Writer’s Life: Serena Chase

Welcome to another edition of Writer’s Life, my interview series with authors of sweet or inspirational romance. Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Serena Chase! Serena and I connected through her fabulous blog, Edgy Inspirational Romance. If you haven’t checked out her Wednesday feature, “The Author’s Casting Call,” you need to. I mean, who doesn’t enjoy seeing pictures of cute guys cast as heroes in our favorite books? That can’t be just me! Oh, and the heroines get cast too… 🙂 Serena also reviews novels for USA Today‘s Happy Ever After blog and is the author  of The Eyes of E’veria series,  more info below. A new edition of the third book in the series, The Seahorse Legacy, is available now!

 

Let’s get to it.

1. What about writing makes your heart sing?

Every once in a while a line or passage slips through your fingers and you realize that little nugget is speaking to your own heart as much (or more) than your audience. Those are magical moments!

 

2. What is the biggest hurdle you’re facing right now as a writer?

Summer vacation! With two kids still at home and a husband who is an elementary principal, summer vacation is great for them . . . but not so much for me, since I work from home. I love my family, truly, but when school breaks, so does my sanity, via my usually quiet writing space. It is really difficult to keep the flow going, to focus, with constant interruptions, noise and activity about the house and the yard, the need for transportation to the pool, practices, friends’ houses, driver’s ed . . . And don’t get me started on the guilt that results when I’m working and they’re all home and I feel like I should be with them, but I also need to play with my imaginary friends so I can meet a deadline . . . Oy!

 

3. What do you do to fill your creative well?

I am energized by travel–which I don’t do nearly enough–and by interacting with other fiction authors. Also, taking a break from reading for review (I review books for USA Today’s Happy Ever After blog and for the Edgy Inspirational Romance blog) and instead reading for pure enjoyment is good for me. Honestly, that is a treat! Since I couldn’t afford a real vacation this summer,  I took July and August off from reviewing (mostly) and I’ve been reading through the backlog of books I’ve wanted to read for a while, but couldn’t fit it with my review schedule. It’s been so much fun!

 

4. What are you working on now?

I just released a new edition of Eyes of E’veria book 3: The Seahorse Legacy, and I’m finishing up The Sunken Realm (Eyes of E’veria, book 4) It should release within the next couple of months, and once it’s out . . . I’m taking a break from that world (E’veria) to get after a contemporary paranormal romance series I’ve had on the back burner for a while. I am sooo excited to further develop this new project!

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Summer truly is a challenge. I don’t envy you the driver’s training. We survived that last year, and we moved on to college visits this year.Yikes! I feel guilty for all the reasons you listed every day during the summer. We have to meet deadlines, but we want to be there for our family. It’s really hard.

Congratulations on wrapping up your gorgeous series this year. I’m intrigued by the contemporary paranormal romance series, too. Mmm! Thank you so much for being my guest!

 

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THE SEAHORSE LEGACY ~

 

a Pirate, bound by a centuries-old oath

As Keeper of the Seahorse Legacy, Cazien de Pollis is a King among pirates, divinely appointed to dispense justice on the seas. Bound by the sacred oath of a long-dead ancestor, he must fulfill a contract to wed the green-eyed Oracle’s Daughter named therein—or risk losing everything he and his people hold dear. But at nineteen, with the identity of his betrothed only recently revealed, Cazien resents the contract—and the urgency within him to see it satisfied.

a Knight, determined to prove her calling

Erielle de Gladiel returned from the quest for the Remedy, changed. Not only are her formerly-blue eyes now a brilliant shade of green, but she must don gloves to hide inky evidence that her prophetically-bestowed title, the Oracle’s Daughter, demands more from her than the task already completed. Erielle’s dearest-held dream is realized when she is knighted by her King, but unbeknownst to her, that very honor jeopardizes the prophesied purpose to which she and Cazien have been called.

a Legacy, demanding surrender

Just as Cazien summons the courage to collect his bride, dark rumors and darker deeds crawl up the coasts, calling its guardians, the Seahorse Pirates, into action—and Cazien away from Erielle. But even though the Oracle’s Daughter knows nothing of the contract to which she has been consigned, Cazien’s enemies have somehow learned of his interest in Erielle. And if they reach her before his ancestor’s weighty oath is executed, the Seahorse Legacy will be forfeited . . . and darkness will be given reign.

 

 

The third book in this series-within-a series, The Seahorse Legacy begins an epic tale of piracy, adventure, and romance. Giving subtle nods to several fairy tales, including an unexpected twist to the story of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, this romantic adventure will conclude in Eyes of E’veria, Book 4: The Sunken Realm, coming in 2015.

Want to dive deeper into the world of E’veria? Look for the first two-book set in the Eyes of E’veria series by Serena Chase! The Ryn (book 1) and The Remedy (book 2) retell the classic Grimm fairy tale Snow White & Rose Red on an inspirational and epic scale.

 

PURCHASE THE SEAHORSE LEGACY

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ABOUT SERENA ~

SERENA CHASE lives in Iowa with her husband, two teen daughters, and a big white dog named Albus. A frequent contributor to USA Today‘s Happy Ever After blog, Serena is an avid reader of young adult fiction and inspirational romance and has become a respected influencer within those communities. When not engaged in her varied roles within the publishing industry, Serena can be found watching action movies and dreaming about someday living in a cottage by the sea. Connect with Serena Chase on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter (@Serena_Chase) and visit www.serenachase.com to subscribe to her newsletter and gain access to exclusive, subscriber-only content.

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I read a lot of contemporary romance novels, but I love getting lost in a unique story-world like Serena’s! Is there a setting that really stood out for you in a novel? Do share!

Have a terrific day!