Interview with MariaLisa deMora, Author of In Search of Solace

What can you tell us about your new release, In Search of Solace?

In Search of Solace is a crossover motorcycle club romance, setting up both conflict and cooperation between an established book series, the Rebel Wayfarers MC series, and a new upcoming series for the Freed Soldiers MC. The story itself follows a hurt/comfort theme, with the heroine slowly finding her feet after years of abuse. The hero isn’t looking for anything when he finds her, but the need that develops in him to make sure she’s cared for becomes overwhelming.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

Honestly, I credit sleep deprivation for the role. I’ve been a reader since five-years-old, but never aspired to creative writing, just always enjoyed losing myself in the worlds my favorite authors created. Then I accepted a more complicated position at work, requiring significant commitment from me in terms of time, and when I hit a certain level of exhaustion any sleep I gained became filled with this brave, funny, and courageous chick. That dreaming turned to an outline, then splashing words on the page of my laptop, as I tried to get her and the characters she’d introduced to me, out of my head! That was Mica, the heroine of the first book I ever wrote.

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

Oh, I’m sure you won’t mind if I go over, because only FIVE books is really limiting. No? You want five? Argh … okay. In no certain order, they are: Wolfsong by TJ Klune; Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice; Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey; The Shining by Stephen King; Out of Nowhere by Roan Parrish.

Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

Goosebumps at this one, truly! My first guest would be Jacqueline Carey, because I want to know everything that makes the woman tick! Her worlds are so rich and detailed, and I would love to hear the process she undertakes as she sets out to write one of her epic series.

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

This happened yesterday, actually. I’m busily writing along, and suddenly the next words that flow out of the keyboard aren’t what I’d imagined they’d be. That’s when the characters are so strong they take over, and I’m simply along for the ride. The ability to have the plotline changes surprise me, even as I’m writing it, that’s the true magic in this whole gig, man. LOVE it!

What is a typical day like for you?

So I mentioned a day job, which I still have. Right now that allows me to pour all the money the books make back into the books themselves. That money buys me excellent editing, a proficient proofreader, gorgeous image acquisitions for my covers, and an amazing narrator and producer for the audiobooks — all without going into debt.

What scene from In Search of Solace was your favorite to write?

Okay, my long-time readers are going to laugh. In Search of Solace began not because either the heroine or hero spoke to me, but because a long-time character, who is WELL known for being pushy and mouthy in my head, started pushing an idea for story arc advancement for himself. So for the first couple of weeks the manuscript was only known as “Gunny’s a pushy bastard” until the other characters firmed up in my head. Then good ole Gunny wasn’t quite satisfied, because he inserted himself into the story multiple times, twisting it where he wanted it to go. For me, the favorite scene is near the end of the book, a moment when Gunny piped up with “But what about the donkey” in my head, and I immediately wrote about a truck and trailer pulling into a driveway, and Gunny rushing out to lead this poor abandoned donkey into the yard, having adopted him without telling me, really. Then the donkey became the comic relief needed for the last few scenes. I do remember shouting at the computer, “Why is there a donkey in this scene?” Which in retrospect makes me both laugh aloud, and wonder for my sanity!

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

The gorgeous and talented Maya Angelou told us, “I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.” In everything I do, all the things I touch and influence throughout my days and life, I’m always striving to do better.

MariaLisa deMora is the author of In Search of Solace.

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