September 2023

In my Author Spotlight series, I shine a light on the talented authors in the indie romance community. Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to Nadine Abrahams, the creative mind behind the captivating book, The Primal Heartbeat. Nadine Abrahams has been an avid reader and writer since early childhood. From publishing poems to creating her first novel at thirteen, Nadine’s passion for storytelling has only grown. She writes books that reflect on both the dark and good sides of humanity, showcasing characters who find strength in their flaws. The Primal Heartbeat is the first book in the Stars Fallen Series. Born into a world where humanity has been corrupted by evil, Ake’s destiny is to defeat a dark goddess. With aid from her soulmate, Ake bravely battles the forces attempting to tear them apart. This epic fantasy romance follows a strong heroine on a perilous journey filled with danger, self-enlightenment, and love. Can you share with us your journey from being an avid reader and writer to publishing your first novel, “The Primal Heartbeat,” at the young age of thirteen? How did your early experiences shape your writing style and passion for storytelling? I was an avid reader from a very young age, but it wasn’t until high school that I discovered a passion for writing. I was often bullied, so I retreated into the world of books. My best friend Amy and I devoured books from the school library and discussed them at length. She has been a huge source of encouragement, and I thank her for encouraging me to write again. The character Ake came into my dream one night, and I began to write and rewrite. I finished a first draft in my late teens and published it in 2004. Since then, I rewrote the book with the help of my amazing editor, Jenn from RedInk Creative, and now books two and three are written and will be out in the coming months. I also want to thank my family, especially my husband, My Lan, for their support. “The Primal Heartbeat” introduces readers to a world of magic and romance set in 306 CE. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind creating this unique historical fantasy setting? How did you blend elements of romance and fantasy to weave your narrative? I have always loved fantasy, including the works of Tolkien and Kate Forsyth’s series The Witches of Eileanan. The romanticism of the medieval period and stories based on Celtic legends, such as Arthurian sagas, intrigued me. My characters flow through me, often arguing and changing their stories as if telling me their journey. What started as Ake’s journey came to involve her lover, and their romance blossomed. It was easy to entwine romance and fantasy. Telewanake (Ake), the protagonist of your book, is destined to bring about the downfall of the evil goddess Drianna. What inspired you to create such a powerful and determined character? How did you develop her personality and strengths? After going through some traumatic events myself, Ake became a representation of my own struggle and sense of self. She could conquer things more confidently and ardently than I could. As I wrote, I asked myself how I might respond in that same situation, which became the basis for developing her traits further. The themes of endurance, love, and forgiveness resonate strongly in “The Primal Heartbeat.” How do these themes reflect your own beliefs and experiences, and how do they enrich the narrative of your story? Despite trauma, I have found that love and forgiveness are key to peace. Unlike glorified love stories, it takes hard work, dedication, and self-reflection. It is a harder road than walking away but brings more peace in the end. In a world dominated by men and plagued by disease and murder, Ake’s journey is one of resilience and self-discovery. How did you approach the challenges and obstacles she faces, and what message do you hope readers will take away from her story? I have been inspired by countless strong women around me and in my own discovery of self. I have learned that most people are stronger than they realize. I hope readers take away from Ake’s story that they are warriors, stronger than they realize, and all conflict soon passes. There are those who want the best for you—find your people, just as Ake does. The bond between Ake and her soulmate is a central aspect of the book. Could you share with us how you developed their relationship? What aspects of their dynamic make their love story compelling for readers? Their story isn’t one of instant love. It grows over decades and is often fraught with miscommunication, flawed opinions, cultural differences, and the male-dominated morality of the times. Through it all, they respect each other and realize their strengths counter the other’s weaknesses. They grow as a couple with time and patience. Their traumas often affect their relationship, and they have to work hard to maintain it. Love is not easy; it is hard and exhausting yet rewarding. Your writing not only explores the good and dark sides of humanity but also showcases characters who find strength in their flaws. How do you strike a balance between portraying vulnerability and creating characters who inspire readers? Life is flawed, vulnerable, yet beautiful. A person willing to show their vulnerabilities develops a sense of trust and displays humility, drawing like-minded people towards them. Someone who is strong despite their vulnerability inspires others. “The Primal Heartbeat” is the first book in the Stars Fallen Series. Can you give us a sneak peek into what readers can expect from the upcoming books in the series? Any hints about the direction the story will take? We see the couple move from innocent teenagers, the equivalent of nineteen-year-olds, to a couple in their early twenties. What started as innocent in the romance department heats up in book two as they grow as a couple. Her lover is not who he

In my Author Spotlight series, I shine a light on the talented authors in the indie romance community. Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to Mia Fury, the creative mind behind the captivating book, Stripped of Mercy. Mia Fury is the alter ego of an established PNR writer who ventured into the darker waters and decided to stay. The Bennett brothers are her proudest creation to date, but keep an eye out for more, unrelated, books coming soon too. Dark, naughty, and steamy are promised. Stripped of Mercy is a dark, deadly romance that delves into the Bennett Crime World. Deano, dealing with the aftermath of a botched surgery, faces deadly episodes of rage and a need for revenge. Evie, a witness to his violent crime, finds herself drawn to this wounded man. As their paths intertwine, their attraction becomes as dangerous as the world they navigate. Will Deano find redemption, or will he become a threat to the Bennett empire? Can you give us a sneak peek into how you craft complex characters like Deano, who’s dealing with personal struggles while navigating the criminal world? I think each character starts out pretty simple, but the character naturally rounds out as I write. I’m known to be a major pantser, so often I go in with very little idea of what I want to do with a character or a book and just let it unfold. Deano revealed facets to his personality that I never expected, so he was really fun to write. “Stripped of Mercy” introduces us to Evie, who crosses paths with the enigmatic Deano. What drew you to develop their relationship in the midst of danger and revenge? How do you balance the dark themes with the romantic elements in your storytelling? Being a pantser, I like to throw two people together and let them get themselves into all kinds of trouble! Evie very quickly became so protective of Deano that for once I was writing a ‘touch HIM and die,’ as well as the other way around. Every time she threw herself between him and danger, I was just so proud of her, while simultaneously screaming ‘what are you doing?’ at her. Balancing dark and romantic themes can be tricky. Some readers want more of one than the other, but I believe the contrasts and balances highlight each other in a way that makes the story even more beautiful. Writing dark heroes (or anti-heroes) is tricky, because you have to make them dark and keep them that way, but at the same time, they have to soften for their woman at times and be at least a little redeemable. As an indie romance author, what challenges have you faced in terms of promoting your books and building a readership? Could you share some insights into the strategies you’ve used to connect with your audience and enhance your digital reach? I think ‘indie writer’ is a completely different career than that of a traditionally published writer because we have to be all the things and somehow fit that into the same amount of hours in a day. For me, I wish I could afford to have people doing all the promo for me so that I could focus on writing only, but I do enjoy some of the marketing side of things. Meeting with, chatting with, and creating shenanigans with other writers and readers alike is one of the best parts of this job. Connecting with people, albeit mostly virtually, is an important part of my job as a writer. Your social media presence is impressive, with profiles on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and more. How do you approach using these platforms to engage with readers and share updates about your books? I think if we’re not on as many platforms as possible, we risk missing vital audiences that we really want to connect with. Am I getting this promo thing right? I’m pretty sure I’m not, but I’m doing the best I can and enjoying most of the ride. Would I love to see my TikTok videos gain a wider reach? Of course, but again, I have no idea how to do these things, so I’m pantsing this side as well as the writing. “Stripped of Mercy” explores intense themes that may be triggering for some readers. How do you find the balance between addressing sensitive topics and ensuring your readers have a fulfilling reading experience? Dark romance can’t exist without triggering content because it’s our safe place to explore things others wouldn’t find palatable. It’s an essential genre of literature. For some, the reading of such content offers a catharsis or release from having experienced such things, and for others, it’s a chance to venture into the darkness, knowing there’s an easy way back out. I’m very clear with trigger warnings because I’d rather everyone went in fully informed. Your alter ego, Mia Fury, has created quite a world within the Bennett Crime series. Could you give us a glimpse into your writing process? Do you meticulously plan your stories or let the characters guide you? Pantser all the way here. For me, it’s sitting down with a blank screen and maybe a vague idea and then I just start typing. There’s no planning at all, and the word terrifies me. My characters own me, and I’m their little b*tch, but I like it that way. Indie authors often wear multiple hats, from writing to marketing. Any tips for fellow indie authors looking to enhance their digital reach? I have plenty of advice, but whether it’s the right advice for each individual is unlikely. For me, I started with the writing, and when I had a few books out there, I had to feel my way for promo and marketing. I’d say for anyone new, who’s working on as yet unpublished works, don’t waste too much time planning social media before your book is ready. The whole side of things is all-consuming, and it