Interview with Karolyn James, author of Fight

Tell us a little bit about your new release, Fight.

Well, the collaboration began back in August. My other bestselling series (Back Down Devil) focused on a MC and the wild life and love the members experienced. I had been tinkering with an idea to expand on the idea to take it out of the MC life. So I started coming up with this character that turned out to be Tripp. A simple premise: Tripp is the best fighter out there. His boss has one rule – if you lose, you die. So what would happen if Tripp lost a fight? The question stuck with me. Tripp loses the fight because of a “situation” at the fight. Instead of getting killed, he’s given an assignment. A punishment. To protect a woman named Winter. Her boyfriend has been killed and he was the VP of a motorcycle club. Whoever killed her boyfriend is going to come after her. The second Tripp and Winter meet, it’s instant sparks. The closer they get, they more truths they discover. And every time you think you’ve figure it out, there’s another twist in the story. Their forbidden romance blossoms as they fight for each other and their lives.

What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?

That is a tough question to answer. I love to read in any/all genres. The world of the Kindle completely changed my life in terms of reading. A book that always stuck with me was Pet Semetary by Stephen King. Yes, it’s horror, but it’s such an amazing book of characters, right? It’s about tempting fate, never letting go, about challenging people in their worst situations possible. And, yes, it’s scary as hell. I’ve always loved Stephen King. To go outside him for a moment… my current authors would be Harlan Coben, Kendra Elliot, Melinda Leigh, Sandra Brown… anything with romance, suspense, and wicked awesome bad guys.

Who is your favorite fictional character from literature?

Can I be crazy for a second? How about Odd Thomas?! I should have mentioned Koontz above… but oh well. I just love Odd Thomas’s character. He’s honest, without fear, bold, and just goes into any/all books with a sense of hope that’s always amazing to read.

What’s in your Netflix queue?

My Netflix is insane. It’s a mix of romantic stuff like the movie Labor Day all the way to the Sons of Anarchy show! I like to relax with Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond, and The Office! I also indulge my horror side with The Walking Dead.

If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would you choose and why?

I am a HUGE music fan. Jim Morrison. The Lizard King. Just to talk to him… to exchange words, poetry, and hang out. He was a very deep and passionate man. Almost like a character of himself.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Cliché time. A WRITER. No lie though. I have my first book I ever wrote printed and in my desk.

What scene in Fight was your favorite to write?

When Tripp learns the truth about Winter. It was such a hard scene to write. She finally let herself become completely vulnerable to him to prove that she wasn’t the enemy. While it was happening, Tripp had already started to fall for her. But he knows the risk of falling for her. Then when he finds out who she is… he can’t help himself. He has to have her. For me, writing that really showed who Tripp was. On the surface, he’s this hardened fighter. Right? He works for a mob boss to fight and earn. Now he’s on this protection job and he wants to get away from it because of how attracted he is to Winter. The scene involves pictures. That’s all I can say.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

I’m going to quote Chuckie from Sons of Anarchy: “I accept that.” Because life is life. Just go with the flow.

Connect with Karolyn
Author Website
 Twitter