Simona's Corner of Dreams: Blog Tour

1. Did you always dream of being a writer?

Actually, yes. I’ve been writing since before I could remember, but have never taken it seriously. It was always one of those things that you dreamed of doing, but put it off as something that would never happen.

2. Your novel Flames of Auriel was published in January, what is it about?

Flames of Auriel is the first novel of my Caeles Adventures Series. It is set in a medieval type world, where each kingdom is influenced by their chosen patron angel. In Flames of Auriel, we follow the prince and princess of two of the kingdoms, Aldabel and Aurelius. They must join their kingdoms through an arranged marriage to fight off a growing threat from the southern desert kingdom, Camel.

3. What was your inspiration for the book?

Well, I have always been interested in angels and the lore that goes with them. I combined that interest with lecherous thought of how I thought ‘The Swan Princess’ (cartoon movie not book) should have gone. Minus the magical transformation and singing bits.

4. Can you tell us more about the main character(s)?

Zoella, or Zoe as she likes to be called, is a strong willed, short tempered, warrior princess of a militia kingdom. When she is not wielding a sword she is testing her nurse Alice’s patience with her unladylike ways.

Asher is just as stubborn as Zoe if not more so, he is the typical arrogant prince that is determined to see how many women he can bed before he is doomed to marry his own red headed demon.

5. Where and when do you write your stories?

I’m a full time computer programmer and a mom, so finding time to write where I won’t be attacked by my 10 month old daughter is like trying to find water in a desert. To get over this little problem I usually carry a notebook around with me to hand write my stories as I’m working on them. This is usually during my breaks at work or after the munchkin has gone to bed.

6. What do you do and enjoy when you’re not writing?

I have an array of interests. I love to read (anything, but straight horror stories). I binge watch TV shows/anime on Netflix/Hulu. I’m a huge RPG video game player, mainly Final Fantasy and games like Legend of Zelda and Kingdom Hearts. And of course Doctor Who is a predominant influence in all things I do.

7. If you could switch places with a characters from a book, who would it be and why?

I would switch places with Rebekah, because I think it would be awesome to tromp around the country as a gypsy performer. Though, if it was anything like the reality show, ‘My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding’, I might rethink my choice.

8. What books have most influenced your life most?

That’s a hard one. The first book I feel in love with was Ella Enchanted. I could reread it over and over again and never get bored. It was the first novel I read where the female lead was not a damsel in distress. She was quick and witty. She didn’t need a prince to sweep her off her feet; she did that very well on her own. I strive to be that type of woman.

9. What are you working on at the moment?

Currently, I am working on an Alice in Wonderland retelling. It is a mixture of Wonderland and Fae lore with a dark and sexy twist.

10. What do you enjoy most about writing?

Getting to write of course! I daydream so often of all the stories I wished existed and now I can make that happen! It is a bonus that others love my stories too!

11. Imagine Flames of Auriel would be turned into a movie, who would you cast for the main characters?

That one is easy.

Asher would be played by the devilishly handsome Ian Somerhalder (Vampire Diaries).

Zoe would be played by the talented Karen Gillian (Doctor Who).

12. Pick three authors you want to have dinner with and tell us why.

Laurel K. Hamilton – I worship her books! She was my idol in high school and I still reread her books to this day!

A. G. Howard – I’d love to compare notes about all things Alice in Wonderland and the Labyrinth. It would be a conversation I feel that would trail way into the wee hours of the morning.

Jenna Moreci – I already talk to Jenna on social media, so this would be great to talk through more than just the keyboard.

13. You combine fantasy and romance in your stories, why these two genres?

I’m a romantic to the end. I couldn’t imagine a story without a little romance in it. I loved the idea of creating my own world, based on my own rules and adding a little romance to it only seemed natural for me.

14. You have a YouTube channel. What do you vlog about?

Lots of things. I give writing tips, talk about what is going on in my writing, as well as what it is like to be a reader myself.

15. What do you like most about writing books?

Books are hard. It is a lot easier to make up the story in my head than trying to get it down on paper, but once it gets there it is the best feeling in the world.

16. Coffee or tea? Coffee!

17. Paperback or e-reader? I love the smell of a paperback in the morning.

18. Mountains or the sea? That depends on so many scenarios. Is it cold in the mountains? Or stifling hot by the sea? I like to be a comfortable luke warm. Is a pond an option?

19. Summer or winter? Neither. I’m more of an autumn gal.

20. Sweet or salty? Combined together!

Excerpt

“Get out of my way, Asher.”

He placed his arms on either side of her, blocking any chance of an easy escape. She held back a shiver as he brushed his fingers over her cheek so he could tuck her hair behind her ear. Asher was not about to let her ruin their day with her temper.

“Not this time, Zoe.”

Before she could protest, his lips found hers in what she could only describe as the most searing kiss of her life. Unlike the kiss in the hallway, which had been curious and uncertain, not at all what she had expected from him, this one was everything she had expected his kiss would be – relentless and overpowering. She thought about biting him for a second, but instead found herself caught up in it. She would feel ashamed later at how easy it had been for her to just slide her hands through the curly tendrils of his hair and kiss him in return.

While she had only been kissed by one other person – Garrett – who was always gentle and giving, this kiss was like a battle on its own. Their mouths clashed together as each of them fought for dominance. She found herself moaning into the kiss and forgot for a moment who she was kissing, but eventually they had to end the kiss to breathe. They gaped at the other at the magnitude of what just happened.

Asher recovered first and leaned his forehead against hers. He brushed his fingertips along the curve of her breast, causing a sharp intake from her. He held her gaze with his for a moment and tried to memorize the details of her face in that moment. He noted how her amber eyes had darkened and her face had flushed all the way down to her heaving chest. Asher could not think of a time when she was more beautiful than right then.

“If you want me to stop seeing them I will. Just say the word and I’m yours.”

Zoe’s entire body tensed up at his proposition and for a hot minute she was tempted to say it, but pride would not allow her to give him the satisfaction of knowing how much it affected her.

She leaned her face into his, “What makes you think I care?” She shoved him away and ran as fast as her skirts would allow her back toward the palace.

The blurb

When living in a world where the prince isn’t always charming, the princess has a mean right hook, and angels are worshiped like gods, love isn’t always easy to find.

Zoe has never been the lady-like princess she's read about in fairy-tales, even with her very own handsome prince to sweep her off her feet. She doesn't know what she dislikes more, his arrogant smirk or the way his grey eyes darken when they fight. Angels help him if he thinks he could tame her.

Asher won't admit it, but he admires the fighting style of his warrior princess. She reminds him of an avenging angel the way her fiery hair whips around her as she takes out her challengers. Dark One help him, but she is as tough an opponent on the battlefield as she is off.

With unknown and unwanted feelings starting to emerge between the two royals, a single goodbye turns into a frantic search for a missing princess. Asher has to find the one woman he never thought he’d miss and keep his kingdom safe from an old enemy. If he fails, the angels may not forgive him this time.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B017BJ6TCA

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27227149-flames-of-auriel

About the author

Erin Bedford is a new fantasy romance author, a computer programmer by day, and a hobby hoarder. She enjoys playing RPG games alongside her husband as well as inventing nonsensical games for her daughter's amusement. Erin lives in the Omaha Nebraska Region and dreams of one day moving where the word snow is nonexistent. Creating fantastical worlds has always been a secret passion of hers and she couldn't imagine writing any story without some kind of lovey-dovey or smexy goodness in it.