more kindly. As I matured, the wrong things I did to others haunted me more than what others did to me.

3: I would also tell her never to be afraid of stepping outside her comfort zone. It’s the only way to grow.

4: Oh, and one last thing; don’t change channel when your older brother is watching his favorite show. He’ll sit on you and fart in your face.

If you had an extra hour each day, how would you spend it?

In nature, with the people that I love, talking about things that matter, and getting in some good laughs.

What makes your world go round? Why does it bring you joy?

LOVE! My philosophy is LOVE. My religion is LOVE. I write about LOVE. I practice it with my family and friends every day. Sometimes love is a smile to a stranger, a compliment from the heart, a home-cooked meal shared with the people I hold dear, a walk&talk with a friend who needs a safe space to cry. I use the word love and give out big warm hugs every single day. My husband and two amazing daughters can testify that my priority in life is always LOVE!!

What scene in Atlas was your favorite to write?

Atlas has been at war with his sexuality for his entire adult life. In my favorite scene, he feels as if he has lost everything. It’s the emotional breakdown before the powerful breakthrough which was a satisfying moment that I loved to write.

There’s another scene that stands out to me as well.

To understand why Atlas is so disgusted by his dominant sexuality, and why he suppresses and hides it, I felt that it was essential to show a disturbing scene where his father uses smooth talking to overstep a young women’s boundaries. I take the emotional reactions from readers as a compliment. Fearless writing is about daring to go into the darkness and bring people back out in the light. I did it daily as a personal coach, and now I do it with my characters. When I read reviews telling about aha moments and healing through my books, I smile and feel that I’m doing what I’m supposed to. I’m showing that true love comes without judgment.

Elin Peer is the author of the new book Atlas. 

Connect with Elin:
Author Website